All That Glitters Ch. 60

"Of course. We will also be getting a hold of other instructors from the other races, however, many of the movements of races such as the Pod-Drran or Asocans would be combat exercises," Urano informed her with a smirk. "I think the children would prefer human dance classes instead."

They heard a sound behind Barbara. "OK, that's my next client. Get my contact info from Hanalei and send me an email on your proposal. Hopefully, I can work with your daycare's schedule."

************

The next day the children were playing at the piano but they were paying more attention to their comps than to their practice.

"Mommy, we bored," Zarreniya complained. "Need new music."

"Why don't you look online to see if there are any stores that sell sheet music on Liramor Prime," Hanalei suggested.

The children did just that. "We find, mommy. Can we call?" they asked.

Hanalei gave her consent and the connection was made.

"Maricran Music, Galina Maricran speaking. How might I help you?" said a woman in standard.

"Hi, Miss Galina, we need hewp with music please," the cute little girl on the comp asked. Galina noted two little girls sitting at a piano and looking a little lost.

"Do you have a music teacher?" she asked the pair.

"Yes, he busy with others. He have no time hewp us," the other little girl answered. "He give us music but we bored now."

The two girls spoke quietly to each other then began to play a four-hand version of the Turkish March, by Beethoven. The pair weren't too bad but Galina noted that this particular piece was a simplified version of the March and slowed down a little. However, it was obvious that the pair had practiced.

"This only music we have," the first little girl told Galina. "We need more."

Galina smiled at the sad looking pair. "What kind of music do you like?" she asked.

"We know lot of music!" the pair replied brightly, naming many pieces by name. "But it for Ukelele, have no music for piano."

"We know other music but we no have music, too," the second girl reminded the first.

"Um-hmm, we know music by Seeka of Byandi, and by Asocan singers, and by Harradi, and the Sandekk..."

"Wait, wait, you know music by the other races?" Galina asked, impressed.

"Yes, we have lot of fwends who show us music," the first girl answered.

"OK, lets back up for a moment. Who am I speaking with?" Galina asked.

"I Palda Ikekia Fatima Tema Se-Lam Poda-Rai-Dosri Piscium, Shamot," the second girl told Galina.

"I Palda Zarrenia Henadi Se-Lam Poda-Rai-Latti Piscium, me too Shamot," the first girl replied. "She my older sister," she told Galina with the emphasis on the word 'older', causing Ikekiya to huff at her sister, bringing a smile to Galina.

"My, such imposing names!" Galina answered straight faced.

"But not like momma, she doctor," Zarreniya informed Galina.

"Doctor?"

"Doctor music," Ikekiya nudged her sister. "You need say doctor music."

"Oh! Momma doctor music," Zarreniya explained brightly.

"And who is your mommy?" Galina asked innocently.

"Mommy is Gurn Hanalei Anar, Gurn Piscium," Zarreniya told her with evident pride in her voice.

"And momma is Palda Doctor Junelliya Atohan Herlan," Ikekiya put in.

That was a name that Galina instantly recognized. "The Doctor Junelliya Herlan of Paris fame?"

"The same," came a voice from behind the children. The camera tracked on the voice and zoomed out to show two ladies having tea in the background. One of them raised her teacup to Galina.

Galina recognized her immediately. "OH! I am so happy to meet you, even if it is online," she gushed.

"Thank you, Galina, however, it is our children that called with their problem," Junelliya reminded her.

"Why doesn't your piano teacher give you new music?" Galina asked.

"We see only one time week," Zarreniya replied. "He busy."

"Oh, I see. And you are bored playing the same music all the time," she speculated, getting nods from the two girls.

"How long have you been playing now?" she asked.

"We play tree week now. All same music," Ikekiya informed her.

That stunned Galina as the girls hadn't been half bad on the piano. "You've only been playing three weeks? And you know your music notation already?"

"Mr. Santos say we need speak name of note each time," Zarreniya informed Galina.

"And he give us scales. We speak name of notes on scales, too," Ikekiya added helpfully.

"Oh, so you are familiar with your scales because you make it a language?" Galina asked.

"We like language! Zarreniya told her. "We speak all language!"

