World Above Water - Absolution Ch. 02

Hello all! Here's part two of the sequel to World Above Water. If you are finding this story for the first time, I would suggest reading World Above Water so that you understand what is going on with these characters.

Nulli Para Ora

__________________________

Chris walked Celeste to her room and placed her bags inside.

"If you're hungry later, perhaps we could have dinner or we could just sit and talk if you'd like."

Chris watched the easy smile appear on her face.

"Talking sounds nice. Let me just get my bearings first."

Chris stood back and watched as Celeste made a circuit of the room with her cane. He looked on as she touched nearly everything in the room.

"Well, what do you think? Is the room to your satisfaction?" Chris asked.

"Looks good to me!"

Chris laughed and Celeste joined in.

"It really is a nice room, but I'll have to watch that slight incline at the foot of the bed."

Chris went into the bathroom and retrieved a towel. He placed it on the floor and then took Celeste's hand so that she could run her cane over it.

"Here, now you will have a warning before you hit the speed bump." Chris said with a smile.

"Thank you, that's actually not a bad idea."

Celeste ran the cane over the towel a few times and then onto the carpet around it; memorizing the feel.

"I'll replace the towel after they come in for room service." Chris said.

"Thank you. That would be appreciated."

"So where would you like to go so that we can talk? Would you like to sit in the lobby or go for a stroll?"

Celeste pondered for a moment.

"How about we sit at the table in the corner?"

Chris nodded and guided her to the table. He pulled out her chair and tapped her shoulder lightly and she sat down. He pulled the chair next to her closer and took his own seat.

"I'd like to ask you something, Chris."

"Sure."

"May I touch your face?"

Chris pondered the request for a moment before smiling brightly.

"You want to see what I look like?"

Celeste nodded.

"Only if you promise not to run away screaming."

Celeste laughed. "I highly doubt that."

Chris took her hand in his and lifted it slowly. He placed her palm on his cheek and watched her face. He held his hand over hers as she gently ran her fingers over his skin. As she moved, he read her water, seeing what he looked like to her. When her fingertips found his eyes, he fluttered his lids, tickling her with his lashes.

"Hey, stop that! I need to concentrate."

"If I distract you long enough, you won't be able to form a picture of me in your head and then maybe you'd stay with me long enough to go on that date."

"Oh stop it!"

Celeste brought her other hand to Chris' face and he covered that one with his hand as well. She made a few circuits before pulling her hands away.

"Chris..."

"Yeah?"

"You're gorgeous!"

"The only reason you felt that on my face is because I was looking at you."

Celeste's face turned a deep red and she turned away from Chris. He took her chin in his hand and turned her face to his.

"No one has ever told you how beautiful you are?"

"No. People are usually too busy taking pity on me or treating me like a fragile piece of glass. You are one of the few people I've met who isn't on eggshells with me. You seem completely comfortable with all of this."

"Celeste, there is nothing about you that I don't find fascinating. You're a person, not a condition. I'm sitting her having a conversation with you, not with your diagnosis."

"I'm just not used to anyone really seeing past the blindness. It's been very lonely."

"I'm going to put my arms around you, Celeste and then I'm going to kiss you. You don't have to be alone."

Chris wrapped his arms around her and he felt her heart race. He leaned his head and brought his lips to hers in a light, tender kiss. He pulled his mouth away to look at her. Tears filled her eyes and began to spill from her lids. Chris wiped her tears and held her close. They sat like that in silence for several minutes.

"Someone like you can't be real." Celeste said.

"I was just thinking the same thing about you."

Celeste took a deep breath and released it slowly as she held on to Chris and relaxed into his arms.

"So tell me about this concert. What exactly will you play?"

"I'll be playing pieces by Scriabin, Gottschalk, Scarlatti, Lizst and Chopin. Do you have a favorite?"

"I have to be honest; I am not familiar with any of those names. But I'm sure that I'll enjoy anything that you play."

"Thanks for being honest. I hate it when people pretend that they know a lot about things when they don't."

Chris took in a deep breath.

Honest... right... After the concert, yeah, I'll tell her after the concert.

