by Robin Roseau
“I have my ways.”
She eyed Tranquility. “I’m sorry I am so afraid.” She turned back to me. “I will think about it, Maddalyn.”
“Unless you can let me bring you to Sudden, you must be careful of your heart,” I said. I repeated that in English for Tranquility, then added, “Don’t talk about how, but you know we could get her there without her knowing.”
“She has family here,” Tranquility said. “And they’re very devoted to each other.”
“I know,” I said. “On the other hand, you’re pretty damned fabulous.”
“I like her, Maddalyn, but I would feel like I was in a cage if she can’t enjoy traveling. She’s very sweet, and I really like her family.”
“But if going to Sudden scares her, imagine getting her aboard Urban Green for a trip to Tarriton.”
“Yeah,” Tranquility said. “You need to get going.”
“Yeah.” I grinned at her. “Have fun, Bath Girl.”
“You make fun,” she replied. “But it’s easily the most enjoyable job I’ve ever had. Ever. You and Kalorain should give yourselves over for a week or two, when you need a vacation.”
“I’ll mention it to her,” I said with a laugh. “Take care of each other.” I repeated that in Talmonese, then stepped over and hugged Cecilia and Sartine once more before climbing into my jumper.
* * * *
Once we were at altitude, Kalorain asked, “Are you sad?”
“A little,” I said. I glanced over at her. “She offers you a bath massage when we come back.”
She laughed. “And you don’t mind?”
“No, but I understand why you would.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” I said. I reached over and took her hand. “Kalorain, how did you do it? Or why can’t she? I’m not sure. But you left Beacon Hill believing you might rarely, if ever, see your mother again. And Luradinine is pretty damned awesome.”
“And my sister and brother,” she said. “Our relationship is different, though. We are the leaders of our village. The bathhouses are a place of nurturing. It is very different. And remember for me it was a horse ride. I wasn’t faced with the idea of climbing into this flying machine. And even if I was climbing into a flying machine, flights in and out of Beacon Hill aren’t so bad, but everyone can see how the jumpers drop out of the sky to land at Indartha. Everyone asks what will happen if they just keep dropping.”
“I hadn’t thought about that. I admit: if Indartha was my exposure to flying, I’d be scared, too.”
“I have never heard of a Galatzi trade that took a son or daughter from the bathhouses,” Kalorain continued. “And the people who do well in a Galatzi trade are not necessarily the people who do well working in a bathhouse. I’m actually surprised twice over by Tranquility.”
“It’s vacation for her,” I replied. “She’ll be ready to go to work soon enough. And you’ve seen her flirty, playful side, but think about her job. She helps people through rejuvenation. Serenity seems like the nurturing sister, but she’s the doctor, and her sister’s job is to nurture. They become different people when they leave work. I think working here will make them different people, too.”
“I didn’t understand what Tranquility said to Serenity yesterday.”
“She spoke too quickly?”
“No. I just didn’t understand. She talked about… What words did she use? Whiny brats. You call me a brat sometimes. I think maybe I don’t know what it really means. I think maybe the Talmonese word and the English word aren’t the same.”
“I call you brat playfully,” I said. “Although you might be right. They may not mean the same. Tranquility wasn’t talking about every patient Serenity sees. But some people come to her feeling very smug and superior, and they can be very unpleasant. And some teenagers can have terrible attitudes. Imagine if you are Serenity. If you were to become a doctor on Tarriton, you would still be in school, learning to be a doctor, and it is as intense of training as any we have. And then she has held this job for far longer than these kids have been alive. But they come in and snap their fingers.” I snapped mine then pointed. “You! I want shiny hair to my toes and it should glisten like it was freshly washed in the morning dew.” I waved my finger. “And spring dew! Not any of that horrible autumn dew.”
“There’s a difference between spring and autumn dew?”
“Go with it,” I said. “And I want it to shimmer, too, and the tips should twinkle like the stars.”
“They can do that?”
“No.”
“Oh. I get it.”
