Mason Saen was the first to arrive at his family home in Greenwich, Connecticut. The very large home was one of many his parents had around the world. After he unloaded his car he approached the door and it opened to reveal the butler, Harvey. Unlike most butlers who remained stationary to one house, Harvey traveled practically everywhere with his Mummy, Ellie and would arrive ahead where ever they planned to be domiciled to prepare for guests. This weekend the family decided to gather at the request of his Mother, Ophelia. For Mason, the visit could not have come at a more opportune moment.
"Hey Harvey!" Mason greeted as he carried his bags inside the house.
"Mr. Mason. Welcome home! May I help carry anything?" Harvey greeted.
"Nope. I'm fine." Mason took a quick look around. "I can see I am first one here."
"Yes. Mrs. Carrington-Saen rang and she will be arriving within the hour, Mrs. Saen is expected to arrive early this evening, and Ms. Saen is driving in and expected to arrive just ahead of her."
"Where's Livvy driving in from?"
"New York."
"Where's Mummy coming from this time?"
"Texas, Mr. Mason."
"Texas? What part?"
"Austin."
"A tech meeting?"
"No. A renewable energy conference."
"I should have known." Mason replied. Harvey smiled. Mason then headed upstairs to his room followed by Harvey. When he entered his room he went over to the bed and dropped his bags.
"Are you hungry, Mr. Mason?"
"I ate enroute here. I can wait til dinner."
"Then I will leave you to get settled then. Please ring if you need anything."
"Thanks Harvey!" Mason replied as Harvey closed the door behind him.
Mason looked around the room. He was glad to be home. The last few months had been life-altering, and there was a lot to learn and a lot to do. Mason recalled after he and Mani ran back to the Teke Village after they had witnessed the stunning transformations of people into giant animals his heart raced to the point he thought it would explode out of his chest. Everything he ever studied about Animism had come to life before his eyes. How many scholars, budding or experienced, could say that? Mason wanted to blurt out everything he saw to the rest of the Taylor Expedition group but Mani had quickly advised against it, at least until they consulted a village Elder first. After some debate Mason agreed, but also insisted on returning to the village where they witnessed the transformations. Mani agreed.
The very next morning, both Mason and Mani spoke with Elder Kobati, one of the Teke Village Elders. Kobati listened intently as they recounted what they had witnessed. He learned the village where they had witnessed the transformations was called Jokwale. It was clear that Kobati took them seriously for he readily agreed to return to Jokwale and make the introductions, but cautioned him to remain silent until then.
The next day Mason, Kobati, and Mani made their way to Jokwale village, and upon their arrival they were greeted by Eshwoke, another village Elder. Eshwoke motioned them towards a very large rounded enclave. It was the biggest one Mason had ever seen in his entire time in Africa. He thought he should have noticed it before when he witnessed all that he did but quickly realized he was too busy gawking at the transformations to notice anything else. Eshwoke led them inside and Mason quickly estimated its size at about two thousand square feet, and found the decoration both beautiful and versatile. Most village enclaves were simple, functional homes designed to handle the local environmental conditions, but this enclave had bamboo flooring, several partitioned areas, and two side entryways with a combination of lights and torches going everywhere. There was a fireplace on one side of the enclave and a riverpool on the other that flowed out one of the side entryways. It was like the beauty of the Congo captured inside this single enclave Mason thought.
"Beni." Eshwoke called. Beni was sitting next to a table looking over something when he lifted his head and nodded. Eshwoke then led them over to a seating area near the riverpool. They all stood in front of their seats until Beni joined them a few moments afterwards and took his seat first. Eshwoke then sat on his right.
"Blessings and felicitations, Beni." Kobati greeted.
"Peace and protection be upon you and your loved ones." Beni replied. The greeting exchange piqued Mason's curiosity, it was not one of the normal greetings he had come to understand, but shrugged it off.
"So what brings you all to our humble village?" Beni asked.
Kobati introduced both Mason and Mani, his purpose in the Congo with the Taylor Expedition conducting archaeological research in the pursuit of the study of Animism. How he and Mani were out on an evening walk two nights before and described what they had witnessed. Kobati then deferred to both Mason and Mani to explain the rest in greater detail. Beni listened with the same intent as Kobati, and when they finished Beni stared at both Mason and Mani in silence for several long moments. Mason didn't know what else to say or do except to break the awkward silence.
