Chapter 78 – Moments to Treasure
The resort's lapidary studio was a sanctuary of light and precision, tucked away in a wing where the stone walls were thick enough to dampen the mechanical scream of diamond saws. As Dan and Amber entered, the biting scent of the mountain was replaced by the industrial aroma of cooling oil and polished stone. Amber couldn't help but smile; her excitement spilled across her face as she looked around, her eyes wide with a child's sense of wonder.
The head artisan, a man with nimble fingers and a high-magnification loupe tucked into his apron pocket, met them at a wide, silk-covered table. "Good morning. How might I help you today?"
His eyes flicked to the soft white light on the frame of Dan's Ray-Ban Meta glasses. A flash of understanding dawned in his expression before Dan even spoke.
"Good morning. I'm Dan, and this is my wife, Amber. We've just finished a hike with Amchi Pema, and we'd like to discuss preserving our finds."
"Of course, Mr. and Mrs. Trace. Pema told me you found a significant piece of our history," the artisan said, bowing slightly.
Amber carefully set the black ammonite on the silk. "We'd like it cut in half," she explained, her voice humming with a scientist's zeal. "To be made into bookends. We want them to feel elegant, unique, and perhaps even a bit dramatically beautiful."
"Elegant," Dan echoed. He leaned down for a personal view of the stone while subtly adjusting the drone's flight path, transitioning from a top-down technical shot to a tight close-up of Amber's radiant expression. He smiled at the thought of the edit; he couldn't wait to watch her enjoy this process all over again.
The artisan pulled a tablet from the table and began to sketch with a stylus. The rendering appeared on a large monitor for the couple—and the 'Trace Fam'—to see. Dan leaned in toward the tablet and tapped the haptic sensor on his Solos. The internal dual-lens system whirred almost imperceptibly as it locked focus. On his heads-up display, the artisan's steady hands were rendered in razor-sharp 4K, capturing every microscopic etch of the stylus.
"We will slice the stone here," the artisan explained, drawing a clean line through the fossil's spiral. "The interior chambers often hold crystals; we will polish those to a mirror shine. For the base, we will use brushed Himalayan silver. To capture the 'blue' you desire, I suggest inlays of Lapis Lazuli along the outer sutures of the shell. It will look as if the ocean that once held this creature is still clinging to it."
Amber gasped as the rendering took shape. It was a perfect marriage of ancient biology and modern luxury. "Yes. That's exactly what I wanted. Please, use the Lapis. We've just come from the Mediterranean; it's a perfect marriage of materials to remind us of this journey around the world."
The artisan nodded, pleased. Dan leaned back against the table, his gaze lingering on Amber. "Now, about the flower. Pema gave Amber a 'retired' edelweiss. Can we discuss what can be done with it?"
The artisan presented three mock-ups. "Three options jump to mind. First, the Frozen Moment: a clear block of bio-resin that suspends the flower in time. Second, the Golden Relic: electroplated in 24k gold. And third, the Himalayan Amulet: a wearable pendant of silver and sapphire crystal."
Amber didn't hesitate. The scientist in her won out. "The resin. I want to see every woolly fiber, every cell, exactly as it is now. I want to study it forever." She paused, her thoughts turning toward home. "I want all of Carson City to be able to study it, too. This will be a beautiful addition to the Blue Serene art gallery. Your mother will be so excited, Dan."
"The resin it is," Dan said, giving the camera a thumbs-up. "My wife, always thinking of others first."
Amber rolled her eyes affectionately, her attention caught by a display of raw emeralds across the room. As she wandered off, Dan signaled the drone to follow her. He leaned toward the artisan, speaking in a low voice shielded from the microphones.
"I also want the amulet," Dan whispered. "The silver one. Can you engrave the inner rim? In script?"
The artisan leaned in. "Of course. What is the message?"
Dan's eyes softened as he watched Amber. "To Am, my rediscovered love."
The artisan's eyes crinkled. "A beautiful sentiment. It will be ready before you leave for the leopard hunt."
Dan nodded and headed over to Amber, tucking her arm into his. "You've got to be starving after that hike. Let's try one of the resort restaurants."
Amber smiled knowingly. "You mean you're starved."
Dan kissed her forehead. "That's what I said, love. You are starved, so we are starved."
They walked to The Living Stone, the resort's signature restaurant. Amber's eyes went wide as they crossed the threshold. The back and right walls were the mountain itself; glacial waters wept from the granite, trickling into a small channel that divided the room into thirds. The percussive tinkling of water on stone filled the air, and light bounced off embedded crystals, making the entire scene feel like a cathedral carved by the earth.
They were led to a table carved from a single slab of petrified wood. Amber sat in reverence, her eyes dazzling as she took in the combination of modern luxury and raw Himalayan nature. They ordered the day's specials: steamed yak momos and a vibrant, forest-green nettle soup.
"This soup is incredibly silky," Amber noted, savoring the spinach-like richness.
"It is," Dan agreed. "I was a bit worried the green color wouldn't have a great mouth-feel, but I was wrong."
"I'm excited for the momos," Amber said. "I've never had yak before. Since it's grass-fed, I'm expecting a treat."
"I'm looking forward to the truffles," Dan added.
Amber looked up, swallowing a spoonful of soup. "Himalayan truffles are mushrooms, Dan."
Dan shrugged with a grin. "Fungus is fungus. I love them all."
As they waited for dessert—yak milk yogurt with a sea buckthorn drizzle—they sipped on Ao Yun Chardonnay and the restaurant's special elixir. The sea buckthorn juice was a shocking orange, its tart, electric flavor balanced by Himalayan honey.
"This dessert is just as delicious as the drink," Dan said, spooning the yogurt into his mouth.
Amber giggled. "You truly love all things sour, don't you?"
Dan grinned sheepishly. Amber leaned back, watching him eat, feeling a quiet sense of peace. She was feeling remarkably good about her marriage. Perhaps they truly could weather the storm. She found herself truly hoping they could.