I snapped my fingers at her a couple more times. “What do you mean, you can’t do it? My friend Sarah Jane Ellis-Watson-Smith said her cousin’s best friend’s sister’s cousin, Marybeth Wallis-Westmere-Gold got her hair to light up, and I want it done that way, too! Mother! This doctor doesn’t know a thing.”
Kalorain laughed. “Seriously?”
“Probably not specifically but yes, something like that.”
“No one here is going to ask that her hair twinkles like the stars.”
“I don’t think Serenity would mind if they did.” Then I snapped my fingers at her a few times.
“Okay, no one is going to do that.”
“And thus Tranquility’s point. It’s not that everyone is like that. You’ve met twenty or thirty star people, and most of us are nice.”
“But imagine if they were all like Savannah’s granddaughter,” Kalorain said.
“Right, and when you have that many people, some of them are whiny brats, and they get away with it.”
“Now I understand.”
“Here it is just the opposite. I was deeply grateful during my last rejuvenation, but prior to that I felt my own sense of entitlement. I am owed rejuvenation, and while I appreciate that, I don’t know that I was overwhelmingly grateful like the patients here are. It never would have occurred to me to hug my doctors.”
“So about as opposite as it could be,” she said. “In a way, it is heartbreaking, because the doctors are not used to dealing with patients that are so old. Well, whose bodies are so old. But the patients are so grateful. That’s the opposite.”
“Yes,” I said. “The danger was that Serenity would be put off by how hard it is here, or that she couldn’t handle a non-technological world, or the heartache of knowing what she’s doing isn’t enough, that there are still so many people who will die because she can’t save them all.”
“But she can save some. She can save many! And some of them will be people she knows.”
“Yes. She will almost certainly know some of the patients from Sudden, Beacon Hill, and Indartha. I never knew any of the people who helped me before.”
“So. What are you going to do with the twins?” She gestured to the back seat.
“Continue to teach them. I’m going to give them both to Mordain for a little longer. Did you want one?”
“Sure. But you’re sending Mordain out to establish this airlines. After that, do I get them both? Are we inviting them to a slumber party?”
“I tell you what, my wife. They are both yours. You handle it. And as I am the Galatzi wife, it is not my decision whom you invite to a slumber party.”
She nodded then lifted her voice. “Girls. As we just left the governor in Indartha, and so Vessatine is no longer assigned an instructor, and because Margotain now has Serenity, Mordain and I will see to both of you. However, Mordain will have duties that take her from Sudden, and so you may only have me. I may find someone to help me.”
“All right, Kalorain,” Vessatine said.
“Mordain and I will talk later.”
“We understand.”
Ultimately, Mordain and Kalorain shared the twins. At Beacon Hill and Indartha, Mordain made a slumber party in her room. Of course, at Sudden, she returned to her husband, and the twins took Tranquility’s room in our home. Their English improved, and in the meantime, they made good assistants for my assistants.
Kalorain ran to her mother. The rest of us climbed somewhat more calmly from the jumpers. I saw to our bags before accepting my own greetings. Mother was next, but then she retreated to Laradain. Luradinine saw this and raised an eyebrow, then began to smile. “Well, well, Felda,” she said. “And who is this?”
“This is my…” She turned to Laradain. “What word?”
“Partner,” Laradain said.
“This is my partner, Laradain,” Mother said. “Laradain this is Beacon Hill Vendart, Luradinine.”
“Welcome to Beacon Hill,” Luradinine said, exchanging greetings. She exchanged looks with me. I shrugged. “I take it there is much news to share.”
“Much news,” I said. “Pippa remains the only holdout.”
“Well, well, indeed!” Luradinine said. “And where is Tranquility.”
“She remained at Indartha. She is lengthening a temporary relationship.”
“That isn’t so temporary?”
“I don’t know,” I said. “They are both saying it is for fun, but I guess we’ll see.”
“Well,” she said. “Come. Come. Let’s get settled.” She led the way into the house. Rooms were assigned. Belongings were stowed. And then we gathered in the parlor. By then, Darratine and Farratain were also present, and so Luradinine said, “Share the news.”
