Seodai was a man by all accounts. Sure, he wasn't as used to the rhythm of the farm as Theo, didn't rise at the rooster's inhale, but waited to groan over the crowing of the morn. But these things would come when the time came for Theo himself to dance a round with Dira, if not before. They were content together, and it was good. But all the same, change would come. A farmer knew that better than most, watching the seasons change, and each returning season different from its last from the previous turning of the year. Seo would find a girl, maybe more, have babies, and life would progress. Only Theo was the museum piece, keeping mostly to himself.
All the same, when Seo looked up from his pronouncement, there was a creaky smile on Theo's face, an upward curve of lips that was fragile as a glass bird despite the strength that Seo had depended upon all these years. There was a flicker of melancholy, but it quickly guttered out like a candle in hurried breath.
Seo knew he could always talk about anything with his uncle, from childhood terrors to such as this. There were no taboos.
"When I met Blaesa, my nuncle was still running things here. She was kept indoors quite a bit at the loom. Her family still has a little textile interest going on in the living room. Her sister's gone into dying and teaching that to her son. Anyway... it was a lucky, chance meeting. I mean, we're a small community, but I spent most of my time here, outside Denval proper, and she was so busy she hardly got out of the house. But we met at the fountain. I was dirty and she had a stutter... It embarrassed the hells out of her and the way she acted, most people thought she was stuck up. But it wasn't that. Just embarrassment and she was isolated.
"She had pretty eyes. Her father was from Avanthal. Vantha, you know. That was good to know," he added, referring to the non-Denvali blood that would mean their children would rely less on Viratas' grace than a pureblooded Denvali to have healthy blood. Seo knew this all too well. "I introduced myself and we ended up just sitting there in each other's company... 'Til her mother came looking for her, yelling... Well, she always was a yeller.
"Anyway, Seo. I knew with Blaesa, and I still make an offering to Nikali on the anniversary of that day to thank Her for letting me know what Blaesa needed just based on intuition. If I hadn't had that little nudge, I think we might've botched it. This girl... She isn't Blaesa and you aren't me, but that's the way it should be. You might be sure and she might not, or the other way around. You may be one of those forever couples, or you might just have fun. And a baby or three. More help on the farm, eh?" He chuckled. "But one thing I hope you'll remember: don't go looking for your memory of my relationship with Blaesa, because you won't find it; don't look at all, but be open to the possibilities."
He scratched at the faded Cheva mark behind his ear, the mark from the goddess that proved his devotion to dead Blaesa, who had born an identical one, the divine seal of union.
"Possibilities, Seo. Life is full of them. You should be open to all of them, even if it means leaving the farm, leaving Denval. Life is huge, but it's a gift you should enjoy. Follow your heart," he said, reaching out to put his callused hand over his nephew's. "You have a kind and generous one, and people will be glad to know you. And I'll be here to talk to about life, women, and everything." |