Bring on the Wonder

[Idrial]

She waited until she could no longer feel his presence, now she would have time to unwind from the experience that they had been put through in a matter of minutes. Lisa-Joe would have been scolding her for the inappropriate question but probably would have been laughing at the result that Jeffie had a crush on Emil. She loved Lisa-Joe but sometimes she was a hard woman to please and someone you didn't want too piss off but you give her some respect and it went quite a ways with Lisa-Joe.

She turned on her heels, she had finished the African Exhibit and was looking forward to the last two large exhibit's that remained on this floor and that was the Mayan, The Salem Witch Trails which took up a good portion of the seven floor. She had a tough time deciding which one to start off with first before deciding on starting on the Mayan exhibit as she had heard the Salem witch trials could be very spooky. She highly doubted that an exhibit could scare the shit out of Sam.

The exhibit started out as small staircase into a doorway that was in the shape of a temple, it was dark and sinister looking and she saw a piece of stone that was carved with Mayan language stood erected in the center of the entrance and exit pathways farther into the exhibit. She could read the glyphs and didn't bother with the description but she had to somewhat take her time and they described the Maya vision of the universe is divided into multiple levels, above and below earth, positioned within the four directions of north, south, east and west. As she grabbed a map she opened it up with haste, the exhibit was divided into the four directions on what seemed to be two floors; above and below. 

She started heading north on the below floor and it started with their Creator Hunab Ku. To the Mayans, the supreme God and ultimate Creator and was located in the center of the Milky Way galaxy. It represented the gateway to other galaxies beyond our Sun as well as all of the consciousness that has ever existed in this, our own galaxy.

"According to the Mayans, the consciousness to which organized all matter from a whirling disk - into stars, planets and solar systems makes Hunab Ku the Mother Womb which is constantly giving birth to new stars and it gave birth to our own Sun and planet Earth as well as the other planets found in our solar system. They also believed that the ultimate Creator directs everything that happens in our galaxy from its center through the emanation of periodic energy bursts of consciousness."

The Mayan's had always fascinated Sam of how their way of life was so depended on the belief that something was out their beyond the bonds of them being human. She had felt like that most of her life and couldn't help but getting a little closer to inspect it further, the symbol that was engraved into the pieces of pottery and stone sculptures carved out from long ago. It almost looked like half a snail with long tentacles on all four sides with a swirl in the middle, she wondered if they had an actual depiction of the creator. Then again they didn't have one of God although she had no use or space to learn about the christian God.

She moved off wandering along the path, objects and tools of worship lined the path, sacrifice was often practiced as everything by them was explained through the gods and sometimes to please them someone was sacrificed. She stared into a bowl that was stained with could be no other than dried blood, she could smell it and it smelled disgusting. Over was a sharp knife that was used for blood-letting, a nasty and dangerous art they practiced for the deities they worshiped; sometimes she wondered in the Mayan's were really smart or just crazy.     

[skeggsismad]

Forty-five minutes later, Emil had arrived back at the Museum. Jeffie had been dropped off and now the vampire was free for the rest of the evening. With nothing else pressing to attend to he decided that visiting with Sam was the best thing to do; he wanted to make sure to establish a better reputation than the impression he had left the young vampire with, why, with running off to drop off a fae and all.

Upon entering the museum, since he had no way to contact Sam and had no ideas where she was, Emil used his telepathy to ‘pull’ for her presence in the building. After a moment he knew the general vicinity of where the woman could be found and wandered up the floors until he reached that point. The exhibits he passed to meet Sam were spooky to say the least. It represented a period of time that had occurred far before he could imagine and the attitudes that had been dominant during that time were something he couldn’t rightfully fathom.

 Although his knowledge of the arts was up to date, his memory of historical dates were a bit rusty and he had to admit he didn’t know all that much about the Mayan cultures. With as long as he’d lived, if he had put an invested interest in it he could have been a master in the subject by now. Alas, history had never engrossed him.

