Solstice - Ch 18 - Xanadu
They all looked at each other. In addition to suddenly being teleported, their clothes had been changed. Everyone wore simple white cotton gowns like the villagers had worn in Greece.
Demi had shown them all the memories Alex and Ariana had shared with her. So, they had an idea what to expect. They were still surprised at how simple yet homey and practical it was.
After looking through the house, they ventured outside. In the immediate vicinity it was all Colorado group, who had just arrived. As they continued, they met others. Having never met any of them, they somehow knew everyone's names and their families. There were no strangers in Xanadu.
Nomena, from Madagascar came running up to them and greeted them warmly.
"Glad you finally arrived. I'm sort of a self-appointed welcome wagon. Every day at noon there's a newcomer's meeting."
"How do you know when it's noon?" Alex asked.
"There are vertical poles scattered around. They're sundials. You're going to love it here."
"How long have you been here?" Ariana asked.
"Two weeks based on time here. What date did you leave earth?"
"October seventeenth," Alexandra replied.
"Then I've been here for six weeks earth time, and two weeks Xanadu time," Nomena said. "We've got about a half hour until the meeting. Let me show you around."
She gave them a quick tour. The whole area was set up on semi-circles that were crossed by paths at points on the compass. These were intersected by two parallel lines running the length of the village. The river had been designated as the south side. All homes were on the semi-circles. Community buildings were at the points where major paths crossed. It would be easy to navigate once you saw the pattern. The assembly house, the largest structure, was where all compass paths intersected.
"Look at the fields over there," Nomena said, pointing them out. "Those were planted the day after I arrived. The fruits and vegetables were mature the next morning. It's amazing. If you pick everything off a plant today, it'll be full and ready for picking again the next morning."
"Wow!" Alex said.
"Better go to the meeting. Who can figure out where the assembly house is?"
"That way," they all said.
"Exactly right. We may let you stay."
They walked the few minutes to the structure and went inside. There was room to seat at least a thousand. She took them to the front and pointed out seats.
Several people gave orientation talks to the hundred or more newcomers. It was comforting knowing how organized everything was. It was when they began speaking of the assembly that their brows were raised. As they named off the assembly members, they announced Ariana, Demi, Alexandra, and Alex of the Colorado group. Aphrodite was announced as the leader of the assembly itself.
Aphrodite stood. "Excuse me. How were those names selected for the assembly?"
"You were close to the last of your group to arrive. Those already here voted unanimously on your members. As far as you as assembly leader, over three quarters of Gaia's children are here. You were voted in by 100% of the vote. Welcome to Xanadu, Aphrodite."
"Thank you."
"The assembly meets at six this evening. We'll see you then."
"Finally, a woman president," Alexandra said, smiling.
"It's an honorary position," Aphrodite said.
"No, it isn't, Madam President," Demi told her. "The Oracle said it's going to be a full-time job for a couple of months to get the community coordinated and running efficiently."
"Crap! Am I going to have to learn to play bridge and stuff?" Alex grumbled.
"Why would you have to do that?" Ariana asked.
"First gentleman, you know."
"Alex, you can be a real dumbass at times. Your job is fucking," his sister replied.
Nomena continued the tour on the way back to the house. "The big community meals are done in here at five," she said, pointing out the structure. You can also cook and eat at home once you're settled."
"I've got someone due to feed now. I'm heading home," Aphrodite said.
"So do I," Ariana added, leaving with her.
"Alex, how does it feel to be the only fertile male in Xanadu?" Demi asked.
"Daunting."
"Well, let's see. About seven-hundred women. That's only two a day," Nomena said.
"Assuming they're satisfied getting laid once a year," Alexandra chuckled.
"Oh shit," Alex said. "I hope we have the stuff here to make the elixir of vitality."
The women laughed. "Maybe you could set yourself up in an office. Say, thirty or forty visits a day," Demi chuckled.
"That still only gives us once every three weeks. Seven hundred women, three times a week, using a forty-hour week, comes out to fifty-two and a half in an hour. Almost one woman a minute. Sounds like pretty boring sex to me," Ally offered.
