Megan was relaxed. She felt no need to rush. She drifted in comfortable silence, nothing to worry about, nothing to concern herself with.
Blissful. Peaceful. Beautiful. Serene. Calm.
No one was trying to hurt her, no one to place obligations on her. Perfect. Megan let herself go as she relished her time in this place.
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Unfortunately, as Megan was quickly coming to realise, time moves inexorably on and with the passage of time, comes change. Change as inevitable as the changing of the seasons on a planet with a moon. Megan was currently powerless to stop something like that, for now.
Megan awoke to the sound of a loud CRACK!
Jerking suddenly, more cracking noises resounded all around her as she put an arm out to steady herself. Unfortunately, there appeared to be something very wrong with her body. Instead of the action of placing her hand on what appeared to be a hard surface in order to get her bearings her hand passed through this material with another cracking noise and almost no resistance whatsoever despite Megan's senses telling her the crystalline substance was really quite hard. Megan fell a short distance on to something so soft and pliant that she immediately felt slightly sleepy even though she knew her cultivation allowed her to go months without it.
Looking down at her hands they were almost completely enveloped in the softest substance Megan had ever had the privilege of touching, the material didn't look uniform in shape, there was what looked like grass and straw, sticks and leaves, flower petals appeared quite often. The thing that was uniform was the slightly glowing golden colour and the texture which was just so plush and inviting. That was strange, why Megan couldn't remember touching anything this soft, in fact, apart from her name she could not recall much at all. She sat, still gently caressing the soft material underneath her and pondered on what memories she could recollect. Nope, nothing come to mind at all, it was like she was a blank slate, the only memory she had was that her name was Megan. She examined herself closely, looking down at her naked body she saw two shapely legs, with feet attached, calves, sturdy thighs, female reproductive organs, curvy hips, a perfectly smooth stomach sporting some super-tight abdominal muscles, two female mammary glands perched on her chest, two arms with delicate hands attached to the end of each and a head atop of a neck attached to two shoulders. Her head had two eyes, a nose with two nostrils, a mouth, two ears one on either side of her head and hair, long golden hair that appeared the same colour as the golden bed she lay on. Her skin appeared to be crafted from a pure crystalline substance and glowed with a kind of inner light just under the surface and she could make out the muscles under her skin which were all perfect in form and function, flawlessly executing every command she gave them to perform.
A light clearing of a throat sounded from in front of Megan, startling her from her contemplation of her body and causing her to look up into the eyes of the most beautiful being she had ever beheld, although this might be false as she had no other memories of seeing any other beings but the soft golden glow of those orbs immediately drew her in and held her without effort. Megan was mesmerised by those eyes; they seemed to be full of wisdom and kindness.
There was a word that she knew that described in Megan's mind what she felt she saw in them. The way a mother would look at their child, nurturing and full of care.
"M-Mother...?" Megan tentatively spoke, not recognising even the sound of her voice.
The being before her leaned back as if this surprised her and released a light laughter that likened to the sound of crystalline bells and caused Megan's heart to flutter in response, then she spoke, "No child, I am not your mother, despite you being in my nest and emerging from an egg, I am afraid I had nothing to do with you appearing in this place." She smiled a rueful smile as she said this.
Megan looked around herself and realised she was in a large golden nest before she looked back to study the bird-like being before her. With similar features such as a head, torso, two arms and two legs, although Megan noticed that the legs were digitigrade or 'bird legs'. On the top of this birdlike being's head there was a golden plumage of feathers which were currently in a slightly elevated state from the amused emotion displayed. Megan theorised that they could burst out in a colourful display like an ancient bird called a Peacock. Megan wondered to herself where and when she had read such a thing for a moment. The bird-like being had a face with large almond shaped eyes much bigger than Megan's with golden pupils that glowed with an inner light. A small dainty nose and full-lipped mouth underneat. The being's skin was a lovely shade of bronze with a slight metallic sheen. At first, Megan thought the being had small, stylised tattoos on their face but on closer inspection she realised they were intricate multi-coloured feathers that either grew in gorgeous swirling patterns or were purposely positioned that way through unknown means. Looking further Megan decided, the being must be female, as no male humanoid being would sport such an impressive bust as this one, with a few exceptions of course. Those beautiful, patterned feathers covering her face, then continued down her dainty neck and shoulders, and could be seen trailing underneath the diaphanous gown of pale golden silk-like fabric that appeared to flow and shift at random in different directions and in a way that always presented tantalising views just out of reach. Megan's gaze was caught by the hand that was currently raised to the being's mouth in a cute gesture of amusement as they lightly laughed. The wrist attached to the hand was unusual and much to thick with strangely jointed bones and, more feathers?
