Page 72 of Demure
“I’m afraid not. I can only show people the future which pertains to them. Meaning I could show you what I saw for your future, but I can’t show you what I am showing Aodhan now."
Sierra understood, and for a moment she wondered if she did, in fact, want to see her future. There was something inherently scary about being presented with the concept of being able to see what would come next in life. What if it was something she didn’t like? Would she be able to change it?
Aodhan’s eyes snapped open, glancing to the side to focus on Sierra, before looking back at Fia.
“Sierra,” he gasped. “I can’t believe I never asked this before, but what is your master’s thesis on?”
Sierra cocked her head at the odd question, but answered anyway. “I’m evaluating some of the variables in life which, when changed, can extend the human lifespan.”
“And have you made any discoveries yet?” he asked, his eyes drifting closed again.
“Yes, and no, I just started the lab work, so the details on my experiments won’t come back for a while, plus they are on mice, so some of it will be conjecture anyway. But based on some of the similar studies which I am reviewing, I believe there are several variables that can extend the human lifespan when observed early enough in life.”
Aodhan’s mouth was agape. He couldn’t believe he had never discussed this with her before. “What are they?”
“Well, diet, for one. Vegetarians or pescatarians live much longer, and are much less prone to diseases than those who consume meat. And if you look at the blue areas on earth, the regions where humans live the longest, they are all the areas where the diet is majority pescatarian. And the only meat they occasionally eat other than fish is chicken or eggs, meaning no red meat at all.”
Sierra couldn’t hide the emotion in her voice; this really was her passion project and she rarely got to speak about it in length. “Another factor I am looking into is exercise, as well as living in a familial unit, or with another being for the entirety of life. So far, similar studies have concluded that those who stay active, and don’t live alone, live longer than those who do. This is most clearly seen in Italy, on Sardinia, and in Ikaria, Greece, two of the blue spots I spoke of. In these areas, it is common for young adults to live with their family until marriage, and from there, live with their partner together, often with the parents in the home, or with siblings, so they almost never live alone and almost always live in homes of at least four adults.
“Of course, there are other aspects and variables too, and I am evaluating them in the same way, but I believe these are the three aspects I’ll be focusing on. There is also a genetic aspect, which I can’t always account for, but I’m trying to focus my thesis on the variables that someone could control if they wanted to live a longer life.”
Aodhan’s eyes moved between Fia and Sierra. “Hm.”
“What did you see?” Sierra asked. “Maybe I’ll recognize something you didn’t.”
“Well, I saw you just as I did before, but this time instead of focusing on the background to try and figure out your location, I looked at what you were doing. Fia’s visions are a bit like a slideshow,” he explained. “I saw you in a lab, and writing, and in a classroom. But now that I know you, I figured that these actions must have some significance, because you aren’t in your home, or the library, which are both big parts of your life.”
Sierra’s mind began to whir, like different pieces of a puzzle falling into place all at once. She thought over the topic of her thesis, and the struggles of the Fae over the last few centuries and how they could possibly connect.
“Aodhan,” she breathed. “You told me that Fae were traditionally vegetarian, is that still the case?”
It was Fia who answered, “The Fae used to be solely vegetarian, but with the technological advancements of the human world, and the traders who cross the border with some regularity, many have started eating meat and animal products, not as regularly as humans, but from time to time.”
Sierra turned that thought over in her mind. “In the human world, there had been a trend of getting married later in life, which has led to many humans who, in previous generations, wouldn’t live alone long before marriage, now spending many years by themselves. Has something like that changed here in Sidhe?”
Aodhan nodded. “Yes, marriages used to be arranged by parents to preserve bloodlines, but the practice was, for the most part, discontinued over 100 years ago, mostly because it was thought to be cruel to arrange marriages and often led to a lot of infidelity, which further thinned the bloodlines. Though some Fae in positions of power still arrange suitable marriages for their children.”
Sierra tilted her chin down. “And have the Fae become less physically active?”
Fia shrugged. “That I can’t say for sure, but I will say that just as the humans have had their technological advancements that lower hard labor, so too have the Fae.”
“Then there’s a possibility that similar factors to those affecting the human lifespan could also be affecting the Fae magic. I can’t say for sure; I would need to perform some studies, and they would likely take, uh,” Sierra swallowed uncomfortably, “Hundreds of years to complete because your lifespan is already so much longer than a human’s.
“I would also need to do some research, talking to Fae scientists here, as well as looking at any previous studies which may have been performed.”
Aodhan ran a hand across his forehead. “There are some Fae scientists, most of whom live inSaileach. I could take you there and see what the records have on hand.” His voice was somber, probably at the realization that Sierra’s mortality could be a major preventing factor in their research, and the fact that this wasn’t quite the quick fix they had been hoping to find.
Sierra took a deep breath and looked at Fia. “Can I see my future, please?”
Fia nodded. “Be prepared to see things you may not like.”
Sierra’s eyebrows shot up nearly to her hairline. “Have you already seen?”
Fia shook her head. “Once I touch you for the first time, I’ll be able to look into your future on a regular basis, but since I haven’t ever met you until today, I’ve only been able to see your future as it connects to Aodhan.”
Sierra gulped.
“I can look first without showing you, if you would like?” Fia offered.
