Name: L.M Griffin (Wrenny)
E-Mail: wrengrif@UDel.Edu

Drop Of Water, Intro
********************

This whole crazy idea has to deal with my friend Renee, and I, bitching
about certain things we didn't like in B5. We even came up with a list...

1. Marcus. The whole dying thing just sucked.

2. Marcus and Susan. Too unresolved, and dammit, people besides Delenn and
Sheridan deserve some happiness.

3. G'Kar. Where the heck did he go??

4. Garabaldi. The guy got too much grief, too little credit.

5. Londo *always* getting shortchanged. *my personal thing*

6. Sheridan dying. Big Sucky.

Now, even though a lot of these things deal with the whole JMS, B5 arc
thing...a lot of them just suck. But the two that got to Renee and I were
the Marcus and Susan thing, and Londo. Well, me more Londo, because he is
just my...*heh* sweetie, and Renee more Marcus, cause he's _her_ sweetie.

So wouldn't you know it, along comes the idea for a fanfic, or a series of
them, dealing mostly with the Centauri view of things (my peoples), and
smidge more of the Narn, which gave EVERYONE of our fave lil C's the
second chances they  deserve. Also allowing me to put in a new Character
of my own. Just for giggles. 

I can't promise excellence. I can't promise non stop action. But I can
promise I'll give it my best shot. If you are so inclined....read on.

L.M. Griffin
My Fave Quote for the Week....

"Londo, are you deliberately trying to drive me insane?"
-- Vir Cotto

"The universe is already mad, anything else would be redundant."
-- Londo Mollari

        -- Vir and Londo in Babylon 5:"Dust to Dust" 

(Did I mention how much I *love* Londo and Vir?? 
*glomps Vir and Londo happily*)

*ahems* The first copy was sent before I had final editing. This is the
revised copy. *blush* Sorry...

L.M Griffin

Note: *for copyright reasons* None of the B5 characters belong to me. They
belong to JS, and to Warner Bros. Whomever else is added, is mine.

Another Note: This fanfic is Londo-chocful. He's one of the few characters
whom needs a starring role more then once and awhile. Don't worry, all the
others will get thier chance...

"One mistake...out of so many..." Lyta Alexander, _Thirdspace_

A Babylon 5 Alternate Universe


Drop Of Water, The Series: 
by L.M Grifin

Part One: Reborn

In the spaces between this reality, and the next, there is a
place. A place unaffected by time, by life or by death. It is the eye in
the storm of chaos, that makes up the worlds around us. And it is here,
that the First Ones have gone. They call it the Rim.

They came there to escape; to find their own version of heaven or
hell. For they can no longer live in the turbulence of what we consider
everyday living. They exist there, watching us younger races as we
rise and fall, as we inevitably do. They sit, almost like humans
watching an ant farm, with a dispassionate view. For they, and they alone,
know the _true_ secret of the Universe. What would that be, you might
ponder. What do the First Ones know, that we do not?

Simply this, that time is a circle, and all that has come to pass
will pass again. And with each pass, there is a chance to make a 
difference. To change events that were meant, or not meant, to be. Those
who seek another chance merely need to wait...

At this moment, this very second, three of the First Ones stand in the
void, contemplating the view in front of them. One was a being of pure
light, a glory of some holy divination. One other was a creature not
unlike a giant black spider, but not one of substance. Rather, it made of
the inky darkness of space itself. The third was, by far, the most
recognizable. An alien of some considerable years, his tired golden eyes
watching the future play itself out within a withered face. He thoughtfully 
stroked his beard for a moment, then spoke to his companions, "You wronged
them...you know this? You tried to control them when they told you to
return no more to their galaxy. You destroyed their future...."

The black Shadow hissed quietly, and the old alien turned to it,
saying sharply, "Do not lie to me, and tell me it was for their own good.
Do not tell me so many innocents deserved to die, because they did not
bend to _your_ will!"

The black Shadow wilted back just slightly, as the being of light
sang in a clear, bell-like tone, "Lorien, we meant this not to happen.
There were so many mistakes...so many roads not taken."

