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Subject: {ASSM} Marie's Solstice 03/14 Reality Bites 1/2 (new) TBD
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Date: Mon, 09 Apr 2012 08:10:05 -0400
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Marie's Solstice 03/14 Reality Bites 1/2 (new)
---

Well...

A tad late, but here's part two of 'Marie's Solstice'.  There is going
to be a part three.  I have no estimated time for when I will get it
done. 

There is also a filler story I'm working on, but since it doesn't
really add anything to the main story, (it develops the relationship
between Roberta and Tom), I'm not pushing to get it done right away.

Hope you enjoy this one, and if you spot anything that looks like a
major oops on my part, please let me know about it.

Thanks

PS:  When I'm pretty confident I have everything done, I'll be
reposting all of it in my area, in a single thread that has them in
the proper reading order.  

Jessica's anniversary will get a thread of its own.
===


Marie's Solstice - Marie, Part Two: Reality Bites
---

"Hello, Jessica."

"Marie!  You remembered!"

I giggled and got low enough I could hug her good.  "Would you believe
me if I said it wasn't easy?"

"No!"

"Good.  Let's go sit down before I fall down, ok?"

"Tired?"

"Yes."

"I bet.  Ok.  Do we have to let them film us?"

"I'm afraid so.  Ted and I agreed to let them film us all the time,
even in private.  It's something I think we should do as public
figures, since folks are going to try and do it anyway."

"Kay.  There were always cameras pointed at me when I was at home, or
out with...  People, so I'm used to it.  Bet they've been filming me
longer than they have you."

I sighed.  "I don't doubt it."

{{But when we're just sitting, we can talk this way and have some
privacy.}}

{{I thought you always had to touch before you could do this.}}

{{You did, at the park.  Until I break the connection, we'll be able
to talk to each other.}}

{{Ok.}}

We settled in a couple of the waiting room chairs, then I studied Vix.
"You look...  Angry."

"Not as angry as the psychiatrist who interviewed Jessica and took her
statement for the record."

"Getting tired of being the conduit, and you can't do anything?"

"Of course.  At least there's some good news."

"Oh?"

"Her maternal grandparents will be here later, so she doesn't have to
go into foster care."

I looked at Jessica.  "Sorry if I made it look like I'm ignoring you.
You ok with that?"

She sighed.  "That's ok, Marie.  I don't know if I'm ready to talk
much, anyway.  Moving in with my grandparents is better than being
adopted out.  It was my idea and I asked if it was ok.  I have to
move, and go to a new school and all that, but..."

I touched her hand after she went silent.  "I'm glad for you."

"Thanks, Marie."

"You're welcome, Jessica.  It sounds like they're done with you for
awhile."

"I guess.  I think they will want me there at the trial, but until
then, she said I can try to be normal and see the therapist she set me
up with."

"You don't sound very sure that's what you want."

"I guess you're not a good person to ask, but...  What's it like to be
normal?  Dad's been feeling me up and doing other stuff since I was a
baby, I guess.  He fucked me on my fifth birthday, and mom took
pictures of it.  They always bragged to their friends about how much
money I was making them."

I sighed.  "I was normal, until about the time I turned twelve. That's
how old I was when we met Tom and Mahika.  I fought with my sister and
brothers, some, but most of the time we got along pretty good.  Mom
and Dad loved us all, and we knew it, so that helped.  I had toys, and
so did they.  We weren't as rich as we are now, so most of the time we
didn't get special toys and clothes except on our birthdays and
Christmas, because they felt we should get something, even though they
didn't believe in that stuff.  I think they did it so we wouldn't feel
like we were being punished or something.  Sometimes, when they had
extra money, we'd all just get in the van and go somewhere for a
special treat.  That's what camping in the mountains was.  A special
way to get summer vacation started."

She looked down at her hands and spoke real softly.  "Know what I
always got for my birthday and Christmas?  Sexy stuff.  Stuff that
exposed me so they could take pictures as I grew up, and sex toys.  I
imagine the cops have found my collection of kid sized dildos and
stuff by now.  By the time I was eight, they were using the adult
stuff on me.  They didn't have to tie me up by then.  The sex stuff
with the toys, was better than with people, or the beatings.  It never
mattered anyway, because the pictures of the bruises made them money,
too."

She looked up, and I could see the tears, so I gestured at my lap.
"Need a lap and a big sister?"

"You sure it's ok?  It's not like you're family, or a special type of
therapist."

"Well, let's go find someone, so we can find out if it's ok for you to
use my lap, and maybe cry on my shoulder, too.  I might fall asleep
though, because I haven't had more than a nap while everyone else
picked up and then drove here to drop me off, before they parked
somewhere, so they could all get some sleep."

Vix touched Jessica,  "You two stay here.  I'll go find whoever it is
that can make that decision."

Jessica nodded.

We held hands and just sat there, until Vix came back with a woman
next to her.

The woman smiled when she introduced herself.  "I'm Catherine.  Hello,
Marie.  Two celebrities in one day.  Normally, I'd be very upset with
what you did at the park, but after the fact, I have to admit it was
exactly what Jessica needed.  Without your immediate support... Things
could have been a lot worse.  I wish more people would get involved as
deeply as you did."

I took her hand and nodded after we shook.  "Did you get a chance to
see the news this morning?"

"I heard about what happened."

"It was more impressive if you were there.  Anyway, I think there are
going to be a lot more people getting involved, or stepping forward."

"I hope so.  I could use some grass roots help, instead of the
indifference I get now, when I get a chance to go out and do some
community awareness talks."

She shook her head slightly, then studied the two of us.  "There's no
real reason for Jessica to remain here, other than the fact there's
none of her family living in the area.  Jessica trusts you and Lady
Chrystal, so I feel reasonably confident...  Hush, Jessica.  Nothing
is ever certain.  As I was saying, the Ambassador mentioned a large
RV, and I will assume it has room for three more.  If the three of you
will remain in the parking lot, I will  allow you to take Jessica to
your RV, until her grandparents get here, if Jessica is agreeable to
that solution."

Jessica looked at me.  "Is there enough room I can sit on your lap
while you hold me?"

"If there isn't any, we'll figure out a way to do it.  I'm sure nobody
will be using the driver's and passenger's seats, and they're pretty
comfortable to sleep in, once they're adjusted right."

"Ok.  I'm ready to go.  This place..."

I squeezed her hand.  "Too many bad memories?"

"Yeah."  

Catherine turned to Vix.  "Ambassador?"

"I'll stay awake, and aware."

"Thank you.  I'll call you when it's time."

She left, and the three of us looked at each other, before I sighed
and nodded.  "Someday, Mistress, a Bard's word will mean as much on
Earth, as it does on Rabelaisia."

Vix held out her paw so I could grab it.  "Progress is being made,
Journeywoman.  Take hold, and we'll go find everyone, so you can
settle and at least get a nap."

She studied Jessica and sighed.  "As for you, young lady, you can
begin to heal, and start feeling like you have a future you can look
forward to, finally."

After I was helped up, I finally took a good look at Jessica, and
smiled.  "I'm sorry.  I've been so...  Focused on other things, I
forgot to compliment you on your new clothes."

She blushed.  "Uhh...  Vix..."

Vix laughed.  "While she was being checked over and interviewed, I had
time to do some shopping, after she told me her clothing sizes and
described what she wanted."

It was my turn to hold out my hand.  "Ready?"

"Yeah!"

She latched on, and once we had some room, Vix walked on her other
side while we wended our way to the exit closest to the rear parking
area.

Once we got outside, I stopped and searched for our RV, then pointed.
"That way."

Once we got closer and Jessica realized where we were headed, she
froze and pointed at an RV that had the slideouts extended and its
levelers down.  "Are we really going to *that* one?"

"Yes.  Our first one was smaller.  Mom and dad saved until they could
afford the down payment on this one.  Normally, it's just the six of
us, or less, but sometimes we have guests."  I tipped my head in Vix's
direction.  "Lots of guests.  Oh, once I started doing shows at the
mall, I started helping with the payments."

"That your sister?"

"Yes."

{{Must be a reason for you to be up, Libby.}}

{{Guard, so everyone else isn't disturbed.  Guess I'll be like the
twins, for now.  Plus, I can get enough sleep by napping as a dog.}}

I laughed with her, silently.  {{Someday, someone might figure out why
it works that way.}}

{{Must be a reason you have company other than Vix.}}

{{Jessica needs a big sister while she waits for her grandparents to
get here.}}

Libby held her hand out to Jessica.  "Hi, Jess.  Better?"

"Yeah.  A little.  Marie kind of said everyone would be asleep by
now."

"They are.  I nap as a dog, and when I switch back, I can stay awake
and be a guard to keep people from bothering them."

"Room in there for me to sit on Marie's lap?"

Libby looked at me.

"I assumed the front seats would be available and we can pull the
curtain across for some privacy."

"Film crew?"

I sighed.  "One of them.  Jessica is used to being filmed.  We can
leave the rest outside and they can rotate while they relax a little,
and act as your temporary replacement."

"Let me warn anyone that's awake."

After she went inside, Vix spoke quietly.  "I'll create a zone around
us so we won't disturb them while we get in and settle."

"Maintain it while we talk?"

"Of course."

"Thanks, Vix."

"You're welcome."

Libby stuck her head out.   "Warned.  Come on in."

We got in and found places to settle, then Libby smiled.  "Good thing
I can change and sleep on the floor when there's no room."

She shifted and settled where she could watch us.

Jessica was getting ready to settle in my lap, when she stopped and
looked back and forth.  "Would it be ok if I snuggle with Libby?  I...
Like dogs."

"We understand."

She lay down and put her head on Libby's side without saying anything.
A few minutes later, she was asleep, and Libby nuzzled her lightly
before she looked at us.  "She didn't happen to get some help, did
she?"

Vix shook her head.  "No.  All it was, is feeling safe for the first
time in her life.  Once she was asleep, I made the adjustments so
nothing will disturb her.  There is also a barrier that will let all
of us speak and move normally, without bothering everyone else."

Kevin moved slightly and I focused on him.  "A comment?"

"Yes.  The three of you act like all this is no big deal."

"It isn't.  I've been Vix's apprentice for five and a half years, this
Solstice.   Our family first started dealing with power a year before
that.  Plus, mom and dad got all those years of experience.  It's all
routine and ordinary stuff for us, now.  It's like you walking around
with that portable camera.  I bet you don't think about how unusual
that is, right?"

"I'm still getting used to not turning it off, but I see your point.
Thanks for explaining."

"Welcome."

Then I grinned at Vix.  "Looks like you're going to have a lonely home
life for awhile."

She laughed.  "Not that bad.  Merlin and Kay are going to commute."

"What about you?"

Her ears went back and she sighed.  "You know I can't get involved in
that situation, and even if I could, I wouldn't.  I am, when all's
said, an alien.  Roberta is their job, not mine."

I matched her sigh, then smiled.  "Understood, and I expected it. But,
I think you're going to get in plenty of your own travel time with me,
over the years, right?"

"True.  I hope you plan on slowing down until you graduate."

"I want to.  Ted and I had a quiet weekend for ourselves planned,
then..."

I shook my head slightly.  "Things changed, and we know our
priorities.  I hope I've made it clear that we can't do any more
unplanned events until after the first of the year."

"The mall?"

"Two or three times a week, like I always do.  Be good practice for
the others."

"I agree.  We'll deal with shape shifting, next year."

"Thanks, Vix."

"You're welcome."

She studied Libby for a few minutes, then perked her ears forward.
"Well, Journeywoman Liberty?  What do you have to say for yourself and
that...  Impulsive revelation of your abilities?"

"Sure, it was fun, but Marie is going to need help, until...  Hey! Did
you just call me a Journeywoman Bard?"

"Yes.  You have the knowledge and skills suitable for the rank, and on
Earth, not having the innate controls to make the power handling
available, will not be a problem, due to your recognition that you and
Marie are an experienced team.  No one need ..."

She sighed and looked at Kevin.  "Never mind.  Even a Bard may
temporarily lose contact with the reality they live in.  The world
will know that your lack of innate controls does not make you any less
of a Bard, just because you and Marie have to maintain a link to keep
the power controls available to you."

Libby finally nodded her head slightly.  "And it won't hurt, that
because I can do it, without the innate controls, even ordinary people
will be able to dream that someday they might become a Bard."

I grinned at her.  "Wasn't your fault, that you don't have them, yet.
Mom and I think they were triggered in me because I was still going
through puberty when Tom and Mahika made love to each other that
Solstice.  Naturally, the combination would affect anyone in the
area."

Vix groaned and we focused on her.  "Something wrong?"

"Not wrong, just more evidence that the rest of us missed the obvious.
Merlin is going to enjoy knowing he has company in his blindness."

I flinched, then smiled while I tipped my head at Kevin.  "Oh.  Add me
to the list.  I never thought to mention that to mom during any of our
discussions."

Libby had her ears perked questioningly, so I spoke in her mind
{{Stonehenge, when Tom, Mahika and Sandra were made Avatars and True
Immortals.}}

{{Oh!  Never experiment in a place of power!}}

{{Yes.}}

I studied Jessica, then looked at Vix.  "That connection between your
hearts is pretty strong.  Do we get to know the reasons?"

"I never took the oath of non-interference.  Partly, it was because of
the unconventional way I used to emigrate to Earth.  But, more
importantly, I already knew I was Rabelaisia's primary Avatar of
power, and I had already sworn to allow myself to be used in any way
it chose to use me."

I sighed.  "Ok.  Suddenly, a lot of things are making sense.  What did
you do, this time?"

She pointed at Jessica.  "While Jessica was being monitored, and in
front of a full medical team, I healed all but her mind, with her
permission."

I groaned and Libby sneezed violently.

I thought about it, then looked at her as innocently as I could.  "I
suppose you're working on developing a certification program so power
handlers who are healers can work as paramedics?"

She grinned and I shivered when I realized how hungry her posture had
become.

"Oh, I'm leaving that as a problem for the people who witnessed what I
did.  Several of them expressed a desire to try it for themselves,
under controlled conditions.  They found the experience...  Rewarding
enough they requested that I learn if a few healers would be willing
to spend time working at the hospital."

I laughed.  "A medical exchange program that's two way, finally?"

"Yes."

Libby started laughing and we turned to her.

She grinned at us.  "Step forward and be healed!  What are the odds
that at some point there will be Rabelaisian and Terran faith holders
who create new religions that include true healing as part of the
services?"

I stared at her, then sighed.  "I hope they set limits on the healing
they do.  Minor cuts and scrapes should be left alone..."  I
smirked.at her.

"What's that about?"

"At some point, people are going to remember that it's not unusual for
Bards to heal themselves, and they'll ask if we can heal others. Think
the number of requests would be less, if they had to put up with
bitch's or mare's tongues licking them?"

She giggled.  "Kiss it and make it better?"

"Yes."

She glanced at Kevin, then sighed.  "And we've made sure they will
know about the healing, as part of our training."

"True.  But, we're primarily entertainers, and of course...  Spiritual
advisors.  I think we should leave the healing to the professionals,
unless it's a clear emergency."

Vix laughed.  "Aren't you forgetting something, in your case, Marie?"

"Deliberately ignoring it, because I know that path will be determined
by others.  I'll deal with the legal system after it comes to me, not
before."

"My legal staff will be available to help, of course.  I suspect they
are eager to...  Gain experience in the local courts as participants,
instead of observers."

We studied her while we thought about this new evidence of her long
term plans, and it was Libby who spoke thoughtfully this time.
"Forensic Psychometrics.  Truth spells.  I bet some people are going
to fight to keep 'Zones of Truth' from being used."

I laughed.  "Lawyers and criminals, I bet."  

I sobered.  "It all adds up to major changes, Mistress.  From this, I
get the impression our worlds are ready to let the common people meet,
and because Rabelaisians are the more personally evolved, as
individuals, that intermingling will be happening here, more than
there.  Do you think we'll survive the experience and stay a distinct
culture of our own, instead of letting our enthusiasm for the new,
make us 'Imitation Rabelaisians'?"

She frowned, and stayed silent for a few minutes, then she faced the
windshield and spoke as if she were in a world we couldn't share.
"Shortly after I came here, I expressed the same fears to Merlin,
about how your technology would affect Rabelaisia, and he told me
something that I've kept in mind ever since.

"Part of being a Rabelaisian long-lifer is having to sit back and let
the world I care for change in ways that make me uncomfortable.  I
can't expect to have free will unless I allow all to have it."

She shook her head slightly.  "It has been especially difficult for me
to watch my world change, because I am a Bard, and accustomed to
speaking as one who remembers our past, so others may seek a future
that builds on it, instead of repeating it.

"All groups are affected by social entropy, and the Bards were no
exception to that rule.  It took Nikki and Ash, and later, myself, to
force the Bardic Council to realize that Bards had to change, so what
we did, did not become irrelevant to the people around us.

"Since I moved here, I've suspected that our worlds have known about
each other for far longer than we thought possible, because that shift
in our sense of purpose happened a few years before our first meeting
with Terrans."

I interrupted her.  "Wasn't there telepathic contact between a
Rabelaisian and a human about seventy years before that ship went
there?"

"Yes.  Note, however, that the ship was from one of your colonies, and
not Earth itself.  It is as if... "

She faced us again and I could see the wonder she felt, in her posture
and by the way she held her ears.  "It was as if your world knew that
its people would be making the most significant changes, so a chosen
group was set up and isolated, to discover in themselves, some of the
things we take for granted.  None of the people on the ship had all of
them, of course, but they had generations of awareness those powers
are real, as part of their mindset when they met us in person."

Libby had her ears perked at Vix.  "Are you saying that colony was
deliberate preparation, and a...  Test that would someday lead to
this?!"

Vix nodded slightly.  "Even my birth, training, and eventual 'death'
so I could be here when my skills are most needed, has been part of a
'Great Plan'."

I winced and sighed.  "Oh.  I said it live, yesterday evening on the
way to the park.  'For some of us, coincidence is a word in a
dictionary, an abstract concept.'  I was talking about myself, but it
has to be even more so, for someone who is an 'Avatar'...  And she
represents the awareness of her birth world."

Vix nodded her appreciation for my avoidance of the fact she is
immortal, then she leaned back and smiled.  "That was only a
digression, not avoidance of your question, Marie.  When I realized
where my thinking was headed, I did what anyone would do when they
knew they didn't have all the knowledge they needed.  I asked Kay what
she 'saw' for our future, and she says that there will be no
'imitation' cultures.  People will change, and eventually see
themselves as 'Citizens of The Universe'.  They will be able to deal
with any species and culture, without trying to change it to fit their
own vision of what is 'right'."

I took some time to think, then sighed.  "But she didn't tell us the
path, or how long we would take to get there.  At least the goal is
known, and that will help me deal with whatever happens along the way.
I'll try to remember that when things get...  Nasty."

Vix peeled her lips back in a grin.  "I swore an oath, to remember the
past, so I could help others remember it while they build a future. It
will be a pleasure to perform as a Bard, again."

I stared at her, then lost it and giggled.  "Oh, that was good, Lady
Chrystal!  The rest of the world might regret your return, but *I* am
looking forward to it!"

I held out my hand and she touched it with her paw.  "I had to find
*something* that would keep me from getting bored while Merlin and Kay
are helping Roberta.  Being your spiritual mentor should work, as long
as I don't wear brown and green fur with fluorescent purple spots,
while I'm doing it."

