Shayhiloosh's Story

Shayhiloosh Post #1

Mission: Reflections of Van Helsing and the Dragon, Day 4

Mission: Available Light, Day 16

Stardate: 2407.02.03

(Starbase Geneva – Botanical Gardens – Botanist Ensign Shayhiloosh – 2000)

Shayhiloosh sighed from hir leafy boughs. It was quiet now in the Botanical Gardens. S/he could relax and do a bit of exploring. In waking, s/he felt refreshed, and had fed all day in the fertile soil amidst the small grove of trees far off of the much traveled pathways. Shayhiloosh stretched hir sleep stiffened boughs and rustled appreciatively.

With the coming of the night cycle, the birds and other small animals settled down to rest. Shayhiloosh felt almost overfed between photosynthesis and rooting in the rich soil for such a long period of daylight hours. S/he was certainly bursting with energy and needed to put that into movement or budding and new growth. As s/he already was as tall as was possible, yet still able to function and fit easily into this mainly humanoid society, movement was preferable. Extending hir roots on top of the soil and hir eyestalks to look about, Shayhiloosh began to meander through the Geneva’s Botanical Gardens, under what s/he knew to be simulated starlight and a simulated full moon, but thankful to the Great Elders to be alive and exulting in hir present environment. It seemed an eternity since hir had last rooted in such an idyllic setting. Starbase Geneva had a well balanced ecosystem in their Gardens, complete with water reclamation, many smaller flowering deciduous trees, a few of the larger pines and conifers, and flowering plants and shrubs. Shayhiloosh found the small lake at the center of the Gardens after wandering for quite some time on the stone pathways. S/he sighed all the way from hir tiniest rootlets to the tips of hir highest leaves at such luxury so far from home in space. The tiny points of starlight and moonlight from overhead reflected in the water surface, sparkling and twinkling.

The small lake contained the largest collected amount of water on the station and was a significant reservoir. Shayhiloosh dipped a single rootlet into the water to check for purity and found it palatable though with a slight metallic overlay of flavor. S/he estimated .00000231 percent of metals in the water. ~It is contained in a metal station and is therefore to be expected.~ S/he thrust a few larger roots into the water to drink deeply. The garden soil, though fertile and damp, had not supplied enough moisture and Shayhiloosh was parched.

As s/he was about to withdraw from the water, Shayhiloosh heard a noise. One of the entrances was some way off and the staff kept their machinery well lubricated. S/he had heard no squeaking of the portal doors parting. At the approaching footsteps Shayhiloosh froze as s/he was, fearful of discovery. Though s/he had been warned, Shayhiloosh was undeterred in hir quest for interspecies understanding and the truth about the Federation’s civil war. So in cautious determination, s/he withdrew hir eyestalks into hir upper boughs, peeking out from hir leaves quietly, remaining motionless.

A small humanoid approached the lake, a human male walking with a smaller four legged creature. The two were connected by a flat looking finely woven vine. From pictures and holograms Shayhiloosh had seen back at the Academy, s/he guessed it was a variety of canine, one of those referred to as terriers. Though canines were semi-sentient, they could be lethal creatures if frightened or provoked.

Oddly, the canine seemed to be leading the human, sniffing industriously and constantly, following some type of scent. With a dawning horror, Shayhiloosh realized the canine was following where s/he had walked through the Gardens. In what Shayhiloosh perceived as a deliberate show of defiance, the canine trotted to a nearby bush, and lifting a back leg, proceeded to urinate on the plant. Disgusted by such behavior, Shayhiloosh hoped the animal would not attempt such an action toward hirself. The creature then proceeded to dig all four feet into the ground, marring the thick turf and flinging grass, leaves and soil everywhere.

Putting its snout to the ground again, the canine followed the meandering path Shayhiloosh had taken toward the lake. It approached hir roots and stopped staring straight at Shayhiloosh, bared sharp wicked looking teeth and began growling aggressively.

