The Full Story: Truths

Callisto had been part of the Library in Ar’Quel for a few months, working on transcribing stories given to her in the day hours, but still returning home in the evening to her family- her partner, Tethys, and her calves, Nereus, Klytië, Lapcoön, and Amphitrite. This didn’t mean, however, that she was immune to the call of knowledge. She was more susceptible than others she knew. She always wanted to know more, see more, explore more. Her relationship had been strained because of this, but she and Tethys were still in good graces, with Callisto always trying to spend as much time as possible with her young. When the request for an exploration up the river systems to explore, it only took a second for Callisto to volunteer. 

 

“And you didn’t think to tell me? To warn me? To discuss before you decided to go on a probably suicidal mission?” Tethys’ voice rose in pitch as he swung around to glare at his partner. “We have calves to care for!”

 

“I know Tethys. I know.” Callisto replied, body stiff. “It’s not like I’m unaware of the life we’ve scraped out for ourselves here. I’m going because it’s my job!”

 

“It may be your job," he spat the word like it was poison, "but there are others much more qualified and able to do this work! Others who would happily take up the task!”

 

“But there won’t be, Tethys! We both know that! It’s my job to catalog and collect stories and information about this planet. Three moons, how is this so hard for you to understand!”

 

That had been the day she left, not out of anger, but obligation

— 

 

“Callisto. Why didn’t you return to me? To us? To your family? You’ve been like this for- three moons- I don’t even know. You say you have all the ability to return, but yet you never did. We thought you were dead. We mourned for you and it broke us. Broke me. And yet? Where were you? Tromping around here, in the grassy plants, on the earth, making a life for yourself with the Terran. You made a new life. You forgot about us, your family. Your partner. Your calves. Your career and life and family and world.” Tethys’ voice cracked as he spoke, unable to look at what had once been a familiar face. He didn’t yell, didn’t scream, didn’t even raise his voice in anger, but he was broken. She had left, they’d both known and had promised safety and love, but she’d never returned. Or at least, she’d not done so in haste. She said she’d been in her new “form” for moons now, but she’d never returned. Tethys wasn’t even angry because of her new form, he was angry at her for not returning, or at a minimum, sending word of her safety or plans. 

 

“Tethys.” She began, voice cracking as she started to approach.

 

“No, I’m done. We’re done. This- this is done. I need to think, to process. I need to talk with our calves, since you won’t bother.” Tethys cut her off, voice uncharacteristically sharp as he turned away in the waves, twin dorsals dipping below the surface as he swam towards the silhouettes of their offspring in the distance. 

 

“Callisto?” The voice was gentle and she turned to see Saha, one of the older Root Chompers nearby. 

 

“Yes?” Callisto responded, forcing a cheery voice and a smile to her face.

 

“Do you need space? The herd and I are planning on moving up the coast to the feeding grounds before the tide rises.”

 

“No, I’m okay. Just-” Callisto cut herself off with a tired sigh. 

 

“Young one, go to your family. They need you. You need to make amends. I didn’t intend to listen, but our ears are sharp in place of our eyes.” The female said, gently brushing her furred side against Callisto’s thickly feathered one, her body shifting with practiced ease as she made up for her lost limb. Her sister, Aria, stood a little ways away, chatting, but still keeping one ear positioned towards her amputee sister. The pair were tight, occasionally traveling away from each other, but never for more than a single cycle of the moons. The larger female snorted and clicked something to her companion before walking over to the pair, her gait heavy but still graceful. 

 

“Sister”, she said, voice gruff, “The herd must move. Feathered One, are you joining us?” Aria inquired, voice sharp from the clicked words they spoke. Callisto hadn’t picked up the language quickly, Kalea knew how she even managed to understand what she did now, but the strange way the words formed was something she didn’t think she’d ever figure out. Aria and Saha were always careful to slow their words when they spoke to Callisto, although she was certain that it drove Aria mad. The larger of the two sisters was always a bit sharp and prickly, quick to defend Saha, but also a guardian of sorts to the entire herd. Her eyesight, like all Root Chompers, was absolutely terrible, but that didn’t stop her from being a formidable opponent. 

 

“I-I don’t know.” Callisto said, gaze drifting to the sea as she shifted her weight, glancing rapidly between the sisters and the sea. Her new companions and her heart.

 

Aria let out an aggravated sigh before she spoke again. “Feathered One.” She bit out, barely able to restrain her aggravation. “Either join us or return to the sea. Your staring longingly isn’t going to do anything. Choose. Now. Or. Stay. Behind.” She snapped, heavy tail throwing sand as she glared at Callisto. She may have been shorter, but she was fierce. 

 

“I don’t want to leave him, yet I can’t intrude on his space.” Callisto protested, continuing to stare and shift her weight in her own agitation. 

 

“Callisto,” Saha’s voice was gentle, “You can stay here. You know that. We won’t force you.”

 

“Feathered One…” Aria paused as she spoke again, pushing down frustration. “Can you still-” She gestured to her temple with one claw, a pointed gesture with an accompanying glare. “You can simply… put it there. Make him return.” 

 

Callisto reared back in shock and horror, eyes widening. “I wound never! I’ve promised to never control him, to manipulate him or our family, regardless of our anger! I would NEVER do that to him or my family! To any of them!” She snarled, sharp teeth flashing as her paddle-like tail threw up a shower of sand and her long claws dug deep. “Don’t you dare suggest I ever do that, Aria! Never!” 

 

“Oh calm down, Feathered One!” Aria hissed, glaring. “I did not suggest that. Put the words in his mind. Tell him where you are going. Don’t control him, you- you-” She stopped, her sister’s good hand having been placed on her wrist in silent warning. “Foolish.” She muttered, shaking her head and stalking away, tail continuing to lash and leave gouges in the sand as she returned to the head of the herd.

 

“I’m sorry about her,” Saha said quietly. “Regardless of her temper, she makes a good point. We will move without you, should you not make a decision. You may be an honorary member of the herd, but you’re simply that. Honorary. We choose to consider your opinions because we’re fond of you, but we will leave you behind if you delay us further.” Her words were not sharp, but the usually mild-mannered female had obviously reached the end of her patience with Callisto’s worrying. Without another word, she turned and started lumbering away in her odd gait, joining the rest of the herd in what would have been surprising speed, had Callisto not known her for multiple moons now. 

 

“Three moons.” Callisto murmured to herself, turning away as the herd began to move without her. It wasn’t her fault she’d changed. It wasn’t her fault she’d been away. She hadn’t wanted to change, but she’d been dying in the river, her body not used to the freshwater that had covered her day and night. She hadn’t wanted to stay away, not really. She’d just found a sort of peace with the herd, and before she knew it, more time had passed and she’d almost forgotten about her old life. “I was just… collecting knowledge. That’s all. That’s all it ever was. Why is he so angry about that?” She muttered, shaking her head before settling herself down in the sand. She would wait. She always did. 

 

It only took three days for Tethys to return, wary and distrustful, but here, only the small stretch of beach and shallow water separating them. “Tethys?” Callisto asked, wary and vulnerable, but willing to speak. 

 

“I’m not sorry for my words.” He simply said, voice taught, “but, I know you were in a tough situation and I want to discuss it.”

 

“Very well. Ask your questions. I will answer.”

 

“From the beginning. Tell me, please.” Tethys replied, seeming tired, but willing to listen.