On the first day of scheduled practise with M’traliel, it did not take long for llhaesa’s former dedication and focus on task to kick into play.

M’traliel knew with one look; she could see the intensity in llhaesa’s facial expression, in how llhaesa carried herself physically. Llhaesa was back and focused. The world had best take heed of what the significance of her focus meant long term.

Too long absent from her life of music, llhaesa intended to reach for and embrace her musical and political heritage, and that effort was evident from the first moment she walked in the lounge.

There was another factor now; llhaesa might soon be pregnant, and that would prove an interesting added element to their work, from practise to recording to touring.

Committed to working with a practise audience, llhaesa initially worried that those in the lounge might think her snobbish once her mind locked in to practise, and instead she chose to wander over and chat, explaining what those in the lounge might witness, how her focus would be rather myopic.

The musical tandem brought in other instruments to supplement the baby grand in the lounge: acoustic and electric guitars, amplifiers, violins, an electronic keyboard, as well as a flute, all kept aboard in a locker, available to the crew as desired.

Llhaesa and M’traliel, after discussing various options, decided the music for the first recording would primarily feature piano and electric violin, at which M’traliel excelled. They would overlay other instruments occasionally, but would make every attempt to keep these two instruments as the sole element of each piece.

As with most llhaesa writings, their music would defy genre categorisation, as llhaesa might write something with elements of jazz, rock, classical, blues, bluegrass, whatever interested her and worked in that particular song.

What would be predictable throughout every song was the superb musicianship of both artists. M’traliel had eschewed a music career, first for the revolution, and after llhaesa’s loss, to settle with Khahishra in a tropical climate and run a rather laid-back inn.

Now that llhaesa was back with them, M’traliel, fifteen years older and wiser, was no longer as stage-shy as in the immediate shadow of N’rellia graduation. She felt the pull of music, and a chance to do something she loved. On top of that, there was a new cause to work, for she totally loved the idea of helping this world find itself to a better place.

M’traliel and llhaesa wrote music separately, but teamed to write collaborative works as well. In some cases, llhaesa and M’traliel assembled snippets of separate writings to make exciting new arrangements.

On this first day, they worked with three songs, and phrase by phrase, note by note, they worked, altered, and refined until the music sounded perfect. With how they wished it to sound perfected, they moved to actually mastering the playing of each song.

The lounge observers marvelled at the focus and talent of the artists as they crafted new music. Most there had little knowledge of how artists actually wrote music, and this proved a wonderful window into that world.

After a few hours of refinement, the duo decided to play the three songs back to back to back without stopping to edit or correct. Llhaesa had yet to put lyric to song, and so they simply played the music.

Twenty-one minutes of brilliant music followed, with llhaesa at her best on the piano, while M’traliel surprised even herself with the electric violin. By this time, the lounge had filled after word spread of the practise.

The final song had half the patrons dancing, and no one who watched could refrain from moving with the music. Llhaesa worked the piano as if she had an extra set of hands; such was the blinding speed and dexterity of her hands.

The electronic keyboard sat at the ready, strategically located to the side of llhaesa, and she worked that into her play in the final song as well, playing both instruments simultaneously. M’traliel moved in close, and now furiously working the violin, jammed in musical communication with llhaesa.

Llhaesa kicked the piano bench to the side and stood standing, continuing to play both instruments. M’traliel was as close as she dared get to llhaesa, leaning in to create more intimacy in their musical duet.

The song finished with a final flurry that saw llhaesa spin thrice, striking keys on piano and keyboard as she spun by. Three separate exclamation point notes ended the song to thunderous and continuing applause.

Bowing to the gathered crew, the musicians bowed once, twice, a third time, and then holding hands, a forth. Even as the applause continued, they made their way to the bar, where each ordered a beer. Llhaesa consumed hers in two pulls; such was her thirst from the musical work out. She followed this with a glass of seltzer and lime, not wishing alcohol to impair her afternoon.

Each took their leave for the day, ready to pick up where they left off today. Overnight they would undoubtedly write or finish new pieces to bring to practise the following day.

Over a week’s time, they worked and reworked the writings, until they had five songs that well represented their talent. Llhaesa listed the finished songs on their new website, available for purchase. Sales started slowly, but once Jamila mentioned their availability, downloads skyrocketed.

By the end of the third day of sales, they already had sufficient funds to pay for housing. Ronnie, now with Vicki and David learning to manage future foundation work, had a ready team to handle finances.

The release of the first five did not deter llhaesa and M’traliel; they intended the first releases as a quick stopgap measure while they worked on a more substantial recording. This would take over two months to assemble, and likely would only be ready for wide release when they readied to move planetside.

On that first day of practice, llhaesa, returning to her flat, found Saehressa with the girls, playing an Arrkarharan board game. Apparently Serry was winning for the third game in a row, thoroughly annoying Addison.

Once the inevitable happened and Serry proclaimed her victory, Saehressa retired from the game to visit with llhaesa. Saehressa could still see the afterglow llhaesa sported from the music session.

