The following days Respin spent in a haze. He could barely remember Serfin carrying him to a healer, then nothing. The wound on his back had been deep but not profound enough to be life-threatening. Yet, it was clear a scar would remain. The healer had stitched it up after disinfecting it to an almost obsessive degree and afterward reset the broken wrist and warped it in a cast. Eventually, Serfin had brought Respin back into his cottage and helped feed his pet while Respin was unable to move. Even without the healer specifying that he shouldn't move, Respin couldn't fathom to make a single step on his own ever again.
Luckily Serfin had somehow managed to get painkillers into Respin’s water tank, in which Respin floated most of the time just using his gills to breathe. Because of those painkillers his gills slowly strained and became somewhat damaged, but this was the price he was willing to pay to find enough sleep.
Somewhat fit again Respin climbed out of his tank after four days of recuperation. On shaky legs, he moved into the kitchen and tried to pour himself something to drink. He had to concentrate on this relatively simple action as if he was defusing a bomb. Just able to use his left hand, which shook the whole time, he had to try at least four times to get the sweet tasting herbal-drink, commonly known as Sweetleaf, into a glass. Suddenly, someone knocked at the front door, which made Respin almost spill all the remaining Sweetleaf. A moment later the door was opened, and Serfin moved in and stood with a half happy half worried look on his face on the doorway to the kitchen. Something’s different, Respin thought, The way he looks…
?You’re up!“, Serfin said cheerful and came closer in a manner as if Respin could vanish any moment.
?Hello, Fin,“ Respin greeted him tired and frowned before his mind realised what was off. ?What has happened to your horns?“
If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
?Broke one off accidentally,“ Serfin said nonchalantly and looked past Respin onto the countertop where the neon-green Sweetleaf was pooling and dripping down to the ground. ?Go back into your tank. I’ll take care of everything you need.“
?You’re missing more than one horn, Fin,“ Respin said squinting his eyes. ?Or am I seen or rather not seeing things?
?Broke the other one off, too. Was kind of one-sided. The weight I mean.“
?Why?“. Respin asked without moving back towards his tank.
?Told you already. Besides… Why not glue them onto your head,“ he mused with a board smile. ?Then nobody would have a reason to call you a freak anymore.“
?This is really nice of you, but I must decline,“ he replied looking half amused half bewildered on the ragged stubs of Serfin’s Horns.
?Why?“
?Amaris wouldn’t recognise me.“
?Amaris? Respin?“
?Yes?“
?You know she’s dead, don’t you?“
?I know. It’s just… She’s also alive. For as long as we are alive, her memory won’t be forgotten. For as long as we are alive, she’ll stay with us, even if we can’t see her.“
As he spoke Respin closed his eyes and slumped against the wall next to the door.
?Sure you’re alright, Res?“, Serfin asked worried.
?Those painkillers…,“ he mumbled, ?They make me philosophical and tired.“
?The healer said you should have them at least for another week in your tank water,“ Serfin replied. ?But… umm, they kind of also harm your gills.“
?I know…,“ Respin mumbled and moved away from the wall ?I don’t really need them as a Terrestrial, do I? I’ll go back now. My back hurts again.“
?Wait, I’ll help ya.“
Without another word, Serfin helped him back into the pleasantly warm and numbing water. But Respin didn’t submerge fully. He felt the need to use his lungs for a while.
?Serfin?“, he addressed the other Menkar, who had been about to return to the kitchen to clean up.
?Yeah?“, he asked and petted the Shellturtle, which had walked up to him with a curious glance in its beady eyes.
?Thank you.“
?That’s what friends are for,“ Serfin smiled and went into the kitchen as Respin fell soon asleep again.
The Unified Mind
The Unified Mind, or short UM, describes the ability of a Menkar to form strong physic links with other individuals, which enables telepathic communication. Although all Menkar possess this ability, only underwater can its full potential be reached.
There exists many theories about the evolution of such an ability, since it can also be seen in part among populations of the, to us distantly related, Ferals. My personal opinion on the matter is as follows: As all Menkar are incapable of speech underwater the UM serves not only as communication but also as protection against predators.
Still, there is more to the Unified Mind than appears at first glance. Various experiments have shown that Menkar practicing the UM reports feelings of calm and belonging. Even Terrestrials, who share tanks for about two months, have shown decreased stress levels as well as a better understanding of one another, especially considering Bondmateships. Sometimes individuals have even reported ?to know what the other wanted“ before they spoke or without being in the same room.
The UM itself seems to be an unconscious ability only usable among individuals, who already like one another. This makes it distinctly different from Mindreaders and Mindinfluencers, who have to use their abilities consciously and can only hide their influence from their victim for certain amounts of time, depending on the individual.
The Biology and Sociology of our Species. Cetus.
