What the Orchids Remember
What? What is this? What is this thing she’s now hanging aroung my neck? Said White Knight, almost in a scream.
Oh, I like it. It’s like a necklace, something some caretakers have used around me before. Commented Laelia Chocolate Drom.
I don’t care, as soon as it doesn’t pull at my leaves…or roots. Added Bulbophylum rothschildianum, with a shake of his leaves.
But it is horrible! Cried White Knight again. Why is she doing this?
I really do not know. Replied Laelia. But I did overhear something.
Yes? What? Said Bulbophylum
Apparently, whispered Laelia. She doesn’t remember our names.
What?! Exlaimed White Knight. She doesn’t know us?
Shh. Don’t shout. The other ones… over there shouldn’t hear us. Said Laelia.
Who? Where? Asked White Knight, again in a loud voice.
Oh, my! Can’t you keep it quiet? Those, the ones across the void, far there. She explained.
Oh, who cares?
I care, they are the ones who do not have a name by themselves, they are all just called Phals, not like you and I, and Bulbophylum here. Whispered Laelia again.
They don’t? Inquired Bulbophylum. How sad!
Yes, that’s why I don’t want you screaming that she’s doing this to remember our names. She does remember those, because they all have the same name, but we are special. Explained Laelia.
Naturally we are special, at least I am very special, I am White Knight!
Laelia looked at him. He was quite tall, larger than her, but in her mind, he was just a small spoiled orchid. She let it pass.
So what is going to happen now? Asked Bulbophylum, trying to divert the conversation.
Cymbidium Iris Bannochie Wakanda spoke.
She was talking about this, when I had just arrived from the Great House. She always talks about us to that thing on her hand, you know. And she was saying that she would make a list so that she could look at our necklaces and remember who we were. Aparenlty she will put there where we came from also.
That’s interesting. Said Laelia. Is she losing her mind?
I suppose she is. Commented White Knight with a puff and a sniff.
Don’t be like that! Exclaimed Laelia. By the Sun! She takes care of you daily, waters you, gives you food, looks at how health your leaves are and you are so… so…
Laelia virtually shrugged.
White Knight decided to keep quiet, turning a bit to look outside, at the bright light coming through the screen.
No, continued Wakanda. I think it is a way to keep track of all of us. When we came, from where, how…
Ah, intruded White Knight again. How. That is very important. Our trip through the Darkness. Those guys over there were talking about it last sun. One talked about the Great Darkness.
Yes. Said Wakanda. The Darkness. Was it very bad for you, Laelia?
I do not like to remember that time, but hearing our neighbors across the void talking about it and what they called ‘The Kidnapping’ , no, it was not too horrible.
It was horrible, commented White Knight again who, apparently could not keep its mouth shut. It was horrible, and when she brought me out of that enclosed space, where I could not even breath, she placed me, ME in her kitchen, of all places!
A new voice intruded on White Knight’s rememberings, Yellow Bird.
You were not brought through the Darkness, White. She brought us, the two of us directly with her from the great house. We never experienced that horrible Darkness.
You know nothing about my life, you little Bird. I know what I am talking about. Replied White Knight in a slightly softer voice, quieter, too.
Oh, White! Why are you like that! What was she to do? Replied Wakanda. However you came to this place, through the Darkness or not, she had to keep you, and all of us as we arrive, in a place where she could check on us and give us time to adapt.
I didn’t need any time. Not me.
Uff, you are terrible. But returning to the necklaces, I am happy she’s doing that. Everyone who comes to look at us now will know who we are. Said Wakanda.
Yes, and it looks very nice, such a nice color, like the sun. Added Laelia
Yes!