Alaya slips quietly out of bed and heads down to the basement for the sessions. "I didn't wake Fiona. She can sleep another hour."
Mother Jenny, "She has earned her rest, but make sure she has time to get to classes. Also mind your own body, it has gone through plenty from the injections."
Alaya nods as she gets into the proper stance, Jenny follows as Vastra leads.
Vastra teases her daughter, "You do not look like you had enough sleep. Shall I put a cot in our room for you to make your escape?"
"Vastra!" Jenny shrieks, "Your mother sometimes doesn't understand boundaries."
Alaya is accustomed to her Mother Vastra's remarks, but this is the first time it truly made her blush. That is when she attacked and Alaya found herself on floor.
"Distractions, dear can come from our allies," as she pulls her daughter up from the ground.
Half hour into the session Fiona walks down the stairs in housecoat holding a cup of coffee. She makes herself comfortable on the stairs, "Good Morning, how can you move after the injections and shorten sleep?"
Alaya smiles as she dodges Mother Vastra left attack. "Good morning to you. I was …" she ducks again. "I wanted you to sleep, you needed the rest." Alaya attempts to duck, but Vastra counters and Alaya falls to the basement floor. She smiles devilishly up to her Mother Vastra. "I know, distractions."
Vastra smiles as she lends a hand to her daughter, "Why not let your mother and I spar? Tomorrow I shall not be generous."
Alaya stands dusting herself off, "Thank you Mother." She walks to the steps and sits one step below Fiona. Fiona shares her cup of coffee with her wife. "You rescued me. It was embarrassing how many times I hit the floor this morning. My buttocks will tender for a few hours."
Alaya and Fiona watch the sparing for a bit more but decide to head upstairs to make breakfast.
"My exams, my final examinations, are coming up. I have my last summer break of my youth and then it is off to medical school. Are you ready for the change? I am a bit nervous."
"I am a little concerned. Our Louisa and Flora have been through the same experience."
"I will not be by your side as to we have become accustomed. I will not be here, the hospital will dominate our lives."
"What are you saying?"
"That you need to do something with your free time. I do not want you just sit around waiting for me to return home."
"My dear Fiona, what a pitiful life I must have had before you bestowed your presence. What shall I do?" Alaya takes her arm across her forehead and pretends to faint.
"Did I just insult you?"
"Yes, a little."
Fiona leans over and kisses Alaya cheek, "I am sorry dear, your Mother Vastra must be rubbing off on me."
"You are right though, I need to be prepared to be alone."
"Maybe I should seek out less demanding training. I could easily be an apprentice for a general physician."
"No! Fiona, you must stay the course. Opportunities will come from the best education, networking and making contacts."
"You sound like my mother." Fiona smiles at her wife affectionately, "How am I able to negotiate with an alien species, why not with my wife?"
"Then allow us to have a household staff."
"Alaya, we can manage."
The basement door opens. Vastra and Jenny enter the kitchen sweatier than before. Mother Vastra's curiosity always get the better of her, "What can we manage?"
Fiona places on the table breakfast for the mothers. "We are negotiating responsibilities."
Vastra kindly looks to her family, "May I suggest everyone go about their day as usual and tonight we come up with a solution that we all agree?"
Jenny smiles at her strong Silurian wife, "Yes, tonight."
Vastra quickly turns her attention to the newspaper and began to read the front page articles. That was a hint to everyone in the room that the discussion is now current affairs. Another Suffragette, this time Emmeline Pankhurst sentenced to three years of prison and the Nevill Ground's cricket pavilion destroyed in a suffragette arson attack.
Fiona doesn't know which is worse.
The day ends with everyone who resides at 13 Paternoster Row, with satisfied stomachs from an excellent dinner, relaxing in the drawing-room.
"On the day of your wedding April graciously deeded 14 Savile Row and the business to the Flint-Saint Clair clan. April also handed me this with personal instructions." Vastra hands over a journal to Fiona and places a key on the table.
