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Subject: {ASSM} Marie's Solstice 12/14 Pier and Park 4/4 (new) TBD
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Date: Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:10:07 -0400
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Marie's Solstice 12/14 Pier and Park 4/4 (new)
---

Damage Control
Jessica, Cathy, and Becky
---

Jessica and the twins were settled in the twins' bedroom after they
all made gentle love to each other, and were watching the live
coverage at Entertainment City while they shared the afterglow.

When Kay and her father started talking to the representative, Jessica
moaned and shouted at the screen.  "No!  Dad!  Mom!  Get the fuck out
of there!"

She grabbed her phone and made a call while she watched the ending of
the confrontation.  "Marie!  You and Ted been watching?"

"Yes, Jessica, we have."

"Good!  So you know what you gotta do, right?"

"Stop a riot?  Any suggestions?"

"Well, if you change into a flying unicorn and get your butt moving,
maybe all you'll have to do is prevent one, ya know?  You're good at
that, right?"

"Meet you there?"

"Yeah.  Leave that idiot rep for me, ok?"

"Done.  Ted's ready, and I will be, soon after you hang up."

"Gotcha!"

She tossed her phone on the bed and sighed.  "Come on, you guys. Let's
find the Champion of Light, and get out of here."

Cathy nodded slightly.  "You'd better get dressed.  Nudity is frowned
on, where we're going."

"Oh, yeah.  Right.  God damn it!  They had to know something like that
was probably going to happen, but they went there anyway, and..."  She
sighed.  "Corporate greed did the rest.  Beck?  Go find my other mom,
and I guess you guys need to go to the top, or something.  Probably be
a good idea to grab Chrys, if she doesn't go with Marie and Ted."

She got dressed, grabbed her purse and put her phone in it, then she
looked at Cathy.  "What do you think?  Confront that stupid cunt?"

"Let you stand in for how the crowd must be feeling?"

"Yeah.  Hopefully, when I get in her face, folks will figure I have
the right, so they'll relax a little.  Dad made that spell, but... I'm
betting he was so close, he only did it so the people in the parking
lot wouldn't go crazy."

"Anything else?"

"Nahh...  I'm pissed enough that I don't need any time to get warmed
up.  I guess we should be happy Mom and Dad managed to keep it in, and
get out of there."

She stepped and grabbed Cathy's hand.  "Let's go."

They appeared in front of the still walking woman and Jessica glared
at her.  "Ya blew it.  Had everything, but you had to keep pushing,
even though you *knew* their terms.  What, about 'non negotiable'
didn't you understand?"

She stopped.  "You are?"

"Strike two, stupid.  I'm one of his daughters, and for the last few
hours my picture has been on the news, all over the world, because me
and a cop had to take a bath together while we rescued a kid.  Don't
lie to me again, ok?  I'm not as polite as Mom and Dad, when I'm
pissed with someone.  Let's start with that stupid bit about turning
employees in.  Mom made it clear that they would have handled any
problems, and that should have ended it, because when they fix
something, it stays fixed, and the world knows it.  So, now, it's in
the open about how you folks take advantage of most power handlers'
natures, to keep your internal theft down, and you don't pay them
anything, right?  I bet Lady Chrystal is going to have something to
say about that, because you forced her to see something she's been
able to pretend she didn't know about.

"That was...  Dumb.  Really, really, dumb."

"I know, and I doubt if I have a job any more."

"Yeah.  On the bright side, if you turn around, and go back, you
*might* be able to be a hero, because you have a second chance to
negotiate terms with a flying unicorn, and she isn't on vacation,
because I asked her to come and help me clean up this fucking mess,
before the people inside decide they're pissed enough to make it
bigger."

The woman turned.  "Who?..."

There was a sudden thunderclap and even though there were only a few
clouds, it started getting dark.

Jessica shouted.  "Dad!  Mom!  No, god damn it!  We're dealing with
it!"

It got bright again, but Jessica shivered anyway.  "You know
something?  You folks better pay attention, because my dad only warns
people once.  The next time, he'll be working, and you folks will have
to answer to the Big Guy, not him.  Get my drift?"

"He has no legal right..."

"Shut.  Up."

"For a kid?"

"No, not for a kid.  For an Avatar, who is taking the time to try and
save your sorry asses, before the world decides it would be better off
without you folks.  If that happens, I can't tell you what would
happen, but I can guarantee you and your bosses won't be here to see
it.  I'll be blunt, since you folks don't understand subtle.  You are
on the verge of getting this place, and everything good about it,
taken over by people who aren't greedy and manipulative.  Worst case,
your guests will be allowed to leave, and it will...  Be removed from
the face of the Earth, along with all other aspects of your corporate
presence.  Don't tell me about legal rights, because Avatars answer to
the world, their conscience, and that's it.  If you folks have done
your homework, you already knew that when you came out here and tried
to use some people who only wanted to relax for a day or two.

"Normally, we leave all this sort of stuff alone, but...  How would
you feel, if you were on vacation, and had already told someone you
weren't going to do anything that was job related, suggested a
compromise, and that person insisted on getting their way, anyway?
Wouldn't you be just a little bit *pissed* with them?  You are very,
very lucky that they left and had some time to cool off before they
let you know how they really felt."

Jessica watched the woman and she sighed before she looked skyward.
"Hey!  You!  We have our differences, but this time we agree, right?
Anyway, this idiot and her bosses need some sort of sign, so they can
have an excuse to go out there and make nice to Marie and the others,
then pretend they like being told what to do."

The woman vanished.

A few minutes later she reappeared and she was shivering.

She stared at Jessica.  "Was that...  God?"

"I suppose you could call him that, if it makes you happy.  What it
was, is the world.  Earth is alive, and it has a purpose.  Not many
get his personal attention."

"We were all there, and..."

"He made you see yourselves like most of the world sees you, right
now?"

"Yes.  How'd you know what happened?"

"I figured it would be the quickest way to get your heads out of your
asses, so you could get in touch with reality again."

"It...  Worked."

Jessica pointed at Marie.  "There's your second chance.  Her name is
Marie, and she's a Bard.  Don't blow it."

The woman slowly walked in Marie's direction.

Cathy and Jessica watched her introduce herself, then Jessica touched
Cathy's hand and held on.  "Come on.  Let's go pay the entrance fees,
and see what sort of mood the folks inside are in."

* * *

They were settled and eating a light snack, when everyone pointed at
the sky.  Jessica looked up, then looked at Cathy and grinned.  "Looks
like someone is enjoying her ride on a unicorn."

"Yes, she is.  Apparently, Marie has managed to prevent the riot."

"Good for her.  She's going to create a worse problem, though, if I
don't help her."

"Oh?"

"Yeah.  Back me up, if I need it."

"I'll try."

"Thanks."

Jessica waved.  {{Hey!  Marie!  Do me a favor and go along with me on
this, ok?  Come on down and land so we can talk.}}

{{Sure.  Make it good.  People were a little upset that she's getting
the first ride.}}

{{Tell me later.  I think you'll enjoy this.}}

Marie found a spot and landed, then Jessica walked over and studied
the woman.  "Feel better?"

"Oh, yes!"

"Good.  Now we know about how long it takes for a Unicorn ride to make
someone feel good.  Time for you to get down, so Marie can go back and
take someone else.  Can't have her giving anyone special treatment,
right?"

"But...  She's a Bard!"

"So what?  Right now, she's working for me, and I don't want her doing
anything that would get her in trouble.  Bad enough she didn't clear
it with your head office.  I know how you folks are about non
employees entertaining people on your turf, if it isn't a scheduled
event.  Sort that out later, if we have to.

"Ted?  Help her down.  We'll keep an eye on her, but if she shows up
for another ride, don't even think about letting her jump the line.
Some folks will probably want a shorter ride, and that's ok because it
means you can give more of them.  Since she was pretty down, and now
she's happy, I don't think you'll need to exceed the time you devoted
to her, so keep an eye on that, because I know how Marie likes to make
sure she's done her best.  We got too many people out there, who are
too angry, for that to be effective.  So, it's a little bit for as
many as you can work in, and the rest will have to take a rain check,
this time."

Ted nodded, then spoke gently.  "She's right.  We can't afford to do
anyone a special favor right now.  We're on Jessica's clock, not ours.
Sorry, but...  She's using the same policy you folks use, and under
the circumstances, it makes sense.  Catch one of our regular shows,
and we'll be able to do more."

"That's it?  I'm happy, and it's over?"

Jessica nodded.  "Yeah.  Personally, I have to admit I think it's
fitting.  You got a free ride, which makes you pretty special, but
your time's up.  No different than what you folks do, is it?  Maybe
now, you'll have some empathy and understand me when I tell you that
this is nothing, compared to what you did to Mom and Dad, and the
people who were there when they landed.  All they wanted was a chance
to keep feeling good, and you hit them with that dose of reality,
before they had a chance to find out if they could enjoy themselves
here.  I thought you folks always do your best to hide the problems,
ya know?   But, you guys say what you offer isn't for everybody, and
you folks are right.  Shame, though.  Maybe you can cut a deal with a
different unicorn.  Might even be Marie, sometimes, but it will have
to be on her own time.

"Oh, I bet people are already thinking of ways they can make that
shadow stuff a part of the package here.  If you're smart, you won't
try to get Mom and Dad to do it for you, but I imagine someone's gonna
be stupid, and try to convince them.  Be smart, and let someone else
try that stunt."

Jessica looked up slightly.  "Ok, guys.  Time to go back to work."

Marie looked around, then bobbed her head.  "She's right, Ted.  Help
her down, then we'll pick someone from here, before I take off again.
Let's be fair, but efficient about this.  When we have time. we'll
have Sam get us booked for a special, here."

"Yeah.  They've been a good crowd, so far, so lets make it after Lib
and the rest get back from their tour."

He helped the woman down, then ignored her and checked out the crowd.
"Who wants a free ride on a flying unicorn?"

The woman looked at them in shock, then she turned to Jessica. "That's
it?  Just...."

"Yeah.  It's a lot different, when it's happening to you, isn't it?
Got any empathy, yet?  You sure that if they gave you the chance,
you'd keep working here? You guys sell dreams, but sometimes, dreams
turn into nightmares, don't they?  Shame that had to happen before you
got past the exit, but hey, that's the reality of making dreams a
business, ya know?  Gotta protect the bottom line, and I'm sorry about
that, but since it was free, we can't give you a refund.  The dreams
we deal in aren't right for everyone.  Guess you were one of them who
should have refused, but...  You know how it works."

"I do.  You did that deliberately, didn't you?"

"Sure did.  In case you haven't realized it, what you did set things
up for a real nasty riot, and we're doing our best to keep it from
happening.  Preventing it isn't a sure thing, yet, and right now,
since you're the company rep, it's all focused on you.  I hope Marie
knew what she was doing, when she took you first."

The woman seemed to come out of her daze, and realize where she was.
"I'm...  Not popular, am I?"

"Oh, you're popular enough.  You're one Hell of a celebrity, right
now.  Thing is, you managed to kill a lot of dreams, and...  You know
better than I do, what that means, after you've told them you'll make
them happy in spite of themselves, and they believed you."

Jessica sighed.  "Come on, Cath.  We'd better walk her back to her
office, so she survives the trip intact."

She looked up when movement distracted her, and she managed a smile.
"Marie's in the air again.  Good."

Then she looked at the crowd that surrounded them.  "Relax, folks.
Marie's a Bard, and she's given her word they'll be back.  Not
everyone will get a chance to ride her, today, but...  She's not the
only flying unicorn in the world, and I imagine that once things
settle, they'll be announcing who they are, and offering rides."

"What about rides into space?"

"Can't talk about that stuff, since I'm on private property and I
can't do or say anything that makes it look like I'm trying to
compete."

"Fuck their policy!  We got a right to know what we missed out on!"