Seeing her interest the being presented her hands, first showing that the four fingers and a thumb that were similar to Megan's apart from being slightly longer and thinner. Megan's eyes widened in surprised when, as if by magic, the being's hands twisted down and seamlessly melded into two massive wings which extended out from hidden folds. The 'hands' were actually part of a multi-jointed folded wing appendages that functioned as arms and hands as well as wings when fully extended.
The being before her stepped back as she raised and spread her glorious golden wings, gusting winds suddenly appeared, light burst forth as she pronounced, "My name is Jessaleanna Marilyn Goldenfeather, Blood-cursed Queen of the Crescentmoon Harpies and currently a prisoner here in this minor realm once used to train and develop young prodigies of the Dauntless Empire."
Megan sat, mouth open, staring at the display before her as the wind dyed down and light faded.
The silence dragged on just a little too long as Megan sat speechless and unable to think of how to reply to such a statement until she stammered, "Uh... h-hello? J-Jessa-l-lenna? My name is Megan."
Jessaleanna Marilyn Goldenfeather looked slightly disappointed for some reason and replied with, "Jessaleanna dear, but never mind that and just call me Jessa."
Jessa's wings had now retracted back into the semblance of arms, all the feathers and plumage tucked seamlessly away and a delicate hand extended toward Megan, "Come, Megan, let's get you some clothing to wear and some food to eat then we can discuss your circumstances and see if we can shed some light on how it is you ended up here and what that may mean."
At the mention of clothing something shifted in Megan's mind and from somewhere in her body a silver substance appeared to quickly leave Megan's body directly through her skin and solidify into a familiar skintight suit commonly known as a shipsuit worn by most space travelling species of the universe.
Megan looked up at Jessa, surprised speechless again. Jessa looked thoughtful, "Looks like we much to discuss."
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Queen Jessa, or Jessa as she insisted on being called, led Megan through the garden of flowers. As they walked Jessa kept up a constant amount of aimless chatter about one specific subject, flowers. Seamlessly blending information on each species of flower, giving each flowers name, planet of origin, scientific study, widely known uses, barriers to growth and much more. Megan nodded along, not understanding much of what the graceful harpy said yet still hanging on every word and committing it all to memory, which was easy as there was so little available to remember.
Eventually they arrived at a small gazebo which appeared to be sculpted from multiple rose bushes interlocked overhead creating a secluded, shaded seating area in the heart of the garden. Two comfortable chairs and a round table, also grown from rose bushes, complete with tablecloth, silver tea tray and delightful white porcelain tea set with golden trim sat.
Jessa sat down on a chair and gestured for Megan to sit on the other. Megan, quickly examined the chair in case there were thorns, finding none, she sank into the golden cushion as it contoured to her body.
Jessa leaned forward and asked, "Would you like some tea Megan? I have a lovely herbal tea made from the flower petals of the Purple Tide Rose, which actually grows under the ocean on the planet called Yeovein, which is a planet completely covered in water." Jessa looked a bit sad for a moment, "At least they did until Yeovein was turned into an irradiated wasteland by the Enemy."
Megan frowned at the mention of the 'Enemy' triggered a memory in her mind. It was not a physical memory or one that held scent or sound. It was the remnant feeling of deep-seated emotional hatred. A hate so profound and absolute it could not be ignored or suppressed, only endured.
Shaking her head to snap out of it Megan nodded, "Yes please."
Jessa smiled and Megan looked on as the harpy took hold of the teapot which immediately steamed with heat when touched, then deftly selected cups, saucers, dainty teaspoons, strainers and pots of various powders and liquids while describing what each was and the use of them as well as descriptions of sugar, milk and how to add more or less depending on preference and more.
Eventually Megan ended up with a steaming cup of 'herbal infusion', slightly sweetened with honey and lemon, no milk. She sipped tentatively at the warm concoction, each swallow sending waves of relaxing feelings spreading down her throat to her stomach then throughout her body and pathways.
Megan sat in safe silence with the Queen of the Crescentmoon Harpies, sipping herbal tea and falling into a state of relaxation akin to a trance.
The soft clink of a teacup being placed in a saucer roused Megan as she looked up at Jessa, who had a serious expression as she asked, "So Megan, I have many questions, but if your situation is in any way similar to any of the mole-rats that usually appear within my garden your memories may be hard to come by."