“What is it, Fling?” asked the small human, looking about for the source of the creature’s discomfort. “What’s the matter boy? There’s nothing here but a tree and the lake, just like always.” He looked around and then back toward the motionless dark tree. “I haven’t seen that tree here before. They must have planted it since I have been here. But they didn’t do a very good job.” The human poked at hir roots. The canine continued growling and snarling toward Shayhiloosh, bounding about the boy aggressively. “Hey there Fling, it’s alright. There isn’t anyone here but us,” said the boy. He stooped to pet the animal, stroking its white wiry coat in a failed attempt at reassurance. “Look I’ll show you.” Caught by surprise, Shayhiloosh could only watch in astonishment as the youngling shimmied up his body and levering up Shayhiloosh’s main branches, proceeded to put a hard booted foot into hir branch crotch.

“That hurts!” said Shayhiloosh emphatically. Hir main branches bent quickly to catch the human who had let go in fright. Shayhiloosh caught the boy before hitting the ground, knowing of humans’ frailty. The canine, barking wildly, reached a new crescendo.

Extending hir eyestalks, Shayhiloosh gently deposited hir small burden to the ground. The youngling was sitting and backed up quickly, eyes wide in a frightened pale face. “Come here Fling,” said the boy, hauling the growling dog close and enfolding it in shaking arms. The human stared up at the gently swaying eyestalks in amazement.

“Are you injured?’ inquired Shayhiloosh. At the boy’s negative headshake, Shayhiloosh spoke again in his breezy whispery voice. “I will not hurt you, but your foot hurt me in my crotch.” Shayhiloosh paused and until this moment hir had not realized how lonely the Gardens now seemed. “I would like your company. I am only staying for a short time. I am sorry I frightened you.”

S/he looked at the boy with concern and drooped in sorrow. There were no elders of which to ask endless questions, or sprouts to teach, and no visitors with which to converse. For one daylight shift and this night cycle Shayhiloosh had stayed quiet, hidden from prying eyes in a more remote area of the Gardens, waiting until the Security Chief would let hir know that hir transport had arrived. But now hir presence was known and there could be trouble. “If any other than the Security Chief or the commanding officer know of my existence, my life may be at risk. Please do not betray me,” pleaded Shayhiloosh.

The human’s face blanched, and then like a ray of sunlight from behind a cloud, a charming look came across the boy’s face. “I won’t tell anyone. You want to talk to me? Nobody ever wants to talk to me. They always tell me to go away and to be quiet. You are the first one who ever wanted me to talk!” said the boy in amazement. Then his face changed, wrinkling in worry. “You’re not here to invade us, are you?”

“No, young sprout, I have no such plan of conquest.” Shayhiloosh laughed breezily through hir quaking leaves. “I am a newly graduated Ensign from Starfleet Academy. My name is Shayhiloosh and I am traveling to my assignment in the science department on the USS Boudicca. I will leave soon.” Hir branches, leaves and trunk drooped again. “I have had to remain hidden. But I am alone.”

The boy nodded and hugging the dog spoke reassuringly. “It’s alright boy. This is a friend.” The youngling reached into a pocket and pulled out a brightly colored ball. The dog, distracted, became excited and wagging its short tail leaped out of the boy’s arms. It jumped around the boy in wild abandon, barking maniacally. The human threw the ball and the canine went racing after it, voicing its excitement.

“My dog loves to play. If you throw the ball for Fling, you’ll have a friend for life,” laughed the human sprout with bared teeth.

”How old are you and what are you called?” asked Shayhiloosh. The sprout proudly stood and said, “My name is Piotr Iosovich. I live on Deck 8 with my mother and father. I am in my second year of grade school and I’m seven. My father is in the science department.” Piotr paused, considering. “You’ll have to leave the Gardens if you want to board a ship.” Just then Fling came bounding back holding the ball in a drooling happy mouth and dropped it at Piotr’s feet, jumping and wriggling in energetic motion. Piotr picked up the ball to the Fling’s rapturous delight. “Here sir.” Handing the ball to Shayhiloosh, the boy grinned again. “Throw it, sir. Fling will love it.” Shayhiloosh doubted that, judging by the number of teeth in Fling’s mouth s/he had seen recently, but obligingly threw the ball. In a few moments Fling brought the ball back and happily dropped it at hir roots. When Shayhiloosh bent down to pick up the ball, the dog reacted, intimidated, and backed away barking noisily.