"All languages?" Galina asked of the women in the background, who laughed at her.

"The children speak all the major languages and some of the minor languages of the Greater Community as well as Standard, French, Anuura, High Andanii, Hindi, and some Russian, German, and now they are learning some of the other Slavic languages such as Ukrainian. They have also been told recently that Math is a language so they have taken that on as well.

"The were also given alphabet blocks in these languages and instructions in the same," Hanalei informed Galina.

Galina was shocked at the list of languages that the children could speak. "And where do you practice all of these languages?" Galina asked.

"We on Lirmaor-23. We have species embassy here," Zarreniya exclaimed.

"I think you mean 'Interspecies Embassy', Zarry," one of the women told her daughter.

The two little ones looked at each other and repeated the word carefully to each other before turning back to Galina. "Interspecies Embassy," they said with little smiles of delight.

Oh my! Galina thought, these girls are just so adorable.

"Alright then. That is an interesting piano you are sitting at," Galina stated, seeing part of the name.

"It Zufran 1238 piano," Zarreniya confirmed Galina's suspicion.

"Oh, then I have a treat for you. Do you know how to turn it on?" she asked. Ikekiya reached over and turned on the piano. They had only used the power setting to raise or lower the piano.

"OK. Do you see the buttons in front of you on the lower part of the piano's face? Look at the ones on the left side of the piano..."

"It say, 'Notes', Zarreniya confirmed, once again surprising Galina.

"Press that button until you see something on the board in front of you," Galina instructed.

Zarreniya did as instructed and suddenly the piano lit up with lots of new words causing the children to give out an excited 'Ooooo!'. It was like looking at the display from their comps.

"Now, find the word 'Scales'," Galina instructed as she walked them through 'Beginner One', 'Four-Hand', 'Simple'.

A series of scales snapped into place on a music notation system floating just off the front of the piano. The girls began to slowly make their way through the notes together, diligently calling out the names of the notes as they did so. Galina was impressed and said so.

"OK, these will help you with developing your music notation and they will also help you progress through the speed as these music pieces are exercises that will increase in speed as the program notes your progression," she told the girls.

"Now, as to a new music piece, how about Shostakovich Waltz No. 2, simplified for four hands. That should be an interesting piece because the piano will speed it up for you as you progress but it will always be at a waltz pace," Galina explained.

"So, once you have gone through the scales exercises, then you can progress to finger technique exercises. In the meantime, you will have a new piece to learn that I think you will enjoy," Galina finished.

"OH! Thank you, Miss Galina!" Zarreniya blew kisses to her causing Galina to laugh.

"Now hard part," Ikekiya said suddenly looking stern. "How much, Miss Galina?"

"I will talk to your mothers about that," Galina stated.

"No, this be us, Miss Galina. We have money, not lot, but we have," Zarreniya told her.

"Very well then, teaching you how to use your piano, I will charge you five credits. The new music piece is ten credits. So, the total will be..."

"Fifteen credits," Zarreniya said, cut her off and smiling at her through the monitor.

Galina laughed. "Of course, math is a language, right?" That got nods and smiles from the children.

"Mommy, need permission please," Zarreniya asked of Hanalei.

"Nanny, allow the children to transfer fifteen credits, please," Hanalei instructed. Zarreniya dutifully sent the funds to Galina.

"OK, I have it. I would like to hear you try the new music," Galina asked.

The children moved through the piece slowly but Zarreniya clued in quickly as she was doing the lower end of the scales of a simple waltz melody. The piano kept it in half speed as they moved through the first few stanzas. The children squealed in delight as the new music came together for them much to Galina's surprise. She hadn't really expected them to do so well so quickly.

Junelliya came over and touched her comp to that of her daughter and Galina's monitor did a split screen as Junelliya carried her back to Hanalei and her tea.

"Thank you for helping our children, Galina. It is much appreciated," Junelliya told her.

"I really did enjoy interacting with them, Junelliya. They are such amazing children," Galina responded. "You will be pleased to know that the piece of music I gave them can be expanded to 'Beginner level two and three, intermediate level one and two, and advanced level so it should give your children many years of enjoyment."

"Oh, that is very thoughtful of you, Galina," Hanalei exclaimed.

