“So carpentry have you done,” said Bobcat.
“Indeed, I suppose I have!” Bluff Lily answered, surprised at herself.
“You might consider you to stay here,” said Alder. “Not much do we talk about it, because we want it to stay out of the Speakers Council for now, but aware are we all that Rainbow will need a permanent settlement of some sort. I think me that Bobcat and I will probably stay here. Always has he loved to hunt this area, and always have I been obsessed with the history of it. As of now, aside from Bobcat's hunting, all our food do we get from elsewhere, mostly from New Village. We need us to feed ourselves as much as we can. To do that need we foodies, farmers, and husbands. Jade, know you how much work we need to make Sulfur Springs Trail into a road between here and the Cross Roads. Fuji, it is Georgia's Orchard I want you to see. Restored does it need to be, and you could be the one to do it.”
“Is it that you are saying you want to join our Constellation?” asked Hazel. “Well know you that we all love you. I know me how much you are in love with each other. Join us you could and keep to yourselves inside the Household.”
“Hazel!” said Bluff Lily, “I think me you should talk that over with the rest of us before you make that offer!”
“Right you are,” said Hazel, chagrined, “I apologize to all of you.”
“Now that the idea on the table is,” said Meadow, “I like it. Have you objections, Bluff Lily?”
“No... I love me my sister," Bluff Lily answered slowly. "I think me Bobcat is wonderful. A little put off am I by the suggestion that monogamy is acceptable. I know me that inside a Constellation not everybody has a romantic relationship with everybody else. Sometimes no spark is there, sometimes one spouse likes only partners of the opposite sex or partners of their own sex. I understand me that, but a Constellation about the web of romantic relationships is. Awkward would be a monogamous couple in the midst of that. Not natural monogamy is.”
“Willing would I be,” said Fuji. “I suspect me that their monogamy just a phase is because shy are they both. Never has either been with anyone else. I think me the two of you know not what you really want. If in a marriage you are in a large Constellation, I think me eventually you will find you want us too.”
“I think me it is a great idea!” said Maple. “Both of you do I like. Outside of these five some of my best friends have you been since first I moved into the bunks at the Commons. I also think me that Fuji is right, come around you will. Staying with just one person is not natural.”
“What about you, Jade?” asked Hazel. “What think you?”
“I think me," replied Jade seriously, "that it is horrible that a couple that love each other as obviously and sincerely as Bobcat and Alder do are forced to use a subterfuge like this one. If it allows them to be together, okay am I with that. I would prefer me that they get married to just each other and get a Household to themselves.”
“I cannot believe me what you just said!” said Bluff Lily. “Not in a monogamous marriage will my sister live. Two stars do not a constellation make! It is that my parents would be horrified. Better would it be for them to be hidden in our constellation than to do that! Then, at least, Fuji's prediction might come true.”
“Bobcat, Alder,” said Meadow, “What think you?”
“I think me we have to think about it,” said Bobcat. Need we to talk about it too.”
Grateful am I for the offer,” said Alder. “I think me that Bobcat is right that we must not rush into it. We need us to think it through. A similar offer were we given a season ago, but hardly knew we the people who made it. A lot more attractive is this one to me, but much there is to consider.”
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Mother Rainbow's Children: The Cave