Shayhiloosh threw the ball again in an effort to quiet the noisy creature. Off it leaped to find the ball. It seemed very excitable for a companion. “I think Fling likes you now,” said Piotr. “I hope so,” answered Shayhiloosh, thinking of the high number of sharp teeth in its mouth. “Is school enjoyable?” asked Shayhiloosh. “I hate school,” said Piotr kicking the ground disconsolately. “They make me write and spell when I want to know how stuff works. I like to take stuff apart, only Mama doesn’t like that. Papa just laughs and says I will be a good engineer some day. Why should I do spelling? It’s so hard!”

Reaching down, Shayhiloosh gently picked up Piotr and after sitting the boy on a main branch angled at ninety degrees, hir began to walk along the lake shore. Piotr was surprised but looked thrilled by the scenery change. One eyestalk looked at Piotr closely. “Communication between you and others should be very clear, Piotr Iosovich. For example, if you wish to accomplish putting together a warp engine assembly on a ship of any kind, you must know what the names of the pieces are and how they go together. You will need to help coordinate with others to do this type of work. Either you must learn to communicate easily and fluently, or give up what you enjoy doing best to do something else you may not like as well. One must do something with one’s lifetime, as life is precious.”

Fling caught up with them, holding the ball in a sloppy wet mouth, and walked happily alongside.

“I suppose,” said Piotr reluctantly. “I guess I better start working on learning how to spell warp engine parts.”

“That is the idea,” agreed Shayhiloosh leaves quaking with laughter. “I commend you on your choice.”

Just then a voice came over the commbadge Shayhiloosh was wearing. =^=Security Chief to Ensign Shayhiloosh.=^=. Shayhiloosh halted. “Yes Chief? Is my transport here?” =^=Yes Ensign, it has arrived. We will be down with the big box to load you up and sneak you off the station.=^=

“I understand sir. Thank you, sir.” Shayhiloosh began to walk back quickly toward hir little grove to obtain hir few hidden possessions. “I will be leaving very soon, Piotr. You must go. You were not to know of my existence here. Do not forget your companion and the ball.” Shayhiloosh put the boy back down on the ground on his feet.

The boy, moving the few steps toward the tall ensign, stumbled trying not to step on any roots. He hugged Shayhiloosh around the trunk to hir startled but delighted surprise. “Goodbye. Thank you for talking to me.” Gently Shayhiloosh bent down a bough to place an appendage against the boy’s back. “You have brought a bright light to this lonely heart today, Piotr Iosovich. We Arborians live a long time and I will not forget you.”

(Reply none)

(Posted by Sheila)

Shayhiloosh Post #2

Mission: Reflections of Van Helsing and the Dragon, Day 3

Mission: Available Light, Day 16

Stardate: 2407.02.09

(Freighter Stephanie Lou, Deep Space – Primary Cargo Bay – Botanist Ensign Shayhiloosh (jg) – 2039)

As cramped as the crate was, Shayhiloosh did what s/he could to rest quietly. The original plan was that someone would come and let hir out of the box after leaving Geneva. But something must have gone wrong; no one ever came.

Shayhiloosh couldn’t tolerate being in the box any more. The crate corners did not allow room to stretch out hir boughs with any comfort. The dark time seemed eternal, plodding along endlessly. Though s/he had listened carefully, there had been no sound to indicate any being in the freighter’s main cargo hold for a very long time.

~Enough! It is time,~ thought Shayhiloosh impatiently. Breaking out of the crate would prove no problem, although it would be destroyed in the process. It was made out of a heavy corrugated plastic with a few small slivers of cracks for air on one upper edge. But it had not been designed for permanent residence.