We took turns explaining events since we’d parted with her in Sudden. She clapped with glee at the major announcements and laughed with joy at news Serenity was under Margotain’s authority for the time being. We finished, and Luradinine expressed continued pleasure, especially wishing Mother and Laradain happiness.
“Well,” Luradinine said. “I wish to see for myself.” She turned to Mother and spoke very, very carefully. “Felda, do you understand me?”
“Yes, Luradinine. When speak slow.”
“When you speak slowly,” Laradain corrected.
“I understand when you speak slowly,” Mother said.
“Laradain, you have two duties, yes? Become ready for your duties at the rejuvenation center, and help Felda learn our language.”
“And our culture. Yes.”
“Then I need not interfere.”
“No, Beacon Hill Vendart.” She smiled. “Felda is a good student.” She turned to Mother. “Isn’t she?”
“Yes,” Mother said. “Laradain is a good teacher.”
“Very good.” Luradinine turned to the twins and switched to English. “Do you understand me?”
“Yes, Beacon Hill Vendart,” Vessatine said.
“Maddalyn, are you satisfied with the arrangements, or would you like them assigned to Darratine and Farratain?”
“The are under Kalorain’s authority,” I said.
“And I am satisfied,” Kalorain said. “However, when directly addressing them, I wish us to use English.” She turned. “Did you understand?”
“Some,” Trallafain said. “Use English.”
“That’s right. English only.”
“English only,” they echoed together.
Luradinine turned to Serenity and switched back to Talmonese. “Do you submit to Margotain’s authority?”
Serenity turned to Margotain. “What did she ask?”
“Will you obey me?”
“Oh.” She turned back. “Yes, Luradinine. Until fluent.”
“Are you satisfied with this arrangement?”
Margotain shook her head. “Are you happy with me, Serenity?”
“Yes,” she said. “Margotain is a good teacher.”
“Serenity,” Luradinine said. “Do you know? Why I spoke.” Then she halted, and I could see her looking for the right way to say it.
“Hard words?” Serenity prompted. “Yes. Test me. Give me one week, then test.” She smiled. “If you not satisfied, I accept conse… conse…” She turned to Margotain.
“Consequences,” Margotain said.
“Yes. If not satisfied, I accept consequences.”
“Oh, ho,” Luradinine said. Then she continued to speak very slowly. “Did you just give yourself a challenge.”
Serenity held up a finger and said, “Challenge?” She cocked her head, then her face cleared. “Yes. I gave me challenge.”
“I gave myself a challenge,” Margotain prompted.
“Yes. I gave myself a challenge. What do I win?”
“Oh, you think so?” Luradinine asked. Serenity nodded. “What do you want to win?”
“What do I want? Hmm.” She smiled. “Margotain bath girl one day.”
Luradinine laughed but then shook her head. “No. If you lose, you will both be bath girls one day. Her teaching failed.”
Serenity worked her way through that and grinned. “Agreed.” She turned to Margotain. “Agree?”
“What can we win?” Margotain asked. “And are you going to be fair?”
“Of course I’ll be fair,” Luradinine said. “What do you want?”
“If we win,” Serenity said. “You bath girl one day. I want massage.”
Luradinine roared with laughter.
“Maddalyn decide,” Serenity added. “Or you decide but Maddalyn and Kalorain bath girls. I want two massage.” She turned to Kalorain. “Is just fun. Only fun.”
Kalorain nodded. Everyone turned to Luradinine to see what she would say. She stared at Serenity for a minute then turned and studied me. “The challenge was to me,” she said finally. “I will test, but Maddalyn will judge. Understand?”
Serenity cocked her head again. “Say again slowly, please.” Luradinine said, and then Serenity repeated the word, judge. Then she nodded. “Yes. Good. Fair test. If unfair test, you bath girl, Kalorain test. If Kalorain test unfair, she bath girl, too.”
“Hey, wait a minute!” Kalorain said.
Serenity turned to her. “Your Galatzi wife judge. I accept. Maddalyn very fair.”
“Maddalyn would love if I were a bath girl,” Kalorain said, but she spoke slowly.
