All That Glitters Ch. 29

Fayad smiled and pointed to Junelliea's Cat. "Juneya," he said clearly. Juneya didn't hesitate. She was on Junelliea's head in an instant, raising herself up proudly. The other three Cats bowed to the dominant Cat in the room, Michael from Murhaya's shoulder.

"By the Gods," Silliya murmured. "I have never seen Cats accept their naming so quickly. Usually it takes weeks to do so, yet you only bonded last night?"

Before anyone could answer, Juneya jumped from Junelliea's head and leaping up as high as she could, doing complicated circles in the air and landing back on Junelliea's shoulders. Her pod mates and Michael followed suit, surprising and delighting their bond mates and friends as they landed back on their shoulders.

Murhaya reached into a leather pouch at her left waist and pulled out four cat treats, three of which she gave to the others. Junelliea looked at the pouch and gave Fiona a significant look of her own.

"Pol-Mar," she said with a bright smile, that brought equally bright smiles from the others.

"Sorry?" Murhaya asked.

"The name comes from another planet," Fiona told her. "It refers to a leather pouch which carries the devices of one's work. The pouch also carries the seal of the trade of the wearer, identifying the wearer's trade.

"Your pouch has you name emblazoned on it, plus images of Cats. It identifies you as what you are, which made Junelliea see and report the reference to us. I agree with her, this is your Pol-Mar and it is very distinctive," Fiona finished.

Murhaya smiled at the reference. "I shall remember the name of this tool then," she stated to Fiona.

"These treats are meat-based, from animals native to this planet," she told the Trine. "They are dry meat treats rolled into a ball and will keep for over a year. Freeze them, and you can keep them for up to three years."

She showed the treat to Michael, who eagerly stood up on his hind legs on her shoulders, forepaws stretched forward. She placed the treat on her thumb and flicked it high into the air, back over her head away from the Trine and then told Michael mentally, and verbally "Go!"

Michael leapt as high as he could from her shoulder, turning to catch the treat in mid air as it fell back. He took it in his mouth and glided back onto Murhaya's shoulder where he began to eat the treat ravenously.

"Now, one at a time, starting with Junelliea, flick your treat into the air and tell your Cat to go both mentally and verbally. Always make sure that Junelliea's Cat goes first or she will take the treat of the other Cats as she is the dominant Cat of this pod. That could cause a squabble that you really don't need," she advised them.

Junelliea turned her head to look at Juneya, then showed her the treat, asking her if she wanted a treat? Juneya shifted on her shoulder, showing her excitement. Junelliea flicked the treat as high as she could, waited a moment, then told Juneya to go verbally and emphatically.

The Cat dropped momentarily on all fours then leapt high into the air to catch the falling treat. As Michael had, she took the treat in her mouth and circled to land gently on Junelliea's shoulder, ravenously tearing into the treat.

Junelliea reached up and gently stroked her finger over Juneya's head, bringing a gasp from Murhaya, who was looking very surprised as nothing was happening. All the empaths suddenly felt a wave of contentment overwhelm them, realizing it was coming from Juneya.

"I should have advised you before," Murhaya stated quietly. "Cats don't like to be disturbed while they eat. That Junelliea is able to caress Juneya is an oddity that you two should not test," she advised Hanalei and Fayad, getting nods from them.

"Fayad next, as Fayea is your pod's alpha male," she said.

Fayad showed the treat to Fayea and asked him is he wanted it. Fayea showed his interest, so Fayad flicked it high into the air. He told his Cat to 'Go' pushing the thought with his mind as well.

As the other two had, the Cat dropped on all fours then leapt as high into the air as it could, catching the treat as it fell back down. He landed a moment later on Fayad's shoulder and began to eat as the other's had. Fayad smiled at him and tried to radiate his pleasure at his Cat. Who suddenly stopped eating and looked at him. The Cat rubbed Fayad's ear with his head and went back to eating, bringing a giggle from Junelliea.

"He's thanking you for the treat, Fayad," Junelliea told him. Fayad smiled his contentment, which suddenly brought a rumbling noise from his Cat, surprising Fayad.