Libby sneezed her surprise.  "What?!"

I giggled some more.  "Private joke.  She scored on me yesterday, and
I managed to score on her."

"Oh.  Whatever.  So what you two have decided is that we're probably
going to make some pretty serious mistakes along the way, but even
though it's obvious we won't be around to see the final destination,
someday people will get there, because we'll have started them in the
right direction?"

I grinned at her.  "Yes, and I plan on having as much fun as I can
while we're doing it.  Still in?"

"Yeah.  I got some ideas I want to work on.  I'll need JayR's and
Sam's help..."

I yawned.  "Well, you two can make your plans without me, for awhile."

I adjusted the seat, then leaned back and went to sleep.

* * *

I came half awake when Jessica asked me if she could use my lap.  I
helped her settle, then apologized to her and went back to sleep while
I held her in place.

The next time I came awake was when Jessica tugged at my hands to free
herself.

"Marie!  Let go!  They're here."

"Hmm?..  Oh!"

I let go and after she was gone I looked around and smiled.  "What
time is it, Libby?"

"Calling me Libby sounds unnatural, coming from you, Big Sister.
Anyway, you're being lazy, and that's my job, right?"

She laughed and pointed at the dash.  "After four PM.  Vix left with
Jessica.  You back yet?"

I yawned and stretched.  "So you want to stay 'Little Sister'?"

"Yes.  Makes a good stage name when I'm around you.  Besides, I'm used
to it."

"Fair enough.  I'm awake enough to know I need the bathroom, and I
think I can get away with taking Mary with me, if she's back."

"Homework she wanted to get done.  I think you're going to be stuck
with Connie being around for a long time.  She spotted the catch in
your sentence."

I laughed.  "I was wondering if anyone would realize it was there."

"Frank missed it.  He's already talked to the ambassador."

"And?"

"He's agreed to be an advisor to the Rabelaisian news crews."

I winced.  "Well, he'll sink or swim on his own.  I suppose he hasn't
been warned they routinely use telepathy and place sliding?"

"Nope.  The twins collected him and delivered him."

I shook my head wearily.  "I was wondering when they'd get involved."

"They've been wolfhounds since this morning.  Merlin called them in to
be bodyguards for Roberta when he and Kay aren't there."

"Already?  Shock wearing off and people are bothering her?"

"He's anticipating that to happen later.  Probably take a few days for
the scavengers to realize...  She's a newsworthy target in her own
right."

"Point.  How's the rest of the family?"

"Up and had a late lunch.  Except for Connie and a few others from
school, we've been abandoned, finally."

I studied her thoughtfully.  "You're smug about something."

She laughed.  "Of course I am.  Mom and Dad got parental, and
emphasized that none of us have time for 'more foolishness', and it
was time for their kids to go back to being kids, and worry about
stuff like schoolwork, boys, girls, and getting ready for Winter
Solstice.  I think the reporters got the point so quickly,  because
they were both wolves when they said it."

I laughed.  "Ok.  First, bathroom, then I'll find Ted, since I don't
have any schoolwork to worry about."

"Ted's outside."

She shifted and tipped her head back so she could see Connie. "Ready?"

"New battery and a fresh memory card.  Good for three hours.  I'd like
to meet their advisor, someday.  Whoever it is, knows their job,
because all I've seen so far  is the kind of rugged stuff that the
better crews use in the field.  I'm ready when you are."

Libby brought her head down, then stood and worked her way past
Connie.

I watched Libby until she was past the curtain, then held out my hand.
"Thanks, Connie.  I was wondering if either of you would spot the
catch."

"After you hit us over the head with it?  Like Roberta said, when the
best in the business behave, the others tend to fall in line.  If we
aren't there to set a good example, things can get...  Chaotic and
rude, at best, sometimes."

I let go and smiled.  "Thank you.  Hopefully, I won't have to repeat
the lesson very soon.  Let's go."

I did what I could for a quick cleanup, then changed into some of my
casual clothing before I went and nudged Libby with my foot.  "Hey. Do
I call you Libby, or Helga, when you're like that?"

"Libby, or 'Little Sister', since we're not hiding any more."

"Got it, Little Sister.  You going to move so I can go pretend I'm a
normal teenager who wants to see her new friend off?"

"Vix said they'd meet us in the main lobby if they got done taking
care of paperwork and stuff before you were ready to say goodbye to
Jessica."

She looked out the door and sneezed.  "You open to some advice?"

"Depends.  This coming from you, or Mom?"

"Me."

"I'm listening."

"I realize we don't need roadies and stuff like that, but we will need
someone to take care of the ordinary stuff when we travel.  After
things slowed down and you were napping, this morning, I had a chance
to talk to Terry and Debbie.  They offered to be our EAs, so we could
focus better.

"Debbie is already part way though an online course to get a degree in
business management.  Since he'll be working with me most of the time,
Terry offered to be my stage manager, so he can make sure we always
have what we need for my acts.  It was my idea to put him in overall
charge.  He's scared, but willing to try, if we're willing to give him
a chance to learn on the job."

"Let's go.  We can collect Ted, then he and I will think about it for
us, on the way to the lobby.  I assume you know where it is, by now?
You can make any arrangements you want, for your own acts.  You *did*
figure out that you'll have to take them with you when you go to
Rabelaisia?"

"Yes, I did.  What about the rest of us?  If you and Ted join them as
the primary team, you'll have to go along."

"Little Sister, you have a habit of making me see my mistakes."

"Oh?"

{{Think about it.  I don't want to say anything out loud.  Ted and I
probably won't be able to go there, for years.  We need to get things
moving here, and that means we can't afford to be away for the two
years it will take for the tour, at a minimum.}}

{{Oh.  I get it.  What if you give them Mark and Julie?  I should be
able to take over for you, if Vix is ok with it.  They need Mark as
their caller, more than they need you and Ted, anyway.}}

{{I hope everyone agrees to something like that.  Since you'll be able
to get to Kyle and Ursula and have some privacy, let them know what's
going on.  I'll apologize as soon as I can.  Hopefully, we'll all have
a better...  Solution.}}

{{Think of something?}}

{{The obvious.  Take them all with you.  That way, the dance team gets
'Mark and The Scarboroughs', which is all they really need.  With Mark
calling, I think it won't matter who is the lead team, so they should
be able to rotate people, and even add Rabelaisian teams in that
position, if they want to.  Ted and I will stay here and I'll go back
to working with Tom, Mahika, Sandra...  And Lady Chrystal, just like I
do at the mall, now.}}

{{Got it.  You'd better return to the world.  Ted looks impatient.}}

I laughed silently.  {{So am I.}}

She giggled, and I focused on Ted so I could hug him and give him a
lingering kiss before I pulled away slightly to watch his face.
"Sorry.  Got wrapped up in planning our near future."

"Anything I can know about?"

"Soon.  I need to talk to Kyle and Ursula, first."

{{You figured out we can't be their lead team, too?}}

{{Yes.  We can dance with them, but we can't go to Rabelaisia with
them.  You get as far as sending everyone else with them, and Libby
taking over teaching Mark and Julie the Bardic stuff?}}

{{I didn't, but your parents did.  Like this, so nobody else knows.}}

He spoke out loud finally.  "Ok.  All our parents are ok with us
rearranging our schedules so we can practice with them."

"Good.  Let's go worry about seeing Jessica off.  That dance stuff, we
can deal with next year."

I looked down and grinned.  "Ok.  Tear jerker stuff is over.  Let's
go."

Libby sneezed at me.  "Over, for now.  I'm going to enjoy watching the
video of the first time you two are in bed together, and both fully
rested."

We both laughed at her, and Ted waved at the hospital.  "Happen
sooner, if you help us find Vix and Jessica."

I squeezed Ted's hand.  "It's a day late but we could load my
saddlebags with stuff from the RV and they could drop us off so we'd
get tonight and most of tomorrow to ourselves."

He glanced at Connie and sighed.  "What about some privacy?"

"Unlikely.  We're not on a live feed to anyone right now, but there
are folks in the parking lot with telephotos.  They'll probably follow
us until we become old news."

"You sure?  Never mind.  Even if you weren't, it would be stupid to
assume they aren't out there.  We go camping, and they'll probably be
tripping over each other."

I laughed.  "True.  The ranch is private property, and members agree
to respect privacy, but all they'd have to do is buy a membership and
follow us in and camp next to us.  Costs a lot to get exclusive use of
an area."

"I hear you.  We could wind up with them next to us, instead of at a
distance."

I sighed.  "Yes."

He thought about it and didn't say anything more until we were in the
hospital.  "Forget it.  Let's just go home and relax.  I was thinking
about riding you to school, but what's the point?  All we'd do is get
still more attention, and there's too much we need to do, right?"

"Yeah.  Schoolwork, plus whatever Bardic stuff I can work in when we
have the spare time.  Vix decided to wait until next year, before the
three of you start learning about shape shifting.  And that reminds me
of something.  Do you think you can teach Mark basic harmonica
playing?  I think he needs to learn an instrument of some sort, and
there will be times when you can't be two places at once."

Ted thought about it, then nodded.  "I'll try.  The basics are pretty
simple.  The rest is practice, and as long as he does that, he should
pick it up pretty quickly.  You thinking the same thing I am?  Make
him and Julie a team, the same as we are?"

"Yep, so we can take breaks during the longer shows, or swap partners.
Next time we see them, we need to find out if they have any ideas
about that.  Fiddle takes too long to learn...  Or does it?"

"Takes coordination.  Dad was obsessed with it at a real early age. He
told me that he'd started at about eight and drove everyone crazy
while he was learning the scales and stuff.  By the time he was about
thirteen or so, he was already a soloist and playing with the adults.
So...  Yeah.  No way Mark can pick up much before Solstice, so that
sort of stuff is going to have to be long term."

"Ok.  It's on hold until we check with them, anyway.  He's got the
narration stuff he can do, so I think, for now, I'll focus on
polishing that, and maybe let Libby work with him, because she and he
seem to be a hot combination."

"Don't mess with something that works?"

"Exactly.   You hear that, Little Sister?"

"Ahead of you.  One of my ideas is to do a version of that fantasy
search, with a dog instead of a mare as the animal companion.  I think
I can teach him to make the path solid as well as visible, then we
wouldn't have to always stay on the ground.  At some point, I'll see
if Spartacus and Gloria will share some secrets.  I'd like to create a
floating dance floor..."

Ted and I laughed before I grinned at her.  "Ambitious, aren't you? Go
for it."

"I was planning on it, Big Sis."

She pointed with her nose.  "There's the lobby, and they're waiting
for us.  I can hear them talking."

"Thanks, Libby."

"Welcome."

Jessica introduced us to her grandparents, John and Harriet, then she
glanced at Vix before she reached and touched my hand lightly. "Umm...
Is it ok if I call you sometimes, like you really are my sister?"

"Sure.  I'll give you my email address, too."

"Thanks, Marie.  We already have Lady Chrystal's phone number, and she
said it's ok if we call her.  She said something weird, though.  She
thinks that I should make arrangements to talk to Lady Kay more often
than you and her, because...  Did Lady Kay *really* say that about
me?"

I looked up and studied her grandparents.  "You know what happened at
the park, besides Jessica's rescue?"

John spoke a little disgustedly.  "We heard on the radio that a woman
news reporter is King Arthur returned, and she's carrying Excalibur in
disguise.  Lots of hype and interpretations and speculation, so we
decided to wait and find out what really happened, later.  We had
other, more important things on our minds.  Mostly, we've been
wondering where we went wrong with Cindy, and figuring out how to
rearrange our lives for Jessica, so we can do what's right for her."

I nodded.  "Well, it sounds like they got things mixed up.  I decided
to reopen our show by doing something to encourage other survivors to
step forward, when they felt safe enough to do it.  Merlin and Kay
were there, and they decided that it was time for Excalibur to return,
as a symbol of truth and justice, that people could see, instead of
believing in a concept.  It got changed into a medallion that Merlin
called 'The Medallion of Truth'.

"Then he said that whoever would carry it, needed to pass a test, so
he tossed it in a trash can, and said the right person would be able
to pick it out."

Harriet stared at me and I could tell she was starting to think I was
slightly insane, so I nodded at her.  "Tossing it was symbolic of how
abuse survivors are used and discarded, and so many of them need to be
'rescued' form the trash heaps."

Harriet smiled a little cautiously.  "Nobody has ever mentioned that
Merlin's sense of humor could be so...  Fitting."

"Sense of the appropriate, but it's the same thing.  So, for the rest
of the night, and into morning, people kept trying to pick up the
medallion, but it never moved.  I was on a break while things were
finally winding down, and Roberta...  Yes, John?"

"Are you talking about the Roberta who is considered to be at the top,
until someone dethrones her?"

"Yes.  She'd been following us around since yesterday afternoon."

"You say that so casually...  You do realize that this is sounding
more insane than what we heard on the radio?"

I laughed again.  "I can believe it.  I bet they're trying to find a
way to make it sound...  Ordinary, or at least make it believable to
the people who weren't there.  So, she wondered how come I hadn't
tried to pick it up, and I told her I knew I wasn't the one, and I
didn't know who it would be.  I don't think Merlin knew, either, but I
haven't had a chance to ask him or Kay if they had any hints about who
it would be.  So she made a comment about picking it up being such a
simple thing to do, but nobody had done it yet.  I don't think she was
making a serious attempt to pick it up when she reached in the trash
and tugged on the chain, like she was expecting to be stopped.

"She wasn't stopped, and after she held it up, she said something
about her picking it up being 'impossible'.  That was when Merlin put
the chain around her neck, and called her the 'Champion of Light'.

"Where does Jessica fit in all this?"

I looked at Jessica and spoke as if I was talking to her and nobody
else was there.  "Before all that stuff happened, Kay said she needed
a hero, and if you'd been there, she wouldn't have hesitated to use
you.  Instead, she and Merlin did all that other stuff."

"Use me?  I've been used, Marie."

I sighed.  "I know.  This wouldn't have been that kind of use.   Kay
encourages people to be the best person they can be, and that's what
she would have done for you.  It would have been like you were saying
'I got out, you can too', and that would help others decide to get out
before something worse happens to them."

"Oh, like those therapy sessions, where it's easier to talk to each
other because you've all been through it?"

"Similar.  You wouldn't have been alone, because Merlin and Kay would
have been at your side to advise you and all that, just like they were
for Arthur."

"A real heroine?"

"Yes.  I think you should talk to Kay, and find out what your options
are.  Oh, before I forget, I'm not sure, but I think she would have
asked, before she offered you the chance to become The Champion of
Light.  Maybe they would have done that stuff with the trash can
anyway, and you'd have found out you weren't really the right person,
no matter how much Kay wanted it to be you."

She thought about it for several minutes, then shook her head tiredly.
"I know what it's like to be famous, Marie.  I don't like it. Maybe...
After the trial, I'll change my name and try to be as ordinary as I
can.  If I do...  Promise you folks won't give me away if we happen to
meet?"

I held out my hand.  "I promise that none of us will be the ones who
give you away.  We'll miss you, though.  It was because of you, that
Excalibur came back, to be a symbol again."

She took my hand, shook it briefly, then sighed.  "Thanks, Marie. I'll
miss you, too.  Thanks for the good memories and all that."

"You're welcome.  Oh..."  I dug in my purse and got out one of my
special business cards, then wrote Kay's phone number on the back of
it..  "Here.  Only my best friends get one of these.  Everyone else
gets the one with my public info on it."

She looked at it, then handed it to her grandfather.  "Can we go home?
Don't worry about making mistakes with me.  No matter what you do,
they won't be worse."

Harriet knelt and hugged Jessica.  "Of course we can go.  Only one
rule we really have, and that's the one about not being afraid to talk
to us about anything, ok?  If we don't know, we'll find out."

She wiped some tears away and sighed.  "We think...  Your mother
forgot to ask us, or we missed the signs and ignored her when we
shouldn't have.  Don't let us make that mistake again, Jessica."

"I don't think I'll be able to, at first.  I got beaten a lot, when I
asked questions they didn't want to hear."

Harriet nodded.  "Then we'll be there so all three of us can ask your
therapist how to deal with that problem.  You ready?"

"Yeah.  Let's go."

We watched them leave, and Jessica never looked back.

After they were out of sight I faced an obviously angry Lady Chrystal.
"It didn't happen in your jurisdiction.  Don't screw our lives up any
more than they already are, huh?"

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.  "Thank you, Marie.  Too
many memories of slavers, and I was used to justice that is more...
Immediate in its application."

"Yeah.  Well, as you keep telling me, someday Bards won't be seen as
vigilantes when they act as judge, jury, and...  Executioner."

I turned to Ted.  "Before we forget to tell you, it's execution of the
mind, not the body.  Mind ripping is a forced link, and all of a
person's memories and skills are removed.  They become an adult baby,
and are given to a family to raise, as if they were a newborn."

I sighed and bent my head.  "It leaves...  Scars in the memory of the
one doing it, too, because they get to live with knowing what they
did."

He hugged me.  "You know how to do it?"

"No.  Only Master Bards and Master Mages have the authority to use it,
so mistakes aren't made."

"So, someday?..."

"Yeah.  Probably not in our lifetimes, on Earth.  Oh, we make Master,
we'll know how, but we'll know enough not to, too."

I looked up and tried to smile at Vix.  "Got any special plans, or you
want to come and have dinner with us, first?"

She shook herself and surprised me with a softly sung musical answer.

It was a Rabelaisian ballad she'd never sung before, and she sang it
in her native language.

After she finished, she looked around and smiled real sadly.   "I
haven't sung that since...  Before I came here."

"Special to you?"

She nodded solemnly.  "Very special.  It's called 'Elegy for a Bear'.
I wrote it for Alex's funeral.  It seemed appropriate to sing it
again, finally.  One life ended, and another one began, because I left
on a voyage of meditation, and was lost at sea.  All I had to support
me was the knowledge of Merlin's love.  Singing it seemed appropriate,
as a way to give Jessica a good send off."

She looked at all of us, then perked her ears at me.  "Dinner sounds
good, as long as it's not at the mall.  That ok with you?"

I held up my hands in the greeting of mind mates and let the power
flow though my fingertips.  "Backyard BBQ, Mistress?"

She matched my action and smiled.  "As long as I don't have to hunt
down and cook my own food."

I grinned.  "I'll raid our freezer."

We lowered our hands and I gestured at Libby before I wrapped an arm
around Ted's waist.  "Get us out of here, Little Sister who has been
strangely silent, for a change."

"Hmm?  Oh!  Right.  Sorry.  My language knack kicked in, and I was
translating 'Elegy for a Bear' in my head."  She stepped out
confidently, and we followed her.

Vix nodded.  "I've never tried, so I'll be looking forward to hearing
whatever you come up with."

"As long as I don't have to sing it.  I think it's something only
Marie could do right.  Or you, of course."

"Thank you."

* * *

All of us were settled in the back yard and working on our food when
Ted asked Vix a question.  "Lady Chrystal?"

"What is it, Ted?"

"Just wondering about something.  You have so many names you use, and
I haven't been able to figure out how to know which I should use when
I talk to you.  Are there rules I don't know about?"

She laughed.  "Loose rules, and you folks have been busy enough you
wouldn't have been told."

He nodded.  "What are they?"

"Fairly simple ones, as long as you remember the context determines
how you should address me. At formal functions, I'm usually 'Senior
Ambassador', 'Ambassador', or 'Lady Chrystal'.  Lady Chrystal is my
birth name, and not a title, even though I'm considered a member of
the nobility.  My full title is the usual mouthful, and it hasn't been
spoken in my presence since I had to appear at court as the land
holder, and not a Bard.  It's 'The Lady of the Manor, Wandering Master
Bard Lady Chrystal of Seaside Harbor, Owner of a Merchant Fleet and
Fleet Admiral of the Defensive Fleet that Defends the Southern
Region'.

She laughed.  "There used to be a part about me being one of the three
members of the Bardic Council, but it got removed after I retired from
that job.  After I was discovered on Earth, my title changed to
'Senior Ambassador and Rabelaisian Avatar on Terra, Master Bard Lady
Chrystal'."

Ted stared at her, then sighed.  "Am I going to have to remember all
that?"

"Of course.  If you happen to be the senior Terran Bard available at a
formal function, it will be your responsibility to inform the greeter,
or announce me yourself so the attendees will be impressed by my
suitability for their attention.  Considering your elevation to the
status of being the third fully Terran Bard, you'll get to listen to
people giving you titles, so other people know they should be
impressed by your taking time from your busy schedule, to gift them
with your presence."

Ted's jaw had dropped during her casual revelation, then he recovered
and smiled tentatively.  "Ok.  I think I'm finally learning your body
language...  Mistress.  You think all the titles and stuff are some
sort of big joke, even though you know you have to put up with them.
Right?"

"Right.  Titles, on Rabelaisia, are descriptive, and the order they
are spoken in depends on the circumstances and what role the person is
appearing in.  For example, most of the time, you might be introduced
as 'The Terran Bard, Taciturn Ted, LIfe Mate of the Terran Bard Marie,
who is The Singing Palomino'.

He finally managed to stop staring at her in shock.  "I can already
see that could get...  Silly.  What about your other names?"

"Some of them, you'll never need to worry about.  Merlin will
sometimes call me 'Vel', which is short for 'Velvet', and is his
private name for me.  Tom's affectionate name for me is 'Chrys'.

"Most of the time, during casual conversations, you may call me 'Vix'.
Sometimes, when strangers are present, it will be better if you're
more formal, and you'll have to use your own judgement about when you
should use 'Lady Chrystal' or 'Ambassador'.

"When you need to talk to me as your Mistress, 'Mistress', or Lady
Chrystal will work most of the time.  So will Vix when we're not
around people who would find if offensive for an apprentice to be so
informal with one of my...  Stature.

"Use your own judgement, Theodore.  I might advise you of a mistake
later, but in public, I will defend your right to name me as you deem
appropriate, even if I have already set the tone of our conversation.
Later, after you make Journeyman, I will expect you to have the
strength to chide me in public, if you feel *I* have been the one who
made a mistake, or I am about to make one, as Marie reminded me that
my anger was appropriate, but I should not act on it, as I would have
on Rabelaisia."

Ted sighed.  "Ok.  I guess you have a pretty good idea of how it was
before we moved here, so some of that is going take time for me to get
used to...

"Hey!  Marie!  That bit when Libby told you off at the assembly.
Everybody knows about that rivalry game you two play, but it was more
than that, wasn't it?  She was deliberately taking your ego down a
notch or two, wasn't she?"

I nodded.  "Yeah.  Who will guard the guardians?  Checks and balances.
Power corrupts.  All that stuff.  It's another reason we're so
accessible to everyone.  It's easy to let the things we can do with
power go to our heads sometimes.  Our solution was basically the same
one Lady Chrystal uses.  We turned it all into a game we share with
the world.  Life is a non stop party, and hey, if you want to join us,
then move on, that's fine.  If people change, it's because they want
to, not because we're deliberately asking them to.  The messages are
always there, but we hide them in the entertainment, or live them,
instead of being in their faces about it."

Ted smiled suddenly.  "Total immersion, so we don't lose contact with
reality?"

"Yeah."

He must have thought of something, because he deliberately looked
around the yard, then raised his voice.  "Connie!  Want a chance to be
in front of the camera?"

"Why not?  Sure!"

"Thanks."

He turned back to Vix.  "Thanks, Vix.  LIke Marie keeps trying to tell
me, I know more about this stuff than I thought.  More I learn, the
more I think that except for the way people with power back home abuse
it, you folks would fit right in.  If you can find some families that
like to go on picnics, dance, and do sing alongs, I bet they'd fit in
pretty quick.  Being able to ride horses would help, too."

Vix perked her ears at him, then laughed easily.  "You're welcome.
What if they let people ride them, instead of horses?  Yours and ours
have some differences, but they look about the same, and they do share
a love for running in open fields."

He froze, then grinned.  "Didn't you say shape shifting is pretty
common there?  What if people learned enough so they could ride each
other?"

"It will be looked into.  Perhaps some bed and breakfast tours could
be tried, first."

"Thanks."

He turned to Connie.  "I guess you know how people with any power
treat people, where I come from?"

"Get their own way?  Trample on people's rights and freedoms...  Like
I used to?"

"Yeah.  I don't want to screw up like that, now that I have so much
power...  It would be easy for me to do to any of them, what they did
to us."

"You think suggesting Rabelaisians start making homes there, might be
seen as some of that?"

"I know it will be, but it's a lot more than that."

"You know it is, and I know it is, but to most people, all they will
see are the results, not the intentions, if it doesn't work."

He sighed.  "Yeah.  I know.  Ego.  But that isn't what I wanted to ask
you."

"Ok.  Ask me anything."

"Do you think this whole thing of making our lives public all the time
is the right way to do it?"

She sighed.  "Realistically, there is no right way, or wrong way, to
use the media for your own purposes.  Marie said it yesterday, when
she said we should be symbionts, and not parasitic on each other,
which is how most celebrities see us, and how we usually we see them."

He shook his head slightly.  "You're being pretty honest."

She laughed.  "Criminals serving a sentence can afford to be.  We
don't have to worry about being fired from our job."

He choked, then grinned back.  "Good point.  I hope people don't start
thinking all they have to do is commit a crime in our presence, so
they can get close to Marie as part of their sentence."

She nodded.  "I think they will reconsider, if they take the time to
remember that honesty is damn hard work, when you're expected to use
it all the time."

He sobered.  "Yeah.  A real pain, sometimes.  Courtesy helps, too,
when you don't want your honesty to be...  Brutal.  About our egos
getting away from us?"

She sighed.  "Roberta made us study anything we could find, about
Rabelaisian Bards, once she decided she was going to interview any
Master who came to Earth.  The Ambassador was extremely supportive and
helpful, but now, it's obvious she had her own purposes in mind when
she made so much information available to us."

She looked at Vix.  "I think she had a longer term view than Roberta
did, and she wanted people who could see a bigger picture, and be as
slightly biased as possible, there when all of this...  Happened."

Vix nodded.  "That was a major part of it, of course, but the root of
that was really as simple as I said it was, during that first
interview.  'Bards are always accessible to the public, within
reason.'  We do have private lives on Rabelaisia, but we also know
that here, privacy for a celebrity is seen as...  Something to be
respected only when it is convenient to do so."

Connie laughed.  "As I found out, that attitude needs to change.  I
think that eventually, a compromise will be reached, and Bards, at
least, will be given a chance to get away from us all, and people
won't assume you're hiding so you can plot against us."

Vix grinned.  "Plotting for you, is far more likely.  Every honest
parent wants their children to grow up to be good citizens and the
best people they can be."

"Yeah.  Well, maybe if we have more of those kinds of parents here,
we'll learn a little faster."

She refocused on Ted.  "I like your dream, that someday, all public
people will allow their lives to be as fully open as yours are, like
they are on Rabelaisia.  Marie asked me what price I'd pay to live in
a world without war.  What she didn't tell me, and I wouldn't have
understood her if she had told me, is that she and the rest of you had
already decided to pay that price for me and the rest of the world."  

She took a deep breath and spoke clearly.  "I don't know about what
you're doing being the right way, or not, because 'right', for you
folks, is something only you can decide.  For what it's worth, I *can*
say, with confidence, that I feel it's not a wrong way, just because
it's different and nobody else has tried it, that I know of, except...
Oh, jeez!"

She took the time to glare at Vix.  "Bards!  Every one of you has made
it clear that you considered *all* of your lives public property while
you are on Earth!  You set us up for this moment!  You..."

She fell silent, then her look changed to one of awe.  "I'll be
damned.  This has been a long term 'Bard's Lesson', hasn't it?"

Vix nodded her head slightly.  "Yes, and I am pleased with the
results."

Connie laughed.  "I bet you are, Vixen!"

"Thank you."

Connie turned back to Ted.  "Anyway, I think things are so screwed up
in the world that you folks can't make them worse in the long run.
You've already made a difference in several lives, and I'm proud to be
one of those lives.  I hope that someday, as a result of your deciding
to make your lives freely accessible, people will take such benefits
to themselves, for granted, instead of it being seen as an honor."

He finally smiled.  "Thanks for being part of the checks and balances
that will help us keep our egos under control.  I still fear all that
power that's been offered to me, and having people like you around
will help me keep it all in perspective, instead of letting myself...
Become someone I hate.  Let's break the cycle, together, huh?"

He held out his hand and she stared at it.  "All that, just because i
was being honest with you?"

"Yeah.  Pretty addicting stuff, isn't it?  I'd rather get addicted to
having honest people around me, instead of the alternative."

She took his hand and shook it.  "Yeah.  I've seen too much of that,
too, and...  Been guilty  more times than I want to think about right
now.  You be ok with me serving a longer sentence as part of my
repaying society for my crimes?"

He nodded.  "Fine with me."

"Thanks.  You done with me here?  There's a BBQ'd steak in my future,
that has my name on it, once I toss it on the grill."

Ted laughed.  "Welcome, and thank you, Connie.  I know I have a lot to
learn yet, but one thing I learned how to do as a kid, was being able
to know when I should treat someone like they were family.  I
appreciate your help, and that was all I wanted to ask, this time."

I watched Connie until she got to the grill, then I looked at Ted and
his grin before I smiled.  "We make a good team, don't we?"

"Weird, isn't it?  I never realized how I got used to not having
honest people around me most of the time."

He flinched when LIbby nudged his leg.  "You done with that bone?"

He held it out to her.  "All yours, Libby."

"Thanks"  She took it daintily, then went to her favorite spot and
started chewing on it.

"That's even weirder, watching a dog I know is your sister, enjoying a
bone like that."

I laughed.  "What's it going to be like when you watch me eating hay
or grass?"

He grinned back.  "I don't need to think about that.  I'm going to
love hand feeding you once in awhile."

"I'm looking forward to some more of those head hugs.  You don't look
that strong, but you sure know how to hug so a girl can appreciate
it."

"Thanks.  Is this a good time to talk about the future, since our
Mistress is here?"

I sighed.  "Yeah.  Any time is good, but this way is better than using
the phone."

He sighed.  "Ok.  I feel like I've been tossed in one of those
advanced classes before I took the intro."

We both focused on Vix and I let him take over.

"Mistress.  I know I have a lot to learn.  The thing is, I don't know
enough to figure out where I should start, and I imagine you have
plans for Solstice that mean I need to learn some stuff out of order.
Where should I start, and what should we focus on for the next three
weeks?"

She thought about it, then sighed.  "Focus on adding the manipulation
of power to your skills, for now.  That includes things like adding
color when you create the life mate link.  Don't worry about making it
visible to others.  That will come later.  Oh...  All of you should
practice with Liberty, so any of you can give her the innate power
controls when she needs them.  That should keep you all busy enough,
for now."

She grinned at me.  "As for you, Marie, I think you'll discover that
the exploding ball of energy is much easier to do, when life mates do
it together, instead of trying to do it alone."

"Oh.  I should have seen that, shouldn't I?"

"No harm in trying, and who knows?  Maybe, someday, you'll be able to
do it on your own.  However, I think you'll find that doing it alone
is a lot like...  Masturbation.  Enjoyable, but not as satisfying when
you're successful."

"Umm...  If you say so.  Oh...  Before you pull your usual vanishing
act, I asked students to send you plans for Christmas and New Year's
shows so you could look them over before you pick one for us to do
each day, as live performances at the winning schools.  Ted thinks the
top three for each day should be performed on Rabelaisia, as part of
what the dance team does.  I agree with that, and taking the winners
and their families on the same tour.  I think a cultural exchange
involving regular kids will be a good idea."

"So I can expect my mailboxes to be fuller than usual, with people
asking me questions about what Bards can do, for their school
project?"

"Yes.  I think...  You should pick ones that apprentices can perform,
instead the more advanced Bards."

By the time I'd finished she had her ears perked at me and I sighed.
"I know it's a lot to ask, but...  it's that bloody bigger picture
you've always tried to get me to see.  Well, the last few days have
made a lot of my responsibilities more real to me.  I think it was
making me a Journeywoman that did most of that.  I feel like a lot of
barriers to understanding have gone down."

Vix finally moved her ears back slightly, then turned to Ted.
"Anything you feel you should add?"

"I guess we should get it in the open before people get carried away.
Marie and I have decided that no matter what happens, we aren't going
to Rabelaisia, yet.  Our place is going to be on Earth for quite a few
years.  I'll do my best to teach Mark what I know about the mouth
organ, so he can fill in for me when they do the 'Statue of Liberty'.
If he can't do it by then...  I'll send copies of the music along so
someone else can play the main melody."

She smiled.  "As long as he tries, that's what people will appreciate.
He won't have to get it perfect, because people will be listening to
all their emotions, more than they will understand the words, even if
they are translations."

He sighed.  "Ok.  I guess I agree with Marie, otherwise.  Lets send
stuff that's like what people would do at family gatherings, instead
of stuff that needs professionals.  Stuff for 'talented amateurs', I
suppose."

She nodded, then perked her ears at me.  "It's called growing up,
Marie.  Most of the time, it sneaks up on us and surprises us. We
spend all our time wondering what it will be like, then we look in the
mirror and realize it happened, and we're living it.  The time to
worry, is when you realize you've stopped growing."

"Thanks, Lady Chrystal.  Anything else?"

"Yes."  She gestured at Libby, who had snuck closer so she could
listen in.  "Since you won't be there, help LIberty create a fantasy
about a girl who dreams she can fly, then teach her how to be a winged
unicorn, so she can fly in this reality, and not in her mind."

I sighed when she vanished, then looked at my sister.  "Well,
Journeywoman?  Ready for the advanced course in shape shifting?"

"I..."  She sneezed as if she was clearing her thoughts so she could
think, then she looked up.  "She's playing again, isn't she?  That
sounded like one of her 'I know something you don't know' hints."

I smiled.  "Yeah.  Aren't you glad you were never a formal apprentice?
She's been doing that to me, for years."

"And you.  You're in with her on something, aren't you?"

"Since you mentioned it, yes, I am, but I'm also sworn to silence."

"Huh.  I usually know when I shouldn't push, and this is one of those
times."

She stood and stretched, then looked around before she focused on
Connie and ambled over to gunsight her plate.  "Connie?  If you don't
have any plans for that bone, can I keep it out of the trash?  I need
something to chew on while I think about what Vix just did to me."

Connie handed her the bone and spoke quietly.  "If you're willing to
listen to some advice, let your heart fly at the same time.  Let
yourself fall in love with a flying stallion."

Libby set the bone down.  "Where'd that come from?"

"I've been there for most of Roberta's interviews.  Lady Chrystal is
pretty Terran in her thinking, now, so I'm pretty certain that when
she talks about a girl wanting to be a unicorn, she's talking about
that same girl falling in love."

"Oh.  Umm...  Shape shifting, huh?  Now I *really* need to think about
this, because it's not like her to be this obvious, unless she's being
more devious than usual.  Thanks for your bone."

She picked the bone up and went back to her spot, where she could
watch what was going on, but be out of the way at the same time.

Connie had watched her, then she looked at her plate again before she
looked at us.  "If I was a stranger, and she hadn't talked to me, I
still would have known she wanted that bone.  Except for the medallion
on her forehead, I'd think she was nothing more than a well behaved
bitch, if I'd met her before all this other stuff happened."

I smiled.  "She spent more time around the Golden Labrador Retriever
we used to have, than I did, so she picked up a lot of her habits.
Most of it, though, is part of shape shifting.  To do it right, you
have to let go of being a human, and become whatever you are.  There's
a lot involved in giving an animal understandable speech, and some of
that can be a type of ventriloquism that uses power to generate your
speech, instead of your vocal cords.  It was easiest for us to imagine
an invisible speaker at the tip of our nose, so the sound would appear
to come from our mouth.  Some people don't try to speak, so they rely
on telepathy, instead."

"It sounds like you're saying the best way to learn would be to be
around the type of animal you changed into."

"Yes.  We can even speak their language, if we let go enough.  It's
something that is, so we accept it and don't try to figure out the
reasons it works that way.  Personally, I think there's something that
we can unconsciously tap into, if we can abandon what we think of as
our humanity."

I started to say something else, then sighed and kept it in.  "Anyway,
once we get the shape right, the other stuff, like moving on four feet
instead of two, takes practice, and under stress, you can do some
pretty silly stuff if you forget what form you're in.  I crushed a
remote control for the garage door when I was so tired I forgot I was
a mare, and used a hoof to press the button to get the door open.

"I've seen Libby try to turn a doorknob with her front foot a few
times, too.  That's a major reason all our doors use levers, now."

"What about your brothers?"

I smiled while I watched them settle to pet Libby.  "John Junior
hasn't made up his mind yet.  He knows the theory, but hasn't tried
any shape shifting, because we want to be certain he's been fully out
of puberty for at least a year.  Sam is still going through puberty,
and hasn't made any decisions, either.  For now, both of them prefer
to be humans to Libby's bitch and my mare."

She looked at me thoughtfully.  "Without you, or someone like you,
none of that would be possible for any one else in your family. That's
quite a responsibility to have."

I gestured at my parents.  "Not as bad as you think.  For the first
year, mom and dad decided when it was appropriate, then, after she
took over my training, Vix has helped me learn when I should make the
link, and when I shouldn't.  This is going to sound a little
unrealistic, but there's a lot of truth in the idea that power
handlers with the innate controls tend to be pretty level headed by
the time the controls manifest.  Sometimes I have the feeling we're
all part of a general awareness that sort of keeps an eye on us
somehow, and it makes sure we don't get out of hand.

"We've talked it over with Merlin and Kay a few times, because they're
linked into the Zeitgeist.  In a way, as strange as it sounds, Kay's
and Merlin's attitudes have become a part of the Zeitgeist, and it
uses their values to determine if it will...  Allow people to use
power, most of the time."

I shook myself, then sighed.  "It's all idle speculation, because we
all know we'll never truly understand the Zeitgeist and its ultimate
purpose.  Sometimes our discussions get pretty...  Far fetched, and
into areas we don't talk about unless we know we're really private."

Connie studied me, then nodded.  "I think that means it's time for me
to change the subject.  Since I'm part of your film crew, can you give
me some sort of idea about what your plans are for the next few
weeks?"

Ted laughed.  "I'm hoping that we can mostly go back to being kids in
school.  But, for the rest of the weekend, I'd like to spend some
quality time with my new wife."

I giggled.  "You mean get laid, right?  I hope so, because that's what
I want, too, now that we're both rested enough to be awake the next
time we go to bed."

"Yeah.  Maybe this time, we'll be awake enough we can both enjoy it
when we get in the tub together."

Connie laughed briefly, then sobered.  "It's going to take some time
for me to get used to the idea you kids want your lives completely
open."

I sobered and sighed.  "Some of it's being a raised to think of myself
as a Bard.  The rest of it, is accepting reality, and reducing the
stress in our lives."

Ted matched my sigh.  "Yeah.  It's a heck of a reality check, but it's
better than tripping over the folks who would be invading our lives,
just to cause us problems and make a name for themselves.    I kind of
think they'll still go after the others some, but even if they do..."

He shook his head and gestured at Libby.  "Everyone knows by now, that
Libby has to be 'turned on', before she can do anything, so except for
being able to say they've talked to her, or whatever, there's not much
point in getting obsessed over her."

Libby sneezed at his comment.  "As you put it, Ted, I'm going to have
to be turned on almost all the time, now.  There's too much to be done
between now and Solstice, for me to be able to pretend I'm an ordinary
girl."

He nodded.  "Yeah.  I see your point."

"Good.  There's something else though, that should encourage people to
leave most of us alone."

"Oh?"

"Sure.  I'm a Journeywoman, now, and that means I have to worry about
making myself accessible, but...  I've spent the last five and a half
years being more of a sneak than Marie.  Just like her, I can tell
when somebody is thinking about me, and get a pretty good idea of what
they're feeling.  Might as well get it in the open now.  Going to be a
lot of cameras pointed at me, that won't work right.  Fancier the
camera, the easier it is for me to make it fail, and do it so nobody
can prove I was the one who made it fail."

Connie studied her, then nodded.  "I see some interesting lawsuits in
your futures."

Libby grinned at her.  "Invasion of privacy is invasion of privacy. If
I'm in public, they can take all the pictures they want.  When I'm at
home, or where I shouldn't be bothered, I'll do something about it."

I stiffened, then grinned.  "Little Sister, I'm looking forward to
this."

She grinned back.  "Thought you might."

She stood, stretched, then changed back to her human body.  "First
dibs on the tub, so I make sure I get a hot bath before you two use up
all the hot water."

I looked at her, then shook my head.  "You're up to something."

"Yep!"

She pointed at the fence and someone yelped.  "For starters, tit for
tat.  Invade my privacy, and they don't have any, either."

Ted looked at the fence, then back at Libby.  "What was that all
about?"

"A trespasser with a camera."

She ambled over and took out her cell phone, then levitated until she
could look down at someone.  "Smile.  I'm going to make you famous, as
the first naked Paparazzi on my web site.  I'm starting a collection
of candid shots.  Before you get all huffy, like my sister and the
rest of my family, I'm a  dual citizen of Earth and Rabelaisia.  You
can set the example for everyone else, by deciding if you want your
picture on my web site, or if you want to face me after I file charges
with the Ambassador, for invasion of privacy."

We heard a woman's angry voice.  "I'll countersue in an Earth court."

"Can't be done.  Treaty says once a lawsuit is settled in one system,
the other can't change it.  Any countersuits related to the original
crime, have to be tried in the same jurisdiction as the original, too.
Had your chance, and you blew it."

Libby pushed some buttons on her cell phone.  "Way I figure it, in
about fifteen to thirty minutes, tops,  that picture will have gone
viral."

She raised her voice.  "Sorry, Ambassador!  As a citizen of
Rabelaisia, and a non working Bard, I wish to place invasion of
privacy charges against this person."

I groaned and Ted sighed.  "Is she serious?!"

"Yes!"

"Oh, great!"

"Uh huh.  Connie?  Special circumstances.  You want to grab a camera
and cover this, go!"

"I'm gone!"

Her plate hit the ground and she grabbed one of the portable cams from
one of the kids covering us.  "Sorry!"

They let go.  "Just let us watch how it's done, ok?"
  
It was spoken  to Connie's back.  "Stay behind me!"

I shouted at Connie.  "Tell me where, and I'll put you there!

"Overhead, so I can see both sides of the fence!"

I lifted her, then kept her moving, about ten feet up, until she
shouted.  "Perfect!"

I stopped her movement, then laughed.  "I don't think she noticed when
she left the ground."

Ted grinned.  "Probably not."

As if she'd been waiting, Lady Chrystal popped into existence next to
Libby and looked down.  "I think an accommodation with Liberty's
desires would be wise."

"If I refuse, unless she removes the picture from her web site?"

"An interesting attitude.  You clearly invaded her privacy, while you,
on the other hand, are standing on the sidewalk and can clearly make
no legitimate claim that she, in return, invaded your privacy, to take
the picture."

"She said that anyone who invaded her privacy, would have theirs
invaded in return."

"How did she invade your privacy?"

"Can't you tell?  I'm naked!"

"You are?  Connie?"

"Fully clothed, according to this camera, and my eyes."

The woman screamed her rage.  "Impossible!  You lie!"

Connie lifted her eyes away from the viewfinder.  "Lie?  You're an
arrogant twit who never should have been handed a camera, if you think
I'd stoop to such."

The woman must have finally realized who was behind the camera.  "You!
You're in it with them!"

"Am I?  Plenty of people standing around, watching you make a fool of
yourself.  Ask them.  I have a job to do, unless the Ambassador needs
something else from me."

"Nothing at this time, Connie."

The woman raised her voice.  "Well?  Am I naked?"

What she got was laughter and a chorus of answers that added up to
'no!'

The woman remained silent until things quieted down.  Then, she spoke
less belligerently.  "According to *MY* eyes, I'm standing here,
holding my camera, with nothing on."

Lady Chrystal nodded.  "And you'd like an explanation?"

"Yes, if there is one."

"Certainly.  Liberty?"

"A selective spell, Mistress.  To her and I, she's not wearing any
clothing that we can see.  If I am to be naked to her eyes, in all
ways, she must be naked to mine in the same fashion."

She got a nod in return.  "A valid point.  Now, the rest of it."

"Of course, Mistress.  'Naked' does not always mean 'without
clothing'.  The nakedness I refer to, is, of course, the nakedness of
letting the world see her for who and what she really is, and that is
the nakedness I was talking about, in the picture I took.  At no time
did I say she was physically naked, in the manner which she seems to
have assumed she is, just because her own vision is telling her she
has no clothing."

Lady Chrystal lifted her lips in a slight smile, before she nodded
slightly.  "A fitting solution to your problem.  Perhaps this woman
and the rest of the world will more easily remember a Bard's true
skill is their use of words, and they do not let words use them."

She looked down thoughtfully.  "Well?"

"All she has is a candid picture?"

"Yes.  To match your own candid pictures."

"What now?"

"I haven't heard either of you clearly state what it is, that you
desire to happen.  Liberty?"

"I want my privacy, which means nobody should try and get pictures of
me or listen in, and by extension, the rest of my family and friends
should be left alone when we are in places where we have a reasonable
expectation of privacy.  One such place is my home.  Another is the
inside of our RV, even when the curtains are open.  I'll take
reasonable precautions, of course, but I refuse to block my vision of
the outside world, just to maintain my privacy."

Lady Chrystal's ears perked slightly, then relaxed.  "Reasonable.  And
you, young woman?"

"I have a job to do, if I wish to eat on a regular basis.  Celebrities
have always been fair game."

I winced.  "Uh oh, Ted.  Now it's going to get interesting."

"Yeah.  Makes me glad we decided to set things up so we'd avoid people
like her."

Lady Chrystal studied her victim, then...  Smiled in a way that made
me glad the woman couldn't see my grin.

She finally spoke.  "I was quite aware of that attitude when the
treaties were being created. Not every Rabelaisian citizen has the
ability to enforce their personal space, and privacy, so a compromise
solution was searched for, and found.  We have been waiting for the
trigger event that would allow it to be implemented in a way that
would make it clear how *both* worlds feel about the collective
attitude you people embrace."

"Both worlds, Ambassador?"

"Yes."

"Before you apply this solution, I want that picture removed from
Liberty's web site.  In return, I'll delete all the pictures I took of
her and the people here, including you, before you left."

"A reasonable request.  Liberty, do you agree?"

"I can't.  It's impossible for me to remove that picture from my web
site."

"I suspected as much, but I had to ask.  Well?"

"If she can't, I refuse to delete mine."

Lady Chrystal shook her head.  "So categorical.  Perhaps you should
return to your studies and understand what you read, before you deal
with Rabelaisians, again."

"Oh?"

"One reason a picture would be impossible to delete from a web site,
is if it was never put there.  Correct, Liberty?"

"Yes.  I never posted it.  The fifteen to thirty minutes was to give
this situation time to resolve itself before I decided to post it, or
not."

This time Lady Chrystal perked her ears while she must have considered
her options.

Finally she visibly relaxed.  "Liberty, delete the offending picture."

"Of course, Mistress."

"Thank you."

Then she surprised us by lowering herself so she could sit on the top
of the fence.

This time, she spoke casually, as if she were visiting with a friend.
"I'm in public view, and speaking as the Ambassador, so if you wish to
distract yourself by taking pictures of me, you may do so."

Connie spoke up.  "Marie?  Move me backwards about ten feet.  I need
to get everyone here in frame, for this."

I shifted her.  "Good enough?"

"Thanks."

She grinned at something.  "Too bad all you have is a dinky little
hand cam, without a live feed.  Maybe you can do some humint, later."

Ted winced.  "I think she doesn't like that woman."

I laughed.  "She's probably just as glad she's not on the receiving
end, this time."

"Yeah.  It's the Ambassador this time, too.  Good point."

We shut up and waited.

Lady Chrystal looked around, then sighed.  "I'm also speaking as
Rabelaisia's chosen Avatar on Earth.  We've been low key about that
part of my duties here, but it shouldn't be news to many of you, if
you've done some basic research on me.

"What isn't generally known is that just as the Avatars of Earth are,
I am a True Immortal.  This is a relevant part of the solution we plan
on using to enforce Rabelaisian privacy on Earth, and on my home
world."

She took the time to study the crowd, I assumed, then she looked down
slightly.  "The other most relevant knowledge you need to know, is
that a spell, once cast, does not cease to have effect until the
caster revokes it, or they die."

Ted touched my arm.  "This must be pretty serious, if she's being that
open."

"It is.  It's obvious that someday she'd have to admit she's immortal.
All she could do was wait until admitting it would let her use it for
maximum benefit."

"Yeah.  Makes sense."

"Shh..."

Lady Chrystal must have been waiting for something, because she nodded
slightly.  "It's really quite simple.  With the agreement of your
world's Zeitgeist, I've triggered a spell that makes it impossible for
anyone to take pictures of Rabelaisian citizens, or eavesdrop on their
conversations, without their permission, when they are in a location
where they expect to have privacy.  Their public lives will still be
accessible.  Of course, if they agree to be photographed or
interviewed in private surroundings, the spell will have no effect on
the people they make the agreement with.  The same conditions will
apply on Rabelaisia."

She grinned.  "I imagine quite a few Terran celebrities and other
public figures will be applying for dual citizenship.  We will, of
course, consider each case on an individual basis, *after* a mind link
to make sure they aren't making the request to avoid being caught
performing criminal acts, or as a means of avoiding justice."

It was silent for quite awhile, then we heard the woman again.  "So as
long as I only take pictures when Rabelaisian citizens are in public,
nothing will happen and I can still sell them?"

Lady Chrystal sneezed her amusement.  "As long as you take them in a
safe manner, and don't break any laws while taking them, you will be
left alone."

I touched Ted and waited for him to shift his attention to me.
"She's...  Sneaky, Ted.  See the hook, yet?"

"Sounded like it's pretty much business as usual."

"I hope *she* thinks that way, too.  Think about how many laws get
ignored in the frenzy when a celebrity shows up somewhere.  Blocked
sidewalks, people driving one handed and not paying attention while
they try to get pics...  Get my drift, yet?  All of a sudden, anyone
who breaks *any* law, while trying to take pictures of Rabelaisian
citizens, for gain, is going to find themselves being fined, at the
least."

His eyes got wide.  "All over the world?"

"Yeah.  I bet there's more, too.  Rabelaisian justice is *direct*, and
swift..."

He turned back to look at Lady Chrystal.  "And she's a Bard...  Oh,
man!  Things are going to get crazy!"

"Yep.  And anyone who tries to fight it..."

He stared at me.  "Is going to have to deal with The Ambassador here,
or the Bards, on Rabelaisia, right?"

"Yes.  This went interplanetary as soon as the Ambassador invoked her
status as an Avatar.  It's kind of like the Pope speaking ex cathedra.
She's speaking with the full approval and support of the Zeitgeist. If
she didn't have it, she wouldn't have been able to do anything."

He finally shook his head.  "I need to think about this and what it
means.  Something is obvious, though.  She's taking a direct hand in
life here, and I thought Bards aren't supposed to do that."

I sighed.  "Until this morning, I thought she couldn't, either, but
once she admitted she could, I realized I could have figured it out
from what's available about her history, even if I hadn't known a lot
of things that aren't public knowledge, here, yet."

"Oh?  Tell me later.  I don't want to miss any more of what she and
Libby are doing."

I figured they'd done most of whatever they'd wanted to do, so I
wasn't worried when Lady Chrystal spoke casually.  "There isn't much
left for me to do here, so let's take care of the last two problems,
then I'll leave and you and Liberty can handle the rest of it on your
own."

The woman spoke cautiously.  "Two things?"

"Two.  First, is to give you back full control of what you see.
Liberty?"

"Yes, Mistress.  She can see herself as she really is."

"Thank you.  The second thing that needs to be dealt with, is the
unauthorized pictures that are still on her camera.  Do you want them
removed?"

Liberty laughed derisively.  "No.  She can keep them."

Lady Chrystal's ear went vertical.  "Oh?  Explain yourself,
Journeywoman."

"I understood some of the implications of your solution, Mistress. She
probably has the *last* unauthorized pictures that will ever be taken,
of *any* Rabelaisian citizen and some of those are of *you*. I'll
leave it up to her, to keep track of them, and eventually sell them."

She looked down and grinned.  "I'm going to do you a *big* favor, and
make it so nobody can take your camera away from you, or use your
pictures until you willingly agree to let them be used.  If you're
smart, you won't take the first offers.  I'll leave it to *you* to
figure out how much they are worth.  I don't feel a bit sorry that you
didn't take any pictures of The Ambassador during all this, but you
still have those ones of her acting like a member of our family. Other
than that..."

She gestured grandly.  "Welcome to being a celebrity.  Hope you enjoy
it!"

We heard a sudden babble of excited voices before Lady Chrystal raised
her voice.  "I believe the usual way of ending this, is for me to
speak the words 'case closed', then leave the premises."

She vanished, and Liberty hung there a bit longer, then shook her head
and must have spoken to the woman.  "Don't bother knocking on our door
and asking for help.  Maybe you can get some help from our neighbors,
instead.  Besides, *I* don't like you!"

I winced, then laughed when she lowered herself to the ground and
looked up.  "Connie?"

Connie lifted her head, studied the situation, then smiled in a way
that told me she was probably going to do something...  She was going
to enjoy doing.

She looked down and smiled.  "Well, since you wanted something
newsworthy, and I've been avoiding my real job, with permission, I
shouldn't abuse that permission.  Marie?  I'm finished.  Bring me back
to Earth, on your side of the fence.  Oh.  Whoever you are, the folks
I used to work for like to hire people who are in the right place at
the right time.  Don't sell your story, or yourself, cheaply.  It's a
tough job, and the training for it will push you way past what you
thought were your limits, but if you make it all the way, you'd be a
real professional, and not...  A Paparazzi who is always wondering if
she'll be able to afford her next meal."

I lowered her to the ground and released my hold on her, then I
started laughing when she and Libby high fived each other before
Connie handed the camera back to the person she'd borrowed it from.

"Battery is getting a little low.  Better replace it while things are
slow.  Same for the memory card.  Plenty of room for normal stuff, but
if you need to use the high res function, you might run out and miss
something important.  Oh, talk to whoever is in charge, about getting
the biggest cards those cams will handle.  Cost is insignificant when
you compare it to losing the shot of a lifetime, because the one you
have installed isn't big enough."

"Thanks, Connie.  We'll add what's on this one, to our archives for
now.  Maybe we can convince them to let us carry two cameras all the
time, now."

"That would work, if you swap before you really have to."

She picked up her plate and scraped the spilled food on it before she
looked at Libby.  "Hungry?"

Libby laughed.  "Not that hungry, thanks."

Connie nodded.  "I was curious, is all."

Libby smiled.  "No problem.  Not saying I don't scavenge sometimes.  I
think I'll go take my bath."

She ambled off, and I finally studied Ted.  "You look a little
stunned."

"A lot.  Don't know which shocked me more.  Libby letting her keep the
pictures, or Connie telling her she could switch jobs."

Connie went over and tossed her plate, then filled a new one before
she came back and settled in one of the chairs.  "I wasn't doing her
any favors, Ted."

"What did you do to her?"

She nibbled for awhile, then spoke without looking at Ted.  "I wasn't
lying, when I said people who are in the right place can get hired.
But, look what happened to me, when all I did was violate the terms of
my contract.  I lost my job, immediately, and I was one of the best in
the business, when it comes to getting those once in a lifetime shots.
I had to be, or Roberta wouldn't have made me one her own."

Ted nodded.  "Ok.  I can see that much.  Looked to me like you got
another one of those once in a lifetime shots."

"Yeah.   But...  I guess I've been close to too many Bards.  The
Ambassador looked relaxed and affable, but she wasn't.  She was so
angry she was having trouble holding it in.  Liberty wasn't in much
better shape.  I think *she* yelled for the Ambassador so she wouldn't
lose it completely."

Ted sighed.  "Master-Journeywoman?  Out of her depth and she knew it?
Makes sense.  We had that sort of stuff back where I'm from."

"Probably.  I think The Ambassador has been waiting a long time for
something like this to happen, because she was ready for it.  Only
there's something I don't understand."

Her head came up and she studied me.  "I think Marie knows something
the world doesn't.  Everything I know about Bards tells me she
shouldn't have done what she did."

I sighed.  "It's there, if you pay close enough attention.  I missed
it, too.  She never gave an oath she wouldn't interfere with things.
She *couldn't* give her word, and she knew it at the time she came
here, because she already knew she was Rabelaisia's primary Avatar,
and that takes precedence over *everything* else.  If it makes you
feel better, she told me that this morning, to explain something that
happened, after I made pretty much the same comment you did."

"I see, I think."

She focused on Ted.  "Anyway, There isn't a news organization in the
world who would want to hire someone who precipitated an incident as
major as what happened here.  The Ambassador *and* Liberty, as Bards,
told the world that she'd just been the person who created the
situation that made The Ambassador take away a lot of what makes life
as a 'free lancer' so lucrative, when they go hunting Rabelaisians. No
more unauthorized 'candid photos' or 'exposes'.

"Tell me, Ted.  How do you think the rest of those free lancers are
going to feel when they find out they'll have to compete honestly--and
they know who forced that on them?"

"Jeez...  I hadn't thought about that part.  I can't quite believe she
might have the last unauthorized pictures taken, but that isn't
important, compared to being the person who triggered things."

Connie nodded.  "I know the type, too.  After all, I was a lot like
her, until Marie caught me.  I was doing it more for the money, than
the ego trip.  It was a challenge, though, and when you manage to
score big, it just makes you want to do it again, instead of quit.
She's addicted to the rush, as much as she is the money.  She'll never
be able to work on a crew, and she knows it."

She looked at me and sighed.  "You were gentle and patient with me,
weren't you, Marie?"

"Yes."

"Thanks, I guess."

She studied Ted thoughtfully.  "What I was doing was forcing her to
get over the euphoria of being in on the world's biggest 'score', as a
free lancer, so she'd realize she's finished.  She's got to decide if
she wants to do the talk circuit, and if she does, she's going to
become the type of person she used to hunt.  I don't think she can
avoid that, but she might manage to get some sort of private life back
in a few years."

Ted sighed.  "Think she'll apply for Rabelaisian citizenship?"

"I don't know."

I decided to speak up.  "If she has any sense at all, she won't apply
until she's confessed her sins in a Terran court.  The Ambassador had
a good reason for mentioning the mind link.  It sounds cruel, but
without it, a lot of people would wind up getting killed during their
first day on Rabelaisia, when people found out what laws they'd
routinely broken.  'Invasion of personal space' is taken seriously
there."

Connie managed to sound droll.  "I noticed."

She finished her food, then sighed.  "Marie?  I don't know what your
generation calls alcohol, but mine sometimes calls it a liquid
anesthetic.  Any chance of me getting some?"

"Hang on."

I turned slightly, found my parents, and hollered at them.  "Mom! Dad!
Connie wants to get blotto.  I think she's earned a chance at the good
stuff!"

They both laughed, then dad came over and studied her.  "Finally
realized what Marie *could* have done to you?"

"That's uncanny.  How did you do it?"

"Several ways.  Some of it is from raising four kids.  Most of the
rest is from spending all those years with Lady Chrystal, before we
agreed to let her have Marie as her apprentice."

"And the little bit that's left to be accounted for?"

He looked at his hands, then held them up and twisted them so Connie
could see all of them.  "When we're 'turned on', we have access to the
same sort of power, except we don't speak for two worlds when we use
it.  Coming to terms with *that* put us into a funk that lasted almost
a year of that time we were living with Lady Chrystal.  Know the signs
from experience, that's all."

"That explains the serenity I've noticed."

"Probably not, but we can talk about that, later.  How long do you
think you'll need?"

"Impose on you folks for a day or two?"

"It's not imposing, but understanding that will probably happen later.
Mind if I choose for you?"

"As long as it's legal, go ahead."

He smiled, then reached into empty air.  When his hand reappeared he
was holding a finely worked bottle.

He offered it to her.  "Only the best, for family.  Quickest way is to
guzzle an ounce or two, then sip over the next few hours, to maintain
the hit at whatever level you want."

She took it and studied it.  "I suppose 'family' is something I'll
figure out in a couple days?"

"Yes."

She was reading the label when she frowned.  "Seaside Harbor?  Never
heard of them."

Dad looked slightly amused.  "Few have.  It's from The Ambassador's
private stock, that she put down when she was living on her estate as
a settled Bard.  It's a lot like her.  Smooth, with a hidden punch
that really wakes you up when it hits."

"Is this stuff safe for humans?"

He smiled in a way that had me shaking my head, so I answered.  "He's
playing with you.  There's less alcohol in it than what is sold to
teenagers, here.  It's the herbs, and Lady Kay has approved it for
Terran use.  No addiction, and you'll be fully back to the world
twenty fours hours after you stop drinking it."

She looked at it some more, then studied my father.  "She right?"

"Speaks from personal experience."

She looked at the bottle thoughtfully.  "How soon does it hit, and
will I stagger?"

He chuckled.  "No more than fifteen minutes.  No staggering.  It's not
that kind of anesthesia."

She figured out how to open it, then she took a cautious sniff.  "That
stuff does speak clearly, doesn't it?  Guzzle first, then savor?
Sounds about right for the mood I'm in.  See you folks in two days.
Oh, before I forget, where's my bed?"

"I'll make sure the RV is unlocked for you, and it's hooked to water
and power."

"Thanks."

She glugged, then leaned back and looked at the bottle again.  "Wow!
Smooth is right, but it lets you know when to stop, doesn't it?"

Dad laughed.  "Sure does.  See you in a couple days."

We watched him leave, then Connie looked at me thoughtfully.  "Best if
I let the experience surprise me?"

"I don't know.  My grandparents are old fashioned flower children. Mom
and Dad took that and somehow kept the essentials while they tossed
the real silly stuff that drove them both nuts as kids.  The result is
that we kids were already comfortable thinking about stuff that wasn't
recognized by science.  I'd been Vix's apprentice for awhile, so I had
a good idea about what was going to happen, the first time I drank
some of that stuff."

"Sounds like they would have been easy converts to Rabelaisian
thinking...  Hey!  Where'd *that* come from?!"

I grinned at her.  "The bottle, of course."

"Private stock, put down by the vixen everyone says is the second
greatest Bard who ever lived, so far.  I should have asked what she
uses this stuff for, right?"

"Same thing we use alcohol for.  A meditation aid.  Bards can't afford
to get blotto.  Instead, she sets her emotions aside temporarily,
without using any power to do it.  Gives her a chance to get some
emotional distance while her intellect is enhanced so she can sort
though possibilities."

"Chemical yoga, or something like that?"

I laughed.  "There's a better way to say it."

"Oh?"

"Sure.  Rabelaisians have their hucksters, but Lady Chrystal isn't one
of them.  Read the label again and you'll see what I mean."

She held the bottle in front of her eyes, then she shook her head.
"Silly human.  Bard.  Vixen.  Sense of humor.  Subtle."

She laughed.  "So she wasn't being subtle or tricky when she made the
label, was she?"

"Nope!  Like the name?"

" 'Bottled Serenity'?  Word ever gets out about this stuff, folks are
going to want to know the recipe."

I grinned.  "Wouldn't do them any good, even if they knew the exact
portions of each herb used for that particular batch."

"Processing affects things?  Not unusual.  Herbalists are used to that
problem."

"Good point.  The plants are alive until the final part of the
process.  Have to be, so she can adjust things until she has the aura
right.  After that, the mix is steeped and the resulting syrup is
diluted and bottled."

Connie sipped, then looked around.  "Auras  Been meaning to ask
someone about that.  You and Ted, since you're available.  Something
about once you can see stuff, you can learn how to manipulate it.  How
true is that?"

I looked at Ted.  "Answer the Lady, Apprentice."

He groaned.  "It's true, but not complete.  I'm a dowser and my sister
is a matchmaker.  We figured out how to do some stuff because we could
feel the differences we caused.  Seeing the power makes it a lot
easier, that's all.  Oh, it's pretty crazy sometimes, because even
when you can see it, sometimes you can't feel anything.  It's like
wearing gloves, I guess, except I can't predict when I'm really
wearing them when I reach for the power."

"Can you make it so I can see stuff like that?"

"I can try.  Never done it before, only seen it done, and had it done
to me."

She thought about it, then smiled.  "I'll take the chance, if Marie is
willing to let you try it, without telling you what you should be
doing."

I sighed.  "It isn't the wisest thing to try, but I'll fix anything
that goes wrong.  Just don't panic if you go blind or can't feel
anything at all.  Umm...  Let me touch your hand so I can link with
you.  I'll make it a passive one for now, so I can monitor things."

We made contact, then I spoke in her head.  Her eyes widened before
she spoke out loud.  "So that's what telepathy feels like.  Strange
experience.  No wonder everyone waffles a lot when they try to
describe what it feels like."

She let go of my hand and studied Ted.  "Ready when you are."

"Yeah.  Ok.  Marie does a gesture and tells people to see as she does,
and all that, but it doesn't have to be that way."

"Oh?"

"Of course not.  Bards don't need gestures to help them focus on what
they're doing.  It's other people who need them, to help *them*
focus."

I sat up slightly.  "I never told you that."

"Didn't have to.  It's obvious.  Don't distract me."

I laughed at his tone, then nodded.  "Go."

He held up his hand with the palm facing Connie.  "Hold your hand up,
with your palm about six inches away, then focus on the space between
our hands."

She did.  "Now, what?"

"I'm going to make a ball of energy, then I'm going to slowly increase
its intensity until you tell me you think something has changed in the
space between our hands."

He made a ball of energy, and started making it brighter until Connie
suddenly jerked her hand back and looked at her palm before she put
her hand back in position.  "Stop what you're doing so I can explore."

"Ok."

She moved her hand a little, and I could see that she was acting like
she was running it over the ball.  "It's warm, and feels...  Fuzzy?
Whatever it is, I can feel something, but I can't think of the words
to describe it.  Can't see a thing."

"Didn't expect you to see anything.  Takes practice to see in the
infrared, ultraviolet, or however it is that we see and feel the
energy involved."

"What next?

"I'm going to add some color.  Once you can see it, umm...  Best way
to say it, I guess, is that you'll be turned on, and looking at the
world like we can, when we want to."

"That's it?  How long will it last?"

"That's it.  Depends on you.  If you have the controls, you can learn
how to do it on your own.  Otherwise, it will stop when I decide to
break the link."

Connie lifted her head slightly and studied his face.  "For an
apprentice, you're pretty confident this will work."

"We couldn't see the colors, but this is almost the same way my sister
and I taught each other to do what we could do, but the other
couldn't.  Surprised Marie when she found out we already knew how to
do a lot of stuff most people think is impossible."

"Got it.  Do it."

Eventually she gasped, then spoke reverently.  "Marie?  Did Ted just
make a rainbow on a ball of energy?"

"Yep.  Since you can see that, you can see it all, now.  Take a look."

She looked around, then frowned slightly.  "Something...  That stuff
looks familiar, somehow, but I know I've never seen it before."

"Ted?  She's your student."

He glared at me, then sighed.  "Should have seen that coming."

He thought about it.  "Connie?  You're a photographer.  I bet you've
seen photographs, but humans don't call what you're seeing 'auras'.  I
didn't know we had a name for it either, until I was told.  Ever heard
of Kirlian fields?"

She nodded a little.  "Always thought it was some sort of trick
photography and if they were really there, we would eventually figure
out a scientific explanation for them."

She did what I was getting used to seeing.  She studied her hand, and
we could see her aura shift and move around while she tried to gain
some conscious control.

She finally sighed.  "Not as easy as you folks make it look, is it?
Case of it being easy once you know how it's done?"

Ted nodded.  "Yeah.  I have some thoughts about it, that sound pretty
whacko, but they seem to work for me."

"Oh?  Willing to share them?  I think I know too much, and it's not
what I should know, if I want to do more than look at all the pretty
colors."

"Probably a good thing you drank that stuff before this happened.
You're going to need that serenity."

Her eyebrows rose.  "Interesting comment.  You just sounded like a
parent talking to their child.  Anyway, that's a pretty mature comment
for someone your age."

He sighed.  "All my life, I knew I was probably going to be a dowser,
just like most of the men in our clan.  Poor doesn't mean stupid, and
when you have powers like we do, you figure out pretty quick that you
have a big influence on other's lives.    I was already used to the
idea of everything I do being able to affect others, when all this
other stuff happened.  Being around Marie helps a lot.  Sounds weird,
but serenity is contagious, and I need that while I get used to the
idea that I will be expected to have even more influence on people
than I ever dreamed was possible."

He studied her, then managed a smile.  "You're already pretty
influential.  Does it scare you, when you think about all the power
you have over the rest of the world?  Power handlers just use a
different method to do it.  It's more personal, so most people don't
see how alike we are."

Connie shivered and took another sip from her bottle.  "I never
realized...  Without people like me, people like Roberta wouldn't be
able to do what they do, would they?  I have as much power as she
does, maybe more, don't I?"

"Yes."

"Distract me, Ted.  Tell me about these ideas you have."

"What if matter and energy aren't as different as we think they are?
Maybe the difference is in us and the way we see energy, just like we
see colors in a rainbow and not the idea that all the colors are all
waves of some type."

"That makes sense, but it doesn't seem all that whacko."

He looked at me, sighed, then spoke to Connie again.  "Watch the ball
of energy."

He changed it into a sort of crude image of a dog, then spoke
thoughtfully.  "Maybe shape shifters see themselves as energy, instead
of being matter, and all they do is change the way the energy looks,
so it isn't really a major change, but more like pouring something in
a glass.  Change the shape of the glass, and what you pour into it
looks different, but it hasn't really changed in any important way."

He gestured at the bottle she held.  "Bottled Serenity is still
Bottled Serenity, no matter what you drink it out of.  Put it in your
stomach, and all you're doing is moving it from one container to
another, until your body breaks it down.  Maybe, that stuff stays
intact long enough to affect your aura.  If it affects your aura,
maybe that can affect how you think and feel."

She stared at him, then looked at me.  "Marie?  Did Ted just give me a
scientific explanation for sympathetic magic?"

"As he sees it, yes.  Working with power, magic if you want to call it
that, is a very personal experience.  You have to figure out a way
that works for you, and it's not always the same as how someone else
sees things.

"When I shape shift, I create an image that has me at its center, then
I fit myself into it, like I'm getting dressed.  If what I want to be
is smaller than I am now, I think of it like I'm tucking myself into
clothing that's several sizes to small.  When it's bigger, like when I
become a mare, I sort of push from the inside until I've stretched the
clothing and it feels comfortable, instead of being loose on me."

Connie studied her hand again, then sipped.  "Marie?  Are you sure
this stuff isn't addicting?  I could see myself getting hooked on
being able to think this clearly."

"Can't be thinking as clearly as you should, since you said it that
way.  Not really your fault, though.  Terrans are used to thinking in
terms of changes being triggered by outside influences.  Rabelaisians
think in terms of changing themselves to fit what's around them.
They're closer to their animal roots, than we are."

Connie must have thought about it because she was silent for awhile,
then she looked at Ted.  "You said serenity is contagious.  Now, Marie
is telling me I don't need this stuff, which kind of says serenity of
this type is really something I should be able to do on my own."

He sighed.  "Don't we enjoy being around people who are serene more
often than we are?  Most people also wish they could be that way, too,
all the time instead of when they make a special effort.  That's what
I meant, mostly, when I called it contagious, but in our case there's
more to it.  We're life mates, and there's link in our minds that lets
us know how the other is feeling, and it's always there.  When we're
close enough, like now, it's strong enough that we can use it to help
us feel the same way.  Plus...  Look at our auras.  We're linked and
they're mixed together, instead of being all ours, like yours is just
you.  The way we're linked made me think of the idea that affecting
our auras affects how we feel.  I was pretty laid back before this,
but I can tell there's a difference that wasn't there before."

"According to the way you make it sound, if I can figure out how to
make my aura look like the one a serene person has, I'll *be* serene?"

"Exactly.  Think of the way it looks, as a visual aid to meditation,
or like biofeedback training that's using your eyes instead of your
ears."

"I wonder why nobody has realized this before now?  It's not like
Roberta hasn't done some pretty in depth interviews and had Bards
explain how they do what they are doing."

"Want my guess?  I've seen some of those interviews.  It seems obvious
to me, now."

"Obvious?"

"Sure.  You said it yourself.  It's always 'Show us how you do it.'
Roberta never asked a Bard 'Can you teach me how to do it?' "

"Are you saying all anyone has to do, is ask to be able to see things
this way?"

"Yes.  If I understand what's been going on, a person doesn't need to
believe, or have any sort of controls.  Since Marie can do it, I think
anyone who is a Journeyman or Master Bard, can make *anyone* see
things like you can, and give them at least a limited ability to
manipulate what they see.  They wouldn't even need permission to do
it, if the conditions are right."

"Like when The Ambassador showed up at your school.  You're definitely
Bard material, Ted.  You see the obvious in a way that most people
don't let themselves see it.  We...  Take it for granted."

"Thanks.  I can't take it for granted, after growing up poor and
living somewhere that people have the power to take things away
whenever they feel like doing it."

She winced.  "Some reality check, because I just realized you've given
me this ability, and unless there's a miracle out there waiting for
me, you're going to have to take it away from me."

"I don't have a choice, Connie.  You knew that when I did what I did."

"I didn't think it would be like this.  Can you at least let me stay
this way until I decide I've had enough, this time?"

"With Marie's help, yes.  It's something I have to learn how to do, so
I can help Libby when she needs it."

"Thanks."

"Welcome."

Connie stood, looked a little surprised when she didn't stagger, then
she walked over and knelt so she could study Libby's spot under the
bushes.

Eventually she reached and slowly waved her hand along one of the
branches.  "You know I'm here, don't you?  I wonder?..."

We watched her aura waver a little, then it drifted out from her hand
and mingled with that of the bush.   Connie whispered.  "Yeah. Pleased
to metcha.  What?  You want me to move that way?"

The aura of the plant brightened a little more in one direction than
the other, until it was obvious it was leading her hand to a definite
place.    Finally it stopped and steadied.

Connie leaned forward.  "In there?  Oh, I see it.  Your aura is all...
Different, too.  I bet you want it fixed, right?  What?  Wait...  Me?!
Ow!  Oh.  If that's what it feels like to you, I can try."

She shifted, then worked her hand into the bush until the leaves were
touching her shoulder.  "Sorry!  Let's see...  If Ted's right, I might
be able...  Oh, hush!  I'm doing the best I can!  I'm not Libby or
Marie!"

She was silent for a few minutes, then she sighed and seemed to
realize she was in an uncomfortable position.  Just before her hand
was all the way out, she froze and stared at the bush.  "Thank you?!
Well, you're welcome!"

She got her hand free and settled so she could study the bush, then
she looked over at us.  "Did I really just have a conversation with a
plant, who told me it was in pain, then it asked me to fix a broken
branch, like it was something I was supposed to do?"

I laughed.  "Yes, you did.  Blame Libby.  She's the one who spoiled
it.  She lays there for hours and they talk to each other.  Feelings,
mostly.  I think it's learned how to touch us and make us think we're
hearing words, but I'm not sure about that part.  Libby claims she can
link with it somehow, and she can sort of see what it sees."

Connie turned back and sighed.  "It wasn't words, but I *knew* it was
telling me something, and telling me what it wanted me to do."

Then it seemed to hit her and she started shivering.  "I healed a
plant.  I held a broken branch and kept it where it was supposed to
be, then, somehow...  I sort of made that part of its aura look the
same as the rest of the aura surrounding the branch, and when it was
over..."

She faced us.  "When it was over, it was as if it had never been
broken!  I was a *healer*!"

"Yes, you were.  How are you feeling?  Hungry?  Tired?"

Connie thought about it, then shrugged and looked at the bottle she
was still holding.  "I feel fine.  This stuff must be helping...  You
think the plant asked for my help because my aura looks a lot like
yours right now?"

"Maybe.  We know it can tell when Libby is nearby.  It doesn't ask two
legged people for help as often as it bugs Libby when she's being a
dog."

"Strange.  I didn't even think about the fact I didn't have a clue
about what needed to be done.  I just remembered Ted's idea and tried
it."

He chuckled.  "We heard.  Maybe someone has it in the background and
you can listen to your side of the conversation."

She blushed.  "I said that stuff out loud?!"

"Yeah.  It was like one of those comedy skits they do about people who
think they can talk to plants."

She winced.  "Good thing I'm around you folks, instead of Roberta. I'd
be on leave and waiting to see a shrink, otherwise."

Suddenly she glugged the rest of the stuff in the bottle, then got up
and carefully set it on the table.  "See you in a couple days, if
there's food in the RV.  I need some time to myself."

"No problem.  It's stocked to last all of us for a week.  Pig out, if
you want."

Her eyebrows went up, then she shook her head slightly.  "I can't
believe how casually you said that.  More of that family stuff?"

"Yes.  All of us have used it as a refuge, so once you close the door,
you'll be left alone until you come back out.  You want to sit in a
chair next to it, you can do that, too, and count on being mostly
ignored unless you invite us over."

I grinned at her.  "We don't have a dog any more, but Libby can be
one, and I can be a mare if you need one of us for silent
companionship while you think.  Mom and Dad, too, if you want them as
themselves, or you think you can handle having a couple of wolves
settled nearby."

She was staring at me when I finished.  "You folks are...  Casually
odd, if you get my drift."

"I know.  Form makes a big difference for a lot of people.  Some
illusions are more important than others, so we go along with them
when it seems right."

"Bardic stuff?"

"Courtesy, and a genuine desire to help when we can.  We happen to
have a few more options than normal people, that's all."

"Options.  Understatement if I ever heard one.  You wouldn't happen to
have some sort of internet connection around here, would you?  Be nice
to set up my laptop and do some browsing."

"Part of the hookup is an encrypted cable connection.  Dad can set you
up with access to that, or we have a short range wi-fi if you aren't
worried about data security.  Oh, and satellite for when we're
traveling."

Connie laughed.  "So you folks *do* know how to act rich.  I was
beginning to wonder."

I sighed.  "Yes, we do.  We're not rich-rich like Tom and his grrls
but that's not where our heads are at.  We pay the bills and indulge
once in awhile, but most of the time, we ignore the money.  It's a
crude way to put it, but with three Bards in the family, money will
never be a problem, and I'm not talking about what I've been making at
the mall."

"You're not?...  Oh.  Stuff like that parlour trick you did for
Roberta."

"Exactly."

Connie stretched, then sighed.  "I'd better talk to your parents
before I call it a night.  See you whenever."

"Later, Connie.  There's a wireless intercom if you need something,
but don't want to deal with people directly."

"Thanks."  She nodded at Ted, he nodded back, then we watched her head
for my parents.  Dad finally got up, and the two of them went in the
house while mom stayed put.

A few minutes later Libby came out in her robe and grabbed a chair so
she could join us.  "I saw her aura, and I see the empty bottle.  Who
did that to her?"

"Dad."

"Always knew he had an evil streak.  Did it work?"

I grinned.  "Ask Ted."

"Well?"

"She asked me to help her see auras.  I did, we talked for awhile and
I told her some of my whacky ideas about power and stuff, then she
went over to check out where you'd been when you worked on those
bones.  Your friend talked to her and asked her to fix a broken
branch.  She didn't hesitate to try, and somehow, she did it by making
the aura of the broken part the same as the normal part of the
branch."

"Modified the aura and...  Wait.  Herbie actually talked to her?!"

"Herbie?"

"Yeah.  Private joke.  Short for 'herbacious'."

"Talked.  She said it wasn't with words, and we did watch while Herbie
modified his aura to lead her hand to where he wanted it.  She spotted
the broken branch, managed to reach it, then did her healer thing
while she held it in place."

Libby stared at him, then looked at me.  "He's serious, isn't he?"

"Yes.  Herbie even thanked her when she was done."

"Thats..."  She sighed.  "Ok.  It's not any stranger than what
happened the first time he made contact with me.  Herbie's usually
pretty direct, so that isn't what's bothering me.  What makes me
nervous is knowing Connie is walking around with her head in overdrive
while she's got access to all the power stuff.  You put any limits on
her?"

Ted sighed.  "No.  Didn't think about it.  All I did was get her so
she could see power like I do, then told her that once she could see
it, she could probably manipulate it.  Never imagined the first thing
she'd do would be use one of my stupid ideas and figure out a way to
heal a plant."

"Sorry, Ted.  You're right.  Vix might have anticipated something like
that, but I don't know.  Shouldn't be a problem because of all the
spells in place, so relax.  As long as she's here, anything she does
will stay local and not leave the yard."

He slumped with relief.  "Good!"

She studied me.  "You're pretty calm about all this.  Thought you were
supposed to anticipate problems with your apprentices."

"What problems?  I didn't forget about all the spells that were
designed to give *us* the freedom to explore, and make safe mistakes
with power.  What I'm worried about is what's going to happen when all
that euphoria hits the net.  Odds are, she's going to do some
exploring.  She might even talk about it, but I think I have her
figured out enough to feel pretty sure that if she does talk, it will
be to an authority on Rabelaisians and power, which means Roberta, and
by extension of that, Kay and Merlin."

"Hmmph.  I better do some monitoring, just in case.  When's Ted
supposed to cut her off?"

Ted sighed.  "Couple days, or when she's had enough.  Said she's going
to hole up in the RV the whole time."

Libby smiled.  "Good place for it."

I grinned.  "I offered her the use of a dog to soothe her nerves if
she needed it.  She didn't say yes, didn't say no.  Mare, too, but
she's already had one run in with me.  Don't think she'll want me
around unless it's sort of official."

"Mom and dad?"

"Them, too, as themselves or wolves.  Imagine dad's already made it
official, anyway, since he offered her the bottle--as family."

"Gods.  Any other land mines I can trip over?"

"Maybe.  Dad told her the Bottled Serenity is like Vix.  Smooth, then
it can hit you pretty hard.  Guzzle, then sip.  She glugged the last
few ounces just after she did the healing."

Libby thought about it, grinned, then spoke quietly.  "Tick.  Tick.
Tick.  BOOM!!"

"Yep!"

Ted looked at us both.  "Ok.  Clue me in."

Libby grinned at him.  "Anybody bother to tell you that Vix created
'Bottled Serenity' by carefully using herbs to create a specific
aura?"

"Yes.  What's the catch?"

"Plants have auras that tend to be a single color, or have a specific
texture.  Think of them as basic colors for the inner vision, just
like there are basic colors for our eyes."

"Makes sense."

"Good.  Part of being a Master is knowing how to mix things so you can
duplicate a person's aura."

"Ok.  I can see how that could be pretty tricky, but since she can do
it, it's not impossible."

"Right.  Well, Ted, another way to think of 'Bottled Serenity' is
'Essence of serene Lady Chrystal'.  The aura she matched was her own,
when she's serene.  She only uses it when she's so frazzled she can't
focus enough to settle herself, or she needs to focus without the
distraction of consciously maintaining that serenity."

"I don't get it.  Ok, Connie's going to get another hit, then she'll
recover in a day or so.  What's the problem, since it's going to wear
off?"

"Umm...  It's easier to feel instead of trying to understand it
without any experience, but maybe if you think of it as the more you
drink, the bigger the rush when it hits, you'll have an idea of what's
going to happen to Connie.  You must have seen it hit her after the
initial glug, so her mind, when the final guzzle hits, is going to go
into a sort of logical overdrive that will let her totally focus on
any problem she thinks about.  Not only that, her thinking will be...
Bardicly quick."

He groaned.  "Followed by a huge crash, instead of it tapering off?"

"Yeah.  She's going to remember everything, too.  One of the
ingredients is a memory enhancer."

"Any hope your dad will notice she isn't carrying the bottle, or he
saw her empty it, and will do something about it?"

She looked at me, then we frowned at each other before I spoke slowly.
"Mom, not dad.  Right Sis?"

"Yeah.  If either of them noticed, she would.  Didn't think about
that, since Connie isn't one of us kids."

Ted flinched and we noticed.  Libby looked at him.  "What was that
for?"

"Not sure.  Felt like a huge, mushy, rubber band hit me in the back."

I winced.  "Mom's still out here, so it was probably dad's doing."

He sighed.  "What did he do?"

"Cut your link to Connie.  I don't know how he does it, but he used to
do it to me and Libby when we were a lot younger, to keep us from
doing things we shouldn't."

"So Connie will still crash, but not be able to do anything with power
when she does?"

"Right."

"Good.  Libby's out here, the tub is in there.  I'll assume the hot
water has had time to build up.  Ready to go soak?  I'll rub your back
if you'll rub mine."

I stood and stretched.  "Let's.  Don't trip over the camera crew."

"Yeah.  Speaking of camera crews, either of you have any idea what
that spell Vix was talking about, is going to do to people?"

I shook my head.  "Nope.  News to me.  Lib?"

"No idea.  I can think of things I'd make it do, like frying cameras,
but that bit about not breaking laws when they take normal pics of
*anyone*, not just Rabelaisian citizens...  Whatever it is, it's going
to be slick.  I'll check the news before I go to bed.  Should be lots
of folks who got bit by now."

She looked at where the confrontation had taken place.  "She's still
out there, and surrounded.  Not sure if she's doing interviews, or
people are bugging her.  Hope she has an agent she can trust.
Otherwise she's not going to get a good price for those pics."

Ted surprised us by shrugging.  "Her problem, not ours, right?  Since
we're relaxing at home, we don't have to make ourselves available for
her, or anyone else.  Way I see it, unless we go out there, she's
going to have to solve her problems without our help."

Libby shook her head.  "Good.  Maybe you can help me keep Marie under
control.  She likes to take the time to help everyone."

He looked at her so long she blushed.  "What's that for?"

"If what you did was a good example, I might be so busy encouraging
*you* to be politer and a little more compassionate towards people you
don't really care for, that I won't have time for Marie.

"Nothing I can do about Lady Chrystal, since she was speaking as an
Avatar.  Besides, whatever it is she and the world are going to do, as
far as I'm concerned it won't be enough.  Some of those Paparazzi get
people killed, and get away with it."

"I don't get it.  What did I do that set you off, since you obviously
hate Paparazzi at least as much as I do?"

"Marie?  You see it?"

"Maybe.  You started it.  You get to finish it."

"Ok.  Libby, sure, she is a Paparazzi, and since we're at home, you
have the right to refuse to help people.  I think you should have
explained it that way, instead of just telling her to go away.  But it
was that parting shot when you made it personal.  Sure, you don't like
Paparazzi, but how do you know you don't like her otherwise, as a
person?  What are you going to do if she takes that as a challenge, or
comes to you on Monday and asks for your help while you're on your way
to school?"

"Oh.  More?"

"Yeah.  You're a Bard, and you represent all of us.  It isn't fair,
but that's the way it works on Earth, right? When you speak, people
aren't all going to see 'Libby the real person'.  They're going to see
'Libby the Bard', and hold you to that standard. Maybe I can see it
better because I came from a place where we knew we always had to bow
to our betters, instead of speaking our minds and getting them to
notice us, then decide to do something about it."

"Ok, it was a stupid thing to do.  I bet you think I should go
apologize, since she's still out there?"

He winced.  "Libby, I don't think you should have to apologize for
being yourself.  I know you have to, though, because you're a Bard,
and you have to do it on camera, somehow, since you took that shot on
a live feed."

She sighed.  "I hate to admit you're right. I guess I've been around
Vix too much.  On Rabelaisia, they'd know I was speaking as myself,
and not as a Bard.  Here...  Probably won't get people to accept that
in our lifetimes."

She looked at me.  "Marie?"

"I didn't see all of it, either.  Like he says, find a politer way to
say it, next time."

"I hear you.  Or don't say it at all."

She bent her head while she thought about it, then she raised it and
looked at the camera crew.  "All of you can't fit in the bathroom
while they're getting cleaned up.  I need at least one of you, with a
camera, to take a walk with  me while I see if I can fix the problem I
let my ego create."

She stood and held out her hand to Ted.  "Thanks, Bro.  I'll try to
keep from making my mistakes so...  Spectacular.  Where'd you learn
how to do that?"

"You forget I have a sister?  We used to egg each other into trouble
back home, but after we moved here, we realized we were all we had, so
we got serious and decided to help each other keep out of trouble.
Doesn't always work, but at least we don't make the same mistakes very
often."

"I bet."

She looked around, sighed again, and then started walking towards the
gate.  "Come on.  We'll use the gate instead of going over the fence.
People are going to make noises no matter what I'm wearing, so I'm not
going to change like I wanted to make sure I created some sort of
impression other than the important one of being serious about knowing
I made a mistake, and I want to fix it now, not later."

Ted stood up, stretched, then hugged me.  "Sorry about that.  I should
have said something earlier, but it didn't hit me until just now.  Vix
let her get away with it, and I wasn't really thinking right, so I was
cheering her on, in my head."

I watched Libby go out the gate, then I hugged him back, hard, and
sighed.  "Yeah.  I should have seen it, too.  I really think she was
ok, until she said she didn't like that woman.  Context said
'Paparazzi', but most people are going to get that all mixed up, just
for the sake of causing us problems...  Oh.   Supercrud.  Hang on."

I got my phone out and called Vix.  After we got through the normal
stuff I apologized.  "Sorry, Mistress.  Ted was the first one here to
realize Lib blew it.  She's gone out there to see what she can do to
fix things."

I heard a long sigh.  "She had company.  The embassy has been flooded
with calls about my high handed ways.  It doesn't matter that every
country signed the treaty soon after Merlin and Kay came up with the
solution.  I announced it, so that makes me the dictator, or whatever
word they think fits me best.  Don't worry about Libby.  She's getting
some strong support from most of the public figures of the world,
since they know she meant she didn't like Paparazzi, and not the woman
as a person."

"Anything we need to worry about?"

"Not until you go outside your home, and then it will just be the
usual media feeding frenzy.  I've already given Roberta access to my
best media crew.  Kay and Merlin are arranging emergency meetings with
every head of state in the world.  The twins went dog and are guarding
the three of them.  I'm scheduled to be Roberta's first interview,
before she gets place slid all over the world, so people can get the
truth from the Champion of Light."

I giggled before I could stop myself, then I grinned at Ted while I
spoke.  "Couldn't leave it alone, could you?  Well, Mistress, I'll
have to find a way to live up to your high standards of Bardic
conduct.  Might take me years, but I'll see what I can do about
generating some controlled chaos on a global scale."

Vix laughed.  "Do that well enough, Marie, and I probably won't have
any reasonable reasons to deny you your Master's rank.  Do it with Ted
and Libby's help, and I'll reward all of you at the same time."

She hung up and I stared at my suddenly silent phone until Ted
deliberately tugged me around so he could look at my face.

"Marie?  Something wrong?"

"Huh?  You say something?"

He sighed, and the next thing I was aware of was a text message on my
phone.  'What happened?  Are you ok?'

"Oh."

I put my phone away and grabbed his hand.  "Lets go take that bath.
Vix just scored on me.  A BIG score.  I'm not sure, but it might have
been the game winner."

* * *

"Sit on my lap. so I can wash your back."

I giggled.  "Is that all you want to do?"

"Yeah.  You mind?"

"No.  Where'd you learn to use your hands like that?"

"Back home.  I used to spend hours grooming our horses."

"Oh.  Guess..."  I couldn't stop my giggles.  "They still alive?"

"No clue.  Probably."

"I remember what Aggie asked you.  We could go back and visit them.  I
could even thank them for teaching you how to use your hands so good."

"You are crazy, Marie."

"For you."

"Walked into that, didn't I?  I dunno.  Small town family makes good
and all that stuff, and one of the kids comes back to remember his
roots?"

"Some would see it that way.  Maybe you could...  Never mind.  It was
a crazy idea.  Bad enough, that the media is bound to go there and
screw with people's lives."

"You shivered.  Yeah, I agree that they'll want to do all that 'What
were they like?' crap. But...  You must have been thinking of
something else, right?"

"Uh huh.  I was remembering how we all linked with Wolf, when we were
kids, and we got to see her memories like we were there.  We needed
Vix's help, back then.  Now, though, you could practice with me when
I'm a mare, then, someday, you could go back and do it with the
horses, so *you* could really talk to them and stuff."

"I gotta think about that, Marie.  I got some weird thoughts all of a
sudden."

"Share?"

"Not yet, ok?"

"Ok.  Want me to close my eyes so you can do my hair?"

"You going to go to sleep on me?"

I laughed.  "Not this time!"  

I touched his penis lightly, then rubbed myself with it.  "I'm wide
awake and trying to convince myself I should wait until we can finally
do it right, then get a good snuggle during the afterglow, ya know?"

"Yeah.  Close your eyes and I'll do your hair."

{{Closed.  Those weird thoughts wouldn't have anything to do with
animal fucking, and consent, would they?}}

{{Shoulda figured you'd know.  Had them already?}}

{{Yes.  Decided not to go there.  Bad enough when humans or
Rabelaisians are shifted.  Don't know what I'll do if someone asks for
help, except make the links, and let them sort it out.  Never done it
as a mare, and...  I'd like to wait until I'm allowed to time shift,
then...  Yeah, Ted.  We might as well explore, since people are going
to expect us to.  That what has you screwed up in your head?}}

{{A lot, because I think some of the mares we had, deliberately asked
me to screw them.  I never did.}}

{{But you looked real close, right?  Most guys do.  I get it all the
time when I'm shifted.  Sometimes I want to just turn around and raise
my tail, then tell them to either do something, or get a good look and
get over it.  People are going to check you out once you learn how to
shape shift.}}

He laughed in my head.  {{Maybe this stuff about being open all the
time will get rid of a lot of that.  I bet we're both masturbation
fantasies for a lot of people by now.}}

{{Want to do some searches to see if we've gone viral, yet?}}

{{Yeah!  I've been with you, so I know we both need to check our
email.}}

{{I bet people have already cybersquatted the best versions of our
names for web sites.  Doesn't matter, since I already own most of the
variations of 'Singing Palomino'.  I don't see it as a problem, Ted,
since we can always get what we want on the Rabelaisian domains.}}

{{Good.  Ok.  You're rinsed.  Let me get something to wipe the water
off your face...  Done.}}

I got off his lap, then turned around and kissed him deeply.  "Thanks,
Ted.  Let's swap and I'll do your back."

"Sounds good to me."

I laughed after we resettled.  "It better!"

I ran my hands over him and smiled.  "Like your tan.  Looks a little
faded."

"Yeah.  That's one thing I don't miss, all the outside chores I had to
do."

"Farm?"

"Nahh.  Just a big yard and an old house with a fireplace.  Couple
acres of grass that had to be kept mowed, and we usually had a garden
most of the year."

"Right.  Ok.  Close your eyes so I can do your head first."

{{Closed.}}

{{Thanks.  What about those horses?}}

{{Twenty acres of pasture.  Dad took care of that.  Mom handled the
house, mostly, and sis and I were responsible for the outside stuff
that dad couldn't get to.}}

{{Got it.  Sounded like you did a lot of the grooming.}}

{{Dad and I did most of it, but whoever rode one was always
responsible for making sure they were taken care of when we got
done.}}

{{Someday, we'll link and you can take me on a tour.  I'll do the same
for you.}}

{{Ok.}}

I was working his scalp when I noticed something and must have paused
too long.

{{Something wrong?}}

{{Don't know.}}

I traced the slight ridge I'd found in his scalp.  {{Pretty bad scar,
Ted, and...}}

{{Yeah.  I was chasing my sister, and forgot about a low branch.
Didn't knock me out, but it was close.}}

{{Umm...  I bet it was bad.  Still is.}}

{{What?!}}

{{Something happened inside your head, that hasn't healed right.  Your
aura's pretty messed up in that area.  See if you can sorta look at
yourself with the other vision.  If you get it right, you'll see what
I'm talking about.}}

{{Look at myself?  Ok...  Maybe if I imagine I have a mirror in front
of me...  I guess I'll get better with practice?}}

{{Yes.}}

{{Ok.  What I see is real blurry, but...  Yeah.  there's a place where
I can tell it's a lot different.  Some of it's your aura, but, it's
pretty obvious there's something different where your hand is.}}

{{Ever get any x-rays or stuff?}}

{{They checked my skull and stuff, and did whatever it is they do, to
check for swelling.  Said I was ok after a few weeks.}}

{{Ok...  Umm...  Don't freak on me.  I'm going to have to lean back
and brace myself, then I'm going to see what I can do.}}

{{Some healing?}}

{{Yes.}}

He sighed, then took a deep breath and let it out slowly.  {{Do it.}}

I closed my eyes, then let my inner vision narrow until I was focused
on the spot where my hand was on his head.

Then I...  Studied his aura until I found the center of the wrongness.
It was a dark spot.  After I thought about it, I sort of created an
extension of my aura that went inside his head, then I let it expand
slowly after it was centered in the dark spot.  While I did that, I
visualized blood flowing into the area.

Eventually the dark spot was gone, and I stroked my finger along his
scar.  {{I'll fix this later.  Right now, I don't have the energy.}}

{{That's it?  I didn't feel anything, but my aura looks...  Smoother,
I guess.  The gap is gone, anyway.}}

{{Yep.  Way I spotted it was a dark spot inside your head.  Be a good
idea to have mom or Vix check it out, but that can wait for now.  I
don't see anything that's obviously wrong.}}

{{Sort of like having a specialist check me out?}}

{{I guess.  I haven't done much healing, so I could have missed
something.  Anyway, let me finish scrubbing and then I'll rinse you
off.}}

{{Thanks, Marie.  You think that someday I'll be able to do that sort
of stuff?}}

{{Uh huh.  It's sort of a requirement, to be able to heal yourself,
before you can be a Journeyman.}}

{{Sounds nice.  Bet the medical folks don't like it much.}}

{{So do, some don't.  Vix did a full healing on Jessica while she was
hooked up, and then some of the people there did some basic healing
stuff, I guess, while Vix kept an eye on them, or something.  I didn't
ask for details.  She did say they were pretty enthused about making
arrangements to get some Rabelaisian healers certified as
paramedics.}}

He sighed.  {{Jeez...  You think we're going to get mixed up in all
that?}}

{{Don't know.  We talked about stuff like that, and Lib and I decided
we'd insist on being in our alternate forms, then licking people as
part of the process.  Had a camera there, so folks know Bards can be
healers.  That was while we were in the front of the RV and you guys
were out of it.}}

{{Ok.  Worry when it happens, right?}}

{{Yes.  Ok...  My turn to rinse and wipe, then we can worry about
getting the rest of our bodies clean.}}

{{Hey, Marie?}}

{{What?}}

{{We'd better move out as soon as we can after we graduate, right?}}

{{I guess.  Bet the neighbors would appreciate it more than the family
would.}}

{{Makes sense.  If we're lucky, people will spend more time around us,
than Libby and the others, right?}}

{{Don't know.  Lib's a show off and she loves people, so they might go
after her more, because she's a lot less standoffish than I've been.}}

{{Part of that being a dog?}}

{{Maybe.  I think most of it was trying to be a better Marie than I
am, so she's always tried to do what I do, but do it better.}}

{{Whatever.  Can I be pushy and assume that no matter what we decide
to do, paying for it won't be a problem?}}

{{Yes.}}

{{Ok.  About the only thing I can think of right now, is that whatever
we do, we'll have to plan for setting it up so people can feel
comfortable with talking to us once we leave where we're living.}}

{{Yeah.  We could place slide from anywhere, but there's a limit to
how much we can carry when we do.  My show saddle and all the
accessories is pretty close to my limit when I'm a mare, and we'd have
to unload me after we got where we're going.  I can shift back and
forth, so that helps.}}

He sighed and shifted so he could kiss me.  {{So...  It would help if
someone made a lighter version of your show saddle?}}

{{Definitely!}}

He stood up, then helped me up before he grabbed the bar of soap and
started soaping me up.  {{Hey...  I just noticed.  You've got your
pubic hair trimmed so it looks like a heart.}}

{{Umm...  Worse, Ted.  When I get bored with the shape, I tell my hair
to grow in different patterns.}}

{{Oh.  Well, I like it.  Can you make it grow in different colors,
too?}}

{{What?  Draw even more attention to me?!}}

{{Well...  You talked about that strange colored vixen, and would it
make our lives easier, if we spent more time as a fox and vixen,
instead of as humans?}}

{{It might make it easier, but...  We're really the first.  It's going
to be important that we don't act like we're ashamed of being
humans.}}

{{Oh.  Sorry.  Save it for the shows, I guess.  You going to save
Monique and only be her when you need to be someone else during a
show?}}

{{Shit, Ted.  You're right.  No more pretend in public.}}

{{And everyone knows you're Monique.  Oh well.  It's not really much
different than how it was back home.  People knew we could do that
dowsing and stuff, so they kind of held us at a distance.}}

I reached and hugged him.  "Hey.  Relax a little.  Bards don't get
held at a distance.  Once we help folks figure it out, they'll treat
us like family, no matter where we go.  Sure, we can do some things
they can't, but...  Even though it usually won't last very long for
them, we can get them to see things the way we do, and even do some of
the basic stuff.  It would be just like what I've been doing for Lib
and my brothers."

"And your parents.  Or like I did for Connie."

"Exactly."

I turned slightly and touched Kevin's arm lightly.  "People are going
to wonder if Ted and I really are a couple, so now you can see what
we're talking about when we mention all the links we have with each
other.  Someday, next year, we'll all get together and see if we can
figure out a way to make that stuff visible to the cameras, without
doing all the special stuff they do for Kirlian photography."

"Jeez, Marie!  It's like you guys have these bars of light between you
and..."

Ted grinned at him.  "Relax.  I'm mostly a dowser, but Julie taught me
a lot of the matchmaking stuff, just like I taught her how to dowse
for things besides people.  Marie and I have already accepted that
we're masturbation fantasies for a lot of people.  I'm ok with it, and
so's she.  Mostly, we aren't looking, because it takes a special way
of thinking before we can see all that stuff."

Kevin sighed.  "Thanks, Ted.  I guess most of the school knows about
me anyway."

"Yeah.  We do, and anyone who has a problem with it gets sorted out
quick, cause you're ok."

"You do?  Oh!  Thanks!  Umm...  Marie?  Thanks and all that, but could
you turn it off for now?  I need to be able to think about why I'm
really here and those links..."

I finished it.  "Are too distracting."

I touched him again.  "Done.  You can go back to being normal."

I giggled.  "Well, as normal as you can be, considering that you're
filming a couple of your classmates while they bathe each other."

"Yeah.  Something like that."

I turned around so Ted had easy access to my butt, "Come on.  Finish,
so I can do you."

He laughed.  "I get it.  You're an exhibitionist at heart."

"I have a choice?"

"Not any more.  I don't either, and it feels...  Strange, but nice."

"Feel even better, if you use your hands instead of your eyes."

"Bath gloves.  You have any?"

"I feel stupid.  No.  Next time we hit the Mall, we go shopping and
see what's available."

"Curry gloves, too, and some of those comb mitts they use on dogs and
cats."

I looked at Kevin and grinned.  "Next time I'm shifted at the mall,
anyone wearing a curry glove can have a chance to curry me a little.
When I decide I like one well enough, we'll buy a set and add them to
what I carry in my saddlebags."

There was a pounding on the door.  "Hey!  What about me?"

"Go find your own film crew and make your own deals!"

"See if I don't!"

Ted had flinched, then he started laughing.  "Well, at least we know
we're on a live feed again."

"True.  You going to move your hands, or just your fingers?"

"Oops.  Rather move my dick, but I want the next time to be special,
ya know?"

"I do."

He went back to washing me and finally rinsed me off.  When he rinsed
my butt and pubic area his hand lingered and he deliberately worked
his fingers in me 'to make sure he had all the soap out'.

I didn't orgasm, quite, but it was a close thing and I wound up
grabbing his hand and stopping him.  "Later.  Remember?"

He sighed.  "Yeah.  Sorry.  I got lost in watching your aura and
trying to make it do stuff."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Tell me later.  Whatever it was you were doing, it was really sending
me into orbit.  Good thing I stopped you, I think."

"Oh?...  So...  You be upset if I talk to Tom about what happened?"

"Be ok if I have a private talk about it with Sandy?"

"Umm...  Never mind.  Probably be better if we figure this out on our
own."

"Oh.  Duh.  You done?"

"Yes."

He handed me the water and I got him wet again, then got him all
soapy.

This time, while I used the wash cloth and got him clean, I explored
his body as carefully as I had his head.

All I found were a few barely visible scars, and I decided to leave
them alone.

He noticed my focus, and laughed.  "Checking out all my scars?"

"Yes.  Guess I'm obsessed about having a healthy body, since I'm used
to taking care of mine.  Relax.  I'm not going to do anything.
Someday, you'll be able to deal with them, if you want to."

"So you're not ready to start changing me?"

I flinched and froze.

He turned and pulled me up and hugged me.  "Sorry.  I was teasing,
Marie.  We've already changed a lot, so it was a stupid thing to say."

I cried into his chest.  "It wasn't a stupid thing to say.  I've
fought all my life, to keep from picking up that attitude when I'm
around my friends.  Sometimes it's hard, to keep from trying to make
people see that if only they did something a little differently,
they'd probably like themselves more."

"Yeah.  Julie and I have talked about that stuff, a lot.  It can get
bad for her when she can feel the links between two people, but she's
not allowed to mention them.  That party stuff she does helps her deal
with that, some, but...  I guess it's mostly Mark's problem to deal
with now."

I sighed.  "Mine, too, since I'm supposed to be helping you guys.
Bards have to find their own path, but at the same time, there's a
bunch of attitudes that have to become so ingrained we never consider
doing some things."

"One of those is letting people make their own decisions, no matter
how wrong we think they are?"

"Yes.  It's different when they ask for help. Then we have to make
sure they understand the implications, as best as we know them."

"Parents raising their kids?"

"Yes.  If you ever feel that I'm trying to make you change, do like
Lib does, and really, really, get in my face about it, ok?"

"It's not the way I was raised, to object about stuff like that."

"Umm...  Well...  Do what you can to get it in the open so we can talk
about it.  Middle of a show, if that's when it happens.  Remember,
we're going to have our arguments, and folks are going to try and
break us up, too.  I wish we could be normal, and keep that stuff
private, but..."

He sighed.  "Lead by example?  Show people that we're pretty normal,
and even though we have a lot of good stuff in our lives, we're really
just like them, and have bad stuff, too?"

"Yes."

"Got it, I think.  Umm...  I've looked at pictures on the net
sometimes."

"Never met a guy who hasn't."

"I haven't either.  So...  I don't have any real experience, except
for some serious cuddling when one of my friends and I shared his
girlfriend.  I'm pretty sure I'm mostly het, but being bi doesn't
scare me.  That's not what I wanted to mention."

"I can see the links, too, Ted.  I'm not going to get upset, or try to
change you so you don't want to try it with someone like Kevin."

"Thanks, Marie.  Not for awhile, ok?  It might be years before I'm
ready to get serious about having sex with a guy.  Right now, once
we've had time to figure things out, it might be nice to have another
guy around so we can put you in the middle."

"And maybe do it so you're in the middle?"

"Yeah."

"I'm a third generation flower child, and I've been Vix's apprentice
for years.  Whenever, and whatever you want to do, I'll be ok with it,
as long as everyone involved wants it to happen."

He blushed.  "Oh.  Ahh...  I'll need some time to get that comfortable
about it."

I giggled and hugged him.  "Relax.  I'm going to be pretty possessive
for awhile and not interested in adding anyone unless you mention the
possibility."

"Thanks.  That wasn't what I wanted to get in the open.  I could tell
something has been in your ass, right?

"Yes.  I tried it with one of my boyfriends, and it was good enough we
did it once or twice a week, until we broke up.  You done it, or
curious?"

"Done it to my girlfriends a few times, and had that guy and his
girlfriend both stick their fingers in.  Liked it enough I've been
dreaming about someday letting a guy fuck me for real."

"Fuck, or make love to you?  Makes a big difference when you have the
emotional connection."

"It does?  Oh.  Yeah.  It would.  Dunno, really."

"Ok.  Worry later.  You ready for me to finish washing you?"

"Yes."  

He smiled.  "Tired of talking.  Let's go do it, instead."

I blushed.  "Oops.  Sorry.  I'll try to quit being a Bard, and trying
to help you solve your problem."

I finished washing him, we both rinsed, then we got mostly dry before
we grabbed our clothes and went to our bedroom.

Once we settled I sighed.

"What was that for?"

"Stupid reality check."

"Oh?"

"Yes.  More of that set a good example stuff."

"Set an example?  How?...  Oh.  Protection."

"You got it.  Once we graduate, we can be lax once in awhile, but..."

He hugged me.  "I get it.  Not worried, since I'm used to wearing
condoms."

"Good.  People are gonna snicker, but if you check out the drawer in
the night stand..."

He leaned sideways, casually pulled the drawer open, then froze.
"Ahh... "

"They're in my room, Ted.  Yes, all those toys are mine.  Sometimes
guys have wanted to explore, so...  I have stuff for them, too."

He finally chortled.  "Go there later.  Any preferences for the style
of condom?"

"Thinnest."

He dug, finally removed a box, and held it so I could see it.  "These
do?"

"They'll be fine."

He opened one and without saying anything made sure he was hard, then
he installed it before he looked up and shrugged.  "Now?"

I thought about it, then looked at Kevin and sighed.  "We might as
well throw the covers back for now, then we can cover ourselves when
we're ready to snuggle and call it a night.  Ummm..."

I touched Ted and sighed.  "Just do whatever you think you should. I'm
going to enjoy whatever you do, so...  This time is about you, ok?"

"Ok.  When I finish, snuggle?"

"Please."

We got comfortable, then he fucked me while I did what I could to work
him.

After that we stayed close, managed to get ourselves covered, then we
snuggled.

{{Love you, Marie.}}

{{Really?}}  I giggled in his head.  {{Thanks.  Love ya lots, Ted.
After all the special stuff we've been doing, it was nice to do
something ordinary.}}

{{Yeah.  Any idea, what it was you fixed in my head?}}

{{No.  My guess was that the area wasn't getting enough blood, so I
made sure the flow matched everywhere else, and that seemed to work.
Once the blood flow was right, everything else looked ok, so I quit.}}

{{Got it.  I don't feel any different, unless you count being a little
relieved that whatever it was, it's fixed.}}

{{Ok.  Thanks for letting me do what I could.  I wasn't sure you'd let
me do anything.}}

{{Welcome.  Happened so fast I never thought about stopping you, since
you sounded like you really knew what you were doing.}}

{{I don't know how it works.  I just sort of think about how our
bodies sort of know how they should be, and I encourage them to fix
things faster than usual.}}

{{I...  Guess.  Think about it later.  What do you want to do
tomorrow?}}

I sighed and kissed him.  "Lots of things I'd like to do, but we won't
be able to leave without getting mobbed."

He tightened his hug, than relaxed and pulled back to study my face.
"I had a chance to talk with my mom and dad, about me moving in with
you."

"So?  I could move in with you, if this is a problem."

"We talked about that, and when we got done, we all agreed it would be
best if I lived here, because of all the spells and stuff."

"Was that the only reason?"

"No.  Mom and dad are the quiet types, and while he decided he likes
the chance to see what being famous is like, they want to keep to
themselves most of the time."

"And with us there, that would never happen."

"Yeah."

"Seems to be working ok.  How much of your stuff are you gonna bring
in?"

"Clothing and my computer, for now.  Maybe other stuff later."

"Makes sense.  So...  Tomorrow?"

"Don't freak on me."

"Oh?"

"Yeah.  Since we can't go anywhere and relax, what if we stay home,
and you shift so I can do all the stuff that should have been done
while you were a mare?"

"And?"

"Uhh..."

I felt his body get warmer.  "I never thought grooming our horses was
a chore, ya know?"

It was my turn to blush.  "Oh.  Umm...  Sure.  You might get some
help."

"So?"

"True."

Someone knocked on my door.  "Hey!  You guys aren't doing anything
right now.  Up to some talk?"

I sighed.  "It's called *afterglow*, Little Pest.  Unlike a certain
bitch, I get languid, after, ya know?"

"Yeah, I do know.  Must not have been that good, since you aren't
passed out."

Ted managed to smother his laugh, but I glared at the door anyway. "It
wasn't about me, this time.  It's something you wouldn't understand."

"Maybe I don't, maybe I do.  We all got problems, and they're going to
hit us all, on Monday.  You want to be warned, or surprised?  Mostly,
though, I need some help seeing the future, and you're as close to Kay
as I'll get right now.  She's...  Busy."

I studied Ted and he nodded, so I sighed.  "Ok, Lib.  Door's unlocked.
Didn't make sense to lock it, since we're on cam all the time.  Come
on in."

She came in and looked us over, then sighed.  "Someday, I'm gonna be
like that again.  Hope it's soon."

"You're gonna be just like me, and live at least one hundred and fifty
years, so 'soon' might be a few."

She smiled.  "Yeah, but patience isn't my thing, yet."

I stiffened, then studied her intently.  "Something's changed."

I let go of Ted and rolled to my back, then scooted until I was
propped on my headboard.  "Bad?"

She sighed.  "Mind if I change into Helga, and settle between you
two?"

Ted finally rolled until he could look at her.  "I don't have a
problem with that.  Just wondering why you don't want to be yourself."

She glanced at Kevin, then sighed.  "Let's pretend, ok?"

He looked at me and I nodded.  "I'm ok with it."

Then I opened myself.  {{Contact telepathy, Lib?}}

{{Yes.  Ted?  You comfortable with telepathy, yet?}}

{{Yes.  It's the only privacy we'll ever have, until we can time
shift.}}

{{You could do it now, right?  Vix never blocked you, did she?}}

{No blocks, which I think is stupid, but she must have had her
reasons.}}

{{She trusts you.  Hang on while I shift and get comfortable.}}

She shifted, jumped on the bed, then sprawled on her back between us.
She wiggled until she was comfortable, then she touched Ted's face
with one of her paws.  "Pet me."

He grabbed her paw and held it there, then nodded.  "Sure.  You like
chest and belly rubs?"

"I do."

{{Just maintain contact of some sort, so i can show you guys what
happened out there.}}

We petted her for awhile, then she closed her eyes and sighed.  {{Ted.
you can tell me 'I told you so', whenever you want.  I feel sorry for
her.  I sorta fixed the main problem, but she asked me for help, and I
couldn't say no.}}

I spoke up.  {{You're ducking.}}

{{I know.  Connie's going to go into orbit when she finds out what
happened.}}

Ted stopped moving his hand.  {{Connie?}}

{{Connie, and I can't do anything to stop it from happening.}}

{{You going to tell us?}}

{{Sorry, Ted.  Beth dropped out of school.  She started out selling a
few pics, and now it's all she knows how to do.  Take that away, and
she has nothing.}}

Ted figured it out before I did.  {{So...  She wants to go back to
school?  Good for her!}}

Lib sneezed.  {{Yeah, but not for Connie.  Our school, and she wants
to take the journalism classes, so she can learn from Connie.  She's
envious, and figures if she can learn enough, she might get that job
Connie suggested she apply for.}}

I shook my head.  {{Not going to work.  We talked about that, and
Connie feels that nobody would hire someone who managed to trigger
what happened.}}

{{Oh?  Oh.  Don't want to risk it happening again, right?}}

{{Right.  That, and the fact Beth has the wrong mindset to work on a
team.}}

{{Think she could change?}}

{{Anything is possible, Lib.}}

She sighed in our heads.  {{Don't bother telling me how unlikely it is
right now.  I bet I didn't help that, too.}}

Ted snorted.  {{Sounds like you did some more of that acting before
you thought stuff.}}

{{I thought first.  Should have taken the time to consult, and I
didn't.  I think I need to learn how to be less of a dog, when I'm
human.}}

I giggled.  {{It's simpler, Sis.  People call it maturity as you get
older.}}

{{More experience?  Yeah.  Makes sense.}}

{{Good.  What did you do, this time?}}

{{I think I dug my hole too deep.  Told Beth that on Monday she could
interview me while I walked to school.  That was when she decided to
ask me if I'd help her get accepted and settled into the classes she
should be taking.}}

{{So...  Where is she now?}}

{{Went home.  I feel sorry for her, but I don't what her and her
problems around all the time.}}

{{Can't argue with that, but if she's going to be learning from
Connie, that means Ted and I will get stuck with her when Connie's
with us.}}

{{I figured that out and...  We talked over a possible solution.}}

{{So?}}

{{As long as she respects our privacy, I'm willing to let her be with
me in public, for the interviews and stuff, so she can earn enough to
keep living on her own.}}

Ted stroked her chest lightly.  {{What about everyone else?  She going
to leave the rest of us alone and focus on you when you're in
public?}}

{{Don't know, yet.  I need to talk to Terry and Debbie for certain.  I
think Beth will agree to leave everyone alone at school.  Besides,
she's going to be too busy for the Paparazzi stuff.}}

Ted sighed.  {{Come on, Lib.  I think you know what the solution will
have to be.}}

{{Make her some sort of press agent for me, so I can focus on being a
Bard?  I'm not going to do what you guys are doing, and keep a film
crew around all the time.}}

{{Didn't say you should.  Any idea if that anti-Paparazzi stuff will
affect people who aren't working as Paparazzi?}}

{{No clue.  I thought I knew Vix pretty good, but that stuff is so
twisty I don't think she came up with all of it.}}

I laughed.  {{She didn't.  After you went out the gate I called her to
let her know what was going on.  It was too late.  She did say that
Merlin and Kay came up with the solution that was in the treaty that
was signed.}}

{{Vix probably helped, a lot.  When I quit watching the news, reports
were coming in from all over the world, and in every place, some of
the details were different, except for the stuff about no more pics of
Rabelaisian citizens when they expect privacy.}}

I groaned, then went back to petting Lib.

She opened her eyes and studied me.  "What was that for?"

"They had help.  Had to."

"So?  Some reason you're talking instead of thinking?  And it's
obvious Vix helped."

"Yep."  I went back to telepathy.  {{Hint:  Who's a native Terran, and
the only person on Earth, who's twistier than Lady Chrystal?}}

{{That's a hint?...    Oh.  Tom.  Way they're linked, he had to know
what was going on, didn't he?"

{{Yep.  The others might have made suggestions, but those four had to
be the ones who came up with the...  Refinements you mentioned.}}

{{Yeah.  Definitely a world class spell, or whatever.  Folks who try
to look when they shouldn't, see everything but the people.  It's a
lot like what Vix did for us to keep people from realizing we all do a
lot of stuff with power.}}

Ted  rubbed her chin and she groaned.  {{Thanks, Ted.  You're good at
this stuff.  Lots of practice?}}

{{On horses, and some of the yard cats we had before we moved.  Think
Marie's gonna enjoy it?}}

{{If she doesn't, come see me.}}

{{I'll learn to like it, Lib.  We got interrupted before I could find
out what he knows how to do.}}

{{Looked like he knows the important stuff.  I wasn't watching a live
feed, either.  You didn't have your room blocked.}}

{{What's the point?  You learn anything?}}

{{Wish I could say yes.  Already miss Terry.  We were a good fit,
mostly.}}

{{Were?  Still are, if you want to push it.}}

{{Could, but won't.  I can see the links, but they can't, so I'm going
to wait, and if they suggest anything, we'll talk it over.  I suppose
I could be like Merlin, and make Terry the keeper of my heart, but...
No.}}

{{Some wisdom?}}

{{Yeah.  Anyway, folks who try to take pics when they shouldn't, wind
up feeling like they shouldn't, and forget what they were doing, like
nobody was there.  Some folks pushed things, managed to go through the
motions, and got nothing for their headaches.  It got worse when a
bunch got together and took pics of each other trying, then compared
notes.  It was funny, watching Paparazzi interview each other, and
listen to their frustration.  Sad, too, because they didn't get any
sympathy from the professionals, or their 'victims'.}}

Ted laughed  {{ Feeding off each other?  I need to see that.  Any of
them try telling the others they didn't want to be photographed?}}

{{Yes.  Same thing.  People *thought* they were taking pics and stuff,
but all the other cameras saw was them standing there and doing
nothing.  Statues, until they had permission to take pics.}}

{{So invasion of privacy is finally opt in and under the control of
the victim.  I like it.}}

{{Lots of people do, Ted.  Only works for Rabelaisians, mostly.  The
experts think that for Terrans, it's based on the laws and customs of
the country.  The public stuff happens ok, as long as the laws aren't
broken.  They can be bent, if the area has a history of never
enforcing a law that's broken.  Too soon to tell how that's going to
work out for Terrans.  Lots of talk about case law, or maybe even some
of the unenforced laws being removed from the books.}}

{{That would be good, but weird if it happens, Libby.}}

{{Yeah.  I don't expect it to happen, either.  Lotsa smoke and
mirrors, because nobody really knows what's going to happen because of
the restrictions.  Oh.  Lots of finger pointing, because the media
missed the details about this in those treaties.  It was there all
along.  'Should the invasion of Rabelaisian privacy reach a level
unsuitable for their continued living comfortably on Terra, The Senior
Ambassador, or her representative, may invoke the provisions outlined
in these articles.'  That's followed by a lot of legal gabble that
says basically, piss her off enough, and the Paparazzi's ability, or
anyone else's, to invade Rabelaisian privacy without due process or
permission, will be removed.}}

{{Removed?}}

{{Yeah.  Weird, right?  Not a thing about all the legal problems that
are gonna happen.}}

I sighed.  {{What legal problems?  Anything done will have to be
handled under Rabelaisian laws and customs, and that means that unless
someone wants to go to Rabelaisia, the ultimate authority here will be
Lady Chrystal.  That means a touch link, and zones of truth.}}

{{I see that much, Marie.  I also know that all the arguments about
losing a living aren't going to work, because the bottom line is that
those folks were doing it illegally.  Still, a lot of them like Beth
are living on the edge, and this is gonna hurt them bad.}}

Ted sighed.  {{Sounds like you're as bad as Marie, when it comes to
helping folks, since you adopted Beth.  More of that dog stuff?}}

{{I guess.  I was in public, and she asked for help after I caused the
problem.  It's not like I had a choice, ya know?}}

{{You caused the problem?  She started it.}}

{{I could have reacted better.  I was pissed, though.}}

{{We noticed...}}

{{What?}}

{{Do you agree with Marie, about that 'no such thing as coincidence',
stuff?}}

{{Hard not to.  Yeah, I guess I do.}}

{{So...  How come you were pissed enough to get in Beth's face?  You
gotta have more sense than just jumping in like that, right?}}

{{I thought I did, but this stuff with people wanting to know what I
do in private is new to me.}}

{{Come on, Lib.  Marie may not see it yet, but I do.  You spent the
evening with Herbie, and he never asked you to fix that branch.  Must
have happened later, right?}}

{{Damn!  So that's why I was so edgy when I came back out!}}

{{You didn't know?}}

{{No.  Where was the break?}}

{{Few feet right of your den, and it must have been near the wall
because Connie was in all the way to her shoulder.}}

{{Big Sis?  Somebody must have tried to get a good look though one of
the drain openings, right?}}

{{Possible  Isn't that the one Wolf liked to stick her nose through
when she was interested in something outside the fence?}}

{{All of them, but yeah, she made a tunnel through Herbie, so that one
has always been easy to use.  If someone tried to use it from the
outside, they wouldn't see much except my butt.  Must have broken a
branch when they tried for a better look at the yard.}}

Ted looked at her seriously.  {{Beth?}}

{{Don't know.  I felt her focus on me, and spotted her head and camera
above the fence, before she ducked.  I think I would have noticed if
someone was looking through that hole when I was there.}}

{{Ok.  Sorry for the distraction.  My point is really a different one.
Way I understand things, on Rabelaisia, the punishments are common
knowledge, and people know that if they get caught, they're gonna pay,
right, Marie?}}

{{Right.}}

{{So the other side of that, is that Bards and other folks focus on
rewarding good behavior, or encouraging it.  Carrot and stick stuff.
Well, the stick is being used, which means there *has* to be a carrot
of some sort, and we all know what it is.  You adopted Connie and
Frank, and now Lib has adopted Beth.  Am I being crazy when I think
that once people figure it out, a lot of Rabelaisians or public
figures are going to be 'adopting'  Paparazzi, when they are asked
to?}}

{{Crap.  I was right.  Game's over, and Lib won. Little Sister?  How's
it feel, to know you'll be the first fully Terran Master Bard?}}

She sneezed her surprise.  {{What?!  Where'd that come from?!}}

{{Our Mistress.  Ted, you're not insane, but I suspect Lady Chrystal
and Tom will be laughing insanely, when they know we figured it out.}}

Lib gunsighted me.  {{Come clean, Marie.}}

{{I have information you don't.  When she told me about the world
going nuts because she put those restrictions in place, I tried to
score by telling her it's probably going to take years, but I'd try to
live up to her standards by creating some global chaos.}}

{{Makes sense.  We've always known we have to see the biggest picture
possible, all the time.}}

{{Oh, yes.  Very big picture.  You've spent years trying to be a
better me than I am, right?}}

{{Yeah.  Was stupid, but now I know I was supposed to be a Bard, so
that's ok.}}

{{Right. That's a big part of my thinking.  Now, we all know I've been
learning to think like Vix, so I can be a Bard.  Thing is, we all know
that while I like to entertain people and have fun, I still tend to
isolate myself a little.  I'm not the girl next door that you are, and
everyone loves you and is more comfortable teasing you, than they are
me.}}

{{Umm...  Never thought about it like that.  I think it's because I
like being a dog, and since I learned it from Wolf, I keep doing it
when I'm in my real body.  Goldens are pretty friendly most of the
time.}}

{{And they forgive pretty easily, too.}}

{{Umm...  Yeah.}}

{{So, I'm thinking that in a few ways, at least, you really are a
better me than I am, but it isn't really being a better me, it's being
a better Lady Chrystal, because that's who I was trying to be
sometimes, even though I've always thought I was just trying to be the
best Bard I could be.  Anyway, Vix scored on me instead, when she told
me that if I can create some controlled global chaos, she wouldn't
have any reasonable reasons to deny me my Master's rank.  Worse, she
said that if I do it with your and Ted's help, she'd reward all of us
at the same time.  You see it, yet?}}

{{Yeah.  Means she might have some unreasonable reasons for not making
you a Master.}}

{{Yes.  But, the important thing right now, is that she's more or less
agreed that if any of us generate some controlled chaos, on a global
scale, there won't be any 'reasonable reasons' to keep her from
ranking that person as a Master.  Guess who managed to trigger some
controlled global chaos this evening?}}

{{Oh.  I get it.  If I'm a better you, that means I'm probably closer
to earning my Master's rank.}}

{{Yep!  Everything is so focused on me and Ted, people are forgetting
that you're at least as skilled as I am, and more relaxed and laid
back when you're working a crowd.  I was thinking Vix won the game,
but now, I know it's you, and no hard feelings, even though I'm upset
about neither of us realizing this round of the game is over.}}

She thought about it, then touched me with a paw.  {{Let's call it a
tie, because you figured it out first and I have to admit that's a big
score on me.  I was thinking I had years yet, even though I know about
Stefan and Sabrina.}}

Ted interrupted us.  {{Stefan and Sabrina?}}

{{Lib?}}

{{Yeah.  They were made Masters before they expected to be, so they
could figure out a way to take down a renegade who'd learned how to
use Bardic stuff.  Vix lived with them when she was  a Journeywoman,
and Stefan was her first life mate,  Oh, he was a hare and a Bard.
Sabrina was a lioness and  Mage.  When a Mage and a Bard are life
mated, that's a damn hot and respected combo.  Kind of rare, so it
doesn't happen very often in any generation}}

{{So you probably becoming a Master, before Marie, means you're being
groomed for something special?}}

{{Maybe.  No idea what it is, since I would rather live in Marie's
shadow.  Makes it easier for me to relax, ya know?  She takes all the
heat for being first, so I don't have to make nice, like you guys do.
Look, Ted.  I still make more dumb mistakes than she does, so I know
that it makes sense to keep me a Journeywoman until I grow up some
more, even though it looks like I have all the other skills.  Most
folks would call that an unreasonable reason for not making me a
Master, but I don't see it that way.  It's not about ego and stuff
like that, it's about doing what's right, and nobody is going to
convince me it would be right for me to be known as the first Terran
Bard.  It *has* to be Marie.  Any of the rest of us could be next, and
if it's me, I'll be ok with that.}}

She refocused on me.  {{Big Sis?}}

I sighed.  {{Yeah, Lib.  I've always known it has to be me.  Thing is,
we'll never be able to admit I'm really the second one, and I'm not
talking about Gloria being first.}}

{{Who?}}

{{Maybe, someday, people will figure it out.  Tom, of course.  If they
really are two who are one, he can't be anything other than a Bard,
unless you want to call Vix a Wizard, which is silly, because she
isn't anywhere close to being one.}}

{{Oh.  More of that obvious stuff.  In some ways, I think he's a
better story teller than she is.  That stuff he does at the Mall is a
lot like what she and Nikki used to do, when they created new tales in
public.}}

Ted laughed.  {{Improv?}}

{{Exactly.  Guess I did ok for my first try, when I agreed to let Beth
follow me around for awhile...  Hey!  That's it!  I let her have me
until she's done with school and earning a real living, then I'll put
the word out and adopt someone else.  I'll talk to Sam and see what he
can come up with, so I get some royalties or something.  I'll need to
be able to afford to pay Terry and Debbie, ya know?}}

I giggled.  {{You could always do some parlour tricks.}}

{{Can you see me in a booth at one of those craft fairs?  'Trash
recycled into jewelry'?  I'll make it Sam's problem and let him figure
out the split.}}

{{Might be better if we share a cart at the Mall.  Ted?  Interested?}}

{{Interested, but it better wait until after the first of the year.
Besides, didn't you say we'd make enough just by being entertainers
there?}}

{{I did.  Never hurts to have several sources of income.  We're not
going to stay this hot for all our lives.}}

{{Oh.  Good point.  We'll have whatever we make from our regular jobs,
to fall back on.  And...  Are we going to be able to save by not
having things like medical coverage?}}

{{For us, yes.  We'll have to worry about other stuff, like permits
and stuff for our shows, when we do formal ones.  Worry about that
later, ok?}}

I sighed and watched Lib.  "You feel better, yet?"

"Lots.  You want me to leave you alone?"

"Be nice, yes.  Didn't you say something about keeping an eye on
Connie?"

"I did.  Maybe she's seen the news by now, and wants to talk to me,
before the Serenity wears off."

She managed to get to her feet, then she nuzzled both of us.  "Thanks,
guys.  See you tomorrow."

I winced.  {{Lib?  I might have really screwed up.  Stick around a
little longer.}}

{{Oh?}}  She settled on her haunches.  {{Bad?}}

{{Possibly.  Mark and Julie.  Are they ok?  Wherever they are, they
don't have any protective stuff, because we all figured we'd being
doing that stuff here.  Same for Ted's parents.  Paparazzi should be
taken care of, now, but I bet there're people standing around and
waiting for them, right?  Anything on the news, about any of them?}}

{{I don't remember seeing anything.  Our 'Party at the Park' was
mentioned a few times, but it was all old news because of the stuff
with the Paparazzi.  You guys going to be able to go online and chat
without the cameras watching what you send and read?}}

{{Never thought to discuss that detail, so right now, let's assume no,
and figure out how to work around it.}}

{{Easy.  Looks like I get to do some leg work after I make some phone
calls...  Oh, Duh!  Mom and dad, and how come our phones haven't been
going nuts?}}

{{Easy, for me.  Mine rings only if the caller is in my contact list.
Ted?}}

{{Vibrate only.  Probably dead by now.  My charger is still at home.}}

{{That leaves me, doesn't it?  In my room right now, and like Marie,
it only rings if someone is on my accept list.  Wouldn't surprise me
if all our voicemails and text boxes are full by now.  Umm...  Sis?
Any reason you can't call Vix and yell for some help, if she hasn't
fixed the problem already?}}

{{I could call her, if I wanted to focus attention on the others.  I
don't.  You call her, and find out if she's ok with you working with
Mark and Julie when stuff should be done in private.  See if Vix will
set up their places with some privacy spells and stuff like we have
here.  Have mom or dad talk to Ted's parents so they know what options
they have.}}

{{Got it.  You done?}}

{{For now.  Deal with Mark and Julie, first, and tell them I'm sorry
we forgot about making sure they were ok.  They probably are, if they
haven't called by now, but let's make sure.}}

{{Yeah.  People must have figured out we're doing the telepathy,
right?}}

{{Yes.  We've been pretty obvious about it.}}

"Right.  Ok, I'll let you get away with being lazy, this time.  But,
you owe me breakfast in bed, at least once, once I find my life mate,
ya know?  Holler when you want yours delivered, tomorrow."

Ted laughed.  "Who said we were going to get up?"

"You did.  Can't groom your wife in here.  Not enough room."

"Are we going to have to do anything special, or just speak when we're
ready, since you're keeping an eye on us?"

Lib grinned, then licked his face.  "You paid for yours already, Ted.
Just speak up.  If I don't hear you, mom will."

"What about me?"

"Your food will get here with Ted's."

"Thanks.  Go relax, or something.  You've been as busy as we have for
the last day or so.  Last thing I want to deal with is a cranky
bitch."

"Yeah.  Thanks for all the help.  Later, huh?"

"Later."

She left.
======

End: Marie's Solstice 03/14 Reality Bites 1/2

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