"Calmly, Sir.  Mom and Dad are on vacation, but I'm sure they have
plans they didn't have a chance to talk about.  What they can do,
others can learn how to do.  *If* rides into space become available,
anyone who was here, can ask for one, if they agree to a touch link so
someone can verify they were here.  That's the best I can do."

"You a Bard?"

"No.  I'm one of Thomas' and Lady Kay's adopted daughters, and an
Avatar of the Terran Zeitgeist."

"Oh.  Shit.  You one of the kids who used to be child whores?  You got
some big mojo, now?"

"Yeah.  I'm one of them.  I got some very big mojo.  If you haven't
seen the coverage of what happened when I got here, you should."

"Good enough for me.  Come on, folks, let's go find a show.  The kid
says it's gonna happen, it will, and we don't need to be fucking
things up for her, by starting that riot she mentioned."

They watched the crowd disperse, until only a few reporters were left.

Jessica sighed.  "You know something, Cath?"

"No.  You planning on telling us?"

"Sorry.  I was thinking I finally understand why Mom and Dad didn't
argue when I got them some vacation time."

She tipped her head back and spoke softly.  "They had to know it could
happen, but...  If you're gonna insist on telling people they
shouldn't let the bad possibilities keep them from doing the good
stuff, you gotta live the life.  I know it never really stops, but...
We'd all appreciate it if you back off for now, and give us time to
get this settled, before you find something else that needs fixing.
Oh, I think folks have seen enough miracles today, so I'm ok with the
thought being the deed.  Yak later.  We need to get this woman back to
her office so she can find out if she has a job, or not."

Jessica brought her head down and gestured vaguely.  "Where to?
Cathy's a certified bodyguard, and a Mage, so you can relax, sort of.
You got a name?  I had more important things to worry about, than
being polite to someone who nearly started a riot.  Being an Avatar
sucks, sometimes, but I get paid pretty good to do it, and I gave my
word.  So...  Here I am."

"Cindy.  Thank you, for preventing the riot."

"Cindy, huh?  Weird world.  Never mind.  Personal stuff.  You're
welcome.  See, what I had to do, was be a stand in for the people who
saw what happened, so they could let go of their anger, because if
anyone has the right to take you down, I do."

"Transference?"

"Yeah.  I bet you're senior enough they made you take courses in that
stuff.  Thing is, those classes only teach you how to slow things down
when someone else sets things up.  When you're the one who started
it...  Brain freeze, right?"

"What makes you think I'm that senior?"

"Is this some of that 'she's just a kid, and she had to be guessing
and she got lucky', stuff?"

"No.  I'm genuinely interested, because if it's possible, I'd like to
take the same class you did."

"Umm...  It wasn't a class. It's part of the stuff we do as a family.
Bards and Mages learn it, too.  First thing you need to learn, is how
to read people better, and not push all the time.  You guys have a rep
for being pretty intolerant and...  Childish, about getting your way
all the time, ya know?  I imagine my other mom, and the Senior
Ambassador, are explaining that to the big boss by now."

"It sounds like your family is pretty protective of each other."

Jessica sighed.  "I was thinking you must have been born stupid, and a
lot of this was because of the way your bosses insist you think, but
now I'm pretty certain you work at it and want to be the best in the
world."

"I didn't deserve that."

"You're right.  You didn't deserve that.  You earned it.  Don't try to
fuck with me, Cindy.  I'm not like Mom and Dad.  I fuck back.  Hard."

"So I'm learning.  You folks aren't ignoring us, any more.  Do I get
to know the reasons, other than the fact I let my corporate attitude
make me lose sight of my...  Decency?"

"Now see?  Was that so hard to do?  It's about two worlds getting
together, and common folks adapting to each other.  We're science,
they're magic.  Some things, like space travel, can be done both ways.
Others need tech, and some things can only be done with the kind of
power Rabelaisians are used to.  This is one of the places in the
world were everyone mingles, and is supposed to have a good time while
they do it.  Plus, you folks do a good job of getting people
comfortable with 'magic', even though everyone knows it isn't the real
thing.

"I'm guessing about this, but I'm pretty sure you managed to piss off
the folks who were willing to negotiate something so some of your
shows would be run by folks who can do the real stuff.  That might
still happen, but if it does, it's not going to be personally
supported by Mom and Dad.  That means for a lot of people, you folks
won't be the 'authorized' place to go, if you want to see the real
thing."

"If we make arrangements with the Senior Ambassador, that will carry a
lot of weight."

"Sure, for Rabelaisians.  But, you'll have stuff they're used to
seeing at home.  They're not going to be as interested in this place,
if they are going to see fantasies they've already seen."

"So, what we need, is what I lost for us.  The approval of a prominent
person from Earth, who is willing to work with us, so Terrans and
Rabelaisians will want to come and see what we have to offer."

"Exactly.  And, you must have figured out that eventually there will
be enough Rabelaisians around, that it will be like it is now, with
the Bards giving free shows, but worse because it will be local
talent, and they will be able to do almost anything the professionals
can do.  So whatever the shows you folks offer, wind up being, they're
going to have to be pretty special.  Not saying it can't be done,
but...  Let's say you just left a big hole for the competition to fill
and...  Oh.  Competition.  I'm going to enjoy this..."

"Is it something you can share?"

"Hang on, and I'll be able to let you know.  I need to make a phone
call, first."

She made her call.

Tom answered in a real calm voice.  "Hello, Jessica.  I hope I won't
need to spank you, when I get back."

"Umm...  I don't think so, Dad, but if it happens, I'll be ok with it.
Cindy, she's the rep who fucked you over, is next to me.  Cath and I
are keeping her company so she makes it back to her office."

The tones went chill.  "Go on."

"Yeah.  This is about your fun.  I know what can happen, when someone
challenges you.  Are you and Mom going to do what I *think* you're
going to do?"

"Depends."

"Uh huh.  You are, aren't you?"

"Geostationary, six total, unlimited budget.  Free shuttle service and
access.  Everything free, except for the souvenirs our people make for
the guests. The giftee determines the price.  Two worlds, Jess,
simultaneous openings.  Be thinking about which one of your eighteenth
birthday gifts you want to unwrap first.  Gotta go.  Kay has Sam on
her phone, and we need to discuss the basics, before he finds a bunch
of kids who want to do the design work for us.  I've already made the
request for orbital allocations."

Jessica shut off her phone and looked at Cathy.  "I'd call him crazy,
but he *did* design and build the Sam Cee out of off the shelf tech,
and this time...  I got a feeling neither one of them is in a mood to
hold back, and he did say 'two worlds'."

Cathy looked up, then brought her head down.  "It's going to be an
interesting three and a half years, isn't it?"

"Yeah.  Very."

She walked in silence for awhile, then she focused on Cindy.  "Figure
it out, yet, other than the obvious fact you managed to piss them off
quite a bit?"

"Sounded like they are planning on eventually offering free trips into
space."

"You could have had a piece of the pie.  Instead, they're going to be
The Little Red Hen.  Those free trips are going to be to an
entertainment complex capable of competing with you folks.  I bet they
were originally thinking of a shuttle service between them, and all
the other major places like this.  Now?  That's pretty unlikely. He'll
probably set it up so the unicorns and other types of flying creatures
leave from their own complexes, or from a lot of the major airports..
Hard to say, because it would be easy to place slide folks to a main
complex, or just take them direct, if they don't want to fly there."

"Can they afford it?"

"He wouldn't emphasize unlimited budget, if he didn't mean it.  He's
not doing it for the money.  None of us need it."

"All that, for revenge?"

"Not completely."

She held up her phone.  "Someday, people are going to take 'magic' for
granted, just like they take being able to talk to anyone, anywhere in
the world, for granted.  He's just having some fun while he does his
job, which is making sure that happens.  It's a working vacation,
instead of the one they wanted, but I'm sure they'll take time for
themselves and the rest of us."

Jessica pointed.  "Looks like your people woke up, finally.  Not our
problem, so once they take over, Cathy and I are going to go back and
do what we can to enjoy ourselves, so folks are distracted from all
that other stuff.  No charge to you folks.  We've paid to be here, and
like Mom and Dad, we'll pay for anything that has to be paid for.
Which reminds me.  You need to work on stopping your mouth before you
prove your brain isn't working.  Last I heard, folks like Mom and Dad
get escorted during their stay, which means you would have been next
to them.  Makes that request they tell you if an employee violated
policy, a bad case of foot in mouth, right?  Anyway, you be thinking
about that, and if you want to stick us with a tour guide, you can,
but it better be someone who doesn't try to tell me what I should do
to have fun.  I'll listen to suggestions, after I ask for them, but...
Even if I wanted to, I *can't* let one of your people tell me what to
do.  Folks would notice, and that could heat things up again."

"Oh, one more thing you need to keep in mind.  Avatars are a lot like
Bards in a way that's important to you folks.  We got memories that
tend to remember the mistakes we have to sort out.  It's that remember
the past so people don't repeat it, stuff."

She gazed at the sky and spoke softly.  "What I'm going to tell you is
public knowledge, so I'm pretty sure Dad's not going to be *too*
pissed with me for emphasizing it, but...  

"Except for Merlin and Roberta, we're all survivors, in some way. That
includes Chrys.  Our minds have been sorta programmed to obsess about
bad stuff when it's in our faces.  We can usually shrug it off, but
sometimes we can't.  Can't really predict when we'll go off, but in
this case, Dad was pretty close to losing it and that trip into space
was his way of doing something to break himself out so he wouldn't
flash."

"So I was the one who made what she thought was a reasonable request,
and it almost sent him into a flashback?"

"A totally unreasonable request, and you should have never made it.
Never have before, right?"

"No, we don't.  Someone always goes along, to make sure embarrassing
things don't happen."

They stopped walking while her people surrounded them, and Jessica
sighed.  "Let's see.  Usually, high profile folks get a free ride,
which is fine all around.  I'm ok with that, but don't want it for
myself and Cathy.  Marie and Ted will cut their own deal if they stick
around past their show.  I'm willing to do the usual paperwork if
someone insists, but I really think we should bury the hatchet in a
friendly way, so I don't have to send you folks a bill for riot
prevention.  It would look odd if I didn't, if you folks decided to
make us pay for entertaining folks, as part of doing our jobs.

"That's going to be handled at the top, so I'm not asking you to get
involved in that.

"The thing is...  Like you say, this never should have happened.  I
think you folks have some pretty dumb policies, but, I also know
you've been adapting to Bards and stuff so...  Stay here while I make
another phone call.  I could do the telepathy stuff, but this needs to
be official."

She made her call, and Cindy flinched when she heard who answered.

"Champion of Light."

"Hi, Mom.  I'm pretty sure we've got it under control, here.  Can't
speak for Marie, but I still got Cindy, that's the rep, with me, and
the people who came out to collect her aren't in her face, so I'm
guessing you've got your stuff under control?"

"We do.  Chrys is...  Altering local reality for some folks, and the
medallion has been invoked, so things are calm here."

"Calm.  Yeah.  I would be, too.  What I called about is to let you
guys know that I'm pretty sure Cindy was used by the Big Guy.  She can
be pretty stupid, but a lot of that is company policy.  I'm hoping I
got through.  Anyway, if you don't know it, Dad's feeling challenged,
and he and Kay have decided to make this a working vacation, but
they're going to have fun while they're at it.  That's from Dad, so
you can relax, if you haven't had time to talk to them."

"Chrys knew, but hasn't made it official."

"Well, I got some reporters here, and it was on speakerphone, so she
might as well, if she needs to.  Anyway, what's that stuff they call
it in court?  Mitigating circumstances?  Cindy did ok with her second
chance, so...  Shit happens, sometimes, and folks should think about
that when they discuss her future.  Not saying yes, not saying no,
just saying her head's a little straighter than it was, and...  Oh,
Hell, her bosses may not like it, but she did trigger it all, and...
You know Dad.  He's gonna give her credit, no matter how the rest of
the world feels about that.  You make it clear to those folks that
Cindy is not a problem that will go away if they get rid of her, so
it's time for them to learn how to compromise with their competition,
ya know?"

