After pushing the kids just a little too far, Pai apologizes. Once that is behind them, the questions start, which allows her to tell a true story with some propaganda for seasoning. She comes from a dangerous and devious family, after all.

You can make the arguement that invading her husband’s dream is unethical, but this is a different time and she is not at all like us. As we will see, next week. Oh, I was gifted the word jinky before Mass last Sunday. Church is the best place to let stories come.

Enjoy my content? Buy me a beer!

Pai bent ninety degrees over and spoke up to the grass.  “We Rus have hard mistress, Reina.  Machine.  For over a century.  We survive ice and cold.  We colonize Mars.  We lose many lives.  But she care for us.  Very hard care, but she does.  I am very, very sorry I did not take care with my words.  Do not know Hartmann family.  Please.  Very sorry.”

More murmuring.  That older boy came and raised her.  “Our mistake, too,” he said a bit gruffly.  Reminds me of my Beloved Graf.  Must focus on my mission.  “We’re all the Empress’ subjects, right?” he yelled.

“Deus vult, Deus vult!” everyone shouted.

“Does anyone,” she raised her voice just a little, “have icon, ah, image, I can apologize to?  Icons most important in Rodina, Holy Mother Russia.”

There was no one left in front of her.  What?  And then they were all back.  Every single boy and girl had a picture, large or small, of Aurelia.  What is going on here? Even the adults seem a bit surprised.  Pai went to both knees.  “I am foreign.  I apologize for any offence.  I rejoice in the harmony of Polar Alliance, here, and on Mars, under Queen Alicia, between our nations.  Am tired now.”

She stood, but all the boys now many of the girls gathered round her, asking questions about her, Russia, had she been off-planet?  How often and where?  She was married?  That got a few sour looks from the older boys.  Leaving in the morning?  That I can address.  “Yes, and I promise a big surprise!”

She looked over her shoulder at the still quiet Mansion.  Then I’ll do this.  “If good with chaperones, may I tell story?”

Some of the younger one had come out of their tents at the noise and yelled, “story, story!”  She saw Zim at the edge of the crowd toss his hands up.  “Then come here, around fire.  I tell true story of imperium on Mars…”

While some knew a little of the goings on of Mars, it was a faraway place from Kentucky.  For forty-five minutes, Pai told of Alicia’s Wonderland and her becoming queen of a world, and that that world needed good, hardy colonists, “Just like all of you, here!  I must sleep now.  Good night.”

Led by the older ones, everyone applauded.  When it looked as if some might follow her, the adults intervened and shoed them back to their tents.  At the tree, Graf was still asleep, so she leaned back on it and shifted his head from his bag to her lap.  I want communion with him, but will let him sleep for now.  Tomorrow. 

Not sensing any threats, she closed her eyes and spoke with her family for some moments.  Content, she rested her hand on her husband’s head and waited for the morning.  Only to note the sounds of amorous behavior from the other side of the tree about an hour later.  Switching to a Broadcast English accent, she raised her voice.  “You two best stop that and get back to the camp.  Now.”  She smiled at the sounds of shock and the quick redressing.  That was funny.

The sky in the east was just barely taking on light when Pai decided it was time.  Now leaning against a tree in a construct of hers based on Siberia, she knelt in front of her husband.  It’s a little rude, but I am curious about his dreams.  Lifting her right index finger, she barely touched his forehead.

Confusing.  That’s me, but wearing Alix’s glasses?  Does he see us as one person?  The kids.  His sister.  Oh, that was his mother.  Now I’m sad, sad.  Me again, when we first met.  You think about me too much, Husband!  Coming out of REM, Pai simply willed the love she had for him into his mind.  Perfectly content and happy.  His vitals are getting jinky.  Time to go.

Head still in her lap on the Capital Grounds, she saw he was just starting to sweat a little.  Every time builds his tolerance up just a bit more.  Their ride would be there in thirty minutes.  She rocked him gently until he yawned and opened his eyes.  He smiled.  “Morning!”