Now he could see the exhibit that Sam was looking at; as he approached, he coughed a bit, just to be sure she knew he was present and he didn’t accidentally sneak up on her. He didn’t know what shape her abilities were in and thus it seemed the polite thing to do.  Since Sam was silent and in seemingly deep concentration, Emil said nothing more; instead he stood with his hands in his pants pockets, turning his head to the side to fully examine the display. 

[Idrial]

She turned her head and gave him a great big smile, "I'm glad your back." She once again turned to her attention to Hunab Ku once more before turning her attention to Emil, she was in a much better mood and was ready to enjoy the evening without anymore hiccups between the two tonight.

"How well do you know your history ?" Most history seemed boring and unexciting but Sam seemed to always put an interesting twist on any subject. She hoped that he wouldn't be bored and even if he did she could always brighten things up with a silly fact or two on the spot.

[skeggsismad]

“Oh, it depends on what history! Art history and famous literature I know quite well. Other histories, well…I’m a bit rusty,” He chuckled and gave a playful wink, demonstrating he wasn’t ‘too good’ to make fun of himself. Humor was good to relieve tension and he could use a bit of a de-stressor every now and then.

“What about you, darling? I take it you have some interest, hmm? Go ahead and share with me what you know!”

[Idrial]

Sam furiously nodded her head with a small smile on her face, “I’ll soon have my masters in literature. I’ll be able too teach once I graduate which will hopefully be soon.” She wasn’t sure now when she was graduating with everything going on with her and Jake but she hoped within the year she would be finally done.

“See these tools? Animal sacrifice and bloodletting was a common feature in many Mayan festivals. These bowls were used for carrying blood and these tools were used in the killing of animals. Contrary to belief human sacrifice was uncommon and was usually saved for their prisoners from neighboring tribes.” She had a warm glow that seemed to creep into her skin and it felt so good to just get to talk to someone.

“See that statue you passed that is the symbol for Hunab Ku the supreme god and creator of the Mayan people. He is said to be located in the Milky Way of all places.” She let that sit with Emil for a bit as the faint smell of really old blood from the bowl still filled her nostrils. It was not a pretty smell but she could put up with it for now.

[skeggsismad]

Emil raised an eyebrow when Sam admitted she was getting a Master’s Degree. His level of impressed couldn’t have elevated, especially considering the degree was in a subject he was fond himself.

Too, he couldn’t help but grin when he was educated about the Mayans .Surely he should have been educating Sam about something rather than the other way around! But oh, Emil had known how useless the ‘age’ boundaries were for quite some time. The situation he was in didn’t surprise him at all.

He tilted his gaze to the artifacts as Sam pointed them out, listening to her descriptions of their function.

“By Jove am I glad  I wasn’t born during their time!”  He said with a chuckle, shaking his head in disapproval.

“Why, there’s no doubt at the craftsmanship that they must have possessed to create these works of art and for them to survive so long with such detail! But can you possibly imagine living in a society where killing animals is done in times of festivity? Mmm.”

He clucked his tongue in disapproval.

“It’s wonderful, by the way, the fact that you’re getting yourself an education. Oh, by jove, how I wish all young people would! Learning is the most valuable asset we have. Of course, it would be glorious if it didn’t cost an arm and a leg!”

Emil wondered to himself how exactly Sam was getting the money to pay for college. Unless she was independently wealthy or had gained a limited High School grant, chances were that Sam was having a hard time. The fact that she couldn’t get any ordinary day job probably complicated things further! Though he continued to speculate mentally, he didn’t ask, as they weren’t ‘close’ and asking such curiosities he’d learn often got him into more trouble than it was worth.   

[Idrial]

Sam looked at Emil a little oddly with a small smirk on her face, she wasn't even going to mention the hundreds of turkeys that had been raised, slaughtered then smoked to perfection for people around the holidays. Sometimes her dad would do trout if the dug out was deep enough or even hare which was Delicious.   Her Grandpa on her mothers side who was still presenting living on the farm she had literally grew up on since she was a young child, laughter was something that was just excepted. Things like cows, chickens, pigs, sheep were classified as food but while that animal was living it was respected and the animals were treated like gold. She wasn't sure if the Mayan's had the same belief as it was so long ago.

