Qorba, the Qorban and the characters in this story are copyright: Daniel Wiggins 1999:
Neal Edwynn Harper
Nico Rhouphys Lynn
Beverly Mel Lynn
Savanhah Nítâña Lynn
Dézyré (Dessa) Kcí Lynn
Jasper Belle Harper
Benn Rove Harper
Aloy Méi Harper
Marquo David Harper
Vérrah Mai Harper
Aiél Mai Harper
Michael Jephries Morgan
Sarah Jayleth Morgan
Lt. Commander Mitchell
Commander Bailey
The following characters are their real life counterparts.
Даниил Котов Круг
(Daniil Kotov Krug)
Винсент Нато Путин)
(Vincent Nаto Putin)
Владимир Поттер Торрентов
(Vladimir Potter Torrentov)
Changes
19/APRIL/7123
[Haven, Montana.] "Sir, I found something."[] He said, digging through the ancient-looking chest of drawers.
Two government field agents had been sent to investigate the strange appearance of a massive structure that, by its description and location, had only been the subject of legends and local folklore.
[]"What is it?"[]
[]"I don't know exactly…"[]
[]"Let me have a look."[]
Agent 14 took the garment and used a handheld scanner to examine it. The article was a 100% stitch accurate replica of a WWII bomber jacket with an ace of spades patch marked 《Š》 and a nametag reading N. HARPER.
[]"I know that symbol and I know that name. We need to leave. Now!"[] He hissed, dropping the jacket into, then, closing the drawer and sprinting toward the stairs.
[]"What does it mean?"[] His partner demanded, chasing after him.
[]If he, or his brother are anywhere around here, we'd best leave. If they think we're a threat, we're dead and, if the local tribe is correct, there is no possible way to defend ourselves against them as they are, by all means, unstoppable...[]
[31/June/2041]
"Why did ya have ta walk so dang far?" I asked myself. "Now you’re lost."
I'd decided to go hiking in the mountains out of the sheer curiosity of never having been here before and to scope out the more remote areas of my new property.
"Ooh, cliffs. ok, camera… check. Sd cards… check. I’m all set." I said and start walking toward the ledge, hoping to get a snapshot of the landscape to help find my way home.
I rounded a higher part of the cliff facing when I saw something that sent my heart racing.
There on the edge was a creature straight from Greek mythology in appearance. Upper torso of a human, but covered in red-orange fur, lower torso and head of a fox, and long snow white hair.
I brought my camera up, focussed it and max out the SD card on pictures. Then she pulls a pouch from around her waist, and takes a small box out of it. She looks at the item and starts to cry.
"Why did it have to be you, David?" She asked..? She spoke! Then, she tossed the box over her shoulder and pulled a brush from the pouch. The box hit the ground and a very expensive looking ring fell out and bounced into the bushes, hitting my boot. She brushed her hair, and I took several more photos after swapping out cards. She laid the handcrafted boar bristle brush on the rock beside her and stood up.
Taking a deep breath, she leapt out over the edge. I'd already broke into a run as soon as I saw her move to jump. I dove, and caught her by the left rear leg. Her weight nearly pulled me over with her, but my climbing rope had caught an outcrop of rock, nearly keeping me from reaching her at all. When her weight yanked me down to my stomach, I felt severe pain in my arm and chest. I still managed to hold on and keep her from falling.
She looked back and screamed. That jarred me into action and I barely managed to pull her up. She fought against me and nearly broke free, but years of martial arts and weightlifting helped me steel myself against the pain, and restrain her.
"What are you going to do to me!?"
"How 'bout you tell me why you jumped. I'll decide after then."
"My fiancé was killed by terrorists, and I didn't want to live without him."
"And you think he would'a wanted you to do this?"
"What would you know about what he might have wanted?"
"No one, in their right thinkin' would want their fianceé killing herself after he died. He would expect her to live on and remember the good times they'd shared. He would want you to find another person to share your life with. I know he would want you to be happy agen. I do know that. I know, too, that you won't be left out of my sight until I can be certain that you aren't going to be jumping offa no cliff. You will stay at my house and recover, and you're also going to help me, due to the bruised ribs, and strained shoulder that resulted from saving your furry little hide. I don't know what you are, I don't know where you came from. However, I do know that you need help, and I will do everything I can to ensure your safety."
