The Rivening

Sign Language

The next morning, Connie found a secluded spot in the ravine a distance away from the pond and pretended to enact her trance motions. She felt silly, like she was playing-acting a spy movie. At the same time, she was deeply worried that who knows who, had been following her. Grayson? James, with his gizmos, tracking her. Maybe even Ainsley? They were up to something. Even though the Dahrians said they kept watch, could they be sure?

Later in the morning she met Arden at the overflow.

She queried him, "Did Pria explain everything? Carefully. Away from your house?"

He made a series of quick gestures with his hands and arms.

Connie looked puzzled.

"Fortunately, our universal language in Dahria. Can't pick that up on hidden microphones."

"Hand signs? Wow, really? Everybody knows it? It seems so much is different in Dahria. I thought this morning we could use this time for you to give me some of the highlights. I know we don't have a lot of time."

"Turning your mind to living in Dahria. You know how much I like the sound of that."

"One thing I've been wondering about is you said you don't have writing like we do. How do you keep track of things?"

"Well, for one, from an early age, we're taught techniques to enhance our memory. It's like having your own personal library always with you. No reason you can't also learn how to do that. It's rather useful."

Connie laughed, "Eneko certainly found my memory lacking as I was madly taking notes during his horticulture lessons."

"Ah yes, Eneko." Arden chuckled. "He can be a little overwhelming, even for a practiced memory librarian. But don't worry, we do have a writing system. Think of it like the ideograms you use here. You know, signs for toilets, no smoking, even those emojis that I understand are so popular now. But ours is more elaborate and can convey long messages and thoughts and keeps track of everything that is important. Means anyone can understand it, no matter what dialect they speak."

"But, no books like we have here to speak of? Reading is a big part of my life." Connie said trying to digest a world with only ideograms for writing.

Arden smiled, "If you love reading, then you must love stories. We have rich traditions of storytelling, and many ways stories are created and shared. We just approach things a little differently. All of this will be much easier for you to understand once you're there."

Connie returned his smile, "All right, I'll put my doubts on hold for now. What about living conditions? You said you have flush toilets and showers and all that. Describe where you live compared to here."

"Well, like most of Dahria, I live in a small community. Maybe four or five thousand."

"What?? That's miniscule. Don't you go stir-crazy and isn't everyone's nose in everyone's business?"

Arden shrugged, "I suppose. A little. But Dahrians move around. A lot. We've made it easy. You never feel stuck. There are lots of get togethers, so enticing reasons to travel around. And then you meet people from all over. Though some choose not to stray at all. And that's okay too."

"What else?"

"I would say the biggest difference is the 50-year rule. We're cautious. Very cautious. It's in the DNA of Dahrian culture. We test, observe, and speculate about the ramifications of any innovations that come along. One of the biggest advantages of Earthside visits is that we can watch and wait for 50 years before warranting the dissemination of any new invention - no matter how amazing it seems. For instance, we don't have cars, after witnessing all of the problems they brought you."

"So? You use horse and buggies like the Amish?"

"Well, way back, there was even some hesitancy around horses – using them created a lot of terrible warfare," he exhaled. "Ah, so much to cover, Connie. But we'll have time and you'll be able to see and understand with your own eyes. In terms of cars, we've developed some pretty slick alternatives. You'll see."

"And that 50-year rule. You've been using us like laboratory test rats. For centuries."

"You could put it like that. It all goes back to the ancient times when Dahrians fled Earthside to escape the slavery and diseases that ended up emerging from the intensification of farming and city building. The 50-year wait is somewhat arbitrary. Sometimes problems with innovations can show themselves even more quickly. Point is, we're cautious about the social impact of technological changes."

"Arden, I feel like my head is going to explode trying to imagine all this." Connie saw Eneko up on the ridge of the ravine waving his arms. "I think Eneko wants you to come back."

"I'm worried I've frightened you off with all this talk."

"No, no. Not at all. Don't worry. You haven't frightened me. I'm so intrigued," Connie said enthusiastically.

"Dahria is a wonderful place."

"I believe you. I'm sure it is, the way you talk about it."

Arden grinned, "Good. I'm so relieved you feel that way. Soon, we'll have endless time to talk, and you'll see it all firsthand. I understand Pria will speak to you later about what happens in the passage."

Connie nodded and Arden turned to go.

She touched his arm. "Wait. I want to give you a hug this time. I like talking to you."

He grinned and wrapped Connie in his arms. "My child."

After a minute, Connie pulled back and gently placed her hand on his chest, "Okay, dad."

Arden beamed. Connie watched him walk away.

Late that afternoon, Connie visited Jean in the hospital. Afterwards, she went to Angie and Nicole's apartment for dinner and a movie night after Kami went to bed. She wanted to make sure that it was well after midnight before she returned home. When she did, she knew that both Jean's and the Dahrians' house were now standing empty.