All That Glitters Ch. 52

What the pair did not know was that in the billions of eyes of ordinary Asocans watching the live feed from all across the realm, their esteem of Asoc >Catal had just gone up significantly, while their opinion of Unaayel dropped considerably. A name was making the rounds all over the realm...Belgedra. The pair were losing the propaganda war without ever being aware that it had started.

Gold Conference Room, Denders Resort, Terra, The Sol System

When the leaders returned to the Gold Conference Room to strategize some more. Clarrisiya was sitting with Kim, wondering how to broach the subject of Prakeshya to the Kumar-Pair. She decided to approach the Kumaraie and her people.

When she and Kim approached, The Kumar-Pair were speaking to the Pemipinae and her mate, the Asoc and Asost were close by as well. On the other side of the group was the Erx Toolend, with Augraf.

"Hello, Kumaraie, I am GME Clarrisiya, specialist with empathic children," Clarrisiya identified herself.

The Kumaraie nodded. Though she was aware of Clarrisiya's presence in the Piscium household, dealing with the children, her exact position and purpose there had not been known to the Kumaraie.

"I would like to speak to you about how Pod-Drran children grow up. I need to understand their growth cycle if I am to understand how I can help Prakeshya."

"You help empathic children understand their powers then?" Bassem-Fondan, the mate of Pemipinae Melda-Hetta asked.

"I do what I can. Developing one's power is very much an individual thing. People can be guided but we have better results guiding teens than we do guiding children. Teens are more or less capable of making their own decisions. To guide children, you must not only understand the children themselves but also the situation in their home and their positions within the community. For Prakeshya, she has a dictated future that she will have to grow into as well as developing her empathic powers," Clarrisiya explained.

"In order to help her, I must understand all aspects of her family life and the expectations that are being placed on her as well as the normal progression of Pod-Drran children. I will have less problems dealing with the Kumar-Pair's Godchildren than I will have dealing with Prakeshya," Clarrisiya admitted.

"The word normal and our current brood have no business being in the same sentence," the Kumaroe said, tongue-in-cheek. "I believe this is also true of our Goddaughters."

"I have heard and seen your people on Liramor-23 and here on Terra, but I do not understand what it is you actually do," the Pemipinae interjected.

"Empaths are able to sense the emotions and feelings of others. We can use this in many ways; we can help people with their emotional burdens, we can read the truth from people who are attempting to hide it, and we can direct our empathic powers to others to help them in certain ways such as calming people during an emergency.

"Empaths make excellent medical practitioners and security people. They also do well in other occupations where empathy helps to direct people such as politics.

"However, because we can influence emotional behavior, we can also be considered a threat to others if we do not use our powers with respect for the community. This is why the Council of Empaths was formed, to give purpose to empaths and to ensure that there is a standard of behaviour expected of all empaths. This benefits both the community at large and empaths as a whole as we are now recognized for the use of our abilities under the Councils rules of conduct. Without the efforts of the Council, empaths would be maligned and persecuted."

"The Toolend saw this and recognized it as something useful for our people and adopted many of the rules of the Council to apply to ourselves," Augraf said, entering the conversation. "It will take time to establish the facts within the Greater Community, but the telepaths will soon be recognized in the Greater Community in much the same way empaths are now accepted in the Union."

"We have already begun to accept telepaths wearing the Order's symbol, and we have only known of the Toolend for a short while," Bassem-Fondan stated.

"The pin that you wear on your chest is your Council's symbol, yes?" the Pemipinae asked.

Clarrisiya nodded and took it off to show the others. "The symbol is white and black hands shaking hands over the colours of the flag of Hollander's World. It represents solidarity with the people of our world. It is said that the white hand symbolizes purity of purpose while the black hand symbolizes the dark side of people, but that symbolism is lost on most people." Clarrisiya turned her pin over and the others saw numbers and letters on the back. "This is my Council registration number and it is a unique identifier of me. Few of us have distinct names today but I can send messages to the Council with this number and they will know immediately who I am."

"Do you not use family names along with your given name?" the Kumaroe asked.

"Yes, however, any empath will recognize the power signature of another empath so given names are all that we need when in a group of empaths. It would not matter how many Clarrisiya's are in that same group, we would all have our distinct power signatures," she explained, getting words of understanding from the Toolend.