"So tell me, what do you do for a living, Chris? Were you traveling here to meet family or for work?"

Enki-ak-si lilu! How do I answer that? I don't want to scare her away, but I don't want to keep this from her...

"Well, that's a little complicated to explain actually."

"Complicated?" Celeste sat back in her chair. "Does complicated include a wife and kids? Something illegal? Something..."

Chris squeezed her hands. "No, no! Nothing like that."

He released her hands and ran his own through his hair.

"Celeste... I need to tell you something about me that you will find very hard to believe..."

"You used to be a woman?"

Chris burst into laughter.

"Oh Celeste, I don't think I'd ever give up breasts if they actually grew on my chest! But the answer to that is no. I was born male and male I remain."

"OK, then what is it?"

"There are parts of humanity's family tree that are a bit different. We are all branches growing on the same tree. Just like tree branches, we grow and split off in different directions but no matter what, the trunk keeps us connected, keeps us human.

My people are on one of those branches. We developed an affinity with water that allowed us to live in it and manipulate it. We can read emotions through the water in a person's body as well as transmit our own emotions and thoughts through water.

I debated telling you this because we have remained secret. But I needed you to know because...

Just tell me what you're thinking."

"You can't tell what I'm thinking?" She said with sarcasm.

"Not at the moment. I would have to touch you or you would have to touch water."

Celeste had a look of disbelief on her face. Chris picked up a glass from the table and went into the bathroom to fill it with water. He returned and sat it on the table next to Celeste.

"What am I supposed to do with that?"

"Just put one of your fingers in the water."

Celeste didn't move.

"Chris, are you on some kind of medication? Did you forget to take your medication or are you in need of a prescription?"

Chris laughed loudly.

"No, I promise. I'm not on any medication. Just try it."

Chris waited and watched as Celeste felt for the glass and then took it into her hands. She felt for the rim and then placed her finger into the water.

"OK, I can read you now; feel free to test the connection."

"Where was I borne?"

"New York."

"How old am I?"

"28"

"What are my parents' names?"

"Jean and Maria. Your father is Haitian and your mother is Puerto Rican"

Celeste snatched her finger from the glass.

"H-how are you doing that?"

"You were touching water. I was able to read your thoughts and emotions because of it."

"So you can read anyone's thoughts when they touch water?"

"Not anyone... When we first met, your water spilled on the table.

When I helped to dry you off, I created a bond with you so that I can connect with you when you touch water. It is called the Enaal bond."

"Why did you do that? Oh my God is that how you pick up women?"

"No! I have never formed an Enaal bond with any other woman. I have a similar bond with my best friend but it's different. We are of the same nation."

"So why did you form this bond with me?"

"Among our people, we have what is known as a Dau-Hael. In layman's terms it means our other half. Translated literally it means water keeper.

When I walked into that train car I knew it was you and I didn't want to let the opportunity to meet you escape. Forming the Enaal bond is the natural reaction of my people to their Dau-Hael."

Celeste sat in silence thinking.

But why me?

Because you are my other half.

"You can hear my thoughts? But I'm not touching the water anymore! And you said that without speaking!"

"Well, your fingers are still a little wet; sorry. I can communicate with you through the water when you touch it."

Celeste sat quietly; trying to absorb all of the information she was given.

"It works both ways, Celeste. I can let you feel my thoughts too."

Celeste nodded and Chris sat down in the chair next to her again. He took her hand and held it gently and began to pour his thoughts and feelings about meeting her into her water. Celeste trembled and her eyes watered.

"How can your feelings run so deeply? We just met!"

"And in that meeting I have learned so much about you; the real you. I know you better than anyone.

Reading your water is like taking a pill that gives you years of time getting to know a person. It's almost like I've known you your entire life.

Even though I wasn't there when you went to the conservatory, I mentally want to squeeze your hand to chase the nerves away that you had.

I wasn't there when that decrepit teacher told you that no one would ever want you but in my heart I want to kiss that venom out of your mind.

I wasn't there for everything, but I understand who you are. I'm still learning and I won't ever force it all out of you.