"Elder Beni, the study of Animism is my passion. I just witnessed the clearest demonstration of it: transformation. What was that?" Mason asked. Beni said nothing but held Mason's gaze.
"Elder Beni, with respect, but I ask again. What was that. What did I see?" Mason pressed.
"I could say what you saw was a figment of your imagination, but I can see that would be an insult." Beni replied.
"Thank you. Elder Beni, I would like to understand. Please, what was that?" Mason pressed again. Beni looked at Kobati who nodded slowly.
"They have returned." Beni answered. Both Mason and Mani looked quickly between themselves.
"Who has returned?" Mason asked.
"Our ancient brethren." Beni replied.
"Returned? From where?" Mason asked.
"Our past." Beni answered.
"A cryptically obvious answer." Mason said. Beni smiled.
"Elder Beni my interest is sincere. Everything I've ever read, all of my research. It's like my greatest dream coming alive before my very own eyes! It's both terrifying and thrilling." Mason said excitedly.
"Evidently." Beni replied. Mason blushed slightly.
"Elder Beni, you said your brethren have returned. Where are they returning from? And why are they returning?" Mason questioned.
"I can see you do have a passion." Beni replied.
"With respect, Elder Beni, you did not answer my questions." Mason said
"No I did not." Beni replied.
"I see. It seems you have no intention either. Elder Beni, I wish to respect your traditions and ways, but I know what I saw was real. I will continue to press for answers. Through other means if necessary." Mason challenged.
"Tell the world what you saw, perhaps?" Beni said.
"That is an option." Mason replied.
"My, a little sure of yourself aren't we?" Beni replied.
"Thank my parents for raising very self-assured children." Mason said.
"You do realize everyone here would deny what you saw, including your friend here." Beni said as he nodded in the direction of Mani. Mason turned to Mani whose look conveyed as much. Mason understood quickly.
"I see." Mason replied then took a deep breath. "Elder Beni, I do not mean to threaten, only to say this is a genie that cannot be put back into the bottle. The knowledge of this is known to me now, and my passion to learn more is…" But Beni interrupted him with a raised his hand.
"Mr. Saen, while I may be a village Elder, I also hold degrees from Oxford, Cambridge, the Sorbonne, and the London School of Economics. You are not the only one here with a desire to learn." Beni replied. Mason bowed his head slightly in acknowledgement, and embarrassment.
"My abject apologies, Elder Beni. I meant no disrespect. All I wish to convey is my genuine desire to learn and understand." Mason said.
"Except you are quick to resort to threats to discover that learning. That is not a characteristic of scholar in the honest pursuit of knowledge." Elder Beni replied. Mason said nothing and looked away. Beni looked over at Eshwoke.
"The passion of youth." Beni noted. Eshwoke smiled and nodded. Beni then looked back at Mason.
"Mr. Saen?" Beni queried. Mason looked back at him.
"The time is coming where none of us will be able to deny anything any longer." Beni said.
"What is coming?" Mason asked.
"Tell me, Mr. Saen are you ready for a future that even in your wildest dreams you could have never conceived?"
"If what I had witnessed the other night is..." Mason started.
"What you witnessed the other night was but a mere window. What is coming will flood the four corners of this world." Beni replied.
"What is coming, Elder Beni?" Mason asked. Beni surveyed the group then narrowed his eyes at Mason.
"You, Mr. Saen could be just the one who could serve to help the humans of this world prepare."
"Humans? What do you mean…?" Mason began but stopped when Beni's face shifted into a reptilian lizard.
The shift made both Mason and Mani bolt backwards out of their chairs. They both hit the ground, and quickly scrambled for the nearest doorway but were stopped by four guards they had not noticed beforehand. As Mason struggled to get past the guards he looked quickly at Kobati who had remained unfazed and unmoved. Somehow, that calmness made Mason focus on Beni who looked at him through his lizard eyes. Mason suddenly took comfort in the guard's embrace as he worked to regain control of his fear as continued to focus on Beni's face. Finally, after several moments Mason straightened himself up and Mani followed suit. The guards released their grip on them but still blocked the doorway. Mason continued to focus on Beni and then the scholar in him kicked in. He took a step forward and cocked his head slightly to the right.