"Not gonna happen, ladies," Alex grumbled. "I'm pretty sure my job is impregnation. We also have the other men and women that can help with the sex part. We're back to two or three a day."
"Don't forget the virgins," Demi said.
"The oldest non-adult female I've seen here is only twelve," Nomena replied. "So, virgins won't be an issue for at least six years."
"Really?" Ally asked.
"Except for the few born in the last six months, all the kids are between six and twelve."
"Strange. I wonder why? I'll ask the Oracle," Demi said.
*****
The meeting with the assembly was awkward for Aphrodite, but she handled it like a pro. With Gaia as her guiding force, a plan was devised to find out what the people wanted or needed that they didn't have. They reviewed available resources. Gaia had even provided metal in the form of tools and fishhooks. Food, water, and shelter were covered. Everyone wore the white gowns that seemed to repel soiling. Simple rinsing had so far kept them clean. Hygiene was covered. Soap was being made in ample amounts, and a plant was found with a flower that worked perfectly as a toothbrush. All that seemed to be needed was organization. Everyone would check with their groups, and they would re-convene in three days. Demi was given a list of questions for the Oracle. Ally would write minutes of the meeting. Aphrodite would spend the next couple of days touring the community and meeting everyone.
As they were walking home, they came across Jason. He was sitting alone beside the path.
"You go ahead. I want to talk to Jason for a few minutes," Aphrodite told the others.
She sat beside him in the grass. "I haven't done anything wrong. Please don't make me a dick nose again."
"I wasn't planning to. You seem down. What's wrong?"
"Music was my life. When I came my guitar didn't come. I'm lost."
"So, make a new guitar," she said.
"From what?"
"Jason, music was around for a long time before guitars. I'd wager every group in Xanadu has someone looking for a way to make music, and some of them probably know how to make instruments. Music is vital to us all. Visit each group. Talk to them. Put an add on the main dining area. Other musicians are out there. You just have to find them. I get front row center at the first concert," Aphrodite said.
"You really believe that?"
"Jason, I'm sure of it. Do it. I'd love for us to sing and dance together."
"You're on," he said standing. "Thanks, Mamas."
"You're welcome, Jason,"
Aphrodite went back to the house. It was time for Titanus to nurse. Sleeping arrangements at the house were, Demi and Ally, Aphrodite and Titanus, with Alex, Ariana and Terra sharing a third. There was another bedroom for a nursery but neither of the mothers wanted to use it yet.
Demi felt the need to communicate with the Oracle that night and sat outside alone for a considerable time.
The Oracle told her many things that she would have to share with the masses, but she would share them with her family in the morning.
*****
At the big dining room, Aphrodite got an idea of who, in their group, Adara's group, and Miora's group had decided not to make the trip.
Alex got to meet several of his other children. All the babies were his and those were only in the three groups he had been with. None of the other five groups had any babies. The other children there were between the ages of six and twelve. All were girls.
Alex tried to do a headcount of males. There were about twenty-five in the eighteen to twenty-five range and around one hundred and fifty that were older. Alex was comforted knowing that even though only he carried fertile seed, there were plenty of dicks to go around.
Following breakfast, Aphrodite and her family got the full tour of Xanadu from Nomena.
The one area where everyone seemed to go on a regular basis was the dining building. Two women were painting decoratively on the outside.
"Can I get one of you to do something for me?" Aphrodite asked them.
"Sure," one replied.
"Designate an area, where everyone will see it, as a community billboard. We can all post fliers there, announce meetings, and events."
"Yeah, we'll have it done in no time."
"Thanks," Aphrodite said. She turned to Nomena. "Each group needs to name their area and number their buildings so we can locate each other. Is there an area set aside for the kids to get together and play?"
"Just the school, but there's no play area."
"That needs to be fixed quickly. There's a nice area for that near the school. I'm going to need all the kids and about a dozen creative builders there right after lunch."
"I assume I've been appointed your PA," Nomena chuckled.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to draft you. You're perfect for the job though. You know everyone and have a grasp of the entire community."
"I love the idea. My welcome wagon job was going obsolete pretty soon anyway."
"Is there a way to call the entire community together quickly?"
