Morning came and Jewely still sat at the table. He watched the light peek over the cliffs, and then spill out across the plain down below. First, the cobalt plateau shimmered, and then the crimson plain was illuminated. The castle seemed to quiver in the intense light that not only poured out of the sky, but also reflected up again, like a mist.
The tables weren’t only used at night! The Ololians gathered together for most of their meals. There was always enough for everyone.
Jewely wasn’t sleepy, even though he had been awake for most of the night. He had big plans for the day, and wanted to eat a good breakfast before his ride came to pick him up.
The Ololian diet was plant based. Yes, there were plenty of fish like beings in the rivers, lakes, streams and treetops, but the Ololians didn’t eat each other. Flash Meridian had shown them how to make animal proteins by piecing molecules together, but it never really caught on, except in the museum cafe. Even there, it was a novelty. Anyway, plant life on Olo was so diverse, you could find pretty much any flavor or texture you would ever crave. Jewely’s breakfast was similar to one of earth’s milkshakes. It was refreshingly cold, naturally sweet and creamy, and full of nutrients. It tasted a bit like cloud berries.
His transportation glided silently up the hillside. It was a whale with golden skin, like his. Though rubbery, it gleamed like metal.
Jewely stroked the whale’s skin and said I should be ready to go in a minute. I have a friend coming to help.
Bucket flew down the hillside, and Jewely climbed up onto the whale’s back. It was a small whale, but even a small whale is big. They floated up, and the friends at the table waved to them as they ascended.
Jewely was moving into a new home in the mountains, and Bucket had offered to carry things up for him. It was a win-win. Bucket had dreamed of doing just this while he was aboard the mother ship. It was a big help to Jewely even though he didn’t have a lot of stuff. He didn’t need much.
Up the foothills they flew, and then up the glassy cliffs. They heard voices from the foliage below them, calling out Hello Bucket! Hi Jewely! Welcome home! Let us know if you need anything!
Still they rose, to where the mountains divided. They went up higher, past bridges where well wishers watched and waved.
We love you, they called out. Let us know if you need anything!
They scaled the heights of a red tower, and the golden whale parked itself parallel to a ledge with an opening into the mountain.
He stepped across the pectoral flipper, and Bucket followed him in through the cavelike entrance. The inside was roomy, and pink light flooded the room. The mountain, while translucent from the outside, was transparent from within. The furniture was carved from the living stone of the spire, and soft cushions adorned the bed and chairs. The walls were like windows looking out over Olo in every direction. A blue mountain stood to one side, and a bridge could be accessed out the doorway opposite to the one they entered through.
Jewely unpacked his few items from Bucket, mostly clothes and a few personal things.
Are you coming back down? Bucket asked.
No, I didn’t sleep much last night, so I’ll just settle in and maybe take a nap. Would you like to come back up later and watch the sunset with me?
I’ll bring dinner, Bucket said.