All That Glitters Ch. 49

"You said that you could repeat this block yourself, Tougrate," Maya reminded him.

"I did, however, I must retract that statement. I do not have the kind of power necessary to do something like that against a mind as strong as William's is. It would take an assembly of at least four telepaths to block someone that strong.

"Today, we have a significant assembly behind us. We have all the power we need to work with Elizabeth. Fortunately, we will not need very much power to attempt this technique. I believe that Malnad and I will suffice," Tougrate said.

"Junelliya, what do you see that is different from William?" Malnad asked.

"He has immense raw power," Junelliya said, showing in her mind what she saw and what the difference between William and Elizabeth was. "Elizabeth does not have that. The reason is actually rather simple, her active cells for telepathy are not forming new associations between themselves."

As soon as she said it, those watching immediately understood what she meant. The number of branching dendrite connections between brain cells could be staggering but most only formed a limited number of such connections.

"Can we look into the mind of Guinevere to see the difference between mother and daughter?" a Toolend in the link requested.

"Guinevere, would you consent to that?" Maya asked. She received a positive response and Malnad touched her head with a tentacle. All those in the link immediately saw the difference. A sound similar to a human 'Ah!' of surprise ran through the group. The number of branches on the dendrites and the connections they made between active cells working in the telepathic area was much, much greater.

As a comparison, Tougrate imposed an image of erht's own mind to the group, showing the difference between the student telepath and a more mature telepathic mind. There was an even greater number of connections visible there.

Tougrate let go of the other connections erht was in, refocusing on Elizabeth, and started pushing the brain cells involved with telepathy in Elizabeth's mind to form more connections. As this was a physical development, it would take a little time to see the results, however, they would be able to check every couple of days for differences.

"That is all that we are capable of doing today," erht told the group. "I believe that we will see some improvement over the next few weeks. To what extent will be the deciding factor in the new technique.

"If there is a marked increase in connectivity between the active cells, then we should see a direct correspondence in Elizabeth's abilities. How long that will take will be determined by the individual's physical responses. In this situation, we can only push nature so far," Tougrate stated.

"What of nanotechnology, Tougrate?" Maya asked. "That has been shown to improve the brain's ability to repair itself. Could that be used to stimulate latent growth?"

"I am not that familiar with your nanotechnology, Dr. Maya," Tougrate answered. "You would have to ask a specialist in this form of work. We could try it if we have an expert in the technique available. For now, we are at nature's mercy. We shall watch and see. We are already pushing nature to do more than it normally would. Adding nanotechnology to that mix could backfire. I think that it is best, for now, if the person being effected can develop at a more natural rate."

"Elizabeth, you will likely have some headaches over the next few days as your brain cells develop more connections. We can provide something for that," Dr. Maya assured her.

"Is there any reason that she should remain under direct observation?" Heyya asked.

"None," Malnad replied for the pair. "The headache from our intrusion will not be that severe, nothing more than what she has already experienced previously in a deep probe. Elizabeth will likely develop some serious migraines for a couple of weeks as her brain changes. The number of connections that we have stimulated is large. Such dramatic changes in a more mature mind, which is not as pliant as a developing mind, can be a little painful at times. We shall have to manage that as the migraines come up."

"Alright then," Heyya responded. "That is experiment number one completed. We shall provide Elizabeth with some analgesics and allow her and her daughter to enjoy the resort. The rest of you can discuss things that you witnessed to your heart's content."

That brought the chuffing sound of Toolend laughter. They knew she was right...there would be a lot of debate on this subject for the remainder of the day.

Ariana's Dress Shop, Capital City, Terra, The Sol System

Guinevere and her mother, Elizabeth, were in a dress shop with Grace and her bodyguard, Heather Montel. They were there because the President had decided that Guinevere needed to experience the social aspects of formal dining. He had arranged for an evening of dining with all of the senior leaders, Grace, and Guinevere.

"All right Guinevere, you need to strip down and enter the booth next to the dressing room. We will do a laser scan of your body and then will have an avatar from which we can choose dresses," the shop keeper explained.