I want you to want me to have the information. Just as I want you to want to know mine. Does that make sense?"

Celeste was at a loss for words. She held on to Chris as though she would fall if he let her go. Chris brought his lips to hers again in a kiss with more passion than the first. Celeste felt sensations throughout her body that she had never known.

She kissed him back, meeting his intensity and adding her own. Chris deepened the kiss and slipped his tongue into her mouth, exploring every nuance, committing it to memory. Reluctantly, he pulled away from her.

"You stopped?"

"You have an idea of how I feel about you but I also have the knowledge of knowing who you are. I'm not going to rush things. You told me that you don't date; so we'll date. We'll do this the way you want, they way you've dreamed and I promise to make it even better."

Celeste breathed in sharply.

"Chris... I... I seem to be at a constant loss for words with you."

Chris smiled and lifted her hands to his face so that she could feel his expression. Celeste returned the smile with one bright enough to steal his breath.

"You're so beautiful Celeste."

"Now I know you're crazy!" She said with a quick, albeit, slightly nervous laugh.

"See what I see."

Chris manipulated her water so that she could see what Chris saw in her mind. She trembled and he wrapped his arms around her.

"That's... that's me?"

"Yes. That's you, the most beautiful and the most perfect woman I have ever seen."

"Chris..."

"Yes?"

"Can you show me your face like that?"

"Yeah, let's stand in front of the mirror. Then you'll see what I see and you can see me too."

Chris helped her to stand and guided her to the bathroom. He positioned them in front of the mirror.

"I don't see anything."

"That's because I haven't turned on the light yet, silly."

"OH!" She laughed.

Chris flipped the switch and stood, watching their reflection. Celeste began to sob. Chris moved to hold her but she stopped him.

"No! Don't stop looking at us. Please... These are the first images I have ever seen in my life. I just want to hold on to this for awhile."

"Oh honey, this isn't the only time you'll be able to do this. I'll let you see through my eyes as often as you want."

Celeste's mind could see the image of Chris holding her in a warm embrace. She did her best to burn that image into her memory; she wanted to savor it long after the moment had passed.

"Thank you." She whispered softly.

"I should be thanking you. I'm so grateful that I met you."

They stood silently for several minutes. Chris rubbed Celeste's back and held her close until her tears stopped flowing.

"Come on, let's get some dinner." Chris said as he led her from the bathroom.

He felt lighter than air. His heart leapt in his chest and he wore a smile that was so infectious one would think he was the cat that ate the canary.

Thank you, Alicia. I'll never forget this.

________________

Chris took Celeste to her rehearsal the next day. He watched as she sat on stage at the piano and spoke with the conductor. Other members of the orchestra filed in leisurely and began warming up their instruments.

He watched Celeste whisper something into the conductor's ear and he quickly exited the stage. When he returned, he had a tall glass of water in his hand that he placed on a chair next to the piano bench. Celeste felt for the glass and allowed her finger to touch the water inside.

How do I do this exactly? Can you hear me?

I can hear you. Just think what you want to say. You're doing just fine.

I'm nervous.

Why?

Because you're here.

Do you want me to leave?

No, Chris, don't you dare! I'm nervous because I've never performed in front of someone like you.

Like me? You mean someone so different? I'm not that different from any other person, Honey.

No, that's not what I mean. I've never... I've never performed in front of someone I have feelings for.

Chris smiled and sat back in his chair.

Will they let me come up there with you for a moment?

I think so, I'll ask the conductor.

Celeste relayed the question and the conductor's eyes scanned the seats before resting on Chris. He motioned for him to come up and Chris made his way to the stage. He sat down on the bench next to Celeste and took her hand.

She felt an almost warm wave of calm wash through her and she sighed.

Better?

Wow... Do you do windows too?

I'll take that as a yes then. He said as he lifted her hand and placed a kiss on the backs of her fingers.

Members of the orchestra smiled at the sight of them.

I don't want you to be nervous around me. I will only love everything about you for the rest of our lives.

Will you sit with me while I play?

I'd like that very much.