"Yeesss...  Chrys has already pointed that out to them, for other
reasons.  Anything else?"

"Yes.  I need to know if I can go mare, and not cause problems.  I'll
do it in the designated areas and stuff like that, so it will make the
deal Kay and Dad tried to cut, official for all of us, if that's ok?"

"Shape shifting is permissible, as long as it's in a place used for
amateur entertainment.  You don't need to get permission for that.
'Guests entertaining guests' is already part of their policies, and
we've been adapting that to deal with what will happen when there is a
larger presence of power handlers that aren't professional."

"Glad that's not my problem.  That's it, Mom."

"Thank you, Jessica, for letting us know how your father and Kay are.
Go have some fun."

"Ok.  Thanks.  I'll do what I can to keep the lid on, if things get
crazy again."

"You're a good young woman.  Love you."

"Love you, too."

After she put her phone away she studied Cindy.  "It wasn't BS when I
mentioned mitigating circumstances.  Marie isn't blowing smoke when
she talks about coincidence being a word in the dictionary, for us.
You were the one who got used, to deal with a larger picture.  That
makes you a tool, and most tools, once they have been used, don't get
used again.  That means you have to decide what you want to do with
your life, now.  I've done what I can, to get you a chance to get your
life back, without starting over.  That's not a sure thing, so I'm not
offering you a free ride.  Wouldn't be right, or fair."

She held out her hand.  "Good luck, huh?"

They shook hands, and Cindy nodded, then let go and turned away, after
she pointed at one of her people, and gestured at Jessica and Cathy.

That person stayed, and after Cindy was gone, Jessica looked the man
over.  "Hi.  I'm Jessica, and my bodyguard is Cathy."

"I'm Liam, and I won't insult you by giving you the usual speech."

"Ok.  There's a girl here somewhere, I hope.  Her name's Lyla, and
she's a gymnast dad decided to sponsor.  She and her parents might
have some reporters with them.  If she's willing, I'd like to make
arrangements to meet her at one of those amateur entertainer places.
In the meantime, I'm fourteen, love all sorts of magical creatures,
horses, dogs, and soft cuddly things.  This is my first time.  Where
do you think I should start?"

He gestured.  "Fantasyland."

"Sounds good to me.  Let's go check it out, after I take a look at
your stuff about the space program."

* * *

They were exploring the ISS pavilion when their escort touched
Jessica's shoulder to get her attention. 

"Yeah?"

"We've located them, and they'd like to meet you."

"Them?  Oh.  Sorry.  My head was out in space.  It should be one of
those areas with some room for us, and for anyone who wants to watch,
if Lyla agrees to help me out."

"Will it include some gymnastics?"

Jessica focused on him.  "Smart man.  Must be a low number?"

"Five.  I like people too much, to want to sit behind a desk."

"Like I said, smart.  Maybe you should think about moving up a couple
numbers, so there's less chance of today's shit happening."

"Wouldn't mind if you keep that...  Never mind.  I suppose you're
going to suggest that any of your family who comes here, request me?"

"Depends.  You have to opt in, before I do that to you."

"I'll think about it.  Before I make a decision on a suitable
location, I'm going tell you I can bend the rules quite a bit.  Plus,
we have some locations that are deliberately left available for
special events.  If you'll tell me what you have in mind, I might be
able to let you use one of them."

"It's up to Lyla, and I want to talk to her in person before I commit
to anything.  I'm pretty ordinary.  I don't do anything special, that
would mean anything here.  I'm a fair singer, but...  I do my best
stuff as background.  What I have in mind, is to finish something Dad
started, after I apologize to Lyla and her parents.  She needs team
mates, and I was thinking I could be a balance beam for her, then we
could hold some sort of competition, so she could pick people she
wants to work with."

"Would it work better, if you had all the proper equipment available?"

"Of course."

"If we set things up, and get you your competitors and judges from the
guests who are here, will you give us the ok to broadcast it, live?"

"What happens if I say no?"

"We'll give you all the raw footage, and that's the end of it."

"And you're number five?"

"I ducked.  I'm corporate number five, not local.  Cindy's not my
boss, I'm hers."

"Smooth, and how come you weren't the one to meet Mom and Dad, when
they got here?"

"She's never made those kinds of mistakes, and I was on standby, in
case they wanted to negotiate.  We take it seriously, when someone as
high profile as they are, says they're on vacation, and coming here."

"She still have a job?"

"I don't know.  I said yes, but...  Out of my hands, due to the
sensitive nature of the situation."

"Ok.  None of my business, anyway.  Call it honest concern for someone
who got caught up in events.  I'm still worried about the emotional
atmosphere at this place.  It's...  Touchy.  So, you can broadcast us
live, if Lyla and her parents give the ok.  Include that in the
announcement when you call for kids who want to come to the tryout.
Opt in for all of them."

"Standard release, no problem."

"I'll talk royalties and stuff after I make a call."

She got her phone out, and sighed.  "You know, Cath, someone needs to
figure out a way to build a telepathic recorder.  Dad's gonna be busy,
so I'd be stupid to challenge him to do it..."

"Sorry.  I need to call someone, before I forget about this weird idea
I have."

She called, and they heard a sigh.  "Jessica?  Could you...  Find a
way to take a break for a couple hours?  I'm *busy*!"

"Love ya too, Chrys.  Had a weird thought, and wanted to check with
you about it."

"Go."

"Be nice, to be able to record telepathic conversations, right?"

"Of course.  What's *your* idea?  Can't be worse than the ones we've
been getting."

"Uhh...  Yeah.  Mind toning down the hostility?  I'm really on your
side, and Dad left me a pretty big pile to clean up."

"Sorry.  Maybe we should swap places.  Subtle isn't working, here."

"I'll pass, but thanks for considering me as an option.  I ever get
this stuff cleaned up, I might take you up on that.  Anyway, Bards are
used to reading the memories in stuff, right?"

"Right."

"Have you folks ever tried to use that, to send messages to each
other, and...  Is it possible for people to leave a copy of a
conversation in something?   Something like maybe be holding an object
on their head or... Something like that?"

Silence.

"Chrys?  Went too far, huh?"

"Noo...  You just managed to score on me, and Roberta is, so far,
managing to hold back her giggles, because they wouldn't be
appreciated by the folks around us.  It will be looked into, as a
serious possibility.  To answer your questions about using that to
send deliberate messages, to my knowledge, it has never been tried,
and it should have.  Please try to save anything more, for later. Much
later."

"I'll try.  Later."

"*Much* later, Jessica."

Jessica studied her phone, then looked at Liam.  "That does not bode
well, for the numbers above you.  I think you are going to suffer an
involuntary promotion in the near future."

"You are very mature, for someone your age."

"Reality a lot different than what you could find out from your usual
sources?"

"Yes."

"I'm a genius, and I never had a childhood.  If you're smart, you'll
leave it alone, and learn to live with it."

"I believe you mentioned another phone call?"

"Yeah."

She dialed, and this time she got laughter.  "Ok, Jess.  Word's out,
that you've been calling everyone.  I was hoping you'd call me."

"Thanks, Sam.  I don't think we'll need your parents, but the day
isn't over.  What's it gonna cost me for some financial advice?"

"A favor for JayR."

"That's it?"

"Yeah.  Tom already forced me to switch banks, because the one I was
using couldn't handle the numbers.  I'd retire, but I'm having too
much fun right now, and I said I'd do the job for him.  You know how
it is."

"Yeah, I do.  Ok.  At this point, I don't need to hear what it is,
because I'm in the middle of making a deal."

"This deal have anything to do with where you're at?"

"Yes."

"Tell me."

"If I can do it, there are going to be tryouts here, to put together
Team Unicorn.  They're willing to set it up, and they'd like to
broadcast it live.  My question is simple.  How much of their money,
should I take away from them?"

"Tough one, because of what happened."

"I know."

"I have a call, but...  I don't know.  It's pretty radical."

"You gonna tell me?"

"Free. Let them keep all of it, this time."

"This time?"

"Of course.  Make it an annual event, but after this one, they pay
expenses, for any teams that want to go against Team Unicorn.  Bill it
as prep for the real stuff at the Olympics, but keep it friendly, so
everyone can have fun.  Have the usual stuff, but include special
events where the teams can show off.  Plan for Rabelaisian teams, with
their own rules.  Get my drift?  I'll work on Tom, to do a matching
event, six months later, in orbit, once he's open for business. Umm...
Maybe I'll get him and Kay to go head to head with Libby and Weylin."

"Thanks, Sam.  When do I pay up?

"He wants an introduction to that girl Indrakshi saved.  None of us
are turned on, but we think they're linked.  Might as well be, the way
he's acting."

"He still go tongue-tied when someone tells him he's going to see
Drakshi in person?"

"Pretty sure that still happens."

"Ok.  Put him in his suit of armor, then have someone take him to the
hospital, or wherever they are now.  Whoever takes him there can tell
Indrakshi that I sent him there to keep watch over the girl, and he's
taken a vow of silence, until he meets his true love.  If they can,
ham it up in front of the girl.  If that doesn't work in a day or so,
I'll think of something else."

"Thanks, Jess.  Tell your friend that if he needs some flying
unicorns, I have a few who are interested in hearing his offer.  Tell
him to start with his second one, so we can save some time, and maybe
he'll get a jump on the other folks bidding for their services."

"He winced, so I'm pretty sure he heard that.  You two know each
other?"

"By reputation.  My clients are looking forward to the day we meet in
person."

"Thanks, Sam.  When I'm ready to fly for hire, you'll be my man."

"You can buy me anytime, Jessica."

"Hey, guy!  You're improving.  Who is she?"

"A friend, who wants me, not my money."

"Too young to be cynical.  Leave that stuff to people like me."

"Pot.  Kettle."

"Penny.  Pound."

"More like ounce, long ton.  Get back to work, Jess.  Been watching
Marie, and things are still a little dicey over there.  Most of it's
on your side of the fence, too, and the media isn't helping."

"They're not?  We got some here and they're fine."

"You got a group of...  Freelancers in there, and they're...  Being
stupid.

"Instigating?"

"Too tough to call."

"Tell your friends where they should be, then they can slide in, pay
their way, and go have a good time.  Guests entertaining guests.  Open
season on freelancers, right?  Track your expenses and I'll pay you
back."

"Gold bracelet, diamond rendering of you and Jim doing that rescue.
Give me that, and I'll call it even."

"Curry me while I make it, and you have a deal."

"I blew it.  What can I say?  I like mare butts.  Deal."

"Definitely getting better, Sam.  When you're ready to show her off,
call me."

"I'll let you know.  Take care."

"You, too."

She was smiling when she looked up.  "Well?  Do we have a deal?  Oh,
sorry.  Haven't told you the rest of my thinking.  Change in plans.
Doesn't matter about Lyla.  Tryout for Team Zeitgeist, too.  Lyla
still gets first choice, and we'll compete for the leftovers."

He shook his head slightly.  "Leave us out of it.  We already have a
team, and kids waiting in line for positions on it."

She finally nodded.  "I'll give you that one."

She held out her hand.  "Deal?"

He took it.  "Deal.  Top of the next hour.  Main Street."

"Got it.  Take us to Lyla and her parents."

"Funny thing about that.  They're already there, relaxing while they
the watch some of our wandering acrobats.  Before you think I'm as
much a genius as you are, they settled there because of Lyla's
obsession with gymnastics.  Once she saw some of the routines our
people do, she insisted on taking a break so she could steal ideas.
Happens all the time, and it's one way we...  Recruit our team members
and entertainers.  Good thing your father got to her first, because as
soon as we spotted her, we would have made the offer of attending a
tryout.  She's young, and we have to be careful, but we *are* all
about being kids again, and a lot of our acts have kids in them."

