2.67 The Look of Love


Once again, the friends gathered beneath the Yew tree outside the Crystal Temple for another chapter of the long story. This time a few fresh face had joined the circle, Jasun had a very beautiful and very pregnant goddess by his side! Zara's immediate reaction was to look away, it was poor form! But then, when everyone swarmed to greet the pregnant goddess, asking her how she was doing and admiring her belly, she became conscious of what she had done. She did what everyone did in Atlan, this was another Lochia...
         "I'd like you to meet my companion, Nina" Jasun introduced her as if nothing was wrong. "She's the love of my life."
         Love of his life? Not only was this Lochia, it was Lochia complete with it's own Vine Club! He loves her?
         "Hello" Nina held out her hand, smiling warmly. "Welcome to Lemuria!"
         Stunned, Zara took Nina's hand forcing her mind open now, the truth was, she liked this relaxed attitude towards pregnancy, had she dared not admit it to herself? She dared to look down at her big round tummy, it was amazing to see it all dressed up in beautiful clothes instead of hidden behind some ugly old robe. Then a feeling of kinship flickered inside; Nina knew first hand what it felt like to be carrying a Product.
         "Hi. My name is Zara, I'm from Infrastructure." She could see the love exploding from Jasun and Nina like a big blooming flower! It was beautiful! Why was this love forbidden? This new concept raised some serious and very personal questions. Why was the truth about Lemuria a secret? Was it wrong to like Lemuria? Did all the aribu secretly pine for love like she did? Were they all just hiding their 'malfunctions' like she had been because they were so afraid of Medel? If no one could prove Medel was real, then was belief in Medel nothing more than a self directed lie?
         She couldn’t help but reflect upon the story of Vinilla, how the hidden culture had transitioned to the norm of the Vine Club today, it was a seamless transition because it had happened over such a long period of time perhaps. Now she questioned her lack of interest in the Vine Club, her obsessions with Nolan, her 'love'. Why had she felt so strongly that he was The One? Why had she rejected the Vine Club if deep down she yearned for love? If Medel wasn't real, then everyone could have love again, everyone could have families and keep their Products!
         Suddenly she felt an overwhelming desire to show Nolan the truth. Maybe that was why she had felt that way. Maybe secretly he felt the same way about her too, but was just too afraid to say! Surely he would say it if he came to Lemuria?
         Thoughts of love for Nolan triggered thoughts of Orien again. Orien was one love she knew she had felt for real, but there had been no spinny vortex… His love was ripped out of her heart the day she discovered it... The day she saw his beautiful face she knew right away what love was.
         A hot tear slid down her cheek like the blood pouring from Orien’s head. Now she knew, that was why she had felt such an overwhelming urge to save him… She loved him!
         Why hadn't she saved him? Today, tears were streaming before the storytelling had even begun, Atalon had it all so wrong! Depending on whether one believed in Medel or not, every breeder and product of Atlan's Empire had been robbed of the most precious thing on earth! She had to admit it to herself now. Love was what she wanted to feel more than anything else in the world.

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