The Novels

Economics 101, a Novel (Rough Draft) -- My first sustained attempt at a novel, two-thirds finished in rough draft, and heading a little too far south.
What would you do if you and your study partner, with whom you had been seriously discussing marriage, suddenly found yourselves all alone together on a desert island? Study economics?
Sociology 500, a Romance (Second Draft) -- The first book in the Economics 101 Trilogy.(On hold.)
Karel and Dan, former American football teammates and now graduate students, meet fellow graduate students Kristie and Bobbie, and the four form a steady study group.

Featured Post

Sociology 500, a Romance, ch 1 pt 1 -- Introducing Bobbie

TOC Well, let's meet Roberta Whitmer. Bobbie entered the anthropology department office and looked around. Near the receptionis...

Sunday, August 19, 2018

[Backup] Water and Earth, Prologue, scene 15 -- Hefin

[JMR20190312: Backing up Water and Earth:
https://joelrees-novels.blogspot.com/2018/08/we-0-15-hefin.html

Originally written between November 2017 and January 2018.
]
Previous: BerylTable of Contents



Five good friends, all charges of ours, are gathered with Beryl's parents' in the Kendrick's living room. They are playing a game of random bidding with cards, similar to a game you might know as Pit.

"Two! Two! Two!"

"Three! Three!"

"One! One!"

"Two!" Dai and Water Princess trade.

"One?"

"Three!" Earth Prince and Dilwen trade.

"Three! Three!" Earth Prince puts the cards he just received back up.

"Two! Two!"

"One?" Beryl is frustrated. "Okay, eight!"

Silence.

Water Princess giggles. "Try this?" and hands Beryl a single card, taking Beryl's single in trade.

"Thanks, but nope."

As trading continues, Hefin silently slips a card into Beryl's hand, and she looks it him, then gives him the card Water Princess gave her. Counting together to three and turning the cards over, they look quickly at the cards, then at each other again, grinning, and call, "Corner!" in unison.

Silence again, then laughter.

Earth Prince counts the points. "Beryl broke 500, so she wins."

"Brig and I need to do some research in the library." Dilwen stands.

"We do?" Brigham looks up at her, and she speaks to him with her eyes. "Oh. We do."

"Can we help?" Earth Prince stands.

"Completely unnecessary." Brigham also stands to leave. "If you need anything just holler." And he follows his wife out of the room.

"More Pit?"

"How about something that allows us to talk?" Dai suggests. "You've got the Scripture Dungeons set, don't you, Beryl?"

"Right here on the shelf. You guys can set it up. Dŵr, can you help me mix some more juice in the kitchen?" Beryl picks up the empty pitcher.

"Hey, we can help."

"You're not invited."

Water Princess follows Beryl into the kitchen. "Hundred percent fruit juices."

"Uh huh. Natural sugars are better for you, if you don't drink too much. Has K-- woops, there I go again."

Water Princess grins apologetically. "Sorry. Still need to keep that distance."

Beryl opens the freezer. "What do you suggest?"

"You have cherry and mango? Let's try a mix."

They open cans and scoop frozen concentrate into the pitcher.

"Has Ddaear explained about how he is with refined sugars?"

"Does funny things to his body. Ties his miscles in knots, kills his immunity system, makes it hard to focus on hard stuff."

"I've seen what it can do to him."

They re-seal the cans and pour water into the pitcher, mixing it with the concentrate.

"Can you tell me?"

"It can make him turn inside himself. Not just his muscles, not just catching colds. He can hurt himself. Stress alone can turn him inside out a bit, but sugar makes it worse. Sometimes he has no defense against himself."

"Is that what scares you?"

"Yeah. I'd have bad dreams every time we started getting really close."

"Bad how?"

"I'd see him in my dreams coming home stressed out from something, needing my attention, and he couldn't let me get close to him. It would be too dangerous for me."

"He is rather strong."

"You can see it, too? But you're strong."

"Yeah, I can see it. I think I'll be able to let him be close enough. If ..."

"If ...?"

"If we start out right. That's why we both need the time to get used to being on our own without each other before we start courting for real. Neither of us has really been on our own yet."

Beryl washes the long spoon and puts it away.

"I'd never thought of that. But even after he lost his parents, he had Ceri, and then us. The mission was pretty close to being on his own, but he always had a companion. He really hasn't been on his own like he'll be at the Hyde."

"Right."

"This is what Hef needs to know. He was mad at you for stealing Ddaear from me, and now he's mad at you for making Ddaear wait for you. But he's not thinking of what the woman who has to live with him forever needs."

"Do you think he'll talk about it?"

"Let's go see."

Water Princess picks up the pitcher and they return to the other room. Setting it down, she asks, "Who's going to be dungeon master?"

Dai suggests, "Beryl's mom and dad might. We could call them back."

Beryl looks at Water Princess, who looks at Earth Prince. He raises an eyebrow and Water Princess tilts her head slightly towards Hefin. He nods yes.

"I'll go call them." Beryl leaves the room. We hear her call through the hall. "Mom, Dad, are you two too busy to be dungeon masters?"

Hefin collects and shuffles the cards and places them in several stacks on the table. When Beryl returns with her parents, he hands Brigham the playbook.

Brigham rolls a die and checks the book, then intones, "You are in a small clearing in a woods you have never seen before. In the clearing is a small cabin with one door, and a piece of parchment on the door. What do you do?"

Beryl says, "Read the notice," and all agree.

Hefin draws a card. "Seek, and you shall find."

Water Princess identifies the scripture, and Dai says, "Knock, and it shall be opened unto you." All agree.

Earth Prince says, "Knock knock."

Dilwen intones. "The door opens with a low creaking noise."

Water Princess giggles and says, "Now we run around the cabin five times and yell, 'Boo!' "

"No disagreements?" Brigham scratches his head, reading the playbook.

There are chuckles, but no disagreements.

"Okay, here it is. There is a loud thunderclap and the cabin disappears in a puff of smoke. In its place is a hole in the ground, with the top of a ladder poking out. As you watch, scaled hands grasp the top rung and a lizard-like man climbs out. He addresses your group and asks: 'Who is your leader?'"

With some consultation, Beryl is chosen. A scripture riddle is posed which they answer successfully, and the story proceeds down the hole.

Some half an hour later, as you would experience the time, they have made their way down to the third level, answering questions and fighting various creatures with rolls of the dice and scripture quotes.

"You have come to a four-way branch in the tunnel. On the floor of the tunnel you find a small metal ball. On the surface of the ball is a writing."

Dai says, "We read the writing." All agree.

Hefin draws another card. "You shall not suffer a witch to rebel forever. A witch who will use xer special talents in rebellion against God has not the word of life, and thus is in a state of spiritual death. You shall not promise xem either salvation or eternal life while xe remains in xer rebellion."

(Genderless pronoun: xexemxerxersxemself.)

Again, Water Princess identifies the scripture.

Hefin looks at her accusingly.

"Hef." Dai's voice mixes warning with concern.

Hefin looks down.

"So I bewitched Tywysog, and now I'm bewitching all of you?" Water Princess smiles wryly.

"It was a lot simpler before you came."

Beryl turns to him. "Hef, there's something I haven't told you."

Hefin sets both hands flat on the table and leans on it, standing up. "You've told us that you both got 'No,' in reply, and I don't believe it."

"Hef," Dilwen puts her hand on Hefin's hand. "Beryl took it hard. I was here and we cried together. It was real."

Beryl takes his other hand. "I never told anyone about the dreams I've had except ... Ddaear until tonight. Whenever we started talking about marrying, I had dreams. I was warned. I can't give him the help he needs. The dreams made it clear. And this was before Dŵr ever came."

Hefin looks at the floor and shakes his head.

"Hef, how strong is K-- Ddaear?

"Why can't we say his name? See how she bewitches us?"

Brigham looks at Earth Prince.

Earth Prince nods.

"There's another thing that hasn't been told, but answer Beryl's question, Hef."

"Okay, he's stronger than anybody I know. So?"

"I'm not strong enough to help him. That's what I saw in the dreams, very plainly."

Hefin refuses to look at anyone. "You could be."

"But it's not what God wants. He won't help us. Not if we rebel."

Hefin is silent for some few moments. Then, somewhat grudgingly, he speaks. "Okay, I'll grant that Dŵr is stronger than any of us except Ddaear. But, in that case, why the code names? Why the talk of them not being able to marry for four years? Why can't they get engaged and then marry when Dŵr turns eighteen? Why can't her parents let them marry now, if they are so meant for each other?"

No one asks why he cares so much.

"I have been told I can match his strength, but only if we start things right."

"What, you've seen those messengers Ddaear told us about, too?"

Water Princess looks at Earth Prince questioningly.

"I did try to tell them once about the messengers, when I first met them."

"Oh."

"What? Then it's those messengers that have you all confused."