"I believe that you mother, too, will be taking the opportunity to purchase a dress or two?" the attendant asked, getting a nod from Elizabeth.

"What about you, Grace?" Guinevere asked.

"I already did the Prom gown and my Graduation gown, so I don't need to do more at this time," Grace told them. "Maybe next time we come back I will purchase a dress or two of my own. By then, I might be able to look at clubbing outfits."

That comment got a mischievous look from Ms. Montel, who shook her head. "No, not yet, Grace. In another couple of years perhaps, however, your father would have my head if he saw you dressed in a clubbing outfit before you could legally enter a club."

That got laughter from the Soulanges. "Damn, does that mean I can't buy clubbing outfits for three more years, mother?" Guinevere asked her mother; her fifteenth birthday would be in November.

"We'll see, however, if you can't enter a club, why would you want one?" Elizabeth, always the pragmatist, asked.

Guinevere slipped into the changing room, stripped and slipped into the booth. She was directed to hold her hands out from her body and to close her eyes and keep them closed. The laser scanner was swift and a few moments later, she was dressing as her mother entered the room on the other side of the booth. Not long afterwards, all four of them were sitting in front of a couple of monitors as a selection of dresses and gowns was placed on the two lady's avatars. The four had a lot of fun selecting outfits, and Elizabeth did select a couple of clubbing outfits suitable for her.

Ariana told them that their purchases would be delivered to the resort on Tuesday. They were advised to try on all of their purchases to ensure there were no problems before they were actually needed.

Notre Dame de Paris, Paris, France, Europe, Terra, The Sol System

Paris was once again the site of a multi-race invasion. Shuttle after shuttle landed in the space detailed by the city authority just after noon, ejecting hundreds of eager passengers who looked so strange to the humans of Paris.

The members of the Greater Community queued up to take in the sights of the big city. There was history here, though not as long a history as on some of the planets of the other races. Humans only had a written history dating back to around 6,000 years before the common era, while the other races could boast written histories going back tens of thousands of years.

Even so, it was a strange new world and a city with the kind of history that could entrance even the hardy Asocans and the warlike Pod-Drran. Stories of wars, romance, the horrors of the black death, and art, so much art.

Many of the new tourists took in the catacombs of Paris, enthusiastically regaling their brethren of the ghoulish sights they had encountered therein. Others set foot on the top of the Eiffel Tower, telling their friends how the structure had been rebuilt a half-dozen times over the centuries since its creation. Now, the only original parts of the tower were held in a museum.

Still others wound their way across the city, checking out the culinary treats offered and such offerings!!

Then there was human art. The Louvre had been a museum to art for centuries. It still held some of the finest displays of ancient and contemporary art available. Even the museum itself was a treasure of sorts to ancient and modern architecture.

PV The Trine set down in the policed area set aside for the shuttles coming for this event near the dinner hour. Junelliya took her group to the bistro that she had attended last year, only to find that the Pod-Drran and the Maha-Rrin were already there. They greeted the group as they approached.

"Hi, everyone. Welcome to our new hang-out," One of the Pod-Drran declared as they approached.

"Ah, you found the place," Junelliya noted, a little bigheartedly as there didn't appear to be any room left.

"Don't worry, Junelliya, we have kept a place for you. We thought you might return here," said one of the Pod-Drran who Junelliya didn't recognize. "I am Salta-Har. We were told about this place by one of your students from last year," Salta-Har explained.

The Maître-d came to the door to the bistro and welcomed the family. "Your friends have asked me to keep a table for you, Lady Junelliya. It is a pleasure to have you return to my establishment," he said.

They were guided to a table near the boisterous Pod-Drran, who were very much enjoying the tastes of Paris and telling the staff so. That brought amusement to the little group.

"The children should be here," Violletiya said.

"Yes, but they would have insisted on going to the concert this evening and the sound of the organ can be rather overbearing," Junelliya explained. "Best that they remain at the resort with Clarrisiya then frightened during the concert. They will have the opportunity sometime in the future to enjoy that music, when they are a little older and wiser."

"Wiser? By the Gods, if those two become any wiser they will be leading the science team not learning from it," Sylvie Kinlo, Hanalei's PA, stated.

