CHAPTER 6: Thoughts
Soundtrack: "A Nostalgic Dream" - https://youtu.be/DLWqxqMYlXE
It was indeed a view to die for.
The varieties of colorful flowers, both the glamorous and the simple types, complemented by the emerald wonders of the healthy herbs, grasses, and shrubs of different species, inhabited by fowls and forest creatures just as mesmerizing as the kingdom of nature in front of me. Protected by the gigantic trees and tricky, thick vines that hovered all around the secret paradise, providing the blissful reward only to those who are lucky enough to discover this kaleidoscope of beauty.
In all of the times I visited this place, I am not ashamed to admit that I'll never get used lest grow tired of this landscape. Heck, I won't even mind living here… But I doubt that my family will let me do so.
I traipsed leisurely towards my favorite spot, happily passing by a few elks and a fox peacefully drinking water from the lake. I could feel the sun's spring heat hugging every living and non-living organisms' forms, including mine. It was warm and angelic compared to the ghostly cold environment I'm used to. It was a beautiful change of atmosphere. I would love to feel this more often.
Step by step I climbed up on the uneven stacked-up rocks beside the lake, a little near to the falls, carefully to avoid tripping and scraping my limbs. I don't want them to know I snuck out. I might get grounded, and I'd hate that. I want to relax here more. Hehe.
Once I was now at the top, I sighed in victory whilst placing my hands on my waist. I can guarantee that it's safe here. The distance from the ground up to the top may escalate at about four to five meters I think, but the way the rocks were positioned were very sturdy. The largest ones were arranged together like boulder-pillars as the foundation of sorts, supported by the medium and smaller sized ones polarized tightly to avoid collision.
The top floor is composed of a very wide, stony surface, with only a few, slightly curvy slopes here and there, which makes sitting here quite comfortable. And as a bonus, the scenery up here is undeniably stunning too! Hence making this spot my utmost favorite.
Setting myself comfortable atop my private throne, I let my feet sling back and forth, each leg swinging oppositely from each other as they dangle loosely. I clenched my hands to the edge of the surface delicately, just for a sense of security in any case a strong blizzard might suddenly appear and attempt to blow me away, or instances similar to that. It may seem unlikely in this perfect spring day, but one can never be too sure. That's what Wesley taught me.
In due time, I divert my thoughts to the main issue currently. My eyes feasted on the beautiful view at the front, while my ears took pleasure in listening to the continuous flowing of water behind me, followed by the chirping of birds and crickets, and the various sounds nature presented.
'Perhaps all this soothingness will help me come up with the best decision'. I pondered. I recalled the words they told me. Something about exploring the world beyond this area I've grown accustomed to, and perduring my learning through another field called "school", right? To be honest, I don't know what to feel about it. Yes, there's a part of me that's curious about the outside, but at the same time there's another side of me that's somehow scared. Tiresome questions rattled on and I can't seem to answer all of them with certainty.
What if everything is too different out there?
What if I can't understand them?
What if they can't understand me?
What if they won't like me?
What if I can't fit in?
What if I mess up?
My eyes showed sadness in them as anxiety keeps dreading my mind. Mom mentioned that there were lots of oddities outside and I'm somehow worried about it. What kind of oddities would they be I wonder? Are the people out there giants, or ant-sized? Are their hands attached to their legs while their feet are on their arms? Do they roam around naked? Do they not flush the toilet after use? Are their farts pink, not colorless?
Do they sleep at night, not at day?
Hmm… You know what? Now I'm more curious than scared. Because if my assumptions were true, then the outside world would indeed be a very weird place.
Sluggishly, I raised my head to look at the cloudy, blue sky. The evaporated waters that transformed into those cottony, white stuff morphed into many forms. Some looked sort of obscure, others were grated to small pieces, while… Oh wait… Is that… A dragon? Wow, there's a huge cloud that looked like a dragon! This is so cool!
I keep staring at the sky in awe. Until I noticed that some clouds that made up the dragon-like figure slowly moved, and eventually it didn't appear like the mythological creature anymore. Rather, it started to convert into a… Mountain? It looked like a mountain with a huddle of trees at the bottom now. I giggled. So cute.
A few moments later, I saw a flock of birds flying together. From what I have learned during Science class, birds are said to migrate when the essential resources of their former home are beginning to whither, usually because of the upcoming winter. And since it doesn't snow here, maybe those birds chose this place to stay in. And I think that would be great!
I mean, nature's wealth glimmers in abundance here! As I said earlier, there is no snow to exist here. Just the sunny and rainy seasons… But during the time of year where water pours down from the dark sky almost everyday, it gets really, extremely cold. 10,000 times worse than the usual level of arctic shiver back home. So much that I have to wear a thick jacket matched with a blazing fireplace in my room to sleep. Sheesh.
And now that I broadened my personal perceptions and proceeded to look at the bigger picture… I guess things might not be so bad out there after all, right?
Cause like, even the birds themselves are not afraid to venture out into the unknown just to search for sufficient food and shelter to survive. Despite the legions of predators lurking everywhere, they carry on. I realized how brave they were. But then again… It's probably because there are swarms of them in anywhere they go. So maybe their bravery developed in their teamwork and being there for each other, not feeling lonely at all.
Yet, compared to my situation… Well, I have mom. And Wesley, Evangeline, Christopher, Benedict and Goldilocks. There's also our head butler Mr. William who's also my teacher in academics and piano lessons, and the head maid Ms. Matilda who also teaches me womanly etiquette and the harp. Mr. William instructs me proper manners too but it's mainly Ms. Matilda's job.
And Mr. Hudson, the regular maids and butlers, and I suppose… Dad too possibly. Even though I've never met him and no one wants to talk about him.
Perhaps they could be my own "flock". But when I think about the birds again… Those multitudes of feathery aves that meet new folks and grow in numbers, attracting more adventures as they sour through the skies with their majestic wings… I'm not sure how but it's like they're telling that it's worth a shot to try out new things and embrace the change as they arrive like what they also do.
I ruminated and reflected on it deeply until I swerved my visual senses to cogitate upon my entire surroundings once more. This was my first occasion under the sun, which also meant that this was the first change I've accepted. And it felt good.
I have noticed a major difference between the influence of the night and day too. The night's special feature is like a spotlight. Due to the outpour of oblivion darkness shadowing over the minor and unnecessary parts of the stage, the audience will have no choice but to focus their attention on the main act that shone under the spotlight.
Whereas the day is quite the contradiction to that. It rather celebrates the entire cast instead of focusing on the main star of the show alone. It gives importance to every detail, be it minor or major.
When I used to come here at night, I only appreciated the fluorescent, glowing flowers and larger animals because they were the only obvious ones that stood out under the moon's spotlight due to their colorful embellishments amongst the green canvas. But here in broad daylight, I admired not only the flowers and bigger creatures now.
The trees, grasses, shrubs, bushes, vines, mosses, water, tiny insects, rocks and stones… Basically everything, I realized just how enchanting each and every aspect of nature actually is.
And all this I learned because of the first change I've embraced into my life…
…
Hmm… You know what?
I think I know my decision now. No, scratch that. I DEFINITELY know what my answer is now.