"The messengers have not told us to get married, but I have met them."

Dai leans forward. "This is interesting."

"That kind of thing doesn't happen now." Hef becomes adamant. "We have the scriptures and we have the Church. We don't need messengers."

Dilwen squeezes his hand. "Hefin, has the time come for miracles to cease?"

"Hefin, please. Before we met K-- Ddaear, it was you and me and Dai. Before we met Dai, it was just you and me."

"We were only seven. Your parents took me in to get me away from that foster home for a couple of years. And then they sent me to live with Dai."

"So we could stay close, Hef."

"We're brother and sister."

"But we aren't really."

"But you and ... Ddaear love each other."

"And I love you and Dai, too. I'm getting to like Dŵr pretty well, too."

Earth Prince speaks up. "And I have no small affection for everyone in this room. Ceri explained it to me like this when I was twelve and had a terrible crush on her. There are crushes, and there is love, but marriage is a contract to make babies. You can't marry everyone you love."

Brigham laughed. "That's what she said?"

"It was a good explanation at the time."

Dilwen shakes her head with a chuckle. "Your sister always surprises me with her wisdom. I think she was the biggest factor in my joining the Church."

Hefin's chuckle becomes audible. "Blast it K-- Ddaear, you know how to take the romance out of everything."

Dai deadpans, "What's unromantic about any of this?"

Soft laughter fills the room.

Hefin becomes serious again. "So, if those messengers aren't the ones telling you to get married, what are they telling you?"

Water Princess answers, "Things about our future. Not requirements, possibilities."

"Thus, Earth Prince, Water Princess?"

Earth Prince nods. "But they -- we -- are not required to marry."

And Water Princess adds, "It does seem to be convenient to marry, but we have to choose whether to accept the mantle."

"And whether to do so married to each other or married to others."

"We have to understand what we are being asked to do as something separate from whether we marry. That's why we have to be completely separate from each other for a year. Uhm, plus or minus a little." Water Princess reaches out and takes Earth Prince's hand, and he squeezes it."

"It's scary, but we have to do it."

Hefin smiles a tight, but sincere smile. "Okay, now I think I can see."

Brigham points out, "Things have been said here that must not leave this room."

And all agree.

Hefin finally looks relieved but he has one question left. "So, Beryl, should you and Dai get married, then?"

Beryl drops her head into her hands and doesn't say anything.

"Hef, mate, you and I need to follow Ddaear and Beryl's examples and go on missions."

"Thank you, Dai," comes Beryl's muffled reply.

But Hef's face again shows signs of fretting.



Table of ContentsNext: N


[Backup] Water and Earth, Prologue, scene 14 -- Beryl

[JMR20190312: Backing up Water and Earth:
https://joelrees-novels.blogspot.com/2018/08/we-0-14-beryl.html

Originally written between November 2017 and January 2018.
]
Previous: GwenTable of Contents



"Dŵr, hi!"

"Huh? Oh, hi! uhm, Beryl, right?"

Beryl smiles quietly. "Yeah."

"Do you come to this store often?"

"Yeah, uhm, no, not really. Sometimes. Your parents said you'd be here."

"I needed to get some seals for my swimming goggles, or get some new ones."

"You're looking at scuba gear."

"Just dreaming. So, ... you came to talk to me or something."

"Is it okay?"

"I guess. What about?"

"Well, about," she bites her lip, "Ddaear."

"Ddaear?" Water Princess puts the breathing regulator back on the shelf and gives Beryl her attention.

"We've been mates for a long time. Dai and Hefin and, uhm, Ddaear and I."

"He told me a little about you. You helped him overcome his shyness, he said."

"He was really shy when we first met him. Dancing was not cool, and he took a lot of teasing for it. Bullying, really. Somehow, he kept from being badly hurt, but we always worried."

"I have to say, I would have been as worried for the bullies."

Beryl laughs softly. "It took me a while to see that he was holding back. He had to defend himself just once, and that pretty much put a stop to the bullying, but then everyone was afraid of him."

"Did the other guy survive?"

"The four of us went to hospital to visit them. They're friends, now."

"They."

"He's strong. He took three rugby players down and then made the others help get them safely in the ambulance."

"That sounds like something he would do."

"You're not afraid of him."

"He's a good person."

Beryl suddenly wraps her arms around Water Princess and hugs her tightly. "Keep him safe, okay?"

Embarrassed, Water Princess stiffens, then relaxes and returns the hug.

"Thanks. But it's not like we're getting married or anything."

"I know." They step back and look at each other, non-verbal understanding flowing between them.

"I've asked K-- uhm, Ddaear about things and he's explained. But I can see it between you. I'm a little jealous."

"Oh?"

"I have a huge crush on him. Had it for a long time. No, I'm hugely jealous. But I'd be scared to actually marry him."

"He told me about how you supported each other on your missions, and how you both got noes when you prayed about marrying. I feel like an outsider -- an intruder."

"You're not. Just from church and hearing about you, I can tell you'll be good for him. And I can tell I'll like you as a best mate-in-law."

They hug again.

"I'm putting pressure on you."

"No, you're actually answering some of my questions. I hope we can be friends. You do water ballet, too, right?"

"Yeah, a little."

"Want to practice with me?"

"I'd love to. I'll bet you could teach me a lot."

"We could teach each other. Can I have your mail address, too?"

"You have a hand-held?"

"Back home. Didn't want to carry it through customs. Dad has one."

"Tell me his." Beryl gets her hand-held communication terminal out.



Table of ContentsNext: Hefin


Thursday, August 16, 2018

[Backup] Water and Earth, Prologue, scene 13 -- Gwen

[JMR20190312: Backing up Water and Earth:
https://joelrees-novels.blogspot.com/2018/08/we-0-13-gwen.html

Originally written between November 2017 and January 2018.
]
Previous: TalentTable of Contents



"I know you didn't want me to, but I explained to the Sunday School teacher that you're a little shy with me and want to go by code names."

"Oh, I don't know. It seems like it would be such a bother to everyone.

"I've talked with Beryl about it. Dai and Hefin know anyway, from basketball, and they've mentioned it to most of the rest, just in case you run into someone in town."

Water Princess actually pouts.

"It is so tempting to kiss that pout."

She laughs. "Okay, since you all went to the trouble, I'll come to your Sunday School this week. And maybe next."

As they approach a graveyard they have not yet examined, they see a young girl there ahead of them.

"Gwen!"

"You're up early."

"So are you two."

Water Princess smiles. "Did you come to meet us?"

"Mom said she heard you would be reading the stones here today. A lot of our people are here."

"And you thought you'd help. Cool." Earth Prince grins.

Water Princess's parents join them shortly, and for several hours they search the field for head stones and other markers together and record the information in their notebooks.

Earth Prince straightens up. "I don't see any more."

Water Princess asks, "Should we ask if we are done?"

Gwen looks puzzled. "Ask who?"

Water Princess smiles. "Who is in charge?"

"Oh. You mean ask God."

"Would you?"

"Sure." And Gwen says a simple prayer, asking if they are done.

Gwen looks serious as they wait for a moment. Then she smiles. "It feels like we're done."

Earth Prince and Water Princess and her parents nod in agreement.

"Should we go, then?" Water Princess's mother asks.

"Are you going to swim today?" Gwen looks hopeful.

Water Princess and Earth Prince look at each other and then check with Water Princess's parents, who shrug.

"I think so."

Water Princess nods agreement. "Do you want to swim with us?"

"Can you teach me?"

Earth Prince laughs. "You know how to swim."

"Not like you two."

Again, the prince and princess look at each other. Earth Prince raises his eyebrows questioningly.

Water Princess nods. "We should ask your parents."

"Mom said I should learn to swim like you two."

"But she hasn't told us we can teach you." Water Princess pats her on the back. "Let's go ask." She looks at her parents.

Her dad grins. "You three go have fun."

As they set off, Gwen has another question. "So are you two really the Water Princess and Earth Prince from the old stories?"

Water Princess snorts. "Who told you that?"

"It's what you call each other. And everyone says maybe you are them."

"Everyone?"

"Some of my friends. And my mom. But Dad laughs at her."

Earth Prince chuckles. "If we were, would we tell everyone?"

"It's a masquerade. We wanted to get to know each other, and I thought our names would get in the way."

"Why?"

"It's hard to explain. I'll tell you when I figure it out myself." Water Princess smiles.

"What do you think, uhm, Ddaear? It's so weird to call you that."

"When a princess speaks, it's hard to disagree with her." Earth Prince winks at Gwen before giving Water Princess a knowing look behind her back as he continues. "I'm pretty sure we'll have a chance to tell you all about it some day."

Water Princess raises her eyebrows.