"Anyone going to try and take her away from Dad?"

"Word's out.  She's untouchable.  Anyone tries, it won't be any of our
people, and if it is...  I'm hoping it's accidental and done by an
employee who is outside that chain.  We encourage that sort of stuff,
so there can be confusion about it, sometimes."

"Thanks.  If anyone doesn't want to work for me or Dad, and they
decide to talk to you folks, We won't see it, because it was opt in
and we're all about personal choice, most of the time.  Some things,
we can't ignore, though."

"Coercion?  Forcing kids to grow up before they should?  Rescuing
discarded kids, when it's done in front of you?  That sort of in your
face stuff?"

"Yeah.  Speaking of that...  Shit.  Well, we'll adapt.  Some of those
Rabelaisian kids have worked with Liberty.  That means they're perp
finders, and they've been vetted by Libby, at the least.  We're still
working on a certification program, so what they do doesn't mean
anything in our legal system, yet.

"Since things are in the open, you can use that information any way
you like.  Some of those kids have been checked by Lady Kay, but I'm
not going to tell you who they are.  That means folks are going to
have mixed feelings about being around them.

"But if they tell our security something, we should take them
seriously, even though they'll be here to enjoy themselves?"

"Very seriously, because they're pragmatic enough to only say
something when the kid is in almost immediate danger.  Usually, there
are other signs your people could have keyed on for a closer look. I'm
not going to help the perps by telling you what some of them are."

"Will the ambassador be mentioning that during her discussions?"

"I'm really, really hoping that your bosses have come clean, and
admitted they've been using the visits of Bards and other Rabelaisians
as a chance to let them use your own people to sweep the crowds for
perps.  It's an obvious thing to do, so she's been deliberately not
seeing it.  Unfortunately..."

"I understand.  They're waiting for us, and while we walk, I can be
giving the orders to get things ready."

"Please have one of your people talk to Lyla and her parents about
what I would appreciate, so they have time to think about it."

His eyebrows went up, then he nodded.  "I'll do that.  Anything else?"

"Nahh...  I enjoy watching professionals get the job done right, and
it's time to prove to the world that in spite of what happened,
there's no hard feelings about it, so they'd better let go, too, so we
can all move on.  The future is waiting, ya know?  Let's go see what
surprises it has for us to laugh about."

"Have you ever thought about becoming a Bard?"

"Yeah, but...  I got tapped for a similar job, that's a little more
challenging than being a Bard.  It's got some pretty tough standards I
have to meet, so this is kind of like my apprenticeship.  You know how
it works, right?  Give the new person easy stuff to deal with, so they
can gain confidence before they get dumped in the deep end."

His eyes widened, then he closed them and sighed.  "Excuse me.  I need
to talk to my people while we head to where you need to be."

"You're excused.  Nice, dealing with someone who's smart enough to
know when he shouldn't ask the questions."

"Smart enough to know the answers wouldn't mean anything to me, except
they'd tell me my frame of reference is too small, which is something
I already know."

"Speaking of that, while I have you here, and we have decent media
coverage, I'm going to do Dad a favor, so he doesn't get too big
headed, and forget we're supposed to be encouraging sharing and
cooperation."

"Sounds serious."

"Yep.  I'm pretty sure one of the reasons he rejected doing his thing
on Earth, is a real simple one.  Someday, we're going to meet people,
real people, and they won't be able to set foot on Earth.  We gotta
have places where they can experience us, instead of just looking at
us and wishing they could meet us in person.  Works the other way,
too, so the smart thing to do is have at least one place like that
waiting when they get here."

"Most people think if that happens, we'll be too different to
communicate with each other."

"You agree with that?"

"We're getting better with our translation devices, and some folks are
working on them with animals, so...  We may be ready, we may not."

"Thanks.  I needed to know how average folks are thinking, and you
guys do stay on top of that."

"What have I missed?"

"Telepathy, and touch links.  I can tell you from personal experience,
that it's possible for a normal human to be linked, so they share
experiences with at least a few common animals, and actually
communicate clearly with them.  Shape shifters are even better at it,
because at least for Terran and Rabelaisian animals, they learn the
language, completely."

"Your parents will be offering that?"

"Of course.  Dad's got this thing about competition making him do his
best.   Gonna change the picture a bit, if you guys are already doing
that stuff on the ground."

"Don't you folks believe in trade secrets?"

"What trade secrets?  All that's common knowledge, and we don't...
Believe in taking it, then getting upset when someone else uses it a
little differently.

"Dad owns the right to sell his specific combination of existing tech,
to folks who are too stupid to look at what he's done, and figure out
how to do it themselves.  So far, nobody has been able to do that.  He
even improved it, to stay ahead, and nobody has figured it out.  You
ever heard of him going after someone who did try, and got close?"

"No, and I understand the rest of your point.  You want the
marketplace to be truly competitive, which means the successful
shouldn't get lazy, and let past successes be their focus.  If we
can't compete on equal terms, we should be allowed to fail."

"Lose market share, or whatever you want to call it.  Yeah.  Nailed
it.  Let's see what you folks can do, when you're going head to head
with someone who is a lot bigger than you, and you're playing catchup
with people you can't buy, or legally overwhelm.  Which, reminds me.
Be smart.  Pull your usual games, and if you think they're pissed now,
you'll find out what happens when they're *angry*.    And...  Think
hard about what the general public will be thinking.  Lots of creative
folks are pissed with you already, and...

"Sorry.  Lots of folks on your side, and against mine.  When you have
a chance, look up something called 'Enlightened Self Interest'.  That
commune stuff worked, and if we're going to be out there, someday
we're going to run into someone bigger and badder than we are, so we'd
better all be working together, and able to be comfortable with
everyone working for a goal that's...  Gonna keep us all alive,
instead of being so selfish someone is able to divide and conquer,
which is where we are right now.

"Call it genetic diversity of thinking, and we can't afford to think
there's a best way to do things."

She sighed.  "Take a hard look at my life, and other kids like me,
then look in your mirror and try to tell yourself that there's only
one way to think of pedo, and no matter what culture it is, everyone
should be forced to use it.  You folks sell a way of life, but you
also admit it isn't for everyone.  It's time you backed off and
admitted reality is like that, too."

He was watching her intently by the time she finished, and finally he
nodded.  "Your way of saying we need to adapt, or die?"

"Yeah.  You guys are pretty big, so it would be a lingering death, and
you could hurt a lot of people.  Mood everyone's in, if the Big Guy
decides you're dying, he might opt to have you euthed, so it's quick,
and there's less suffering for everyone involved, including you.  But,
there's compassion, and really, there's plenty of time for...  Rehab
to work.  So, we're giving your bosses the options they have, but it
sounded like they were being childish.

"We really do speak for the world, Liam.  Look around you.  Watch all
the coverage of what happened earlier.  You said you like people, so
that means you can read them pretty good, or you wouldn't be doing the
job you are.  Sure, people like this place, but see them as people.
Watch their eyes.  Read their body language.  The anger is still
there, and a lot of folks know you're closer to the top."

She suddenly reached and lightly brushed a fingertip over his
forehead.  "I'm not giving you everything, just some empathy, so you
can feel the edges of their feelings, without invading their privacy."

He shuddered, then looked at her.  "You're channeling that, aren't
you?"

"Yeah.  It was my parents you fucked, so they'll let me take my shots
first.  But, there's a limit, and we're still close to it.  They
decide you folks aren't paying attention, and things aren't going to
change, there are enough people here that we'll get a flash riot."

"I...  See. Wish I didn't.  You drive a hard bargain, Jessica."

"Got no choice.  My cards are on the table.  Call, Liam.  Show me what
you got, or fold, pay up, and let another player take your place."

He removed his radio from his belt and studied it briefly, before he
raised it and spoke into it.  "This is Liam.  Patch me into the pa
system  I have an announcement to make."

"All of it, Sir?  Is that wise?"

"I'll take full responsibility.  If you feel you can't do it, find
someone who can, and pick up your final check, then get off the
premises."

"I'll do it, Sir.  We were hoping things aren't as serious as most
people say.  You're on."

"Attention, Guests.  We have a problem, and I'm here to admit we
caused it, and that I'm also here to fix it, if it can be fixed.  Many
of you know I'm escorting a guest to Main Street.  I'm going to leave
her, and chair a meeting at Town Hall, so I can listen to any of you
who are willing to express your opinions, and/or suggest possible
solutions.  The meeting will last until a mutually acceptable solution
is found.  If it lasts long enough, food and drinks will be provided,
not in an attempt to buy your good will, but as a gesture of good
will, on our part.  For all of us who truly do care, and try to do our
best, we're sorry this happened, and hope that someday, you will
forgive us for being human.

"Thank you."

He rehooked his radio, then took off at a run.

Jessica watched him get started, then she sighed.  "There goes a brave
man, Cathy.  Change, and make sure he makes it."

She shifted, and took off at a full run until she caught up with Liam,
then she slowed and flanked him.

When he realized someone was at his side and glanced at her before he
refocused on his running, she smiled and spoke softly.  "Relax.  I
don't think anything will happen, but we want to make sure you have
your chance to prove you're serious about fixing things so they stay
fixed.  I'm on the clock as a bodyguard, and the treaties allow me to
determine how I may best perform my job, so your policies are
superseded."

"What about Jessica?"

"I called my sister in to replace me.  You going to make arrangements
for those tryouts?

"Oops."

He grabbed his radio.  "At the top of the hour, there will be open
tryouts for Team Unicorn, and Team Zeitgeist, on Main Street.  There
will be live coverage, so anyone competing or judging will have to
sign the usual release forms.  Refreshments will be free for the
duration, to anyone there, competitor, or audience.  Furthermore,  we
will match our losses with a corporate donation to the Olympic
committee, to be used in any way they choose.  If I still have a job,
when we know how much that will be, I will personally sign the check.

"I have a personal message, for Team Unicorn's sponsors.  'I am only a
man, and I make mistakes.  Please allow me a chance to do what I can,
to fix them.  At a time and place of your choosing, I, and my
colleague, will stand before you, and accept whatever task you ask us
to perform, so we may begin to make amends for our collective lack of
good judgement.'

"I need a complete gymnastic arena set up, in a very short time, so if
anyone wants to volunteer their time, to help my people set it up, or
judge the tryouts, you will be welcome.

"Now, folks, I need to save my breath and focus on a meeting I'm late
for.  That is all I have, and...  Please, let what happened here stay
in the past, so we may learn from it, and build a future that we can
be proud of, as..  Citizens of Earth."

He put his radio back, and refocused on his running.

The crowd gasped when a unicorn mare, with a rider on her back,
appeared and moved to pace him on the side opposite Cathy.  

Tom held his hand out.  "Grab hold, and we'll give you a ride, so you
can save your breath for what's important."

Liam studied him, nodded, then reached, and he was swung aboard and
allowed to settle, before Kay lowered her head and launched into a
full gallop.

* * *

Jessica and Becky had been watching a monitor, and finally Jessica
laughed after she studied the crowd.  "Well, Beck, Dad and Mom must be
feeling better, if he's making grand gestures, again.  Hope the folks
Chrys and my other mother are working on, were paying attention.  What
do ya think?  Going to be a new chairman of the board?"

"I think that in three and half years, maybe sooner, Liam is going to
be in space, and working for a new boss."

"Maybe.  Be better if he stayed here.  You notice there was a
possibility I didn't talk about?"

"I did, and that one is too...  Iffy to call."

"I don't think it will happen, unless someone else does it.  Maybe we
can put Chrys up to it.  Have to come at her sense of humor from the
right direction, but I think it's doable."

