...an inquisitive little planet that wanted to know what our ships are. My loves named the planetary being Batsy and she truly is beautiful, in her natural shape a black pearl.” [If he was using some poetic licence in his descriptions, I’d say that since he was talking as a politician, we’ll have to allow it].
7991
“I hope that what I’m about to say will translate nicely. My friends, Batsy, the first ever planet to visit a planet - I trust the entity of your planet is here to meet her?” Not only us girls groaned. All our friends groaned and even some who were not that close as friends, they too groaned. What a time to decide to exercise his sense of humour! Of course he burst out laughing and it looked like we had an embarrassing situation on our hands as he was likely to laugh for a few more minutes. Cherine prodded for me to take over and I insisted she should. Dommi told me to stop wasting time and take over.
I stepped forward. “All of you are aware of the weird sense of humour Robert and my family have and our love for playing with words. However, I do think Robert was unfair to Batsy, she has not had the time needed to learn of our peculiar sense of humour. Batsy, Robert was joking, the planet you are standing on does not have a soul and mind - as far as we know. However he was right about one thing, if we are to think of you as the essence of your being, then it could be said that this is the first time a planet has stood on another planet. Please feel free to walk around and make some new friends - the Meéjeirans are a lovely people, so I’m certain you’ll meet many you’ll come to think of as friends.”
I spent the entire day on planet as we visited from one centre to another, being the most unpopular person in our group. At least the Meéjeirans showed they loved me and that they do enjoy my sense of humour. Unfortunately, some of them felt free to tease Robbie and my loves with what I’d said about us and that is why I remained ‘unpopular’ for the entire day.
When they learnt that Batsy is curious about their world and wants to walk around on her own, they gave her carte blanche permission to visit on her own whenever she wishes. She thereafter spent many days learning about the various ecologies that make up the planetary ecology. Because of Freddie, she had thought that each planet would only have one climate and had not bothered to examine the data she has.
I’m not very good at keeping track in the diary as to who is with us and when I mention somebody comes with us, such as Efineh, then I don’t always mention it when she or other guests are taken/sent or jump home. I’m only mentioning it because Efineh happens to still be with us - so are the Robert and Cherine from the world Craig attacked. Campbell did not come with despite many of his followers joining us, since he had not returned from his working visit at the world of Kiris. The Friend of Court, judge David Watkins, is still with us - even though we did offer to let him stay on the prison planet so that he sees they do not suffer J . Robbie is happy that Gregory and Dimi keep each other company and we think Dimi is having a good influence on Gregory. He was beginning to make a name for himself locally, in Cyprus, as a spoiled playboy, but now he seems to be truly impressed by all he’s seen on this trip and has mentioned a few times his amazement that so many are making such immense sacrifices to help strangers.
Michael told us, “Simito had not realised how much he and his wife had been changed by living with us on Earth. They are finding it difficult to blend back in with their people. Dad, I’d like to leave them here for a time on their own. Can you find a reason for us to leave?”
I quickly said, “I’d like for Piri and the Robert and Cherine with her to come here. This planet was important in changing Sebura and Piri has heard a lot about it, she’ll love coming here.”
Dommi asked, “Samantha, do you want her to be like Efineh, not happy with her home world?”
“Is that true Dommi? I can feel that Efineh enjoys some of what our Earth has to offer, but she loves her own world. Since Efineh is a Cherinian, she can jump to and fro so I don’t see a problem.” I grinned. “If we can jump halfway around the world to buy milk, why shouldn’t she jump to our reality for a visit, maybe do some shopping or watch a movie and at the end of the day jump back to her home? Once Piri is a Cherinian, she can do the same.” I gave Efineh a look. “I think that which world they end up thinking of as their home depends on who they love. Piri will always love her home world because of Sebura.”
“Since he is an elder and chief of their international rider group, I can’t see him wanting to leave.”
7992
I was surprised that it was Sheena who stood up for Sebura. “That’s not fair Theresa, he loves his world.”
Since Alki and Marian were not with us, they were visiting Muyzith friends, I was free to say what I thought. “I believe that it must have been tempting for some Robert and Cherine couples to leave their reality. Maybe if they did not have an Alki to hold their hearts to their Athens and planet, they would have left.”
Robbie grinned. “That is if they do not have a Samantha. It seems most Samanthas fall in love with their Athens.”
“If that is so, it is because of her Alki.”
While we’d been talking, Freddie had jumped to Efineh’s reality. As soon as we arrived, Samuel and his family arrived. They always seem to be happy and excited about their work on this world, but they enjoy visiting in Freddie whenever possible. We had a meal and then played music and turned their arrival into an excuse for a party. Gregory danced a few times with Ataxia and Samuel pretended to be jealous and Gregory laughed, but it did make him feel, secretly, just a little bit proud.