"Not at all," Galina answered, waving a hand in negligence. "I do this for my better customers and I suspect your children will become regulars of my shop."

"You do mostly sheet music?" Junelliya asked.

"No, we also sell instruments and music vids and video albums of the latest music trends and stars. Speaking of which, I would love to get you into our studio to do an album, Junelliya. Would you consider it?" Galina asked.

"Actually, I have been considering that for some time but didn't know where I might get the services of an experienced studio. However, if I did that with you, I would want to make at least two albums, one of my own and one with collaborators. Would that be too much to ask of you, Galina?" Junelliya asked.

Galina looked like she had just been hit by a heavy stick. "Too much? Oh, no, no, no, that would be fine!

"Who would you consider for collaborations?" she asked of Junelliya.

"Aghavni Akopyan of Terra, Seeka of the Byandi, Halla Mutt Dugran of the Asocans, perhaps some of the Sandekk singers, I would have to see who is available and where we could do the work," Junelliya informed Galina.

"You know Aghavni Akopyan, the pianist?" Galina almost shrieked. "Wait...you would be collaborating with non-humans?"

"Why not, they do make their own music you know," Junelliya stated, somewhat defensively.

"Oh, no! I didn't mean that in a bad way, Junelliya, I was just surprised that you have a list of enough people from other races that you could create an album," Galina replied.

"I have many musical friends among the Greater Community, Galina, some of whom would be very much pleased to collaborate with me," Junelliya answered. "I also have an extensive network of music professors, or their equivalent, within the Greater Community. They can and would provide a list of musicians at my level that would love to collaborate with me.

"Well, then we have to look at the technical issues, like how good would their pick ups be on their end. Are they professional quality? Only professional quality sound systems could be used through the ICS for your album," Galina mused.

"No, we would bring them to you, Galina. We do have our own private ship," Hanalei informed the bemused shop owner. "We just need to arrange and co-ordinate timings to do some of this, as many of the collaborators are professionals who sing regularly on their own planets. The only issue I see is the Sandekk."

That got a laugh from Junelliya. "Yes, we might have to go to them," she mused. "How portable is your studio, Galina?"

"I do have an older version of my studio that is much more portable than the one I currently use," Galina explained.

"Right, if you are amenable to traveling the galaxy, then I see no issues with making the album," Junelliya exclaimed, stunning Galina.

"You want me to travel to other planets?" Galina asked.

"Of course, we need your expertise in the studio," Junelliya stated. "We can make the first album easily enough as it is only me and my instrument."

"No, momma! We need play too!" the children called out, getting laughter from their mothers.

"Very well then children, we shall put at least one family song on the album," Junelliya told them to much happiness from the children.

"OK, send us your current schedule, Galina, and we'll see where we can match it." Junelliya ordered.

As soon as they signed off, Galina practically ran to her husband and jumped into his lap, "Guess what we might be doing!!"

Of course, his guess wasn't anywhere near being close...

Hôtel de la gare, Capital City, Liramor Prime, The Liramor System, Thirty Light Years from Terra

Satrina Kalenka had finally arrived on Liramor Prime. It had taken her several weeks to get here, working her way across the Union on any ship she could get passage on, never heading directly to Liramor Prime until the last. She had been working at maintenance and cleaning on all the ships in order to build up her resumé.

Now she had a non-descript room in the Hôtel de la gare (Hotel of the Station), not far from the central transportation node in the center of the city.

Tomorrow, she would apply for work in space at both the Liramor Mining Company, and at Liramor Holdings. She would hesitate a bit but finally choose Liramor-23 as her intended work site.

By the end of October, min-November at the latest, she would be on Liramor-23 where she would meet up with Gregory Dorman. The pair would 'hook up' and become an item, something that happened frequently when single people worked in space.

She hoped that they would be able to complete their contract relatively quickly but that was in the hands of the Gods...

************

Gregory Dorman had arrived on Liramor Prime some weeks earlier and was now working for the Liramor Mining Company, currently recertifying himself to company standards at working in space. He would be another month getting his certifications in order and then would be able to choose his post. Like Satrina, he would hem and haw a bit but eventually would choose Liramor-23 as his post.