"You're from the Cordylidae family of lizards." Mason said. Beni maintained his form for another few seconds then shifted back.
"What are you?!" Mason demanded.
"I am a Ranoruk. And I am the future." Beni replied. Mani looked over at Kobati.
"You knew?" Mani shouted. Kobati nodded.
"Are you…one of these?" Mani asked.
"I am not a Ranoruk." Kobati replied.
"When we explained to you what we saw. You knew all along?" Mani asked.
"Yes." Kobati replied.
"I am pledged to walk in your footsteps. How have I not known?!" Mani demanded.
"When I walked in the footsteps of Elder Batsboa I learned he was a Tutelar." Kobati replied.
"Tutelar?" Mani queried.
"Sworn Protectors to the Temple of the Ranoruks. I and a great many surrounding village Elders are Tutelars, and when it was time for you to take your place amongst the Elders you will have learned, and thus taken my place as a Tutelar." Kobati replied.
"Temple of the Ranoruks?" Mani asked again.
"The mystical and spiritual center of the Ranoruks. What you and Mani witnessed was our Ranoruk brethren paying their respects to the Ranoruks here on this plane."
"This plane? Do they come from another plane of existence?" Mason asked incredulous.
"Yes." Beni replied. That answer made Mason pick up his fallen chair and resume his seat. Mani followed suit.
"Well, that certainly explains why no one has ever spotted them before. But how have you've hidden your existence for so long?" Mason asked.
"We haven't really, and one of the reasons why Animism is a subject of study. There have been sightings of Ranoruks such as myself, so instead of denying it we embraced the mystical lore humans had come to explain our existence and then set up a defense to protect us." Beni replied.
"The Ranoruks that visited, are they still here? I have so many questions!" Mason said.
"And there will be plenty of time for answers. But I have to ask Mr. Saen are you truly ready to face the future? To learn, understand, and even defend the knowledge?" Beni asked
"Yes!" Mason replied.
"Even against those who may wish to misuse it or harm us? At all costs? Beni asked.
"I understand the implication of your questions but to what end?" Mason replied.
"I am willing to share the knowledge of the Ranoruks with you Mr. Saen, but it will come at a sacrifice. A great sacrifice." Beni warned.
"A sacrifice of what?" Mason asked.
"Yourself. Unless, you are willing to commit yourself to us right here, right now I cannot allow you to leave here with the knowledge of our existence." Beni replied.
"You mean kill me?" Mason asked shocked.
"We are not barbarians, Mr. Saen. Rather we will eradicate your memory of us, and your passion for all knowledge related to your studies." Beni replied as he glanced at Eshwoke. "And you live the rest of your days with a constant hunger in the back of your mind of something that always seems missing." Beni finished. Mason said nothing.
"So Mr. Saen, you have two choices: You can serve us or leave without ever knowing anything. But if you serve us it is for life. There is no turning back." Beni warned. Mason remained quiet as he pondered his options.
"Take you time, Mr. Saen. After all, either choice is for the rest of your life. Knowledge or no knowledge." Beni said. Mason met Beni's gaze then looked at Mani.
"Guess you and I are in this together." Mason said.
"Mason! This way of life is my life! This is what I'm expected to do! This is my path! It is not yours!" Mani implored.
"How do you know I do not share the same path as you?" Mason challenged.
"Mason, Elder Beni is right. Thereis no turning back. This choice will be for the rest of your life!" Mani warned. Mason looked at Eshwoke and Beni.
"Where do I sign up?" Mason replied.
That evening, the entire village and surrounding Elders that served as Tutelars were gathered together within the Jokwale village to take part in the Indoctrination Ceremony for both Mason and Mani. Torches flamed high into the night sky, villagers danced and chanted as Eshwoke approached both Mason and Mani, who sat cross-legged on a couple of blankets, with a drink concoction. Mani drank first then Mason followed.