Lorien sighed softly, looking at the Vorlon before him, speaking
softly, "Whether or not you meant for this course to be taken, it has
been. There is much damage to be corrected before the wheel  of time turns
all again. We must choose one who will tip the balances of Fate and
Destiny, for worse, or hopefully for better."

The Vorlon furrowed his brow, singing, "Who?"

Lorien looked into the void, to the past. He raised one wrinkled
finger, and pointed. A figure swam to view, of a small Centauri girl,
running in a garden on Centauri Prime. His voice was filled with
conviction, "Her. She died on this day, but we will keep that from
happening. For she will change the past, the present, and the future.
She will not be the puzzle, merely a piece of it. But she will affect
much."

The Shadow hissed softly, and Lorien murmured back, "I know; she
is just one girl. But have you forgotten so soon? It only takes one drop
of water, to change the course of a river. _She_is our drop of water..."

And the vision swirled....

*                                   *                               *
Centauri Prime, 2239
The countryside outside of the Capital

"Sha-'Shona <Little Sister>!", called out a chubby Centauri boy
of ten, "Come out, come out, where ever you are!" His brown hair was worn in a 
fairly small fan above his head, but his brown silken clothes were finely
made; the mark of a child from a rich merchant House. 

He stopped to look around him, breathing in the fresh country
air. He quietly admired the lushness of his Father's vast gardens. All
around him, the gha'al grass fell like a well groomed carpet, as far as
the eye could see. The broaal blossoms and visti flowers grew in abundance
in clusters. A lone gardener waved to the boy from a distance, as he pruned 
bushes on the other end of the lawn. The boy waved back, and continued his
search for his sister.

A giggle behind a tree caused the boy to turn around. His brown eyes 
lit up mischievously, and he quietly crept up on the tree. Another muffled
laugh was heard, and the boy whirled around the tree. He pounced on the
small, five year old girl there. "Gotcha!" he said with a grin, and began
to tickle her.

The girl, dressed in worn robes of blue silk, laughed. A blue
band circled her small bald head, and a tail of brown curls swished
around from her topknot, as she shook with a giggle fit from her brother's
tickling. She tried to squirm out from underneath him, kicking with both
of her small legs. Realising she wasn't going to be able to throw him off,
she screamed, "All right, all right, I call! Gaka! <Uncle> Gaka!"

The boy stopped tickling, and smiled wickedly, saying, "You give
up?"

The girl smiled back, sweetly. Then her deep blue eyes flashed,
and she pushed upwards with her knees, throwing the boy off balance.
Leaping to her feet, she took off running. She yelled behind her, as she
headed out the garden gate towards the surrounding countryside, "Not in a
million light-years! Catch me if you can, Rak'Hona <Big Brother>!"

The boy, slightly winded, ran after her, calling out, "Come back
here, you little..." 

The little girl giggled, as she ran across an open meadow, and
down through a grove of trees. She quickly slide behind of the larger
ones, and looked behind her to see if she had been followed. She 
grinned widely, as she ducked behind the tree, and her brother came flying
past. He missed her completely, and disappeared deeper into the grove. She
felt quite devious at tricking her brother, and just a little bit giddy.
With a low humming tune, she began to walk back towards her Father's
house, when she heard it.

Running water. A great deal of it, in fact. Perhaps a stream, or a
river. The sound trickled through the trees, and into her ears. Her small
mouth opened slightly, as she recalled her nightmare from the night
before.

There was a river, and she was kneeling besides it. In the water's
reflection, she saw four figures standing there, looking down at her. The
water rippled, so she couldn't see their faces clearly. But she knew there
was one woman, and three men. She was about to look up at them, ask them
what they wanted, when she felt something warm flow over her. Like, a
hot, humid wind. She turned slowly, and was caught in the face by a
brilliant light. As she threw her hands up to protect herself from being
blinded, a wall of fire engulfed her. She felt her clothes catch on fire,
the flames racing over her like a wild horse. She was being burnt alive,
her flesh curling under the heat of the flames. And then she opened her
mouth, and screamed...