Liramor-23 Daycare, Mike Deck, Liramor-23, The Piscium System

Barbara Coleman became an instant hit with the children of the daycare from the very first day. Her debut in mid November was an unexpected delight to the children who loved moving to the beat of her music choices as she had them attempt various moves that she then tailored to the individual species. From the moment they heard her distinctive 'HELLO CHILDREN!' the children were hooked.

Some of the children could not do certain steps or movements and Barbara was quick to catch on and modify the movements for those who could not. As she never left anyone out, regardless of race or capabilities, her dancercise sessions were very entertaining of all the children.

Cynthia Stewart had been appraised of the situation and had requested permission from the parents to tape the first session for the news networks, which had turned out to be enchanted at watching the various children dancing to the energetic beat, some much better than others. The children were having fun and it showed on their faces and the glee to which they danced to Miss Barbara's instructions.

Because of the sudden importance of Liramor-23, Cynthia was no longer sending her pieces through Planet Hanover, she was now sending direct to Terra, so the five-minute clip she forwarded graced the eyes of Jake Mannen who was delighted at the antics of the various children. He looked at more of the clips that Cynthia had sent and decided to run a series on it.

The first inkling that people had was of a two-minute snippet during the noon hour news program which showed children of all ages and races, dancing and bouncing to the music. They informed the audience that there would be more to see on the entertainment channels that evening, setting up a big request for the items, especially among children.

The entertainment hungry humans all tuned in and thoroughly enjoyed the spectacle of the young of the various species dancing to Miss Barbara's instructions, so much so that the children of Terra started asking to dance with Miss Barbara too. The clips had made her an overnight sensation and a media darling that she quickly capitalized on.

But the Union wasn't the only place that saw the clips as the parents of the same dancing children sent clips to their kin back on their various home worlds who also enjoyed watching the spectacle. Once again, the clips made big news on the local entertainment channels, this time of many different worlds among the various races.

Barbara, the new darling of the human entertainment channels suddenly, and quite unexpectantly, found herself the entertainment media darling of half-a-dozen races, whose children also wanted to dance with Miss Barbara.

An assignment she had taken on for the sake of a few bored children in a daycare, unexpectedly propelled Miss Barbara to stardom throughout the Interspecies Community.

Over the ensuing weeks, Barbara watched as various artists from other races tried to emulate her, most rather unsuccessfully, with the children of the Liramor-23 daycare. The children adored Miss Barbara because she was the type of free-wheeling entity they liked, while the other instructors were simply too regimented for the younger children of other species.

But Barbara noted what the other entertainers had done for their own people and managed to successfully integrate that into her own routines. Now that she had an idea of what the other races could do, she was much more successful at getting them to participate, which made her a favorite everywhere in the Greater Community.

The most surprising thing for her, though, was the invitations to various worlds to come and dance with and for the children. Barbara was almost at the top of her game; it would only take one more thing to propel her to superstardom...

The only children missing from the daycare were the Djinaete, who effectively did not have a 'child' stage, going from pupae to the final stage and purpose of their lives, and the Feeyan, who's children needed the heavy radiation of their home star. Because of this, Feeyan children rarely left their home world.

Barbara had an exciting time trying to include all the movements and dance patterns of the various races into her programs, especially so for the Umick, who loved to dance but had an odd internal rhythm that most species could not successfully mimic.

But Barbara had an ace up her sleeve, the two little girls, who knew the music of the other races, and even a few of their dance patterns. It was their momma, Junelliya, who gave Barbara the clue to the dance pattern the Umick employed, after all, music variations were Junelliya's forte. She built a repertoire of music inserts for Barbara that allowed her to include all the children in almost any music format. But her goal, as always, was to get them bouncing and her enthusiasm did just that!

Children everywhere liked to move...and the loved to move to Miss Barbara's dance sessions!

Hospital Reception, Lima Deck, Liramor-23, The Piscium System

Juliana Santos had been called to the hospital unexpectedly and was nervous as to why. She arrived at the same time as her husband did and, from the look on his face, he had no idea why they were there either. Nurse Katryana greeted them and set them down in an interview room just off main reception where they could see the door. A moment later, Dr. Heyya came in.