"Much later, Jessica.  I was there, and...  Believe it or not, your
call helped the situation, a little."

"Damn little, I bet.  I know the signs almost as good as you guys do."

"We were watching the live coverage, and Chrys wasn't getting through,
because they had their usual attitude that they were big enough to
ride things out."

"Figured that out a long time ago.  That's the reason I was letting
Liam have all of it.  Seemed like a man who had his head straight."

"It worked.  That was the first time they ran into someone who could
beat them with a stick bigger than any they could grab, and they knew
there wasn't a thing they could do, except stand still and take it,
because it was obvious you weren't going to be intimidated, and if
they tried, after that rescue you and Jim did, it would have been
obvious they were using their usual intimidation tactics, and they
would have had the rest of the world pissed, not just the folks who
were here."

"Glad it helped you guys.  I'm going to have to remember to think in
terms of my stuff having that sort of impact somewhere else.  I sort
of knew it might, but...  Not like that.  Mostly, I was trying to get
through to Liam, so he'd go back and get through to them, if you guys
couldn't."

"Don't dislocate your shoulder.  Once you started pointing out how big
and lucrative things could be, they rolled over and started to
negotiate in good faith.  It was greed and self interest, but it was a
start, and that was all Chrys needed, because they knew they were
looking at the man who will be the next CEO if he sticks around, and
he's got the balls to put them in the cold, and make it stick."

"Speaking of sticks, I have a lot to learn about that.  Never seen
anyone use a carrot as a stick, and make it all happen at once."

"Jealous?"

"Determined.  Way I see it, that was a challenge I can't refuse, even
though I have job security, and some pretty good perks."

"Trying for another bonus?"

"Yeah.  I want my Dad to be proud of me, when I graduate."

Becky laughed, then started walking.  "We can't afford to be late."

"Hold on, and find me one of those places where guests can entertain
other guests."

"Look left, and walk about one hundred feet."

"Thanks."

She got there, had to ask for some room, then she glanced at Becky.
"Go dog for me, while I go mare?"

"Sure.  It will make my job easier."

"Well, I think I can relax a little, and grab some fun, before I get
serious again."

She shifted, then raised her head and looked around.  "I'm pretty big
when I'm like this, and the kids who go for gymnastics are usually
pretty light, so I'm sure I can carry four of them.  I'm looking for
four gymnasts, who want a ride to the tryouts.  Are they out there?"

She was mobbed.

Eventually four kids were settled, so she started walking.  "You lead,
Beck, and keep it relaxed because I have parents who would get upset
if I took off with their children."

"No problem.  We go slow, more people can have a chance to pet me, and
I like being petted."

"Yeah, I know.  You've slapped me with a paw often enough, when I
stop."

She turned her head slightly.  "So, guys.  Are all of you showoffs,
like Lyla?  Any of you like me, and when you're having fun, you hope
it never ends, and you just have to share it with folks?  You got a
chance to share it with the world if you want.  Whatcha think about
Lyla?  She's pretty obsessed, isn't she?  What about you guys?  You
want to be the best of the best, and work for my Dad, or you want to
be even better, and work for me?  You might even go to work for this
place, and travel the world, I bet.  Of course, no matter what
happens, as long as you give it your best during the tryouts, someday
you and your parents will be offered a chance to get a ride into
space.  If you want it to be me, you're going to have to wait for
years, because I barely know how to be an ordinary unicorn, and it
will be more years until I'm good enough to fly with a passenger.  Oh,
sorry.  Really, it looks like this place is fun, and I did get a
chance to see part of it, and I really loved the ISS pavilion.  Too
soon to have a real favorite place, though.  Wadda you guys think I
should go see, after the tryouts?  Got any suggestions?  Maybe we can
take a break after the tryouts, all of you can make suggestions, and
I'll go see them all, before I go home."

She paused and one of the girls giggled.  "You ever shut up so people
can talk?"

"Sure.  Since you got in my face, you get to go first."

"Umm...  Yeah.  I'm a showoff.  Not like Lyla is, though.  Mostly it's
at home, but sometimes I just gotta do a cartwheel over my desk,
before I sit down.  Stuff like that.  Teachers get upset, but they're
used to it, and I haven't hurt myself, or kicked anyone, so they let
me get away with it.  Never done anything on a real horse.  We saw
Lyla's routine, and I thought she was gonna lose it for sure when her
hand slipped, but she recovered and did good on the rest of it.  I
don't think I could have done that good because I get too happy and
miss my dismount more than I should..."

They were still chattering with Jessica and each other when they got
to Main Street and had to leave, to register.

She looked around, and when she spotted her father, she snorted and
walked over to confront him.  "First things first.  Are you *really*
ok?"

"Not completely, and we'll be leaving shortly after the tryouts are
over.  We've done all the parental stuff, and sorted out the
communications stuff, so you can relax about that."

She bobbed her head.  "Good enough, for now.  How are Sandy and
Mahika?  They ok?"

"They're fine.  Might show up later, but it's their call, and they do
need to keep an eye on things, just in case."

"So...  Was the kid we saved a low number, or a high one?"

Tom glared, then relaxed.  "Sorry.  Good call.  Going to be a wedding
on the Sam Cee in a few years."

"Glad to hear it, and since you've got a good reason to duck, I'll
leave you alone.  Mom?"

"The shadow effect was seen only by the employees.  We decided that
since they put a pall over us, we would return the favor.  Your shout
was...  Unexpected."

"Shouldn't have been, so I'll figure I was right about getting you
that vacation, and pester Mahika and Sandy for the rest of what I want
to know."

She lifted her head and locked eyes with her father before she turned
and offered him her rump.   "Justice applies equally to all, and I
earned it, right?"

"You did, but not for this.  The three of you forgot to tell Mahika
and Sandy where you were going.  Mostly, that was your Alpha's
responsibility, but as the coordinator, it's your job to see the
bigger picture.  Call it even, because I earned a severe spanking for
not staying long enough to finish closing my agreement with Lyla and
her parents.  Thank you, for beginning to fix that for us.  It is
an...  Elegant solution."

She turned back.  "Thanks, Dad.  Sorry you had to work during your
vacation, and thanks for that bit you did with Liam.  Never seen
someone use a carrot as a stick, and do it at the same time, like
that."

"Thank you.  I find that...  Sometimes it is still difficult for me to
leave my childhood behind, and act like the adult I think I should
be."

She raised her head until she was looking at the sky.  "Not your
fault, Dad.  I think someone miscalculated, and you got sucked in.
He's working on it, and he made a good recovery, so I think you can go
back to your honeymoon, and he won't call you in, next time.  Oh...
About that time stuff.  You ever get to thinking that maybe he loses
track of which way it goes, unless we keep him updated?"

"I'm not ready to forgive, if that's the case.  Hard to respect
someone who...  Is consistently abusive."

"Yeah.  I got some thoughts about that, that we can talk about when
you go back to work."

"Thanks for waiting.  You made a good recovery, too, Daughter.  We're
all proud of you."

"Thanks, Dad, but it wasn't a recovery.  We told the first team to
stand down and focus on making the Sam Cee safe, while we went hot. We
were...  Anticipating that something might happen.  Since you said
Mahika and Sandy are ok, you know what put us on full alert.  Anyway,
the praise means a lot, coming from you.  Mind if I get rude, and go
get ready to help run the tryouts?"

"Job, first, and you know it.  You set it up, let us be spectators.
Let's say the folks who run this place are still on probation, as far
as Kay and I are concerned."

"No problem.  Lyla?  You ready to open things, by showing off on my
back?"

"Dumb question.  You know how to be a unicorn, yet?"

"An ordinary one, yes.  No wings because I'm still learning the
basics.  Balance is a lot different when you have a horn to worry
about."

"Yeah.  I've been thinking about that.  Did you see your dad do that
Unicorn Mount?"

"I did."

"I'm not ready for that, so if I just stood there and faced away,
could you flip me up so you could take a step forward and I could
somersault into a landing on your back, then do my normal stuff?"

"I could, if you help me by jumping."

"Want me to call it when I'm ready?"

"Yes."

"Ok.  After the tryouts, could you take me for a ride, so I can talk
to you about some ideas I have?"

"No privacy, and I already sort of promised that I'd let the people
who try out, take me on a tour."

"That's ok.  Maybe we can get the teams together for their first
meetings, and figure out what sort of special stuff we can do."

"Good points.  If you want to talk something over with me, you can."

"Thanks.  A guy is looking at us, and waving me over, so I guess it's
time to get ready."

"Got it.  You're in charge when we get there."

"I am?!"

"You're the team captain.  I'm just a prop."

Lyla stared, then giggled.  "Some prop.  Hey!  You need to be a
unicorn, now."

"What color?"

"Umm...  Pink?"

"No problem.  Dad?  No time for her to use a changing room."

"No problem.  We've discussed the basic logo, so I'll put that on a
leotard.  Will gold, do?"

"Yeah!"

"Hold still."

He gestured, and she was suddenly wearing a leotard that had a
unicorn's head on the back.  Her name was over it, and underneath were
the words  'Team Unicorn'.  "How's the fit?"

"Perfect.  Feels different than what I'm used to."

"It's made of silk.  Will that be a problem?"

"Ummm...  No."

She removed her shoes and handed them to her father before she looked
at Jessica.  "You look silly, but it's a good silly, if you know what
I mean.  Let's go."

* * *

Tom watched them get things started, then he leaned back and pointed
at a cameraman.  "Please remove yourself from our line of sight.  We
are parents first, and would like to watch our children enjoy
themselves."

The man blanched, then hastily moved.

Lyla's mother studied Tom, then nodded.  "We know you're her adoptive
parents, but...  She's your firstborn, isn't she?"

"In linear time, yes, she is, and we're proud of her."

He smiled a little dreamily.  "I *knew* Lyla reminded me of someone.
Perhaps there are others I would be reminded of, but I haven't
followed that sort of stuff for decades.  Has anyone mentioned Nadia,
in your presence?"

"Nadia?  *The* Nadia?!"

"Yes.  Lyla has the same presence and dedication."

"No.  You are the first."

"Ah.  Perhaps it is because I am old enough to remember seeing her
perform.  I think it would be wise, if you wait for someone else to
mention that to Lyla."

"She's bad enough, now.  If she hears that...  Oh well.  She's already
floating because of who her sponsors are.  Nobody in the world ever
dreamed that you and Lady Kay can be so...  Relaxed and impulsive."

"Or, so...  Rude and insensitive, that we'd let a seemingly minor
mistake make us walk away?"

"More people should be so rude  Many of us are tired of being..."  She
gestured t the serving robot that was next to them.  "Robots."

"We need the Rabelaisians, Ulse, more than they need us, in the long
run."

"I see the stories of your ability to make a conversation drift, do
not capture the reality of a conversation with you.  You really are
relaxing with us, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am.  It is part of me, to see solutions, instead of problems,
and I am always searching for problems those solutions will fit."

Nathan leaned forward and studied Tom.  "And what problems do we
solve, Captain?"

"Ask my daughter when she gets back.  Her vision is clearer than mine,
right now."

"Clearer doesn't mean you are blind."

"True.  A young girl, performing on a young mare, bodes well for the
eventual acceptance of shape shifters and those who handle power.  No
fear, only eagerness to see where the combination will lead.  As for
the four of us, it is much the same, with the extra benefit, to us,
that your casual acceptance shows that in spite of the many ways we
are different, those differences are trivial, when placed in the
context of being parents, and concerned for our children, and the
world they will someday inherit."

"Everyone knows that Lady Kay is The Mother of The World.  Merlin has
long been assumed to be our Father.  Who are you, Captain Thomas
Galahalt?"

Kay laughed, and leaned so she could stroke Tom's face lightly.  "Why,
The Good Captain is the beloved Wandering Uncle, who is driven to
forever discover new lands, and when he comes back, he entices my
children into seeing those lands for themselves, and dreaming that
someday, they will discover lands of their own, that are as magical as
the ones he told tales of.  

