After breakfast with the children Bo watched Lauren race back and forth between rooms grabbing the rest of her things before she departed for Ashal with Elena.
"I will call every morning so I can visit with the children." Lauren said to the Seneschal.
"Yes, Milady." The Seneschal replied.
"And every evening before their bedtime." Lauren said.
"Yes, Milady." The Seneschal replied.
"And please keep me apprised of their eating habits." Lauren said.
"Yes, Milady." The Seneschal replied.
"Char is being finicky lately and now that she's being finicky so is MaryAoife." Lauren said.
"Yes, Milady." The Seneschal replied.
"Oh! Ethan has a small project in his class that he needs to get done by the end of the week." Lauren said
"Yes, Milady." The Seneschal replied.
"He's not even two yet. How can he have homework?" Bo asked incredulous.
"Education waits for no one around here." Lauren replied.
"I guess." Bo said.
"Which reminds me, Ryan has…" Lauren started.
"Do you give this much direction when you drop them off at Mama's?" Bo asked.
"It's just…I may be gone from them for a while and I have never been gone from them for more than a week or two. And you have your responsibilities with the meetings…"
"They will be fine. They have an army of staff tending to their every need. It won't be any different than when we leave them with Mama." Bo said.
"Will you make sure to keep up morning playtime once you get back from Ebon? Lauren asked.
"Yes, I will. Now come here." Bo said as she extended out her arms. Lauren fell into her arms and they kissed for a long moment.
"Be careful." Bo said when the broke their kiss.
"I will."
"I love you!"
"I love you!"
Dr. Lauren Lewis met her Response Team in the Great Atrium as they awaited the arrival of Deputy Regent, Her Serene Highness Elena Prescotti. Dyak Harte, Bas Cibor and another Doctor were behind her.
"Good morning everyone!" Dr. Lewis greeted.
"Good morning!" came the collective response.
"Since we have a few minutes until the Deputy Regent arrives I want to take a moment to introduce Dr. Titus Machtemes, a Fae from the Human Plane who I've asked to join our team. His field of study is Environmental Health with specialized work in Ecotoxicology and Toxic Substances Control. He and I faced a similar situation almost 20 years ago on the continent of Africa, and so I thought he could help. Dr. Machtemes, meet our team: Dr. Terram Corrandini, Dr. Kicho Asaro, Dr. Alfred Riko, and of course you've already met Dyak Harte." Lauren introduced.
"Welcome to the Presidium, Doctor!" Dr. Corrandini greeted.
"Thank you and I must say this place is astounding! Where has this Presidium been all my life?" Dr. Machtemes replied.
"I take it you have never been here before?" Dr. Asaro queried.
"This is my very first time here and for a lot of other firsts for that matter. The first time I have ever traveled through a transvortex. The first time I stayed in a set of rooms fit for a king, my first time being waited on by staff whom can literally anticipate you every need, and this Atrium! This is like a downtown! And it goes on in all directions for days!" Dr. Machtemes replied in wonder.
"The Great Atrium serves as the welcoming heart of the Presidium." Elena replied as she walked up with her Bas, Bas Phaedrus and a contingent of the Regnant Guard behind her. Everyone extended their courtesies, and Dr. Machtemes, unaccustomed to the daily practices of the Presidium quickly followed suit.
"You must be Dr. Titus Machtemes." Elena greeted.
"Yes…Your Serene Highness. I hope I got the addressment right?" Dr. Machtemes asked
"Yes you did. Dr. Lewis, are we ready?" Elena asked.
"Yes, Your Serene Highness." Dr. Lewis replied.
"Good! Then we should…" Elena started but was interrupted by a voice that called out above the crowds.
"Your Serene Highness! Dr. Lewis! Wait!"
They all turned in the direction of the voice.
"Popawi! What are you doing here?" Elena asked as he walked up carrying a couple of bags and bowed.
"I volunteered, Your Serene Highness!" Popawi replied.
"What?" Elena asked surprised.
"I heard about what was happening in Ashal and requested to join your team." Popawi replied.
"Popawi, I think we have it covered." Elena replied.
"Are you concerned I may not be able to handle the rigor due to my advanced years, Your Serene Highness?" Popawi challenged.
"Certainly not!" Elena replied.
"Good, because while you may be the best of the Ruling Children at tilling the soil I still think I can teach you a thing or two." Popawi said.
"I could never be as good as you, Popawi." Elena replied.
"Don't sell yourself short for my sake, Your Serene Highness. You have a natural gift with the soil, much like your Mummy's." Popawi said.
"Dr. Machtemes, this Popawi Grays. He is the Head Gardener and a master at it." Dr. Lewis introduced.
"I am honored, Mr. Grays." Dr. Machtemes replied.
"Just Popawi will do. So, Your Serene Highness when do we get started?" Popawi replied.
"We are ready now." Elena replied as they took their positions.
"By the way, how did you learn about the situation in Ashal?" Elena asked.
"Your sister, Emilia." Popawi replied.
"Little sisters." Elena said.
"Little sisters who love their big ones." Popawi replied. Elena smiled as then she nodded at The Regnant Guard who opened up a transvortex and they all stepped inside.