Table of ContentsNext: Beryl


[Backup] Water and Earth, Prologue, scene 12 -- Talent

[JMR20190312: Backing up Water and Earth:
https://joelrees-novels.blogspot.com/2018/08/we-0-12-talent.html

Originally written between November 2017 and January 2018.
]
Previous: AnonymityTable of Contents



"Can you help me with this stretch?"

"Sure." Earth Prince stops waving his arms around and goes to Water Princess's side.

(We aren't quite sure whether he was working on expressive dance or defensive combinations. Not that it matters, we are here to observe, not critique.)

She extends her left leg gracefully forward in developpe, and he puts his hands under her ankle and knee for support as she reaches full extension at waist level.

"So how did you get started dancing?" She puts the weight of her leg in his hands.

"Watching Ceri. Thought it looked fun."

"Oh?" Using his support, she rotates her body right, letting the muscles stretch.

"More fun than cricket or track."

"Really?"

"I was totally uncoordinated and just an all around wimp."

She reaches arabesque and extends her arms like a ballerina for a moment and chuckles. "I can't imagine you as a wimp." Then she begins rotating back, still amused.

"Couldn't understand having to swing a bat the way the coach said when I could as easily be swinging my arms wherever I wanted."

She nods. "I could see that." Back in devant, she lifts her leg out of his hands and lowers it. "So how'd you get interested in basketball?"

"Dancing helped me get me coordinated, and teachers pushed me to join a ball club. I wanted to play football. Not rugby or old world football, the football you guys play Stateside."

She lifts her right leg and he supports her as she rotates to the left. "Why so?"

"It's choreography."

"So's soccer."

"Not the same. Not nearly as much."

"Soccer's a lot like basketball."

"I understand old world football now, but basketball uses more visible upper body dance."

"True." She pauses in arabesque before reversing. "So, when and how did you learn to fly?"

Earth Prince starts, but does not drop her leg. His face loses the grin that has been a fixture of his expression the entire morning. As she returns to extension devant, he quietly nods.

"You noticed."

"Anyone who was watching would have been impressed with that dive."

"I had to move fast to keep her from being pulled beneath the vines. Those currents can be impossible to fight beyond certain points, and she could easily have filled her lungs with lake water trying to fight clear."

"That dive was not natural."

"Your influence on Gwen could be thought natural, but not on the vines, or the water flow. The undertow seriously weakened when you ascended. Just coincidence?"

The two stand, staring at each other, Water Princess with her right leg in Earth Prince's hands. Then she remembers what she is doing and lifts her leg out of his hands, lowering it absently to stand in first position.

"Your turn?"

"Sure." Earth Prince raises his right leg, almost as gracefully as Water Princess raised hers.

"So tell me about flying."

"I'm not sure when I realized that my grand jeté was exceeding the range of my momentum. It was before I had started playing basketball seriously. But one morning I teased my modern dance coach by floating an extra meter or two in the leap."

"What did she do?"

"She scolded me."

"Oh? Why?"

"Exceeding my training and technique. Afterwards, when I came down to the lake for a swim, I was not allowed to enter the water."

"Not allowed?"

Earth Prince trades legs.

"I put my foot in the water and felt an awful fear. I kept calling myself silly and trying to wade in, but the fear just got so bad I couldn't even stand to look at the water. That was when I met them for the first time."

"In the water?"

"On the shore. Two men and a woman that time. They told me what happens to people who play childish games with their special talents."

"What did they tell you?"

"You know, people get scared and try to kill the monster. And if you use it for money, fame, greed, entertainment, power, or basically anything but serving God's children quietly, you quickly lose the right to be guided to use it safely. And then you just lose everything important."

"And what did you do?"

Earth Prince finishes stretching his other leg and lowers it. "I learned it's not good to fight God. Eventually I learned to trust Him."

"Okay. You've learned the same lessons I've learned. I guess I can trust this. Sometime, when you think it's okay, I'd like to hear more about your lessons, and I can talk about mine."
See, days, not years.
Water Princess looks up. "Oh. You're here."

Earth Prince turns to face the messengers. "No, she was right. Years."
But she knows who we are now, and she begins to understand what she is being called to do.
"But she must serve a regular mission first, much as it will try my patience."

A mission is one of the courses you've completed. But there are many kinds of missions. Is not a calling of service a mission? Is not raising a family a calling of service?

"And both of us seem to need to prove our interest in each other, before ..., or, whether we should marry. The Prince will have a lot of attention from cheerleaders."

"Not that the Princess will lack attention from her fans."

That is correct.
More courses to complete for both of you.

You will both return in four years, then.

"It might not require a full four years, I suppose, but, yes, no more than four years."

Is Water Princess equivocating?

"No."

It was wise to not reveal your names to each other yet.

"Of course, we have Ceri and Morris and my parents if something comes up." Oddly, it is Water Princess who makes this suggestion.

"If something comes up before her senior year is over." And it is Earth Prince, now, showing patience.

That is also correct.



Table of ContentsNext: Gwen


Tuesday, August 14, 2018

[Backup] Water and Earth, Prologue, scene 11 -- Anonymity

[JMR20190312: Backing up Water and Earth:
https://joelrees-novels.blogspot.com/2018/08/we-0-11-anonymity.html

Originally written between November 2017 and January 2018.
]
Previous: The TeamTable of Contents



We are back at the church on a Sabbath afternoon. Morris and the young man we know as Earth Prince administer the sacred emblems. The young woman we know as Water Princess sits in the congregation with her parents and Ceridwen. When the sacred service is complete and the lay sermons begin, Morris and the young man join the four on their pew.

Between short sermons, Water Princess whispers something to Earth Prince. He looks disappointed, but nods. After the services, Water Princess leaves with her parents and Earth Prince stays behind for his meetings.

As they leave the chapel her mother reaches out and takes her by the shoulder, drawing her close. "I don't understand why you insist on not knowing each other's real names, Honey. And wouldn't it be nice to meet his friends?"

"I don't want to break the spell, Mom."

Her parents exchange a meaningful look, but her father shakes his head. "Our princess needs to do this her way, I think."



Table of ContentsNext: Talent


[Backup] Water and Earth, Prologue, scene 10 -- The Team

[JMR20190312: Backing up Water and Earth:
https://joelrees-novels.blogspot.com/2018/08/we-0-10-the-team.html

Originally written between November 2017 and January 2018.
]

Previous: Roundball, One-on-oneTable of Contents



In the evening a few days later, we find a basketball game wrapping up in the outdoor court. When we look closer, we see that Water Princess and Earth Prince are on one team, his sister and brother-in-law on the other. The other six players are men, and the play has been intense. All ten are sweating.

"How many baskets have we traded with no one getting two ahead?" one of the men asks, breathing heavily as he recovers the ball after a hard fought basket.

"Twenty."

"I think we call it a draw."

In the chorus of Ayes, there is only one Nay.

Earth Prince chuckles. "Dywysoges, I think the rest of us're done."

Water Princess laughs. "Sorry, just being contrary. I'm beat, too."

Now there is a chorus of laughter.

"Mogue, why is it you and, uhm, Ceri's brother are so lucky?"

Earth Prince's brother-in-law, Morris, raises an eyebrow and mugs. "Luck has nothing to do with it."

There are scattered chuckles and complaints, and Ceridwen gives Morris an eye and an "Oh, really?", but Water Princess looks a little embarrassed.

"Hey, Ceri's Brother! Trying to remember not to use your real name cost us at least four points."

Earth Prince laughs.

Water Princess ducks her head. "Sorry, guys. But thanks for putting up with me."

"No, no!"

"Our pleasure."

"Glad to play a little hoop with ya, Ffynhonnau Dŵr."

"And calling Ceri's brother 'Daear' is something we don't get to do every day, too."

Earth Prince smirks at his best mate, grabs the ball, and plants it in his gut.

"Oof."

More laughter as the two young men chase each other around the court.

Quickly, the game of tag ends, and friends take their leave. Water Princess leaves with Ceridwen and Morris, but three good mates remain on the court, tossing the ball around and talking.

"This new princess of yours is a real beaut, but, I tell you -- Beryl is not taking this well." Hefin tosses the ball to Earth Prince.

"She is not my new princess, and Beryl and I are not going steady or anything." Earth Prince passes it to Dai.

"You're over-reacting, Hefin." Dai passes the ball to Hefin again.

"I thought you'd be on my side, Dai." Hefin holds the ball.

"Hef, can't you see that the way is clear for you?" Earth Prince signals for the ball.

"That's not what this is all about." Hefin one-hands the ball against the ground, and it bounces away as he shakes his fist at Earth Prince.

Dai chases it down.

"It is. Beryl and I have talked this to death. Before we left on our missions. Letters while we were out. Four times since I got back we've been through it. We're mates. Best mates. We like each other -- a lot. But we both know it would not be right."

"Hefin, if you aren't going to step up, I will." Dai passes the ball back to Hefin.

