A Cultural Exchange (part 2)

Posted on Sat Sep 17th, 2016 @ 3:51pm by Commodore Samantha York & Colonel Damon Raine & Lieutenant Illise Hale

1,073 words; about a 5 minute read

[CONTINUED]

[OLD]

"Most of that is ancient history. We were once a far more barbaric people. We almost wiped ourselves out, but we pulled back from the brink and set up the society we have today," Jellicon said.

[NEW]

The Jenefran led the group into the museum, bypassing several rooms to go to the back. He entered a large room with several murals and a small panorama of an ancient village. Sculptures and pottery adorned several stands. "The Jenefrans were once a simple people who lived in huts and farmed or hunted for wild animals. From what we have learned of your Federation, this appears to be typical of many worlds. As you can see, the ancient people lived in mud and grass huts, but valued art. Their statues were often of the animals they hunted and their pottery was painted with crops."

Illise looked at the artifacts on display. They were remarkably well preserved and showcased some incredible artwork. She bent closer to examine one of the pieces, of course maintaining a respectful distance. It was a cup that have been exquisitely carved from stone in the shape of a stylized bird. The wings were held back as if in flight and curved around the circumference of the cup to touch wingtips before the down-stroke. The neck and head stretched forward and down to form the handle. No chisel-marks were visible, having been polished away by either the hands that made it or by the passage of time. From the quality of the item, Illise suspected that it had been the former. A nearby bowl show similar craftsmanship and resembled a small animal curled up in peaceful sleep.

"Remarkable." Illise said, looking away from the artifacts and over to their guide. "Was this level of artistry demonstrated consistently by the tribes or did it vary by region?"

"Some say there was one small tribe. Others say there were four or five and the others died out over time," the guide said. "If there were written records, or even painted ones, they have long since vanished." He waved his hand around the room. "This is all we have left of the ancient people."

Illise stepped back from the cup and stepped slowly around the room while sipping her drink. She stopped in front of several painted stone walls which had been reconstructed. "This flower," she said, noting a deep red and purple water-lily-type flower, "appears to be a common motif."

"It is. In fact, that is that plant is what grows the petals for the drink in your hand. It is called a Sahlila flower"

Illise held the mug up to look at it, noticing that the floral design on the mug bore a striking resemblance to the flowers in the murals, although the craftsmanship had been much refined.

"Those mugs you are drinking from," He continued "happen to be traditional stone Lasah-Vas." He looked pleased at the visitors. "Lasah could of course be consumed by any vessel, however, it would not be..." He looked like he was struggling for the right word. "Appropriate." He settled on.

Damon nodded. "I think I understand. On our world we have a drink called wine. Many feel that is should only be drank out of a specific kind glass vessel."

"We are not so dissimilar." The guide smiled. "There is great history in the Sahlila. Much of our culture, in fact, is centered around it.

"Is this plant prevalent on your planet?" Sam asked.

Jellicon shook his head. "Oh my, no. It only grows naturally in one area of our planet, the Bloodstone desert. That is what makes it so valuable."

"Really? What are those conditions?" Sam asked.

It requires a delicate balance in heat and sunlight. In addition, moisture levels have to be just right. it is a challenge to control."

Sam didn't have the heart to tell him they could easily replicate those conditions on a starship. But if she could get a plant to take back with them, she could see if it really was that easy. She had encountered plants that did not do well in the artificial environment of an arboretum or even a greenhouse. She would have to ask the King later.

Damon had a similar line of thinking as his wife. "Would it be possible for us purchase a flower for ourselves somewhere?"

Their guides eyes widened for a moment and a knowing smile crept across his face as he regarded the foreigners. "Unfortunately, that would be quite impossible." He shook his head. He paused for a moment before deciding that a simple explanation would not suffice. "You must understand what this plant means to our people first."

Damon resisted the urge to joke about how important a drink like coffee was to many humans. Instead he smiled. "I'm intrigued."

Jellicon nodded. "The Sahlila vines are very old. They are estimated to be somewhere in the neighborhood of between 55 and 60 million years old. Our scientists believe that at one time this plant would have been invasive, spreading over the better part of the southern continent. During that era, the region had a very dry and hot climate mixed with naturally rocky topography, which was perfect for growth of the Sahlila. However, during a period of rapid climate change approximately ten million years ago, the vines were devastated and were very narrowly wiped out as much cooler temperatures and heavy rains came through the region. Fortunately it seemed to have found a haven in what we now know to be the Bloodstone Desert, a well deserved name since the white sands stand stark contrast to the rock formations and spires which are covered by the dark red flowers of the Sahlila Vine . The desert itself is surrounded by mountains which would have prevented those heavy rains from completely killing off what few vines remained."

"The roots themselves grow very slowly, only one or two centimeters each year. For a single flower to grow on a vine it needs to be several centimeters long; between ten and fifteen. The trouble with the plant is that it's vine cannot be snipped and grafted on to a new rock. It has to grow naturally on a new stone and sprout a flower before it can be successfully trimmed away."

(To be continued...)

Jellicon
Jenefran Historian

Commodore Samantha York
Commanding Officer

Lieutenant Illise Hale
Chief Science Officer

Colonel Damon Raine
Chief Strategic Operations Officer

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