School was a good focus for Sam and she latched onto the subject quite quickly,"Oh it's definitely cost me an arm and a leg but it was well worth it. I also had a trust fund that was started by my parents when I was born, everyone in the family put some money in as a start up and my parents just kept adding too it. I guess I was just really lucky that way." The money had ran out a few years back but she had gotten promoted at Risk at the time making things easier but she still had to watch her pennies.

"University isn't new in my family but only a few have gotten to go, it's been a life changing experience needless to say." She looked at him with an amused look on her face, "Shall we move on my dear ?" Giving him the right of way.         

[skeggsismad]

It was amazing to Emil the way families planned their life from the very beginning. It hadn’t always been that way and there had been a time where the most planning that was done was the father marrying off his daughters. Now children could find their own husbands and wives to court and parents instead saved their pennies to pay for higher education. A trust fund was a sign of a smart couple of people and he smiled at Sam,
“Mmm, your parents sound rather wise! Send love to them for me!”

He was assuming of course that they were still alive. Sam was young enough for them to be alive and it didn’t even occur to him that she might have had to cut them off once she’d been turned or that heaven forbid something had happened to her family.

“Of course, pookie. You lead the way! But before long I expect you to tell me of this mysterious object you’re looking for. Call me out of the loop, by but joves, I’ve never heard such a rumor about this place!”

He was dying to know the juicy gossip for there was nothing Emil did better than to give and receive it.

[Idrial]

"My family is dead. Drunk driver." Her tone was like ice towards Emil although she didn't meet his gaze when she spoke and even though her family had died almost eight years ago the wounds from the traumatizing event was still very fresh. Even her own sire knew very little of her mortal family and she didn't feel like sharing anymore information with Emil; after all the two just met. She looked onwards towards the path that snaked it's way through the exhibit as she was trying to get her mind off her family.

"Let's go this way," her tone was somewhat lifeless as she lead on into the exhibit. At first she didn't answer Emli question about the rumor she had heard only because her mood was somewhat off centered now. She once again looked at the map she had picked up at the entrance of the exhibit, giving it a quick glance she went off to the right.

"I'm not sure if it's in this exhibit or the Salem Witch Trials one. Either way a friend of mine told me I would know when I see it. He said it would be something out of place and only supernaturals can find it." Her friend was human and she promised to take pictures of whatever she found. She then pointed to a case that contained the Mayan Calender, "Do you know what this is ?" A small grin was on her face and she seemed in a better mood.

[skeggsismad]

The confession immediately  brought a lump in Emil’s throat and knots in his chest. He felt dizzy and his stomach uneasy. Why had he made such a grave assumption about the girl? Most vampires, even young ones, weren’t in touch with their parents. Crossing that road when their relationship was still so fresh was something he felt rather embarrassed about. He couldn’t explain what he felt or dwell on it though; in situations like this, unless one knew a person very well, it was best to let them guide the conversation. Sam guided the topic away from the death and Emil took the transition.

“I’m very sorry for your loss,” He mentioned heartfelt but briefly, allowing the other topic to envelop his attention.

Nodding his head to Sam’s remarks, he was still reeling from his mistake. He could swear he could sense the upset and grief coming over the young vampire and he wished that there was something he could do to remedy it.

“Oooh, only us? That makes me feel a bit…exclusive,” Emil grinned, skillfully hiding his fangs as he did so. He didn’t need to of course around Sam but it was mere habit.

When the new exhibit came into light and he was questioned about what it was, Emil gave a sheepish expression and turned his head to the plaque which explained what it was.

“Well of course, it says here it’s the Mayan Calendar!” He gave Sam a wink, knowing that he’d cheated and finding his own lack of knowledge amusing.

[Idrial]

She shook her head as she somewhat laughed, "Yes that what it says but it was much more than just a calender to the Mayan's." He may have stumbled with her but Sam always told people her family was dead straight off the bat as she really didn't want to deal with  the issue again. Her blunt statement was usually more than enough to shut somewhat up but if Emil got to be a good friend of Sam's maybe she tell him the details of the tragic end to her family.