"You sound like David. My name is Jasper Snowpaw."
"I'm Neal Edwynn Harper. I do have a cousin named David, but I don't associate with no drug addicts."
"I know what you mean. David's brother, Andrew, was addicted to Vyvanse, Focalin and Dexedrine."
"Good Lord. He sounds like a pleasure to be with."
"Why do you think that?"
"I don't. That there's sarcasm, Vix."
"My name…"
"Is Jasper, but your nickname is Vix until I'm certain that your future looks brighter. Hold on to the pride you have for your name. That is evidence that you aren't totally hapless. Was your fiancé likewise a fox? Just from eccentricity of your name, he don't sound like it."
"No, and your grammar is terrible."
I put my left fist on my hip and my right finger against her nose.
"Listen here. You want to discuss poor choices, start with yerself, Vix. I talk like this 'cause I want to, hear? I'll straighten out my grammar when you prove to me that you're worth better speakin'. 'Til then, expect me to use this southern accent."
"Fine. Expect me to bite your finger the next time you poke my nose."
"Please forgive me. I shouldn't have done it and I won't do it again."
"Ok, I'll forgive you. Thank you."
"You're welcome. Now. Can you track?"
"Sure. It isn't that hard. Why?"
"Well, to be honest. I'm lost. Went too far and lost my compass along the way somewhere. Then I saw the cliffs and was gonna take pictures to try'n find my way back when I saw you there. Still got some amazin' shots."
"You took pictures of me?"
"Why not? You made an excellent subject. Especially with the valley in the background."
"You'd better let me see them, too."
"Why? You jumped off the cliff after, and I barely caught ya. You certain that you want to be reminded of that?"
"Pictures only tell the story of a moment in time."
"Fine, then. I'll title 'em "Vix's Lament." Nobody'll believe they're real anyway."
"Why not? Surely some of them have seen a foxtaur before."
"That's what you are?"
"Yes. Quit pretending to be so ignorant."
"I ain't pretending, Vix. I'm serious. You are, probably, the only foxtaur on Earth."
"What's today's date?" She demanded.
I looked at my antique Timex Ironman, and said. "Thirty first o' June, two thousand forty one."
She fainted…
I sighed. "Welp, so much for goin' home t'day. Best set camp." I said to myself.
I was finishing putting up my tent, when Jasper groaned.
"Behold! The dead doth arise. Ya hungry, Vix? Got sum steaks on the griddle'."
"Wh.. where did you get steaks?"
"I half expected you to ask where ya were. I brought the steaks with me. My ice pack kept 'em cold. I packed 'em before I left the house."
Her nose twitched, and I heard her stomach growl.
"C'mon. I heard that. Let's eat."
I pulled a bubble wrapped porcelain plate from my backpack and put the two steaks on it.
"I apologize, but I only have one plate. I wasn't exactly counting on having company."
"What about your accent?"
"I don't use it when I regret something. I don't like that we have to share. You eat yours first, then I'll eat. I don't want to hear a single word of argument, either."
"Oh… Please eat with me. I'd hate eating in front of you knowing you are hungry."
I couldn't help but grin. "That defiance is respectable. Don't let it get to your head."
"You know something? You're the second human I've ever met who didn't stink."
I burst out laughing. "Homemade soap made from potassium hydroxide, with cedar and frasier sap. Best stuff in the world. Doesn't hurt animals either, so you might like it."
"I am not an animal!" She snarled, glaring at me as only a pissed fox could.
"I never implied that you were. Though, I'd venture to say that your skin is more akin to a natural fox, than a human. Don't you think?"
She started to snap back with something, but she stayed quiet for a few minutes. "You're mean."
"I'll work on it. I don't want to offend you." I promised.
"Really?"
"Look. I moved out here to get away from people, then I find you? I think it was meant to be."
"Superstitious much?"
"Don't start that. It's the anti-Christian people why I did move out here."
"Oh, I was talking about the people who believe that fate controls everything. I mean, sure. I put a lot of value in coincidence, as do most of my kind, but I am not so blind as to follow circumstances that could get me killed."
"Says the suicidal pariah, saved by the antisocial asshole."
"Good. At least we understand that much." She snickered.
"Well, at least we agree on that." I grinned back.
...to be continued...
