Chapter 10: Hello Mother Glorio
Kristaklarie Glorio dressed in a blue, chiffon dress with her hair wrapped around her head. As she wore jeweled pins in them. Jeweled pins she'd been left with as a child, because they were from the House of Tamsin. As Canterico wore a matching suit with tweed jacket and jeweled cuffs. Cuffs from the House of Glorio as far as Kristaklarie knew.
"You are truly beautiful.", He said upon seeing her, and kissing her hand.
"And you are the handsomest man I ever knew. Canterico
55
Glorio, you are glorious to me,", She said taking him in her arms with love.
"And Kristaklarie Tamsin. You are everything to me.", He said stepping away from her, and taking her hand to lead her to someone else he held high. Menalora Glorio, his mother. And also Chalenguo Glorio, his father. Two people he cherished almost as much as his wife.
"Is anyone here?", She asked once they'd arrived at Canterico's house an hour later.
"Just wait. I rang the bell. Someone will come.", He said as the door opened, and a tall elderly man opened it. Smiling without a word.
"Hello, Mr. Quoth. May we come in?", He asked as the silver-haired, gray-eyed man stepped aside for them to enter. Just as Klarie noticed he was dressed in some kind of uniform.
"Who's that?", She asked rubbing her arms for warmth.
"That's Mr. Quoth. The family ballet. He doesn't speak, because he's a full-Betazoid."
"Of course.", Klarie said letting him lead her through the forayer after stowing their coats in a closet. And then they were in the parlor, and seated when the couple came in. Just after Jonathan Archer arrived.
"This is quaint.", John said trying not to appear rude.
"Yes, quaint.", Klarie mimicked. As she prayed it would be
56
over soon.
"Hello. I'm Menalora, and this is Chalenguo Glorio. You must be Kristaklarie.", The small woman said extending her hand to the girl with a warm smile.
"I am, Mrs. Glorio. It's very nice to meet you.", She said with a curtsy, and a nervous chuckle.
"Lora please."
"And you can call me Chalo.", Rafe's father said with a hint of russian in his voice that Klarie liked.
"Thank you both. I am Kristaklarie Tamsin. Call me Klarie though."
"And I'm Captain Jonathan Archer. Her adoptive brother.", Archer said shaking their hands as they smiled at them both to show their delight in having them there.
"I thought we'd have dinner before you hear about something Crace said we should tell you. Wouldn't that be nice?"
"Yes, Lora, I think that would be delightful.", Klarie said taking her husband by one hand, and her brother by the other. As she led them behind the Glorio's into their elaborate dining room. With a solar system patterned ceiling, and a checker-board floor.
"Mr. Quoth.", Menalora said clapping her hands. As the man appeared with their dinner minutes after.
"Hot chocolate.", Klarie said seeing Quoth place a cup
57
before each member of the house. Except for Chalenguo and John that was. Because they preferred coffee.
Then they were served a green salad with their choice of dressing, Broccoli cheese soup with rolls, and spinach. Only to have their first part of the meal replaced with the last of it sometime later. As they were served Chicken Courdonblue and potato patties with a Bevarian chocolate puff for dessert.
"Oh, Lora. Chalo. Thank you.", Klarie said after finishing her last bite.
"You're quite welcome, My Dear.", Menalora obliged with sweetness. As Rafe put down his fork, and wiped his mouth with his napkin.
"Wasn't there something you had to tell Klarie, Mother?"
"Yes, there was. If you're ready to hear it just now?", She asked Klarie before saying another word about it.
"Tell me. I want to know now.", She said taking a deep breath before Menalora continued on.
"Jace and Tamlin Tamsin live on the south bank of Lake El-nar. Do you know where that is?"
"No."
"I do.", Canterico said taking his wife's hand for moral support.
"Will you take me there?", She asked after licking nervous lips.
58
"Of course I will. Do you want to go now?"
"Yes. If Lora and Chalo don't mind.", She said almost beginning to cry for fear of offending them.
"We'll be fine, Dear. You can always come back later.", Menalora said coming over to hug Kristaklarie as she did cry then. Letting Menalora hold hey were becoming friends.
"It will be all right, Klarie. I know it will.", She said setting her from her so she could go back to her dinner. When John, Rafe, and Klarie excused themselves to go. Just as Menalora took Chalenguo's hand in hers to be close to him.
"We ought to have young people over more often."
"Oh? Why is that?"
"Maybe because you love me just a little more when they leave."
"You! I wouldn't be here if I--was
"Hated me. I know.", He said kissing her cheek while snuggling just a bit closer to her to show her he loved her just that much more.
As he was a tall, hollow-looking man with collar-length black hair and solid blue eyes. As she was a small woman with short-cropped blond hair and green eyes. Wearing a yellow dress with curdle while he wore britches and yellow tunic. Something of a match where they were concerned. As he wore boots, and she
59
wore soft flats for their wear. As everyone who saw them could tell, they are in love.