“It’s selfish to love people and expect them to love you back.”

 - unknown source.

Burns

“And this is volcanic rock,” I pick up a green and white colored stone. “you can still smell the sulphur on it.”

Twenty faces between the age of twelve and sixteen stare at me with wide eyes and open mouths. I pass the rock around the room. Core is at my side, grinning widely. “See? I told you you’d like it.”
I nod. “Yes I do. Thank you for convincing me.”

Core slaps my shoulder. “Don’t mention it. Any time you want to give a lecture again, just call. The Center was very impressed at the Open House last week.”
A grin spreads across my face. I hadn’t planned on sticking around this long, but after the Open House at the Research Center came a demonstration at the museum and then a teacher from the local High School invited me for a lecture on rocks. Since Core came from Rock World, I asked him to come with me so we could explain the difference between the consistency of Stone on Earth and Rock World.
I actually enjoy talking about my Calling and there’s no one waiting for me at home, so I might as well stay here a while longer.

“Have you really been to all these places?” a boy asks, “did you collect all these rocks yourself?” There’s awe in his voice and I smile.
“Yes, I have,” I nod at him.
The boy sighs. “That’s what I want to do. It must be so exciting!”
“It is,” I answer, “there’s so much to discover on this planet.” I look at Core. “and other planets too.”
Core smiles at the by. “What planet did you come from?”
“I was a See Weed,” he answers meekly.
“So was my girlfriend,” Core smiles, “she says it’s a nice planet.”
“Yeah,” the boys sighs, “but not as interesting as Earth.”
“Every planet has its own interesting spots,” I tell the boy, “they are all special in their own way.”
The boy sighs but doesn’t seem to agree with me.
“Alright,” the teacher claps his hands, “I think that concludes our lesson for today. Thank our guest speakers for coming here.”
“Thank you,” the class chimes.
We say our goodbyes and exit the school.

“Lots of questions from the class,” Core notes.
I nod.
“That one boy from the See Weeds seemed interested in your Calling.”
“He doesn’t understand it though,” I sigh, “he can’t see that every planet is beautiful in its own way. You can’t compare them. They are all different.”
“He’s still young,” Core says, “and in comparison to the See Weed planet, Earth does have more variety.”
“I suppose,” I admit.
Core slaps my shoulder. “Enough with the serious talk. Let’s get back home. We were thinking about making a bonfire at the beach tonight. It should stay dry. Are you up for it? We can invite some of the others from the block. Maybe roast some marshmallows and sausages. And potatoes.” He grins. “Perhaps you’ll meet some nice girl. Who knows? She might become your mate. Nothing like a romantic setting to find your partner.”
I shake my head amused. Both he and Ocean have been making great efforts to find me ‘that special someone’. I appreciate that they’re trying to make me feel better, but I’m not looking for someone. Am I?
I follow Core into the house and greet Ocean who is in the kitchen, preparing food for the bonfire.
“Welcome back,” she smiles, “did you have fun?”
Core kisses her cheek. “We met a See Weed.”
“Really?” She pauses her work to look up at him, “what was his name?”
“We didn’t have the chance to ask,” Core answers.
“Do you need any help?” I motion at the food in front of us.
“Ah,” Ocean says, “if you could slice the bread for me that would be nice. And I still have to get the blankets from upstairs.” She smiles again. “I have already invited Blue Wing and Leaves in the Water. And Sings in the Dark said she’d meet us there.” She looks at me. “Sings in the Dark was a Bat. Maybe she knows your girl. Or perhaps you like her as well.”
“Are you trying to play matchmaker?” I ask her.
She laughs. “It couldn’t hurt Burns. Just get to know her.”
“Who else is coming?” Core asks while tasting a slice of meat.
“Blue Wing said she’d invite Root and Behind the Ice.”
“Good,” Core nods, “it will be nice to see them again.” He looks at me. “We don’t see a lot of them. They work in shifts at the Shipping Center. They are in charge if every cryotank that comes and leaves the planet.”
I nod in understanding. It’s a very responsible job.
Core slaps my shoulder. “I’ll go get the blankets now and when the two of you finish here we can go.”

***

A few others are already there when we reach the beach. It’s a bit windy, but I’m not cold.
We are greeted by Ocean and Core’s friends the moment they notice us.
“Hello,” Ocean waves, “remember my friend Burns?”
“Ah yes, you’re the Explorer, aren’t you?” A man holds out his hand and I shake it. “I’m Blue Wing, welcome.”
“Thank you,” I smile, “and yes, I am.”
“Come,” Ocean tugs at my arm, “I want you to meet someone.” I follow her gaze to a girl about my age in human years. She has hair so blonde it’s almost white and storm grey eyes. 

This must be Sings in the Dark.