In the morning I dressed as I do for going into the bush and Robbie gave me a look. I told him, “You don’t expect me to leave without taking Skotos for a run? After that item Arthur posted for us about the gorilla mother, I also want to check the gorilla family left behind for scientists to monitor. If they are not doing well they must also be moved to the alternate Earth.”
“Perhaps I should ask the Unation to use a bee camera instead of a butterfly? A swarm of them might be a good idea.”
I sat back, my mind returning to those days. “I find it strange the way things worked out. Instead of being attacked when everyone still feared and hated us, I mostly was attacked once things had changed for the better back at home.”
Robbie scowled, “It would be a good idea that you all keep that in mind. We don’t know that we don’t still have enemies who hate us.”
“I’m leaving - Efineh, I’m hoping you will be staying with us so please don’t take over, just check that all is going as you want.” I jumped.
Sebura stopped moving, staring as little Cher ran to me, calling out my name happily. Of course it meant that within two seconds Piri was doing the same. I hugged both of them, looked up and saw both Sebura and Robert were slowly walking to us, so I said, “Would the two of you mind waiting for a hug until I’m free of these two precious darlings?” Both of them blushed furiously and I heard the laughter in Freddie. As soon as I could I made certain they both got a hug, though not as fierce as the hugs the two girls gave me.
“Would you accompany me to the gorillas?” I asked Sebura. While my loves kept the two girls occupied so that they do not clamour to come with, we walked away from them and then, with my fingers on his wrist, we jumped. He had seen in my mind where I’d pictured going, but he’d thought it was where the gorillas must be. With a smile I rose to pluck some mangoes and then we walked to sit by the cliff edge, overlooking the village of Efineh.
“I take it that Robert is not much of a warrior?”
“You saw? The little one, Cherine, she is more of a warrior.”
“The same is true of my Robert and Cherine. Isn’t it remarkable that out of our Robert came Vincent, who I think you’ll agree is a warrior. Although Kirsten mostly originates from us girls, she is more like Robert; though, when she needs to be, she can be a fiercer warrior than Vincent.”
“And you Samantha? You are like Kirsten or Vincent?”
I grinned. “Because you’ve seen me fight you think I am a warrior? Sebura, any of my loves could have fought as well or better, even Sheena or Candy. I have the Cherinian reflexes that can make it seem to me that I have forever between blows and Robbie insisted on all of us being trained in certain fighting ways.” My words brought to the fore the thoughts that sinks me into a gloom at times. He waited, perhaps sensing me or else my face spoke for me.
7993
“I don’t know what to do for the people of your planet Sebura. I can see where I want to help them go, but I cannot see the path that takes them there. For instance, as I mentioned my training, the thought came to me that it would be wonderful if all your riders, of all the nations, could be trained. The way of fighting I speak of is not for killing, it teaches you how to use the strength, hate, anger, even the fear of your opponents against them so that you can overcome them without needing to kill or seriously wound them. It is a better way of fighting than that which you learnt from Haven, more suitable for Cherinians. That is a destination Sebura, but how do I get you there? You are not Cherinians, you have to deal with those who are selfish, greedy or evil in some way that hurts people. You cannot revert them to babies and help them grow with good principles, self discipline and love and it would be wrong to allow you to depend on Cherinians doing it for you. That means you have to imprison or kill them.
If you do so, as a society, you damage your own souls. Since I first came to your world you have mostly avoided dealing with the problem, but you will not be able to do so anymore since you are an international body. Do we encourage your riders to fight to the death all the evil ones so that your society does not have to build prisons or execute them?” I gave a sideways glance at him. “That is what I am accused of having done and it is true. It has been said that each person your riders kill, their blood is on my hands.”
“Who has said such an evil thing!?”
“One amongst many? To name a person would not be fair since his accusation is shared by many others but I can’t always be fair - can I?” He grinned in response but it was not a real smile, he was angry. “The ex husband of Efineh. He is such a one.”
“Him! He is foolish and like a woman!” He actually blushed. “I did not…”
“You meant what you said Sebura and, with respect to many women, what you said is true.” I’m damned if my thoughts did not get side tracked! “Isn’t it strange, men and women have different ways of thinking because our natures are different. When a woman thinks like a man, it is seen as being good, that she shows strength. Yet, when a man thinks like a woman, it is considered bad and weak of him. Sebura, in the old days when men left their homes to hunt, it was the woman who watched over the children and if men from another tribe attacked, the women would fight, giving their lives to protect their children. Because life has grown softer for all, it is only the women who are described as being weak and soft. Do you think your grandfathers would call your men of today warriors or women?”
“Au! You are still a white demon, your tongue is as sharp as that of a…woman!”
I giggled and he laughed. It was a hot day so I asked Maria for a coke and a beer. Aganthi brought them and sat by me. “I think that as we grow up, the meaning of words change. For instance, the word warrior, to Piri it is a far simpler word than it is to you. Sebura, your riders are warriors - is Ashema a warrior or a woman?”
