Citizen 137 Lemo

Spring age 10 (259)

It was a warm summer day. A large blue rexal was walking through a narrow path in the tall grass. There were two young rexals resting on his back and a third yellow rex bouncing along the path next to him.

“Are we close yet?” Lemo asked.

“Almost just a little ways up the next hill kiddo.” Sela said.

“Come on up here! You can see way better!” Aura said and clamored up on Sela’s neck.

“No! You won’t get big and strong by getting carried.” Lemo shouted. Sela chuckled.

“Oh really,” Auratus said. She jumped off Sela’s back and onto the dirt path then started sprinting. “Bet you can’t beat me to the top of the hill!” Lemo started running after her.

 “Hey wait up guys.” Ceta yelled. She jumped down then ran after them. Aura made it to the top first and turned around to look at Lemo triumphantly. He and Ceta finished neck and neck.

“Ha ha told you!” Aura teased.

“Oh yeah,” The little yellow rex called. He rushed up to Auratus, touched her shoulder and ran away. “You’re it!”

When Sela reached the top of the hill he saw the 3 little rexes gleefully chasing each other around now. He had brought them all up here because it was one of the best places to watch the sunset but thought it would be a shame to stop their game. He watched them dash around at gradually decreased speed and as night started to fall carried them all back home for some well deserved rest.

Winter age 21 (512)

It was a crisp autumn night. There was a little chill in the wind but it was still warm enough for rexes to go out comfortably.  The path ahead was illuminated by a nearly full moon. Auratus and Lemo bounced along and snickered.

“Shh…Shh.. someones coming.” Aura whispered. She grabbed Lemo and they skittered off the path. They watched from the bushes as an adult rex walked by. Neither was particularly stealthy since both were quite excited but the older rex didn’t notice them. As soon as the rex was a little ways past them the duo scurried back to the path and hurried back on their way.  Both had bags with clay pots gently gingling in them as they walked.

After a few minutes they pulled off the main path and came up to a house. It wasn’t grand by any means but it definitely belonged to a wealthier rex. The two rexes grinned, each pulled a container out of their bag and removed the lids and whipped them at the house. Brightly colored paint splattered out onto the outside of the house. They both laughed then Auratus shushed Lemo. “Shh, you're going to get us caught.”

They dug through their bags and pulled out two more containers. As they threw more paint towards the house the container slipped out of Auratus’s hand and shattered against the house. The two rexes froze. They heard shuffling from within the house. Lemo scrambled to grab the bags and both Rexals scurried out of the yard and ran as fast as they could.

“Get back here you little punks!” The teacher shouted as the rexes ran. They hoped that it was too dark for the rex to identify them while they ran. They kept going until the house was out of view then stopped panting.

“Do you think he saw us?” Auratus asked. She looked visibly worried.

“No way! Did you see how fast we were going? I bet even if we did we were just a blur. Nyom.” He said quickly, swiping his hand in front of him. He wasn’t so sure that they hadn’t been seen but he wanted to cheer her up. Aura laughed and looked a bit relieved though still concerned.

“Anyways if he gives you any trouble then I’ll fight him.” Lemo said and gave a little exaggerated flex.

“Things really are dire if I need my little brother to fight for me.” Aura laughed.

“Don’t you mean big brother. I’m a whole 4 days older than you after all.” Lemo said.

“Too bad you came out so runty.” She joked and wrapped her arms around him. “Not to ruin the move but do you have any idea where we are?”

“Nope! Guess we better start walking.” Lemo said cheerfully. Aura let him go and he set off confidently walking in a random direction. It didn’t take long for Lemo to come across the tree he recognized, he thought it looked like it had a face but Aura didn’t see it then get them both on the path home.

Summer age 28 (437)

Lemo lounged on the sofa in his home. He was restless. He’d been restless for weeks now. He wasn’t a rex that ever liked to stay still but for now he had no choice. What did Weewoo know anyways? Rest might help his shoulder heal but it was going to drive him insane in the meantime. He missed running and playing with siblings. He hadn’t even been sneaking out to cause trouble since his injury. Everybody else was out having fun and he couldn’t do anything. Maybe he’d just take a nap since there was nothing better to do. Something poked into his side. Lemo opened his eyes and saw Calais’ smiling face looming over him.

