The two boys were sprawled in a grassy meadow, near a waterfall, the one's head resting on the other's chest. They were both sound asleep - well, until the one boy's snores made the other one jerk awake.

"Sheesh. You need a nose job." Julian sat up and yawned.

Puff, sat up and yawned too.  "Where to now?" Puff asked.

"Oh, thought we'd drop by the commune and see what's up."

"Ah. Sex, drugs and rock and roll!" Puff yelled. "Jefferson Airplane.  Cream!  The Rolling Stone!"

"Stones, that's Stones.  Man I miss the 60s," Julian sighed.

"You even made a little Julian then."  Puff got up and shook the last of the water from his playing in the waterfall off of him.

"Hey! I was all nice and dry too."  Julian glared at his dragon. The dragon alas, laughed.

"Anyway, let's go see if Dinah's kicked Marc out of her bed yet."

"They make love a lot," Puff informed him. "The dragons all talk about it."

"Bunch a gossipy little pervs, ain't you," Julian said with a grin.

Puff grinned right back.  He opened a portal and the other end opened above the Refuge.

Dinah saw him first as he walked into the living room, looking a bit damp and bedraggled.  He also had some leaves in his hair that made her lips twitch and wonder what Nims was up to these days.  She waved to the side bar as she said hello.  "Help yourself, Julian.  You look like you've been playing with Puff and so you probably need it. "

"Yeah. He likes warmer weather. Brrr. Me too."  He sauntered over to the sidebar and unerringly picked out the most expensive single malt.  After he'd taken a few sips he he plopped into a chair.  "So how's things?  Not to mention those two things," he added with a grin and a nod toward her tummy.

"Troublemakers...pure and simple.  Just like their father."  She laughed.  "Well, maybe not troublemakers, but they're as strong willed and stubborn as he is."

Julian's lips twitched.  "You being the epitome of reason and rational thought, and all."  She laughed and then he continued, "But I still can't quite imagine how two little sparks only that big can be that much of a problem.  Cuz if they are already, man, wait until they're born."

She groaned.  "They have help from Christopher and Elizabeth, so imagine them, plus Doni's two doing stuff I'd be surprised to see some adults do.  They're operant, Julian, they're minds are functioning and they're able to do things mentally that...well...just astound me."

"Really?" Julian asked, looking at her in a new light.  "So like all six of them are ganging up on you guys?"

"Yep."  She nodded her head, all frivolity gone.  "Christopher does this thing and all six little minds are joined together and want to go out and play, only the kinds of games Christopher likes to play can be dangerous."  Dinah shook her head.  "He's practically got Marc flummoxed and we're trying to figure out ways to keep them shielded so they don't get into stuff they shouldn't."

"Shielded," Julian repeated, frowning, "So you need to put a kind of leash on the little buggers so like, you can have some privacy not to mention having them put their two cents worth in on everything you guys get up to, hmmmm."

"What are you thinking?" Dinah asked.

"I gather from all this that they can get around what you guys do.  I wonder if they could get around magic. I mean, it sort of looks a lot like your mind powers, but really it's different. On a pretty basic level. Maybe we need to see if magic can block them."

"We've never considered magic.  You think it might work?"

"Won't hurt to give it a try, will it?"

"No, not at all.  Wanna stay for dinner?" she asked.  "Tabitha's doing something Greek, I think.  That way Marc, not to mention Doni and Stephen, can be here."

"Sure, sounds like a plan."

Dinah had been wrong, it wasn't Greek, it was Italian but, as with all Tabitha's cooking, it went down singing hymns, or so Dinah thought.  But then lately she'd had a closer relationship to food than she'd had in the past.  After they all gathered in the living room, the men sipping scotch and the women decaf tea.

"So," Stephen said, "You think magic might be the answer to our little darlings?"

"Well, as with your abilities, it takes a special sort of person to do the kind of magic I'm talking about. A different sort of person from you, a different sort of person from your kids. Kids, when they're born know a lot of stuff. I mean it comes coded in their genetics. That's why they can learn so quickly, right?  So magic is only encoded in genes of magical kids. So, I'm thinking, Christopher and Elizabeth might not have a way to get around magic. It will be something alien to them, in the sense that they won't know it."