Chris sat next to Celeste and closed his eyes. He allowed the music to infuse him with relaxation. He listened in pure awe of Celeste's skills as a pianist but he wouldn't open his eyes to watch her fingers. Instead, he tried to imagine them in his mind, moving nimbly across the keys, coaxing impossible sounds in wondrous combinations.

When she rested her hands in her lap, she'd take his hand and he would read her water. He lost himself in her view of the world. It was so special, so... unique. He found that he preferred her view of reality over the real thing.

When her hands returned to the keys, he missed the contact and the images she created in his mind. He thought about the woman next to him. How she had changed him in so little time.

She has taught me how to see.

Exactly, Chris.

Alicia... You knew all along...

I did.

Is this the reason you didn't tell me that she was blind? This moment?

I didn't tell you because it had nothing to do with who she is as a person. We automatically determine peoples' abilities without giving them a chance to show what they CAN do.

We instantly focus on what we think they can't do and unconsciously try to help them when they don't ask for it or protect them when they don't need it.

So I didn't tell you because I wanted you to appreciate WHO she is, not WHAT she may lack in the perspective of others. Alicia explained.

Thank you. You gave me the opportunity to see her for who she is. When I learned about her condition, it didn't matter and it never will.

I know and I'm so happy for you. We both are.

I know.

I need to get back to King Philip and the other rulers.

I should be there with you, helping to figure this out.

You should be where you are now and if you try to sneak off prematurely I will lock your water so that you can't move.

Tai ikamu! You can do that? Even from where you are?

Wanna test it?

You're scary!

Yeah well, don't make me have to threaten you again!

As you command Enki.

Chris tensed when he felt his legs stiffen.

I was only joking! Tai ikamu!

Not funny... Now say my name.

Oh baby... How do you want me to say it?

Chris...

Alicia...

Thank you. Was that so difficult?

I'll see you soon.

Take care, Chris.

______________

"Enki, I believe we have made the necessary selections." King Everett said.

"Now we just have one more person to find."

The rulers watched Alicia carefully. She seemed to be thinking about something so they waited for her to speak.

"I have found the 5^th member of the team. Please give me a moment."

"Found them? Are you speaking to them now, Enki?" King Christos asked in astonishment.

"Yes, there is a lot to explain."

The rulers sat open-mouthed looking from one to the other.

Daniel couldn't help the smile that he wore. Their expressions were priceless. He squeezed Alicia's hand and read her water.

"I can shed a little light on this while she explains. She is speaking to a woman named Dorien Myles. She is Ver-Rist Tokos and understandably confused about how she can be of assistance."

"You can reach out to her too, Enki Dau-Hael Daniel?" Queen Purnima asked.

"No, I'm reading Alicia's water."

The word "Ahh" passed through the room and they silenced themselves to hear more of what Daniel had to say.

"It seems that Alicia chose her for her mental abilities. From what I can see through Alicia, she studies ancient cultures."

The rulers nodded.

"She has agreed to join the team. Her flight leaves tomorrow morning. Everyone should be in place by Monday. That gives us a few days to decipher the last part of the riddle." Alicia explained.

Daniel gave her another squeeze; a gentle reminder and warning of the consequences of concentrating too hard. Alicia smiled and thought the words for the room to hear.

As light and dark never truly meet, your salvation lies within the blended shadow. Face the edge of hope's despair and ally one who is apart, the heart filled with only enmity.

Alicia thought about these words. Something about the last line haunted her, almost like a nightmare. She could feel it, anger, frustration, hate, hopelessness. She was overcome with the intensity of the feelings.

Beautiful, take it easy. Back off some of that.

Alicia began to tremble. She recognized these emotions. Her mind went back to the day that Grant manipulated her water. She recalled those feelings and the intensity matched what she was experiencing now.

"Enki Alicia? Are you all right?"

Philip was nervous. He could see that something was happening and he didn't know what it was.

Beautiful, I need you to focus. Those are not your feelings.

Alicia wanted to curl up into a ball as the memories of Grant's abuse rushed to the front of her mind. She was confused when images appeared that she didn't remember. She reached out for the source of these images.