“He is an elder!”
“You’re trying to wiggle out of answering. He became an elder when he was fairly young. Was he a warrior or a woman?”
“Not a woman…he is a warrior.”
“Can you really see that Sebura? Really?” He nodded and Aganthi surreptitiously squeezed me. I waited for my emotions to calm down and to give Sebura time to think on what he’d said. “Sebura, can you see that Piri would not understand why you said Ashema is a warrior?”
“There will be many older and wiser than me who will not understand Samantha.”
“If they are wise, as you say, they might not have thought of it, but once it is pointed out to them, they will understand and agree.”
When I’ve managed to think my way through a problem that strongly appeals to Robbie, I really can’t find the words for how weird it is sensing Robbie falling in love with me after our loving each other for so many years. It does make me want to cry or, at least, be held by my loves, but it also makes me fall in love with him all over again. At such times being eleven years old doesn’t feel old enough, but as his body holds me, I still want to be a five year old so as to sense everything about him at an extreme.
7994
Rob with his five year old Cher (actually six years old by now), are comfortable with each other and she often sits on his lap instead of her mother’s lap. She sits with him, teases him and pulls his ears and other such things a typical six year old does, but all we sense from him is the kind of love an older brother or a father might feel. We don’t panic about the sexual side of it that is needed for them to become a real couple, a Robert and Cherine for their reality. We know that once they are linked and go to the void, half the battle is over. If he gets stubborn because of an ultra puritanical upbringing (which sometimes Rose is responsible for because of her turning to religion to compensate for the lack of love at home), we can trust Cher to bring him around without us having to breathe heavily on them J
Rob had stuck to the training as agreed, but devoted almost all his free time to visiting Gnolat City and what he mostly enthused about was the museum. He asked Robbie, “With so many unique and precious artefacts, aren’t you worried that an earthquake could smash the building and destroy everything inside?”
Robbie grinned in his mind for us but only gave him a casual, “No.”
As he’d hoped for, Rob reacted passionately. He talked as if Robbie does not appreciate how wonderful, beautiful, unique, amazing and another dozen adjectives he used to describe what the museum holds. Robbie played along and stared at him with amazement. By now most of us were struggling to stifle our giggles and if Robbie didn’t bring it to a head soon we’d have to jump home. Little Cher could sense us, but she also sensed her Robert and it confused her. We had to confide in her and explain that Robbie was teasing him. She left us with a reproachful glance and went straight to her Rob. He was making an argument about a particular piece from the Muyzith that he considers a treasure worth more than a planet-full of artefacts and he pleaded/demanded Robbie bring it to Freddie for safekeeping, so he ignored Cher standing by him, waiting to be placed on his lap. Robbie realised he better end the teasing for her sake.
“Robert, I think you have forgotten that I can return in time. There is no danger of losing anything. All the locals know that they must not go anywhere near the city if there is damage so that I can return without changing their past.”
We have not managed to come to an agreement as to whether the fury that flared up in Rob was directed at Robbie or himself or both. He suddenly realised Robbie had been playing with him and feeling very stupid, reached out for the only way to hide himself. He placed Cher on his lap and squashed her to him. Later, Cherine teased her, telling her that since she had enjoyed so much the results of Robbie teasing her Robert, we’ll have to get Robbie to tease him every day.
I decided I would not have my usual run with Skotos and invited Sebura, Piri, Cher and Robert to go on a walkabout (on horseback). I wanted to travel south for two days and then south-east for another three to five days, depending on how interesting we find the areas we ride through. Spice, Rania and Latreia asked to come with and whether princess Thina of Samuel could also come with so I then invited Efineh. Then I had a weird idea. I happened to recall the first time I met the then Lusalith (now Cheslith) and how she’d loved our dream run. I still see her fairly often so it was easy for me to invite her without any embarrassment on her behalf if she doesn’t want to come. As I’d hoped, she was overjoyed and asked me to help her project so that she is also dressed suitably. Teasing her, I asked whether she has a male she wanted to invite - and only then sensed that something is wrong. I did not want to spoil the mood, but when we return I’ll find out what’s wrong.
I had sort of wanted to spend most of my time riding alongside and talking with one or two of my guests, but now that Cheslith was with us, I made certain she stayed close to me as she does not have the correct instincts for protecting herself. I’ll also have to jump her back to the roof of the centre for her to lie in water for an hour or so each day.
We would be passing through an area that is made beautiful but deadly by a number of lakes. The danger mostly comes from insects and snakes, but we could also look forward to meeting a number of species that are extinct on our world. Since we would not be the first exploring the region I did not expect any surprises, but still managed to hang on to a hope that we’ll find some species not recorded by others (with many of them being Cherinians or else, Normals accompanied by Cherinians, I was not pinning my expectations on such hopes).