"And we could use magic to shield them as well as contain what they can get into, right?" Doni asked.  "I don't want to be rude, but uhm, is it powerful enough?  These kids are pretty amazing together."

Julian shrugged. "Well, we won't know unless we try. But..."

"But?" Marc asked.

"They'll try to test anything, so if it does work you might need a mage on staff."

"I'll hire a dozen if it works Julian.  And build another house to put 'em in.  So that's not a problem," Stephen promised.

"Okay, let's give it a shot."

Dinah looked at the others.  "So uhm, whadda we do?"

"Christopher and Elizabeth are the biggest problem right? The ring leaders, so to speak?  Possibly in more ways than one,"  he added with a grin. "Uhm, let me spend some time with them tomorrow. Observe them and then I'll try a couple of things with them. See how they take it, and see how well it works."

"Sure.  You wanna stay over or just come back then?" Doni asked.

"I'll just pop back in the morning if that's all right. Around 8am or so?"

It must have been because at 8am when he arrived they had coffee waiting and even breakfast if he wanted it.  Later, armed with a fresh cup of coffee he repaired to the nursery with Marc and Stephen, Dinah having an appointment and Doni being on duty.

Julian grinned at the two children and took a seat.  Elizabeth gurgled happily and waved at him.  He created magical bubbles that floated above her to entertain her.

Christopher watched this with wide serious eyes. Julian created a few to float in front of him too.

Christopher looked from the bubbles to Julian, his face scrunched up with concentration. Then he sent a friendly probe into Julian's mind.

Julian let him in just on the surface of his mind, and left his other shields up.

Christopher poked around until he met Julian's inner shields.  He tested them a few times then sat down to study them.  After he tried a few things, each one failing, and hadn't gotten in he started shaking his crib, saying emphatically, "In!  Let in!" and pounding on Julian's shields.  Then he went hunting for his playmates and finding three, he began building his own version of a metaconcert.

Julian sat there relaxed, grinning at Christopher. "You, Chris old boy, you might wanna consider asking."

Christopher just looked at him and rattled the crib louder.  "In!  Want in!  Show!"  Then he broke into a huge grin, and tried to commandeer Julian's surface consciousness grasping what he could find and trying to create the sort of bond with it he had with Marc's.

Julian's mind stroked his, but was unattachable.

Tabitha walked in to see them staring each other down.

Christopher fixed his attention on her, obviously considering the possibilities inherent in a tantrum.  She just gave him a look that made it plain he wouldn't get far.  Frustrated he sat down with a plop and narrowed his eyes at Julian and stared.  When intimidation didn't work he shifted his attention to Marc, pointing at Julian, demanding in a stern voice, "Help!  Help me!  Want IN!"

"No," Marc replied quietly. "Not nice."

Christopher looked startled and then baffled.  "Nice?"

Stephen grinned.  "Guess it's a new word."

Marc looked over at Tabitha. Then, he sent a mind picture to Christopher, showing him getting a kiss on the cheek.  "Good. Nice," he explained.

Christopher shook his head vigorously.  "No kiss.  Share..."

Tabitha gave a gurgle of laugher.  "Oh, lordy."  She picked him up and brushed the hair out of his face.  He started trying to get to Marc, his face intent and his arms flying.

Marc held out his arms for the child and took him.  But he had his shields phasing so Christopher couldn't get in.

Christopher got up close and nose to nose.  He pointed at Julian.  "Let in, play!"  And he sent Marc the unmistakable picture of Julian in his metaconcert.  "Share."

"Can't," Marc said. "Different." He held out his palm and the helix arose.  "May I?" he asked Julian.

"Oh by all means," Julian said with a grin.

A helix came from Julian to spin beside his own.  A second one appeared from Julian, and Marc goggled at him.

"I put an entirely different spin on the idea of split personalities," Julian said with a grin.

Marc let the three of them spin beside one another. "Different, " he repeated, highlighting the many differences in the sequencing.