The girl shuddered slightly, as she remembered waking, still
screaming, running her hands over her arms and face, trying to feel the 
burnt skin beneath her small fingers. It hadn't been there, and with
that realization, the girl realized she had her Death Dream. All Centauri
have one; sometimes it occurs later in their lives. But all see their
deaths in a dream, and more often then not, they are true.

She began to walk towards the sound of the water. Perhaps, just
perhaps, it was connected to her dream. Her Rak'Hona and Second Mother had
always told her that her curiosity, and her habit to always go on instinct
instead of thought, would get the better of her someday; but she had to
know...she had to. 

As she came out of the woods, she found the source of the water; a
stream running into a nearby lake. Following the stream, she remembered
that this was where her much older half brothers liked to swim. Yes, there
was the rock they leaped off of; a huge boulder that they called "Little
Mountain". She looked up at it, and gulped. It was so high off of the 
water, how could they leap without breaking their necks? Of course,
they had many years on her, even on Rak'Hona. And Rak'Hona was ten! 

She frowned; she really didn't like her older brothers. They
always picked on her Rak'Hona for not going with them to go swimming or
riding, or anything _they_ thought was 'normal. They called him a sissy,
and  informed  him all he would ever get to play with was dolls. Which was
silly, because SHE didn't play with dolls, and Rak-Hona always played with
her. But she saw the hurt in her brother's eyes when they said that to
him. When she said all they were was mean, arrogant bullies, they laughed
at her, and said that Rak'Hona could sooner climb that rock then she
could. She was too _small_, and besides, she was just a _girl_.

A determined look crossed her chubby face. If her snotty brothers
could climb it, well then, surely she could too. She walked down to the
rock, her stubborn little chin sticking out, snub little nose wrinkled
slightly. She looked up at the rock, and gulped once again. Well Father
always said, if you were afraid of something, go out and tackle it right
away, or your fear will rule you. 

With that thought, she grabbed unto the rock, and using her small
hands and feet, began to climb. The edges, she noted, jutted out more toward 
the water, making it easier to climb. Being a reasonable child, she slowly
moved around, and began climbing up that way. Below her, the lake lapped
against the rock. She tried not to look at the rippling water; it was such
an awfully long way down...

*                                 *                                 *

Animals who had been peacefully resting suddenly took flight, as
the bushes in front of them parted with an frightening crunch of leaves
and branches. A young man angrily kicked another stone with his shiny
black boot, moving through the shrubbery as quickly as possible. 

His name was Londo Mollari, son of Kenan Mollari. He was a
young war hero, an excellent swordsman, and in the top five percent of
his graduating class in the Academy. He had an excellent political
future planned out for him, as the soon-to-be head of one of the
'most' powerful Houses on Centauri Prime. He was also miserable
beyond belief.

He was merely twenty five years old, and he had to marry. _Again_.
Hadn't he suffered enough? Daggair, his first wife, was like some sort
of...well, she had outward sweetness of spoo, but inside she was as rotten
as a Paka'mara's lunch. She cooed to his face, and mocked him to his back.
For over two _years_ he had suffered her not so silent jibs. Now, NOW, his
father wanted him to marry some woman named Timov! Who, from the moment he
had met her, had made it plainly clear that she hated him. Who wanted a
wife that was THAT truthful? 

His face, not particularly handsome, but with a certain appeal, 
flickered into a smirk. At least he had managed to escape Timov's dour
presence for a little while. The countryside was peaceful, allowing him
time alone; time to think. Think that he really hated being the oldest
son, hated following in his father's footsteps, hated being married to
ANYONE. Basically, that he hated his life.

"So what ELSE is new, Mollari?" he muttered to himself. He sighed,
and smoothed down his red burgundy coat, which he had worn to meet his new
"blushing" bride, and his new in-laws. A more insufferable lot he had 
never met in his entire life. No wonder Timov was so sarcastic, her family was
depressing enough to make a Minbari wince.