I had a feeling that the bond between Skotos and myself has been weakened by my frequent absences and the time he spends on his own. I could only think of one way to remind him and after agreeing the exact direction the others will travel, I gave Skotos the old signal and began to run. His head perked up and he watched me running away from him, as if he was considering whether he should indulge me, then he took off and the race was on. Spice and Rania ran with Cheslith but they kept a small distance behind us so that Skotos continues to feel he is having fun time with me alone. We hardly ever run in a straight line anymore, we’ll swerve, cut each other off and even slightly nudge the other. He seems to have an awareness of how hard he can bump my shoulder without knocking me off my feet, but if he slightly miscalculates now and then, I am nimble enough to compensate.
7995
We’d been running full speed for about half an hour and I was pleased to see that he was still breathing easy, but I was looking for a good spot for us to stop and wait for the others to catch up. I was hoping to find a patch of grass for Skotos, so I was looking around as I ran. Skotos has the advantage that his head is higher than mine so when I sensed sudden alarm I turned just in time to avoid him hitting me hard enough to send me tumbling to the ground. He also turned sharply and came to a stop.
I walked ahead and saw there was an erosion gully just beyond the slight rise, about two metres deep and five wide. I went to pat Skotos, but he shied away, angry with me for some reason. Talking softly I walked back fifty metres so as to stop those who followed.
When we stopped to prepare camp for the night, I wondered how Sebura would cook. Usually he’ll make the fire and place large stones to the sides for resting the pot on. I could not see any stones or rocks and, to tell the truth, I was impressed by how rich the earth I scooped seems to be. Sebura dug a narrow ditch, made the fire next to it and once the flames had settled into glowing coals, he pushed it over into the ditch. Now he placed the pot with our vegetables at the one end and sticks with meat over the rest of the coals. He’d even brought a small kettle for making tea served with honey.
Cheslith sat by me and I asked her whether she wants to go for a swim, but she suggested we go first thing in the morning, so I hugged her to me for a while. I was not in a talkative mood, but it seemed like everyone else was feeling the exact opposite of me and our happy voices must have carried quite a distance in the night air. When we lay down to sleep, only Robert and Cher closed their eyes and fell asleep immediately. The rest of us spent a few moments staring up at the sky, enjoying the bright stars, the scent and sounds of the African bush and the feeling of being on our own, a small but loving group. I gently embraced and rubbed Cheslith until she became drowsy and we fell asleep snuggled up to each other because of the slightly damp cool air.
Apart from the one near miss, the rest of our trip was uneventful, all of us enjoyed learning about the local ecology by examining the plants, insects and animals. As we moved down to the area of lakes, even Sebura was amazed at the variety of life he did not know existed so close to his home area. By the time we turned for returning home, we had grown closer to each other and I was pleased to see that Thina and Cheslith are now growing towards a real friendship. It gave me an idea and Robbie confirmed it will be ready by the time we are back at the Orati Centre. He built a lovely ranch style house for Samuel and his loves so that they have a home of their own in Freddie whenever they travel with us. We were amused when we saw the bedrooms. Robbie did not know whether they do as we do and all sleep together or whether they prefer to use a number of bedrooms. As a compromise so that changes can be easily made, he situated the main bedroom in the center with nine bedrooms all around it. If they want to change it to one, all Samuel has to do is remove the wall panels of the main bedroom.
We arrived home (the Orati centre) to find nearly everyone of my family had left, either to explore other parts of the world or else to visit places we love in our reality, to see how they differ here. Robbie looked happy enough about it, he’d moved his easel to the roof of the Orati centre and was painting there, trying to keep the sun off himself but claiming the light gives a different look to his painting. What he really meant is that the light of Freddie is not exactly the same as sunlight on Earth.
Our AI companions can make us look like we are a bunch of crazies. When I use Athene, only I can see my screen, unless I ask Athene to make it visible to others. We rarely use a keyboard (she reflects one on a surface for me if I want it) and our exchanges with our AI’s are mostly verbal. We did sort of get used to seeing people talk to themselves when the cell phones came out, but talking to an AI companion is more like talking to a person standing or sitting by you and we tend to gesticulate, smile, frown and grimace as we talk.
Robbie was painting, Sol and Elpida were talking with a visiting Thinker, Claudia was packing some sandwiches and fruit juice into her backpack and from the equipment clipped to her belt we knew she is going climbing. Cherine was sitting by herself, looking crazy as she talked to her AI companion.