"If I use the same analogy, instead of a man servant to keep him
company, he has two female...  Secretaries, who see that his needs are
met, and to take care of him, when his sense of wonder makes him
forget the mundane things in his life."

"But, finally, he has decided to settle for a time, and raise a
family?  That makes Roberta, Jessica, Indrakshi, and of course you,
Lady Kay, very, very special, doesn't it?"

Tom shook his head slightly before he tilted it back so he could watch
the clouds that drifted overhead.  "They are special, of course.  The
analogy is a pretty one, but it also hides the reality that Earth is
our home, and I and my childhood companions, have been moving from
room to room in it, as we live our lives and play together.  Finally,
with my companions' help, I am adult enough to not only wonder what is
on the other side of those windows we look through, the desire to go
find out is strong enough that it gives me, and them, the courage to
grasp the door handle...

"Then open the door, and step through it, at last."

"You have a strange mind, Captain."

"So do we all, if we let them free, instead of always restraining
them.   It is time we learned how to let ourselves learn how to have
more dreams, instead of thinking that maturing is learning how to
fetter our minds, until dreams become our tools, instead us being
theirs."

He pointed.  "Your daughter knows this truth in her heart.  Someday,
she will know it in her mind, and consciously help others to know it
in *their* minds."

"You sound very sure that will happen."

Tom studied Nathan, then nodded.  "I am, because her parents still
know how to dream, and they are wise enough to not impose their dreams
on their daughter.  Tell me, Nathan and Ulse, What Dreams do you have,
that we might help you live?"

Ulse blushed, and whispered.  "Do not joke with us, Thomas Galahalt."

"I am not joking with you.  Just by being who you are, you have become
a part of history, in a way that few do.  It is...  Arrogant sounding,
but one of our duties is to be...  'Luck Bringers'.  The luck is
earned, and generally, it is the type that benefits us all, instead of
individuals.  What sort of individual luck, do you and your husband
dream of, Ulse?  If it is within our powers to do so, we will grant
it."

Ulse shuddered and reached to touch her husband's hand while she
watched Tom's face with undisguised hunger.  "We...  Have been told
that the only way Lyla will have a sibling of our bodies, is if we
allow someone to carry the child to term."

"And you hunger to do it yourself, because you are...  A little
selfish, and wish those pains and joys to be your own again, because
they are yours, by right?"

Her voice was an agonized whisper.  "Yes."

"Kay?  This is your dream to grant."

Kay looked around, obviously thought about it for awhile, then she
nodded slightly.  "Ulse.  Since you have a daughter, we know you can
successfully have a child.  I can restore the ability to you.  Do you
want that to happen here, in public, or should we seek privacy?"

"Here?  Now?!"

"Yes."

"What do we do?!"

"Hold hands, gaze into each other's eyes, and think of how it was,
when you knew you were creating Lyla.  I will do the rest."

"Will you need to touch us?"

"Yes, but not with my hands.  You will know when it happens."

They faced each other, clasped their hands together with an intensity
that left them visibly trembling--and waited.  

Kay spoke gently.  "Two are one, and then three are one.  Come with
me, and see what I see.  Feel what I feel, and know that your dream is
being granted."

She closed her eyes and went on.  "Come, Ulse and Nathan.  Go on a
journey that will someday be available to all.  We seek that which
makes Ulse a woman, and we arrive to find...  That the oven which is
Ulse's body has all the ingredients in place, but they are not
properly mixed, and the oven cannot be turned on.

"First, we will clean and repair the oven....

"And now we mix the ingredients...

She opened her eyes.  "A new life begins, Ulse, and you are as you
were when you created Lyla.  You will carry your new child to term. It
is done, and you may...  Return to the world when you desire to do
so."

The trembling in their hands had stopped.  Eventually they let go of
each other, and both of them reached to tenderly touch the other's
face.

Nathan recovered first, and looked at the crowd that had gathered.
However, his words were for Kay.  "Will it be a boy or a girl?"

"I don't know."

"But you could find out?"

"Yes."

"Don't.  We want to be surprised, as we were with Lyla."

Kay laughed.  "I understand."

"You do?"

"Of course.  I was much younger when I had mine, and...  I was selfish
and wanted a child by the man I loved.  It is a tale of a woman's
selfishness, but there was a happy ending, so all of us are content
with what happened."

"Are you going to tell us?"

"No."

"Ok."

He looked at the person closest to them, and spoke with tones of
wonder.  "When Kay said she'd do the rest, we assumed she would let us
watch, while she did what she had to do.  It...  Didn't happen that
way.  She...  Helped us see what had to be done, then allowed *us* to
heal my wife, and then...  After I collected my sperm, Ulse encouraged
one of her eggs to go meet them.  They met, and...  Where there had
been sparks surrounding a bright light, all that was gone and now, it
as if there is an ember that we can barely see, there."

He started crying softly. and Ulse spoke gently.  "We were allowed to
make our child, and know it is truly ours, and that someday, the ember
will burst into flame.  I *knew* I would never have another child and
now..."

She bent her head and started crying.  "I will."

They let her cry for awhile, then Kay touched her and raised her head
until their eyes met.  "Forgive me, Ulse.  You have a very worried
daughter.  Perhaps it is time for you and Nathan to...  reassure her,
by continuing to watch her, so she knows she is loved."

"Oh!"

She turned and waved, then spoke loudly.  "It's ok!  I'm going to have
a baby!"

Lyla's eyes widened, then she did a series of cartwheels until she
landed in her mother's lap and hugged her.  "That's great, Mom!  Boy
or girl?"

Ulse started laughing.  "We don't know, and we're not going to ask
Lady Kay to find out for us, ok?  Let it be a surprise when we find
out."

"Well...  Ok.  You gonna spoil it as much as you do me?  Can I help?"

"Yes, we will, and you can help us.  Now, you have responsibilities,
so go back to them."

"Umm...  About that.  Jessica and I cheated, so everyone can relax. No
pressure, because everyone knows what team they're on.  We talked it
over and decided that this way, they can just have fun if they want
to, ya know?"

"That's very thoughtful of you.  How did you do it?"

"Jess is a Unicorn, and Unicorns are magic horses, right?"

"Yes, they are."

"So I asked her how she'd know who to pick for her team, and if she
could make it so I could do it the same way.  She had me touch her
horn, and after that...  It was strange.  I could see all kinds of
lines, and they were different colors and thicknesses.  Jessica called
it 'The Tapestry of Life', and she showed me how to make it so I could
only see the lines that connected me to all the kids trying out. After
that, it was easy to tell who would be right for the teams, so we told
everyone right away, so they could relax, ya know?  Now, instead of it
being a tryout, they're all having fun with each other and...  Jessica
and Becky are being silly, too, and doing tricks of their own, while
we sort of do things all around them!"

"Then go back and keep being silly, and now, we'll be watching."

"Umm...  Can I have Dad, so he can toss me around?"

"Yes, you may."

"Thanks!  Dad?  Toss me back?"

Nathan stood and stretched.  "A regular toss, or do you want to knock
me over, so I get angry and throw you away from me, but you and your
friends keep coming back?"

"All of us?!"

"You're part of a team now, Lyla, and a team has to learn how to work
together."

"You're *sneaky*, Dad!"

"I know."

"Silly!  Just toss me back, this time.  After everyone has done the
real stuff, we'll see if you can handle all of us."

"I'll do my best."

They held hands until they were closer, then she let go and stopped
until he was about twenty feet further, then she shouted 'Comin' at
ya!' and ran at him.

He turned, their hands made contact, and he fell backwards while she
jumped.  She did a somersault, then landed on her hands and did a
cartwheel.  She made the rest of the trip with cartwheels, until she
was in front of Jessica, who had her head lowered.  

Lyla came out of her last cartwheel, turned her back to Jessica,
grabbed her horn, and Jessica jerked Lyla into the air.  Lyla
somersaulted again and landed on Jessica's back.

There was silence, then a roar of approval.

Nathan had rolled over so he could watch, and after she looked at him
he smiled.  "Show off."

"I hadda do something!  You threw me a *lot* harder than usual!"

"Sorry.  Guess I'm a show off, too, and the crowd got me excited. I'll
have to learn how to focus in front of a crowd, too.  Help me out
later?"

"You want *me*, to teach *you*?!"

"Yes, please."

"Yeah, but I have a condition."

"Fair enough.  What is it?"

"I'll help, but you got to help us.  Will you be our team manager?"

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah.  Don't you always tell me not to break things if they aren't
broken?"

"I do.  I'll be your manager.  Have someone get me, after the tryouts
are over."

"Sure!"

He got up and went back to his chair.

Ulse had been watching him, and finally she laughed.  "She set you up
for that."

"I know, and I really did throw her harder than I usually do.  She
jumped harder than usual and that threw me off.  I'm not going to tell
her that part."

"The world knows, so she'll find out, eventually."

"So?  I'm not going to hide the fact we made mistakes, just like I'm
not going to hide that we've agreed to work on fixing them.  Works
best, if I teach by example.  If I can't admit mine, how can I expect
the kids to admit theirs, and let me help them work past them?"

Ulse nodded, then turned away.  "We'd better focus on the present,
instead of the future."

When it was almost over, Jessica said something to Lyla, and then she
walked over to face her parents.  She was shivering when she spoke
softly.  "Dad?  Mom?  I remember what you said, and I don't think it
would really be working, but..."

He looked at her when she stopped.  "You'd like us to do something?"

"Yes.  These guys really worked their butts off, and I think that we
need to let them know we appreciate that, you know?  And...  I think
you guys need to be surrounded by all that love that's out there."

"Go on."

"Umm...  That thing we do sometimes, where Kay and I are uneven
parallel bars for you.  Can we make it our last performance, before
you guys leave?"

He studied her thoughtfully, then he looked at Kay, and she nodded, so
he turned back.  "Lyla is my team captain, of course.  Have you picked
yours, yet?"

"Yeah.  No brainer, so I think I was set up."

"Oh?"

"Uh huh.  Kid named Terrell.  He's so good he's crazy, and everyone
picked him before I could say anything."

"Think you can stay perfectly still while I do my routine?"

"Shouldn't be a problem."

"Ok.  We'll do it, but there's something I want in return."

"You gotta do something about your eyes, Dad.  For a second there,
they went dog.  What are you up to?"

"I want Terrell to do his show-off balance beam routine on your back,
and Lyla to do hers on Kay, while I'm doing mine."

"I'm ok with that, but one of you better talk to her parents."

He nodded, and gestured for Kay to handle it.

She smiled.  "When I'm a flying unicorn, I'm slightly bigger than
Jessica, of course.  What Jessica didn't say, is that Thomas uses
power to assist him when he changes bars.  I will be about twenty feet
in the air, and about ten feet to one side.  My wings will be
motionless, and there will be no danger to either of the children, if
they slip.  Of course, Lyla will have to avoid doing her dismount, but
if she forgets, I will catch her in mid air, and lower her to the
ground."

They studied her, then Ulse shook her head.  "We trust you and Thomas,
so if she wishes, Lyla may...  Do a dismount.  Be sure and tell her
she has that option, and that we would prefer that she stay on you,
but...  We are where we are, for her, not us, and this is her moment
in the spotlights."

"I understand."

She stood, had a space cleared, and then she shifted.  Instead of her
usual white, she was rainbow colored.   "Thomas.  Something flashy, of
course."

He chuckled.  "Will woven gold be good enough?"

"Adequate, this time."

He stood, gestured, and he was in a two piece outfit that had their
team's logo on it.  "When you call, Jessica."

"Oh.  Yeah.  Umm...  Thanks, you guys.  Give us a few to get set up."

She walked away, but kept glancing back and shaking her head slightly,
as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing.