He sighed again, and stuffed his hands in his pockets. Why
couldn't he marry for love? Why couldn't HE choose who he had to spend
"the rest of his life" with? His slate grey eyes saddened at the thought
that he might just have to grow old without ever falling in love. Truly
in love, not some one-time fling with a dancer. Now, it looked like he 
just might end up living his life with two women who didn't give a Narn's
pootie about him. Hell, the way his father was ragging on him, perhaps
three women. Now _that_ was depressing.

The rest of his thoughts followed this gloomy train, as he came upon a
small stream. Bored, restless, and not really eager to return to his so called 
'courting', he followed it until he came upon a woodland lake. The blue sky 
reflected in choppy water, and a strong wind blew the marsh grass along the 
banks. A forak called out as it flew overhead, it's brilliant yellow wings
thrown wide in flight. A half smile flickered over his lips, as he
watched the bird disappear over the horizon. 

"How beautiful...", he murmured in his soft Southern accent,
a tone very few in the Imperial City had. He spent some of his childhood
years by the sea, during his mother's illness. He and his brothers
and sisters flocked to the ocean every day, while their Mothers
watched, smiling. Londo had always loved the water...

His eyes flickered around the lake, lost in memories. Then his
gaze suddenly halted. He could be mistaken, but was someone there, on that
high rock? It wasn't that far from him, but he really couldn't be sure. He
moved his way through the underbrush, and towards the edge of the lake. As
he came closer, he saw her. A tiny thing of a girl, no more then a few
Standard years old. Perhaps five. She was dressed in the clothes of a
child born to wealth, yet she was climbing that rock like one of the
street urchins might scale a wall in the Imperial City.  He had to admire
her spirit; for one so small, she was determined to make it to the top. 

Then came a voice out of the woods that startled him, and the girl
as well. It was of a young boy, and it echoed through the trees loudly,
"Sha'SHONA! Where ARE you?!?"

The girl on the rock flinched slightly, and as her body jerked,
her hand slipped off the ledge which she had precariously clasped. With a
scream, she lost her balance, and tumbled off the rock towards the water
below. She disappeared underneath the water's surface. 

Londo gasped, and started running towards the rock itself. The
girl still had not risen from the lake, as he paused for a moment, kicking
off his boots, and stripping off his jacket to reveal his simple white
ruffled shirt, and black pants. He looked at the black-blue water for a
moment longer, then taking a deep breath, plunged in.

The water was freezing, but the dread in his stomach that he would
not be able to find the girl before it was too late was something much
worse. Through the murkiness he spotted her, a flash of blue in the black
mists. As he swam closer towards her, he could see the panic in her eyes.
Then he saw what kept her from floating to the top. A piece of weed had
wrapped around her foot, and as she kicked, it just wrapped more firmly
around her small ankle. With one kick, he avoided her thrashing form, and
tugged at the weed. The girl was smart, as soon as he began to work on the
weed, she calmed herself down. She was losing air fast though, as was he.
He'd better get his butt in gear, as he had heard a Human Ambassador say
once.

He gave it one good yank, and she was freed. Grabbing her around
her little waist, he pulled them both towards the surface. As they both
broke through, they gasped for air. On the banks, a young boy stood,
screaming. Once he saw his sister, he started to cry with relief. Londo
gritted his teeth slightly, if one thing grated on his nerves, it was the
sobbing of small children. Not like the boy didn't have a _reason_, but
really...

The girl clung to his neck, as he pushed towards the shore. She
was amazingly calm for someone who almost drowned. Why, if he hadn't
decided to follow the stream....he banished those thoughts from his head.
As they emerged from the water, Londo carried the girl over to whom he
could only assume was her brother. She jumped down from his arms, and ran
to the boy.

The boy, who was still sniffling, hugged her to him tightly. Londo,
meanwhile, looked himself over. Wonderful, he was soaked. His clothes were
probably ruined from the muddy lake water. And his usually carefully
styled hair fell down into his eyes in black strands. He wrung out his
hair, trying to spike it upwards as best he could. However, he knew the
effect was less then spectacular.