I sat next to Cherine, waiting for her to finish. Her conversation sounded very odd so I could not help giving her an enquiring look when she turned to me. She grinned. “I was superficially learning the customs of the Barkell’ee, as I’m tired of making so many mistakes every time we meet a new specie. Sam, they have a weird custom - well, sort of weird, I guess we can’t talk, since so many Terrans still have their skin tattooed. What the Barkell'ee do is done from just after birth until the day they die. They sew coloured threads into their skin and the dye dissolves, colouring their skin. They change the threads from twice a year to even five or six times a year. Apparently the threads, their colours, shininess and designs are not just a matter of fashion, they symbolise many facets of their lives.” She gave a big grin. “It seems they can also use them to lie. For instance, if they are not happy with their mates - I’m not certain I understood how many they have, they will often sew in threads to show they are happy and loved.”
7996
“What do you mean about not understanding how many mates?”
“It seems everyone is having the same problem. Sometimes they talk about having five to seven hundred and at other times the same individual talks about having one mate or maybe, between twelve to fifteen.”
“Sounds like our kind of species.” She, and Robbie, laughed at my comparing ourselves to them. I had a glass of freshly made granadilla juice and a toasted halloumi (we grow granadillas and passion fruit on partitioning fences; they are attractive, hardy, easy to grow and the fruit is delicious, but also filled with good vitamins and so on, I don’t understand why everybody doesn’t grow them). As I finished eating, I got to my feet. “Cherine, I’m thinking of going to visit the local Indian continent in the morning. I’d love to have you come with me.”
“Just the two of us?”
“Yes. Why?”
She shrugged. “I thought you might want to bring Efineh with.” I grinned and told her she is being nasty…then repeated my invitation, making it clear I want it to be only the two of us. She agreed.
“It means we’ll have to get up a few hours before dawn, I want to get there early in the morning.” She groaned, but I insisted she’d agreed to come. She complained to Robbie that I’d tricked her, but she let me sense she is happy to be spending a day alone with me.
* * * * *
We decided not to wear anything resembling the clothing the Indians wear. Angelica warned us that minute differences in the clothing could signify differences in social standing whereas, wearing clothes that are startlingly different would identify us as foreigners without suggesting what our standing is among our own people. Just to see the fire flashing in her eyes, I suggested Cherine dresses in a way that suggests she is a queen while I wear my Orati clothes so that they assume I am her servant. To pay me back, Cherine insisted we dress the other way around and became quite stubborn about it until Dommi decided to talk some sense into both of us.
The next problem that had to be resolved was also important. What body age should we use? I was all for going as children of ten, too young for men to concentrate on seducing us while making it easier for them to forgive our many mistakes that we were bound to make. Cherine insisted she is going as she is, an eight year old, but demanded I do not make myself younger, that I go as a ten year old. I knew, we all knew what Cherine was trying to do. She had understood that I wanted us to travel there, meet those we meet with all of them understanding she is the leader. By making herself that much younger, she was showing me she was determined that I keep the yoke of leadership on my shoulders. Cheerfully I agreed and I think she could have just as cheerfully changed herself to an adult so as to place me over her knee for a spanking. The reason she was annoyed was because I pointed out to Robbie that, on second thought, I liked the idea of my being thought of as the leader - since it meant that if she accidentally trod on any toes socially, I would be held responsible. Scowling at me she changed herself to a ten year old - which still made her seem younger than me J
7997
As I have previously explained, India is a sub-continent still slightly apart from the rest of Asia - I have been told that the Himalayan mountain range will never exist here. I would have expected that the island we know as Ceylon (Arthur has told me it is now called Sri Lanka in his reality) would surely belong to the same tectonic plate as India but I must be wrong. In our reality, when looking at a map or our world from space, if my feet face south and my head north, then Ceylon is seen as being to the left of the tip of India. Not here. It is to the right and has actually joined at Trichur. It seems to be insistent about working its way into the sub continent for the land is crinkling up into a small series of hills. Could it have cracked off the main plate and then floated way off course? I never would have imagined it as being possible.
Only the west coast of India is populated, no towns or cities towards the southern tip nor the northern coast. The three small cities are in the same geographic positions as the following cities of our Earth: Mumbai (Bombay) - here known as Habaleshwa; Surat - here known as Alsaman; Jamnagar - here known as Evandvhi. Alsaman is the largest of the three cities and has a population of about four hundred and thirty thousand and with the farmers and villages surrounding the city they might total about one million four hundred thousand. Evandvhi is only about two hundred and eighty thousand, but the surrounding countryside is more thickly inhabited, more villages and farms and their total population could be close to one and a half million. Habaleshwa has the smallest population and even including the surrounding areas, the population is not more than three hundred thousand.
