Chapter 5
Rokell led them out of the room and into the library part of the building. There they found a young woman sitting alone at a small round table reading a very large book. She had long jet-black hair and was wearing a white cloak. At the sound of their approach, she looked up from her book and rose to greet them, smiling broadly.
-I am called Jelsina.
Katie grinned and stuck out her hand in greeting.
-Katie.
Rokell smiled as the two young women shook hands.
-Well Katie, I leave you in capable hands.
With that, she and Sam departed for the factory section. Katie looked around at the multitude of books, amazement and admiration evident on her features.
-It's quite a collection you've got here.
-We take great pride in our literature. And the collection continues
to grow as more and more of our great minds begin writing. Plans are
being made to enlarge this section of the facility.
-Have you written any?
Jelsina shrugged slightly.
-I myself have only written 37.
Katie could not prevent her mouth from falling open in shock.
-37?!?! How old are you?
-I have been given 21 years thus far.
-The same age as me! Gosh, I've only just started writing a book. I
don't have that kind of time.
-It does not take as long as you would think. And should we not make
time for those things which are most important? There is no higher
calling than to share a piece of yourself with others.
Katie's eyes widened in surprise. She had not expected Jelsina to say something so poetic, and yet so true. She nodded in agreement.
-Well spoken. I can tell you care about your work.
Jelsina sighed.
-But don't you see? It's not work, it's my life, my calling. It's who I am.
Slowly Katie began to grasp the meaning of what she was being told. Her eyes shown with brightness betraying her thoughts. Jelsina smiled.
-You are beginning to understand.
-Yes, I think so. Tell me more about your people.
The girl laughed slightly.
-On that topic many books have been written. But, I will not make you
wade through them. Come, let us walk as we talk.
They headed for the grocery section where Jelsina commandeered some sort of strange bread for them to eat. They walked along in the general direction of the offices, not paying attention to where they were going. Suddenly Jelsina spoke.
-Is that your mate?
She gestured toward Jack, who was standing outside an office door chatting with Lepsga. Katie suppressed a giggle.
-No, No that's my dad.
-Your father?!
Jelsina looked genuinely shocked, although Katie wasn't quite sure why.
-Then where is your mate?
Katie sighed inwardly and pointed to Jonas who was heading toward Jack accompanied by another Johet.
-That one is my mate.
Jelsina stared in appreciation.
-Oh my.he's, he's nice, very nice.
Katie nodded in agreement.
-Yes, yes he is.
Jelsina continued to gaze at Jonas, unable to take her eyes away from him. She spoke quietly in mumbled tones.
-I wish my riija was that handsome.
-Your riija?
Jelsina looked up quickly, obviously forgetting she wasn't alone.
-I have not yet explained our courting arrangements?
Katie shook her head. Jelsina smiled.
-Well, it all began with Felkner, the greatest scholar of our people.
-That's what the cloaks are called.
-Yes, they are named for her, for she is the one who came up with the system.
And so Jelsina began to explain their peculiar custom.
Rokell led them out of the room and into the library part of the building. There they found a young woman sitting alone at a small round table reading a very large book. She had long jet-black hair and was wearing a white cloak. At the sound of their approach, she looked up from her book and rose to greet them, smiling broadly.
-I am called Jelsina.
Katie grinned and stuck out her hand in greeting.
-Katie.
Rokell smiled as the two young women shook hands.
-Well Katie, I leave you in capable hands.
With that, she and Sam departed for the factory section. Katie looked around at the multitude of books, amazement and admiration evident on her features.
-It's quite a collection you've got here.
-We take great pride in our literature. And the collection continues
to grow as more and more of our great minds begin writing. Plans are
being made to enlarge this section of the facility.
-Have you written any?
Jelsina shrugged slightly.
-I myself have only written 37.
Katie could not prevent her mouth from falling open in shock.
-37?!?! How old are you?
-I have been given 21 years thus far.
-The same age as me! Gosh, I've only just started writing a book. I
don't have that kind of time.
-It does not take as long as you would think. And should we not make
time for those things which are most important? There is no higher
calling than to share a piece of yourself with others.
Katie's eyes widened in surprise. She had not expected Jelsina to say something so poetic, and yet so true. She nodded in agreement.
-Well spoken. I can tell you care about your work.
Jelsina sighed.
-But don't you see? It's not work, it's my life, my calling. It's who I am.
Slowly Katie began to grasp the meaning of what she was being told. Her eyes shown with brightness betraying her thoughts. Jelsina smiled.
-You are beginning to understand.
-Yes, I think so. Tell me more about your people.
The girl laughed slightly.
-On that topic many books have been written. But, I will not make you
wade through them. Come, let us walk as we talk.
They headed for the grocery section where Jelsina commandeered some sort of strange bread for them to eat. They walked along in the general direction of the offices, not paying attention to where they were going. Suddenly Jelsina spoke.
-Is that your mate?
She gestured toward Jack, who was standing outside an office door chatting with Lepsga. Katie suppressed a giggle.
-No, No that's my dad.
-Your father?!
Jelsina looked genuinely shocked, although Katie wasn't quite sure why.
-Then where is your mate?
Katie sighed inwardly and pointed to Jonas who was heading toward Jack accompanied by another Johet.
-That one is my mate.
Jelsina stared in appreciation.
-Oh my.he's, he's nice, very nice.
Katie nodded in agreement.
-Yes, yes he is.
Jelsina continued to gaze at Jonas, unable to take her eyes away from him. She spoke quietly in mumbled tones.
-I wish my riija was that handsome.
-Your riija?
Jelsina looked up quickly, obviously forgetting she wasn't alone.
-I have not yet explained our courting arrangements?
Katie shook her head. Jelsina smiled.
-Well, it all began with Felkner, the greatest scholar of our people.
-That's what the cloaks are called.
-Yes, they are named for her, for she is the one who came up with the system.
And so Jelsina began to explain their peculiar custom.