When they emerged on the other side it was in the middle of a very busy open air commerce market that seemed to go on for blocks. Shoppers milled about, mostly dressed in all white clothing of various designs with the odd accentuated color trim here and there while the sun shined brightly over the market full of kiosks, stands, and shops cloistered together and peppered throughout by brightly colored flowers, trees, and plants with water fountains and water streams that accented the area. Lauren was thunderstruck and Popawi noticed.
"I take it you have never been to Ashal, Dr. Lewis?" Popawi asked.
"This is my first time." Dr. Lewis replied.
"Heavenly isn't it?" Popawi asked.
"It looks like a place one would wish they would die and go to." Dr. Lewis replied.
"We take great pride in our City." Elena replied.
"I thought Nahala was beautiful, but this!" Lauren said.
"You will come to find each of the different patronage cities have their gifts." Elena replied. Grand Ducal Jusso Laaksonnen then stepped up and bowed.
"Welcome home, Your Serene Highness!" Grand Ducal Laaksonnen greeted.
"Thank you Jusso!" Elena replied.
"Wait, were you actually born here, Your Serene Highness?" Dr. Lewis asked.
"No. Our patronages are like our second homes and thus are referred to as such." Elena replied.
"Popawi! Your presence does us great honor!" Jusso greeted.
"Thank you Jusso!" Popawi replied.
"Let's get you all settled then. We have everything prepared. The household staff will lead you to your respective residences." Jusso replied. As the Household staff took their bags Lauren leaned over to Elena.
"No Seneschal?" Lauren asked.
"The Seneschal serve the Ruling Family at Presidium. They only accompany the Ruling Family if it's necessary." Elena replied.
"Good to know." Lauren replied.
As the Household staff led members of the Response Team in separate directions Lauren noticed she was being led behind Elena with Jusso as escort.
"Where am I headed?" Lauren asked.
"My residence is this way, Doctor. You will be residing with me during our stay here." Elena replied.
"Gotcha!" Lauren replied.
When Lauren arrived at Elena's residence she expected a sprawling 50,000 square-foot expanse like that of the Presidium. Instead, Elena's residence was no bigger than a 5,000 square-foot home. Smaller than a closet by Presidium standards. The two-story home was a tall one, and had the impression of a Frank Lloyd Wright home, flat-like but seemingly expansive. The bottom part of the home was completely open with no walls. One could see straight through it. The top floor had walls of glass. But what impressed Lauren the most was the garden crops that surrounded the home that seemed to go for several acres. It was evenly apportioned in sections of fruits, vegetables, and general flowers. Lauren could see a number of gardeners tending in each of the sections. There were decorative water fountains throughout but what made the gardens even more beautiful were the water streams that poured over rocks that separated each of the sections.
Elena and Lauren ascended up the set of stairs that led up the main level of the house and Lauren scanned the home again. Lauren was use to homes being open to the outdoors, but none so utterly like this. It was as if the outdoors just passed right through, nature and all. But at the same time the home seemed incredibly cozy as it was decorated with soft furniture, chairs, sates, simple accent tables and a large, long wooden eating table that served as an introduction to garden crops and walkways that dominated the back of the home. Elena watched Lauren as she took in her surroundings.
"Surprised Doctor?" Elena asked. Lauren thought for a moment.
"Actually no, Your Serene Highness." Lauren replied. "It's my understanding that you once considered entering the Sanctuary?"
"Still do." Elena replied.
"It shows, Your Serene Highness." Lauren replied. Elena smiled.
"Can I declare when we are here in residence to refer to me only as Elena?"
"Only if you refer to me just as Lauren. Deal?"
"Deal! Your room is upstairs and on the left. After you're settled in we can reconvene back here and then head to Provincial Compound. Jusso will be awaiting us there." Elena said.
Lauren headed for the stairs that seemed to float by themselves when she was met by the Household staff descending down the stairs after depositing their luggage, who then bowed, and left.
"What just happened?" Lauren asked.
"In Ashal we tend for ourselves." Elena replied.
"Completely?" Lauren asked.
"Completely." Elena replied. "Are you offended?"
"No. Not at all. Just surprised. And it's refreshing. Not that I don't find the Seneschal amazing because they are. So very amazing, but it's also good to just tend for oneself. In fact I'm going to have to remember this for Bo and me before we become egregiously spoiled by the Seneschal." Lauren replied. Elena smiled.
Lauren went upstairs and saw the second floor was just as open as the first except there were glass walls. Lauren found her room and saw that her bags were set down on her bed but were left unpacked and for a moment felt offended. Then she promptly chastised herself.
"We really are spoiled at the Presidium."
Lauren looked around saw she did have the option of employing curtains if she wanted, and she was happy the essential parts of the bathroom were enclosed, but there was an open shower and infinity tub that was out in the open but could also be enclosed if she wished.
After Lauren unpacked and grabbed her work, she returned down stairs to find Elena making a list.
"I should have asked but are you prone to a lot of meat? Because we can visit the market for some or hunt it?" Elena queried.
"I can manage however you decide." Lauren replied.
"For the most part I stick to what's in the garden. Emilia's vegan habits have rubbed off on me somewhat but we should obtain some basic meats for you."
"So I gather we pick our food?" Lauren asked.
"Each morning for the day. There's nothing in the garden you cannot find." Elena replied.
"Really?"
"Really."
"Even wine?"
"We have a wine press here where we can press our own wine."
"Well. Welcome to Ashal!" Lauren said. Elena smiled.