Fiona opens the journal. She tears up when she recognizes her mother's handwriting and takes a deep breath before she reads the inscription on the inside ...
My Dearest Fiona,
I am so sorry that I am not going to spend the rest of your beautiful life with you. I have to confess that I have known since you first began to crawl, hints of your future. I knew you would find love in a woman whose mothers are interspecies, your love would begin with letters and I would not have much time to spend with you after were married.
This journal was Alaya's Christmas gift to me the same evening she announces your courtship. My heart sank. I knew it would just be a matter of time before you are married. Every night since I decided to write important events in this journal.
Keep this safe, at all cost and destroy this journal, if necessary.
I also know you will have a good life, love and be loved.
I strongly encourage you to pass onto our future generations. Certain items will not be apparent until much later in the future:
1. Learn to drive a car and change your own tires. It would also be helpful to learn how an automobile works, that way you will not be cheated by mechanics.
2. Master computer languages and learn to keep a secure database.
3. Learn to live a healthy life. Keep a healthy mind, body and if possible a vegetarian diet.
4. Learn short-wave and ham radio. Radio will be your friend. I am a fan of NPR and BBC radio.
5. Investments that are worth the wait: IBM, Apple, Google and Amazon.
6. Styles change continuously through the years, but the classic look will forever remain in fashion. The classic look is a simple solid color button down blouse with a black skirt or trousers.
7. Learn to make your own pasta.
8. Learn to be alone with your own thoughts. Even though you are in love, you still need to take time for yourself.
9. Get a hobby.
10. Learn to speak Silurian, German, Latin, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese
One more thing ... Don't live to work, work to live.
I love the woman my Fiona has turned into, except her sacrificial personality. Under no circumstances do you stop or put your education on hold, this is imperative. That is my only request, no my only demand.
Be Courageous!
Your Mother,
April Saint Claire Ph.D.
Director of Computational Cybernetics Department
The National Science Foundation
(18-06-2014)
London will always be my favourite place in the world. I have a key for a safe deposit box number 221 with C. Hoare & Co. on 37 Fleet Street. You have a duplicate. It is paid for one-hundred and ten years, please use it for necessary storage.
"That is why she was sad at Christmas. Have you read this journal through?" Softly asking Alaya's mothers while re-reading the inscription. "Did you know of my mother's qualifications? Why was she a tailor? Cybernetics?" She places her head in her hands and lets out a sigh. "I don't understand, do you?"
Vastra speaks up, "Your mother has shared much with us and her qualifications mean nothing in 'Our London'. It was either to be a cook or a tailor, she didn't like the hours of being a cook. This journal will keep our family safe for many generations."
"What of our Prime Directive?"
"We aren't going to change history. Turn to the section marked WWII."
Fiona flips through the headings and starts to read a section WWII. Fiona tears up, "Our home?" She hands the journal to Alaya, who quickly glances over the section.
"It seems we own my mother-in-law our lives," Alaya pulls her wife close. "What are we to do?"
"I am not comfortable knowing some of the information." Vastra looks to her own wife for comfort. "But, this is a tool. I could not imagine the world to be so angry and full of hate. We might not be safe."
"So what do we do? Hide?" Alaya asks as she holds her wife's hand tighter.
"Yes. No. Perhaps." Jenny takes Vastra's hand in comfort. Vastra bravely says, "I do not know."
Fiona gets quiet, puts her head down and with soft whispers, "Please let us continue this discussion in a few days. Allow Alaya and I to read the journal." Fiona looks to Vastra and Jenny, "Allow me time to digest. Excuse me."
Fiona gets up, heads up to their floor. The second-floor office door closes shut and echoes down the stairway into the quiet drawing-room.
Alaya gets up, "Excuse me mothers, I am going to the basement."
Mother Jenny blocks her daughter's exit, "May I suggest that the basement isn't where you ought. You must know that?"
"I believe she wants to be left alone."
"No, she was finished discussing the matter with your mother and me."
Alaya looks up towards the second floor, "Yes, I want and need to be nearby. Thank you mother."
