what are you doing tonight?» he asked gloomily as I landed at my table by Roman.
«Meditation,» I breathed it out and looked at Roman the way the girls did, giving a man the right to correct them in case…
However, Roman was watching Saturn at XII and me with interest, clearly not intending to interfere.
«Would you like to meditate with me?» the Master of the swamp hellcats did not give up.
«In the swamp?» flashed through my head.
«Don’t you like swamps?» I heard Roman’s voice in my mind.
«It depends on whose swamp and with whom to meditate,» I answered Roman, catching and immediately cutting myself off at the thought that…
«Sorry, I meditate alone only.»
Probably, Saturn would never have left Roman and me alone, if not for a flock of hellcats who flew up to the hero of the party for an autograph, while dreaming of moving to his swamps for a permanent residence.
«Were you able to forgive everyone?» Roman asked, bringing me back to yesterday’s task.
I knew exactly who he meant from the swamp in which we had met, however, since I had no desire to discuss my Past with Roman, I avoided answering.
«Are we talking about me now?»
For a moment, I even thought, «Why? Why don’t I want to chat with Roman about the Past, that he already knows, in part, being a witness to it? Maybe because the Past, that made us met, separated us as well, preventing me to approach him? Or because I suddenly, just for a moment, wished to see Roman in my Future? In the very one, which in 36 nights – or how many of them left? – doesn’t exist anymore!.. Stop all this nonsense!» I interrupted the flow of daring thoughts so as not to get lost in worthless fantasies.
«Didn’t you say yesterday,» Roman suddenly put his arm around my shoulder, pulling me to him and moving to a whisper, «that every person is Teacher and Student at the same time? In some way, you are certainly Master for me, but in some way, perhaps, my Student as well. No?»
The electric light came back as suddenly as it had gone away.
I pulled away from Roman abruptly.
The Guardian appeared from behind the black curtain and blew out the antique lantern, however, the candles on the guests’ tables kept burning for a long time.
«The next task is one of the easiest.»
Task No. 4. THANKSGIVING
…Remember at least 50 people who have influenced your destiny. They can be not only parents, but also writers, not only kind people, but those who offended you. The important is that thanks to these people some positive changes took place in you and / or your life.
Make a list of these people, and then mentally turn to everyone and thank, from the bottom of your heart, sincerely, even those who hurt you. They were sent to you from Above and exclusively for the good. However, sometimes it is possible to understand this only many years later. Or, how Sergey Yesenin wisely formulated, «You cannot see a face to face, you can see great things at a distance.»
The Guardian of the Portal approached me and defiantly rang the bell. The break was over. I went onto the stage and announced the Open Mic. The Cat materialized in Roman’s place.
***
«Why u not want I call u?»
«It’s night.»
«Want see u face. See u. No fly. Cancelled. I want u… Translation: I want to hug and kiss you everywhere… Want?»
«Stop, Pasha…»
«No! I want u! Many years u near I wanted… I saw u not can touch u. I like u much much much! U beautiful. But u distance! U not want?.. Yes or no?.. Tell me true! Tell u want so 2!»
«I am tired. I want to sleep.»
«I want 2 sleep with u! I want u much much much! Translation: I want you. Is it bad to say what you feel? Tell me what I’m wrong about?»
5. Укатанагон
Я влетела в Особняк за пять минут до вечера, но из-за метели все задерживались.
– Привет, – Страж, как и обычно, любезно освободил меня от запорошенных мехов и передал их вешалке. – Кого ты представишь публике сегодня? Загадочное название книги в афише – настоящая шарада: «Укатанагон». Или это просто «гон»? Очередной Болотный чёрт? Баба-Яга? Кощей?
– Не поверишь, когда скажу правду, – загадочно шепнула я, проходя в кофейню.
– Один из Радуги?! – отзеркаливая мой шёпот, предположил Страж и проследовал за мной, чтобы заварить нам кофе.
– Не, Радуга у нас ещё впереди! А здесь… как бы тебе сказать… В аннотации это типа мистическое фэнтези про варианты дальнейшего развития человечества, которым управляет Укатанагон с некоей Ма… Но по ходу чтения обнаруживаешь, что медведь занимается нестандартным кое-чем с лисой, а потом её убивает… Бык занимается ещё более нестандартным кое-чем с…
– С-стоп-стоп-стоп… Я понял! – засмеялся Страж, протягивая мне двойной эспрессо с молоком. – Понял, кто такой «Укатанагон»!
– Знаешь, мне кажется, даже сам автор не понял, кто такой Укатанагон, но это уже не важно.
Зал постепенно наводнялся гостями.
– Я