Christopher looked and his eyes got big and his face sad.  "No work?  No play?"

Marc shook his head. "No work. No play," he agreed.

"But I can do this!" Julian said, creating a magical kitten that he handed to Christopher

Christopher took the kitten, holding it around it's middle with both hands.  Elizabeth pulled herself up using the bars of her crib, her eyes huge, making baby sounds of delight and trying to attract the attention of the kitten.  Christopher zapped himself and the kitten into Elizabeth's crib.

"I know a couple.. They'd probably enjoy living in a commune again," Julian said, thoughtfully. "Or have you hired a nanny already?"

Marc, with a grin, dissolved the helixes since Christopher was far too busy with the kitten to show any interest there at all.

Stephen shook his head.  "Baz has been looking, but no, not yet.  Who are they?"

"A couple of magical folks. Met them quite a few years ago. They like kids, and they're pretty good with them.  Patient beyond sanity if you ask me," he added with a smile.

"When can we meet them?  You understand it'll be all six, eventually."  Stephen said.

"Yeah, I know. I'm sure they'd be glad to come by and meet you, especially the kidlets.  Are you planning on sticking the poor souls with all six 24/7?"

"God no.  We'll hire what ever help they want, plus the rest of us, especially the women...you know how that goes." Stephen said, forgetting Tabitha was behind him.

"Oh yeah, daddies never wanting to get into trouble with the kidlets or anything," Julian replied, eyes dancing and lips twitching.

"I'll bring them around. Maybe this evening if you're all gonna be around?"

"Sure, bring 'em for dinner if you want."  Stephen told him.  "I'm just grateful something works."

"Yeah, well, I think they should be able to keep ahead of them. Magical kids are no easy matter either. I was zapping myself around at 6 months I'm told so, well, you know how that goes. Of course, let's hope yours turn out better than me."

"Yeah, but you're totally in a class by yourself, there, Julian.  One of a kind.  Speaking of which, how's Lis doing?" Stephen asked, removing the kitten's tail from Elizabeth's mouth.

"Last I heard he was doing pretty well. He's the independent sort."

"So, dinner.  You interested too?" Marc asked

"Oh, why not," Julian grinned.

"Okay, can you have them here, say, by dunno, 5?  The kids are usually in bed by dinner time."

"Sure," Julian agreed. "If not, I'll let you know."  The mage, with a salute to the adults and a wave to the kids, winked out.

It was very early when Tabitha entered the kitchen and turned on the coffee, not quite dawn yet. She sniffed appreciatively at the smell of the brew filling the carafe as she fixed herself breakfast to go with it. She was taking Marc to see Rahman again this morning and Rahman preferred early dawn and late evening, given the desert heat, when he was meeting guests or conducting business.

She was just pouring a second cup when Marc entered the kitchen, still looking half asleep, despite the shower he had that showed in the damp hair at his neck. She silently poured him a mug and then resumed her seat, gifting him with silence in which to wake up and start his day. He’d speak when he was ready and she’d long ago learned to not need to fill the air with words.

He sat down across from her and studied her for a moment. Finally he said, "I had a pretty good look at your mind, the other night, but then you knew that."

"Yes, I thought you might have," she said, unperturbed.

One side of his mouth twitched up into a hint of a smile. "Well, you did have the advantage of me, having tromped through my mind on several occasions. Never did say if you liked what you saw."

She grinned.  "Quite impressive...for a man too, even.  And did you like what you saw?"

"Well, it's hardly a question of liking, is it. I mean, it is what it is. The physical differences tell me you are what you've told me. Something other than fully human."

"Yes, but you knew that from the DNA analysis you had run."

"Yeah, I know. But to actually see the differences in physical form. And seeing how they're connected.. Is Rahman an Old One, too?"

"No, but one of his parents was.  He's first generation Awakened," she replied.

"But not, as it were, Awakened?" he asked.

"Not as it were."  She eyed him over the rim of her mug.  "Why?"