"Do not your power levels grow over time?" a confused Kumaraie asked.

"Yes. But once it is fully formed, the signature never changes, it just gets stronger," Clarrisiya told them.

"So how can we help you then?" the Kumaroe interjected after a moment of contemplation.

"I need to understand the difference in the developmental cycle between human children and Pod-Drran children. When I understand that, I can make certain inferences in power level changes as the children grow," Clarrisiya told them. "You stated that your brood is anything but normal?"

"Their development is well ahead of the expected curve but that was predicted by prophecy, which stated that," the Kumaraie declared.

"How much ahead of the curve are they?" Clarrisiya wanted to know.

"It is normal for Gella (infant) to begin weening off their mother at around six months and then start developing their physical traits, walking, running, physical dexterity. Our children are barely four months old and already at this stage.

"As they develop their physical traits, they will also develop their mental abilities, however, this tends to work in spurts and our scientists do not seem to know why." the Kumaroe indicated.

"At around one year, the Gella will have developed enough of the necessary traits that we will now call them Condell (children), but they will still need the support of their family. They will continue to develop their physical and mental abilities until they are ready to attend school full time, usually around five years of age. They are then known as Kisory, roughly analogous to human teenagers but it covers a much longer range of years from five years to adulthood."

Clarrisiya thought for a moment. "I have watched the brood of the Jurte-Pair and seen how they have developed. Jurte Sha-Ret tells me that her brood is developing faster mentally and physically than the norm as well, however, this occurred after they became Condell when they were introduced to Kim Oshiiru.

"I have heard that most Pod-Drran go into isolation when they have their brood but neither you nor the Jurte pair chose to do this. That leaves me with a thought. It is only conjecture as I do not fully understand the Pod-Drran but I think that the children's mental growth is triggered by their physical growth. However, without the proper stimulus, they do not develop mentally in correlation with their physical abilities.

"For the brood of the Jurte-Pair, their physical growth was over stimulated by Kim's instruction in Kendo, the way of the sword. This sudden physical growth sparked a need to expand their mental growth, which was met by the circumstances of their not being in isolation. They got to experience a lot of things firsthand that most Pod-Drran children do not. The minds of the brood of the Jurte-Pair and yours are constantly being stimulated by their open environment while the minds of the broods of those in isolation will only be stimulated when their parents and caregivers do something that interests them.

"I suspect that your people's broods will suddenly develop much quicker than expected when more families choose not to enter isolation," Clarrisiya speculated.

The Kumar-Pair suddenly sat up straighter, recognizing a fact they had subconsciously understood that now had been pushed to the fore by Clarrisiya's speculation.

"I think you might be correct, Clarrisiya. Thank-you for this insight. I will ask our scientists to look into this," the Kumaraie said.

"How about the broods of the Maha-Rrin, Pemipinae?" the Kumaraie asked of the other pair.

"We have the opposite problem in that we are not as physically active as the Pod-Drran, especially the Pod-Drran warrior class. Our children too grow in spurts, which is more noticeable at a young age as they develop their initial physical dexterity, but then it tapers off. I think that if we start pushing for more physical development, we could see a greater aspect of concurrent mental development. It would be interesting to test," the Pemipinae admitted.

"The interesting thing to me is the additional mental stimulus that is occurring outside of the Rakhan. If we can convince the mothers of this and enforce the punishment on any who would attack a brood, even if the parents are defeated in ritual combat, then we could effectively eliminate the need for the Rakhan," the Kumaraie said. "It will take some more case studies besides the two that we have but I can see the future being more open."

Prakeshya peaked at the group of adults from within the small group of children she was with, where they were being closely watched by their attendant Kumir-Rai/Ro. Her mother made a come hither motion to the child and she tottered her way across the room, moving from furniture to furniture before ending up at her mother's knees, Ikekiya and Zarreniya following behind, walking much more confidently.

The Kumaraie tapped her knees and Prakeshya swiftly climbed up on her mother's lap and looked at Clarrisiya.

"Hello, little one," Clarrisiya spoke. "We have seen each other often here at Denders but never really spoken to each other.

