There is something about a road. For one thing, they are one of the oldest creations of Mankind. In the beginning of things it was little more than a line imaginary for the most part in the minds of those who walked upon it. It was preceded by paths and similar concepts of routes from one point to another that people could use. By the time a "road" was introduced the paths were well worn but the idea of the road caught on fast and has remained in our collective minds since.
Mars knew that this was such a line, although he did not know what traveled on it yet. He instinctively knew that the road was his future and that wherever he had originated from- he had gotten here (wherever that was) by a version of this non-natural thing that lay before him. Back there (wherever there was-if it still was) he had walked those routes. Walked was synonymous with Walker in his mind. He knew he had not "walked" like he was now but he did know he had moved upon lines like this one back where he had come from. He stared down at the first thing he had recognized since finding himself here. If only the Trace would come back and speak to him. (was it speaking that the Trace did?).
He stared at the black asphalt for a time as the other two came to stand on either side of them. Together the two others stared down at it. Mars had crouched down awkwardly longing for something he could quite place or find on his body to give him the balance he needed. After a moment, he reached out one appendage and touched the asphalt. The feeling made his muscles jump as the sensation sent its signals to his brain and he processed the warmth of it and softness of the matter under his appendages. The result was something foreign to him and he found that he liked touching the matter so he did not move for a long time.
No he did not know what this liking was but he could deal with it better than he had expected.
The lights appeared down the road floating out of the night. Fijbold made to step forward onto the road. Something he could not explain made him stand up and use the other appendage to stop Fijbold's movement. Fijbold sputtered but came to a stop. He glared over at Mars as the lights became clearer.
So, other things travel on the road, Mars thought.
Mars knew that this was such a line, although he did not know what traveled on it yet. He instinctively knew that the road was his future and that wherever he had originated from- he had gotten here (wherever that was) by a version of this non-natural thing that lay before him. Back there (wherever there was-if it still was) he had walked those routes. Walked was synonymous with Walker in his mind. He knew he had not "walked" like he was now but he did know he had moved upon lines like this one back where he had come from. He stared down at the first thing he had recognized since finding himself here. If only the Trace would come back and speak to him. (was it speaking that the Trace did?).
He stared at the black asphalt for a time as the other two came to stand on either side of them. Together the two others stared down at it. Mars had crouched down awkwardly longing for something he could quite place or find on his body to give him the balance he needed. After a moment, he reached out one appendage and touched the asphalt. The feeling made his muscles jump as the sensation sent its signals to his brain and he processed the warmth of it and softness of the matter under his appendages. The result was something foreign to him and he found that he liked touching the matter so he did not move for a long time.
No he did not know what this liking was but he could deal with it better than he had expected.
The lights appeared down the road floating out of the night. Fijbold made to step forward onto the road. Something he could not explain made him stand up and use the other appendage to stop Fijbold's movement. Fijbold sputtered but came to a stop. He glared over at Mars as the lights became clearer.
So, other things travel on the road, Mars thought.