After Mason had swallowed the contents of the concoction he felt nothing at first, but then his body suddenly relaxed, his head swooned, became heavy, then his head started to pound. Mason rubbed his eyes and forehead in futility. Between the music, the chanting and dancing his senses were being bombarded. In the blur of his vision he saw some of the faces of the villagers shift in to various animalistic forms. His felt sweat running down his body as he was suddenly seized by a strong pull. His head lurched back and he fell into darkness.
Mason woke to Eshwoke shaking his body and focused on Eshwoke's face for a moment. He then raised his head slowly to focus on what was around him and saw Kobati knelt next to Mani gently holding his head up. Suddenly, his mind seized him again, his body shuddered, and he fell back into darkness.
At first, everything was black as if his mind was searching desperately for light. Then all sorts of images rushed forward: forests, prairies, temples, doors, corridors, rooms, artifacts. It was as if history itself was rushing past and through him.
Then an orangish red smoke filled his mind, and a beautiful woman came though it in a darker orangish-red dress waving something at him he could not make out, then faces, both human and animalistic raced through her and towards him with teeth bared.
He tried to lurch back but then the orangish-red smoke fell back to reveal an image of chanting priests and priestesses standing over a slab of rock with people laid on it rushed forward. There were hundreds of people that surrounded the rock and were chanting and dancing around it. He suddenly realized voices whispered to him throughout but he didn't understand what was being said.
More corridors and rooms raced forward as a purplish-smoke swirled and more faces, both animalistic and human raced up again. The purplish-smoke cleared to reveal a great many thrones and ghost-like creatures, some sitting on the thrones, some standing near them. Then a dark-haired woman approached him. Mason could see she whispering something to him, but it was in a language he didn't understand. When she came closer, he language shifted from whatever she was speaking to English.
"Life, Death, Eternal, Intended, Anointed, Sovereign." The woman said. She repeated it several more time then faded back.
Then a black typhoon-like swirl appeared, and a chorus of voices increased, speaking different chants. He could feel his mind fighting to avoid falling into the swirl but he couldn't. The swirl raced up, and he fell into it, and in his mind he screamed.
He woke again not to Eshwoke shaking him but Mani instead. He looked up at him, then looked around and saw he was on a bed inside an enclave. He looked back at Mani, shot up off the bed and then immediately regretted it, and fell back down.
"Dear God! What truck hit me?" Mason asked while holding his head with both hands. Mani smiled.
"Aren't you feeling anything?" Mason asked when he saw Mani smile.
"I guess I have better recovery genes." Mani replied.
"Obviously." Mason replied then he felt a pain on right arm and looked at it.
"What's this?" Mason asked.
"A tatoo. It's to identify you as a servant to the Temple of the Ranoruks."
"Do you have one?" Mason asked.
"Yes. It is to protect you in the event you encounter any Fae or Humans that understand it, and will know not to harm you." Mani replied.
"Fae? I know that term. You mean as in Faeries?" Mason asked.
"Faeries are a species of Fae. Fae is the genus. Don't worry, I just learned that myself." Mani explained.
"After what all we have went through over the last few days what's one more thing. Seriously, do we have to worry about being attacked by these Fae or Humans?" Mason asked.
"Doesn't hurt to take precautions." Mani replied. Mason suddenly felt the drench of his clothing. Mani noticed.
"Let us get you cleaned up. We have a lot to do." Mani said as he helped Mason up off the small bed.
The Taylor Expedition left the Congo a week later but Mason stayed behind, and over the next several days both he and Mani learned that the Indoctrination Ceremony implanted in them all the knowledge of the Ranoruks, and over time learn how to access that knowledge as they trained to become Tutelars. Mason asked when he would get the chance to visit the Temple of the Ranoruks. Beni informed him the Temple existed in an altered state, and its location now existed within Mason. However, access to the Temple is only allowed for those deemed worthy, and one of the goals of being a Tutelar is demonstrating such worthiness through service to the Ranoruks. At first, when Mason heard the term "worthy" he was reminded of the story of Excalibur, and said so. Beni agreed the story was not far off, but instead of only one being worthy to pull the sword from the stone a great many could enter the Temple if they were deemed worthy, a determination made through the heart and soul in service.
