For DianneBaquiran and Followers
Kira doesn't feel Balem's presence anymore. Still calm, she wakes up sitting between the roots of an ancient tree on dirt ground for she feels her legs covered in dirt. In a short red dress that barely covers she's leaning against the huge tree. Looking up she sees Kalique standing nearby smiling at her and Kira thinks, 'oh, what is it now!'
Kalique in an amused tone, "Lil' Sis, Our mother and the ancients gave back to the land in this way not only to feel connected but to draw power in the interchange." Kalique's mother Seraphi in reverence of being able to create life and destroy it tried to get Kalique to appreciate it when she started her first cycle.
Trying to figure out what in the universe Kalique was blabbering about, Kira finally understood and smiled for most Earth human females would have freaked out but she isn't like most. She knew that Kalique wanted her to complain about it so she did by pretending to be a snobby stock animal that dislikes normal body functions. In a prissy valley girl high tone Kira stated, "This is unhygienic," and stuck her tongue with a disgusted look on her face.
The Second Primary walked beside the tree to grab a handful of mud where she ordered the servants to let the water run making it a slushy gritty muddy mess. Kalique always wanted to know how it felt to play in the dirt and now she had an excuse for she instigated Kira verbally and physically by throwing mud at her.
Kalique was delighted as Kira took out her anger and they fought. By the time they were laughing and enjoying themselves over their ridiculous actions, The Title and Signet Master Elder Sigil in full regalia walked towards them.
Kira felt gravity pull as soon as Sigil had ported on the planet but she couldn't get up to investigate as Kalique had her pinned down almost drowning her in the mud.
"Ah! Kali, you're such a naughty girl," Sigil announced in ancient Orous with amusement trying not to laugh at what he saw before him.
"Father Sigil, You're a day early," Kalique squealed in high Orous letting go of Kira and ran to give Sigil a muddy hug. She had lied to Balem that she may have an extra day of play with Kira.
After a deep belly laugh, "So this little thing is what's giving Sophie a fright," Still speaking in ancient Orous Sigil stated in excitement as he swiftly moved out of range of Kalique's muddy hug.
Kira usually loves hearing languages that she doesn't speak but when she knows it may be life and death or something important she's upset she doesn't know it. 'Tael,' Kira called through internal FTL asking her to load whatever Orous language Sigil is using into her system. Ki replied that if Kira had any questions she should call upon her. Also that Kira will soon be able to understand and speak ancient Orous.
"Look at the way it's trying not to pout. Doesn't it remind you of Titus?" Sigil asked Kalique.
Ignoring the question for she was annoyed at the comparison Kalique answered in ancient Orous, "I don't know what it said or did to convince my brother of keeping it for he isn't as sensitive to electromagnetic fields as you are to know that it's different from the rest of the stock. I think the Kepler's have some explaining to do." Two androids placed a big hoop over her head. The hoop chimed lifting Kalique off the ground, and then it spun fast creating a sphere and cleaning all dirt away disappearing into nowhere.
In awe Sigil replied to Kalique's unstated question, "It may not be how I would solve our problems but I still trust them. They always astound me by finding minuscule grey areas in Seraphi's ironclad protocols."
Kalique ignored Sigil's statement and called Kira over as the androids placed the cleaning hoop on the ground. Stepping out of the hoop, she pointed to the middle of the hoop and Kira with her head down kneeled in the center.
Sigil stopped the androids from cleaning Kira coming forward placing his hand on her muddy chin to lift it up that he may see into her eyes. "Hello, Balem's little human pet," he said in high Orous testing Kira's reaction.
Her outrage at the words little and pet only lasted a few seconds till she stared back at his wrinkly old face with intensity for she thought title or no title she was still as equal as any other being in this universe.
"My condolences little lady," Sigil said in a pitiful tone for he thought of the torture that will come from being Balem's first pet as he let go of her chin.
As soon as Kira was cleaned Sigil yanked Earth's title from her neck and held it out as if trying to play keep-away but Kira still being shocked at his actions didn't move.
Seeing no reaction, he chuckled and tucked Earth's title in a pocket under his luxurious golden robes while telling her, "For safe keeping, Balem's little lady."
