Cait stood in John’s study and released a heavy sigh as her eyes moved not so much from object to object but from memory to memory. Ariel was in bed and although it seemed like only minutes, several hours had past since they took John away. Her gaze skipped as pebbles across his desk and followed the warm light of a single lamp to the wooden cove behind his leather chair. Upon the wall, framed by books of varying sizes and colors, a solitary beam of light fell upon “The Mask” as the Discovery men called it. Passed from generation to generation, the mask represented everything noble in the Discovery lineage, and until a few hours ago, John had upheld the honor of the house as no one before him.
“What is it Kyra?” asked Von, somewhat puzzled by her dour demeanor.
“It’s Rog. They’ve taken him away.”
“For what?”
“Crimes against the state. I didn’t have the energy to argue.”
“What crime?”
“Seems they stole a military vessel.”
“What vessel?”
“The one they rescued us in.”
“Oh.”
A tear slipped from Cait’s eye. She wept not for Discovery honor. She wept for her own.
20 comments:
Not sure what the reality is, but I imagine once you have the beginning of a chapter, the rest flows easier therefrom. I've often noticed that there are no slow starts with yours, that from the very first sentence of a post, the essence of the story is already in full throttle. The very first sentence of this chapter tells us where we are, who we are with, what she is doing, but more importantly, in just that initial opening, the mood is set, and it may seem strange to point it out, to point out the obvious, to point out something that echoes through these pages, but I think that is rather wonderful how that happens, how wonderfully illustrative and expressive the writing is fortifying distinct impressions from the very first words. Ane why mention it today, because I just am so stirred by that opening, the sight of Cait standing there, the sense of being trapped in a moment that stretches (confirmed later with hours that turn to minutes).
No mistaking what the image is meant to signify today. :-) I like here what you do with heritage, imposing not just the bloodlines that stretch through time through the introduction of an object, but through one could almost say the truer ties that bind us, at least those that are clearer to see sometimes, values, tradition.
I almost feel like we got two chapters in one here with the first bit making so great an impression and the second no less noteworthy. The quick succession of event so clear to picture again, or at least hear.
Now this comment has taken so long to write because my mind refused to leave for more than a few seconds at a time that concluding sentence and whether it should be taken clearly in the light of the opening paragraph or whether it has more to do with something else. That something else being what if John doesn't come back, what if the consequences of his actions mean that he will not come back home to them and if that is the case, whether what she feels as her loss of honour is the manner in which she has handled the whole situation with him. Perhaps by seeing the mask there, being reminded that until he set off in a stolen craft to rescue members of the Bravo Crew , he had been an honourable man, he had made her proud, done his linage and the traditions of his bloodline proud, she realized that in essence that is what he had done, regardless of what she felt about it, to John, he had done the right thing, the noble thing, and now that she sees this is the case, it is her honour, towards him, that has been lacking. Maybe. :-)
Certainly, this was an excellent chapter.
beautiful symmetry :)
Even without the words, the fractal spoke volumes to me.
We all wear masks, don't we?
Not a bad thing, necessarily. I mean, I have my 'work' mask. I have my 'mom' mask. Masks can protect us, or project a certain image we want to garner.
But what I see here is that the mask can actually change the wearer....for 'good' or for 'not so good'. The same mask we initially wear to help us, can quickly become a trap. People become so use to the Outward Face we show them, that our authentic selves get locked behind the scenes....not willing to come out for fear of rejection or harm.
When reading the words, I know that my impression upon looking at the art didn't really fly with the theme. But maybe, in a way, it does.
Someone who 'wore' the mask, broke out from the vast history that defined it...and in doing so, defined him. He became authentic.
And now must face the music.
Very thought provoking piece! Love it!
Grace, I love your interpretation of this short chapter. We all wear certain masks at certain times or play certain roles in certain situations. I think as long as we don't confuse the mask with our authentic selves, then we are okay and I think, to a certain extent, all of our roles or masks sit on top of the foundation of who we are. The challenge can be understanding our foundation and accepting our foundation. From there, we act in the world as father, husband, lover, worker, etc. The more "real" we are, I think the more people gravitate toward us. We all want real. We all want the whole. Give me the whole of you, give me the foundation of you and meet me in the shower with a few gummi bears. :-D
As for your take on this chapter and what it might mean to or for John, all I can say is--brilliant--I love it! The story only gets richer with contributions like yours Grace. Thank you for sharing my friend. :-)
Janete, thank you for your kind words. Much appreciated. :-)
Sweetest, as always, your kind words warm my heart. I never tire of your engagement. Thank you.
I'm smiling wide right now because the possible twist you put on Cait's tear is not one I had considered. And now, I am considering that as a real possibility. Quite frankly, I saw her tear as a tear for John's infidelity to his own family--very similar to the reaction that Yul had toward Rog. You, however, have introduced a deeper and richer possible meaning to her grief, namely, that it is not John that has betrayed the family but possibly her that have betrayed John. Interesting. Will give that some thought and probably never really address the issue. :-D
If the idea is there and the first sentence is there, the rest of the chapter flows effortlessly. That is all I need and that is where all the work is--the first sentence educated by a rough idea. Many of my chapter literally get created as I type, and depending on the moment, would and could be different if written one hour sooner or one hour later.
Again, I can not say thanks enough for all your support and kind words. Thank you. :-)
x-rated blogs huh? Hmmmmmmmmmm :o)
Just made me smile real big!! LOL
Linny, tell me more. You've got my interest now. :-D
I'd read your comment on Kellynerd's blog and it caused a big, mischevious smile. :o)
Your smile causes something big in me too. :-D
Good Wednesday evening to you, Tree !
Hope that you are having a good week, and that Rog escapes....
Thank you Annie. Rog has been known to be able to take care of himself so I wouldn't worry too much. :-D
u know I adore masks :)
Keshi.
:o()
Keshi, it's all you need wear, at the bridge. I'll know who you are by the halo above your head. ;-)
Linny, :-)
Yeh kahhan ki dosti hai ki bane hain dost naa se/ koi chharaa saaz hotaa koi gham gusaaz hotaa...
The mask is so significant! There are ever so many kinds...To wear a mask to uphold the honor is a long story...
I guess we all have to wear that one sometime... it passes not only from generation to genration but from person to person... every living [ or dead?] person...
I know Cait is a strong woman and you've said she's going to be all right so I believe you ;-)
As for Rog and John, I'm sensing some very dark days ahead of them since they've not only lost loves but also their freedoms. I have mixed emotions about whether they should be punished though.
Excellent chapter!
*HUGS* to you and Jack!
Mona, so true. I need a peel. A mask peel. I want to see what is underneath. :-D
Thank you Karen. Yes, very dark days ahead for John and Rog. No doubt. :-)
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