Megan eyes widened as she nodded and replied, "Yes, other than my name I remember nothing from before waking where you found me. Um...what is a mole-rat?"
Jessa nodded absently, looking thoughtful, then called out, "Brent? Do you want to come introduce yourself to our guest?"
Into the gazebo of fragrant roses there stepped a bipedal creature roughly one hundred and forty centimetres or a little under four and a half feet tall, it had a triangular head with a cute little pink nose at the pointy end and round curved skull and no eyes that Megan could make out although the mole-rat's face had slight external cavities that looked like could hold eyes. The mole-rat's skin was not visible as it had a soft looking downy fur that completely covered it from head to toe. The mole-rat had two legs on which they wore a pair of pants tightened with a belt that had gardening tools and household cleaning implements hanging from it. It wore no other clothing than the pants and belt leaving its clawed feet and hands visible that were obviously built for digging, looking strong and sturdy and the arms bulging with muscles and hidden strength.
Brent the mole-rat strode confidently before Jessa and Megan, bowed extravagantly, then spoke, "Your Majesty and dear guest, how might this lowly one assist you today?"
"Brent, I know I say this every time, and you must be sick of hearing it, but you really must just call me Jessa. It has been such a long time, and I doubt anyone even remembers the Crescentmoon Harpies, let alone that they had a Queen, and to be quite honest I am no longer interested in being Queen or fighting the Enemy anymore." Jessa said with some exasperation.
A wide grin spread on the face of Brent as he bowed again and spoke, "Yes Your Majesty, your will is my command."
Jessa sighed and explained to Megan, "Brent here is the last Mole-rat that appeared here in my garden which would have been, hmm, a while. I don't much care for counting the days in this place anymore." She turned to Brent, "Unfortunately just like every other Mole-rat that has appeared every one of them is convinced I am their Goddess and pledged their undying loyalty to me and they all serve me here in my garden despite not being a prisoner here like myself and being free to leave at any time." The mention of being able to leave at any time appeared to be more directed at the Mole-rat before them than at Megan which just seemed to amuse the Mole-rat even more.
Megan studied the Mole-rat and saw nothing familiar and did not have any flashes of memory or recollection of ever seeing a Mole-rat before. She explained this to Jessa and Brent and was met with incredulous look from Brent, who spoke up to explain, "That is highly unusual to be subject to the Rite of Ascendance through the Crystal Ascension Chamber which is usually only reserved for the most accomplished of High Priests of the Jamos race (Brent finally confirmed the Mole-rat's name for their own race, pronounced Ya-mos). But if you have arrived here through the Chamber in a protection shroud and even materialised within Her Majesties personal space then you must have somehow convinced the Elder Council that you were worthy."
Megan was still coming up blank and shook her head as she explained, "Nothing is coming to mind right now, sorry."
Jessa waved the sentiment away as she replied, "Nonsense Megan, no need to apologise, your memories will slowly return to you if Brent here is to be believed. The Ascension Chamber is quite invasive as it perfects any anomalies that may have occurred within the Lustration Ritual performed by the Pyramid of Purification."
The mention of the Pyramid of Purification triggered a memory. Black pyramid, burning pain, scorpions and snakes. Blurry and indistinct but very real. "I just remembered something, I think." Megan sat up and described what she remembered.
Jessa nodded absently, "That kind of sounds like it although the Pyramid is more white than black, at least it was the last time I passed through."
Brent nodded emphatically and stated, "Her Majesties wisdom is, as always, impeccable and without peer. If there is nothing else, I am needed outside to help with the harvest and to protect the workers so I will take my leave." Jessa nodded and waved as Brent sauntered off to his self-imposed duty.
"Well then," Jessa started once Brent had left, "I suppose we will need to wait for your memories to return before we can find out why one the legendary and supposedly extinct members of the Human progenitor race have shown up at my door."
Megan's eyes widened as something went 'CRACK' in her brain and so much memory and additional unknown information flooded her mind that she had to grab the sides of her head as it felt like her skull was about to explode. Despite not feeling pain in her body the same this agony was not physical at all and the intensity of it caused Megan to scream as the flood became a tsunami and continued until Megan finally lost consciousness and fell back in her chair, senseless.
Jessa looked on but did not seem very surprised as she whispered, "Thought so..." as she waited patiently for Megan to rouse from her recollection.