Earth Prince chuckles. "Dai, your true feelings come out."

Dai smirks.

"This is not a laughing matter." Hefin heaves the ball hard at Earth Prince.

He takes it in the chest with a grunt and passes it on to Dai. "Ask Beryl."

"I couldn't."

Dai holds the ball. "Hefin, I tell you, if you aren't willing to make Beryl happy, I'm not going to just stand by." And he passes the ball back to Earth Prince.

"I think the three of you need to talk this out. I've got some homework." Earth Prince holds the ball.

"You're not ditchin' us."

"Okay." He puts it down and dribbles. "You guys are mad at me for going to the Hyde for school."

"No. We're settled on that. You're goin' pro in the States and then you're comin' back to coach our kids. But you should be taking Beryl with you."

"Maybe we should all four talk. Dai?"

"I'm in."

"Let's go, Hef."



Table of ContentsNext: Anonymity


[Backup] Water and Earth, Prologue, scene 9 -- Roundball, One-on-one

[JMR20190312: Backing up Water and Earth:
https://joelrees-novels.blogspot.com/2018/08/we-0-09-roundball-one-on-one.html

Originally written between November 2017 and January 2018.
]
Previous: SwimmingTable of Contents



Maybe it is by intent that we are working near an outdoor basketball court this midmorning. Our charges having been playing one-on-one for more than half an hour as you measure time.

(Yes, this world has a game you would only call basketball -- and some other games you'll find familiar, too.)

Water Princess checks the ball to Earth Prince and then turns and puts it down, her back to him, dribbling as she backs up. He reaches under her arm in an attempt to steal the ball, and she deflects it between his legs, whirling around him to pick it up behind him before he gets to it, and drives to the basket with him practically glued to her back. Approaching the basket, she feints a straight-on lay up, bumping the ball to her right hand to lay it up from the weak side as his hands close on air to her left.

Momentum carries him forward and he rolls, laughing, as the ball hits the backboard and drops through the hoop.

"You're pretty good at this." He leans back on the ground, taking a breather, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

"You're holding back." She retrieves the ball and brushes perspiration from her eyes before reaching out to give him a hand.

"Not much." He grins and takes the hand, letting her give him leverage up.

"Three brothers, and all of them played on the team in high school." She grins, too. "Are you going to give me my hand back?"

He mugs an evil grin. "Here I was planning on teaching you some easy stuff like how to use your wrist to shoot, and how to take aim on the basket."

"Oh. You didn't think I'd let you get that close to me, now, did you?" She puts the ball in his chest and lets go, causing him to drop her hand to catch it. While his hands are occupied, she suddenly grabs his face with both hands and pulls him close, planting a quick kiss on his lips.

They both recoil in shock and stare at each other.

(Intervention does not seem necessary, however.)

Grinning and shifting the ball to his left hand, he slips his right hand around her waist and draws her close. "Foul. I call foul."

The moment stretches out, not quite to eternity. Water Princess shakes her head and draws back, looking down. "Sorry. I, uh, got kind of carried away."

"I'm not complaining. Do I get a free shot?" Earth Prince keeps his arm around her.

"Huh?"

"Another kiss, I mean."

"I shouldn't."

"Uhm, maybe go for a walk?"

"It's just too unreal."

"What do you need to convince you it's real?"

"Time. And other people around. I've got your attention now, but what happens when you're at the Hyde, and I'm still in high school, and I have to compete with all the girls there?"

"I don't think there'll be any competition."

She turns away and elbows him in the side, but does not break away. Another long moment passes.

"Do you have a boyfriend at home?"

"Hardly ever been on a date. I go to the dances at church, and I have to drag the guys out on the dance floor."

"Hard to believe. Are the guys at church blind, there?"

She laughs and gives him a sideways hug. "They're shy about dancing. I could take a walk. Are you okay after that roll?"

"Couldn't be better. I'll take another if you'll give me another kiss."

She rolls her eyes and reaches up to tousle his hair.

"Darn." He sets the ball down and they walk arm-in-arm off the outdoor court and up into the mountain paths.

(We appreciate your staying to finish things here while we go to keep an eye on our charges.)



Table of ContentsNext: The Team


[Backup] Water and Earth, Prologue, scene 8 -- Swimming

[JMR20190312: Backing up Water and Earth:
https://joelrees-novels.blogspot.com/2018/08/we-0-08-swimming.html

Originally written between November 2017 and January 2018.
]

Previous: ReassurancesTable of Contents



"Would Gwen have died?"

Somehow we are not surprised to find Water Princess and Earth Prince swimming together in the lake this morning. Their voices carry to us as we take care of some business on the shore.

"She did not." Earth Prince dives under the surface, turns a somersault and surfaces.

"But what if we hadn't been there?"

"We were there."

Water Princess does a back somersault under the water and swims underneath Earth Prince, ascending rapidly.

He dodges. "Too slow." Then he sprints toward the shore, with Water Princess in pursuit. She tags him as she overtakes him, and for about twenty more minutes they swim laps together, staying within the boundaries marked as safe by buoys in the water.

(Twenty minutes as you might experience time.)

Earth Prince pulls up in the middle of a lap and treads water. "I'm beat," he calls out, panting and shaking water from his face.

Water Princess flips a somersault and sidestrokes back to him.

"Sorry." She floats leisurely on her side, treading with small kicks.

"You're holding back."

"Swimming tandem is more fun. But I'm not holding back much."

"You take lessons?"

"Since I was ten. I'm on the high school swimming and water ballet teams."

"No wonder."

"How about you?"

"Took lessons for a couple of years, but I mostly just swim for fun."

They float for a bit.

"What if we hadn't seen her?"

"Gwen? We saw her."

"What if we hadn't gone to help?"

Earth Prince looks reproachfully at Water Princess. "Would you have just let her drown?"

She splashes him, and they trade splashes, laughing.

"Did it really happen?"

"It was in the news."

"You read it?" her face reveals some anxiety.

"Ceri read it to me so I wouldn't see your name."

"Thanks. Your sister's a brick."

"Brick?"

"Solid, Dependable."

"Good friend."

"Yeah."

"She likes you."

She gives him a hesitant smile. "But the stuff after. The messengers, I mean. Was that, ... were they real?"

"I was there, weren't you?"

Water Princess suddenly leaps up in the water, closing the gap between them and dunking Earth Prince before he can react. But he manages to pull her underwater, too, and they wrestle in the water for a few moments.

Breaking apart, they surface, laughing and sputtering. Then she strokes for shore, and he follows.

On shore, they retrieve their towels and dry off.

"This is such a fantasy!"

"It's real enough, I think."

"Are they still there? If we went down there, would they be waiting to talk?"

"I don't know. They didn't, you know, drag Gwen down or anything. She just got caught in those random currents I warned you about."

"Then why were they there?"

"They were watching out for her. But she shouldn't see them. At least, not yet. So we were called in to help."

"Then I guess I earned the name you gave me?"

"Not exactly. It was apparently yours to start with."

Water Princess's face shows doubt. "Don't tell me it was something I agreed to before I was born."

"Uhmm, then what can I say?"

"Okay." She leans back to face the sun and closes her eyes. "I know something about this. I guess. I'm not sure how."

"The old stories? Did you hear them when you were a kid?"

"Maybe. My parents did tell me some of them." She opens her eyes and looks at the sky. "Do they always marry?"

Their eyes meet, and they look at each other in silence.

"Sorry," she demurs. "I should not have brought that up."

"Well, maybe, ..."

 Now she looks puzzled. "Somehow I know it doesn't always happen that way."

"It seems like it would be much more convenient, though."

Again there is silence as Earth Prince waits for Water Princess to look at him, but she finds something on the opposite shore too interesting, or maybe she is just avoiding his eyes.

"Sorry. I guess I should not have said that."

More silence.

Earth Prince sighs. "How about a little basketball tomorrow?"

"Basketball." Finally she turns and looks at him. "I'm not allowed to do that."

"Oh?"

"Unless I wear a support corset." She smiles. "I started modern dance and swimming lessons to strengthen my back."

"Scoliosis?"

"Yeah. Things have worked out pretty well, so I only need a soft corset when I'm doing things like basketball."

"But you don't have it with you."

"It's in my luggage. Tomorrow. Roundball. It'll be fun. I'll dig it out."



Table of ContentsNext: Roundball, One-on-one


[Backup] Water and Earth, Prologue, scene 7 -- Reassurances

[JMR20190312: Backing up Water and Earth:
https://joelrees-novels.blogspot.com/2018/08/we-0-07-reassurances.html

Originally written between November 2017 and January 2018.
]
Previous: The MessengersTable of Contents



On the banks, the young girl has recovered herself somewhat by the time her parents arrive. Adults talk of the dangers of the lake and the underwater vegetation, and of the ecological necessity of restricting the parts that are kept clear for swimming, so that natural flora and fauna can thrive. Her parents admonish her to stay within their sight and within the designated safe areas, and she nods her agreement in tears and trepidation.