"Yes," Murhaya said. "They do purr, or something similar to a purr. They do it only when they are content. While Junelliea is the more powerful empath in this room, your bond with Fayea is strong, Fayad. Congratulations."

That brought a burst of pride from Fayad, that Fayea responded to, giving him another ear rub when he finished his treat.

Hanalei then showed Hanaya her treat and asked if she wanted it. Her Cat responded much like the others and she flicked it into the air to find her Cat launching after it when she shouted 'Go'. The Cat landed not long afterward and began eating the treat, Hanalei broadcasting her pleasure and amusement of her Cat's response. Hanaya finished her treat, then looked at Hanalei for a moment, before dipping her head and rubbing Hanalei's ear, bring a burst of pride and giggling delight from Hanalei.

"You said we had to do this in order, but you let Michael go first," Fayad said. "Why did Juneya not intercede?"

"While Junelliea is the dominant empath in this room, I am no slouch myself, which is why I am what I am," Murhaya informed them. "I had confidence that the confusion of dominance factors would keep Juneya on Junelliea's shoulder, especially if Junelliea had a treat in her hand.

"The members of your pod, however, are definitely under the dominance of Juneya, they would have had their treats stollen and it might have caused some resentment. Best that you follow protocol if you want peace in your pod," she advised them.

"Michael is the exception in this instance as I am a strong empath, he is also a much older Cat, and is not part of your pod.

"I am not Michael's first bond, my mother was. I had just entered my Crush with my best friend Silliya, when I received word that mom had been killed in an accident. Because I was so distraught, Silliya rushed home with me.

"Silliya was the person who came to understand that Michael was pining for mom. She feared he would die if something was not done. Helping Michael also helped me with my grief. We saved each other and Michael bonded with me. That incident put me on the path to what I am now, the Cat expert," she said with a sigh.

"You mean the crazy cat woman," Silliya quipped, giving her friend a smile at an obvious inside joke.

"Having said that," Murhaya resumed, "now that your Cats are responding to you individually, Juneya will not be as tolerant of other Cats. Michael and I will have to be careful in future visits.

"I would make one other point of advice," Murhaya spoke looking at each of them in turn. "Do not attempt to feed them in this manner with more than one strange Cat around, especially if they are part of a pod. Pods will fight other pods at their intrusion in their families range. For now, you, each of you, is the range of your Cat and your Trine is the range of your pod.

"That allows many Cats to be in the same immediate area as they are bonded to their empaths who form their range. Best you not tempt other pods by flinging your pet's treats into the air in a public space. A Cat war is not pleasant to be part of, nor are they easy to stop," she advised.

"Can we feed them by hand?" Hanalei asked.

"Yes," Murhaya explained. "You can hold your treat in your hand and they will scamper down your arm to take it. That will allow you to give treats to your pod in public without risking a Cat war."

"They will stay with us in a crowd?" Junelliea asked.

"Crowds tend to intimidate Cats, who will stay with their bond mates for comfort and protection. As long as you do nothing to upset other pods, you will be good.

"Your animals are all young, they had to be as they were not bonded to other empaths. They were probably unbonded members of a family pod that were attracted to Junelliea, they bonded almost immediately with her and you two. Your Cats are barely adults, Juneya being the oldest and thus the dominant Cat.

"Instant bonding only occurs when an empath is very strong. That they bonded to your Trine mates says something of your power, Junelliea," she finished.

Heyya smiled and came to stand behind Junelliea, touching her shoulder. The members of the congress came together and touched Junelliea or the Trine, who were sitting together hip-to-hip on the small couch.

Heyya mentally sent a subtle signal to Junelliea who smiled and took in the power of the group, centering herself and then broadcast her power, sending a message of love and calm.

Her power bloomed in the room and extended far beyond but the immediate impact on Murhaya was staggering.

For the first time, Murhaya actually got an idea of the true strength of the power that Junelliea wielded. She was strong but Junelliea was in a league far above her!

Once again, the Trine's Cats came up on the heads of their Trine and fluffed out like mini-cobras standing on the heads of their bond mates, Junelliea and Juneya in the center of the group. The three Cats let out a keening sound that Murhaya had only heard a few times before, usually after a Cat fight when the winners displayed their strength over those they had defeated.