The more and more Mason learned as he began his training as a Tutelar the more his passion for knowledge grew. Beni said there would be a hunger in him if they had to wipe his memory, but Beni did not say there would a hunger in him to learn more understand more, and defend it even more. Mason thought he would come to regret his decision, but he didn't and he was glad for it. He wanted to be immersed in the world of the Ranoruks, learn all its secrets, and serve it well in the hopes of one day being worthy to enter the ancient and mysterious Temple of the Ranoruks.
Such dedication meant taking time from his studies.
That meant living in the Congo.
That meant breaking the news to his parents.
"Mason!"
Mason was suddenly jolted out his recollection when he heard his name being called. He exited his bedroom and made his way downstairs. He saw Harvey tackling his Mother's luggage.
"There's my lovely boy!" Ophelia Carrington-Saen greeted with widespread arms.
"Hi Mother!" Mason said as they embraced and she kissed him on the cheek.
"Are we the only two here?" Ophelia asked.
"Yep."
"Of course. So where am I assigned, Harvey?"
"In the same bedroom as last time, Mrs. Carrington-Saen."
"Where's Freddi?" Mason asked as he looked around her.
"Raiding another company as we speak. I plan to meet her in Gstaad after I see Livvy off." Ophelia replied.
Frederica Eggby, his Mother's current partner was CEO of Abeecan Industries, and her core passion was raiding and rebuilding faltering companies. A passion that came from personal experience. Freddi had worked her way up the Abeccan corporate ranks, like a proper Wharton-schooled MBAer should have, but when it came time for her to take her place amongst the executive leadership the company announced it was faltering and would be sold off. At that stage of her career, Freddi could not afford to start over again, so she decided to take a risk. Through her business connections she assembled a bidding consortium, and successfully won the bid to take over Abeccan Industries and her Consortium installed her as CEO. Through a series of carefully planned initiatives Freddi not only returned Abeccan Industries to profitability but also re-established its reputation as one of the leading industries in the world. The effort at taking over Abeccan Industries thrilled Freddi and she continued to form consortiums to take over other faltering companies and rebuild them, and in course, had become a multi-billionaire, although his Mummy had a few more billions. It was during a gala at the New York Metropolitan Opera House where Freddi and Ophelia first met. It was after his parent's marriage had ended. For all the consternations such a relationship should have caused, Freddi and his Mummy got along exceptionally well.
"What's in Gstaad?" Mason asked.
"Where is Ellie by the way?" Ophelia countered.
"At a renewable energy conference in Texas." Mason replied. Ophelia let out a sigh.
"Trying to save the world one plastic bottle at a time."
"Mother."
"I'm joking."
"Well, I'm glad you are here. I need your help with something." Mason said.
"And what's that?" Ophelia asked.
"Breaking some news to Mummy by breaking it to you now."
"Did you knock someone up?" Ophelia asked.
"No."
"Elope?"
"No."
"Then what?"
"I dropped out of Sheffield."
"You did what?!" Ophelia said in shock.
"And I plan to live in the Congo for a while to pursue my studies more directly." Mason continued.
"Are you sure you didn't knock up some local?"
"Mother!"
"Well, the question had to be asked! Here you are telling me you are dropping out of school to go live in the Congo. People only do things that drastic unless they knocked someone up or they've joined a cult. What spurred all of this?" Ophelia asked.
"My experiences on the Taylor Expedition to the Congo. There is an opportunity to focus on my special area of interest. Think of it as individualized study."
"Well, that's a clever way of putting it. Well, I'm not sure I approve, but I'm not the one you need to convince."
"I know. That's why I need your support."
"Boy, you kids are really dropping bombs this weekend."
"Why, what's Livvy up to?"
"Let's just say you're not the only one with news." Ophelia said as she and Mason locked arm and arm and headed for the living room.
Ellie arrived a couple of hours later and entered the main living room.
"Mason, Ophelia!" Ellie greeted.
"Hello Mummy!" Mason said as he rose from his chair and went and greeted her with a hug and kiss on the cheek.
"Hello Ellie" said as she came up from behind Mason and greeted Ellie with a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"Where's Livvy? Freddi?" Ellie asked as she looked around.
