All That Glitters Ch. 36

"While I know that you are here for official reasons, there is also a very unofficial ceremony that you will be partaking in," Fiona said, as she turned over the Kumar-Pair to Junelliya and family.

"My Godparents, I would like to introduce you to my extended family, if I may?" she asked, getting a nod from the Kumaraie.

She quickly introduced the Kumar-Pair to three very nervous sets of parents and finally to her mate Hanalei, whom the Kumar-Pair had never met in person.

"It is a delight to finally meet the famous mate of Junelliya and Fayad," the Kumaroe spoke for the pair. "And these two little ones are the stars of the day."

Hanalei smiled as she introduced Ikekia to the pair.

"Ug!" Ikekia said, holding her arms out, shocking her parents.

"Oh my! Ikekia said her first word," Hanalei smiled, the child still holding her hands out, working her fingers to entice the two people in front of her.

"I'm sorry, Junelliya, however, the translator seems to have missed the word spoken by Dosri?" a slightly confused Kumaraie stated, using the Pod-Drran name for the child.

"That is because the word is only partially formed, Kumaraie," Junelliya informed her. "What Ikekia said was 'hug' as in, she wants a hug from you."

"Though they are known to recognize words this early, human children usually do not speak their first words until around six months. Dosri is only a little over three months old, that is early to be saying understandable words, even if they are not fully formed or distinctive," Hanalei explained.

"Well, then, this one is a smart little female," the Kumaraie said, reaching out to the child, who leaned towards the extended arms. Ikekia cuddled in close to the Kumaraie and then gave out an 'rrrrrr' sound, getting a confused look from the Kumaraie.

Junelliya smiled at the antics of the child. "She is trying to purr for you, as the Chlaerge do when they are happy," she explained, getting a smile from the Kumaraie.

The Kumaroe looked over his mate's shoulder at Dosri who suddenly lifted her arms to him and said, "Ug!"

The Kumaraie smiled and turned to her mate, lifting the child to him. Her mate gave her a pleading look but then gently took the ugly child into his arms. The child lifted her hands to his mouth and opened the lips of the confused Kumaroe. She then opened her mouth to show she had no teeth of her own.

"Don't worry, little one," he intoned. "Your teeth will come, though they will not be as impressive as mine," he told her, getting giggles from the Kumir-Rai/Ro and then the humans as the translator matrix kicked in.

"And this must be Latti," the Kumaraie said, as she looked at the newborn. The child's eyes were open and appeared to be looking boldly back at her. The eyes were of the most unusual colour, as were the eyes of the entire family. The eyes of the Pod-Drran were uniformly bluish or bluish-green, never such a vibrant colour of dark blue, almost purple.

Juneya landed on the shoulder of the Kumaraie and called a greeting, butting her head against the ear of the Kumaraie, and rumbling her purr into it.

"Ah, I see where Dosri gets that now," a smiling Kumaraie said. The Kumaraie stepped back.

"Where is my ambassador?" she snapped.

"Here, My Kumaraie," Nar-Tre Sai-Rai answered immediately.

"Good, I have brought a surprise for you," she said, turning to look behind her.

Nar-Tre looked, then ran forward to greet her mate.

"Kome-Nar, you are here!" she said, leaning down to rub her forehead to his.

"I could not let the Kumar-Pair come to such a desolate place without a proper escort," he rumbled, getting groans from the Kumir-Rai/Ro and laughter from the Kumar-Pair, who came up to the couple.

"Ug!" said Dosri, still in the Kumaroe's arms.

She leaned toward Kome-Nar, but it was Nar-Tre who took her from the Kumaroe and gave her to her mate. Dosri tucked herself into Kome-Nar's shoulder until she saw his other arm, or what was left of it.

She reached over and touched the shoulder of his missing arm and gave him a look of sadness.

"Do not worry, Chohda, I will soon have it back," he informed the little girl, who leaned into him and gave him a big hug. The act of tenderness touched the heart of the warrior, who smiled for the first time in more than a month since he had lost his arm.

Nar-Tre came and entered the hug, making it a three-way between the pair and the child.

Suddenly, her little stomach grumbled. She turned to look for her mother.

"Well," Hanalei said as she came to collect her daughter, "I am glad that I am useful to you for something."

The comment brought giggles from some and outright laughter from others of the assembled.

Hanalei picked up her daughter, unashamedly bared her breast and let Ikekia latch on. The child soon closed her eyes in contentment as she suckled happily at her mother's breast.