Michael hid behind her head at the display of raw power and dominance from the humans and the pod. Both Michael and Murhaya were frightened by the sheer strength of power they were experiencing, when the comms unit suddenly sounded.

The moment was broken, the power faded, and Katanya answered the unit.

"Yes?"

A 3D image of the desk clerk showed in the comms unit.

"We have received a complaint about the overuse of power from a congress that appears to be emitting from your room?" the clerk began.

"So sorry," Katanya replied. "We hadn't realized we had broadcast that far. We are still in training."

"I see. Please refrain from doing further training in the hotel's rooms. There are safe rooms available that will allow you to train without disturbing the other guests, especially when there are so many of you in your personal Congress," he said.

"We are only six," Katanya blurted out before she could stop herself then winced when she realized her blunder.

"What do you mean only six?" the clerk demanded. "You are on the thirtieth floor. I felt that all the way down here and it was very strong."

Katanya sighed and stepped aside, showing the room to the clerk, who counted the bodies. She stepped back into view.

"Not all of us are empaths and Murhaya is not part of this Congress," Katanya advised. "You may have heard that a new strong empath is at this Grand Congress?" Katanya asked, getting a nod from the clerk. "What you felt was the new empath extending her power. We hadn't realized it had gone so far.

"I ask your discretion in this matter, please. It will be difficult enough when the new empath is presented later today. Say nothing of this incident. We will remember to train in safe rooms from now on," Katanya informed him.

"Very well, I will not say anything. But I wish to meet this empath if it is at all possible," the clerk intoned.

"You already have," Katanya told him with a smile. "She was with us when we booked in yesterday." Katanya waved and cut the link, leaving the fading face of a perplexed looking clerk.

"Sorry, my mouth got away from me before I could stop it," she meekly told the room.

"Time to head down anyway," Heyya stated. "Murhaya?"

"Are you kidding me? I wouldn't miss this for the world!" Murhaya smiled as she rose. They filed out of the room and headed for the Grand Ballroom, where the Grand Congress of Empaths was congregating.

The Grand Council of Empaths Day 1, Samaya Hotel, Scherm's City, Hollander's World, Sullivan System

The group made it down to the grand ballroom where minor chaos was involved. Hundreds of people were congregating in the room greeting old friends. Children ran everywhere underfoot, excited Cats flittering around hoping from one child's shoulder or head to another before going back to their bond mates. The Cats seemed to be having as much fun as the children, adding to the moving chaos.

The non-empaths in the group were surprised to see so many children in an adult oriented affair and mentioned that to Heyya, who laughed.

"It is not as ADULT as you think it is," she smiled. "This is the first day of the Grand Congress. It is the day that new empaths are presented, so it is very much a family affair. New empaths are presented at Grand Congresses every year. But it is a treat to have your child presented at the Grand Congress of Empaths. You will be presented much later this afternoon, not because you are older, but because you are so much more powerful.

"We want those who are joining the ranks of empaths to feel important. The younger, lesser empaths will be introduced first. Then the stronger empaths. You WILL be the last to be presented. So be ready for a long day," she finished with a smile.

Junelliea thought about it for a moment and realized that this way was eminently more sensible. The lesser powers will get a moment in the sunshine and feel as if they are part of the greater whole.

The Grand Congress of Empaths was called to order, and the Secretary read out the minutes of the last congress, which took awhile. The Councillors were seated all in a line in front of a raised chair, the likely leader of this Congress. There were a dozen Councillors, including the Chair, and the Emcee. Finally New Business was called.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce Madame Chair, Councillor Petronellaya," the Emcee of the event called out to applause from the attendees. She then swiftly named the Councillors who sat below the Chair who rose and bowed as their names were called and finally named herself.

"Madame Chair, I would like to present the first of those requesting membership in the Council of Empaths," she stated and called out the name of a pretty little girl of perhaps eleven years. The girl obviously was wearing her best dress as she stepped forward a little timidly, her family forming a lose line of support behind her.

The Emcee asked the girl to manifest her powers. A look of determination came across the girls face as she broadcast her power. Junelliea felt a little something and looked curiously at Heyya, who just raised a finger for her to wait.