"Livvy is not here yet. She's running late. And yes, she called." Ophelia assured.
"And Freddi?" Ellie asked.
"Off on business. I shall be meeting her in a couple of days. She sends her regards."
"Sorry I missed her." Ellie replied.
"So, I understand you were off saving the world again." Ophelia said. Ellie smiled.
"Isn't Calla with you?" Mason asked as he looked behind her.
"Still in Austin. She'll be here in a few days." Ellie replied.
Calla Hassall was his Mummy's current girlfriend, and as much as he hated his Mother's description of Calla she was a bonafide, certified tree hugger. Calla worked for the Ashmarina Oceanographic Foundation in Vancouver, and where they had first met. While Calla happened to be the latest in a long line of women that had come and gone out of his Mummy's life, she had also been the longest relationship his Mummy has held since his parent's marriage ended. It wasn't that his Mummy still longed for his Mother; they still loved and respected one another for what they had together and the family they raised together, but they had simply moved apart. And while his Mother seemed to find a seemingly permanent partner it was clear his Mummy preferred only companionship and seemed disinterested in settling down again. This thought made him suddenly recall a conversation he once overheard at Albert Cove between his Mummy and Harvey about Dr. Lewis. Mason shook his head slightly. He had not thought about Dr. Lewis in some time, but smiled at the reminder. The memory of the conversation was a bit of a blur, but he remembered his Mummy being deeply impacted by time she had spent with Dr. Lewis, and made a comment about keeping an eye on her.
"Dinner will be ready in about an hour." Harvey announced shaking Mason out of recollection as he entered the living with a tray carrying a bottle of red wine and four glasses, and set it down on the table.
"Thank you Harvey." Ellie said. Harvey nodded and left the room. Ellie went and poured glasses for them all then sat down in nearby chair. Mason and Ophelia resumed their original seats.
"So was this latest energy conference enlightening?" Ophelia asked.
"Quite. The conference was hosted by Sue Ellen Ewing Lockwood of Ewing Oil under one of their branch companies called Ewing Energies." Ellie replied.
"I've actually heard of Ewing Oil. Freddi has had some dealings them." Ophelia said.
"So have I. They are quite the dynasty in Texas for sure." Ellie replied.
"So they are entering into the energy business?" Mason asked.
"They've been in the business for quite some time, and more oil companies are following suit. Oil will not be here forever and with environmental groups pushing for alternatives to drilling, if oil companies want to stay in business they have to start developing alternative energies." Ellie replied.
"So what happened at the conference?" Ophelia asked.
"Bobby Ewing's son, Christopher Ewing found a way harvest methane as an alternative source of energy." Ellie replied.
"I've heard of that, but isn't that whole process experimental?" Mason asked.
"More like in a trial period. Some states like New York, New Jersey and even here in Connecticut have already built methane-to-electricity pilot projects to harvest methane from landfills and turn it into electricity. In fact, one exists in New Milford." Ellie replied.
"I had no idea." Ophelia said.
"Landfills produce some of the highest levels of methane that's burned off before it hits the atmosphere. Energy advocates see that as wasted energy that could be used." Ellie replied.
"What's the benefit? Have there been any benefits thus far?" Mason asked.
"Right now, at the New Jersey project alone methane powers generators that produce over 80 megawatts of electricity. That's enough electricity to power over 13,000 homes. If properly developed methane will outpace solar and wind power." Ellie replied.
"Sounds promising, but it all sounds like a complete paradigm shift from oil drilling." Mason replied.
"You're right. It is, especially for those oil companies still drilling in seabeds and other subterraenean areas." Ellie replied.
"Isn't that what fracking is?" Mason asked.
"Pretty similar, except Ewing Energies can extract the methane from the seabed in the form of ice crystals. In that state, it's a concentrated form of natural gas. The Ewings conducted a demonstration at the Ewing Energies Research lab to prove the point. They had a chuck of the methane hydrate enclosed in one of their test rooms. It looked like one, big chunk of ice. They set fire to it and instead of melting it just burned." Ellie replied.
"Burning ice? Impressive." Mason commented.