For her, it is a hard lesson learned that could have cost much more.

When the young man and young woman come, the girl's parents thank them effusively, offering rewards which both refuse, saying they were only glad to have been able to help.

Together, they talk with the girl and reassure her, being also mindful to obtain a promise to continue swimming, but stay within the safe areas.



Table of ContentsNext: Swimming


[Backup] Water and Earth, Prologue, scene 6 -- The Messengers

[JMR20190312: Backing up Water and Earth:
https://joelrees-novels.blogspot.com/2018/08/we-0-06-messengers.html

Originally written between November 2017 and January 2018.
]
Previous: A Young Girl Almost DrownsTable of Contents



So I have brought her.

You are the Water Princess.

I am ... I am? What do you mean? And why?

We have waited a long time.

For what?

For you.

For what? You will wait longer. No one owns me. And putting children at risk is not part of any acceptable plan. It's not fair.

Putting children at risk?

We must consider this.

What is your opinion, Earth Prince?

I think that true helpers do not use force.


No one is being forced.

Nor do they rush things.

We are not rushing you, Water Princess. We are merely helping things along.

It is not time. Earth Prince is not ready.

How can it not be time, Earth Prince? You have finished three of your courses.

Earth Prince has other courses still to complete.

And Water Princess, if I am such, must also do certain things.

Water Princess has spoken, and Earth Prince concurs.

Must it be so?

It must.

So be it. We wait. How many days?

Five years.


Years?

Water Princess says years.

Do we have so much time?

Do we dare cut the natural course short?

We dare not.

The Prince and the Princess are resolute?

We are.

We must consult.

Those on the surface will be worrying.

You shall return.

Agreed.

Water Princess is not happy about this. Will you return?

I suppose I could.




Table of ContentsNext: Reassurances


[Backup] Water and Earth, Prologue, scene 5 -- A Young Girl Almost Drowns

[JMR20190312: Backing up Water and Earth:
https://joelrees-novels.blogspot.com/2018/08/we-0-05-young-girl-almost-drowns.html

Originally written between November 2017 and January 2018.
]
Previous: A Moment in the Meetinghouse LibraryTable of Contents



We happen to be in the area again a few days later, and we see the young man and the young woman running together on the mountain paths in the early morning, making jokes, and challenging and encouraging each other. They stop near us, and we watch them stretching, laughing, talking, and exercising.

But what are these exercises they do? Is it from ballet? It does seem to be from some sort of dance, maybe modern or street. Or it could be martial arts.

In the middle of a sweeping kick, Earth Prince glances toward the lake below, and a furrow crosses his brow as he puts his weight on both feet. Water Princess looks up and follows his gaze, and gasps, then starts running towards the lake, cutting down across the twisting paths, shouting. Earth Prince kicks off his shoes and runs, too, but not down. He runs towards a precipice, and we feel alarm. At the edge, he leaps and launches himself, but it's too late to try to stop him.

The cliff is too far from the lake.

Water Princess, startled, looks up as she runs, and sees him as we do performing a beautiful swan dive in an impossibly long arc through the air over her head, dropping cleanly into the water near where they had seen the swimmer in trouble. We do not see anyone else nearby who might have seen him.

Without breaking stride, she continues down the mountain. When she sees her parents with Earth Prince's sister and brother-in-law on the opposite shore, she calls to them. Having gotten their attention, she kicks off her own shoes and runs into the water, leaning forward and kicking off as she approaches waist depth, swimming in powerful strokes to where Earth Prince had entered the water. Diving under the surface, she sees him wrestling to free a young girl from underwater vines, and the girl, in fright, fighting him.

She swims behind the girl, wrapping one arm underneath the girl's arms and lifting her free. At her touch, the vines seem to relax from around the girl, and the girl seems to calm down. Water Princess looks at Earth Prince and he points up, then turns, as if to examine the vines. She kicks out and ascends with the girl in tow, working laterally through the now easing undertow.

When she breaks the surface, the adults are launching a skiff, so she treads water and concentrates on helping the girl clear her lungs and breathe. Shortly after the skiff arrives and the girl has been helped in and is being taken care of, Earth Prince surfaces and beckons, and Water Princess follows him back under the water.



Table of ContentsNext: The Messengers



Wednesday, May 9, 2018

[Baclup] Water and Earth, Prologue, scene 4 -- A Moment in the Meetinghouse Library

[JMR20190312: Backing up Water and Earth:
https://joelrees-novels.blogspot.com/2018/05/we-0-04-moment-in-meetinghouse-library.html

Originally written between November 2017 and January 2018.
]

Previous: Researching TogetherTable of Contents



Not by chance, we find ourselves in a local church one afternoon a day or two later. As we pass the meetinghouse library, we glance in and see the young man and the young woman, with the young woman's parents, notebooks out, working together at an internetworked communications terminal.

"Are you coming to church tomorrow?" we hear the young man ask.

"I think we plan on coming in the morning. How about you?"

"I'm in the afternoon group."

"Oh. Guess we won't see you tomorrow."

Glancing back again, we notice the young man's pensive expression, as if he is debating with himself on some great and weighty question. Or maybe he is just deciding whether to ask if they'd mind if he showed up in the morning to introduce them to his friends in the morning group.

The young woman seems focused on the terminal screen and her notebooks.
We continue on our business.



Table of ContentsNext: A Young Girl 
Almost Drowns


Saturday, May 5, 2018

[Backup] Water and Earth, Prologue, scene 3 -- Researching Together

[JMR20190312: Backing up Water and Earth:
https://joelrees-novels.blogspot.com/2018/05/we-0-03-researching-together.html

Originally written between November 2017 and January 2018.
]
Previous: WarningTable of Contents



"Hello, Water Princess."

Some business has taken us near a graveyard in the mountains again this morning.

The young woman turns and stands with a quizzical expression and a laugh. "Do you mean me?"

"Do you see anyone else here? -- besides your parents and my sister and brother-in-law, I mean."

"I suppose not. You're Ceri's brother?"

He nods.

"But if you call me such a thing, should I call you Earth Prince?"

The young man laughs. "I don't know your name."

"And I don't know yours."

The two eye each other, half warily, half inquisitively.

The young man points to a stone near himself. "My great grandfather was buried here." He stoops and reads the name and the date, his pronunciation clearly accustomed to the language.

"Oh." She takes out her notebook. "May I?"

"Sure. Do you think he's related to you? Ceri said you were researching your father's lines."

"Maybe he's a great-great-uncle or a distant cousin several times removed." She writes down what he tells her, and together they wander around the field, reading what is recorded on the stones, the young man deciphering words that have worn to almost unreadability and filling in with stories that have been passed down to him. After each stone, he checks her notes to make sure that she has been able to properly distinguish between the rumors, traditions, and supposed facts, and what is actually written on the stones.

After the third, the young man shifts his attention from the stones and looks around. "I thought the others would join us."

The young woman looks around as well and laughs. "I guess my parents thought they should get out of the way. Sometimes I think they plot against me."

The young man laughs too, hesitantly, perhaps a little self-consciously.

She continues. "But it's not necessary, really."

"No?"

"I'm still kind of young for that kind of stuff. Don't you think so?"

"Uhm, well, ..."

"And it's not like guys are going to be falling all over themselves to talk to me, is it? I mean, a face and a figure like this, ..."

"Ehrm, ..."

After an awkward pause, she looks at him and says, "Sorry. That wasn't fair of me to say was, it?"

He doesn't answer, just looks down, and his jaw juts briefly to one side. Then, making a discovery on a nearby stone, he begins reading again, and they continue talking of events past and people gone beyond.



Table of ContentsNext: A Moment in the Meetinghouse Library


[Backup] Water and Earth, Prologue, scene 2 -- A Warning

[JMR20190312: Backing up Water and Earth.
Working draft: https://joelrees-novels.blogspot.com/2018/05/we-0-02-warning.html

The novel: https://joelrees-novels.blogspot.com/2018/05/we-title-toc.html 
Originally written between November 2017 and January 2018, first published in my blog beginning May 2018.
]
Previous: Meeting in the MountainTable of Contents



When we happen again to be walking these mountain paths a few mornings later above a certain lake, we notice the young woman swimming below us.

She dives, then returns to the surface, using her momentum to lift her upper body out of the water, kicking with her legs into a full pirouette, then arching back underwater in apparent imitation of a dolphin playing.

(There are indeed dolphin-like mammals in the seas of this world.)

And we see the young man in the paths near us, running again. He slows to a stop above us, apparently observing the young woman, then abruptly descends off the path in front of us, his face showing an expression of concern. At the shore of the lake, he calls out when the young woman comes to the surface. She waves in reply, and he repeats his warning. Now she swims toward him to ask questions, and he points off to the other end of the lake, and gives some explanation. With some reluctance she nods assent and swims toward that end to continue her exercises, and the young man, having observed her retreat, continues his course in the mists above the lake.



