A wisdom of ages

Posted on 03 Feb 2016 @ 7:38am by Lieutenant Tuula Voutilainen M.D. & Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim

2,193 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Episode 10 - Symposium
Location: Akkadia - Warraquim Guild Mother's quarters
Timeline: MD41 1100

ON:

It was late morning and Ryaldi had risen late. Her very bones seemed to ache and she had to walk with a stick now. The end was not far off and she knew it. She knew that things had not resolved yet with the wayward daughter of the House that she and the Council had sent to the stars. They had spoken briefly and Ryaldi had been surprised that Allyndra was ready for another matron flight. That she had become pregnant from her own husband not her husband had been a complicated story and one that had put her own plans it disarray to an extent.

Allyndra had sent word about another problem also encountered from that fantastical story about another universe with Akkadians that had not put away the things of the past and that there were things that had come about from there as well.

Ryaldi had listened but she knew that Allyndra had one way of thinking and that this involved the alien girl that had come with her. She had thought at first that perhaps she was as her in the last year of life but no, it was not so, but a function of that these others could not heal as they did. At the quick formal meeting yesterday, Ryaldi could see that even on that alien face there was something that troubled her.

Thus she had sent word for this meeting by sending a servant around the previous evening along with something more suitable in clothing then the somewhat shocking outfit she had affected. Her legs had been showing for the Twins sake.

At the precise moment that she was summoned for, Tuula arrived, flanked by two servants. She was not used to being waited on hand and foot, but after breakfast in bed and the best coffee she had ever tasted, she felt it was something she could maybe get used to. Initially, she felt awkward about the servants as an egalitarian-thinking woman who values her independence more than anything. But they, and Allyndra, had assured her that it was an honour to serve.

With a wave of the hand, Tuula dismissed the servants. Ryaldi had sent her some traditional Akkadian clothing after the scene that she had caused at the reception. Apparently not everyone considered fishnets, torn leggings, and dark makeup to be appropriate formal wear.

The pastel blue clothing provided wasn't exactly Tuula's favourite colour, but she felt she could do something with that, so she had done some early morning styling with the colour wand and a razor, shaving away the undercut, dying the remains of the mohawk blue and purple, and tying it back.

While she wasn't thrilled with the colour, desiring something a little more bright and happy than pastel blue such asl black, Tuula didn't mind the cut of the bodice she was provided; in fact, she appreciated how it showed off some of her ink. Still, she had to accessorize it a little, with a black leather choker and a pair of punkish stilettos instead of the slippers she was provided.

"You wanted to see me, ma'am?" asked Tuula in a calm, respectful tone, bowing slightly forward in deference to the Guild Mother.

Ryaldi raised an eyebrow at the appearance of the alien woman sitting in a chair. That was one thing but now that her own infirmary had crept on her she had more appreciation of what it meant.

Ryaldi waved a hand toward the balcony which was wide and spacious beyound several large wooden doors that were opened with the breeze wafting in. "I have been told that you have something which troubles you. Perhaps another perspective might help, come child, let us enjoy the warmth of the Twins. It is said that sometimes inspiration flows when one is relaxed and full of the energy of their glow." Ryaldi nodded to the several servants that hovered in the periphery and made a dismissal motion. They all silently filed out closing the great doors to the room the behind them.

"Thank you, Guild Mother," said Tuula, pushing herself slowly towards the balcony as she took in her surroundings. The fine wood and leather furniture, freshly polished brass, and stunning plaster with gold leaf nearly overwhelmed Tuula with their opulence. Several statues, paintings, and tapestries displayed the long history of House Warraquim. There was not a speck of dust in the room as everything was freshly dusted, cleaned and polished on a daily basis. "You are right; I am faced with a moral dilemma and have come in part to seek the wisdom of Akkadia."

Ryaldi felt like cursing as she shifted onto her feet and walked with painful slowness out to a set of chairs that were set on the balcony and covered with soft cushions. "Please, come next to me here. There is refreshment if you wish it on the table." Ryaldi closed her eyes after setting the cane aside and tilted her head up. "The suns feel good do they not?"

"Yes," whispered Tuula as she pulled up to the table. She took a sip of the drink; it was sweet and flavourful, albeit with a strange metallic taste to it that wasn't quite to her liking. "The warmth feels good on the skin."

Ryaldi said nothing for a bit but then she stated with quiet demeanour. "Ah, we never appreciate what we have until it is gone. So many years and then one day, it all drains away and the bones ache, the muscles do not work and one has to use help to move. Forgive me if I sound impolite, but how do you manage? Is it that you have not experienced else?"

"It was almost six years ago today," replied Tuula. "I was in a shuttle accident; they said I was lucky to be alive." She took another long sip of the drink, pondering what the strangely familiar copper taste in it was. "Our species is not able to regenerate from severe injuries like yours."

"Ah! Yes, Allyndra has told me that she has been looking at that. The Council did give permission to delve into the archives the last time she was here. However, she told me a somewhat strange story. That you and her traveled to another universe, one in which if I understand correctly that our kind had put things away."