"Surely you jest, Sylvie," Aghavni Akopyan said.

"No, she isn't jesting, professor," Violletiya assured her. "I have never seen children so intelligent before. They have literally taught themselves how to remember things so that they don't embarrass themselves in front of the other member species, who have better memories than most of the humans on Liramor-23. What they don't seem to understand is that these examples of the other races are the cream of their people. The most intelligent, resourceful, and dedicated members of their species. That the children are determined to emulate them is something precious.

"That they can do that is something rather scary. These children will be a force of nature as they grow older, much like their parents," Violletiya informed Aghavni.

"Did you know that the children have learned five new songs since you last saw them perform?" Sylvie asked of Aghavni. "They can't wait to show off again for you."

That brought a smile to the faces of Aghavni and her friend, Xavier Kuaté.

"Junelliya did say that they would develop quickly as musicians," Xavier reminded her friend.

The little group ate a delicious meal and then headed in the direction of Notre Dame de Paris, the massive church. They were allowed in early as Junelliya was both performing and reprising her role of last year as presenter.

Her Luttrell was waiting for her when she came to the front of the church, where the orchestra was setting up. Junelliya was warmly welcomed by the conductor of L'orchestre philharmonique de Paris, who remembered her from last year.

"It is a great pleasure to see you again, Madame Herlan," he told her. "I do hope that we are repeating the extravaganza from last year?"

"We are, Maestro, however, I will be the only player of the Luttrell as my students are no longer with me," Junelliya informed him.

"Such a pit, however, your playing last year was peerless, so I expect nothing less from you this year, whether you are playing alone or not," the Conductor replied.

Junelliya gave him a smile and set up her instrument, swiftly tuning it and playing a few cords to ensure it was ready. Happy, she nodded to herself and went to the first pew where her family and friends were now seated, watching and listening to the orchestra tune up.

"I am ready now, I just hope that I do not get the names of the leaders wrong, especially the Hwill'illiti'hallat. I wish their names were slightly shorter." That brought laughter from her friends as the great doors of the church were finally opened to the public.

The pews filled swiftly and the curator, François Orland, gave Junelliya a signal. She took her place in front of the orchestra.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen," she spoke in French. "I am Dame Junelliya Atohan Herlan, from Liramor-23. Some of you may remember me from last year." They did and many rose to applaud her.

"Thank-you. I just hope that you will be as pleased with me after my performance," that brought a laugh from the crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen, last year we were graced by the Ambassadors of the Greater Community stationed at the Interspecies Embassy at Liramor-23. Tonight, we have the leadership of the member races of the Greater Community, the kings, queens, presidents, of these races and their families. Please rise and show your appreciation that these luminaries have graced us with their presence.

"In alphabetical order of the Standard alphabet, the Asoc >Catal Mutt Herrtt and her mate, the Asost <Korme Mutt Goult, the supreme leaders of the Asocans and their entourage." The large Asocans came into the church and slowly moved down to their pew space (the pews having been removed in deference to their physiology). They sat back on their tails and waited patiently.

"The Mylatrin Adriné, the supreme leader of the Byandi, her mate, Caltan, and the royal family of the Byandi." The Byandi came into the church causing less of a stir than they had last year as the Parisiennes were now watching the news from Denders and were very much aware of who was there or not.

"Ambassador Sister Her-ii, and the Consular Sister Imitta, the Drone Rikki-Tikki-Tavi of the Djinaëte, and their entourage." The Djinaëte were the only members of the Greater Community that had not sent ruling family members. The reason was simple, each of the Mothers was a ruler in and of herself but they rarely, if ever, left the hives they ruled. The practice of roving the galaxy was left to the Sisters (Mothers in waiting) meaning that they were considered royalty. The role that a Sister fulfilled depended on her superiority in the group. Her-ii was considered a senior Sister, while Imitta was considered a junior.

The two dozen Djinaëte were directed to their pew, which once again had been removed in deference to their anatomy.