Shayhiloosh began to push. Arborians were amazingly strong, due to thier trunks and branches being made of long slender muscular tubes bound up in bundles in a highly efficient manner. The top of the crate began to creak and split open in protest. Shayhiloosh kept pushing and worked up a main branch through the open edge. Gripping the open edge with strong rubbery like tendrils and straightening hir boughs, the plastic crate roof could stand no more strain. With a loud crack it popped off and several pieces went flying outward into the murky cargo hold.

~Oh, to stretch upward again!~ Shayhiloosh reached up and out in joy, relishing the fresher air of the dark hold. The confining walls were easier once the top was off. All Shayhiloosh had to do was to break two corners apart and s/he was free and could stretch out hir roots as well.

~Now, I must find light, food and water~ s/he thought. S/he began moving about in the darkened hold, trying to find an exit or even a wall.

Moving about proved to be difficult, but not impossible. The cargo was strewn about haphazardly and much of it wasn’t fastened down, but in the total darkness it was difficult to move around on the floor. Shayhiloosh began to climb some of it as a last resort.

Finding a wall, Shayhiloosh moved only a few yards before s/he came across a panel. Brushing a strong flexible hand against it, s/he saw the portal doors part. Blinking against the light after such a long incarceration in darkness, Shayhiloosh moved with determination. The need for water was becoming dire.

When Shayhiloosh cautiously stuck out an eyestalk to look about, s/he found that the corridor was clear. S/he moved quietly through the portal and it closed behind hir. Shayhiloosh crept quietly through the hallway and straightened instinctively into leafy stillness when voices began echoing nearby.

Two beings came around a corner near Shayhiloosh. They were arguing about money, something about which many humanoids seemed overly preoccupied. They stopped upon seeing a tree in the dim corridor.

“Take me to your Captain,” said Shayhiloosh. “I need to speak to your Captain.”

The humans, startled, backed away. They whispered to each other. One, a taller dark skinned man, stepped forward and gestured toward Shayhiloosh. “Who are you?” he asked his eyes wide. The Arborian’s eyestalks peered out from hir leafy boughs. The two humanoids seemed fearful and Shayhiloosh sought to take advantage of that. “I am Shayhiloosh. I was boxed up for transport in the cargo hold and left to die. This was not our arrangement. I wish to speak to the Captain.”

Ten minutes later, Shayhiloosh found hirself addressing a portly human woman who had kind eyes. “I am sorry that is what happened to you, Ensign Shayhiloosh. My instructions were to deliver a large box of supplies to the USS Boudicca. I had no idea there was anyone alive in that crate or in our cargo hold.”

“Could I have a bucket of fresh water? I am beginning to wilt extensively. I would also like some sort of soil or minerals if you have any.” The human Captain smiled reassuringly and said, “I am sure we can find something you can eat.”

(Reply none)

(Posted by Sheila)

Shayhiloosh Finding Hir Can Be a Covert Spy

Mission: Reflections of van Helsing and the Dragons, Day 4

Mission: Available Light, Day 16

Stardate: 2407.02.10

(USS Boudicca – Sickbay – Botanist Ensign Shayhiloosh (jg) – 1538)

Shayhiloosh drifted in and out of consciousness, barely aware of Dr. Jahlen attending to hir wounded parts. S/he was in agony and was weak enough that at one point s/he became vaguely aware s/he was propped up against a wall in Sickbay.

(Reply Jahlen)

Upset that the hostile Marines had hit one of the doctors hard enough to send her flying across the room, Shayhiloosh had been reluctant to obtain much care, hir concern for the bloodied doctor who was being threatened outweighing concern for hirself, but the grave extent of hir injuries soon gave hir little choice. S/he had lost a lot of ichor and was having difficulty remaining alert due to the throbbing agony from hir many wounds. Hir main branches began to droop and leaves began to wilt, and in bleak despair s/he fled, seeking solace in the Dreamplane of the ship.

(Reply Jahlen, any in Sickbay)

(USS Boudicca - Dreamscape, The Grey Plain – Botanist Ensign Shayhiloosh (jg) – 1539)

Again, as before, Shayhiloosh found hirself on the dull grey metal plain, hir pain a pulsing throb but a more bearable background to the scene before hir. Hir entire trunk was trembling with weakness, and the scene that greeted Shayhiloosh gave no comfort.

