Read Till the Mountains Turn to Dust (The Chronicles of Eridia) Page 28
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T-mail transmission:
From: Solace Tenant
To: Reynard Fuggs
July 4, 6692; 7:01 AM:
Good Morning, Reynard,
A visit to Twai (and you) is a definite possibility. I’ve been trying to think of something to do for my birthday—it’s September 19th, and I always try to take a trip or do something fun. Perhaps a visit to the east coast would fit the bill. Hm. I’ll have to think about it. It’s a big trip and would take a lot of planning.
And, ah, to write a movie. I, too, would like to do that. As I told you, I’ve written quite a lot over the years—books, essays, and reams and reams of lousy poetry. But never a movie, though I’ve always wanted to. Even before the Cataclysm, I toyed with the idea of writing one. Yes, we had movies in Interon but in some ways they were quite different from movies here. Our movies were almost always fictional. I never cease to be surprised at how low-class and childish fiction is regarded in Eridia. I mean, I know I shouldn’t be so shocked; with Eridia’s vast, rich history, why would anyone need to make anything up? But it’s not what I grew up thinking of as movies. The extrapolatory stuff often comes close—filling in historical gaps and offering various interpretations of ambiguities often merges into fiction (especially Quat’s Covert, har har!)—but even then it’s always built on a basis of fact.
Anyway, although writing a movie is definitely on my list of things I’ve never done but wish to, it’s not at the top. No, at the top would be to ride a dragon.
Yes, I know it’s ridiculous and I’m sure you’re laughing at me right now, but I love the idea. I’ve actually had dreams about it: straddling the hard scaly back, feeling the dragon’s muscles rolling beneath me as the vast wings flap, the earth spread out miles below, cool clear air streaming across my face and blowing my hair back, the clouds around me tinged pink and orange by the sun hidden behind them—or maybe we’re so high up we’re above the sun (I know it’s unrealistic and physically impossible, but that’s how it is sometimes in my dreams), and me unable to stop grinning at the joy and freedom I’m feeling.
You must think me rather silly. Ah, well. And yes, I know there is probably no dragon in all of Eridia who would consent to being the personal vehicle of a silly girlie like me—even if I am older than any of them.
How’s the weather out your way? We’re in the middle of a massive heat wave here. For the last two weeks the average daily temperature has been 98 degrees. People just sit around most of the day, too listless to do much. Some normally conservative folk have even temporarily turned nudist. (And no, I’m not one of them!) We haven’t had a single drop of rain in all that time, either, and if things don’t change soon, drought will start becoming an issue.
Okay, we should do more Q & A. I rather enjoy it. Hmm…
Ah. I know. What was the happiest moment of your life? (So far, of course; I’m sure the future will be full of moments even happier.)