He turned to the sound of a slight giggle, coming from the little
girl. The boy, one hand on his sister's shoulder, looked at him, 
admiration shining in his eyes. He bowed respectfully to Londo, saying
quietly, "We are in your debt, sir. You have saved my youngest sister
from...from...well, from something really terrible."

Londo half smiled; the boy's sincerity was, well, heart warming.
Not many Centauri would bother thanking another, at least not with such
simplicity. He bowed in return, saying calmly, "It was nothing. I trust
though that you will keep your sister away from such heights from now
on?"

The boy nodded solemnly, as the little girl giggled again. Londo
kneeled before the little girl, amused, "And what is so funny, my tiny
mountain climber?"

The girl's eyes flashed, a brilliant blue. Londo found himself
somewhat captivated by the color. Her eyes reminded him of a necklace 
his mother was fond of wearing. A sapphire, as big as a credit piece, with
different flickering shades of blue. In the light, it glowed. Yes, this
tiny girl had eyes like that stone. Wasn't it an old prophecy that
children that were born with eyes of blue were kissed by the Gods?
Children of Luck; yes, that was the phrase. 

The girl left her brother's side, and over to Londo. With chubby
fingers, she tried to straighten a strand of his fallen hair. It quivered
for a moment, then flopped back into his face. The girl laughed again,
saying, "You're all wet!"

"Shona!", the boy said, shocked, "Mind your manners! This is the
man who saved your life." 

Londo shook his head at the boy, as he laughed, "It's all
right." He turned back to the girl, saying crisply, "You are right,
little one. I _am_ all wet. And do you know whose fault that is?" He poked
her slightly in the stomach.

The girl blushed, as she said quietly, "Mine, sir...I am sorry you
had to ruin your pretty clothes to fish me out of the lake."

Londo smiled at her, strange actually smiling at a female and
meaning it, and whispered, "It is quite all right. If you are a damsel in
distress, then I as your knight will gladly save you. Again, if necessary."

The girl smiled, two dimples showing plainly on her cheeks. She
leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. Totally improper, but Londo
concluded, sweet. "Thank you, noble knight.." she whispered back.

The boy looked slightly surprised at his sister's familiarity with
the young nobleman; usually she hated being around strangers. He was a
little more shocked when the nobleman's eyes warmed over, and he kissed
his sister's hand. Then came the sound the boy had been dreading himself,
the first bell chime for dinner. It was time to go home, and oh boy, was
he going to catch it when First Mother caught a sight of Sha'Shona. ..

The girl turned to look at her brother, fear glinting in her
eyes. She was thinking the same thing, and she ran back over to him. The
young man frowned, "Is something wrong?"

The boy smiled weakly, "We have to be heading home, sir. You
see, it's time for dinner, and well, we'll probably already be in for
it when _they_ see her. Being late, that's just going to make things
worse. First Mother, let me tell you, she gets very...angry over things
like this. But yet again, I thank you...from the bottom of both our
hearts." He bowed again, and began tugging his sister back through the
forest. He paused again to yell, "I hope to meet you again, kind sir.
Well, not like this anyways..but perhaps in a more, suitable environment.
Or something. Well, uhm..thanks! Again!"

Londo yelled, "Think nothing of it, and it was a pleasure meeting
you both..." He paused, then added, "And I sincerly hope not to see
either ONE of your under such circumstances again!" 

The girl turned, her hand still tightly in her brother's. She 
called back, "I will stay out of trouble, from now on. I promise!" She
waved and smiled.

Londo laughed again, yelling, "Don't make promises you can't keep,
my little lady!"  He watched as the children disappeared over the hill,
then said to himself, "The first female whom I would actually like to
spend some quality time with, and she's five years old..." 

He shook his head, as he kneeled to put his boots back on. Knowing
his luck, he'd never see that little charmer again. Or her babbling
brother, who, for someone his age, was surprising mature. Besides the
crying. