Common Worlds

Garusharp Banaru steps into the River of Tears and sees a long forgotten lover beckoning from the hareem door. Without hesitation, he enters and is overwhelmed with the sadness he feels at being away from her bed.

"Sweet, impulsive Garusharp. I recall you well, from the moment you crossed the hareem wall. How I've missed your presence in my bed. Time has been hard on you, I see. Where is the sly, slim boy who first stole my heart? Ah, well I know we all gain scars...."

As she leads you toward her bed, her tone changes, becoming harsher. "Yes, I well recall your name, but tell me...."

The door to her chamber slams shut as she turns to fix you with a stern eye.

"Do you recall my name?"

Garusharp's typical, honeyed words fail him. Suddenly he feels like the impetuous boy he was, so often caught by the temple masters.

Yet, there may be hope for happiness as she stands before him. Perhaps this is just her love-play, for as she starts to speak again, she reaches for the jeweled clasp of her sari and releases it. But her tone is filled with reprimand. "What did you think would happen to me when my master discovered you had violated his hareem?"

She drops the top of her sari, revealing her beautiful breasts. Alas, more than the delightful, well-remembered nipples come into view. (So easy to recall the nipple, and how to make it respond, but what was her name?!) Next to one lovely nipple is the tiny, discreet mark of an assassin's stiletto.

"You were so discreet, so proud of yourself. But you were gone when the truth became obvious, and no matter how many times I sent word for you, no answer, no rescue, no redemption came, I assume because those messages were greeted with laughter! Or was it just that you didn't remember who I was?"

Garusharp falls to his knees, lost, his confidence crushed, all quick thinking, flirting words of flattery evaporating on his tongue. Here is a moment, and just one, where if he makes restitution, everything can change.

Real tears streaming down his face, voice cracking with emotion, he says “Have I been so absorbed with pleasures that my passing has caused pain to those I thought I loved? Your beauty has burned into my memory as so many other lovers but I realize staring into your reproachful eyes that I am truly not a man nor a lover but a boy immature and selfish, for I do not remember your name. How could I think I was able to impress so many of you when you all become ghosts behind me and your names slip as easily from me as silk off a thigh?  I now realize that my time of torment in the dark was an awakening…my pain was given to me to make me clear of thought and action. I ask for no forgiveness from you, my love, because I deserve none. I vow you this, no lover shall ever feel that I have left them, I will show love and give love with all of me and no one will have cause to think I have forgotten them. This is little consolation to you, I know… too little too late.”

Garusharp looks up at her beseechingly.

 “Tell me your name so that I may snuff out the flame that so basely extinguished yours? I will focus on one thing at a time, be it my lover or my enemy. You will be the vision that reminds me to be steadfast and true. If this is not enough for you then do with me as horribly as has been done to you!”

He puts his head down at her feet and cries.