This is another snippet from Jarn’s Journal, a regular feature on my main blog and some of the remote back story of my science fiction novels. Today’s snippet is a bit longer than usual–the full post on my main blog was less than a paragraph longer than ten sentences, so I posted the whole thing. Jarn’s Journal to date in its entirety is posted on my author website.
Year 3, Day 1
Whatever else this planet may be, it is beautiful.
I teleported to one of the coasts I have found, far to the south, and sat for hours watching the waves roll in. Somewhere storms are raging, pushing the water into green hills, but here there is only a fresh breeze, droplets of spray wetting my hair, and the smell of salt and seaweed. Strange smells, when I arrived, but grown familiar now.
Shall I join the band I know at the gather? I open my hand to look again at the empty shell, miraculously unbroken, given to me by the waves. One of its like is the centerpiece of the necklace Storm Cloud loaned to Songbird. How long was the chain that brought that shell so far inland?
I would like to give this to Songbird, a small return for the help she gave me. Still gives me, as the incident with Lion’s camp proves. But how would that be regarded, in her culture? There was a sense of awe about Storm Cloud’s necklace. Was it because such shells are rare and precious? Because only the shamans wear them? What expectations would be raised by such a gift, to me a very slight thing indeed, but to them (in spite of all my denials) a literal gift from a god? So much I do not know!
I think I must go to the gather, if only to learn more about these people.
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Jarnian Confederation 
Much for Jarn to contemplate. Who would have thought that giving a simple gift would be so complicated? Great snippet!
Dealing with a strange culture always has hidden meanings involved.
Poor Jarn – such internal conflict. Great snippet as usual!! So, what’s he gonna wear to the gather? 😉
That’s next week!
Excellent concerns. I like how smart Jarn is.
He is highly intelligent but lacks creativity, and is impressed by it in the humans he meets.
Can’t he secretly give her the shell?
Let me put it this way. For all he knows, that shell could be the equivalent of a diamond ring in her culture. And secretly? Half the pleasure in having something unusual, rare and beautiful is showing it off. At least he’s figure that much out!