Descending Road - YES, SHE COULD NEARLY PASS by Dana W. Paxson

YES, SHE COULD NEARLY PASS

1563 4D

Now for Oortonel. And Marra, fatigue weighing on her back, bent over Deen‘s face, and Aoriver surged up into her mouth again. Quickly she pressed her lips to Deen‘s; a flash of violet phosphorescence spattered away into the soil. It took a long time. Finally, Aoriver said, Oortonel is alive. It is time to celebrate.

“What about Deen? You said—“

Deen is Oortonel‘s. Wait and see.

“How do you celebrate?”

It is Qaqanhialh. We join.

“You and Oortonel?”

No. All of us. With a start, Marra noticed Deen‘s body warm beside her. Deen‘s skin felt warm all over. In the new day’s light, Deen‘s eyelids fluttered as if in a dream, and then drew open.

Deen looked around. “Marra? Are you Marra? You look so young.”

“Yes. I think I am.”

“Are we dead?”

Marra wiped a crusted spot of blood from the corner of her mouth. “I don’t think so.”

Deen paused. “Oh! You’re tired. She’s tired. I mean Oortonel—“

“Yes. Aoriver says she almost died. They brought us back.”

Deen looked around the ruins, the dawn light, the farm, the mountains, and Linas' body. She stared at the body. “Is that… ours?”

“Yes.”

Marra, we need to feed again now, before the body’s potency begins to fade. Oortonel first. This is to start our celebration. A tingle climbed Marra‘s spine until it burst in a flash of delight at the base of her skull. She shuddered. Celebration?

“Time to eat,” she said to Deen, gesturing at the body, “Aoriver says it’s time to celebrate qaqanhialh.”

“What?”

“Oh, just ask Oortonel what it means. Then eat, because she’s got to be really hungry.”

“Oh.” Deen listened for a moment, then climbed awkwardly from the cart and knelt by Linas' body. Marra watched her move, at first clumsily, then with growing assurance. Deen looked taller than before, her waist narrow, her hips full, her arms and legs smooth and strong with young tissue, her breasts small and high.

“Did Trig take any?” she asked Deen.

Deen sniffed. “No. He never does. Did you forget?” She bent to the body and began.

What was that he said about andros? He thinks they’re beautiful? Aoriver asked Marra.

“He said we looked almost as good as they do,” Marra muttered. She ran her hands over her skin, surprised at its firmness and sleekness, even under the films of sweat and dirt and blood that streaked her. How interesting. Maybe this would be fun.

I don’t think andros are that good. Taste lacks something.

“I’ve always wanted to be an andro for a day or two, just to see what it’s like.”

You’d have to lighten your skin. Then at least you’ll look right.

Marra looked down and ran her fingers over her firm flesh. Yes, she could nearly pass for an andro. “Well? Can you do that?”

I never tried it. Maybe. Let me consider.

Deen worked her way to a full belly. She rose and beckoned to Marra. “Now your turn.”

Story List	SURPRISE ME	Author Page
USER SURVEY	PUZZLE ME	MAKE ELM MARK

HOVER Lucida Bright BARE	HOVER Lucida Bright FULL	HOVER Palatino Linotype BARE
HOVER Palatino Linotype FULL	HOVER Times New Roman BARE	HOVER Times New Roman FULL
PAD Arial BARE	PAD Arial FULL	PAD Lucida Bright BARE
PAD Lucida Bright FULL	PAD Times New Roman BARE	PAD Times New Roman FULL


	YES, SHE COULD NEARLY PASS 1563 4D Now for Oortonel. And Marra, fatigue weighing on her back, bent over Deen‘s face, and Aoriver surged up into her mouth again. Quickly she pressed her lips to Deen‘s; a flash of violet phosphorescence spattered away into the soil. It took a long time. Finally, Aoriver said, Oortonel is alive. It is time to celebrate. “What about Deen? You said—“ Deen is Oortonel‘s. Wait and see. “How do you celebrate?” It is Qaqanhialh. We join. “You and Oortonel?” No. All of us. With a start, Marra noticed Deen‘s body warm beside her. Deen‘s skin felt warm all over. In the new day’s light, Deen‘s eyelids fluttered as if in a dream, and then drew open. Deen looked around. “Marra? Are you Marra? You look so young.” “Yes. I think I am.” “Are we dead?” Marra wiped a crusted spot of blood from the corner of her mouth. “I don’t think so.” Deen paused. “Oh! You’re tired. She’s tired. I mean Oortonel—“ “Yes. Aoriver says she almost died. They brought us back.” Deen looked around the ruins, the dawn light, the farm, the mountains, and Linas' body. She stared at the body. “Is that… ours?” “Yes.” Marra, we need to feed again now, before the body’s potency begins to fade. Oortonel first. This is to start our celebration. A tingle climbed Marra‘s spine until it burst in a flash of delight at the base of her skull. She shuddered. Celebration? “Time to eat,” she said to Deen, gesturing at the body, “Aoriver says it’s time to celebrate qaqanhialh.” “What?” “Oh, just ask Oortonel what it means. Then eat, because she’s got to be really hungry.” “Oh.” Deen listened for a moment, then climbed awkwardly from the cart and knelt by Linas' body. Marra watched her move, at first clumsily, then with growing assurance. Deen looked taller than before, her waist narrow, her hips full, her arms and legs smooth and strong with young tissue, her breasts small and high. “Did Trig take any?” she asked Deen. Deen sniffed. “No. He never does. Did you forget?” She bent to the body and began. What was that he said about andros? He thinks they’re beautiful? Aoriver asked Marra. “He said we looked almost as good as they do,” Marra muttered. She ran her hands over her skin, surprised at its firmness and sleekness, even under the films of sweat and dirt and blood that streaked her. How interesting. Maybe this would be fun. I don’t think andros are that good. Taste lacks something. “I’ve always wanted to be an andro for a day or two, just to see what it’s like.” You’d have to lighten your skin. Then at least you’ll look right. Marra looked down and ran her fingers over her firm flesh. Yes, she could nearly pass for an andro. “Well? Can you do that?” I never tried it. Maybe. Let me consider. Deen worked her way to a full belly. She rose and beckoned to Marra. “Now your turn.”