Kira held back tears trying to figure out who is this Father Sigil. She calmed down knowing that there's nothing she can do and that Balem was probably testing them and not her.
"Kali, does Balem's little lady go through so many emotions all the time?" Sigil asked in high Orous and Kalique nodded. "It must be exhausting," Sigil kept talking in high Orous so Kira could listen too and hopefully learn to keep those under control.
"Yes, lil sis is… entertaining," Kalique answered for at the moment it wasn't exhausting to her but a lovely circus as she signaled the androids to dress Kira more appropriately.
First Ki stepped up onto the rooftop garden where Kalique and Sigil are discussing numerous subjects from the situation at hand to Kalique's fabulous gardens. She waited standing at a distance from the high Entitled masters.
Following a few feet behind dressed in a full length red gown matching the color of the most abundant flowers, Kira walked to stand next to Ki. Ignoring them Sigil and Kalique kept talking.
"Come here, Balem's pet," Sigil said sweetly as he extended a hand.
Kira walked to the red grass sofa where Sigil was sitting and gave her hand to him. He used his other hand to push her down onto her knees. Ki also got onto her knees where she was standing to meditate.
"Keep your eyes on me," Sigil stated.
Kira felt a strong presence reminding her of Sophie but before she could verify it, she felt her heart stop and liquid running down her chest.
As soon as Lady Sophie Basilides ported she unsheathed her special sword. Stabbing kneeling Kira in the back and through her heart, Sophie's sword tip opened like a flower shredding the heart into pieces.
Sigil kept staring into Kira's eyes and held onto her body as the spirit separated. Ki in thought-form shoved Kira's earsplitting screaming spirit back in to the body holding it in place as Kira suffered.
When Sophie was satisfied the sword reverted and she gave the signal to the androids standing by to heal Kira. With perfect planned timing to not have any permanent physical damage Kalique's blowfish splice and other ReGenX specialists followed the androids carrying Kira back to the same ReGenX pool as last time.
"Was that necessary," Sigil commented as they lounged by the ReGenX pool waiting for Kira's healing results.
"Giving it a taste," Sophie stated nonchalantly for she wanted Kira dead and was within her rights to test her reaction to physical death.
Kalique was delighted by all of it for her mother had killed Kalique numerous times.
Carried by an android Kira emerged from the ReGenX pool furious trying to keep her emotions in check and thinking, 'How can these people be so wasteful?! If this is what they do to me under the owner of the universe's protection…' and almost crying, 'I don't want to know what they do to us humans they think are stock animals…' Sobbing for her fellow humans, Kira couldn't hold back her tears as the android laid her on what felt as a memory foam cushion inside a white gold metal crate that reminded her of a kennel. The cushion felt warm against her nude body because the androids didn't dry her. The android closed the top of the crate by swiping its hand over it.
Sophie was satisfied that Kira was crying while curled in fetal position. Standing up to tower over the crate, she looked down whispering in English to Kira, "The pet thought it could be higher than us. I will be pleased when his majesty's shadow tears it to pieces and gets tired of it."
Still weeping Kira looked up through the bars gazing straight into Sophie's eyes while feeling pity that the most powerful beings must hurt others to feel strong.
Sophie was still furious that instead of understanding that Kira was feeling pity for her, Sophie thought that Kira was feeling pity for herself. She swiped her hand over the crate and darkness fell inside as the walls of the crate became black. It blocked not only the light but all the senses.
Kira didn't see any vents but didn't panic as she could still breathe and thought it must be one of those fancy shields like the one she encountered on Sophie's ship.
Time felt like eternity to Kira but it only had been one Cerise day that she had been left alone in that crate. Ki's hand appeared through the crate's wall shield depositing her childhood Abyssinian cat stuff animal. She hugged it and wondered where Balem was and did he approve of this.
As three more Cerise days passed Kira mourned for Earth reviewing all her memories of her family and friends, she also chastised herself trying to figure out if there was anything she could have done different to save Earth. Her stomach grumbled as there's only so much a ReGenX recoding can hold off hunger without any water.
On the six day the hunger and thirst didn't bother her anymore only that her throat was dry and her muscles ached from not being used. Kira thought about calling Balem in her mind and remote viewing his location but decided against it.
