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Sunday, March 14, 2010

Lumière des étoiles et Etienne - le baiser

Day after day the walking went easily enough for Marie and Etienne. Further and further south they went.

At night they gazed at the moon and stars together. One night Marie said to Etienne, "It is time I told you why we are on this mission together. Grande Cheval whinnied ever so slightly. Marie turned and softly rebuked the mule, "I am glad you agree my friend, but I didn't know I needed your approval," she said smiling. Etienne reclining on his mat laid on the ground next to Marie's, was humming to himself and stopped and getting up on one elbow said, "I am all ears, dear lady." Marie leaned over inches away from his face and breathing very softly and low said, "I am going to the Mountains of the Moon and find my fathers herb. My father was Docteur Devereux, a Physician and Scientist as you know. His specialty was herbalism. His herb cures many diseases. A Docteur Erhlich's magic bullet indeed! Many unscrupulous men would do terrible things to stop me. They don't want it ever known."

Etienne looked intently at Marie and said, "We must turn East at some time then, for the Ruwenzori are in that direction as well as South." Marie nodded and smiled coyly and whispered, "you have been such a good friend, what you would you have from me?" Etienne smiled back and said, "a kiss, my princess." To which she quipped, "and you will turn into a frog if I do?" Etienne looked intently into her eyes an said nothing and moved to within an inch from her face. Marie leaned next to his cheek with hers and turned and kissed his cheek and murmured. "a buss for the prince and now we must to sleep, tomorrow is early."

They retired and slept close to one another under the warm African night sky of midnight blue, with moon and stars to keep them company. The embers of the fire glowed red and comforting. Grand Cheval stood guard in his sleep. The dawn would come soon enough. Etienne slept like a log, contented. Marie was in a deep dream sleep. Many dreamt things passed her way that night. They slept the sleep of innocence.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Lumière des étoiles et Etienne - The Conversation

Lumière des étoiles et Etienne - The Conversation


Marie woke early and looked out her window. There was a beautiful predawn glimmering array of stars beckoning to her. She smiled up at them and whispered to herself, "star light, star bright, first star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might...."


Etienne was washing and preparing to embark with Marie on their journey. He thought to himself, 'we have seen one another for quite a while and I think I must tell her I love her or I will burst!' 'I wonder if she will reply...what will she say?' 'No matter, I must tell her.'

They met downstairs in the grand foyer. "Good morning Starlight, did you sleep well?" began Etienne. "Quite well gentle Moonbeam," replied Marie, "and you?" "I must say you look wonderful as always dear lady," Etienne said and continued, "I think about you even when we are apart." 'Oh oh,' she thought, 'where is he going with this?' "I care about every aspect of you and your life," he was saying when she interrupted him, "dear sweet gentle Moonbeam, shouldn't we be thinking about our journey?" "You are doing it again Marie," Etienne blurted. Marie quickly answered, "I know, but it is a woman's prerogative to be coy, interrupt and change her mind and insist it really isn't the way you think it is, whatever it is. You are a dear sweet man, but we must be going, please!" "Yes of course, but..." he trailed off.

Etienne paid the innkeeper for the pack mule they needed for supplies and led the animal to where he and Marie loaded him. Marie named the animal 'grande cheval.'

They got their packs and hiking staffs and set off headed due south into some hilly country of North-eastern al-Maġrib al-ʿArabī, the Maghreb, with only their pack mule, grande cheval, for company. They were skirting the Eastern end of the Atlas Mountains which was a blessing. Etienne was saying as they walked, "how can you name the animal, 'cheval,' it is not a horse but a mule." Marie answered, "a mulet and I think he wants to be a horse, and so voilà!" They bantered as they walked, the time passed quickly.