Keeper's Knowledge (Balancer's Soul cycle) (78 page)

“I insist.” Sarah said answering Sorono.

“
Very well
.
I
will then tell the
gathered
about what happened and why things went the way they did. Also we will tell them to treat our gusts with respect, because all of you witnessed yesterday’s events
an
d
you know they will all be confused
.”
Everyone turned to look at
Connor
and then they looked back.
“There is still one thing we
still
need to figure out. We have had a few suggestions on how to end this meeting, but we haven’t decided on a plan of action
as of yet
. I have heard you all tell Damian things like a
holding
talent show, ability demonstration, reopening the tournament hall or even making an art exhibition. Unfortunately I will not allow the tournament hall to be reopened because
I destroyed it and something else is
now
occupying the room.”
Apparently no one knew of this and they sighed.
“Are
there
any more suggestions one could make?”

Sarah mumbled
quietly
down at her empty platter
and Sorono
heard it and
smiled.
It looks like Harmonizer’s
also share acute hearing.
“Would you like to share your thoughts to the rest of them?”

Sarah’s head jerked up to look at him coolly. “I thought a dance would work for everyone. It’s not dangerous and we can use the cafeteria for the dance floor. After we move the tables out of the way,
that is
. I know we have great musicians
here
and I
love couples dancing.”

“What would you have to wear for the dance?”
Sorono smiled knowingly and
Connor
then caught
his plan
.
Sorono is
a
devious
ancient creature
.

“Well, since we are stuck down here for the next few months I think we can make our own clothing. Unfortunately we will need
some
materials.”

“Do not worry about that
.
I can get whatever is needed and have it here within two days
if there is an agreement
. What
say
the rest of you? Do you like this idea or should we keep planning?”

Head
Elder Amphrite raised her hand and Sorono allowed her to speak. “I like the idea, but what kind of dance should we have? There are so many
styles
to choose from. You know like Masquerades, Ballroom, Ballet, Tap, Modern, Belly, Swing, Latin or I could continue
naming more
.”

“Why not do several different dances
?” Kara said
,
thinking aloud again. She realized what she said when everyone looked at her. She knew they wanted more and
Connor
knew she would
be happy to
oblige them. “I mean
,
we can do a dance a day
like they did during my high school freshman year
. We will be stuck
in here
like Sarah said and I’m already getting bored
of the same routines. What if we also held dance classes for those who don’t know those dances. We can also split up between men and women
to create our outfits
. I know I don’t want Mark to see the dresses I’m going to make until the dance itself. I mean come on
;
even
I can see how bored all you old people are and I can see you want a little excitement from these
long and
bo
ring meetings.
I mean your lives can
’
t be that consumed in ruling everyone, come on your immortal; you have the time to relax once in awhile.
Being cooped up in
here all the time must be so stale.”
She
rested her chin on her right palm which her elbow propped on the table
and sighed
.

“
Kara
,
stop referring to the E
lders as
old people
.” Mark warned.

Amphrite threw her head back and laughed.
“Girl
,
I like you. Your blunt
honesty is just what we
old
people need.” She then turned to her mate. “Poseidon, how do you feel about dancing
with me after all this time
?”

His
gentle
green eyes spoke everything. “I’m in.
W
e haven’t
properly
danced
together
in centuries.” Amphrite squealed and threw her long arms around her stunned mate. “
Also I like the idea of separating into men and women to make our
clothing. What do the rest of you have to say?” No one had any objections. He turned his green eyes to Sorono and said “The Bala
ncers agree to do the dance.
I expect Adela and Alexander to also agree
with the group
.
Plus I know Alexander will enjoy playing music for the dance regardless.
”

“The Keepers also agree. Do the Changers have any objections?”

Head
Elder Raphael looked at his companions and they all nodded. “All of us agree to do the dance. I ask when and where should we get started on this dance?”

Sorono rubbed his scaly chin as he looked up to think.
“Since we have covered
pretty much
everything for the meetings as Elders
,
we can get started on
designing
the clothes and rehearsing tomorrow. We can let the women use the audience hall and the men can use level one
to start designing their clothing
. We can hide the clothes behind curtains and have Guards
posted
keep any spies away fr
om peeking at their mate’s clothes
. How about we set five hours a day for preparing for the dance and also end the meeting a month earlier?”

“Father, what do you mean by ending a month earlier?”
Damian said for them
all to hear. “
We have always done six month meetings.”