Table of ContentsNext: Researching Together


[Backup] Water and Earth, Prologue, scene 1 -- Meeting in the Mountain

[JMR20190312: Backing up Water and Earth.
Working draft: https://joelrees-novels.blogspot.com/2018/05/we-0-01-meeting-in-mountain.html

The novel: https://joelrees-novels.blogspot.com/2018/05/we-title-toc.html 
Originally written between November 2017 and January 2018, first published in my blog beginning May 2018.
]
Table of Contents



The early morning mists drift in patches and clouds along the mountains, streams, and lakes in the pre-dawn light under the nether and hinter moons, giving a sense that this is a magical country. By turns, they hide, then reveal the path, the vegetation, and the view. Amid the shadowed greens, blues, browns, and flashes of watercolor hues we might almost not be surprised to meet fairies and other creatures of magic playing and working in the half light and shadows as we travel the mountain paths.

And when we see through the mists a young woman in a pale blue summer dress bending down to search among the rocks, flowers, and grasses of an open field, we might wonder if she is not just such an enchanted creature.

But her countenance is a bit ruddy and her build a bit solid to be a fairy.
(This young woman is one of our recent charges.)

As we watch, she stops, having found something written on one of the stones half hidden among the grasses, and calls out to a man and a woman who are searching in like manner nearby. They come, and she reads from the stone haltingly, not quite comfortable with the language, of the birth and death, and briefly of the life lived by one whose passing is marked by the stone she examines.

The older woman smiles and takes out a notebook, writing what the younger woman reads and checking over her shoulder, while the man examines nearby stones and takes notes of his own.

By their appearance, we might guess that the young woman and the couple are closely related.

Some two hundred meters distant from this scene, we note a young man in running gear, who stops for a break and stretches the muscles in his calves and around his Achilles, then drops to the ground for a set of pushups.

We see another man and woman approach, and he stands.

They exchange greetings of familiarity and pass, and he drops for another set of pushups. When he stands again they are approaching the young woman and her parents. They hale the three, and soon they are talking together. The young woman takes out her own notebook and listens intently.

The young man stretches his legs and lightly stretches the muscles in his inner thighs, then begins running again at an easy pace along one of the mountain paths. As he passes below the five, the young woman looks up and it seems their eyes meet. She smiles shyly.

The young man smiles and nods casually, continuing on his way. Whether they are acquainted or not does not seem immediately clear.



Table of ContentsNext: Warning


[Backup] Water and Earth, Title and Table of Contents

[JMR20190312: Backing up Water and Earth.
The working draft of the novel is here: https://joelrees-novels.blogspot.com/2018/05/we-title-toc.html 

The bulk of the original version of the preface, and initial drafts of the as yet unpublished first section, were written during November (in a hospital bed) and December of 2017, and February 2018. Publishing in my blog began in May 2018. Minor edits continued until August 2018, at which time other commitments took priority until March 2019.
]
Water and Earth
Joel Matthew Rees
Copyright 2018 Joel Matthew Rees

Researching family history leads a group of young adults to discovery their hidden talents in surprising ways.


This novel was seeded by a flash fiction piece written in a hospital bed.

Saturday, February 10, 2018

[]Backup 2] Economics 101, a Novel, ch_09 -- In the Islands

[JMR201802100930: backup of http://free-is-not-free.blogspot.com/2016/08/economics-101-novel-ch09-in-islands.html.]

[JMR201804071908: edits]

He was quite insistant that you would need another room, but we did not believe him.
-
He was quite insistent that you would need another room, but we did not believe him.

--

Why don't you go check your accomodations?
-
Why don't you go check your accommodations?

--

About two weeks into their stay on the second island, they they wrote letters to professors they had been talking with at Harvard and Berkeley, detailing their work to that point and the adjustments they were making to their approaches with both research and service.
-
About two weeks into their stay on the second island, they wrote letters to professors they had been talking with at Harvard and Berkeley, detailing their work to that point and the adjustments they were making to their approaches with both research and service.

--

"We appreciate your forebearance."
-
"We appreciate your forbearance."

--

[JMR201804071908: end edits]

[JMR201804031323: edits for Xhilr.]

There is a large city about an hour to the north, which has a major airport.
-
There is a large city about a chit to the north, which has a major airport.

--

At the last layover before they reached the main island, the five of them met with the first counselor to the President of the district of the Church which nominally included the islands to which they were going.
-
At the last layover before they reached the main island, the five of them met with the first counselor to the president of the district of the Church which included the islands to which they were going. (Nominally included, since there were no actual Church operations in those islands at that point.)

--

Visiting teachers are assigned from the Relief Society, and home teachers are from the priesthood quorums. In the less fully organized branches and wards, they sometimes had couples assigned to be both at once. It wasn't official policy at the time of this story, but it is sort of semi-officially allowed now.
-
Visiting teachers were assigned from the Relief Society, and home teachers were from the priesthood quorums. In the less fully organized branches and wards, they sometimes had couples assigned to be both at once. It wasn't official policy at the time of this story, but it would later become a recognized practice.

--

I have letters for you from them.
-
I have letters for you from them here.

--

Wait a minute, you say?

Okay, I have a small confession. This is not just a slightly alternate history, this is a different planet.

But there are lots of parallels that I have taken the liberty of translating to artifacts of your own world's history.

"Mormon", for instance. Their Church has a similar history to the Mormons of (ahem) our world, and they believe in a Savior/Messiah with a name cognate of "Jesus" ("God is help") and a title cognate of "Christ" ("Annointed").

(And the prophet who abridged their new world scripture was named a word that seems to be a bi-lingual pun on "more good" and "eternal love", pointing to having a hope of literally following their Savior as they progress from grace to grace, thus, "Mormon" is not exactly a bad translation.)

And their Jesus teaches of repentance and redemption, of salvation by faith on His name, and the idea that the Creator of their universe is a friend, not an enemy, to His children. Thus, Christianity is a good fit for the broader religious context, as well.

(And there history is filled with cases of religion being perverted to ill purpose by those who prefer power to faith, just like ours.)

There are other differences, beyond the ones which necessitated this aside about the parallels. But the differences shouldn't be too surprising. Policy should reflect the historical and social context.
-
Wait a saichi, you say? (Or a minute. Three saichi.)

This is, indeed, a different planet. These are not Mormons. The epithet, and the name of the ancient prophet and the scripture from which the epithet is derived, is "Ehyephoot".

The official name of their Church may translate well as "The Church of Jesus Christ for the Saints of the Latter Days" or "The Church of Yeshua Messiah for the Believers of the End Times" or something. There may be many parallels which I depend on in telling this story, but it is not the organization with which you are familiar in your world.

Different world, different history, different social context, no matter how much is similar. Policy reflects the needs of the social context, so I must beg you to bear with the things you find odd.

Pretty please?

--

Bobbie and Karel looked in surprise at the first counselor together. He smiled reassuringly.
-
Bobbie and Karel looked together in surprise at the first counselor. He smiled reassuringly.

--

You both have been missionaries, and you understand that the happiness of these people is God's only concern."
-
You both have been missionaries, and you understand that the happiness of these people is a very high priority for God."

--

He's a good man. But if they don't get along, he'll help them find other arrangements.
-
He's a good man. If they don't get along, he'll help them find other arrangements.

--

Bobbie and Sister MacVittie insisted they could walk, so they spread the luggage across the four taxis, and everyone walked the fifteen minutes to the bungalow.
-
Bobbie and Sister MacVittie insisted they could walk, so they spread the luggage across the four taxis, and everyone walked the three punji to the bungalow.

--

"Oh, I like him. I think he likes me. But it's hard to get his attention when he spends most of his time on the main island."
-
"Oh, I like him. I think he likes me. But it's hard to get his attention when he spends most of his time flying around the islands."

--

"Quickly!"
-
"Quickly! She'll know what to do."

--

On the Sabbath, the chief and his consort, and the shaman and his concubine, came to observe their meetings, making the hut a little crowded. They expressed neither approval nor disapproval after the meetings were over, remaining to listen and talk for a bit, then going to take care of other business.
-
On the Sabbath, the chief and his consort, with the shaman and his concubine, came to observe their meetings, making the hut a little crowded. They expressed neither approval nor disapproval, remaining after the meetings were over to listen and talk for a bit, then going to take care of other business.

--

Sabbath. Day of Rest.

As I have mentioned, they have a week of seven days. Seven days approximates the period of their nearer moon, which could partially explain why they have a seven day week in spite of their general standardization on powers of two. But not fully.

--

In the evening, there were more ceremonies.
-
In the evening, there were more ceremonies, which Karel and Bobbie were requested to attend.