Smiling, Saehressa felt a need to share her thinking in the moment. They sat down at the kitchen table, sitting across from one another. “Essa, you know we all missed you during your absence. Yet now that you are back, I am reminded of the million little and big things that make you, you. We rather lost all the individuality in our grief. Thank you for the reminders!”

Llhaesa blushed, not quite knowing what to reply to her mother’s remark, and instead chose to change topic. “How do you feel about how things have evolved mum, really?”

“After you were gone, it was me and Jahrae, as well as Hrilleae and Djellrin, but mostly just me and Jahrae. My family lay decimated, and there were times I wished my life would fade away, but I never quite fell that far.

Now you are back, and your marriage thrives. You somehow managed to stay connected to a wife who married Tim, not llhaesa, even as the formal ties severed. Instead, the three of you found a way to involve each other and parent equally, and by doing this, you brought Hrilleae, Anita, soon Dottie, and me into one family.

I have grandchildren to live for. I have you and Jahrae and Ronnie to live for, and my grandmother colleagues with whom I can spend time. Life is spectacular now!

Llhaesa, you know the family history, the tragedies, the pain…my gosh! I get to love you all over again, except now – well, this has been on my mind, and so I will just say it. We have talked so much on Jahrae’s growth in your absence, yet you have grown as a person as well.

You are an incredible parent, instinctively knowing when to be strict when to make light. You are involved, and always keeping your cool. I have watched you, llhaesa, and I know one could see such skill in your future, but you did not possess these skills fifteen years ago.

You talk about what you missed in seeing Jahrae’s growth, but in truth, we missed seeing you shine grow as well, seeing you become, and shine as, a parent. We missed all that you were then and are now, what happened in between. We missed seeing you move into your thirties and mature physically and mentally. While we talk about how Jahrae grew into a leader, we missed your leadership.

I can see now that with you back, this entire group still looks to you in quiet ways. Jahrae certainly has the skill and the experience now, but she too looks to you. Either of you can lead, but everyone in this family knows who leads this clan. You make us better, collectively. With the two of you together, well, everyone benefits, from the children, to you and Jahrae, to the remaining family, to two worlds.

What I have to say now, ‘essa, is difficult for me. Part of me wishes to ask you, to plead with you, not to be quite as activist going forward as you were in your past. When I feel the urge to ask this, another part of me knows and pulls back the other side, knowing that such a request is unfair and inappropriate.

I would strip you of a fundamental part of who you are for the sake of keeping you near and dear. Goddess of Arrhazon, I do not wish anything to happen to you again, my heart could not withstand the blow – but it cannot withstand caging your beautiful spirit and your extraordinary vision. No matter what I might say in the future, ‘essa, always remember that on this day I gave sanction to you to disregard any such request, and to follow your heart, what you believe is right.

You are my daughter, but you lead this group, and I… trust your judgement.”

“Mum, there is something you ought to know, before you sign off on what you just said. I do thank you, and you know I love you. To see you and Jahrae again is such an incredible blessing. I just wish that daddy could be here. I knew, mum, I felt his loss through Aailhra a few months ago. Wherever daddy is, I hope he watches us now.

Not the point I wish to make. This one is actually news, or plans in the making. Mum, you cannot repeat this yet to your grandmother cohorts. Soon, one of us will be pregnant.”

Saehressa said nothing, and instead she took measure of her daughter as she digested this revelation. After a full minute passed during which llhaesa later doubted she breathed, Saehressa shared her perception and outlook. “’Essa, when you say ‘one of us,’ I take that to mean ‘you.’ And since I have a fifty percent change of being right…”

“Actually, mum,” llhaesa interjected, you have a thirty three percent chance of being right.”

Saehressa’s expression reflected the confusion she felt within as she pondered llhaesa’s words. Llhaesa, seeing confusion written on her mum’s face, giggled, and then explained.

“Mum, our girls have three mothers, and we decided our new child should have three mothers as well.”

“Well, that is nice dear that you would include Ronnie as you and Ronnie included Jahrae.”

“This is different, mum.”

Confusion pulled over Saehressa’s face anew, and this time she asked how it could be different.

“Elsrensia will use Ronnie’s blood to fertilise one egg – and I emphasise one egg – from Jahrae. The fertilised egg will then be implanted in me.”

Now understanding, Saehressa was all smiles. “This is great! The three of you are great! You worked things out so smoothly, have everyone involved and engaged in family, well done, ‘essa!”

“I’m not preggers yet, mum.”

“You will be, you will be, and that is beside the point. This has all the earmarks of one of your ideas, am I right in that assumption?”

“You are.”

“I thought so.” Saehressa stood and stepped around the table, motioning for her daughter to rise, and as llhaesa stood, she found herself wrapped in her mum’s long arms, arms that were in fact nearly identical to llhaesa’s arms. In appearance, the two were more like twins than mother and daughter.

Llhaesa reciprocated Saehressa’s hug, and neither felt any urgency calling them to end the embrace.