"Kumaraie, if you and your entourage would follow me, I will give you the tour of the platform, while the Piscium family sets up the site of their little ceremony," Fiona offered. The two groups separated as the Pod-Drran elite were given the official tour of the platform.

Eventually, they came to the area of the Interspecies Embassy.

"My Kumaraie, this is the area of our Embassy," Nar-Tre stated. "It covers three decks, Hotel, India, and Juliet, with our Embassy on Hotel Deck,"

She proudly showed the Kumar-Pair, the ten offices which consisted of the official Pod-Drran Embassy, the ambassador's office being the largest and most elegant and having the official note of UDC acknowledgment for the embassy now housed in a beautiful frame.

The Kumar-Pair showed their pleasure in the space, knowing that much had been done by the hand of Nar-Tre herself.

The Kumaraie signalled to the seneschal who came forward with two parcels.

"You had indicated earlier that we needed one of our flags to place in the main conference room of the Interspecies Embassy. You will also need a flag for this office. Where you place it, I will leave up to you," the Kumaraie stated, handing one of the two packages to Nar-Tre.

Fiona signalled to Fayad, who brought into the office, a flag staff and stand that he had hidden nearby.

Nar-Tre opened the package and unveiled the Pod-Drran flag, which consisted of a field of dark blue over a field of gold-green with the Pod-Drran word ⱢꜬ╞ Ꜭ╟ Ꜭ╓ (Sharanas), which translated as Refuge, in yellow-gold across the center. Nar-Tre helped Kome-Nar place the flag on the staff, which was then placed in the stand provided for it.

As one, the Pod-Drran all drew their Kaldar and gave a salute to the flag. The act was repeated in the main conference room, the Pod-Drran flag going to the left of the Union flag, flag etiquette stating that the flag of the host nation would always be on the right, while it was agreed that the flags of the Interspecies Embassies would be flown in the Standard alphabetical order, with the exception of the Pod-Drran flag, who the humans had been in contact with before being introduced to the Interspecies Community.

The group then went to just outside the embassy entrance on Hotel Deck to where the small shrine to the Goddess was. There, Fayad had set up the family for the small naming ceremony that was about to take place.

Fayad stood in the center of his little family, Hanalei on his right, Junelliya on his left, each holding their respective child. Behind them, the extended family stood, all were dressed in their temple robes.

Arranged around Fayad, were several large books on book stands. Fayad looked to the official Palace Speaker, who stamped his Staff of Office and pointed it to Fayad.

Fayad stepped forward and touched a book...

"This is the official book of the House of Ouihya, to which I once belonged," he began, with Junelliya translating for those Pod-Drran who did not have a comp. "I am inscribed in this book, but my name within the House of Ouihya ends with me as I have founded my own House, the House of Piscium."

Fayad opened the book and pointed to his name, which had his new family name listed, with he and his wives, listed as the founders.

He repeated this with the House of Anar, showing the name of Hanalei Anar, with his name as her husband and with the House of Herlan, showing the name of Junelliya Herlan, again with his name as her husband.

Fayad stepped forward once again, centering himself between two books, placing his hand on one of them.

"This is the Book of the Prophet Andanii, his wisdom and written works, by which guidance we, of the Church of Andanii, live and pray," Fayad intoned.

He opened the book he had touched and showed the first page. "This is now the official book of the House of Piscium, with myself and my wives listed as its founders."

Fayad showed the names inscribed on the page indicating who was who, seals affixed over each name.

He turned to Hanalei, who held up Ikekia. Fayad placed his index finger in a small cup of oil and touched his finger to Ikekia's forehead, leaving a drop of oil there. "By the wisdom of Prophet Andanii do we grow in intelligence."

He touched his middle finger to a small cup of wine and touched the finger to Ikekia's lips, leaving a drop of wine. "By the purity of his words do we learn to speak and think."

He touched his ring finger to a small cup of water and touched her little hands, leaving a drop of water on each. "By the grace of our deeds do we follow the Prophet's teachings.

"I name thee Ikekia Fatima Tema Poda-Rai-Dosri, of the House of Piscium. You are named after your father's mother, Ikekia, your Maternal Great Grandmother and your mother's sister, Fatima, the female name of your mother's late husband, Tema, and the Pod-Drran name given to you by your Godparents, Poda-Rai-Dosri. May you wear these names with intelligence, purity, and the grace or your good deeds."

