Thursday, July 7, 2011

TIAN

"I've warned you, Tian, about getting too near to those humans in your explorations of this world", thought Zian. "You are only 116 years old, and you shouldn't be wandering around on your own."

"But, Great Mother," thought Tian, "how else am I to learn about this world before the time comes for me to rule?"

"Do not communicate to me in that color, Tian. Show some respect. You were the first of your siblings conceived on this world, but that doesn't entitle you to disregard common courtesy."

"I'm sorry, Mother. I promise that I wasn't seen by those humans. Besides, they aren't as intelligent as we are. I've heard their thoughts. They think that we are a myth!"

"All the same, my daughter, we must not be discovered by the humans. We are not ready to inherit this world. Fortunately, our life expectancy is much longer than theirs, and we have time to wait.

"Now that the mercury level is rising, we are regaining our strength. And our effort to raise global temperatures is coming along nicely. More of our young are being born each year.

"But, at the same time, there have been disturbing rumors that some of the younger children in the outlying areas are beginning to show characteristics of some of the intelligent beings of this world. They've even been heard communicating in those odd whistling noises and squeeks. Of course, they communicate by thought, as do we all, but this audible language that the youngest are using is not understandable by the Originals. I don't know if this is cause for concern, or simply a natural evolution hastened by the alien nature of the water on this world."

Tian was the first of her generation to be born on the new world. More than two hundred years had passed between the Arrival and her birth. She comes from a race of intelligent and somewhat peaceful beings who were forced to abandon their home world. Their planet was on the brink of colliding with their sun. Fortunately, after years of scanning the universe, their most powerful searchers sensed our planet. Earth was the only planet within travelling distance that had enough water and the elements they needed to ensure their survival. Two hundred and twenty of the Originals boarded the only star ship that they'd had time to create. Ninety five of those perished in the 607-year journey.

Now, over three hundred years after their arrival, their numbers have increased to nearly 10,000. Not many beings by our standards, but with their long lives (approximately 1250 years), time is on their side. Besides, they estimate that they only need to wait for another 150 to 200 years before all the humans on this planet have destroyed each other.
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Tian is my mixed media OOAK Art doll, sculpted from paper mache and paper clay over a wire armature.
 
 
Her fins and tail are made from paper. Her hair resembles seaweed, and little fish tend to swim through it.
 
She is 14" from tip of tail to the top of her head. She holds a sea shell in her right "hand".
 
She likes to adorn herself with different sea animals, shells and items that she finds in her explorations. Today she wears a "sea star" around her neck. She is attached to her base with a painted brass rod.

 
Thank you for dropping by, and I hope you have enjoyed reading my story about Tian and her kind.
Maggie

8 comments:

maddyrose said...

Maggie, I can not believe how lovely Tian is. I've been trying for weeks to picture her in my mind but never came close. There is such a lithness and fluidity about her that fits with her being a creature of the sea. I am in awe of your talent. Not only can you sculpt but your story of her and her people is pretty terrific too. WOW! xoxo

maddyrose said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lee Pierce said...

How wonderful this piece is, Maggie! She is loaded with lovely detail and has such a sweet and delicate face. Wonderful story, too.
Great work!

angelself said...

She is so precious, Maggie...and the story is fascinating! Thank you for sharing the fantasy =) Kathryn

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

The story the mermaid Tian are both fabulous. Whimsy, fantasy and wonder.....yep ya got em all in this beauty. Oma Linda

Sharon M. said...

Maggie your mermaid is WONDERFUL...LOVELY...She looks just like a mermaid ought to look. Your talent is truly amazing. I popped over to ask you when you were going to get her completed and WOW, I wasn't even prepared for what you have brought to life. I love her.
One question...what kind of ship did they travel on? Are there Mermen in this tribe/clan? It would be amazing to include your story in a little keep sake booklet with your beautiful lady. (I'm an avid romance reader and reading the story made her pop right out of my screen!)
Amazing!!!

Anonymous said...

Oh Maggie, I am so behind on everything this week, particularly reading my lovely blogs. I am so grateful that I backtracked and did not miss this treasure of a post! Now I must ask...did you create this mythical persona or is this actually something I have missed in my research over the years?

She is so beautiful and intriguing. Your family struck gold in the creative arts!

Maggie said...

Thank you all. Yes, Mina and anyone who may have been wondering, the story of Tian and her people was also created by me.
Maggie