The announcer visibly gulped before he looked at Lyla's parents, after
Jessica told him what might happen, and when they nodded, he sighed,
and turned back to Lyla.  "It's up to you."

"I'm a show off, but...  I'm not stupid.  I'm not going to do
something that radical until I've worked up to it.  I'll do the usual
stuff, and stay on Kay's back."  She tilted her head slightly and then
grinned.  "This time."

He finally laughed.  "Thank you."

"You're welcome.  I gotta figure out a good mount for next time, too.
Maybe Jessica can flip me high enough that Kay can catch me in mid
air.  Worry about it later.  Right, Jessica?"

"Definitely!  You ready?"

"Am I *really* going to get to show off, on a flying unicorn?"

"Yep!"

"You think they'll stick around for autographs?"

"I don't know, Lyla.  Mom and Dad are still...  It ain't zoned, but
they have a lot on their minds, so they might vanish as soon as you
get off Mom's back."

Lyla sighed.  "Ok.  What about you?"

"Yeah, I got stuff to worry about, too.  I'll stick around unless
something makes me leave before I want to."

"School and stuff like that?"

"I'm home schooled, so it will be stuff.  You see any of the news,
before you showed off for Mom and Dad?"

"Nahh...  Don't like that stuff."

Jessica laughed.  "Lots better, to watch it, instead of make it,
sometimes.  Anyway, usually, I'm a dog, and sometimes I work for our
local cops.  PR stuff on the beach, mostly."

"You sayin' you might have to go do some of that?"

"Yeah.  Guess I am.  And...  Like any cop, sometimes I have to do
paperwork.  I got some I need to finish, but I have time to relax
before I go finish it."

"What about this stuff.  I bet you'll have to do a LOT of paperwork,
right?"

"Wrong."

She raised her head and studied the sky.  "Guy I work for most of the
time, keeps track so I don't have to do that stuff."

"Must be nice."

"Yeah.  It is."  She brought her head down and looked around.  "You
guys ready?"

Lyla looked where Jessica had, and nodded.  "Yeah."

Jessica shifted slightly.  "Terrell?"

"Sure!  Hey!  Call me Lee?  That's what everybody uses at home."

"No problem.  And...  Nobody is gonna blame you if you get distracted.
Dad's routine can do that to people.  Someone will catch you in mid
air."

"Ok.  Let's get it over with."

"Nervous?"

"A lot."

"Up to you.  I'll take the heat, if you decide to sit on my back and
watch Dad do his stuff."

"I dunno..."

He looked around, then studied Tom.  "This is like...  It's so big,
and it's the first time, and it will never be like this, again, ever,
right?"

"Yes."

"I gotta do it.  Even if I blow it, it will be...  Perfect."

"Thank you, Lee."

"Yeah.  Rather be a part of it, than watching it, ya know?"

"I do.  Mount up, so we can get in position.  Lyla?  Time."

"Ok.  Hey, Lee?"

"Yeah?"

She held out her hand.  "Good luck."

He nodded and shook it.  "You, too.  Let's have fun, right?"

"Yeah!"

She turned and shouted.  "Kay!  Comin' at ya, again!"

Then she took off, hit Kay's rump, and somersaulted into her landing.

Lee snorted.  "She's pretty good."

Jessica laughed.  "I've heard that sort of stuff from my dad, a lot.
You better?"

"Maybe.  Mom's been teaching me how to play chess."

"Oh?"

"Anytime someone does something they already know works, they're on
the defensive.  I might blow it, but I think I can beat her."

"How can I help."

"I want to do that Unicorn Mount like your dad did."

"No practice?"

"We're here for fun, right?  That means it's all practice."

"Gotcha.  You blow it, someone will catch you before you can get
hurt."

"Thanks.  If I hurt you, let me know, ok?"

"Relax.  Unicorns are magical, and we can't be hurt."

He walked away, then he turned and faced her.  "Ready?!"

She lowered her head and pointed her horn at him.  "Go!"

He ran at her, grabbed, and when he jumped, Jessica jerked him into
the air.

He twisted, did his somersault, landed on his feet, then immediately
went into his routine.  When he had a chance to freeze, he whispered.
"If you have to move, move slow, and I'll keep doing my stuff."

"Got it.  I think you challenged Lyla.  She's started her routine, and
it looks like she's going to keep moving while Mom gets into the air
and into position next to me."

"Huh!  Well, I gotta focus again.  Warn me, ok?"

"Sure.  Mom's is going to freeze her wings, so you don't have to worry
about her blowing you off my back."

"Tell her thanks.  I'll thank her after we're done."

"Ok.  I need to get my horn in position and brace myself.  Yak later."

Tom was still doing his routine when Lee ended his and settled on
Jessica's back.  "How much more is he going to do?"

"Look like he's going to keep it to a competition routine, so he'll be
done in a few minutes."

"Ok.  Glad I'm getting to see some of it."

He looked at Lyla and spoke again.  "Looks like she's gonna do the
same thing I am, and take a break."

"Well, you guys have been pretty busy."

"Yeah, but it's been fun.  Is it really ok for us to talk while your
Dad's doing his stuff?"

"No problem.  He's zoned right now, and I've done this before, so I
know all I have to do is brace and then I can ignore what he's doing."

"More of that magic stuff?"

"Yeah.  Pain to learn, but once you know it, life can be...  Lots
different."

"I bet!  I've been thinking about my dismount."

"And?"

"Could you tip your head back so I can grab your horn, then you lift
me up and over, until I'm in a handstand, before I let myself rotate
down and let go?"

"Slow and showy?"

"If you can."

"Sure.  I'm going to help out, once you're off my back.  It will feel
like a couple of padded hands are around your waist, and they'll help
keep you straight before you get all the way upside down."

"Like they do to help me when I'm learning a new move?"

"Yes.  It's ok if you want to ham it up a little and make it obvious
I'm helping."

"Sure!"

"Ok...  Dad's getting close, so don't miss his dismount.   He's going
to spin a couple times on Mom, then come off and go about thirty feet
up, before he comes down and grabs my horn.  Then, he'll go around
once and stop in a handstand.  After that he'll do a back flip and
land on his feet.  Simple stuff, except for how high he'll go."

"Yeah.  Wind it down so people know he's done.  As soon as he's done,
bring your head back, ok?"

"Sure.  Want me to go all the way to my belly and turn my head so you
can cartwheel off and stop next to Dad?"

"Sure!  Thanks."

"You'll know when I let go of you...  And there he goes!"

Kay spoke softly to Jessica.  {{You two have challenged my passenger.
She's decided to cartwheel off my lowered wing.  Will that be a
problem for either of you?}}

{{As long it's not to my back, no.  I'll be going to my belly before
Lee finishes his dismount.}}

{{I'll be moving so she can finish next to Thomas, on the other
side.}}

{{Ok.  Gotta go!}}

Tom did his dismount and finish, then Lee did his.

Kay moved, Lyla did her dismount, and once she was next to Tom, Kay
flanked her, curtsied after she brought her wings to her body, then
froze.

After the applause died down, Tom shook hands with Lyla and Lee,
walked over to kiss Jessica's forehead, then went over and settled on
Kay after she stood up and spread her wings.

He waved at the crowd, she bobbed her head, then she leapt as she
stroked powerfully.

She was still climbing when she and Tom vanished.

Jessica got up and sighed.  "Well, folks, I guess we're done.  Anybody
want to hand feed a tired and hungry pink unicorn, who loves pizza?"

She got a stunned silence, then laughter, before she was mobbed and
escorted to the patio outside the nearest pizza parlor.

* * *

Eventually Jessica turned her head away from some offered food, and
burped delicately.  "Excuse me.  I'm stuffed."

Then she looked back and sighed.  "To be fair about things, I think
I'd better take suggestions from the kids who have to leave the
soonest, then if they want a short ride, I'll give them one.  After
that, I'll take care of the kids who didn't make the teams, by doing
the same thing.  Then, I'll take the time to do what I can for any of
our team members who can stay up late.  I'll find a place to spend the
night, and be back tomorrow morning for breakfast, then I'll take all
day so I can get a chance to know the team members and parents who can
stay. 

"I'm on call for some stuff, so I might have to leave suddenly.  If I
do, I'll be back as soon as I can.

"Umm...  If any of you folks with kids who made the teams would like
to stay, but can't afford it, talk to one of us and we'll help out.
You won't have to pay us back.  We'll treat it like it's a sign up
bonus, ok?  Anyway, don't worry about it, and...  I guess everyone's
figured out Mom and Dad have other things on their minds, or they
would have stayed.  Don't worry, they'll take time to meet everyone,
so don't forget to give us some contact info."

She bobbed her head and looked around.  "Who's first?"

* * *

Jessica and her entourage were ambling to another one of her
destinations when a girl spoke in her mind.  {{If you're really a
magic unicorn, please help me.}}

{{I am.  Show me what you see when you look at me, and tell me when
I'm looking in your direction.}}

{{Oh!  Thank you!}}

She had her head facing to her right when the girl spoke urgently.
{{Now!  Don't stop.  They're really worried that you might discover
them.  They're planning to try and do something to you!}}

{{I see you.}}

Jessica focused on Becky.  {Beck!  See them?  Do something Bardic so
things don't go crazy on us.}}

{{Protect yourself, Jessica.  She's setting you up to get killed.}}

{{Always protected, in a crowd like this one.  Let's go along, for
now.}}

{{Ok.}}

They turned their attention to the girl.  {{I'm the dog on Jessica's
left, as you see us.  If I make the woman next to you collapse, can
you act like you're screaming for help, for her, real loudly?}}

{{I *hate* her!  She's the worst one!}}

{{Ok.  Do you think they'll let you touch Jessica while she goes
past?}}

{{They want me to do something to get her real close.}}

{{Good!  We will make it happen.  Don't worry, none of us will get
hurt.}}

{{So if I act like I got away so I could hug Jessica, it will be ok?}}

Jessica laughed.  {{It will be fine.  I guess they didn't pay
attention to this morning's news, or they'd know nothing they can do
would hurt me.  Becky?  Cathy?  Let's get this over with.  Are you
ready?}}

{{Yeah, but I'm real scared.}}

{{Relax.  What's your name?}}


{{Dorothy.}}

{{Well, Dorothy, I think we're close enough, so you go ahead and do
what they want you to do, and we'll make sure they get a surprise.}}

{{Ok.}}

Suddenly a teenager ran towards them and she stopped in front of
Jessica.  "Can I hug you?  I think you're really nice!"

Jessica lowered her head.  "Watch out for my horn."

"Oh!  Thank you!"

While she was hugging Jessica a woman and a couple of men walked up to
stand on either side of Jessica.  "Now, Dorothy, Jessica is very busy,
and you shouldn't..."

People started screaming.

Jessica felt something hit her on each side and she gently removed her
head from the hug and looked at her sides, then at the woman.  "It's
ok.  I'm never too busy to help a girl who needs help.  I help adults
who need help, too, and...  Becky?  Cathy?  Would one of you escort
these people to someplace where they will be safe, while I keep an eye
on Dorothy?"

Becky sneezed disgustedly.  "There are already people on their way, so
if you'll stand still, and get to know your new friend better, we'll
stay here and make sure no evidence is destroyed."

Jessica finally bobbed her head, then turned back and nudged Dorothy
with her head.  "It's over, and nobody was hurt."

"But...  They stabbed you!"

"They *tried* to stab me.  If you look real close, the knives are
stuck in the air, not me.  Now, I believe you were hugging me when
they interrupted us?"

Dorothy giggled hysterically.  "Somebody tried to kill you, and you
want to finish a hug?!"

"Sure.  I got my job done a long time ago, so I'm here to have fun.
Head hugs are lots of fun, so...

"You're crazy!"

"Well...  I'll go crazy if you don't finish what you started, and go
back to hugging me.."