"For example Mayan children were named according to the day the we're born. Everyday of the year had a name for both boys and girls. And they don't just have a calender they have calender's which often interlock. This one is called a long count calender and this is the one who is responsible for all the end of the world fears." She sneered at the calender that was behind the glass, end of the world crap she really didn't believe it was going to end but rather a new age would appear on the horizon; one that would be pleasant she hoped.    

[skeggsismad]

One of Emil’s unspoken ‘rules’ was staying away from controversial topics that might cause disagreement. ‘The end of the world’ Mayan theory was certainly something that might create such conflict and he reflected for a moment on how to get around it.

“Really? I love learning about other cultures!  It sounds as if there was quite a bit of concatenation with the Mayans. Mmm, so many cultures believe that everything is interconnected, don’t they? But I’m no philosopher. I suppose for me to speculate on it is like an actor trying to make business merger!”

He let out a soft chuckle and shook his head, purposefully going for the ‘clueless fool’ so that he didn’t have to have a real discussion.

[Idrial]

She chuckled along with him while shrugging her shoulders, "I try not to think about too much about the end of the world stuff. " She wasn't tying to get Emil to talk about the end of the world but she took his social cue and moved on from the subject. There was just to much controversy over whether the Mayan's meant the end of the world or it just meant they beginning of a new cycle; like Y2K when everyone went nuts thinking all the computers were going to crash. Well nothing happened but she remembered her mom didn't have to go grocery shopping for a month and her dad was a little sad that he didn't have the chance to go looting; he was only joking at the time.

"Although I will say this the Mayan's had amazing artwork. Even today, it is still considered one of the most sophisticated and appreciated art forms in history." Emil had mentioned before that he was into art and she hoped by mentioning it he would talk; she felt as if she was doing all the talking and she didn't want to bore him. 

     

[skeggsismad]

“Oh, yes…it’s best to stay away from such dreary topics!” Emil agreed, relieved that the topic hadn’t been perpetuated. As he took in the sight of the calendar he couldn’t help but think that Sam’s remarks held some truth. For being more than a century old the carvings and pottery were remarkably intact. The colors remained vibrant despite their age and it made Emil wonder what they would have looked like in person shortly after their creation.

“Indeed; you seem to have an eye for those sorts of things! Though I don’t know the specific cultural history or methods behind these pieces of art I do declare they look exquisite and anyone who would deny that might be a bit off.”

He raised his index finger, making a point: “But,”

To declare Mayan art was one of the most (if not the most) sophisticated art of all history did make Emil feel the need to offer an opinion to the contrary. In his years of unliving he’d seen other forms of art that he would proclaim the most remarkable since time itself began.

“I say this not to disagree with you pookie- for we all have our opinions, ‘tis true- but I believe Weimar art and Weimar culture in general is the most sophistical in history that I’ve been alive to see. You really had to be there to understand, and mayhaps that is the way it is with Mayan culture as well. Everything in Germany exploded so quickly that it was a flurry of art and creativity and class that I’d never seen before. Arts, the cinema, architecture, education and fitness, even! All of it tied together with enthusiasm and technology. It is a great shame, sweetheart, the politics surrounding that era, because if it were not for them I believe the Weimar age would have continued in Germany for much longer. Mayhaps it would even exist today at the same strength! But alas, honey. Oh, alas! I’ve gone on,”

He rolled his eyes and made his hand into a miniature mouth that was jabbering away, dropping it to speak again.

“You must excuse me, darling, because I do prattle on! It’s rather unbecoming but it’s a habit I’m afraid!”

[Idrial]

"Honestly I don't mind." She gave Emil a bow of her head, "Besides your titled to your opinion and I'm not an art major to say in the least. Now, my dear friend Maria she would be the more artsier type of person." Maria would have an opinion or two on the subject as she had graduated two years ago with her masters and decided that she would enroll in a medicine university just outside of the city; Maria was lucky to attend what university she pleased as she was rich although she acted as if she was dirt poor. Oh how she missed Maria and she couldn't wait until she would see her best friend again.

"How do you know so much about art ? Did you go to school ?" She was curious to learn more about Emil as these old artifacts would still be here.