A hole to escape appeared on the side showing the ReGenX pool room's garden fountain and a food tray laid on the ground near the crate were a bacon like scent drifted into the crate. She whimpered in agony as her body demanded substance but didn't dare go near the opening for she didn't know how much willpower was left in her.
A few hours later the crate returned to its original state with light colored metal bars. Sophie towered over it. Kira couldn't feel her, Kalique or Sigil who were also watching from a distance.
In English Sophie commanded, "Balem's pet, sit up," and held a tiny meat morsel at the edge right above the bars.
When Kira sat up, she did so underneath Sophie's hand.
"Take it," Sophie commanded.
Kira reached up with her hand only to be told by Sophie that no hands were allowed. She thought for a moment that all Sophie wants is to humiliate her so Kira made believe that Sophie won. By reaching for the morsel with her tongue yet Sophie didn't let go but reveled in the feeling of power.
Sophie swiped her other hand across the crate and it disappeared. She let go of the morsel into Kira's mouth but Kira didn't chew instead waited for permission. That made Sophie laugh commending, "good little pet."
"Eat it," Sophie gave the command and Kira did so.
Eating that morsel of meat made Kira's hunger pains worse.
An android brought an off the ground, by five inches, tray with two bowls; one with a white liquid and another with more meat morsels, and placed it next to Sophie's feet.
"Little pet may look like one of us but all a pet can be in its first lifetime is a pet. Remember that," Sophie stated as she pushed the tray closer to Kira with a foot.
It took Kira all her will power not to lounge forward and pick up the bowl with the liquid to drink it.
"Eat little pet," Sophie said in a sweet tone.
Kira on all fours lounged forward drowning her face and choking in the white liquid that seemed to be cream as she tried to inhale it all. Everyone laughed except for Ki.
After licking every last drop in the bowl Kira was satisfied with the cream as her stomach was full for it had shrunken. Content she laid beside the bowls as her muscles hurt from not being used.
"Eat it all little pet," Sophie said as she kicked it over making all the fresh meat morsels go everywhere on the marble stone floor.
Kira stood on all fours imagining she is toddler pretending to be a dog and went about eating each one. It reminded her of the time when her not-by-blood little cousin ate out of the outdoor cats' food bowl and meowed. She was glad that the memories didn't hurt anymore.
Sophie sat down to enjoy the show.
Overstuffed and hurting, Kira tried to keep the contents of her stomach in place for it was hard as she had to lower her head to eat the remaining pieces off the floor.
When finished Sophie extended and lowered her hand revealing one more piece. "Eat it," Sophie sweetly commanded.
Kira's whole body hurt as she crawled to Sophie and stood on her knees to lick the piece of her hand.
"Titus is right…" Sophie laughed as her hand was being licked, "It does give you a high," she stated in amusement.
Kalique was still pleasantly entertained but Sigil had enough for he could excuse such behavior from a twenty thousand year old person not from an elder.
Sigil picked Kira up passing her over to an android as Sophie complained to put her down. The android was confused for it was rare that two master elder Entitleds would disagree. Reviewing the hierarchy, it followed Sigils directions to give Kira a low slow ReGenX dose refreshing and renewing her muscles. And after her renewal, Sigil told the androids to follow Ki's orders.
Ki picked up Kira's childhood plush cat as she gave directions to the androids for them to take her back to the guest room. Knowing her master's reaction last time and the last time she was a witness to Seraphi's torture of Anabelle, Ki wanted Kira as far away from Sophie before master shows up.
Half an hour into admonishing Sophie, Balem ported in. They all stood up and bowed their heads.
"Glad. It's out of [your]… systems," Balem whispered into the room not looking at anyone in particular.
Sophie internally FTL the androids to bring Kira back into the room. The androids were confused again for Sigil had asked them to follow Ki over Sophie.
The androids let Ki know of the request and Ki warned her master Balem.
Balem told Ki through internal FTL to let Sophie have her way. He remembered harvesting Anabelle manually with his mother watching. Doing so without feeling anything just as if his illegal friend was common stock, Balem thought Sophie can't harvest his pet and she already killed his pet once… He couldn't think of anything worse than those two things.
Ki had chosen to dress Kira in Kalique's doll like outfit of the green frilly dress, gloves, rings, and bows that shouted Kalique.
