We returned home exhausted but exhilarated. We’d solved a problem on our own without having to ask the scientists and it made us feel good.
Alexis and Nicole came up with the idea of creating indented slopes of over a hundred metres in circumference each on the outer ‘surface’ of the inner energy shield (looking almost like giant funnels) and tiny holes at the center for water to drop into our sky. We’ve always had runnels of water running back down to the main body of water from the upper part, above the water level. At the altitudes above the water level there is less gravity and pressure, so we’ve always understood why there is condensation. All the two girls did was find a way to make use of the condensation to give us a more interesting weather system - and it does work. The girls were congratulated by everyone and the scientists were the loudest in their praise. I wonder how the Sparklers will react to the wetter conditions. When a storm is brewing I guess they’ll avoid our skies as they do not enjoy the electricity generated.
A side effect we did not consider in advance is that the top of our sky is incredibly beautiful now. The water collecting in the bowls is solid enough to create hundreds of fine and misty waterfalls that sometimes extend for a couple of hundred metres. We could get rid of them by attaching to the inner side a kind of artificial sponge that would diffuse the water, but we love our waterfalls.
The elders and leaders admitted to their people that they still don’t understand much of what they’ve been taught, but they do understand that there is danger and they need our help. We took each group back to their own nations, they voted or the leader informed his people of their decision and we have promised to bring those who are coming from other realities to help on our return. We were pleased when some of the Normals in Freddie volunteered to stay behind to start the program. Although they are only six people, they do have enough knowledge to help the locals prepare for storms, droughts and earthquakes. They will have Cherinians, mostly aliens at this stage, remaining behind to work with them. This time Normals will be in control and us Cherinians will do the donkey work.
We decided to leave for our wedding. With all the elders and leaders already gathered for reporting their election results, it was the best time to leave. We advised everyone that those who come with will be returned the same day, so they are cheerfully seen off as they enter the beautiful platform Robbie is using to fly them to Freddie. I looked up at the sight of Freddie in their skies.
“Aganthi, when we return, we have to travel to Asia to meet the humans there. They need to be warned and helped also.” I grinned. “Can you imagine what they think of Freddie?”
With our arms around some guests, including Sebura and Piri, we jumped to Freddie. Sebura stared at the waterfalls overhead (after all, they are a very noticeable change in our environment) and he was amused when we explained what had led to their existence.
“As you see Sebura, we affect your world and yours in turn affect ours. That is how it should be.”
He was very quickly distracted when some Akiard kids asked Piri if she wants to play with them. She was happy to go and Sebura did not try to stop her, but it was obvious he was worried, imagining a hundred different ways they could hurt her accidentally. We pretended not to know as worrying about her is good for him.
Sebura soon found which of the guests is Aristos and out of curiosity he introduced himself. They spent the next couple of days talking and as Freddie arrived home, Sebura came to speak to Robbie.
“Does Aristos fill you with anger?”
Sebura nodded, “Yes, he is the kind of man that is used. It is not worthy of any man wasting time on being angry with a woman like him.”
Robbie grinned. “Careful Sebura, Samantha might feel insulted that you describe him as a woman.”
He pretended a puzzled look. “If she were described as a man, men of your world would feel proud?”
Robbie laughed and swung Piri on to his shoulders. “You don’t expect me to answer that do you. Why don’t you ask Samantha yourself?”
He smiled. “Perhaps I should place my little lion fighter on my shoulders before I do so?”
Cheesed off, I muttered to Diana, “He’s been trying very hard to learn to think and speak like us. I hate it, he’s starting to sound just like he’s from our Earth.”
“You prefer him to sound like a savage?”
“No, I prefer him to sound like an Orati rider.”
“How did he find out that Robert responds to humour with friendliness?”
“He is very observant Diana, after all, he is a hunter.” Robbie chuckled and I remembered Diana of mythology was supposed to be a huntress.
We had to appear with the elders when they were officially welcomed (the ceremony was held in the Cherinian Embassy, which is where all such functions will take place from now, avoiding the problem of local politics). I allowed Robbie to explain what we have done to clear the skies of the ash and they compared that to technology they have for creating rain-clouds. An amusing aspect of such functions is that the usual drinks and savouries afterwards always include milkshakes and whichever pastries they know we like.
Sebura loves Cyprus, or should I say, he loves the way of life that Socrati still maintains and, of course, Wilfred told him the story about Robert being a demon and Sebura was amused. It will be interesting to see how that story sounds back among the Orati once he has told it to his friends. For little Piri’s sake, I arranged a three day visit in the Seychelles and because the imps went with her the first day, she learnt to play on the beach and she also learnt how to float in the small children’s pool. Sebura does not know how to swim and is terrified of the ocean, despite his show of bravado, so I set a link to Pirusi, just in case she gets it in her head that she can swim and enters the sea.
We had a lovely Christmas and held our own party for New Years Eve. When the party ended, early in the morning, Cherine suggested Robbie takes Tseri for a day on her own with him. We all enthusiastically approved of the idea, so they left for half an hour. I was too nervous about having my hair fixed as I want it and not as the hairdresser thought it should look and I firmly refused any makeup. I knew Robbie would not mind me sparingly using a light scent so by the time we had to leave for the ceremony and reception I felt I was at my prettiest and would not embarrass Robbie and my loves. I guess I’ll now have to reveal where the ceremony is taking place. Do you recall the Italian Minister who attacked us with an edited video during the live debate? He pleaded with a Cherinian to ask us to hold it in Italy and Robbie agreed. He did tell the Cherinian that he will not agree to it being held in the Coliseum as they might see that as an excuse to set some lions on us. Luckily the Cherinian is a mature person who had the good sense not to relay that part of our reply.
At the reception they played some of the most beautiful Italian love songs and the Romani put on a show for us. Since Robbie stuck his nose into their way of life, the gypsies from all over the world treat him as their champion, asking for his support whenever they have problems with the local authorities - but only if they are convinced they are in the right. He enjoys taking Tina with when he visits them and tells them she is his special gypsy girl. They know of the prophesies and treat her as if she really is one of them. One of the women offered to teach her how to read palms, but Tina shied away, she does not want to have anything to do with that side of life as she hates having to deliver our prophesies.
“We are going to be changed by so many of your people coming to our world. It saddens me, for there is much your people will offer that will seem to my people attractive, but it will spoil us and our traditions will be lost.”
“Perhaps you now understand why I asked to be allowed to control what comes from our way of life? Ashema, with the changes coming, your way of life would have been changed for the worse if I had never come to you. At least, with the two of us and my family and friends committed to preserving all that is good about your people, we might manage to save something.”
“It is talked about by all Orati how you have succeeded in changing Sebura. What changed him, was it that visit where he needed you to breathe?”
“I cannot tell you, but he needed to face some pains he went through as a child.”
“Ah, his father. For a son to kill his father is not forgiven Samantha, yet none blamed him. He was an evil man.”
“I’m hoping that Pirusi turns him to the future so that the past no longer affects him.”
“That was clever of you, where did you find her?”
“Whatever do you mean Sir Ashema?” He smiled, but did not insist.