“Because as Kara put it, were all getting bored
, I can sense it
.
The other immortals have become restless. I cannot afford to have any conflicts just to pass the time. The outside world has grown to live and change faster, whereas we are too used
change taking longer. Patience isn’t always a good thing when decisions need to be made.
And I have
a few
someone
’
s
I’m looking
forward to gr
eeting
once we wrap up the meeting.”

Connor
said in
mild
humor “Yeah I can’t wait to go out and see real nature as well.” Sorono grinned and started laughing. Everyone was clueless except for th
ose in his sanctuary yesterday.

“Alright, let’s get cleaned up and get ready for today’s final meeting.”

Everyone stood and cleaned their plates and left to get ready.

Sarah
stood u
p and helped
both
Kara and
her m
other
clean off the
remnants of the
table.
She
turned around when a hand
gently
touched
her shoulder. Th
e tall Head Elder Amphrite
stood before her
.
Amphrite
wore her sleeveless black robes and her green eyes were
stunningly
curious
on her fair features
.
Sarah
bowed
out of habit
and asked “Is there something I can do for you Head Elder Amphrite?”

“Amphrite is fine. Formalities are just for the meetings.” She looked behind her shoulder. “Is it alright if we talk in private for a minute?”

Sarah
looked at
her m
other a
s
she said “We can finish
up
here
without you
. Go
on
ahead.”

She
dropped to the ground with Amphrite
a
nd could tell Connor was watching
them
walking to a secluded corner of the front room.
They
silently walked over to the corner, but it wasn’t silent thanks to
everyone’s chattering behind them
. Once
they arrived
,
Amphrite turned to lean against the wall. Her eyes remained curious as did her faint smile. She started the conversation by saying “Yesterday was quite interesting I must admit and I also admit
that
I’m very curious about you and your mate.”

Sarah
lean
ed against the other wall and
ca
ught him stealing a glance in their
direction
again
. “He’s something else isn’t he? I’m sorry about how he reacted during the meeting yesterday
and how he spoke to
your mate,
Poseidon
.”

She let out a sighing laugh. “It was a very literal demonstration of using all five elements
if I do say so
. I myself can only use Metal and Terra and Poseidon can use the other three. For the longest time we were the strongest Balancers. We were so odd that together we could use all five together
like none before us
, but you and your mate
can do all five separately. Does this sound strange if I told you I’m happy that you are stronger than I am?”

“It does sound stran
ge. Why do you feel that way?” Sarah
rested
her
head on the wall to look at
the eldest living Balancer
.

“Because no other Balancer’s before or after me have ever
been able to
control the five elements. When Poseidon and I became one and we learned of our unique traits
,
we were given tests to see why we were so different. Not one person was able to tell us why we could do what we could. After twelve thousand years my mate and I made it to be on the Elders council and another
fifteen thousand to become Head E
lder.”

She
felt just a little reckless so
Sarah
said what
popped into her mind
. “Just to let you know, my dream is to
one day take your place as Head
Elder. I know it will take a long time, but I do have to warn you.”

Amphrite let out a lilting laugh. “Well I look forward to the rivalry. I’m not ready to give up my throne so easily.”

“I wouldn’t want
it if it was easy to achieve.” She
felt so relaxed talking with this ancient woman
. “So why did you really call me over here?”

Amphrite’s
curiosity returned. “What is it like being the way you are
?”

“Interesting to say the least,
” Sarah
admitted truthfully. “When we became one, everything
just
felt right. My parents gave us the affinity test and we learned of our situation. Just about every month our strength
seemed to double
as did our
energy
storage. I saw you watching us as we ate.” Amphrite smiled and showed her perfectly white teeth. “I know we eat a lot, but it only satisfies us. Neither Connor nor I have ever felt a full sensation since we bonded. And since my little one is siphoning off my energy
,
I’m even more hungry. I could go without food for two to three month with my current level of energy, but
I am
still
always hungry.”

“I was the same way with my
five
daughters. Trust me, I know the feeling all too well.”
S
he glanced at the table as it was mostly finished
being clean
. “One last thing,
do you wish
to use our facilities before going out?”

Sarah
knew
her
clothes smelled a little ripe, but
Amphrite
was trying to remain polite. “I would like that very much. May I ask
if the rest of us can because they might like it as well?
Thank you for the offer, Amphrite.”