Glorious spring stole across Sunset Valley before long, and Davis was dreaming of his totem once again. It lead him down innumerable dream-paths and showed him secrets he'd only heard whispers of. By day, he kept busy with a nearby apiary and with the constant struggle of putting bins to rights.
By now, Davis had spent two years in Sunset Valley; and all this time, he'd never felt those vague stirrings before. You know; those stirrings that tempt the wandering monk away from his solitude and toward a stranger's arms. One evening, while touring the annual spring festival, the stirrings hit.
Her name was Mallory. Her father was on the town council and she herself taught kindergarten. What was she doing running a kissing booth? Davis ventured a few encouraging words and heard a few in turn. She was beautiful and hard-working. What harm would it bring to go on a date and live like a real person for once?
Davis found himself in a quandary. He retreated after a few more polite words and sought solace in the library. Would even one date distract him? Was a woman's touch enough to drive his totem away? He'd heard grim stories of other monks going mad after refusing the deeper secrets because they wished another's touch. He spent much of the night meditating and contemplating in the library.
Before dawn broke, he went for a long swim. He knew Mallory could do much better than him. Let another one plumb her secrets. He had his own secrets to discover. He would find her and thank her for their chat but that was as far as it could go. He was a monk and that's all there was to it.
END.
