“Rara Avis” from “Remembering Eternity”

“From the first, it was obvious that they would not interact as males and females typically did.  With her there was no formality, only an easy being-together straightaway.  Other people seemed to lurk back somewhere inside their faces, to be removed at least one step from Skylar’s being, but Ilona shone right there, directly in front of him, unmistakable for who and what she was.  Others were in costume—only rarely did one meet the actress without her makeup, elegant gown and shawl tossed aside, so that one could see the blemish by her nose, the perspiration on her brow, and the run in her stocking.  Ilona strode boldly into the world unclad.  She may have worn a skirt and blouse—contrary to her natural preference for feeling the elements against her sense-acute body—but she still traipsed the living earth in spiritual nakedness.”