BLUE PLANET

EXCHANGE STORIES

“The forest is a very large area containing large trees that grow tightly,” explained Marxists. “The satisfaction is very different with this park.  Inside the Martian forest it is very dark, and the air feels humid. There are also many hiding places for wild animals even large ones.”

“It sounds spooky.” Venera shuddered back.

Marxists shuffle. “It is not scary that you have lived on Mars for a long time. I'm just trying to describe it by comparing it to the conditions inside this park.”

“Hmm... yes, yes,” sahut Venera.

“If that meadow on Venus you said just now, what would it be like?” Marxists asked back.

“Oh, very different from the forest you told me about,” Venera explained. “The meadow is a large bright place overgrown with short yellowish green grass.  There were also some large tree trunks growing there, but not many. The branches and leaves are not as dense as the trees in this garden.  I also love the fresh breeze, although it's not as cool here. And you can find some small but friendly animals that you can play with.”

“It looks like fun,” said Marxist.

“Yes, it was fun. I like it.” Venera smiled cheerfully. His eyes twinkled imagining his daily adventures in the meadow.

Marxists stared at Venera's face; fixated for a moment. Then turn his eyes back to the front.

“Then, if that adventure you said back then, what do you mean?” ask the Marxists.

“Oh! It was an amazing thing that I always do every afternoon,” Venera replied with sparkling eyes. “Running across the meadow, enjoying the warm sunshine, breathing fresh air, listening to pixie singing, gazing at the clouds in the sky.”.

“Wah, really exciting yes, your adventure.” Marxists hold laughter.

“Huh.” Venera flicked her hair in annoyance in response to the Marxist taunts, “Laughter as you please. But that was the most fun thing for me.  Well, even though none of my friends like it. After finishing studying and doing daily tasks in class, they usually just gather in the break room and talk until it is time to sleep. For me it's very boring. In fact, for some reason, lately that boredom keeps coming bothering me.”

“Hmm. What kind of tasks are you doing?” ask Marxists.

“Mortgage. Sewing clothes, knitting quilts, making jewelry, weaving fabrics, and more," explains Venera.

 

Venera and Marxism went further and further. A small beast with colorful wide wings flew past them.

“See!” exciting Venera. “The beast is beautiful, yes. You know his name?”

Marxists shuffle. “In the Martian forest there is nothing like it.”

“In the steppe of Venus also does not exist. So does this tree, that plant, and everything here. Uh, Marxist, do you know where this place is?” ask Venera.

Marxists are shaking again. “I can't ask anyone. Besides the tree I found my way in here is actually part of the forbidden forest area. King Ares can be angry if he knows someone is breaking his ban.”

“Defined forest?” Venera raised her eyebrows.

“Yes." Marxists nodded. "There is a limit to the area in the forest where we can't pass through every time we practice hunting. But we don't know why.”

“You practiced in the forest?  That forest you said was dark?” Venera.

“Yes. Every morning we train in the forest, under the supervision of the Training Division - those who guide us all in our daily training.  We went to the forest at once to fulfill our daily tasks. The meat of the game we had, some to offer to King Ares, some to eat that day, and some to keep for winter. Then from noon until the afternoon, we practiced martial arts and archery in an open field on the forest side" explained Marxists.

“It seems exhausting once huh, daily activities on Mars." Venera shook her head. "If we were on Venus, all the instructions we received from the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of each field, which also consisted of the Venusians of choice. And just like you, I dare not tell anyone about this place; not even Vla. Although I have never been told whether the location of the tree I entered here is a forbidden place or not, but I am sure Queen Ishtar will definitely punish me through the Supervisory Board if it gets caught.”

Venera nodded in agreement.

 

“Actually how wide is this park?” Venera wonders.

“Vast I thought,” replied Marxist.

“I'm confused,” muttered Venera. ”You said you live on Mars. My home is Venus. And both have very different characteristics. How can we meet here? Is Venus with Mars close?”

“Entah.” Marxists shrug their shoulders. “I've been thinking about it since yesterday too. Maybe because we both have walked too far so accidentally we both reach the end?  And this park is the boundary between the two?”

“Maybe so.” Venera nodded in agreement. “But what about the entrance?  I never saw the shape. Just then, I tried to walk through the big tree where I fell here yesterday. And it turns out I immediately arrived at this park.”

“Me too,” sahut Marxist. “When I arrived at the tree where I fell yesterday, suddenly I was able to step through the tree, and immediately arrived here. Oh yeah, is it okay if you spend some time here?  No one will look for you?”

“Ada.” Venera nodded. “If I break the curfew.  But I think it's okay. I told you, I'm a fast runner. Usually we gather in the Great Hall for dinner as the moon's circumference enters the second star line.”

“Circle of month?”

“Yes. Then when the circumference of the moon reached the fourth star line, we all had to be in bed. And according to my feelings, the current circumference of the moon is still far from the first line.”

“You seem so sure of how you feel?”

“I was just thinking. But I am confident in my estimation,” replied Venera. “Oh yes, did you notice that the atmosphere here always looks like daylight?”

Marxists agree. “Yes. I'm watching. Yesterday after getting out of here, things in the Martian jungle were dark. Even though when we split up, the sunlight here is still very bright. And today we've been walking while chatting for quite a while since. But there are no signs the hot light will dim.”

“Iya. How strange. Time doesn't seem to move here. Uh, then, what about you?  Not afraid of curfew?” Venera asked back.

“There is no curfew on Mars except for those who are being punished. We set our own sleep time. But in the morning when the group of thirteen stars disappeared from the sky, we all had to be ready by the forest edge for the morning hunt.”

“Thirteen-star group?”

“Yes. A group of thirteen stars formed a four-legged beast like Pegasus. So, if there is a Martian who is late to sleep at night, he will run the risk of fatigue and drowsiness while hunting. Then do not get hunted animals and be punished. Or another risk, which is attacked by his own game animal because of lack of concentration, then seriously injured.”

“Aduh, spooky once.” Venera covered her mouth with both hands.

“Not as scary.” Marxists shuffle. “Then from it the Martians with the awareness of each set his own rest schedule to be regular.”

Venera nodded while thinking.

“Eh Marxist, do you think that I can come with you for a moment and look around your residence?” asked Venera enthusiastically. “Maybe if we go in together, the door will open for both of us.”

Marxists frown. “It did happen to me. I also want to know what things are like on Venus. But I don't think that's a wise thing to do. What if something happens, and you or I can't go back?”

“Hmm... well.. you were right..” Venera was a little disappointed.

~o0o~