She instantly runs up to be with her wife.
"Alaya will learn, just as you have learned." Jenny kisses her wife's cheek.
Fiona curls up in the Edwardian tub chair and opens her mother's journal to the first page with '1913' written in the upper corners. She jumps as the office door opens and closes to see her Alaya leaning against the closed door, "I am sorry I didn't follow directly. I assumed you wanted to be alone."
"I don't want to be alone. I do not want to go on this journey into the future without you. We will travel together."
"Yes, my heart has no choice. I want to be by your side." Alaya smiles, "Did you mind if we get comfortable? It looks like it is going to be a long night. But I would not be a proper wife if I did not mention your exams. Are you prepared?"
Fiona lets out a burst of air from her chest, "I am prepared. I will not get a perfect score, but I am prepared. I will need to go over notes in a few days, may I have your assistance?"
"Of course. I will be right back with coal. Would you mind getting a blanket. Let's get comfortable." Alaya exits the office looking back to her wife. "Together."
Fiona puts down the journal and opens up the murphy bed. She grabs from the cubbyhole pillows and a couple of blankets. The pillows smell like her mother. She goes to the master bedroom and grabs all the pillows off the bed and returns to the office.
By the time Alaya has returned the office has become a lounge area with Fiona heating up water for tea. "I've decided we are in here tonight. I hope you don't mind."
"No, it is appropriate. Your mother's scent lingers."
"Yes, I can smell her perfume on the pillow cases. You don't need a Sliurian tongue to do everything."
Alaya smiles as she puts more coals on the warm fire. "If we are going to be here for the night, I will change."
"Why?"
"I want to be more comfortable."
"I need a distraction to keep me focused."
Alaya doesn't hesitate and disrobes all the way to her pink and emerald layer. She bends down picking up her clothes off the floor, "If you need assistance ..."
"I am good, thank you."
Alaya looks to her wife who is already naked, "That was fast." They fold their clothes, and arrange their shoes next to the chairs.
Fiona hops into the bed. Alaya follows. The two wrap themselves up as Alaya opens the first section, '1913'.
1913 will be the last peaceful year for the world, enjoy it. There will be many wars in the future, but two of them one in 1914 and the second in 1939 will have an global effect that will last throughout all earth's history, there is even residue in my future.
1913 will be your last opportunity for safe travel, luxuries, and sustaining a full Silurian diet. Here are my suggestions preparing for the transition from a peaceful world into a hostile globe.
FOOD
1. Get an allotment, it will supplement your meals.
2. Learn to grow your own high protein foods: Pumpkin Seeds, Asparagus,Cauliflower, Peanuts, Bean Sprouts, Almonds, Spinach, Broccoli and Quinoa. You will learn to love a vegetarian diet. - As I write this I see Vastra winching at the idea of having a no meat. If rrefrigeration is not an option may I suggest to dry the meat in strips at a low temperature 140 degrees 4-6 hours. This will dry the meat out, but if you store the dried meat in canning jar they can last up to 6 years.
3. Fats will be a luxury. Luckily fat can be stored in canning jars. You will find that between 1915 and 1950 fats for cooking will worth more than gold. It might be a great financial investment.
4.
Alaya stops reading. "Hold on a minute." She gets out of bed and grabs a blanket off the bed and wraps it around herself. "I need my mothers for just a moment."
She opens the door and looks down the stairwell, she coughs loudly. Two heads pop out from the ground floor. "Mothers, did you compile a list or shall we?" Alaya smiles as she smells her wife making a poor attempt to sneak up her from behind.
Mother Jenny, "We are working on our priority list. You should do the same. We will compare notes later."
Mother Vastra smiles, "Exciting isn't it?"
Alaya shakes her head and smiles at her Silurian mother, "I appreciate your positive outlook." Alaya is trying to maintain composure as her naked wife is crawling up the blanket and laying in between her shoulder blades. "Have ... Have a good evening."
"Good evening." Vastra looking up watching her daughter go undone.