The girl stared, then shivered.  "It's really, really over, finally?"

"Yes.  Oh, there's the stuff in the courts and all that, but...  Hey!
Beck.  This is getting a bit boring.  We got room for one more on the
Sam Cee, so Dorothy has someplace she can call a home for now, if she
needs one?"

"We'll make room, if we have to.  Just don't try to adopt her,
yourself."

"A warning?"

"Of sorts.  You might feel a lot older, but the numbers say it would
be a kid trying to adopt a kid older than she is.  Isn't going to
happen."

"Point."

She studied Dorothy, then bobbed her head.  "Any of those folks your
real parents?"

"I wish they weren't."

"All of them?"

"Yeah, sort of.  She's my mom, and one of the guys is my father.  At
least that's what they've always told me."

Jessica sighed and looked up.  "I get it.  You're picking up the
pieces.  Any chance of making it so it all happens here?"

The lights around them dimmed, then the clouds shifted so she was
spotlighted briefly by a beam of moonlight, while everyone else was
still in the shadow.

Jessica kept her head up, then she sighed again after the lighting
went back to normal.  "Ok.  I'll stick around until we collect the
set."

She lowered her head.  "Sorry.  Had to talk to my boss and find out
what was going on."

"Unicorns can talk to God?"

"He isn't God, exactly.  Just the world, and I work for him.
Sometimes, his orders aren't very clear, so I have to make sure I know
what he wants me to do."

Becky smothered a giggle and Jessica turned enough to glare at her.
"Maybe I should let My Alpha deal with this."

"You're doing fine, Jessi.  Just...  Ease people into things, since
we've gone global."

"Enjoy it while you can."

"I am."

She shifted back to human and held out her hand to the man closest to
her.  "You're wasting your time, so you might as well give it to me,
because I won't let you use it.  Should have done your homework
better.  I'm a Master Bard, not just a bodyguard."

He glared and shook his head, so she shrugged.  "Suit yourself."

Dorothy was staring.  "You're letting him keep his backup knife?"

"Yes.  Actually, I'm glad he refused.  Now, I won't have to spend all
that time filling out paperwork.  Well, I do have some to fill out,
but it's not as much as I'd have to do if he'd handed it to me."

"You folks are *strange*."

Jessica started laughing.  "Yeah, we are.  You'll get used to it.
Ready to hear about some of it, while we wait?  Can't promise some of
it will make you feel better, but it will help you recover, and come
to terms with all the shit that's happened to you."

"Umm...  If I hug you again, is it ok if I cry?"

"Yeah.  All you want, and nobody is going to try and stop you.  This
is going to make more sense later, but...  Welcome home.  We're part
of your real family, even though we aren't really related."

"Does that mean...  I'm an angel?"

"Umm...  Funny way of looking at it, but...  In a way, it's more like
you were being tested to see if you could be one, and...  You got aced
for the main job, but you're going to be a very senior assistant, with
some pretty decent pay and perks."

"So as soon as all the other stuff is over, I won't have to worry
about a job?"

"Yeah.  You got one for the rest of your life.  Free medical, room and
board between jobs, the works.  Even got access to a real father
figure, and two mothers.  Some aunts and uncles, plus brothers and
sisters.  All opt in, and if you decide to move on, no hard feelings,
and you'll always have a home.  All the normal stuff that you should
have had, but didn't get.  Good chance, that before we go home from
here, you'll meet a guy who's good enough to be your husband, or... If
you go some other way, you'll meet whoever it is that's right for
you."

"That life mate stuff?"

"Exactly."

"You tight with the Senior Ambassador, like everyone says?"

"Yeah, sort of.  She's busy right now, and I'd be in deep shit if I
tried to talk to her."

"Oh, it's not that.  One of those kids she sent to Rabelaisia last
year was my youngest sister, and I wanted to find out how she's
doing."

"Hold it.  'Youngest'?  There are more kids?"

"Not any more."

"Got it.  Sorry."

Dorothy sighed.  "So am I, but at least it was over for them, a lot
sooner than it was for me."

"Umm...  Yeah. Ok.  I see folks hurrying this way, so let's see what
happens, and if things work out...  Beck?  Do your Alpha stuff.  What
do you think?  Let things happen here, then take her to keep Drakshi
and them company?  I don't know how many more we're going to be
collecting, or how it's going to happen."

Becky thought, then smiled and got her phone out.

"Rabelaisian Embassy."

"This is Becky, from the Sam Cee."

"What can we do for you?"

"Tom and Kay turned down the use of those two suites.  Is it possible
for us to use them?"

"You still in the middle?"

"Very."

"Yours, as long as you need them.  We'll advise anyone in your area to
make themselves available if you need some help."

"Thank you.  You going to get tedious when I tell you to keep track,
and send us a bill?"

The woman laughed.  "No.  Our coffers are definitely not bottomless.
Deep, but it's nice to top them off when we can."

"Careful.  I might ask Sam to audit the bills."

"Too late.  He already agreed to audit our books for us.  The
financial laws here, are...  Twisted enough we're always happy to have
a native we trust, look things over."

"Been a pleasure."

"Likewise."

She hung up, then calmly looked at Jessica.  "Happy?"

"Not as happy as I will be, after you do your healer stuff and make
sure Dorothy is going to be ok.  That had to be a suicide mission."

"Relax.  First thing I checked, as soon as I spotted her.  Even took
care of the stuff her parents had swallowed.  Be rude, for them to die
in the middle of being questioned."

Jessica sighed, then focused on Dorothy.  "Ok.  I guess you figured
out that contact poisons don't work on me?  It was smooth, but...  I
got so many tricks available, nobody will ever live long enough to see
them all, and figure out ways to beat them."

"You...  Knew?"

"Been waiting for it, ever since I helped rescue those kids.  I figure
you're just the first of many.  Someone will take hair samples from
me, and some blood, to prove it really happened, then they'll do the
same to you.  You know how it works, right?"

"I do.  What about all that family stuff?  Just BS to lull me?"

"Wasn't BS.  It's all true.  Things turned out a little different, you
would have had my job, and I'd be where you are."

"What now?"

"What happened to the 'I want a lawyer' stuff?"

"Do me any good?"

"Depends on who hears the case.  I'm a dual citizen, and...  We got us
a real problem, because the world knows I'm an Avatar, and there ain't
nobody able to do anything, if I decide to deal with this, myself.
Let's face it, I'm pretty upset, because you folks took advantage of
me being out here and having a good time with our teams."

"Don't I get to have a say?"

"You do, if."

"If?"

"If I let it go to a Terran court.  You willing to tell me the truth
so everyone else knows what Cathy, Becky and I already know?"

"What's in it for me?"

"We let you folks finish your suicides, our way."

"Your way?"

"Pretty stupid, to attempt to kill me in front of a Bard.  Even if I
wasn't able to protect myself, and that's something that you guys
should have figured out a long time ago,  Becky could have stopped it
all from happening, and folks wouldn't have had their day screwed up.
We already almost had one riot, and I really want to cool things so
there isn't one over this stuff."

"So you got some good feelings.  Life sucks.  Tough shit.  I got no
sympathy.  Yeah, I know what you want.  Well, I did it willingly.  You
aren't the only cunt who can wave her hands and make shit happen. I
was on my way to taking over, but you...  You cost me a lot."

"Yeah.  Well, I got news for you.  In two weeks, your bodies are going
to be headed for Rabelaisia, and a second chance.  Be a shame your
minds won't make the trip. But, like you say, it's a tough world.
They're tougher.

"You won't remember it, but...  Things work out, you could be a Bard.
Good luck."

Jessica ignored her stunned look and raised her voice.  "I need some
Rabelaisians!"

"Here!"

"Take these folks to one of the suites and keep an eye on them until
Becky can do what has to be done.  They're blocked, but...  Watch out
for a rescue."

A female wolf stepped out of the crowd.  "Since it's over, mind if I
clean you up and collect all the evidence before we leave?  I'm a
Journeywoman Mage."

"Looking to score on someone?"

"Of course.  Oh.  I'm Yolsu.  I'd make contact, but that's some nasty
stuff she used on you."

"Thanks for offering.  Do it.  You have any Bards with you?"

"Couple apprentices.  I'm senior, and we have an agreement."

She made an odd gesture.  "It is time for death to go in search of
someone more suitable, for his attention.  Begone!"

She watched a mist rise from Jessica and dissipate, then she turned to
Becky and waited

Becky nodded.  "See that they are fed and taken care of.  I'll deal
with them after we are done for the day."

"As you will, Mistress."

Yolsu turned back to Jessica and waved her hand.  "A bath, Rabelaisian
style, to finish grooming the Respected One."

Then she raised her voice.  "Tirsa!  Olvue!  Irtatha!   Deal with the
other prisoners."

Two wolves and a lioness stepped out of the crowd and took hold of the
three adults, then they vanished.

Yolsu nodded a little sadly, then sighed.  "A person who does not do
what must be done when they are confronted with a Renegade, is a fool.
I am, I hope, no fool."

She raised a paw and held it palm out, towards Dorothy.  "Be still."

Dorothy slumped to the ground.

She collected the knives and looked them over before she studied
Jessica.  "May I send these to Bard's Hall, for safekeeping?"

"You may.  Warn whoever delivers them, that they will most likely be
sent back to Earth with a message from your world, to mine.  I
suspect...  No.  Never mind.  Let whoever takes them, deliver them to
Liberty Anne, so she may finish the delivery."

"It shall be as you ask, Respected One."

"Huh.  Anyway, thanks."

Yolsu knelt and touched Dorothy, then the two of them vanished.

Jessica brought her head up and looked around.  "Sorry, folks.  I
expected this to happen a lot later, and after I got home.  Let's get
back to that tour."

They made a couple more stops, and by then most of the families had
left to go home, or go back to their motel rooms after arrangements
were made to meet again the next day.

Jessica shifted back to being human and watched the last of them
leave.  "You know, guys, maybe it's a good thing it was us.  Wish it
hadn't happened here, but...  Watcha think?  Did I blow it by keeping
it public, like it would have been on Rabelaisia, or should I have
done it like normal, and let the cops haul them off?"

Cathy sighed.  "Time will tell, not us.  No wonder Father is so
hesitant to act."

"Yeah.  Wrong move, and it could blow up in your face.  Well, I think
we might have had some help. At least we didn't have the riots.  Let's
find a place where we can relax and get some food.  You guys pick,
since it's been all about me."

Becky laughed, then she and Cathy went human.  "I see a Swedish
restaurant.  You up to going bitch, and letting us hand feed you some
meatballs?"

"As long as I don't need to do any tricks to earn them."

"Never.  You've done enough to earn a long lifetime of pampering.
Love."

"Thanks.  And..."

She shifted and pointed her muzzle at the sky.  "Thanks for letting me
be gentle with Dorothy and her parents..  Let me have a chance to
unwind, then...  Let's see if we can take care of the rest of it,
before those kids start showing up in the morning"

Her head came down and she sneezed softly.  "Come on.  Feed me.  Then,
if I'm lucky, I'll be able to get in a nap."

Becky touched her head lightly.  "You're a good grrl, Jessi.  Tom
couldn't have done it better."

"Food, or more than my stomach is going to growl at you guys."

All three of them were laughing while they walked to the restaurant.

Eventually Jessica burped and rolled to her side before she fell
asleep.

Becky and Cathy watched her for awhile, then Becky sighed.  "Sister?"

"I'll watch over her.  Go do what you must, then call, and we will be
there to comfort you."

Becky vanished.

An hour later Cathy lightly touched Jessica.  "Your other husband
needs you, Love."

"Let's go."

They vanished.
======

End:  'Damage Control'
End:  Marie's Solstice 12/14 Pier and Park 4/4 (new)

-- 
Pursuant to the Berne Convention, this work is copyright with all rights
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