S/he watched as large dark shapes scuttled across it, busily hurrying elsewhere. One approached and Shayhiloosh shuddered as the dark enraged looking insect-like shape scurried through hir ephemeral self. A muted roaring buzzing sound filled the atmosphere.

Shayhiloosh had hoped to draw solace from the eternal stars, but found much of the overhead vastness to be covered by a large shadow. Studying it warily, s/he realized this must be the enemy ship. As s/he watched, smaller shapes descended from ropes or tendrils from the gargantuan shape that blocked most of the star field. ~They must be the hostile forces, boarding the Boudicca.~ Wondering if s/he could effect anything here in hir weakened state, Shayhiloosh could only watch helplessly as more climbed down from the ship.

As more of the large, dark, scuttling things scampered past, s/he remembered the small scruffy creature with concern. It was aware of hir, knew hir and might even feel safe with hir. S/he could use the company as s/he didn't feel too brave right now either. Leaf bladders shaking with fright, s/he felt fear welling up as a sinister shadow inside, threatening to overwhelm.

S/he began following, shambling along unsteadily, after the dark shapes. S/he couldn't hope to stop them, but maybe s/he could contact someone who could. Hope gave Shayhiloosh more courage once again and s/he drew against that, in an effort to marshal hir strength.

Moving with the thin scattered tide of dark creatures, Shayhiloosh worked to reach whatever point they were all moving toward, dreading what s/he might find. The plain wasn't so barren. Now it was littered with debris; a large piece of stone here, a large conical shape there, bits of smaller rock and shattered pieces, of what Shayhiloosh could not guess. S/he suspected it to be parts of the ship's consoles, furniture, or even bodies, and knew hir mind must be protecting itself from grief and shock in an effort to stay strong enough to function, so Shayhiloosh did not investigate the rock-like objects closely. Instead s/he moved past them, carefully going around or avoiding them altogether, attempting no tactile contact.

Perched atop one large rock was the little scruffy being, frightened, trying to make itself small and hide. It trembled in fright and was hunched in a ball of fear, radiating terror. So far the dark creatures around them seemed unaware of them as they scurried about moving generally in one direction in their unstoppable tide.

Shayhiloosh stopped beside the large rock. ::Hello again, small one. I see you are frightened. I am frightened too. Would you like to stay with me?::

Until now, amidst all this trouble and pain, s/he had no idea how much s/he missed home. Home, with its peaceful vales and hills, meadows and lakes was so quiet and happy by comparison with the present situation. Arboria Prime with its muttering elders, classes of younglings, and gentle rains, seemed incredibly, wonderfully, joyous and idyllic, compared to the place s/he was in now.

The creature looked up blinking large round dark eyes wide with anxiety, whooped with loud relief, and sprang eagerly toward Shayhiloosh's upper trunk. It didn't hurt much to have the creature leap like that; it was relatively small and light. Shayhiloosh felt s/he could bear it as long as s/he wasn't alone. He scuttled about to sit on one of hir main branches, clinging tightly with long fingers.

An odd thing occurred. Shayhiloosh, already unsteady, brushed against the stone with some of hir roots. S/he froze in astonishment as the rock like shape opened to show a room with a brown haired human female holding the hand of a tiny youngling. Startled, the Arborian pulled away. The scene of the room disappeared.

The creature, gripping Shayhiloosh tightly wrapped its limbs around the branch and stared with fright into one of Shayhiloosh's eyestalks. ::Bad things,:: it told him. ::We are together and we will help each other:: Shayhiloosh told the little creature. S/he very privately, deep inside, hoped that it was true.

