Lauren awoke, yawned, crawled out of bed, performed her ablutions, threw on a robe, wandered downstairs and made coffee. She was astonished to find the staff had it on hand when they had first arrived a week ago. What Lauren loved even more is that she didn't have to grind any beans or pour water. All she had to do was press a button and it was made, piping hot and it was better than any coffee she had ever tasted on the human plane. Jusso had done his homework.
She had some time yet before she had to call to check in on Bo and the children so she took her freshly brewed hot coffee, went outside on the back porch deck, nestled in a settee and took in the soft breeze and the colorful garden. Lauren had spent her first week with the Response Team testing soil locally and comparing results. They planned to branch outward into the rural parts of Ashal after the morning status briefing.
Lauren's train of thought was broken when the sky around her suddenly went dark and she quickly righted herself. Then in the next few seconds the carcass of a very large animal dropped in the middle of a garden pathway about ten yards in front of her startling Lauren out of her chair, making her forget she was holding a hot cup of coffee, only to remind her just as quickly. Lauren looked skyward. It was Elena in her Ranoruk form and whose wingspan covered the immediate sky over the house and gardens. Lauren had only seen Elena a few times as a Blue Falcon but each time it was sight to behold. Elena circled the property, and then as she landed she shifted into her humanoid form and walked up naked to the house. Lauren couldn't help but admire the view.
"Good morning!" Elena greeted as she ascended the stairs to the house.
"Good morning!" Lauren replied as she wiped hot coffee off herself.
"Spilled your coffee?" Elena asked.
"Sorry. Was just a bit startled by that." Lauren said as she nodded in the direction of the animal carcass.
"You would be drinking that concoction. You should swtich over to Kalestia Tea." Elena replied.
"Only if Kenzi does it first." Lauren replied with a blush. Elena smiled.
"Why are you blushing?" Elena asked. Lauren ran her eyes up and down Elena's body.
"As a Doctor, I am fine with it, but as Lauren, still need to get use to the fact that I live in a Ranoruk world." Lauren replied. Elena smiled.
"Far be it from me to make a guest uncomfortable." Elena said as a greyish clothing suddenly covered her body.
"Please, do not change your ways for me. If anything, you are training me to be more accustomed to them. By the way, what time did you wake up this morning?"
"I thought I would bring you fresh meat."
"Well, that was very thoughtful of you, but I could've managed without any meat during my time here in Ashal." Lauren replied.
"No sense in doing so if it's not in your normal dietary habit. I will gut it and slow-cook it over the grates in time for dinner." Elena said.
"Alrighty then." Lauren replied. Just then the comms rang.
"Call on!" Elena called out. It was The Queen Consort.
"Blessings Mother!" Elena greeted.
"Blessings, my sweet one! Good morning, Dr. Lewis!" Helen greeted.
"Good morning, Your Majesty." Lauren greeted.
"I wanted to call to see your face rather than read a daily report. How are things coming along?" Helen asked her daughter.
"Progressing. We plan to take a field outing today. Where's Mummy?" Elena asked.
"She, Saladin and Antilio are meeting with several of the Rajah's." Helen answered.
"This early?" Elena asked.
"The Special Commissions are starting their reviews of the 25th Delegation's proposal for Inclusion today." Helen replied. "Dr. Lewis, how are you finding Ashal?"
"It is sheer heaven, Your Majesty. Elena's home here is breathtaking. Bo must come here for a visit." Lauren replied.
"Ashal is very beautiful and Elena modeled her residence between the Prescotti Homelands and the Arasgain Ancestral homes, striking the perfect balance." Helen said which made Elena smile.
"Is there anything not covered in your reports we need to be particularly aware about?" Helen asked.
"Nothing just yet, Mother." Elena replied.
"Very well. Keep us posted." Helen added.
"We will." Elena replied.
"We love you, sweetie!" Helen said.
"Love you all." Elena replied and the call ended. Then Elena caught the smile on Lauren's face.
"What's so humorous?" Elena asked.
"I just find it adoring how Their Majesties are rulers of the Realm yet doting parents to you all." Lauren replied.
"We are fortunate." Elena replied with a smile.
'Well, I should put in my morning call with Bo before the day gets away from her." Lauren said.
"See you in a bit then." Elena replied as she turned and walked back outside and proceeded to prepare the dead animal for the grates.
Lauren went upstairs to her room and called into the air.
"Call Bo!" The air shimmered and the call found Bo outside on breakfast patio in a bit of chaos. Ryan and MaryAoife were fighting over a toy.
"Give it back!" cried MaryAoife.
"No!" Ryan replied.
The Seneschal kept Ethan and Char focused on breakfast while Bo refereed between Ryan and MaryAoife.
"Give it back!" MaryAoife cried again. Ryan stomped away from the table in response.
"Ryan! Come back to the table!" Bo ordered. Ryan stopped for a moment.
"What is going on?" Lauren called through.
"Hey sweetie!" Bo greeted.
"Mommy!" Came the chorus as all four children ran up and tried to touch Lauren through the comms.
"Hello sweeties. Mommy misses you!" Lauren said. A garbled chorus of "miss you's" were the return, and frustration soon followed when they realized they couldn't touch Lauren through the comms.
"Okay! Ryan, give me the toy!" Bo demanded. Ryan reared back.
"Now!" Bo demanded. Ryan acquiesced and then started to cry. Bo, in turn, gave the disputed toy to the Seneschal.
"Tough morning?" Lauren asked.
"A bit. MaryAoife got a new toy from Jock and Ryan just took it from her."
"From Jock?"
"Yeah! Jock stopped by yesterday and took them all on a tour of the Monadori Sanctuary which they all enjoyed. The Acharyani even took time to visit with them. They were having a ceremony to induct the latest class of Acolytes. It was actually pretty neat. But I think we need to stop allowing them to have toys at the table." Bo replied.
"I have no issues with that." Lauren replied. "You guys are up early this morning. What's going on?"
"The children have a field trip today." Bo replied.
"That's right! I forgot." Lauren said.
"I was surprised to see it on the schedule. How do children who are almost two years old have field trips?" Bo asked.
"Like I said education waits for no one in the Realm. What's your day like?" Lauren asked. Bo let out a sigh.
"I have to spend it with Evony and Stasio as part of the Inclusion reviews. At least Dyson will be there as a counter-balance. How are things?" Bo asked.
"We are taking our first trip into to field today." Lauren replied.
"Any progress? It's been a week."
"Some, but nothing that really leads down the right path."
"Hope you can make it home soon."
"Me too."
"Look sweetie, I have to go. Be safe will ya?"
"I will."
"Say bye to Mommy." Bo said to the children.
"Bye, Mommy!" Came the chorus.
"I love you all! And stop fighting!" Lauren called out and the call ended.
Lauren looked on at the dead space, and as with every call tried not to acquiesce to poignant feelings of missing the woman she loved and their children.