The three cities do not belong to one nation. They are each city states with their own leaders, currency and minor variations in religion and dialects. Evandvhi is older, the social rules starting to become intricate and fossilised. On the good side, they are used to visitors from other lands and their priests study the knowledge and customs of other societies so that they can decide which are to be integrated into their own society and religion. Despite the lack of interest by Irfan, the differences in culture, religion and so on are irresistible magnets to Indians of all other realities. I’ve never objected to anyone visiting them, only asking they do as little as possible to influence them. Mostly they are visited by those who want to study them and therefore treasure the differences. For a while, I was unpopular as I objected to gurus and other religious priests or missionaries from visiting unless they give a strict undertaking not to try and sell their religion - that word, ‘sell’, was to a large extent what made me so unpopular.
Taking Cherine with me might have been construed as evidence of my breaking my own rule and that I was visiting as a missionary - eager to sell Cherinianism to them. The answer is that, though I am partly guilty, it has nothing to do with the reason I’m going there with Cherine. I hardly ever have time and shared experiences with her on my own, whereas all my loves have had many such times, and she is my numero uno, as Robbie calls her, and I want some memories of us on our own.
We arrived in Evandvhi at about five thirty in the morning. Allan wanted to wait with us for a while but I insisted he leave. Cherine and I walked around, just as excited as any Normal girls our age would have been to be living such an adventure. The architecture is distinctive and different from any we’ve seen before. The air, even at this time of day, was hot and humid so we could imagine what it will be like once the sun is up. Just as with our India, the locals enjoy spicy food and the scent of their cooking from the previous day still lingered, mixed with the scents of flowers and fruit, such as over-ripe guavas. I’ll be polite and not mention the other odours a lack of a sanitation department is responsible for.
Both of us found it strange that we came across two patrols before the streets filled up and neither of them seemed to be worried or surprised by our presence. Well, they did politely nod when we greeted them, but otherwise they gave the impression they thought we had every right to be there. I’m certain the lack of xenophobia exhibited is not in line with the level of civilisation achieved. On the other hand, we asked ourselves, it is an alternate world, so maybe they have an alternate set of rules?
We got the giggles when Cherine asked a shopkeeper, as he prepared to open, where the local coffee shop is. He tried to look thoughtful, came to some conclusion that would only make sense if we ignored our rule about not listening to other people’s thoughts, and gave us directions. We thanked him and asked if there is a shop where we can drink tea and he pointed to another shop further up the road.
7998
The tea shop was a pleasant surprise. At first we only ordered tea and sat feeling a little bit uncomfortable, worrying whether we were breaking some cultural rule, as all the other patrons were only adult men. The wife was obviously told about us and she came out with a variety of little sweets and pastries for us to taste, warmly reassuring us that we are welcome.
The gift of Claudia is wonderful and solves the problem of communicating with new species, so I am not trying to denigrate it when I comment that it sometimes can be a problem. Think on it; on this planet, we speak English which is now understood by many, but when we want to speak in confidence, we use Greek. However, when Freddie is here, which means Claudia is, it does not matter which language we use, they all hear us in their own language. Cherine and I had to use telepathy for most of our humorous exchanges. Some of our humour could have upset other patrons as we found rotund, wealthy middle-aged men dressed flamboyantly in the brightest of colours and with hair done up in tight curls rather amusing. Their almost effeminate and delicate ways contrast with their hairy male bodies, but all it needed was one look at their eyes and it could be seen that they are hard and calculating, nothing like they are pretending to be.
“It’s never this hot back at your Orati Centre!” Cherine complained. It was just about ten in the morning and we were already relying on our healers to prevent us from being drenched in perspiration. “I think most of us will find it difficult to fit in here, everything is complicated and has a double or triple meaning. Have you noticed how those emoting intense dislike of each other are the friendliest?”
“They are not unique in that, but they do seem to have rules I’m not finding easy to understand. From what has been reported, they have very little violence, murder is rare and yet all sensitives have reported they use commerce as a weapon, men ganging up to destroy a common enemy financially. It is not illegal and anyone destroyed in a business sense cannot recover. You cannot tell such a person to work hard to become rich again. Wealth is created over generations and by cultivating friendships that open doors. Anyone who loses his fortune is seen by his friends as being weak and is never given an opportunity to rise again. What I find unbelievable is that everyone has reported that they have very close family ties and yet, neither a brother nor a father will help restore the fortunes of a loved one. At best they’ll provide them with a home and food.”
Walking towards a restaurant recommended to us, we saw a street hawker selling green mangoes dusted with the red spice we’d tried before. Ignoring the flies, we bought some and nibbled as we walked. “Have you noticed that nobody approaches us? I mean, nobody tries to sell us anything and even the beggars leave us alone.”
Not really believing it myself, I answered, “Maybe those who came before us pointed out that we don’t like being pestered?” Cherine found my answer funny and laughed, annoying me for a moment. I couldn’t see what she thought was funny.
“That has never stopped anyone before - especially the beggars.”
“There doesn’t seem to be much dire poverty here, just poor people. I mean, I haven’t sensed anyone starving.” We did notice a young boy of about fourteen following us, but he kept his distance. We decided he was more worried about hiding his interest from his own people so we ignored him.
After lunch it was too hot to walk around and the spicy meal made us feel lethargic. The owner of the restaurant must have called for his wife as we could see she was not dressed for working. She explained that they have a shady garden at the back, famous for its beauty and coolness. She chose from a handful of bills of various denominations twenty Euros (if they can’t read our numbers, which I presume is the case, they must have all studied the colours and designs as they always chose the larger denominations) and led us to the back. I invited her to join us for something to drink, but she excused herself and rushed away.
“We’re not having much success at talking to anyone.”
Cherine grinned. “Have you noticed that the men will sell to us or take our orders, but they won’t talk to us? It seems they have to call for a woman if they need to explain something.”
I pretended to put on airs. “That’s because we’re so beautiful and the men are afraid their wives will get jealous if they talk to us.” Cherine lightly punched my arm and we both laughed. “Actually, it seems even the women don’t want to talk to us. Perhaps only a man can find out the reason.” I asked Allan (telepathically), but he told me that he does not know and that even with him, men trade but only women explain or give directions.
7999
We bought some silks - well, lots and lots of silks for our loves and others, Cherine also bought a collection of little pots filled with paint for Jade and Robbie to try and I bought a carved tooth that was about the length of my arm, from elbow to wrist. It had been carved with sexual scenes and I noted that the trader did not find it strange that a child was buying it, all he seemed to be doing is calculating or updating how the sale affected his profits for the day. I pretended interest in some other carvings so as to spy on his emoting and realised he was doing whatever he did (that I interpreted as calculations) with each and every sale he made.There was far too much for us to carry, but we did not want to return home yet. I was loving every minute of being alone with Cherine and was hoping we could extend our stay into the evening. As we stood, dithering, the young lad who’d been following us approached.
“Cart? Very cheap.”
I pulled out a five Euro and waved it at him. “Is that enough?” I felt his emoting so I was pleased that he did not try to negotiate for more. He rushed off to get a cart. The cart he returned with must have been used for transporting rubbish or night soil and it smelled. He had covered the inside with a cloth so we pretended we could not smell anything bad. His relief actually made him weak at the knees for a moment. I wondered about it.
Cherine asked him, “What is your name?”
He did not answer, his face stony. We walked for a while, Cherine and I stopping to look or comment at whatever caught our eye. We did notice that at certain places the lad would not stop and he’d walk on a bit and then wait for us. The city does not have any parks so we decided we will have to get out of the city if we want to talk with him. As we walked and it looked as if we were aiming for the edge of the city, we noticed he was growing tense, not out of anxiety but out of anticipation. We wondered whether he has others waiting to rob us, but he felt ‘wrong’ for that. He was anticipating something important to him, but we could not sense anything evil about him. We decided to play along and we walked out of the city.
He looked around every now and then. Finally he must have been satisfied nobody could see, for he spoke, “My apologies. Name is Kunam. Not allowed talk.”
“Her name is Cherine and mine is Sam. Why are you not allowed to talk to us?”
“Shame. You are Fallen; Dung.” He was emoting great embarrassment so we did not react with anger as he obviously feared. We tried to question him but, for one, he was very nervous about being seen by his people talking to us and, secondly, I think he really did not know how to explain. He offered to arrange for his grandfather to meet us where we would not be seen so that he can explain to us. His final comment puzzled us even more. He told us that his grandfather is also Dung so he is allowed to talk to us.
Robbie enclosed our purchases in a small bubble of energy and took them for sterilising before delivering to our home in Freddie. Cherine and I waited at the place Kunam led us to and as twilight sank into darkness, Kunam appeared to lead us to his grandfather. It was to a hut out in the fields, probably used for storing seeds or tools. The old man stood waiting and gestured for us to enter. As soon as we did, he sat in front of the opening, to the left but on the outside, with Kunam sitting on the right. If anyone saw them it would look as if the two of them were only talking to each other.
“I was of the Blue Golden, the second last generation of my family Blessed by our goddess and there were none higher than I. For all those generations other families worked together to destroy us, but when the goddess blesses you, their plans are cast back at them so that their own families Fall and become Dung. My son, father of Kunam, forgot that we are of the Blessed and joined other families to destroy others who were also Blue Golden Blessed. The goddess swept her hair before her eyes so that she no longer could see us and his plans were cast back at my son and our family fell, no longer Blue Golden, no longer Blessed and no longer Pphaijan.” He paused, giving us time for the understanding to sink in of the depth of calamity that had struck his family. The people of this city state call themselves Pphaijan, so in effect he was telling us that his family are no longer considered human beings. Although Cherine looked younger, he waited for her dark eyes to look into his before he continued.