(Reply none)

(Posted by Sheila)

Shayhiloosh Rooting Trying to Get Well

Mission: Reflections of van Helsing and the Dragon, Day 4

Mission: Available Light, Day 16

Stardate: 2407.02.10

(USS Boudicca – Ship Dreamplane – Botanist Ensign Shayhiloosh - 1650)

Drowsing under the quiet beauty of the stars overhead in the majestic sky, Shayhiloosh became aware that the little scruffy creature was cuddled up sleeping on one of hir studier and fortunately uninjured main branches. S/he had too many aches and pains all over, but they had receded and were more bearable.

The brilliant colorful world of the Arborian Prime Dreamplane contrasted strongly with this dull grey metallic plane, possibly because of the Boudicca's metallic structure and content, and the fact that a single Arborian was here with only this small creature for company. It was possible that more shared perceptions together could create a less barren and vital Dreamplane here, but Shayhiloosh knew no way of doing that unless they began housing more graduates of the Academy that were Arborians.

Peering with gratitude through hir branches at the little fellow who had shown such bravery, Shayhiloosh noted sadly that hir branches were now bare; s/he would be mute and it would be a day, maybe several, before more leaf bladders could grow large enough to allow hir a voice. But with sustaining so many injuries, hir wasn't sure how long it might take. If s/he could concentrate on only growing a few, that might allow him better assignment of energy to heal the rest of hirself. But hir voice would be softer and more difficult for most humanoids to hear. S/he sighed mentally in resignation to that.

As long as s/he could communicate, s/he would not feel so alone. Other than hir present companion, the ship Dreamplane seemed bereft and empty, a desolate place, but one that presently afforded Shayhiloosh quiet to recuperate. Again Shayhiloosh missed the hills, meadows, valleys, and lakes of home. But most of all s/he missed hir people. Perhaps they might stop by hir planet for a visit so the elders could meet the crew and understand for themselves more about the conflict the rebels were fighting. It would afford some time for Shayhiloosh to visit with hir people and bask in the Dreamplane of hir planet.

Shayhiloosh hirself had always understood what the rebels were fighting for; freedom. S/he had begun to fully understand that concept better all the time. S/he felt that freedom to have one's opinions that might differ from the elders, ancient and revered though they might be, should be a freedom for all sentient species across the galaxy, as long as it refrained from hurting or taking advantage of anyone else. Freedom to trade safely, to make internal decisions without interference, and to uphold the individual rights of sentient beings were concepts fundamental to the original foundation of the Federation. Though these concepts were new to Shayhiloosh, they were not difficult to entwine in one's roots.

Though Shayhiloosh knew that the tradition based culture that hir had been brought up in allowed for great beauty and wisdom, it did not always allow for adaptation to changes. Shayhiloosh knew that survival for hir people and planet would require growth to accommodate new concepts and ideas, instead of being mired in the sticky muck of habit and convention. Just because an idea was new did not mean that it should immediately be discarded. To Shayhiloosh that was the same as flinging away the good soil with the rocks. One might miss out on some extremely tasty part of the soil, just as hir people might miss something that they really would need, to deal with the changing situations of the interplanetary community.

Shayhiloosh mentally rustled hir branches and stretched out hir roots, and knew that one day on the Dreamplane would not solve all the problems for hir culture. But eventually s/he hoped to realize and dream better choices for the Arborians. S/he settled back to drowsing under the calm and silent stars, hope for the future and hirself settling in hir roots, trunk and limbs.

(Reply Winston, any)

(Posted by Sheila)

Arborian Life Philosophy

Mission: Tribuo Senatus

Day 8

Stardate: 2408.01.06

(USS Hades – Hydroponics Bay Jungle - ACSO Ensign Shayhiloosh, Shureshlee – 1230)

Walking deep amid the jungle, Shayhiloosh was still categorizing a few plants they had not yet counted. Adding more using hir Tricorder and PADD, Shayhiloosh kept the list with its plant descriptions growing, much like an obnoxious weed.

Shambling to the console in the office, Shayhiloosh downloaded the latest group of plant names and their descriptions from the tricorder. The tricorder still pictures helped to further identify the plants visually.