“Lemo!” The younger rex shouted.

“What do you want?” Lemo said. He didn’t have the energy for his kid brother today. Calias was always following him around and being annoying.

“I need your help! I was reading through some old records and I found a riddle that leads to buried treasure!” Calais said.

Lemo sighed and sat up. “Alright. Show me what you’ve got.”

Calais beamed and began leafing through his satchel. He pulled out a tablet and sat down next to Lemo. It read:

Follow the directions of the women atop the grandest hill,

She will show you the tears of fallen 

Among their ashes lies a great ax

It’s handle leads to an old man

He stands at the edge of a pool with the treasure at his feet

“Oh. That’s easy. It’s that lake that’s shaped like a rat. I don’t remember the name. There’s a cedar on the top of the hill northwest of here. The leader broke off when it was young and it grew toward the northeast. If you go that way you’ll find the river. If you follow it upstream there’s a stop that still has burned trees from a forest fire. It’s a pretty big area but I think that it’s talking about the rock formation near the cliff. Then it’s straight up to the lake. I think there’s another big cedar there.”

He looked at Calais. The small rex looked disappointed. That was the worst thing about Calais; he was such a crybaby. When they were younger he was always running off to tell their dad when they didn’t want to play with him. But he still didn’t want to see him sad and didn’t have anything else to do. “Of course we won’t really know until we get started. These old riddles can be tricky. Let’s go check out the hills!”

Calais beamed and wigged excitedly as they left the house.

Winter age 28 (282)

Lemo nervously looked out past the edge of the dome. The light from the dome border illuminated the several meters of the trench but soon it faded into inky blackness. He could see a few rocks and plants near the border but the rest of the dome was a mystery. He had been so eager to get back to diving but looking into the darkness that loomed before him he wondered if he was really ready.

“If you aren’t ready we can come back later.” Sela said.

Lemo shook his head. “No, I'm ready. I can do this!”

“Alright. Ready when you are.” Sela said. Lemo paused for a moment then slipped into the water. He felt his body lift up into the water. He used his magic to account for the pressure and temperature of the depths. Sela pushed into the water behind him.

Lemo’s coming of age ceremony was approaching and he was determined to dive to the bottom of the trench but currently he was far from ready.

He swung his tail and gradually started to move through the water. He picked up speed then pulled up and did a little flip.

Great job Lemo! Sela said. Try to keep your arms closer to your body if you are going to swim mostly with your tail to lower the drag.

Alright Lemo said and tucked his arms closer to his body and started swimming again. He started off there swimming again. Sela followed behind him watching and giving tips if needed. It was difficult to change the way he swam. He kept messing up especially when he was turning but he was starting to get the hang of it.

Summer age 40 (321)

Lemo sat in his office. Office was a bit of a stretch. Lemo’s business wasn’t always at a permanent location but he had been working here for a while and had accumulated a lot of mess. Tablets and scrolls containing important notes and information. Jewels, art, and other precious items were littered haphazardly throughout the room, some on the desk and placed in boxes around the room, some just on the floor. Lemo was furiously tearing through the notes trying to find an old tip he’s gotten. Someone gave a rhythmic knock on the door.

Lemo looked through a small peephole on the door then flung the door open. “Cal! How have you been?” He said and pulled his brother into a hug.

“I’ve been great. I heard you were back in the dome and I thought I’d come by and make sure you didn’t start any fires. I don’t want to have to change the maps again.” Calais said

“Who me? When have I ever caused property damage?” Lemo smirked.

“Oh of course,” Calais agreed.

“I brought some gin back from the cove. Do you want a little? Just to be safe so it doesn’t catch on fire of course.” Lemo asked.

“I could have a little for safety.” Calais said. Lemo went to a back room and started on some genuine crimson cove gin and tonics. “How long are you going to be around? I think Auratus wants to come by in a few days but she was busy today.”

“Ahh… Well I had to make a bit of a hasty departure this time. I’m probably going to be here for about a month until things cool down a little bit.” Lemo said. Calais nodded.

“Well you're welcome to stop by anytime if you get bored out here.” Calais offered as Lemo handed him his drink and the two chatted long into the night of pirate and mapping adventures.

~ Hyllin

~ Hyllin

~ Hyllin