States of Change is an ongoing work of serial fiction.
The speculative story-line seeks to inspire thought on ethics, culture and our planet's future.
The year is 2076, decades after Oosa's defederalization.
Fifty independent States have forged unique societies from
revolutionary technology and ideology
All Sandeep can hear is the muffled whine of the thorium powered snow-wolf. He hugs Silvia's midsection as she navigates toward the distant maw of the Tetons. Bison by the score wander scattered across the expansive snowscape filigreed with frosted pines. The setting sunlight sparkles as the snow-wolf jets through sporadic fumarole fog.
And it is fucking cold! thinks Sandeep.
His air-gel thermals and heated seat take the edge off the chill, but each breath reminds him it is fifteen below all around him. Add to that his dread at the upcoming night together at the Faithful Lodge. The tenth anniversary of his romantic binding to Silvia ought to be joyful. Yet the thought of recent silences between them consumes him.
A soft chime resonates in Sandeep's ear, coming through his visAR.
"Status Check, Sandeep. Your physiological markers indicate high emotional distress overlaid with anticipation. Your thoughts seem to be prioritizing the emotional 'cost' of your anniversary over its 'value.' Care to articulate the source of this inner dissonance?"
Sandeep subtly taps the base of his helmet twice—the code for a private channel reply. "It's the silence, Zen. It feels like we're just two people sharing expenses to stay stave off the chill of aging alone. This winter adventure was supposed to rekindle a youthful fire, but why am I just feeling empty dread?"
"Dread can be a response to an expected negative outcome. Consider the data: Do the silent moments have the potential to build a contented tranquility, or are they becoming voids where difficult conversations are being avoided? As a level three counseling construct I'm required to highlight non-confrontational real-time therapy can itself lead to overly high expectations in the human relationships."
"Ironic, I know. I just feel safer sharing my inner thoughts with you. Still, I'll give it some thought. I just wish things were naturally at ease between Silvia and I."
The lodge comes into view through the thin fog—a hulking timber structure glowing warmly against the twilight. Silvia slows the snow-wolf, bringing them gently up to the covered porch. As she cuts the engine, the sudden quiet seems to amplify the void within Sandeep.
Silvia turns and gives him a smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes. "We made it, Sandy. Ten hours of adventure, ten years of togetherness."
"Yeah. Ten years," he echoes, the phrase feeling less like a celebration and more like a sentence.
Inside, the fire is roaring. As they sit across from each other at the heavy wood table in the bar, Silvia starts talking about retrofitting the hydro-filtration system at their urban flat—all projects, maintenance, and logistics.
"Observation: Silvia is engaging in 'Task Talk'—a strategy to avoid emotional intimacy. This pattern aligns with your previous reports of emotional compartmentalization. Question: Does this behavior meet your core need for connection?"
Sandeep watches the fire dance in her eyes, eyes that no longer seem to hold a the spark of reckless adventure. He realizes the silences were only empty because he wasn't taking the initiative to shift them elsewhere.
He sets down his cider mug. "Silvia," he starts, his voice steady.
She stopped mid-sentence. "Yes?"
"We need to talk less about home maintenance and more about our connection." he gestures with a hand wave between them. "I had a chat with Zen while we were riding today."
"Damn, are you going to let IT dominate our partnership. I've said it before...if a relationship can't make it without cloud therapy, then perhaps it shouldn't make it at all."
"And for once I agree with you, well except Zen is a good soundboard for me. In fact, because of that chat, I realize I need to ditch the real-time therapy so I can be more present when we're together."
Silvia’s guarded look cracks, and she laughs out loud. "That is too funny, so are you saying you're going to break up with your buddy Zen?"
The Zen construct transmits "Is that what you're saying, Sandeep. Are we breaking up?"
Sandeep rolls his eyes and taps his visAR to let Silvia know Zen was listening in.
"In a nutshell, yes. I'm going to revert to thirty minute sessions with Zen once a week, if you will join me in them, so we can build our relationship stronger."
Silvia tilts her head. "Well I think I can live with that. anything to get that ghost out of your head all the time. How about we play a game, Sandy. A little fireside Go, perhaps."
"Yeah, sure."
Zen whispers to Sandeep, "Your line of action surprises me, but I actually think it'll be good for you both shifting to intermittent joint sessions. I see you both have next Friday at 7pm open. Will that be suitable."
"Zen wants to know if 7pm next Friday works?"
"Yes Zen it works...now goodnight and let us humans wallow in our imperfection for a bit."
Silvia rolls out the Go board and the stones clatter across the table, a few falling to the floor.
"Ten years and I'm still such a klutz at times," laughs Silvia.
Sandeep joins in the laughter reaching down to pick up the pieces.