Just then Shureshlee returned from class. Secretly Shayhiloosh had to dampen hir enthusiastic parental pride every time the Child appeared. Shureshlee was progressing well with socializing with the students. Rosalind and one or two other children came to spend time with them every now and then. But Shayhiloosh was firm about them doing their assignments. Though they needed play time too, Shayhiloosh did not wish to see them neglecting their studies.

Today Shureshlee shambled in alone. S/he came straight to Shayhiloosh, hir smaller branches erect and bristling with excitement. "Elder Parent, we spoke of life philosophies today as one of our lessons. Dr. Mothershead was insistent that we be respectful and tolerant. She spoke of how different species hold different beliefs. What do Arborians believe about a sentient being with power to create the universe?"

Shayhiloosh swiveled all three of hir eyestalks in Shureshlee's direction, hir limpid blue eyestalks nodding. "Have you told them of the Dreamplane and how we gather there during our rest time?"

"Yes and I told them how important it was for anyone there to master their emotions or they can manifest in some terrible ways and hurt the Dreamer," answered the smaller Arborian.

"Not having yet been to Arboria with me stationed here on the Hades, you have not had the chance to commune with the eldest of our race. There are Arborian Elders on Arboria Prime so old and ancient they no longer speak to us in this physical manner as we do now. They spend much of their time on the Dreamplane. While communing with the younger generations of our race, they have conveyed stories that they had been visited by other world beings who have manifested themselves as incorporeal entities, though on the Dreamplane they can take any shape. These entities identify themselves as Messengers of a greater being who watches over us. We merely refer to this being as the One."

Shayhiloosh continued, "While on Arboria Prime I have communed with one of the elders who conveyed the story to me. When I have spoken of this with humanoids, their first reaction was to ask me for the proof shown by the Elder, or to doubt that the Elder was sane due to age and possible disease."

Shayhiloosh rustled hir branches in some resignation. "They do not understand that being on the Dreamplane for long periods of time can bring forth even the mildest form of emotion and cause it to manifest. One cannot survive the Dreamplane without wisdom and control over negative emotions or being swallowed up by the powerful surges of joy that can come into being. The body begins to atrophy if such things happen. Control here while on the physical plane must be achieved and time in the Dreamplane must be carefully monitored, especially for those who are young such as yourself. Experience is the key to mastery."

"Have you ever been visited by one of these Messengers, Elder Parent?"

"I may have while I was so ill on the Boudicca after the attack on the ship, but I am unsure of what it was the beings were. They did not speak with me, but they gave me strength to heal and I was so far from home without any elders or younglings to comfort me. They were very comforting in their silent way."

Shureshlee's eyebulbs opened very wide and s/he became very solemn. "Do you think a Messenger will ever come to visit me?"

"There are many Arborians who have never been visited by the Messengers, but they do believe in their existence," explained Shayhiloosh. "I do not know what the future will bring, but over enthusiasm can cause more harm than good while on the Dreamplane. Do not be overly concerned about the Messengers of the One. They may or may not ever show themselves to you. It is difficult to predict."

"Yes Elder Parent," answered Shureshlee. "I will tell the class tomorrow of what Arborians believe. There are so many species within the Federations who have very opposed philosophies. I cannot understand how if all are true then which could be false for surely they could not all be true or all be false."

Shayhiloosh paused and searched for words that explained it fully. "Yes I know. I choose to look at it this way. Could a powerful advanced being, able to create the universe, be easily understood and comprehended by simpler beings such as ourselves? Possibly not. So it is plausible that the One has chosen some other way to manifest itself within a context that each species is able to comprehend and relate to in some way. The context may be different so that each will find a way to grasp the concepts the One is wishing to convey within their minds and apply it in their lives."

"I see, Elder Parent. I will do what I can to explain that too. My assignment was to find out more about what Arborian philosophy and give a report for tomorrow." Shureshlee moved over to pick up another PADD and began putting in a report on Arborian beliefs.

"Ask me any more questions you would like, and I will do whatever I can to explain," said Shayhiloosh.

"I will Elder Parent," said Shureshlee.

(Reply Any)

(Posted by Sheila Mayer)