"Impressive is right. The Ewings informed us that extraction methods are already being tested. In fact, there is an experimental extraction site within the Mackenzie Delta in the Northwest Territories of Canada." Ellie said.
"Well, sounds like they have a winner." Ophelia replied.
"It does, but I would be remiss if I did not point out that harvesting methods have to be conducted properly and under the right conditions. If methane hydrates are harvested from a seabed, say near a fault line it could cause an earthquake, and if accidently leaked into the atmosphere it could cause a global environmental shift." Ellie replied.
"Oh dear." Ophelia commented.
"Calla's Foundation is monitoring these developments and their impact on the environment." Ellie said.
"It sounds both promising and scary." Ophelia commented.
"I would agree. The conference was seeking out venture capitalists willing to explore this technology. I'm thinking of investing in a trial project, and tapping the Ashmarina Oceanographic Foundation with the oversight." Ellie replied.
"Momsies!" Livvy yelled from behind them as she ran into the living room with her arms up, and embraced them in a group hug and kisses. She then went over and greeted her brother.
"How was the drive from New York? Thought you would be here sooner?" Ellie said. Harvey had followed her in with another bottle of red wine, set it down and left the room.
"I had Penelope and Richard with me. They wanted to join me on the drive here. You know how long it takes Penelope to leave the house. I don't know how Richard puts up with it. I just dropped them off at their family's house before I came here." Livvy replied.
"The Houldsworths are in town?" Ophelia queried.
"Yep. They send their regards and they want us to stop over before we all blow town." Livvy replied.
"What are they in town for?" Ophelia asked.
"I think for a family reunion. They are here for a week. Seems like quite a few peeps are in town. When we gassed up at Sunoco we saw the Ladyers and the Petherbridges. They told us the Orvilles are here too along with Monroes. Is there some big to-do going on?" Livvy asked.
"The Petherbridges and Monroes are in town too?" Ophelia said excited.
"Oh dear God! Now you've gone and done it." Mason said to his sister.
"I have been trying to wrangle them to attend a gala at Cloisters Museum and Gardens for one of my charities. We should take advantage of the fact they are in town and host a little cocktail party, don't you think?" Ophelia said.
"Ophelia, this weekend is about us, the family?" Ellie reminded.
"Oh what harm would it do to host a little soirée." Ophelia replied. Ellie rolled her eyes.
"Where's Freddi? Calla?" Livvy replied as she looked around.
"Freddi is off on business, and Calla will be here in a few days." Mason answered.
"Sorry I'm missing them this round." Livvy said.
"And we even more now that the social Krakon has been let out." Ellie replied. Now it was Ophelia's turn to roll her eyes.
"Well, I should give the Houldsworths a quick call here." Ophelia replied as she went off in the direction of one of the side drawing rooms.
"And here I thought we were going to have a quiet family weekend together." Ellie said.
"You know the socialite never, ever leaves Mother." Livvy replied. They all smiled.
"Well, Mummy now is as good a time as any." Livvy said.
"For what?" Ellie asked.
"I have some news." Livvy replied.
"Oh? Is something that Ophelia needs to hear?" Ellie asked.
"She knows already." Livvy replied.
"What?"
"When are you two ever on the same continent of late?" Lvvy replied.
"Okay, so what's the news?" Ellie asked.
"I've been accepted into Scientific Internship Program at the Vanes Progression Institute!" Livvy squealed.
"What? When did this all come about?" Ellie asked.
"I applied about a year ago and they accepted my application. They said my research work on genotyping and DNA sequence analysis caught their eye."
"Well, congratulations!" Ellie said as she hugged her daughter followed by Mason.
"Isn't this all happening so fast? Don't you have a few more years of study at Princeton?" Ellie asked.
"Thank Dr. Lewis. She was my motivation." Livvy replied.
"I'm surprised you remember her. That was a little over ten years ago. You were only 14." Ellie said.
"Never forgot her." Livvy replied.
"Neither did I." Mason added with a smile.
"That's because you thought she was hot. Always with the blondes. Well, I took her advice to heart and hit the ground running, and it all played out just as she said it would. My work in the ISP set me apart from my peers, and got me noticed by VPI." Livvy said.