"Can you understand me?" Clarrisiya asked, getting a hand sign that said maybe-maybe not.

"I see, so you are understanding what I am saying by reading my emotions, right?" she asked of the child.

The child seemed to consider this for a moment and finally gave a little nod, as if uncertain.

"Yes, you will have to work on your standard and I will have to work on my Pod-Drran," Clarrisiya explained, both of them smiling to each other.

"Why do you think the children are advancing so quickly, Kumaraie?" Kim asked.

"I think it is as Clarrisiya says. The children are weaning and they are doing so here at Denders. There is so much for them to do and be part of, something that would not be available to them on Pod-Saar, especially the daycare. We will have to correct this and find ways to stimulate our children's minds," the Kumaraie explained, giving a significant look to her mate, who nodded his agreement.

"I think her empathic abilities were also given a significant push here at Denders," Clarrisiya mused. "There are so many empaths constantly using their powers, as well as your Goddaughters doing the same with Prakeshya. They were not shy about including Prakeshya any time they would use their powers."

The Goddaughters smiled up at the adults.

"But Zarreniya is more than just empathic," the Kumaraie stated.

"True. Time will tell but I think Ikekiya also has a touch of telepathy. She is able to read and interpret the images that Zarreniya has been sending most of her life. What Zarreniya is doing is more telepathy than empathy and Ikekiya is able to keep up with her efforts. That suggests a lot," Clarrisiya told them.

"Will Prakesh also be telepathic?" the Kumaroe asked.

"Hard to say," Clarrisiya replied.

Prakeshya extended her hand to Clarrisiya, who held out her hand to her touch. Kim watched as the adults that were speaking suddenly got excited.

To their eyes, they could see the glow around the hands as the two touched but then it quickly extended completely around both of their bodies. Their excitement increased until they suddenly received a feeling of 'peace'. Prakeshya looked up at her mother and smiled.

As the group watched, the glow faded from the two bodies until it was only in their hands once again. The pair let go of each other and the glow faded out.

"Well, that was interesting. It appears that Prakeshya was trying to give me an image. It didn't quite work out but it was not a total failure either," Clarrisiya told them.

"With some practice, I believe that she will be just as competent as your Goddaughters, Kumaraie," Clarrisiya finished.

"However, there was a lot more communicated between us on the empathic level than on the telepathic. Prakeshya is indeed the re-incarnation of the Goddess. Her memories of her past life are beginning to surface. It will take time and I cannot say how much of the memories will return but Prakesh is well-named. The Goddess is the light of your people, Prakeshya will be the new light.

"According to prophecy, she will take her place as the leader of your combined people. But Prakeshya does not want that. She intends to be the leader of her own people. One people. Not as a people made up of the Pod-Drran and the Maha-Rrin but of the original people, the Ruhm-Oran. I'm not sure how that will happen," Clarrisiya stated.

Prakeshya reached down to touch the other two children. Once more the glow became apparent to the eyes of the adults.

"Prakeshya say she be boss of Ji-Ruhm-Oran," Ikekiya told them, causing the adults to start in surprise.

"Does that mean anything, Kumaraie?" Kim asked.

"Ruhm-Oran is the name of our original home world, the one in the Piscium system. Ji is the old form of our language. Roughly translated, it means 'new' or 'to come again," the Kumaraie replied.

"Perhaps 'born again'?" Clarrisiya asked, setting the others to thinking about that.

"Which of our two planets will be Ji-Ruhm-Oran?" the Pemipinae asked.

Ikekiya shook her head. "No old planet, new planet," she explained.

"Where is this planet?" Bassem-Fondan demanded.

"She know," Zarreniya replied, pointing to the Asoc.

"I do?" the Asoc demanded.

"Not know now, soon," Zarreniya told her enigmatically, the three children smiling as if they were sharing a special secret.

The Asoc's villa, Denders Resort, Terra, The Sol System

The Asoc's aide returned to the villa with a smile on her face much later that afternoon and gave the item to the Asoc, who nodded her head to the quick service that had been provided. She turned and handed the box to her mate, giving him and her daughter Martte Garnal a significant look.

"Stand with me, please," she asked of them. Both smiled and nodded agreement.