"Well, we really do need to change our vocabulary.  Mentally we're different at some point. Awakened were latent until their shock brought them to operancy. Rahman, I'm assuming was born operant. My family, as far back as I know, were all operant. Fully talented, and quite a few of us all but immortal, or at least with a regeneration gene.  Normals would easily be called latent, as most of them have the right structures, just not the DNA to activate them.  Sorry, thinking out loud here."

"But it all requires the same gene, so far as I know.  The difference is in activation and nothing else."

"But if that were true, our minds would be the same, don't you see?  So there must be something else at work too."  He frowned, thinking.

"Not necessarily Marc,"she said, contradicting him.  "The gene that codes awakenedness, for lack of better word, is one that can be spliced to a lot of other substrates, based on the evidence at any rate."

"But not with me or those like me. "Look," he said, holding out his palm. His helix rose. "Here is the gene you're talking about. And I see where it is the one that acts as the key to turn on operancy.  But look here, with me, and others, it is paired with another, different sequence."

"So, the importance for you is in the differences in the sequencing.  The importance for me is the commonality of the gene itself."  She smiled at him.  "I can live with us being different that way."

His helix fell back into his palm and he looked up at her. "Come on, we'll be late to talk to Rahman."

She nodded and zapped them to the desert where dawn was just beginning, the sky awash with color, the air still cool.  Rahman was waiting for them, coffee already prepared.  With him were two others, whose presence took Tabitha by surprise.  Her face broke into a delighted smile as she first bowed and then hugged them warmly.  "Jacob, Cynna, it's so good to see you.  I had no idea..."

Cynna laughed.  "Jacob is doing the rounds of the caravans, his last before winter and I came along to get out of the shop.  Rahman told us you were coming so we stayed over.  You look lovely as always."

Tabitha grinned.  "This is Marc Rogatien, of whom I am sure you have heard.  Marc, this is Cynna and her mate, Jacob.  Old friends and also spice dealers if you're in the market for some nutmeg or something."

Marc smiled and held out a hand. "Hullo. Delighted to meet any friend of Tabitha's."

They shook hands and Rahman waved them to seats while his servant served coffee.  "So, I gather you are not here to share with me the news that my daughter has found a husband."

Tabitha gave him a stern look.  "Your Abigail waited for you for years after her father gave up hope on her, years Rahman.  I know, I was there.  Do you wish she hadn't?"

"You see, my friend, stubborn.  Why is it that all the best women are stubborn?"  He shook his head mournfully.

Marc laughed. "Possibly because we men are every bit as stubborn. It's our curse that we love them."

"That is true, sadly.  But, it gives them spirit, and passion as well, so perhaps it is a fair trade."  Rahman sipped his coffee.  "So, how may I be of service to you?"

"Will you allow me to show you something?" Marc asked. At Rahman's nod, Marc created a holographic display. It was a grid of Europe and showed several pulsing points of light.  "The other evening, we created a metaconcert, and went out looking to identify enclaves of talented people. These were two of the areas we identified.  What I'd like to do, at this point, is attempt some sort of census of just how many of us there are, how many others something like us, and to make contact enough to ask if they would be willing to stay in touch with the Refuge and what we are building to reach out to the stars. I want to build bridges to all communities, and that has to start somehow. I figure if we can begin talking, then maybe we can eventually make it to trust."

Jacob looked closely at the display as did Cynna, but both remained silent.  Rahman, after his own study was complete met the eyes of his guest.  "You are an energetic man, I think.  I am not sure how I might assist in this.  Unless it is coffee you wish, to serve at your meetings?"

Marc fought back a smile. "You obviously know many people. Many of the sorts of people I am trying to contact. I suppose I'm asking you if you will assist us in reaching them. All you would really need to do, if you agree, is to give myself and Stephen and Tabitha or Eli if they are willing, a chance to speak to them. To explain to them what we are doing, what we hope for and what sort of future we envision. Then, if they wish they can go on with their lives as they are, or they can help us change the world."

Jacob stirred slightly, drawing Marc's eyes.  "I can't speak for Rahman, of course," he began, while Rahman made a gesture telling him to go on, "but I and several others, we do business with many of them, and know others who do business with those we don't know.  It will be important that they are approached through someone they know."