"Boundaries mother." Alaya smiles down as she turns around and holds her wife's naked body. "Let's go back to the warmth of the bed."
They return to the sanctuary of the murphy bed this time with a pencil and paper. "We shall take turns writing notes, although your penmanship has become less appealing the more you are in medical school."
"I use shorthand my dear. It isn't meant to be read by everyone."
"I was worried there for a moment that you were nervous."
"Me? Nervous?" Smiling devilishly at her wife, "Do you know what Quinoa is and how do we procure seeds?"
"Write it down on the list."
Fiona nods, "What is Quinoa? I hope it is sweet."
"Are you ready to continue?"
Fiona nods again curling up to her naked wife.
4. Flour will be rare. Many will use potatoes, straw and even saw dust to create the illusion of bread. The best way to store flour is through a process called oven canning. Preheat oven to 200 degrees, fill canning jars with dried goods and place in oven for one hour. Don't let Fiona burn herself, you might have to tape pot holders around her wrists. Put on the lids and place back in oven for thirty more minutes. This will give your dry goods a storage life up to twelve year.
5. Fruit, especially imported, will be rationed. Can as much preserves as possible.
6. Petrol will be extremely limited. I know that it might be inconvenient, Especially during Fiona's medical school obligations. Do your best, that is all that matters.
7. Tea will become sanctioned with a two grams weekly allowance. Did Vastra and Jenny just gasp?
Fiona laughs out loud, she has always loved her mother's sense of humor. "Let's find out!"
Alaya's eyes sparkled as they both lept out of bed, covering themselves up with a blanket and head out the landing. Alaya coughed loudly. This time the first floor door opens. Mother Jenny comes out, "What?"
"We just got to tea. How did mother react?"
"It wasn't pleasant."
Everyone laughs and soon an upset tall Silurian emerges from her bedroom naked. "It is not funny. We need to find a way to store tea."
"Which shocked you the most? Lack of meat or lack of tea?" Fiona teases Mother Vastra.
"I don't find it funny that what little I ask of 'Our London' will be taken from me in form of government control. Not funny indeed."
"Mother Vastra. Have you ever gone without meat or tea?"
"Yes, it wasn't pretty."
"You can always have my tea and meat. I shall go vegetarian, will that please you?"
Vastra looks up, "That is generous little one. I accept."
"I will not give up my tea."
"You did not get to number nine and ten, did you?"
Fiona looks to Alaya as they both run back to the room.
8. Soap will be rationed. Learn to make your own.
9. There will be a paper shortage. Newspapers will be limited in number of pages and publishers will be allotted a small amount of paper. Which means very few books, especially those recreational will be limited print. Has my Fiona started to cry? Alaya hold her close, it will get worse.
10. Whisky, especially Scottish Whiskey will be rationed. It will be difficult to buy, the supply will almost non-existent. Alaya, good luck!
Fiona runs out to the landing, looks down to see a smiling Vastra. "Ye ur terrible!"
"It seems, little one, we all have to make sacrifices."
"Ah shaa trade mah tea for whiskey an' a good book?"
"My kingdom for a horse?"
"Och aye."
"Are you ladies going to cough all night to get our attention?" Jenny demands.
"I don't know. You have read the journal. What is your guess?" Alaya smiles back down to her mothers.
Vastra regrets not reading together as a family, "We have much to discuss. April was quite thorough. We shall gather once you read it through."
"What of your exams? Are you prepared?" Mother Jenny asks compassionately, "This is is emotionally taxing and an unplanned distraction."
"I am prepared. Thank you for worrying. I ... do appreciate you. May I count on your support next week to cram my brain with facts?"
"Of course. As long as I don't have to talk about cricket," Jenny smartly retorts.
"No cricket. Thank you both. Good night."
Alaya and Fiona return to their room and continue to read the journal in private. Each take turns writing down questions and notes while the other reads.
By the time it was two in the morning Fiona's eyes were fighting to remain open. Alaya closed the journal, turned off the lamp and curled up to her wife.
Tomorrow they will read about WWII.