by G. Howell
Not the same adaptations we made. Not necessarily better or worse, just different.
So there have always been aspects I can’t fully comprehend on a gut level. I still have difficulty with ready and writing, and my body language is never quite right for them. Their deference to the Mediator Guild still confuses me at the oddest times; their politics and policies; arts and aesthetics; families and relationships, they all have points that are completely logical to Rris, but baffle me. In return they find some of my own instinctive attitudes disturbing, for reasons of their own. And of course I can’t change the Rris, so I’ve had to adapt.
I’ve lain awake at nights wondering about that. How much have I changed? I don’t quite remember.
And yet, as with all long roads there’ve been the good patches: the times when the going is easy, the sun after the storms, the warm wind, the spectacular vistas, the gentle downhills. I’ve been through those as well. I’ve learned from them. I’ve taken them to heart, remembered them, and cherished them.
They’ll be there. They’re worth it. They’re the ones that keep me going.
Acknowledgments
A heartfelt thank-you to all the people out there who have helped to make this possible. Your fantastic encourangement and feedback have helped bring these stories to life. Again, thank you.