Marc nodded. "Agreed. It is important that they understand we are no threat to them, nor do we wish to force anyone to join us.  But it is also important, I think, to share our vision with all who might want to help us."

"What Jacob is suggesting, I think," Rahman said, "is that he is willing to place his relationships at your service as well as to ask his fellow merchants to do the same."

Jacob nodded in confirmation.  "One or another of the Old Ones know probably ninety or ninety five percent of those you wish to reach.  The ones we don't know would probably not be willing to talk to you anyway."

Marc smiled. "I thank you for the most generous offer.  And I accept it gladly. Is there something you wish from me, or anyone at the Refuge or in the House to help you present an offer to them?"

"Well, it would help to know what you actually want us to say to them, beyond the fact that you're heading for the stars.  And what they can do if they want to help."  Jacob grinned.  "In fact, the first couple of times it might be good if you or someone came along with us."

"Yes, if you don't mind, that would probably be best, if one of us go along. I'll put a short briefing together, with facts and ideas. Then, you can show that to them and they can study it at their leisure afterwards."

Jacob agreed and then he and Cynna indicated they needed to be on their way.  Jacob hugged Tabitha again.  "Synclethia was asking about you and Eli the other day.  We must have all four of you over for dinner soon.  As soon as the season ends."

"We'd love to come." Tabitha promised.

After they'd left Rahman poured more coffee.  "So, what else may I help you with?"

"Not a thing," Marc replied. "Now, about that husband for Tsura..."

"You know someone?" he asked eagerly, leaning forward and ignoring Tabitha's hiss of warning.

Marc grinned, ignoring Tabitha too. "I think I just might."

Stephen tweaked the bow tie on his tuxedo one more time as he winked at Doni in the mirror. She grimaced at him and balanced herself using the bed post as she slipped a shoe on her foot. “I still don’t understand,” she muttered, “why these things have to be formal. For god’s sake, we’re just shaking hands and passing paper, while saying how do you do, and ever so pleased to meet you and then consuming bland and tasteless food off of over priced crockery.”

“Essentially,” he explained, “according to Dinah’s attorney, we’re formally establishing diplomatic relations. Presenting ambassadors and signing treaties, in fact. The unimensional worlds as of this evening, will view Dinah and Siol’Sere as representing Earth and Earth’s interests, the offices at St. Michael’s will become an official embassy with all that implies and the House here as the seat of government as it were.”

“And we’re all going because they got the chicken cheap?”

Stephen laughed. “I know, but its major players meeting major players, Sere'Ster’s team and theirs, plus mates and minions so they can list all the names in the unimensional tabloids at once. Seriously, this is the equivalent of a state dinner for a head of another nation or state. It’s a very rare event and they’re pulling out all the stops.  And we think a strong showing now will be useful later.  So, while we're not showing all our cards, we're showing several.  You, sweetheart being one of our strongest aces.  We're counting on you loosening lips and ferreting out all sorts of tidbits, using your pulchritudinous charms alone.”

He looked her down and then up, slowing as he reached the curve of her hip and the swell of her breasts, fuller now, with a lushness that tempted. He forced his eyes upward, past them to the slim column of her throat and on to the strong line of her jaw, and the delicate cast of her nose. He was besotted with her, just as he’d been since he first laid eyes on her and he hoped he always would be. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen and always had been. He told her so as he extended his arm formally for her.

She smiled and then laughed. “Flatterer. Let’s see if the others are ready to brave the perils of rubber chicken and stilted conversation.” They descended to the sunken living room to discover they were indeed ready, Dinah and Marc, Clem, Laszlo and Baz along with the minions…Jordon, Tommy, Reno and Tsura. Cassidy and Irisa, along with Daisy arrived seconds later.

Daisy immediately winked at Tommy who blushed to the tips of his ears. Stephen, witnessing the byplay nudged Doni and whispered something in her ear that made her jab an elbow in his ribs accompanied by a stern injunction to behave. He wagged his brows at her and grinned. “You’d hate it if I did. In fact,” he said, his voice conversationally pitched, “last night you begged me to keep misbehaving, as I recall."  He eyed her critically.  "That was you, wasn't it?”