"Bring Varren," the Asoc asked of her aide. A few moments later, the aide entered the room with Varren and Marrat Mut Semt, who had been hired by the Asoc to continue to be the caregiver for Varren.

"I have just received something that I wish to give you, daughter of mine," the Asoc stated.

"Bow to your Asoc," Martte Garnal ordered gently. Startled, Varren bowed low.

"Raise yout head, Shamot Varren Mutt Herrtt é Salalta Semt, daughter of ours," the Asost ordered after a moment.

"You presented to me a table knife today, in place of a Damate. You did so because you were never given your own Damate by your late family, never formally counted among the Asocan people.

"You are now my daughter, Varren, and a Shamot. You need to be formally accepted as a member of my line, of my Mutt, and of the Asocan people, and given a Damate worthy of your line," the Asoc told her.

She turned to her mate who held the box up for the Asoc. >Catal opened the lid and drew out a Damate. She held it out to show Varren.

The Damate was held in a pastel purple sheath. Purple was the colour of >Catal's line of Mutt Herrtt. The hilt was some kind of black material that Varren did not recognize. It literally gleamed.

Varren noted the colourful rune on the leather sheath. She saw several things she recognized and one she did not. The sigil for her name was there, in blue. Below was the purple sigil of the Asoc's line of Mutt Herrtt. Those sigils sat over another red and green sigil that she once again recognized. It was the same sigil that formed part of the crest of her lost Shall...the sigil for Salalta Semt, the beautiful swamp of Semt.

Over top of her name was a bright orange sigil that she did not know. The entire rune made up her new crest, her name sake crest, both old and new.

The Asoc turned the Damate over and displayed another crest on the sheath equally colourful, the yellow-purple crest of Asoc >Catal, which every Asocan knew by heart. As the words: presented by, were not included with this crest, it indicated that she and Varren were now of the same line.

The Asoc snapped open the blade, pulling it partway from the sheath. On the blade Varren saw the Asoc's crest, etched into the metal, in full colour. The Asoc turned the blade over to reveal Varren's new crest, also etched colourfully into the shining blade.

"Shamot Varren Mutt Herrtt é Salalta Semt, your family, your new family, presents you with your Damate and names you a full member of my line, our Mutt, and the people of the Asocan Realm." The Asoc closed the blade in the sheath and presented it to Varren. The Asost presented the shiny box to the child, while her elder cousin presented her with a small baldric and belt to keep it on her person.

"I made it myself, Varren," she told her. "I hope it fits properly as I didn't really get a chance to properly measure you."

Varren took the baldric and tried to figure out how to put the Damate into it. Garnal showed her how, snapping the sheath of the Damate in place. She hung she baldric over Varren's left shoulder and brought the belt around her waist, the Damate now hanging on her right hip. The baldric and belt fit with some room to spare.

"That will give you room to grow," Garnal told her, smiling, as she tightened both belt and baldric.

Varren looked down and saw her new crest on the front of the baldric. She smiled at her elder cousin, stepped forward and hugged Garnet, who hugged her back.

"Don't I get one of those?" >Catal asked. Varren smiled and hugged the Asoc. "Thank you, Asoc," she said.

"Mother," Garnal gently corrected.

Varren looked up into the eyes of the Asoc to see her nodding her head. "Mother," she said, testing the name on her tongue. "It is surprisingly hard to say. I keep wanting to saying, Asoc," Varren told her to laughter from the group.

"Hey, I paid for the box," the Asost said, looking a little forlorn. Varren smiled at him. "Thank-you, Sire," Varren said, acknowledging his position in the family (Asocans always addressed their father as 'Sire').

Varren stood back and drew the Damate. She raised it to eye level, the blade across her eyes, as she had seen many times in the holo-vids of her people.

The Asoc smiled and drew her >Curlat, but instead of giving a salute, she held the large weapon between the thumbs of one hand and flicked the blade with a claw of the other. It made an amazing sound, surprising Varren.

Varren noted that her blade shone just as brightly as the one her new mother was holding. Taking her Damate in hand, between two of her thumbs as her mother had, she flicked her Damate. The sound was not as pronounced as the >Curlat made, but it was identifiably the same sound. Varren's jaw dropped open as she realized just how much of a prize her Damate was.