“Hello Ocean,” Sings in the Dark smiles and they hug each other, “how have you been?”
“I’ve been doing great. How about you?”
“Same here,”  she answers and her gaze moves to me. A faint smile tugs at her lips. “Who’s your friend?”
Ocean’s smile widens. “This is my best friend, Burns Living Flowers. We were Bears together. Burns, meet Sings in the Dark.”
“Hello Burns,” Sings in the Dark smiles, “odd name for a Bear.” She laughs softly, “I didn’t know they had flowers on the Mist Planet.”
“It’s from Fire World,” I explain, “I was  Bear before that.”
“That would explain it,” Sings in the Dark says amused, “should we join the others? Or do you want to take a walk along the beach?”
It’s then that I realize Ocean’s no longer standing with us. I find her at the fire with the others, casting amused smiles in our direction.

“I’m actually a little hungry,” I say, “shall we go eat something first? Perhaps the others want to join us for a walk.”
“Oh of course,” sings in the Dark says.
Is there disappointment in her voice?
“Ocean’s made so much food,” I continue, “she can feed a group twice as big as ours.”
“We should try some then,” Sings in the Dark nods, “come on.” She give a faint smile and starts walking towards the others.
I blink at her quick change of mood and follow her.

Ocean smiles at us. “There you are. Did you get to know each other a little better?”
Sings in the Dark laughs. “You don’t have to be so obvious about it, Ocean. Your friend is interesting.” She winks at me. “We’ll have time to chat. The night is young.”
A nervous laugh escapes my mouth. What is she plotting?
Sings in the Dark laughs at my expression. “Lighten up, Burns. It was just a joke.”
Ocean laughs too. “I know you two will get along just fine.”

***

Somehow, as the evening goes by, I end up alone with Sings in the Dark. I have to admit she’s good company, but I can’t picture her as my partner. I feel sorry about that, because she doesn’t seem to have any objections against the idea and I don’t like disappointing people.
“It’s alright,” she smiles at me. We are sitting close to the shore, barely out of the water’s reach. “Ocean told me about that girl from the Singing World. Silver something?”
“Silver Song,” I answer despite myself.
Sings in the Dark nods. “I didn’t know her when I was  Bat. At least I don’t think so. I suppose you can’t know everyone, even though it was a small planet.”
“I guess so,” I agree, “have you lived there for long?”
“I was born there,” she tells me, “it was a nice planet, but I heard about Sight on other planets and I really wanted to see. So I decided to try out another world. But I think I might go back once my lifespan runs out here. It’s such a tranquil planet. Earth is so… open and big.”
I give her a sad smile. Another reason for us not to become partners. I like Earth.
Sings in the Dark smiles and turns her head towards the night sky. “This is my favorite time,” she says, “when it’s dark, I can almost picture myself at the Singing World again and the sounds of the ocean remind me of our songs.”
I smile genuine this time, because just in that instant, I am reminded of someone else who would have reacted the same way. I’m sure of it.
“We should go back to the others,” I say, “it’s getting late and I’m leaving tomorrow.” It’s something I have just decided. I can’t stay here anymore. I want to go back home.
“You’re leaving?” Sings in the Dark asks surprised, “I thought you’d stay longer and perhaps we can hang out.”
“I’ll visit again soon,” I promise.
“I’ll keep you to that,” she smiles and she stands up, puling me to my feet. “it was nice to meet you, Burns Living Flowers. Perhaps next time you can tell me more about Fire World.”
I nod. “I’d like that.” Despite of me not wanting her as my mate, I still like her as a friend.
“It’s a date then,” Sings in the Dark smiles.

We reach the others and Ocean hears her last words. “What is that I hear about a date?” Her eyes twinkle with joy. “I knew you two would get long.”
I shake my head. “We’re just friends, Ocean.”
She looks back and forth between the two of us. “That’s a good start.”
“Burns just told me he’s going home tomorrow,” Sings in the Dark says, “but he’s agreed to come back and  visit.”
“You’re leaving?”  Ocean asks stunned.
I smile at her. “It’s time for me to go home. I can’t take up more of your time.”
“You’re not in our way, Burns. You’re always welcome. You know that. You can stay as long as you like.”
“I know,” I nod, “and it was great seeing you again. You should come visit me soon. Perhaps we can make a trip to the mountains.”
Ocean sighs sadly, but nods. “Alright. I won’t keep you here. I really hope we can find a house soon. It will make it so much easier to visit.”
“I’ll look out for one,” I tell her, “and I’ll let you know.” “You better!” Ocean jokes. She hooks her arm in mine. “Alright then. If you’ve made up your mind, I won’t stop you. But I better hear from you soon.”
“You will,” I tell her, “I promise.”