Doni blushed and hastily changed the subject. “Who’s driving?”

As if on cue Julian, impeccable in his tailor made tux appeared from the kitchen, carrying a drink. “Portals ‘r Us, at your service ma’am,” he quipped, waving a hand and opening a doorway to the universe.

They exited into a swirl of people, soft music playing in the background. It looked for all the world like a typical cocktail party thrown at, say, the White House. Most attendees were human and quite normal looking, and the warrior braids, while still in evidence, were mostly sans feathers for the occasion.  The men of the Trader Houses did not wear tuxedos, it is true, but rather a more militaristic sort of attire, with swords on their hips.  The diplomats looked more like House Sere'Ster though. No weapons at the ready and no knee-high boots shined to a mirror finish.

Julian looked at the dress code and commented, with a grin, "Obviously I'm underdressed."

The women attending did wear gowns, so Doni and Dinah fit in quite well.  The minions, well, they were merely minions and could plead minionhood if anyone cared to object to their tuxedos and simple cocktail dresses.

Dinah watched a tray go by with champagne and sighed.  She was past tired of water, designer, still and spring.  She pushed the thought away.  "You know, Julian, you could always do the velvelt robe with moons and stars, pointed hat and wand, like that fellow."  She gestured with her eyes to a man over by the windows.  "He looks ready for Halloween."

"Hmmm, it's a thought," Julian commented, although he'd been thinking more along the lines of something that left a sword on his hip.

They braced as an armada of delegates, heads of house, and assorted others headed toward them.

Malec greeted Dinah with a deep bow. "You look well, Lady," he said, looking a bit pointedly at her stomach.   Then Calum arrived and filled the sound spectrum with his usual flowery rhetoric.  Malec, with a rueful look and a slightly raised eyebrow, just listened.

Marc was relieved to see Timothy, whom he'd come to know a bit over the last few weeks, heading their way.  Timothy held out his hand and smiled as Marc took it. The two looked over at Dinah who was being regaled with effusive greetings.

"I know," Timothy whispered to Marc.  "Thankfully these don't happen that often. So, this is Stephen," he added, turning to hold his hand out to Stephen. "Ah, you remember me do you, Stephen? It was a long time ago."

"A very long time," Stephen agreed.  "I was about nine or ten, wasn't I?"  He introduced Timothy to Doni and the rest.  "As I recall," Stephen continued, watching Baz and Clem start working the room and the minions fan out as well, "tripping you into the mud was the reason Tabitha tanned my backside, she not understanding it was a required element in some game I was playing and not a result of incipient evil propensities."  He laughed.  "You clean up well."

Doni looked intrigued.  "Tabitha actually beat you?"

"Without hesitation.  That's the sort of monster you're proposing to turn our children over to."

Dinah glanced at Marc.  "I'm thinking she sounds perfect."

Marc laughed. "If they're anything like us, they'll need bottoms warmed quite often, I'm afraid."

"As for cleaning up well, I'm told I'm almost respectable these days. It is a rather worrying change of status."  Timothy smiled at all of them and then added, "Noetic Concordance will be entering in a moment. I hope he won't be too much of a shock. He's, well, a bit different to look at."

"So we've been told," Dinah responded.  "I'm actually looking forward to it, after all the build up.  Who are the Lylmik. anyway?  I suppose I should have done my homework there..."

Timothy laughed.  "No one knows for certain, who or even what they are.  All you would have heard would be rumors. There is one race who believes the Lylmik survived the Big Bang and are here to shepherd us all into a new sort of existence."

Marc almost choked on the champagne he'd just sipped.  "Really?" he asked, bemused.

There was a stirring at the far end of the room, and people began to step off to the side. What entered was, well, obviously not human. And not really obviously much else.  There was a substance there, a sort of body covered with a short of robe. The only thing that was really visible was a head. it was hairless, with large wide eyes and nearly no nose. The mouth was small and the chin narrow. The pupils in the eyes irised open and shut, quite visibly as the lighting affected them. The creature didn't seem to walk, instead sailing along with the bottom of the robe a few inches above the floor.

