What in the world is going on?

  Nat was thoroughly confused at this point. He'd just been out in the gardens a few days ago, but now all the wrong things were in bloom — the various rows and planters were filled with falling-season flowers and full-grown fruits were hanging on various trees and shrubs. This was all out of season. Well, out of season for the season he remembered.

  Perhaps his memory was worse than he thought after the last episode. He'd missed entire weeks due to memory loss before. Was he missing months now?

  Well, if nothing else it's empty for once! The gardens weren't exactly a hot spot most days, but one person sitting quietly ten meters away would still almost ruin his ability to concentrate. It wasn't a major cause for celebration but the relief he felt was significant.

  I should get a book to read, he thought. After lunch, for sure, and with that he set off to browse the flower beds and look for a good place to sit and get in some quality bird watching. Hummingbirds were his favorite, and the myriad selection of flowers in the conservatory and gardens ensured there was always a small swarm of them chirping insistently at one another. They were adorable, territorial little jerks.

  There were a fair number of butterflies and other insects fluttering around the flowers — all late-season varieties, which dulled his elatement somewhat as his concern over memory loss increased. There were also a number of small birds hopping about in the shade of the bushes — searching for seeds, worms, or insects mostly; others were enjoying a nice dust bath and Nat took a few moments to appreciate how enthusiastically they took to dirt and sand. Over in the shade by the conservatory wall an agitated flickwing flitted back and forth near a reed chair. The flickwing wasn't a problem, they were easy enough to shoo away as they avoided things much larger than themselves.

  Nat made his way over to the chair which had a large blanket piled in a heap on it. It was bad form not returning loaner blankets to the laundry, but Nat supposed it would be good shade if the sun came out from behind the expanse of gray clouds that stretched across the sky across the horizon.

  Nat pulled on the corner of the blanket, intending to move it out of the way, when it exclaimed — and he stumbled back, startled, as a lizard-like face covered in pearlescent white scaling popped out.

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  “Sorry! Sorry! Didn't see you there!” A pre-emptive wave of embarrassment was already rearing up in Nat's head.

  Bright blue eyes were revealed as twin eyelids receded, an outer opaque lid first, then the translucent inner lid a moment later.

  “Oh, a nictating membrane! Neat!” Nat's embarrassed apology was cut short as curiosity and wonder combined forces to grab the wheel that steered his attention.

  The second wave of embarrassment washed over Nat as he realized he'd said that out loud.

  The eyes stared at him — at least he thought they did — as they lacked any visible iris. He wasn't bothered by the apparent stare though — it gave him an opportunity to inspect the gem-like facets, a complex multi-hue interior structure and, oh Nat was staring, wasn't he?

  “Nat! Hello!” What looked like a gecko jumped nimbly off the chair, and stood up, only coming up to just above Nat's waist at full standing height.

  Okay, hang on. Did he know any white gecko… Brin? Ber'Duun? Nat thought he would remember that for sure, but well, his memory being what it was, he just assumed he'd forgotten and tried to play it off — like he always did.

  “Um, Hi! How… are you?” Okay that could have sounded more convincing, he admitted to himself.

  “What a pleasure to see you up and around!” Their hands came together in loose fists in front, shaken twice — excitement.

  Oh, no. This was going to be one of those. He dreaded these conversations where nobody introduced themselves or gave context. They almost always went off the rails quickly.

  “Yes. I've… been up for a few hours now. I just thought I'd wait for lunch in the gardens.” Nat congratulated himself on the quick and proper response.

  “Well, to be honest, I'm surprised anyone's let you out of sight. Any significant after-effects? Visual intrusions, balance issues?”

  “Uh, no… I'm fine, it's just a normal episode. Nothing to bother anyone over.” How did they know about the episode? Had someone checked on him earlier and left? Maybe he'd left while they were getting someone?

  “Well, I think normal might be stretching things a bit, but it's a good sign that you're up and about so quickly.” A circled finger. Was that doubt? Uncommon signs would blend together in Nat's head sometimes.

  Nat had no idea what to say to that. He just nodded instead, hoping they'd continue. Luckily, they did.

  “Well this is just marvelous! I thought was sure we wouldn't meet before I had to leave later today — I should already be… oh no, what time is it?”

  “Just before eleven. Opapa will be tolling momentarily.”

  “Oh no! I've missed my session with Tanner!” Hands to side of head — concern / distress.

  “I just saw him a minute ago, he's in the conservatory talking to an orderly.” Nat gave the double push for direction and indicated the door to the conservatory.

  The gecko-form inclined an eyebrow at the gesture, and responded quickly, “Wait here just a moment! Please sit down. I'll be right back!” they indicated the chair, and then darted off towards the conservatory door.