Hanalei gave the baby to Fayad and came to the open book, where she began to write the baby's name beside her own. She was stopped briefly by the Kumaraie, who made a suggestion to her that brought a smile to Hanalei's lips. She finished writing and, using her official seal, she crimped it over the baby's name. She then turned the page and wrote the name once more, but this time left it uncrimped. She retrieved the baby from Fayad.

Fayad repeated the process for Junelliya's baby. "I name thee Zarrenia Henadi Poda-Rai-Latti of the House of Piscium. You are named Zarrenia after your mother's maternal grandmother, Henadi after our friend Henadi Noor, one of the bravest women I we have ever met, and the Pod-Drran name given to you by your Godparents, Poda-Rai-Latti. May you wear these names with intelligence, purity, and the grace of your good deeds."

Junelliya handed Zarrenia to Fayad and went to the open book, where she repeated what Hanalei had done, including the suggestion from the Kumaraie, and entered the name of her child in the book, setting her seal on it. She turned the page and wrote the child's name again, this time leaving it uncrimped. She stepped back and took the child from Fayad.

The two women stepped forward and handed the children to their Pod-Drran Godparents, then stepped back as Fayad came forward between them.

"You have agreed to stand in for us, the parents of these two children in the event that something happens to us. Do you re-affirm that you will guide these children by the works of our Prophet Andanii as written in the Book of Andanii?" he asked.

"We do," The Kumar-Pair answered in unison.

"Will you be the light that shows our children the way to Andanii's teachings, how we live and pray?" Fayad asked.

"We will," the Kumar-Pair answered together. The mothers took back their children and Fayad guided them to the Book of the House of Piscium. On the second page, he had them write their names, in Pod-Drran script, beside those of the children, listing them as their Godparents. The Kumar-Pair set their seals over their names and those of the babies.

Fayad turned and brought forth the other large book, placing it in the hands of the Kumar-Pair.

"This is the Book of Andanii, from which you will teach the children," Fayad said. "Please open the book," Fayad instructed.

The Kumar-Pair opened the book's cover to find the words, The Book of the Prophet Andanii, in the Anuuran language, in human Standard, and in the Pod-Drran script, on the first page one above the other in different coloured inks, though colours that the Pod-Drran could clearly see.

"This book is translated from our own language of Anuuran, to the Pod-Drran language, and Union Standard. It took me several months, with the help of many computers, to translate this and have it printed. You may use the book to help you learn our Anuuran, and Union Standard languages," Fayad finished.

Both the Kumar-Pair were well aware of the difficulties that came with translating things, having to deal with it constantly now that they needed to switch between Standard and Pod-Drran. That Fayad had done this, translating from his own native tongue to Standard and Pod-Drran in only a few months time, was a feat they were immediately impressed with. They opened the book and read the first few passages in the Pod-Drran script, noting that the assembled extended family of the children were mouthing the words in their own language.

The Kumaraie smiled at Fayad.

"This is a wonderful achievement, Fayad," the Kumaraie said, very much impressed. "That you could have done this in such a short time is amazing. WE will cherish this book always. It will become a useful tool for teaching the Pod-Drran the languages of humans."

Fayad smiled and called up a file on his comp, then passed it to the Kumaraie's comp. They both heard the beep and felt the rumble on their wrists to indicate the transfer of a file.

"The electronic copy of this book, should you wish to make use of it," Fayad stated with a smile. "The electronic version also has my, Hanalei, and Junelliya's voice over on the texts in Anuuran, Standard, and Pod-Drran, to allow people to hear the written texts."

The Kumaraie smiled once more at the thoughtfulness of the Piscium family. Where did they find the time to do this? she thought to herself, utterly amazed by their accomplishment.

The Kumar-Pair gave the book to their Seneschal and stepped up to the two mothers, each placing a hand on one of their Goddaughters.

"By the grace of the Goddess," they intoned together, "WE name you as members of the Pod-Drran, forever more to be named after the House of the Kumaraie, Se-Lam. Your names shall be Se-Lam Poda-Rai-Dosri, and Se-Lam Poda-Rai-Latti, now and forevermore, named of our House, of the Pod-Drran, and of the Goddess."

The Seneschal stepped forward and handed each of the Kumar-Pair an object.

"These are the official seals of our Goddaughters, to which we entrust to you Hanalei, and to you Atohan," the Kumaroe finished for the Kumar-Pair.

The mothers bowed to the Kumar-Pair.