"He reminds me kindda of those guild guys in that awful movie they made of Dune, moving around on casters." Laz murmured, appearing behind them.

Dinah stifled a laugh.  "Hush," she hissed.  "He's coming this way."

The alien glided to a stop in front of them. "No casters, dear colleague," he said in their minds. His robe disappeared and revealed there was nothing at all under his head.  Then the robe reappeared. "I'm afraid bodiless heads tend to upset humans."  Then he turned the full force of his eyes on Dinah.  "I have been wanting very much to meet you, Lady Dinah. I am Noetic Concordance. It is my task to oversee the integration of Earth into the unity of the unimensional worlds."

She inclined her head gracefully.  "And I you.  I trust that together we can ensure your task isn't a thankless one.  If I might present my colleagues?" She moved smoothly through the introductions before returning her gaze to his face.  "I'm told that you are very familiar with Earth."

Noetic Concordance smiled in her mind. "We have been watching Earth for some time."

She tilted her head, her own smile hovering about her mouth.  "Watching?"

"Go Yankees," the alien replied.

"I'm a Cubs fan myself.  Having a taste for lost causes, I suppose.  But you make it sound like watching TV?  A big silver screen..." She laughed.  "God, just the thought...and I can only imagine the horrible TV you must have watched."

Laughter filled her mind. "We find you humans most entertaining. And it isn't all from afar. How could we learn to love you from only staring at your transmissions?"

"You love us?"  Incredulity filled her voice and limned her expression.

"We love you. With all your flaws and your mistakes and your hopes and your fears. You are children yet. But we welcome the hope that you represent.."

Timothy was nodding.

"The hope?  That we'll grow up and start being kinder to each other?" Dinah asked without thinking.

Before the Lylmik could reply there was a gong going off announcing the formal part of the reception was about to begin.

"That's our cue," Dinah murmured.  "I am delighted that we'll be working together.  I hope you'll be our guest at the Refuge soon."

"I would like that," the Lylmik said as he sailed away toward the main dais.

"That was weird," Reno muttered, as the alien moved off.

"You've no idea," Marc muttered.

For the next hour or more Dinah performed her role, moving through the ceremony like a doll, smiling, nodding, agreeing and signing.  She promised and was given promises in return.  Then she formally presented the members of the House, beginning with Marc and ending with the minions, naming roles and explaining functions. It was all accompanied by cameras, recording for posterity, the historic event.  Then finally, the penultimate portion of the event arrived and she was presenting to Christophal'KerCelon the plan Sere'Ster had developed to bring Earth into the Unimensional worlds.  When it ended, fifteen minutes later, she was parched and in need of a seat.

It took ten more minutes of slow motion movement towards the dinner table before either desire was met.  Thank God, she thought, there wasn't a ball afterwards.

But there was entertainment.  A hour of excruciatingly badly played music.  In the middle she leaned over to Marc and whispered, "I'm ready to go into false labor, will that get us out of here?"

He laughed. "I think we can safely slip off. We'll leave Irisa to do the dirty work. That's what she gets paid for." They both looked over to see Irisa glowingly interacting with all comers, Cassidy, sitting down the table aways, obviously torn between proud and happy for her, and worried he'd see even less of her.

Dinah scanned the room, locating the others.  Stephen and Doni were networking as a perfectly synchronized team and Baz and Clem had managed to meet everyone, she was sure.  Laz had spent a lot of time with the warriors from the trading Houses and Julian had been flitting like a bumble bee from flower to flower.  Tomorrow they would all meet and trade information.  "Then please, kind sir, take me home where we can wallow in the bliss of the horizontal."

Marc motioned to Julian who came over, walked out into the gardens with them and opened a portal. "Don't do anything we wouldn't do," he said with a leer."And don't do it in the living room. Stephen indicated he was ready to head home soon too."

Dinah waved and they stepped through and out into the living room.  With her shoes dangling from her finger she headed for their suite.  "Well, it's finally finished...now the real work starts."

"Hmmm. Yeah. I'm horny as hell," Marc replied, gathering her up into his arms and zapping them up and to bed.