"Well, that is fantastic news for sure." Ellie replied.
"I kept up with Dr. Lewis's accomplishments at Ash Pharmaceuticals and tried to contact her to say hello again, share the news and how she was so inspirational, but they said she no longer worked there." Livvy said.
"How long ago was that?" Ellie asked.
"When I tried to contact her?" Livvy asked.
"Yes."
"A few weeks ago. They said she left a few months beforehand but I can't track her down. Thought you might know how to find her." Livvy replied.
"Find whom?" Ophelia asked as she reentered the room.
"Dr. Lewis." Livvy answered.
"Who is Dr. Lewis?" Ophelia asked.
"Dr. Lauren Lewis is an old friend. One whom I haven't thought of in quite some time." Ellie replied. That statement made Mason's eyes narrow a bit.
"Where do you know this Dr. Lewis from?" Ophelia asked.
"When Mummy lived in Albert Cove." Livvy replied.
"Oh." Ophelia replied then looked at Ellie. "I see. An old friend, then."
"Really, Ophelia?" Ellie lightly chastised.
"Now I know what kept you in Albert Cove for so long." Ophelia commented.
"Lauren had come and gone within a space of a month." Then Ellie looked at Livvy. "Well, I can most certainly make inquiries." Ellie replied.
"Thanks Mummy. Oh and there's one more thing. There's a catch to my admission to VPI. Mummy."
"What's that?" Ellie asked. Livvy stepped closer to her Mother and locked arms.
"I will need to leave Princeton." Livvy said softly.
"What?!" Ellie replied incredulous.
"Well, this sounds like a good time to impart my news!" Mason chimed in rubbing his hands.
After dinner Mason found his Mummy lying in a lounge chair on the porch enjoying a glass of red wine, deep in thought.
"Hey Mummy!"
"Hey! Come join me here." Ellie invited. Mason poured himself a glass of red wine and then sat on the edge of the lounge chair next to his Mummy.
"Lots of news today." Mason said.
"That's for sure. Both you and Livvy dropping out of school." Ellie replied.
"Are you okay?"
"Oh yes, just fine."
"Mummy."
"No, really I am."
"Are you sure? It's not like we may never go back." Mason assured.
"I know. It's just a whammy of news." Ellie said.
"And so was the mention of Dr. Lewis." Mason replied as he looked intently at his Mummy who said nothing.
"Mummy, when you said you hadn't thought about Dr. Lewis in a long time. You weren't telling the truth were you?" Mason asked gently.
"What makes you think that?" Ellie countered.
"I remember overhearing you talking to Harvey about her. About how you felt about her, and how you planned to keep an eye on her. You did didn't you?" Mason queried. Ellie said nothing.
"You must miss her." Mason said. This time Ellie stared at her glass.
"And loved her." Mason added. Ellie took a sip of her red wine. Mason understood.
"Well, she is one of a kind." Mason said as he raised his glass to his Mummy. Ellie looked at him and then raised her glass and they both drank.
"Ophelia and I hoped to raise strong, independent-minded children. You two are really putting that to the test. But I am happy for you both. You have made some incredibly brave decisions with your future life choices. By the way, what will you be doing exactly in the Congo?" Ellie asked.
"Oh, just taking advantage of an opportune time to conduct some independent research. I want to take my time and really immerse myself." Mason replied.
"You've always had a passion for archaeology. I should not be surprised it would overtake you. But like I said I am happy for you." Ellie said.
"Thanks Mummy." Mason said as he stood up and went over and kissed his Mummy on the forehead Then Ophelia came out onto the porch and took a nearby lounge chair.
"Where's Livvy?" Ellie asked.
"Gabbing with Penelope." Ophelia replied.
"Those two, forever joined at the hip." Ellie said
"Don't know how Richard puts up with those two." Mason noted as he sat back down.
"Livvy is really excited about going to VPI." Ophelia said.
"Yes she is." Ellie replied.
"And she is certainly excited about sharing her news with this Dr. Lewis." Ophelia said.
"Yes she is." Ellie replied.
"So…who is this Dr. Lauren Lewis?" Ophelia asked.