Kira wanted to not just walk but run to where Balem was located but the androids wouldn't let her instead one carried her into the room as Ki followed close behind them.
Dreading the confrontation and her master's temper, Ki prayed to the ancestors that everyone would stay in this lifetime and not journey on to the next.
Sophie held her arms out and the android transferred Kira onto her arms. She rocked her and kissed her on the forehead.
Balem stared at Sophie as if she was another decoration in the room and ignored Kira.
Kira wanted to jump, yell here I am, and tell him that Sophie wasn't playing nice at all yet Kira kept quiet while trying not to cry as she saw that Balem had checked out.
Dropping Kira on the ground while saying oops, Sophie was waiting for Balem's reaction.
Still staring at her with no reaction registering on his face, Balem thought it was funny for once his Kira ascended into his Kna'ani's role she would be out of everyone's jurisdiction but best of all have the same rights as Kalique. The Queen mother did a fine job protecting his nursemaid and her best friend from everyone. He guesses that Sophie in her rage forgot the past since his Kna'ani never used any of her rights. It also helps that they don't have access to mother's main handwritten documents.
As soon as Kira hit the ground and registered what happened she bowed to Balem on her knees. Sophie touched Kira's back and by instinct Kira turned her head to see Sophie looping a metal chain around her neck.
Sophie yanked the leather end in her hands hard enough to make Kira stop breathing for a few moments. Pulled Kira up by her hair and pushed her onto Balem cutting her air off again. She let go of the leather end when she saw that Balem was still staring nonchalantly at her and ignoring Kira. Smiling she told Kira in English, "little pet."
Kira wanted to scream at Balem and tried to reach him through FTL while Ki was telling her to think of other's lives by not taking this personally. She kneeled beside his bare feet on his right side staring indignantly at Sophie.
Balem wanted to choke the life out of Sophie but he controlled himself by trying to be numb for he did not like other's playing with his Kira.
Lifting Kira's chin so she can stare at her, Sophie said in a pitiful tone, "Master Abrasax beheaded his last Kna'ani for misbehaving and fed the pulverized head to his favorite canine." She smiled and raised an eyebrow as if waiting for Kira to reply.
Kira should have known better than to take the bait by retorting back, "how merciful of master," for a beheading sounded better than years of torture.
An involuntary tear rolled down Balem's cheek yet he did nothing when Sophie grabbed the chain and ran backwards to sit choking Kira knocking her out of her body again.
"Enough," Sigil stated in ancient Orous. He mentally shoved Kira's spirit back into her body and gave her sufficient energy not to need ReGenX again.
Learning not to speak, Kira kneeled again beside Balem's bare feet but this time feeling sorry for not being able to keep quiet.
"It's within my rights," Sophie snapped in high Orous, stood and presented the end of the chain to Balem. "I want to hear his majesty say it out loud."
Saying it without feeling like a line his mother would love to hear, "My little pet is unworthy to be among us," for Balem was trying to stay checked out of the situation. He took the end of the chain then relaxed his right hand making the chain loose.
"Show us," Sophie insisted but said it in a bored tone.
Balem thought back to what his mother would have done or like to have seen and let Sophie know, "it's going to meet mother soon."
Hearing that Sophie was ecstatic, "I'll be there."
'My love just a few more days it will be worth it. I promise,' Balem reassured Kira through internal FTL before ordering her to lick his feet.
Kalique giggled at such a ridiculous action.
Sophie couldn't hold her amusement so she covered her mouth with her hand. She was satisfied for rarely did the living survive an encounter with their queen. "Master Abrasax," bowed her head to Balem, "Master Elder," bowed to Sigil, "Kalique," nodded to her and instantly ported out for she wasn't going to go around Balem.
As soon as Sophie was gone Balem took the chain off Kira and picked her up so that she straddled his waist. Knowing that Sigil was informal and wouldn't hold it against him, Balem kissed his Kira passionately repressing memories of last Kna'ani's and Anabelle's destruction under his own hands.
Sigil looked to Kalique and asked for privacy. Kalique took the opportunity to take Kira with her for she knew her big brother well.
When his sister outstretched her hands by new ingrained instinct, since his mother left, Balem handed anything he has to Kalique. Ki had warned Kira through internal FTL to cooperate.
"Your little lady needs to be stronger in her role before facing Our Queen Mother's scrutiny. My Sun doesn't need Queen Seraphi's approval of this," Sigil asked without asking why Balem was putting his new pet at risk.
With a sigh Balem replied, "I need mother's approval or I won't be satisfied," and trying not to feel anything or he will cry, "At any moment I think mother will take her… it from me… that it is a cruel joke… a test that I've failed miserably…" He knows he won't be able to handle it.
"Reassure your little lady that she may trust you with all of her being so when she walks into Our Queen Seraphi's chamber she will be able withstand our queen's wrath," Sigil saw that even though Kira made Balem more unstable at times that in the long term she can get through where no one else has been able to pass. "Tell her of all three and why you had to destroy two. Instead of frightening her it will empower her allowing her to face it."
"She asked me directly if we were related and I sidetracked her. Out of a hundred trillion cells only a thousand or so are directly related to Kalique and I. How am I supposed to answer when she's a human chimera that doesn't understand human genetics? She could figure it out herself if she understood the connection between the physical world and the spiritual," Balem was content forgetting his feelings and trying to solve how to answer his Kira without shocking her for she was upset at learning that she was created artificially.
Sigil said he guarantees Seraphi's approval and will also have Kira accept her place in exchange for two of her day cycles and that the top five Entitled minus Titus to be present at her ascendance as Kna'ani in Orous. Balem agreed for he will be able to relax with his mother's approval.
Winking Sigil hinted to show Earth to Kira for the time restriction has passed, "Isn't there a project or two on Earth that requires your physical presence Master Abrasax?"
Balem smiled and nodded at his question suggestion.
Kira was able to walk but not run to where Balem was located for Kalique had dressed her in what reminded her of a wedding gown. It was white full of feathers from different birds underneath the semi-transparent skirt of shiny intricate embroidered designs, and so many stones that made the dress really heavy. At least the androids let her walk as Kalique walked beside her in a blue gown that seemed to flow like ocean waves.
When Kalique and Kira appeared through the doorway Sigil commended to Kalique, "Ah! Kali you're always ahead of the curve."
Kalique bowed her head and Balem smiled for she had placed her official headdress crown of six golden swaying feathers on Kira's head.
Trying to figure out how to bow in such a big dress, Kira was stopped by Sigil as he stood from his seat to kiss her hand.
"I will see you later little lady Abrasax," Sigil was saying his goodbyes.
Kira wanted to ask of Earth's title yet knew she couldn't so instead when Sigil let go of her hand and was staring at her she touched her choker with the copy of Balem's seal.
"Ah, yes," the old man gave her a smile with a wink and took Earth's title out of his pocket handing it over to Kira. Overjoyed and forgetting not to be so casual, Kira hugged Sigil.
After Sigil's departure Kira sat on the floor beside Balem's feet. Balem commanded to Kira, "Come with me." Then remembered that the best slaves are those that think they are free, "I have several projects needing physical supervision. It won't be as entertaining as staying here with Kalique but I would like to give you the choice to stay or come with me."
"Always with you… my master," Kira replied.
For some reason he didn't know Balem disliked her automatic response and tried again, "You may go wherever you would like. My permission isn't needed."
Looking up into his eyes Kira answered, "Big Sis Kalique can be fun sometimes but I rather be with you master." She also noticed that they were all using different pronouns to address her.
Kalique was so amused at Balem's and Kira's interaction that she decided she needed a dozen.
"Would you like to go to Earth?" Balem asked directly.
Kira knew it was a loaded question and that no matter what answer she gave, it would be the wrong answer so she said with tears in her eyes, "Yes," and forgot to say master.
Balem bent down to kiss Kira gently on the lips then held her hand lifting her up.
"Sister," Balem was saying his goodbye.
"Big Brother," Kalique bowed her head.
"Thank you," Balem said before porting and astonishing Kalique.
A word doesn't say anything and at the same time it hides everything
Just as the wind that hides the water like mud that hides the flowers
If one day I miss you I will be nothing and at the same time I will be everything
For in your eyes are my wings and the shore where I drown in
Man on Fire movie song Una Palabra by Carlos Varela