Fayad nodded to the Palace Speaker, who stamped his Staff of Office, officially closing the brief ceremony.

While staff set up tables with treats and drinks for all, Fayad brought the Kumar-Pair over to the little Shrine to the Goddess in the corner.

"It is beautiful," the Kumaroe said, looking over the full size image of the Goddess.

"Made by the House of Ur, Kumaroe," Fayad explained, turning to nod in their direction. The Kumaraie called them all over.

"You are Mind-Ur," the Kumaraie stated. "Your House has become a house of distinction, run not by a Warrior but by a Tae. Yet, you have four members of your house, Tin-Ur Sai-Rai, Kord-Ur Sai-Ro, Kayl-Ur Sai-Sin-Dae, and Hend-Ur Sai-San-Dan, who have attained elevation to Sai and who were present not long ago to assist in the rescue of OUR persons and OUR government.

"Not only that, but Kome-Nar Sai-Ro tells US that your House was very much responsible for guiding the humans to finding a way to peace instead of war between our peoples. The Pod-Drran owe the House of Ur in ways that WE can never repay," the Kumaraie ended.

"I think, my mate, that we should do something significant for the House of Ur?" the Kumaroe said with a smile, getting a nod from the Kumaraie.

"You have taken Shar-Terg with the Union, under Raymond Clark Sai-Ro, WE cannot, nor will not, alter this. Your House is now and forever more tied to the Union.

"However, this administration names the House of Ur as a Great House, with permission to stand in the Great Hall anytime that you are on Pod-Saar, and WE give your House leave to travel freely, with no restrictions, within Pod-Drran space."

The Seneschal came forward to give the Kumaraie a parchment. On it was the dedication to the House of Ur, proclaiming it a Great House by acts of distinction of the members of the House of Ur to the Pod-Drran people, the great seal of the Pod-Drran affixed over the signatures of the Kumar-Pair.

The members of the house began to kneel, hand over hearts, to give their fealty to the Kumar-Pair, the Kumaraie stopped them, ordering them to rise.

"As you have already taken Shar-Terg with Raymond of the Union, WE cannot accept your fealty. However, WE do expect that the House of Ur will continue to work for the betterment of our two peoples," the Kumaraie stated.

The Kumar-Pair mingled with the family and with the witnesses to the family event, many of them the staff of the Interspecies Embassy who had stepped out of their offices for this unusual interplay between species.

Cynthia Stewart was flitting around talking to all of the guests, family, and witnesses, asking questions and doing interviews on their personal thoughts on this unique event. She was also directing conversation toward the upcoming week in which many of those now at the Interspecies Embassy would be on Terra for the presentation of the ambassador's credentials to the UDC, a unique and historic event.

The embassy staff were thrilled to be finally able to work as they should once the ambassadors had been recognized by the UDC, instead of the informal nature of their current operations.

"So many of the Ambassadors here are listed as Ambassador at Large. Isn't that normally a position that does not have a fixed embassy post?" Cynthia asked of Mayute, the Toolend ambassador.

"Normally, that would be correct," Mayute agreed. "However, there will be a need for us to move about Union space in support of our people, something that we cannot do if we are fixed at an embassy post. So, our governments have placed us here but designated us as 'at large' to allow us to move as required."

Cynthia thanked the ambassador for the explanation, then turned the camera on herself.

"I, of course, will be with the Interspecies Community on Terra in the next few days, prior to the first ever presentation of interspecies credential to the UDC," Cynthia advised her viewers. "Over six days, eleven ambassadors will present their credentials split into half-days, with presentations in the morning and afternoon, all presentations taking place in the Presidential Communications Center of the Presidential Compound, in the Capital.

"The first presentation will be by the Pod-Drran ambassadors, on Monday afternoon, followed by the Djinaëte on Tuesday morning. These were the first two species of the Interspecies Community that the Union encountered.

"Thereafter, the ambassadors will be presented in alphabetical order using the Union Standard alphabet. That will be the Asocans, the Byandi, the Feeyan, the Grotté, the Harradi, the Hwill'illiti'hallat, the Paacon, the Toolend, and the Umick.

"It should prove to be very interesting presentations of credentials to the UDC, especially when many of the senior members of the governments of the respective species will be there, including the Imperial Couple of the Pod-Drran, Kumaraie Na-Maj Se-Lam Pod-Raie, and her mate, Kumaroe Jarl Se-Lam Pod-Sai-Roe.