--

But when Karel traded for a beaded reed curtain to hang between them, the family indulged them in that much.
-
But when Karel traded some materials for a beaded reed curtain to hang between them, the family indulged them in that much.

--

But  their host family did not take offense.
-
And their host family did not take offense.

--

And on the last island, they were again not allowed to stay with separate families. Again, they put up a curtain.
Lest you misunderstand, they were able to develop good relationships with the islanders on both the third and fourth islands, but, on the subject of where they stayed, the islanders just smiled and were insistent.
And lest you should find fault with the islanders, according to the traditions they lived by, Karel and Bobbie would have been guilty of no sin had they given in to temptation and crossed the curtain.
-
And on the last island, they were again not allowed to stay with separate families. The shaman and the shamaness were their hosts. And again, they were allowed to put up a curtain.

Lest you misunderstand, they were able to develop good relationships with the islanders on both the third and fourth islands, but, on the subject of where they stayed, the islanders just smiled and were insistent.

"Do you understand?" one woman asked Bobbie one day on the fourth island, while they were working with several other women, collecting breadfruit for a communal feast. "It is not just that we can see the connection you and Karel have. Under our traditions, if you were alone, you would be required to entertain men."

"Really? Then I am glad you insisted we stay together."

The shamaness said, "Our island is not as progressive as some. I hope your reports will not speak ill of us for it."

"Should I not mention this?"

"No," the wife of the chief said, "just please don't judge us ill for it."

"Can I discuss this with Karel?"

"Maybe. I suppose it would help to talk more about it rather than less."

The next day, the chief, the shaman, and a small group of other men met with Karel.

One of the men said, "We understand that Bobbie knows that there are two reasons we have for asking you to stay together."

"She mentioned that she had heard something about being required to entertain men if she were not with me."

Another explained, "We have not had a brothel on the island for a generation. Bobbie is independent."

"She is that. You know it is a valued trait in our culture?"

"In ours," the chief said, "many were calling her wanton. Some of the women wanted to send you both away your first day, without waiting for a plane to take you."

"We appreciate your forebearance."

The shaman said, "That you hold hands at night speaks well of you. That's something we can understand."

The chief added, "You see, we try to avoid situations in which male-female relationships would cause problems. Such problems cause wars."

Karel nodded. "Understood."

That evening, after Bobbie and Karel discussed their day's research, Karel told Bobbie what he had learned.

Bobbie grinned and reached for his hand. "Should we radio for Wycliffe to come take us to a temple?"

The shamaness looked up from her chemistry work. "That would be counter to your course."

--

"It has been our pleasure. Don't wait too long to get married."
-
"It has been our pleasure," the shaman said.

The shamaness added, "Don't wait too long to let your legal records enable your realities."

--

Bobbie and Karel carried part of their luggage out of the hut that served as the airport building on the last island towards the plane waiting on the beach.
-
While Wycliffe loaded fuel from the supplies shack into the plane, Bobbie and Karel brought their luggage to the beach.

--

They loaded the last of it, Karel helped Bobbie climb in, and they waved a final goodbye.
-
They loaded the last of it, Bobbie let Karel help her climb in, and they waved a final goodbye.

--

[JMR201804031323: end edits for Xhilr.]


Previous: Fifth Semester, Getting Ready for the Islands Table of Contents

Now we thik we know how Karel and Bobbie got to the islands without getting married. But let's go ahead and get a glimpse of how things went in the islands.



Orson Hyde University campus is nestled against the foothills of a very long mountain range. It is a part of small city that sits between a lake and the mountains.

There is a large city about an hour to the north, which has a major airport. It was this airport at which they said goodbye to their families and left in the company of the MacVitties, after completing their preparations at the university.

During the trip, Bobbie did not pay much attention to the men giving her the eye. She noticed some of them, but she didn't pay much attention.

In the passenger cabin after one layover, she said, "Karel?"

"Yeah?"

"Have you noticed the guys looking at me?"

Karel replied, "Have you noticed me noticing some of the women around? Sometimes a guy gets distracted."

"Are you trying to make me jealous?"

"Maybe, but I was really just thinking that beauty draws the eye. You distract me, too, you know."

Brother and Sister MacVittie studiously ignored this conversation. Their son smirked quietly to himself.

"Telling me I'm beautiful again."

"Just telling it like it is."

"Heh. Thanks. Well, anyway, guys used to hit on me a lot."

"You've mentioned that before."

"Now it seems like I can mostly ignore them before they get that far."

"That's a good thing."

"I'm sure part of that is because I'm with you and don't seem unattached."

Karel cleared his throat.

"And I've gotten into the habit of dressing down a bit."

"When you doll yourself up, you're just gilding the lily."

"Give me a break."

Sister MacVittie leaned across her husband's lap and said, "He's just telling you the truth."

Bobbie looked at the back of the seat in front of her. "I know I am cursed with good looks. But that's actually kind of what I'm trying to talk with Karel about."

"I guess I'll keep my nose out of things."

Professor MacVittie thought it was the better part of valor to stay out of things, too.

But Bobbie was no longer just talking to Karel. "Something's changed inside me. I used to be like a deer caught in a car's headlights when guys looked at me. Now it doesn't mean that much to me. And I think that means guys mostly don't feel as motivated to hit on me."

Karel said, "Mostly. But I've warned a few off, so far."

"And you've missed a couple."

"Yeah. but I'm trying."

"It's okay. I was able to warn those guys off, myself. And I don't feel upset about it any more."

Professor MacVittie finally spoke up here. "That's an important thing. I hadn't realized you were struggling so much with that."

"Guys are generally more civilized at Orson Hyde University."

"Not all that civilized. I think I have said some things I have to apologize for."

"No, you've never offended me."

"I'm glad of that."

Sister MacVittie asked her husband, under her breath, "Pray tell, what is it you think you might have to apologize for?"

He replied, as quietly, "Complimenting her on her looks without thinking how she would take it."

"Oh, that's all." She squeezed his hand.



At the last layover before they reached the main island, they met the first counselor to the President of the District of the Church which nominally included the islands to which they were going.

"I have been authorized to form a traveling branch of the Islands, and to call the two of you to preside over the Island Traveling Branch, Karel as the branch president, and Bobbie as the Relief Society president. Do the two of you accept these callings?"

"Sure."

 "Yeah. Uhm, Yes."

"This means you are authorized to hold your meetings and so forth."

"Okay."

"Your branch is a dependent branch, so you will need to coordinate some things with the parent branch, district, and mission presidencies, as described in the handbooks."

He gave them addresses and long distance phone numbers to contact them by.

"Your own home teachers and visiting teachers are assigned out of the parent branch until and unless better arrangements can be made. They happen to be your parent branch second counselor and his wife."



Visiting teachers are assigned from the Relief Society, and home teachers are sent from the priesthood quorums. In the less fully organized branches and wards, sometimes they have couples assigned to do both at once. It wasn't official policy at the time of this story, but it is sort of semi-official now.



"I don't expect that they will actually be able to come visit you here in the islands, but you can keep contact by mail. And they have told me that, if there is an emergency, you can call them collect."

"If we can get to a phone." Karel commented.

"Radio can be patched in. And you will be in their prayers."

"That will be helpful." Bobbie nodded, swallowing suddenly.

"Since this is the district, the mission president has authorized me to authorize the two of you to perform baptismal interviews. The district president has authorized you to perform all non-temple ordinances, as inspired by the Holy Spirit, Karel presiding and Bobbie assisting, as necessary, as explained in the manuals."



Wait a minute, you say?

Okay, I have a small confession. This is not just a slightly alternate history, this is a different planet. Lots of parallels that I have taken the liberty of translating to artifacts of your own world's history.

"Mormon", for instance. Their Church is one with a similar history to the Mormons of (ahem) our world, and they believe in a Savior/Messiah with a name cognate of "Jesus" ("God is help") and a title cognate of "Christ" ("Annointed One").

(And the prophet who abridged their new world scripture is named a word that is a pun on "more good" and "eternal love", pointing to having a hope of literally following their savior as they progress from grace to grace.)

And their Jesus teaches of repentance and redemption, of salvation by faith on His name, and the idea that the Creator of their universe is a friend, not an enemy to His children.

And there are a few differences, such as the ones I just mentioned. But maybe it shouldn't be too surprising. Policy should reflect the historical and social context.



"Now, in addition to my calling as first counselor in the district, I am first counselor in the temple presidency for the temple for this district."

"Oh." Bobbie blinked.

"Be happy to have you visit if you decide you have reason to get up that way."

"Understood." Karel nodded.

"I know you've heard it before, but it will be to your own benefit, as well as the benefit of the Church, that you set the best example you can for the people of these islands. You both have been missionaries, and you understand that the happiness of these people is God's only concern."