She saw that the Councillors discussing things and then turned to the chair. Madame Councillor stood and smiled at the little girl.

"Our Councillors assess a one, a two, and a two. Congratulations you are accepted as an Ordinary Member of the Council of Empaths and are permitted to add YA to the end of you name," she said with a motherly smile.

The girl jumped into the air and whooped, then turned and ran into the arms of a woman behind her, likely her mother, while the members of the Congress cheered and clapped. Junelliea could sense the pride in the entire Congress for this new member.

"An invitation to join a Crush will be sent to your home in a few days time," the Emcee pronounced as she approached the family, presenting a medallion to the family, who thanked her and returned to their seats.

"The medallion with the Council of Empath's crest on it is giving to all new empaths accepted by the Council. A number is stamped on the rear, this is our personal Council number and is unique to every empath," Heyya explained, showing her guests her own medallion.

The medallion had the symbol of empaths emblazoned over the official colours of the Hollander's World. On the rear, was Heyya's official number above which, as an obvious afterthought, was stamped her name. A magnet held it in place.

"You have to get at least two ones to be accepted as an Ordinary Member," Heyya told the Trine and her guests. "That doesn't mean that they will stay at that level as they can progress with training, especially if they manifest one or more twos. However, it does means they are recognized and registered as an empath by the Council of Empaths. It also means the new Council member must abide by the rules of the Council for the rest of their lives."

This event was repeated many times during the morning, the obvious pride in the group never flagging as the new Ordinary Members were accepted until the lunch break.

During lunch, Murhaya brought three identical small leather pouches filled with cat treats for the Trine. She personally hung each pouch around the shoulder of each of the Trine giving a hug as she did so.

Fiona snuck off and had prints made of her in uniform from an image on her comp. She took them back to her seat and signed one for Murhaya. Fiona saw a little girl, wearing the medallion of the Council, looking at her over the back of her chair. She remembered her as one of the new empaths. Fiona smiled at the girl, getting a shy smile in return. She quickly signed another print and gave it to the girl, putting her finger to her mouth in the signal for discretion. The little girl nodded her head and slipped the image into her pouch after quickly looking around. She gave Fiona another shy smile and a wink, then turned and sat in her chair as people began to file back in for the afternoon session.

Fiona reached over and gave Murhaya her print and a hug, thanking her for earlier her help and discretion. The overexcited Murhaya was about to shout out when Fiona put her finger to her mouth, asking for discretion. Murhaya noted a little girl looking at her over the seat she was sitting on, shushing her with a finger to her mouth and giving her a broad wink, before sitting back down.

Fiona smiled at the interplay, as she watched a confused Murhaya slip the print into a business folder. Still, it was obvious that Murhaya was extremely excited to get the print.

Things began to changed after lunch. There was much anticipation as the Congress took its seats. A young man not much older than the first girl of the morning, marched up the aisle and stood proudly in front of the Council. His family filtered in behind him.

The young man was requested to broadcast his power and did so. Junelliea felt the power emanating from him. He was strong but she recognized that he lacked control. The Councillors deliberated and gave their decision to the Chair.

"You have manifested a three, a three, and a four. However, we note that you lack some control. Train hard and you will swiftly rise in the ranks. Congratulations, 'Member' of the Council of Empaths," the Chair intoned.

The young man bowed and turned to his family who enveloped him in a group hug, while the Congress roared its approval for this Grand Congress' first new Full Member to the Council of Empaths.

"Those who manifest two threes in their basic profile will automatically receive an invitation to a Crush, as they will advance with training," Heyya informed the Trine.

More and more people came forward with real power, until one person manifested a six in his assessment. That ended the new candidates for membership.

Next came those who were candidates for advancement from Member to Grand Master. Several of the people manifested strong and even very strong power levels. No one failed to advance to Grand Master.

The Emcee asked if there were any further applicants, when Heyya stood up, but did not advance. A man ran up the aisle with a portable mic for her.

"The Chair recognizes Dr. Heyya. Congratulations on achieving you medical degree Heyya," the Chair proclaimed to much applause.