"Cettan Polrisdon of the Feeyan, his mate, Cristanit, his family, and his entourage. The Cettan is the elected president of the Feeyan, similar in position to the President of the Union." The tall, leathery looking Feeyan came in and found their seats as directed by the Notre Dame staff.

"The Amestan, Dyneté, the royal personage of the Grotté, his mate, Prollené Corretan, his family, and Entourage." The gregarious Grotté said hello, bonjour and greeted people as they passed down the main aisle, their multi-coloured skin making them look like a parade of surrealistic paintings.

"The Impatoss Hatel Konexi, the royal personage of the Harradi, his mate, Grenta Konexi, his family, and entourage." The Harradi were very similar to humans the main differences being mostly internal, though they did have slightly larger eyes than humans and had six fingers and six toes on their hands and feet.

"The Hawallit, Hwill'illita'aati, the royal personage of the Hwill'illiti'hallat, his family and entourage." Junelliya had not wanted to try the name of the Hawallit's mate so took the short way out of that, getting a laugh from the pair, who understood.

The Hwill'illiti'hallat looked similar to humans though they were slightly shorter and had a burnt-orange colour to their skin. The Hwill'illiti'hallat were very capable language mimics who could speak most of the languages of the Greater Community, other than the Djinaëte, who were the only people that could speak their language without a translator device. The Hawallit and family followed the guide to their pew.

"The Pemipinae Melda-Hetta, the elected ruler of the Maha-Rrin, her mate, Bassem-Fondan, and entourage. The Maha-Rrin are the sister race of the Pod-Drran. The Greater Community has only made contact with the Maha-Rrin in the last few months." The people cheered heartily for the Maha-Rrin, getting a smile and acknowledging wave from the Pemipinae and her mate.

"The Malta, Gittan, the elected ruler of the Paacon, his mate, Himmett, and entourage. The Malta is elected similarly to our President; however, the Malta may only serve one fourteen year term." The large, bird-like Paacon looked much like a Terran Ostrich, though they were taller and had larger heads. They also had arms and hands instead of wings. Like the Hwill'illiti'hallat, they were excellent mimics and could speak most of the Greater Community's languages, again with the exception of the Djinaëte, who were the only ones who could speak their language.

"The Kumaraie Na-Maj Se-Lam Pod-Raie, her mate, the Kumaroe Jarl Se-Lam Pod-Sai-Roe, the supreme rulers of the Pod-Drran, the first of the Greater Community members that we, the Union, encountered, and their entourage." The Kumar-Pair gave a short bow to Junelliya, who gave a more formal bow in return. They swiftly found their pews.

"Sharne Erx Toolend, the royal personage of the Toolend and entourage." Junelliya gave a low bow and twisted her hands and arms in a mimicry of the Toolend greeting for the Erx. She heard the Erx making the distinctive Toolend laugh as he returned her greeting with a tentacle motion greeting that Toolend often extended to each other.

As happened last year, the presence of the Toolend brought everyone to silence. They were just so different from humans as to have no context with which to relate to. The Toolend quickly found their empty rows, the pews having been removed as they didn't need them.

"The Rolt, Sassanna, the royal personage of the Umick and entourage. Rolt Sassanna is currently single, so ladies, here is the ultimate bachelor." The Umick had a sense of humour that was very similar to human humour. Their hissing laughter could be heard from the front of the church as their translators rendered Junelliya's comments into their language. The Rolt pointed one of his thin fingers at Junelliya and shook his head in a disparaging manner, his own laughter showing that he too was only joking.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the Union, Wilford J. Holloway, his daughter, Grace Elizabeth Holloway, and entourage, along with our host, the Mayor of Paris Enjoli Choiniere and her husband, Jean Goudreau." The President and the Mayor received huge applause as they entered the church together, Grace, and the Mayor's husband, following along directly behind them. They took their bows and smiled, the President pointing to people in the crowd that he knew as he passed. They took the time to give Junelliya a bow as they passed in front of her, their pew being right up front but opposite the Piscium group's pew.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the leaders of the Greater Community." Junelliya applauded, setting up an even greater cheer from the audience. After a moment, she motioned to all that they may be seated.