"Yes..." explained Tuula. "There is a mirror universe; one where things are the same but very different. We were accidentally transported there and encountered many of our mirror universe counterparts." Tuula took a deep breath and looked up at the suns, squinting to keep the sun on her skin and out of her eyes. Even a mention of the other Tuula chilled her to the bone. "They have Akkadians there as well. My mirror universe counterpart had uncovered some data on your regeneration abilities..."

Tuula paused and bit her lip. She didn't know how to explain it.

"And this data it was ill gained as I understand," Ryaldi said it as a statement and not a question. "And now you wrestle with if this can bridge the gap between what we achieved to bring to others, perhaps even yourself." Ryaldi looked at the alien woman and nodded and smile on her now lined face.

"That is wisdom in and of itself. The failure we learned of not looking ahead, not seeing the consequences of something. And yet....." Mother Ryaldi tapped her cane absently. "One can also be too conservative. We have stagnated and it is one reason I named Allyndra as heir. To help push us forward." She pondered for a moment more. "I can not offer you an answer, but I have thought on the dilemma you face. I would offer that we keep things here, safe in the archives. While a wonderful thing to heal completely and a gift to us, what would the consequences be to someone not Akkadian? Very long life? Changes to a natural evolution? I do not like to think my end, but what if there had not been an end built in? We would have overpopulated? Grown bored with life? Would others then seek that this would be a fountain of youth to fight and kill for? Keep it safe here, but do not forget it. Work with a bit at a time, take those necessary small steps and always think what might happen."

Tuula pondered Ryaldi's comments for a little while. They weren't as straightforward as she was hoping, but there was a certain wisdom to them. "Thank you," she replied, looking off into the distance. "This data has the potential to save many lives and relieve much suffering, but perhaps it is best kept within your archives for now. If anything, these secrets belong to Akkadia. Allyndra and her mirror universe counterpart have paid for them in blood. Not to mention what might happen if the galaxy finds out about Akkadian secrets."

Ryaldi nodded. "We can not move too fast but move we must. From what I was told about the trip there somehow it would seem that our counterparts found another way without giving up so much. Still I would urge you to explore further, as you have said, it could help others. Subtle though and careful, but then it is my opinion that you have the wisdom to see ahead."

Ryaldi rapped her cane and then said, "Enough of that. You are guest here and as such should enjoy your time. There are beaches, markets, what things might entice you to enjoy here? We have one of the finest Irsemia houses if that is where your desire takes you."

"Irsemia house?" asked Tuula, furrowing her eyebrow. She had heard Allyndra mention them before, but she didn't know what it meant. "I'm afraid I'm not familiar with that term..."

"Oh yes, you are not familiar with here. It is a place primarily for unmarried women to go to enjoy the intimacy of the body. "

"Ah." Tuula blushed at the description. "I'll think about that; in the meantime, do you have any tattoo parlours?" she asked in a more upbeat tone.

"Tattoo? I am afraid I am not familiar with the word."

Tuula pointed towards her chest. "Body art... ink underneath the skin."

"Ah, I see. The decorating of the skin. Some of the sky sailors do such things. If that is what you wish then of course it shall be arranged. One last question though before you go."

"Oh?" asked Tuula, reaching for her half-empty drink. "What is that?"

"Allyndra has been Mother named. It has certainly caused a bit of ripple here and she is not happy about it. As I stated I wish to push our world a bit forward and Warraquim word carries much weight on the Council. She would of course be required to stay here. I expected that she would refuse but then again I had not expected that she would be carrying as well and she has indicated she will do a matron flight. It complicates things. You are her friend, what would you counsel?"

Tuula thought on the question for a few moments as she finished off her drink. "I am not familiar with Akkadian culture or politics, so I am not qualified to give any advice. The only counsel I could possibly give to her is encouragement to do what she thinks is best."

Ryaldi shook her head. "Allydnra may have grown a bit from being off world but she still needs the counter of advice from a good friends." She then leaned forward and rang a small silver bell. It seemed as if one of the myrid of servants appeared who did deep curtsey. "Mother," she said quietly.

"Our guest here is curious about the skin decoration that the sky sailors get. Please arrange for escort and of course any payment is to be charged to the House."

"Yes, Mother, right away Mother," the woman dipped again and vanished.

Ryaldi turned to face Tuula. "The sailors decoration is not quite the same as that however you judge for yourself. Thank you for your time. I must say that I am glad we had the time together before I go meet the Twins."

"Likewise," replied Tuula. "I only hope that you have enough time left for Allyndra to make a wise and carefully considered decision, and that your journey is swift and painless."

Ryaldi nodded and then turned to watch the ocean. It was a dismissal as much as saying so.

The servant that hovered just on the periphery approached and made a small curtsey and then pointed her hands toward the door. In a quite voice she said, "Come I will guide you to the skin decorators. I am Ariyndra."

"Ariyndra..." said Tuula, as she pushed herself towards the door, trying out the name for herself. "So, aside from skin decorations and Irsemia houses, what do you do for fun on Akkadia...

(end)

OFF

Lieutenant (J.G.) Tuula Voutilainen
Medical Officer
USS Galileo

Ryaldi and Ariyndra
House Mother Guild Warraquim
and Servant
NPC temp (Allyndra illm Warraquim)

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