Bobbie and Karel both agreed.

After more discussion, he sent them on their way, with the blessings of God.

And they flew on to the main island near where they would be doing their research.



"Yo. You must be the professor and family and students."

"Sheldon MacVittie. Would you be Zedidiah?"

"He's Zedidiah."

"Hi." Zedidiah raised his hand in greeting.

"I'm Wycliffe."

"Good to meet you."

"Yeah. Likewise. Luggage there?" Wycliffe indicated the trunks and other luggage stacked neatly at the edge of the tarmac, where the MacVittie's son was keeping an eye on it.

"That's our stuff," Bobbie confirmed. "Do we have too much?"

"It should fit in one go, right, Zed?"

"Yeah. A little tight, but it'll be okay for a short hop."

Karel started chuckling as Wycliffe examined him and Bobbie.

"Wycliffe, do you mind?" Bobbie was also chuckling.

"Just wondering if I dare make a pass at the prettiest lady I expect to ever see in these islands."

"You just did." Bobbie laughed.

The MacVitties kept a watchful eye, amused, but ready to take action. Karel didn't seem worried.

"Wye, not the paying customers." Zedidiah looked up from the mental calculations he was making about how the luggage might fit in their plane.

"She yours?" Wycliffe asked Karel.

Karel shook his head. "She is her own, but I wouldn't try taking liberties with her."

Wycliffe grinned. "I'm not sure whether I'd be more worried about your response or hers if I did."

Karel and Bobbie both laughed.

"Wye! Knock it off!" Zedidiah stopped his examination of the luggage and came back. "I must apologize for my partner."

"No offense taken," Bobbie was still laughing. "An open pass is a bit refreshing, even if I'm not planning on picking it up. I'll be a bit too busy. Sorry."

"Understood. 'Though I'm not quite sure how you two fit together."

Bobbie and Karel looked at each other, amused, and Wycliffe watched them.

"Leave it alone, Wye, and help me figure the luggage out."

"Yeah. Lemme help you work that out."

And both of them went over to the luggage and started measuring pieces with their hands, talking about where to load them in the plane's cargo area.

"Do you think we can trust them?" Professor MacVittie asked.

"I think so." Bobbie replied.

"He's not entirely harmless," Karel pursed his lips to one side. "But I get the feeling he isn't one to take advantage of people. Just says what he thinks."

"I think I agree," Sister MacVittie said.

Wycliffe went into the building, and Zedidiah returned. "We're pretty share we can take it all in one trip. If not, we have a friend or two who would be willing to fly the rest out with the mail or something. But you'll need a couple of taxis to where you're staying tonight. Wycliffe has gone after them, and for someone to take care of your paperwork."

"You took care of a place for us here?"

"No, the islanders did. We told them about you and they decided where you'll stay. That's the way they work. You can walk there, but the luggage can't, and that's why you'll need the taxis. Ah. Here comes Officer Paalo."

An islander approached them from withing the building. "Hello! Welcome to the islands."

"Officer Paalo can stamp your visas."

After introductions all around, Officer Paalo counted their pieces of luggage without bothering to look inside, scanned quickly over their immunization paperwork, took notes in an official-looking logbook, and gave them visa stamps in their passports.

"Oh. You're not married?" he asked, handing Karel and Bobbie back their passports.

"No, ..." Karel replied.

"Not engaged?"

'No." Bobbie replied with a shake of her head.

"Then I should ask. We were under the impression you two would be staying together. Wycliffe informs us that we may be mistaken."

Karel looked at Bobbie, and she just closed her eyes.

"Uhn, that would not be appropriate," Karel said, reaching out to reassure Bobbie with a pat on her arm.

Bobbie opened her eyes. "Definitely not."

By that time, Wycliffe had returned with not two, but four taxis.

"Change of plans. The bungalow they 

"When they found out your students would not be sleeping together, they decided to change your ac

Professor MacVittie introduced himself and gave them contact information for the university and requested to be contacted immediately if anything untoward happened while carrying Karel and Bobbie from island to island.

Then Wycliffe and Zedidiah introduced them to Officer Paalo, who stamped their visas as a representative of the government and gave their luggage a cursory check, and took care of other such necessary paperwork.

And Karel and Bobbie went over their schedules with Wycliffe and Zedidiah.

The MacVitties spent a couple of days vacationing while Karel and Bobbie made contacts, learned a little more about the islands, and reviewed their preparations.

Then Zedidiah flew the five of them to their first island, which was close by. Zedidiah and Wycliffe generally flew without co-pilot, saving the weight for cargo.

On the first island, Zedidiah introduced them to Nazoru and his daughter Hanaka, who were fairly comfortable with foreigners and with English, and could serve as intermediaries if necessary.

Nazoru and Hanaka offered to let them both stay in their hut. They were surprised and somewhat amused that they wanted to stay separately.

Ultimately, it was decided that Bobbie would stay with Hanaka and Nazoru, and they found another family for Karel to stay with.

And they found a family for the MacVitties to stay with, as well.

Nazoru and Hanaka introduced them to many of the people on the island, and Karel and Bobbie got to work and met more. At first, they just let the islanders teach them how they lived. Then they started helping out when they could see ways they could help.

They compiled their notes in the evenings, being careful to change names and otherwise keep the private information private. They found it worked best to go over their data with the families they stayed with, for accuracy, and also to assure that the private information was kept anonymous and private.

Again, the MacVitties stayed out of the way, leaving the work to the students. Their job was simply to be there if they needed help. On the other hand, they were also interested in the island life, and spent most of their time learning how the islanders lived. Professor MacVittie took some notes of his own, but refrained from recording details that might be private.

Towards the end of the week, they got together to compare notes. Other than that, they spent as much time working separately as together.

Sometime during the first week, one of the islanders came to Karel looking for medical help. One of the children had cut her leg. They were surprised when he deferred to Bobbie, insisting that he be there even though Bobbie did the actual cleaning and bandaging up.

They asked about the usual procedure, and the islanders explained that the village elders had already prayed over the wound. But they knew that foreigners did some other useful things, so they had asked.

The next time, Bobbie and Karel had the parents come, and let the parents perform their traditional first aid. Bobbie showed them a few more small things they could still do when she and Karel were gone.


Nazoru and Hanaka joined their first Sunday services, watching with interest. Afterwards, they asked Bobbie and Karel about their beliefs. They continued to join the services for the whole month, and continued to ask questions.

Other islanders also visited during the later Sunday services.

After two weeks, Zedidiah came to pick the MacVitties up. They were sad to go. (And the family they had been staying with was sad to see them go so soon.) Professor MacVittie took Bobbie and Karel's initial reports back to the university with him, with some letters home, and to Dan and Kristie and other friends.

During the month on the first island, Bobbie and Karel participated in the birthing of two babies. Again, they let the islanders teach them what they usually did, trying to avoid teaching them things they would not be able to continue after they left.

And then Zedidiah picked them up and flew them to their next island, introducing them to islanders who would help them get started before he left.

And Zedidiah took their reports and other mail with him to send on.



And that was pretty much the way it went on each island.

Except that on the third and fourth islands Wycliffe picked them up. The distances were longer, and Wycliffe had more experience with long distances.

While they were on the second island, they wrote letters to professors they were talking with at Harvard and Berkeley, detailing their work to that point and adjustments they were making to their approaches.

A plane came in after about two weeks, and they sent those letters with the pilot.

On the third island, they got enthusiastic responses from their respective schools, both hinting at the possibility of assistant professorship positions.

On the last island, having become accustomed to their work, they had a little time, maybe once a week, to spend together walking on the beach and talking. Not wanting to tempt each other, they focused on their work and refrained from even holding hands.
 


"Got everything?"

"Double and triple checked."

Bobbie and Karel were pushing their luggage out of the hut that served as the airport building on the last island, to the plane waiting on the airstrip.

"I'm gonna miss these islands."

"Me too. In some ways it seems like I've been back on my mission."

"Sans companion?"

"No, not really."

Karel and Bobbie looked at each other. Wycliffe must have missed the meaning that passed without words between them in that look.

"I've been silly."

"No you haven't."

"I wish I could just ask Wycliffe to let us fly back by ourselves. I really want to talk with you all by ourselves."

"Would you be okay navigating over ocean?"

"True. The weather's different, and you have to depend more on instruments."

"And, of course, it's their plane, not ours."

"Do you think those two joke about us?"

"Listening to their chatter on the radio, yeah. Does it matter?"

"Guess not."

"Let's get our luggage on the plane."

"Hi, Wycliffe! Good to see you again."




And now we know enough to continue with the story.


Table of Contents Next: Bobbie and Karel -- Changing Priorities



The previous backup for this chapter is here: http://joel-rees-economics.blogspot.com/2016/08/bk-economics-101-novel-ch09-in-islands.html.

(There is no second draft of this chapter yet.)