Her words were pitch perfect. No trace of accent. Melodic.
The questions were either simple or incomprehensible.
"Like me?"
"Sense a connection?"
"Abide with me all of your days?"
"Have you shared with others?"
She seemed to know that her last question confused me.
She put an index finger to my lips, holding them lightly centered, and looked deeply.
"No, no. You have not shared.. have you? You will have to say it, for me to have authority for what might happen next."
I rambled about how my whole life was sharing. Good deeds being the best experience the living can have.
She continued to stare directly, and it occurred to me there was something else she was asking.
Somehow, it was never a problem for me to tell someone that I was inexperienced. But that day I fumbled those words.
She pushed back to the far side of the warm pool, took a breath.
"You would never be able to expect a reward beyond being with me. Even then, I might have burdens that require my attention. Leaving you alone at times. It would be certain, I would have obligations. You would be giving up all that you have. You would be living someplace where the first shall be last.. according to how you have lived till now."
I knew she was saying something important. A question that held so great a promise. She liked me.
I did comprehend. It was earnest. Equal to a marriage offer.
My answer was not weak. I felt sure I wanted it.
"Stay here and relax in the waters. I must make arrangements."
She dashed out of the pool and was greeted at the opening door by the attendants.
I floated in the pool. Dizzy from her questions (and maybe the tranquilizer darts and other things).
I was content. She was unlike anything. I felt such a draw to stay with her.
Floating with my head back in the pool, I felt giddy.
She and the attendants returned to the stone pool. They dried me and dressed me.
Silken light clothes and shoes like slippers.
She wore something more fanciful, more durable looking.
"I promise to protect you with my life, but some daughters of heaven are powerful beyond my any ability. They could harness me completely in an instant. Stay always behind me. Do not speak unless you see that I permit it. We need to go together to my home. Where I can receive permission to claim you."
The attendants (faces bowed) stepped away. Receding oddly like an optical effect.
All of the building we were in receded.
She and I were standing in a lush vale. Nothing at all looked like the country I saw walking off the airplane.
She smiled.
"This is where I am from. Where we will live, if I am granted permission."
That was where she bestowed, and we shared equal nicknames of affection. 'Beloved'.