Calypso's Overlook (Scara's Palui)

[Scaramouche Fandango]

You didn't know why you went in the yard in the first place, and you're not entirely sure why you climbed all those stone steps to get up to the house itself. Perhaps it was just for the view; the house is built into the side of the hill, with a terraced yard and mailbox at the bottom, then a nearly-vertical staircase up to a wraparound porch that turns into a large deck in the back. The main floor of the house itself is reached by means of a path that circles the hill, branching off to meet a rather long boardwalk that leads to the beach. The porch, however, is what you're interested in, because there's some really comfortable-looking wicker furniture on it, and you're tired. Those steps were steep. Plopping down on the couch, you realize that somebody was out here quite recently. An empty tumbler has drops of condensation covering it, and there's a pen and paper on the small, low table. You figure that you're already in enough trouble with the homeowner for being on the porch that you might as well read the paper- the writing is spidery and interesting, with little sketches all over the place. It seems to be a letter.


My dear René;
You ask why I'm not returning home; I tell you that it is too cold for my tastes. You ask why I don't join you and Emilie in France; I tell you that you know I haven't spoken French well since I was a child. You ask why I turned the American university down; I tell you they don't offer me enough money. And, quite frankly, I fell in love with this place. I'd never felt more at home than I am here, and, really, with the sort of work I do, the island is a perfect place to call home.But then you ask why you never hear from me, and I supposed I should be quite honest: Cellular reception is horrible out here, and you know how bad I am when it comes to responding to e-mails. So, hence, a letter. It's been a long time since I've written one; I must confess, I'm out of practice. I feel that this will be too much like a lab report to be enjoyable if I do not think hard upon my words; perhaps pictures will do a better job...

 

[Scaramouche Fandango]

...You know as well as I that I've always enjoyed science, and that my time at university turned out as adequate a marine ecologist as ever graduated. However, since coming here, I have discovered that island ecology is most definitely my calling. At twenty-seven years of age, I wasn't expecting a career change, but every day brings something new to ask about the island, and my instruments work just as well here as they would anywhere else.

I feel healthier since I've moved in, too; Em would be pleased to know that I'm practically a frugivore now, the fresh fruit is so abundant and sweet. It's a lot easier to maintain a vegetarian diet when you can literally pull breakfast out of the nearest tree. I still cannot suntan, and therefore must lotion up liberally before going out for the day... don't make fun of me, brother. You can't suntan either. It's always warm here; I only ever wear a jacket in the house or in the lab, and I wear skirts most of the time. I swim a lot, too, both in the ocean and in the pool, but you don't need a picture of your sister in her bathing costume! It's very relaxed here- I haven't worn any shoes heavier than sandals in months, other than when I wear hiking shoes to traverse the rocks! Growing up in Quebec was so different- remember how Mama always used to insist that I wear dress shoes every time I left the house? I swore I'd never wear a skirt again after leaving Ste. Claude's! But I never have to wear itchy plaid down here...  

[Scaramouche Fandango]

...My house here is amazing! It's built into the side of a hill; the bottom is a nice big yard where my pets can play, and there's fabulous plants and a bamboo fence! There are two levels, plus an attic and a cellar for storage and emergencies. The upper level is the main level, where my kitchen, dining room, sitting room, lab room, office, and the guest bedroom are; the downstairs is where the animals and I sleep, and where I have a smaller kitchenette where I tend to take breakfast, as well as my television and entertainment rooms, and the room where I put the piano. (Yes, I still play even after all these years!) I can walk right out onto the pool deck from my bedroom; the pool is nice and big, and there is a hammock right by it. There's a tin roof, and so when it rains, I like to sleep upstairs so I can hear it better. The back of the house is much prettier than the front, which, to me, is good, because when I'm outside, I'm usually out by the pool or working in the garden, in which case I am looking at my plants and not my house...

 

[Scaramouche Fandango]

...I've gotten pets! I know, I know. Animals and I tend to not get along, save fish, but the native animals of the island seem to take an exception to this rule. We call them Palui, for the sound they make- a quiet little 'palu' noise. Many of the people on the island keep them as pets, for they are petite, with charming habits and they make little fuss. I've acquired a pair; a little female, and the male who followed her one day.

Ruckus is my little girl, and she's very friendly and lazy. She likes nothing more than sleeping out by the pool, sunning herself, and eating. Goodness, does she love to eat! She's almost gotten a little pudgy recently, but she's so kind and amicable I can hardly deny her. She hasn't really taken a shine to any particular Palui, nor has she any enemies; at least none that I know about!

Katzenjammer, or Jam, is my male, and he's very sweet and darling. He also gets into the most horrible scrapes you can possibly imagine! Still, one can hardly blame him- they're always an accident. I think you can see why Katzenjammer, that wonderful German expression for the sound of discord. He's got a little friend, colored much like him. Her name, from what I gather, is Turret, and she lives with a woman who has several of the darling creatures.


That is all I have to say for now, brother. I do hope you respond swiftly; I will write you again once you have done so, or whenever something new happens. Give Em all my love.
Yours,
Your sister,
Eglantine d. Sangreal

 

[Scaramouche Fandango]

Once again, you find yourself climbing the hill to the house. You're not sure why you've trespassed twice; curiosity, perhaps? You want to see what the researcher lady Sangreal is working on? Who knows. This time, much is the same; a few plants have been pruned, and a new letter has appeared. This Sangreal seems to leave her letters lying around, doesn't she? The first page of the letter is uninteresting; however, the second page has some cute doodles on it...

... and so then I had to fish him out of the pool! It seems that Jam gets himself into nothing but trouble; however, my little lady has had an excitement happen to her as well!

As you can see, her fur's grown thicker- much thicker. She's attuned, as these charming creatures tend to do, to the element of glacial ice. I've caught her loafing in the refrigerator. And! That is not all.

I've been given a gift; a bundle with a Palu kit inside of it! Two of the other residents of the island gave this bundle to me after two of their own Palu mated and had babies. The kitten inside is called Stulta, and she's quite adorable. Ruckus mostly ignores her, but Jam adores her, and I'm a bit worried that she'll follow in his footsteps of chaos and disorder...

Here the letter trails off, the scientist having gone off to do something, perhaps tend to her bundle. Shrugging, you steal one of the cookies and leave. Maybe you can actually meet this woman next time...