8000
“Kunam has the right to claim back his future, if he can find a way, the goddess is not vindictive and she made it a law for all. If he works hard and saves his money, he will someday have enough to be a street seller or learn a craft. If his son works hard and saves, some day he or his son will have enough saved to buy a small shop. That did not matter to me, all I asked of our goddess is that she allowed me to live long enough to see my grandson a Pphaijan once more. Today you gave him wealth enough for him to buy a street seller position of his own. Today my grandson is a Pphaijan again, only a Fallen, not of the Dung - as the non-Pphaijan are called. I had to see with my own eyes the forms the Blessing of our goddess took.” He bent over so that his forehead touched the ground. “This is a dream this old Dung did not dare dream. The goddess has forgiven us for the betrayal by my son, for she did not wait for generations to work their way back to becoming Golden so that she can name them Blue Golden, and she has named us once again the Blessed.” Cherine and I did not protest, the old man has the right to his dreams and beliefs. “No poetry, no song has ever spoken of a Fallen becoming a Blessed. Kunam will be remembered forever as the first Blue Fallen and I swear on the souls of all my family, those who are gone, those now living and those to come, that we will never forget to trust in the Blessing of our goddess.” Both the old man and Kunam were stunned and frightened by his vow. We waited for them to recover.
Cherine spoke softly, her face gentle. “We had some questions.”
He straightened. “I will answer those I can.”
It was obvious he had told us the truth, as to his previous station, for his manner of speaking showed he is educated; he talked of books, of poetry and art, he talked of the silvery notes of music that melt the bones so that we fly as spirits within the heart of the goddess. He talked of their economic system and simplified it for us so that it made sense. Diffidently he explained that when non-people first appeared, his people were greatly troubled. It was obvious that we had great powers and wealth, so they did not dare turn us away, for if only one family agreed to do business with us, the rest would soon be Fallen. They all had to do business with us since they could not guarantee the alternative being held to by all. After all, as he carefully explained, it is the right of each family to plan to make themselves the strongest so that they can never become of the Fallen.
Their biggest problem was that we, the visitors, are, according to their traditions and beliefs, non-people. To treat us as equals would only signify they are lowering themselves to the status of Fallen, since we cannot be raised to their level. After numerous meetings between their priests and Blue Golden, it was agreed that traders are allowed to trade and speak for the purpose of making a sale or for purchasing our products. Any suggestions, questions or answers may not be given by the men, only by the women who are not fully Pphaijan, but also not of the Fallen or Dung. They are of the Grace, belonging to the goddess, so they will not be affected by speaking to us. He confided, with some amusement, that since the decision was made, daughters are now valued, as they can be the intermediaries who help strengthen their family or the family of their husband. Both Cherine and I liked him when he dared to have a sense of humour.
Cherine made me laugh when she said to me, “I wonder how the priests of our own religions will react when they learn that we have found a civilisation that worships Mammon! They’ll probably righteously demand the right to send their missionaries.” We felt the amusement of Robbie and the rest of our loves, include Alki and others sharing. I knew that Cherine was taking a dig at me because of what I wrote about the word ‘righteous’.
I replied. “At least they are honest about what they worship. Cherine, we must not allow anyone to come from other realities to change them, these people have the right to their own culture and beliefs. All we can hope to do is gentle their rules and open their hearts to empathy. If those changes force them to make other changes, at least the changes will be made by them to suit their dreams for their children.”
We learnt that I had foolishly paid three to five times the correct value for everything we bought, but learning of the real prices of a few basics helped give me an idea of the costs and values for services or goods I might want. I also learnt that the value of four €5 notes is higher than the value of a €20 note. The irony was, if we employ someone and pay them enough for them to become Fallen instead of Dung, then they can no longer talk to us. Kunam had shown some forethought by not speaking to us when he was still Dung, as it could have been held against him. Offering us a service was allowed, so he could publicly boast of the money he has earned.
“Grandfather, is it possible for you to work for us and continue talking to us when you have earned enough to become a Fallen again?”
“I am honoured by your wish. It is not allowed for one who is responsible for his family being Fallen or Dung to rise - only the next generations may do so, not the previous generations. There are good reasons for not allowing those who fall or the elderly to rise again. I may work for Kunam who works for you, so that he earns what he charges while I remain Dung and am allowed to speak to you.”
Cherine frowned. “I don’t like that!” I gave her a startled glance, wondering what had upset her. “If you represent us amongst your people, then you must not be Dung. It is also insulting to the women that they and Dung are allowed to speak to us.” It would not be honest of me to return to amend what I said (and thought at the time); all I can do is add that sometimes we too may push for changes by tempting them with money and prestige. Everyone does it in all the other realities, it would be silly not to do so with a people who worship money and prestige.
I hope you enjoy reading this story of fantasy, adventure and love - and should some of it be true for our reality, I hope you will love our Cherine.
- posted: 15th Aug, 2020
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