Enanika: Visionary Fiction—Shifting Orbits

In Chapters 2 and 3 of Enanika, we move further into Anu’s world. Something is shifting — the theatrical callboy appears more often than chance would allow. As Anu prepares for her journey, the threads of a larger unfolding begin to unravel.

Chapter 2: Shifting Orbits

As Anu was about to make her way home, she thought she saw the callboy at the far end of the market. He was a distinctive figure in a red, old-fashioned theatrical coat and a feathered hat tilted slightly—playful but precise. A sash was draped across his shoulder, patterned with the shifting glyphs of destination points. She had seen him a few times lately, each sighting sooner than the last. That meant the time was fast approaching. There were many callboys, callgirls, and call-creatures, but the one for Earth was the theatrical callboy.

The homeward path was lined with trees whose leaves shimmered with inner light. Anu’s home was built of wood and stone, and, like most others, merged seamlessly with the landscape. Inside, the furnishings were made of a nano-material that changed form as needed. A table, chairs, and bed would materialise when required, then dissolve back into the wall when not.

Anu put her vegetables into a bowl, which cooked them instantly, each to its own unique requirements. She sat in her soft mauve chair, eating her meal, gazing out the window, and mentally preparing for her upcoming trip to Earth.

Even though it was her choice—and her excitement—to go, it wasn’t an easy adventure. Just to be offered the opportunity, she had to prove she was capable. Had the elders deemed the mission too detrimental to her, they would have suggested a different destination—an “easier”, more evolved planet—or extended her training.

Her preparation for Earth had spanned many years—in both Nanik and human time. Enanika moved more slowly through its orbit, taking 454 days to circle its sun compared to Earth’s 365-day journey. Although Anu had already completed several supervised visits to Earth, this would be her first time travelling alone.

Chapter 3: When Callers Come

The first light of Enanika rose with soft invitation—peach-gold, like the underside of a seashell. It filtered through the high windows of Anu’s wooden home, casting a yellow radiance over the stone floor. Outside, the birds had begun their morning songs. Their notes were clear and melodic, blending with the low, resonant hum of other animals—some of whom didn’t use voices at all but sang through frequency and field. Together, it made a melody threaded with joy.

This harmony echoed in the telepathic landscape of Enanika. Though every Nanik was telepathic, it didn’t mean they were constantly receiving the thoughts of everyone else. That would be overwhelming. If every morning began with millions of voices in your head, life would quickly grind to a halt.

Telepathy on Enanika moved by relevance—a principle deeply woven into the fabric of their culture. You could tune into anyone. But usually, that wasn’t necessary. When something was relevant, the connection happened naturally—like stepping into a conversation at exactly the right moment. Thoughts transferred only when needed. It made the world feel peaceful, intelligent, and synchronistic.

Not all Naniks woke at dawn. Some didn’t sleep, which meant there was no waking up, although they were the most awake of all. Like the majority of Contact Callers, Anu ate and slept—and, on that note, also used the toilet. Each morning, the nano-tech toilet slid out of the wall with a courteous shimmer, handled its business with efficiency, and then disappeared without so much as a flush.

Anu’s shower, which looked and felt like a warm waterfall, was set into the private outside wall of her home. The water flowed in soft rivulets over her skin, inviting and enlivening. Like humans, Naniks were made of around 70% water, and the shower was a way of reconnecting and brightening the physical structure of the Nanik’s body. The quasi-physical bodies of the Naniks who didn’t eat or sleep were self-cleansing.

It was always warm enough to bathe outdoors on Enanika. Earth’s dramatic seasons come from its axial tilt of 23.5 degrees, which shifts sunlight unevenly across the planet throughout the year. But Enanika had no such tilt. With no seasonal extremes, the climate remained gentle and stable—a pleasant year-round temperature of 23 °C. There was no need to check the weather. It was always just right.

Wrapped in her towel-like robe, Anu paused after her shower, letting the warmth of the morning light settle on her skin. As she finished dressing, a soft knock echoed through the wall. She didn’t need to wonder who it was. The callboy was calling.