As Aria lay in the clear sensory tube, her eyes darted from one machine to the next as the technician made preparations. “What would you like to experience today, Aria?”
Her eyes landed on the familiar man beside her. He pushed his glasses further up his nose as he waited.
She thought for a brief moment, “Surprise me.” Closing her eyes, she waiting for the vibrant images of ancient history that no longer existed.
Feeling a warmth embrace her skin and a breeze play with her hair, Aria focused her vision.
Her eyes became light blue moons as she took in the golden glow set high against an azure sky, the variety of plant-life ranging in size and vibrant shades of green, and the shimmering liquid that sparkled like — what were they called — oh yes, stars. Shimmering like millions and millions of stars.
She began to turn, her breathing shallow, when she froze — her body and her breath. Glancing down, she noticed her feet were bare. This alone was unheard of but it was the substance tickling her feet that stole her breath.
Aria wriggled her toes, watching the creamy white granules shift beneath her weight and cling between her toes. Falling to her knees, she stared at the tiny, hard grains before gently touching them with her fingers. She scooped up fistfuls, bringing them nearly to her nose in inspection.
Hearing a strange crash, her head whipped to the shimmering liquid as the fluid receded back into itself.
Aria dropped the forgotten grains as she rushed to the edge of where the shimmering liquid danced on the gritty soil.
Her mouth parted as she stared at the cool firmness of the material that was warm and squished between her toes just a few steps before. How was this possible?
Aria drew in a sharp breath as a cool wave of the liquid splashed over her feet before receding once more. She watched in awe and wonder as another wave of liquid soon came and scooped some of the darker granules from around her feet.
She’d never seen so much of the liquid in her nature sessions. It was mesmerizing and beautiful. It seemed so strange since they had to manufacture their own liquid to drink.
Squatting, she ran her fingers through the moist grains. She watched in awe as her fingers left an indented trail everywhere they went; and gasped again as the next wave erased her doodles.
Is this magic? Could magic be real and not a story story enticing young-lings to sleep?
Hearing a sharp, deep sound, Aria’s eyes shot up to see a hairy beast running along the edge of the moist grains — toward her!
Her eyes grew even larger than when she first opened them.
There was no time to run. She shielded her head with her arms and turned her head away, tightly squinting her eyes shut.
She had never been attacked in a simulation but everything felt so real. Her fear was very real. And this beast coming her way had fangs!
She braced herself, wishing to wake back in the sensory tube as large paws knocked her into the liquid as it splashed the shore.
Her eyes remained closed as another sharp, deep bark rang in her ears. Aria heard heavy panting mere inches from her face before she felt something wet glide over her face.
She squinted one eye through her splayed fingers.
The beast stood over her, panting with its long tongue hanging out. She saw drool drip from its tongue and onto her hands — much like a baby when they chew on things.
She tightly closed her eyes again when she saw the tongue coming for her face. Another long, somewhat slimy trail covered her hand. Then again.
Aria dared another peek at the hairy, golden creature.
She was rewarded with another loud bark before the animal began jumping and spinning on four legs.
Aria cautiously lowered her hands as another wave crashed over her. She watched the animal pounce in the liquid, bite at the wave, then look at her with a smile and wagging tail. Could these creatures really smile? This one sure seemed to!
Her fear melted with that toothy smile and tongue hanging out of the side of its mouth.
Aria smiled as she stood and joined the beast who spun in excited circles.
She joined along, jumping at the coming waves.
In moments, they were chasing each other up and down the shoreline. Laughter floated on the breeze, punctuated by squeals and barking.
Aria sat on the creamy grains, her breathing coming in deep gasps as she watched the beast shake. The fluid flying off in all directions sparkled like golden stars.
The animal nearly sat on her in an effort to be close. She hugged the beast, stroking his silky wet fur. “I think I will call you Magic. Would you like that?”
Magic rewarded her with a lick across her face in affirmation.
She leaned into Magic as she watched the golden orb sink into the fluid and radiate off the surface.
The vibrancy of the colors began to fade.
“No, I’m not ready to go back. I’m having too much fun with you” She held Magic close, burying her face in his fur. “I’ll see you again, Magic.”
Aria blinked rapidly before opening her eyes against the bright lights surrounding the sensory tube. Seeing her technician, she bombarded him with questions of her ancient experience.
The man happily shared his knowledge of the liquid called oceans and the grains of sand that lined the beaches and ocean like a carpet.
He pushed his glasses up his nose — whether they slid down or not — as he animatedly told about dogs of every shape, size, and color.
Aria was entranced with the ancient history of such a wonderful beast. Surly it had been man’s best friend — it was hers.