Falling Stars Rising 12
Where have all the good men gone
And where are all the gods?
Where's the streetwise Hercules to fight the rising odds?
Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery steed?
Late at night I toss and I turn
And I dream of what I need
Holding Out for a Hero by Bonnie Tyler
“Go on, try it,” said Oriana offering him a long thin cigarette. “I grew it myself with seeds from the home world.”
He took a drag, and as soon as he did so, he began to cough. His eyes watered and turned red. Lying back on the bed, he stared at the ceiling. It felt as if he were accelerating towards weightlessness.
“That’s quite the rush,” Aleister said and closed his eyes.
“That's part of its charm," Oriana said. "It’s why they used it for recreation in addition to medicine. If only they had known what they had in their hands. The downfall of men.”
“I guess that's one way of looking at it. They did have to edit its DNA first.”
“Nevertheless, it was the base for the societal change that followed. Ironically, men led the charge.” She lay beside him. “I wonder what they were like back then, men, I mean." Her warm body smelled of herbs and spices. "Sometimes, I dream of this place on Earth, a large house with many rooms, surrounded by gardens, hills, and meadows. Many visitors come and go, important people: philosophers, scientists, mystics, storytellers, artists, and even politicians. They come in search of truth and enlightenment. To seek a man in particular- an eccentric scholar who is respected for his work, which is a mix of science, art, and spirituality. He's the wisest man alive, and I am his woman." She swayed and nestled close to him. "And we spend many hours together- hiking, swimming, reading, and always seeking truth. I am his co-pilot, sort of speak, yet submissive to him, the captain, who knows where he is going and strives to get there at all costs. An explorer of new worlds, driven to find and reach his goal with a strong singular will." She turned and laughed softly. "It’s hard to think of a man as a strong-willed creature. Proud. Fierce. Bold. With a burning fire in his blood." Her breath was warm on his chest. "A man who takes what he wants without apologies.”
And so grabbing her by the hair and pulling back her head, he took what he wanted.