Twins Amber and Calcite couldn't be any less alike. Where Cal is happy to stay at home with his piano and guitar, Amber has a desperate need to see unknown places and explore the wilds. Chasing a childhood dream into the jungle of Selvadorada, Amber finds a dream cut short...and Cal finds himself living for two lives, instead of just one.
Amber: Do you flirt with all your clients?
Solana: Only the pretty ones. Does it bother you?
Amber: …no.
Solana: Good, good. So, if you’re working with Canelita…ah! Of course. The new coordinates that have everyone abuzz.
Amber: You’re not curious?
Solana: Bonita, once you’ve seen one Omiscan temple, you’ve seen all of them.
Amber: But they’re wonders of architecture! And the history of Selva…
Solana: Exactly. Our history, not our future. We should focus on that.
Amber: But you still take people into the jungle…
Solana: A girl has to eat.
Solana: And I much prefer not having the authorities down here because some extranjeras got lost and never returned. They’d make too much racket.
Amber: Yeah, I bet. So you just do it for the money?
Solana: Meeting pretty ladies like yourself is a bonus, but yes.
Solana: That bothers you?
Amber: No, I just…I guess I thought everyone down here would love it the way I do…
Solana: *laugh* Ai, bonita. Some do, some don’t. If we all descended on your countries obsessed with your history, would you be sick of it by now?
Amber: Uh…probably. It’s boring.
Solana: See? We are not so different in that.
Solana: Though I will say, this new coordinate has me curious. That part of the jungle has always been…wild.
Amber: Oh?
Solana: Rumors of deaths, and sacrifice. Perhaps your runners left for very good reason.
Amber: Maybe. I’d like to find out what that reason was.
Solana: I’d hope you would. Going that far into the Belo…it’s quite the trip.
Amber: I packed my good boots.
Solana: *laugh* You’ll need them. So, when does Canelita want us to set out, hm?
Amber: First light, I think. The coordinates are a day or more in and we’re already behind some teams.
Solana: Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that.
Solana: I know more than a few shortcuts through the jungle.
Amber: Oh?
Solana: My little secret, Bonita. You’ll just have to come with me and see.
Amber: That…is the plan. Is there…anyone you need to tell you’re leaving?
Solana: No one worth mentioning. I’m not the sort to get…tied down.
Solana: Are you?
Amber: Not really. I’d rather be free to do my own thing.
Solana: Well, aren’t we more alike than I thought.
Solana: What was that you were saying about two left feet?
Amber: I guess I just have a good leader.
Solana: *laugh* So you do.
Solana: Say. I have a little place not far from here. Care to join me?
Amber: You know what? I would.
Solana: Amber, bonita…you’re going to have to get up.
Amber: Mmph…it’s morning already?
Solana: Nearly. Poor Canelita must be beside herself with worry right now.
Solana: And as much as I wouldn’t mind a repeat, I certainly don’t want her sending in the cavalry.
Amber: She wouldn’t…*yawn* Do that…
Solana: Oh, she would. She’s done before.
Amber: Mmph. Only you’d talk about your ex after…*yawn* That….
Solana: *laugh* She is your boss, bonita. We should go.
Amber: Ugh…fine. You see where my pants went…
Amber: I kind of have to ask, does that happen with…all of your clients?
Solana: Only the cute ones. *laugh* no, Bonita, not with all of them. Not with any since Canelita, to be honest.
Amber: Oh.
Solana: Now, now, no need to be jealous.
Canela: Why am I not surprised.
Amber: She…knows?
Solana: She guesses.
Canela: More like I know you. Have fun?
Amber: I’m. Can we just plot the route there? Please?
Solana: Let’s. We’re losing daylight.
Amber: …that’s a lot less than I thought we’d have…
Canela: It’s a very unexplored part of the jungle. We’ve borrowed satellite time from the weather service but the tree cover is…dense.
Solana: Pff. You and your satellites, Canelita. This is something you need to get into the brush for.
Solana: Here–we can follow la Guayaba into the depths and go from there.
Amber: It’d make sense…settlements would need freshwater…
Canela; …Amber, are you sure about this?
Amber: Not you too…
Canela: I only ask because we know so little of this part of the jungle, amiga. Selva has always had its dangers, but this is…
Amber: I can handle myself. Here–if we follow this ridgeline east, maybe…
Solana: No, that takes us to this sector that’s already been mapped. We’d need to go west instead, then north. …strange. That’s mostly mountains. Why settle there?
Amber: Security, maybe. Mountains are natural defenses even today.
Solana: Eh, true. So we follow la Guayaba in, then head west for…oh, ten miles or so? I know the area…vaguely.
Amber: Better than not at all. …what’s this clearing?
Solana: Some sort of pool, I think. A bath, maybe?
Amber: baths…royal baths?
Canela: Amber–
Solana: Canelita, enough. She’s chosen to do this and she knows what she’s doing. Besides, don’t you trust me to keep your friends safe?
Canela: Of course I do, but this is…*sigh* You’re right, I’m sorry. Amber, do you think these could be the Imperial Baths?
Amber: There can’t have been enough people out here for a communal bath of this size, so…maybe. But why build a second set so far from the capitol?
Solana: Summer holiday?
Canela: It’s always summer here.
Canela:…Unless…
Amber/Solana: Unless what?
Canela: We’ve wondered why the Omiscans would leave Belomisia, even towards the end of the Golden Era. But, many of the rulers had siblings. Siblings that would not be in the established ruling seat.
Amber: So if one of them left to start an empire of their own–
Solana: They would need to be as far from the capitol as possible!
Canela: And if that didn’t work, they would flee to other lands and try to start from there.
Amber: The ruins in Wineburg! That’s why there were coordinates there–they wanted to be able to come back and rule Belomisia someday!
Solana: And it explains why they kept running, as well. If the Emperor or Empress at the time did not want any competition…
Canela: It would all be eliminated. Permanently.
Amber: Which is why the record dies so suddenly. Oh, Watcher…it all makes sense!
Canela: An offshoot of the Golden Era…this rewrites so much of our past. It’s a lot.
Amber: It is, but it’s still just a theory, Canela. We don’t have any proof of it yet.
Solana: But, we can get it. Probably.
Canela: Ha, you and your probablies. *sigh* You do understand how big this is, don’t you? How much it would change things if it was right?
Solana: Doesn’t change that we need to get to it, Canelita. The rest…that’s your job, not mine.
Canela: Just–be careful. If I’m right, this won’t be as simple as other jobs.
Amber: We’ll handle it. See you when we get back.
Amber: At least the fog’s burned off…
Solana: You won’t be saying that when noon rolls around, bonita! Come on–we have quite the amount of ground to cover before dark.
Amber: You’re…really not interested in this being true? In a new era?
Solana: Are you interested in learning there was another presidente or mayor hundreds of years ago in your country’s past? Does it change anything in your now?
Amber: No, but. …I see your point.
Solana: it isn’t that I don’t find it…interesting, it is just that I prefer to live in the now. The jungle is more beautiful to me than any temple ruin hidden away for centuries.
Amber: It is beautiful here. …What was it like, growing up in a place like this?
Solana: Hot! And yet wonderful at the same time. The jungle was our playground and our school, our teacher and a threat. And yet, I wouldn’t change it for anything. Where did you grow up?
Amber: A desert. And Mom was not kidding about the humidity being the worst part…
Solana: *laugh* You’ll get used to it!
Solana: Especially if you intend to be here to see your new era to fruition.
Amber: Oh, I plan to be. Trust me, I plan to be.
Hours later…
Amber: is that a–
Solana: Waterfall, yes! That temple has been well scouted before, but the view is still quite a thing!
Amber: No kidding! Wow….
Solana: They don’t have such things in Sugar Springs?
Amber: We’ve got one waterfall by the reservoir, but nothing like this!
Solana: There’s a better view up ahead.
Amber: Oh! This I’ve gotta see!
Amber: So are those falls part of the Guayaba?
Solana: No, those are from la Piña.
Amber: Are all rivers here named after fruit?
Solana: Most! You should see la Mora.
Amber: La Mora–you’re pulling my leg.
Solana: *laugh* I am! But, here we are.
Amber: What a view…
Solana: Isn’t it just?
Amber: Yeesh…you weren’t kidding about this canopy…I feel like I’m in a cave.
Solana: I find it quite comforting, truly. Like returning to the womb.
Amber: …huh. When you put it that way…
Solana: If I recall, the Omiscans believed all life began and ended in the jungle. Why should it not be put that way?
Amber: Good point. Puts a whole new spin on things…
Amber: We’re going to need to think about making camp somewhere for the night soon, aren’t we?
Solana: Oh, for sure. But I already know just the place.
Amber: You do?
Solana: I do. It’s where we were headed to begin with.
Amber: Wait–you mean we’re already there?!
Solana: Nearly!
Solana: Once we’re through that arch ahead, we’ll be at the baths.
Amber: You really do know your way around.
Solana: *laugh* Don’t sound so surprised, bonita! I know this place like the back of my hand. You couldn’t be in safer hands.
Amber: Safe’s never worried me. Should I–
Solana: Ah, don’t worry, bonita. Your guide is more than a pretty face!
Amber: Well, right now she looks pretty hot.
Solana: Thank you. I am.
Amber; *laugh*
Solana: I warned you. I warned you that it would be worse without the fog!
Amber: I didn’t think it’d be this bad!
Solana: Where do you think the afternoon siesta came from, bonita?
Amber: no clue, but I’m thinking of one now.
Solana: I have a better idea. You don’t see anyone around, do you?
Amber: No? Who would be around here?
Solana: Exactly.
Solana: This is a bath, and I doubt the dead will care, so….join me?
Amber: You know what? I will.
*SPLASH*
Amber: Oh, that’s better.
Solana: So it is. So it is.
Hours later…
Solana: Do you mind if I ask…what is it you intend to do after we return to Alam?
Amber: Ah, geez…I haven’t thought that far ahead, really. Help Canela deal with all of this, I guess. Why?
Solana: …well, things are going to get very busy if this is what Canelita thinks it is. I was wondering…
Amber: You were wondering…?
Solana: *deep breath* I was wondering, if, maybe, you would like to have dinner with me?
Amber: Are you asking me on a date, Señorita Dorada?
Solana: I am, Señorita Crystal. A proper date.
Solana: Well, as proper as el Valenciano gets, but. *snort* Something more than a tent in the jungle.
Amber: I don’t know…I like the tent. All to ourselves, nobody bothering us…we could have that date here and now.
Solana: Ah, but we have no music! It cannot be a proper date without music.
Amber: We can make our own.
Solana: ….so was that a yes?
Amber: *laugh* Yes, Solana. I’ll go out with you when we get back.
Two days later…
Solana: We’ll be there by this evening.
Amber: Oh, good…those clouds look like rain to me.
Solana: *sigh* I am afraid they are. Miradora, I hope this isn’t an early start to monsoon season…
Amber: Can you get us back if it is?
Solana: Oh, of course. All that rain simply makes for a miserable trek back!
Amber: Then let’s hurry. I didn’t pack my umbrella.
Solana: There. That should get us to the temple.
Amber: Oh, good! I ‘ll get the door.
*thunder rumbles*
Solana: Well, at least we’ll have cover ahead.
Amber; So long as we can–get there in time!
Amber: We made it…it’s really here!
Solana: And in better shape than some temples I’ve seen. How does that work…
Solana: –? Oh, of course it’s raining!
Amber: Come on! We can wait it out inside.
Solana: This is where my expertise ends, bonita. Is it safe in these temples?
Amber: It’ll be fine, so long as we watch for traps. Just don’t step where I don’t, okay?
Solana: Understood. …strange…wouldn’t a ruler want jaguars, not llamas?
Amber: The llama warded off death, so…oh kaaaay? And what have we here?
Solana: A barricade. Lovely.
Amber: Still has power. How…
Solana: I have no idea. Can we get past it?
Amber: There must be a way to deactivate it. Wait here–I’ll look around for a control system.
Amber: …huh. These glyphs…this could be it.
Solana: Need a hand?
Amber: no, no, I’ve got it.
*thunder rumbles*
Amber: Not like we’re going anywhere in a hurry…
Amber: These glyphs when put together…”take heed, all who enter. We bear our dead and gone, and offer them to the tide…” To the tide? That’s not Omiscan…that’s Sulani. What’s that doing here?
Solana: Crossed paths with them?
Amber: Maybe…ah-ha! Controls here we go. Open up, big guy, don’t make me test my Omiscan pronunciation…
Amber: Ha-ha! Got it!
*Lightning flashes*
Amber: Go away, storm.
Amber: There we go! Turned off.
Solana: The door–bonita, the barrier is fading!
Solana: That felt too easy….
Amber: It’s only the front door! Come on, let’s see what’s down below.
Amber: Because I do not feel like getting roasted today, let me tell you.
Solana: What about over here? This looks like some sort of control mechanism to me.
Amber: That? Huh…some sort of key, which means there’s a lock nearby. Can you make out the symbols?
Solana: I think so…give me a moment.
Solana: Flames, a llama, and…I believe this is the moon.
Amber: Well the flames are obvious…the llama as guardian of the dead, and the moon…that’s protection. Protecting the dead. A burial tomb. Which means…
*flames whoosh out*
Amber: Yes!
Solana: What would have happened had that been the incorrect sequence?
Amber: Oh, nothing. Just the flames turning on the rest of the chamber and roasting anything inside.
Solana: What?!
Amber: Relax! That’s standard in any burial tomb. We were perfectly safe.
Solana: *Cough* What in the world is…that?
Amber: Poison gas. Don’t get too close. Hm…let’s see, the llama again, clouds, and…damn. The last two are worn down.
Amber: Think think think…Protection for the dead and secrets…the dead guard our secrets from or for…it’s a one out of two chance…
Solana: There must be a key somewhere nearby. Hold on a moment.
*gas hisses off*
Amber: Haha! Two for two!
Solana: Ai, Miradora! That was reckless, bonita.
Amber: Hey, it worked, didn’t it? Ye of little faith.
Solana: I would prefer to see the bottom of this place, not be consigned to be a resident of it! Honestly…
Amber: Will you relax? *laugh* I didn’t get a distinguished degree for nothing, you know. I’ve got this in the bag.
Solana: Well, yes, but. *sigh* Well, just…
Amber: I know, I know. Be careful. Seriously, don’t worry. I wouldn’t risk your life on anything I wasn’t sure of.
Solana: Well, thank you. Shall we continue?
Amber: We’re at the bottom now. Not far left to go.
Solana: …it is in remarkably good condition for being so old…i suppose going this deep means it is protected from the elements…
Amber: Pretty much! Huh…the sun glyph was usually meant to signify rebirth, but in this context…
Solana: Amber! Come here, quickly!
Amber: Sol? What is it?
Solana: Just come!
Amber: Holy….a death guard! Whoever was buried here must have been really important…look at these colors!
Solana: The colors of the royal line of the golden era. Canela was right!
Amber: Which means this tomb’s got to have a body in it. Roast me and call me a gyro. That’s…*low whistle* This place is gonna…
Solana: I know. I just…hm.
Amber: You just…
Solana: I have seen many burial tombs over the years, bonita. Never one with so many guards, even for the Empress.
Amber: …that’s a good point. So why so many for a second line even if they were trying to establish a second empire?
Solana: That is the question, isn’t it. I am beginning to wonder if we should not turn back.
Amber: What? Why?
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