Serenity knew the words, but it took her a moment, then she said, “Maddalyn not cheat. Maddalyn never cheat.”
“We accept,” Luradinine said. Then she turned to me. “What is she doing?” She cocked her head the same way Serenity was. “You used to do the same thing.”
“She’s asking her implant to translate a word.”
“No!” Luradinine said. She turned back to Serenity. “For test, no implant. Maddalyn, could you tell if she was using it?”
“No, but Serenity wouldn’t cheat over a fun wager.”
“Say slow,” she said. So I repeated it very carefully. She put on a face. “I wouldn’t cheat. Ever.”
“Right. Serenity wouldn’t cheat.”
“For test, no implant,” Serenity agreed. She turned to Margotain. “English.” Margotain nodded, so Serenity turned back. “I’ll put it in sleep mode so I won’t be able to use it accidentally. I’ve had it so long that it’s second nature.” She turned to Margotain. “Do you understand?”
“No.”
“It’s like a tablet. I’ll turn it off. But I am very used to it. I’ll turn it off one day early, and you will have to test me.”
Margotain nodded. “Okay. Talmonese now.”
Serenity nodded. “We are agreed?”
“We are agreed,” Luradinine said with a large smile. “Complete sentences,” she said. “Spoken carefully. I will use simple sentence structure. Do you understand?”
Serenity waved her hand. “Simple sentences.”
“And you will speak in full sentences.”
“Agreed,” Serenity said. “But slowly. Now only. No yesterday. No tomorrow.”
“Present tense,” Luradinine said. “And culture.”
“Not fair,” Serenity said. “Too much.”
“No,” Luradinine said. She switched back to English. “I will ask you to buy something. You will lead us to the right store and pay a fair price. I’ll think of other things, day-to-day things you should be able to do.”
“Agreed, but it only counts
if Margotain tried to teach me.”
“Not for shopping,” Luradinine said. “If you don’t know how to find something, then you’ll have to demonstrate you can learn.”
“All right.”
“No more English!” Margotain said. She waved a finger at Luradinine.
“Now we are agreed,” Serenity said. “No more.”
“No more,” Luradinine said. “Oh, this is going to be fun.”
“Yes,” Serenity said.
Then Luradinine turned to Pippa, who held up her hands defensively. Luradinine smiled. “Call me Vendart.”
“I no think so.”
“Who is your teacher?”
Pippa smiled. “Everyone.”
“Who is your Margotain?”
“Lishbain and Metarine of Indartha. Now everyone teacher.”
Luradinine smiled again. “Call me Vendart.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re getting your own Margotain. Call me Vendart.”
“Promise. No trick.”
“No tricks.”
She looked over at me. I shrugged. Finally she nodded. “Vendart Luradinine.”
“Good enough. Do you know who you want?”
Pippa smiled. “Yes. Vendart.”
Luradinine laughed. “Did you understand my question?”
“Want you teach.”
Serenity began laughing. “Challenge!” she said.
“No,” Pippa said. “Serenity implant.” She tapped her own head. “No implant. I…” She tapped her head. “Good. Serenity doctor. Serenity…” I could see the frustration.
“No competition,” Luradinine said. She said that word in English.
“Right. No. That thing. See? Say once. Twice. Serenity know. Me?” She shrugged. “You teach?”
“I’d love to,” Luradinine said.
“Good,” Pippa said. “Start now. Where lunch?”
“Where is lunch?” Luradinine prompted.
“That ask.”
“No, you say it. Where is lunch?”
“Where is lunch?”
* * * *
We went out for lunch. As we wrapped up, Pippa turned to Luradinine. “Want English Maddalyn.”
Luradinine nodded, so Pippa stood, and we walked over to the fireplace. She warmed her hands for a minute then turned to me and spoke softly. “I don’t want to be constantly compared against Serenity. She does everything better than I do. I’m fine with that. I love her to pieces. But I’m not going to compare favorably, Maddalyn. If we do everything together, it’s going to be obvious. She’s the one that wanted that challenge. I don’t want that kind of pressure.”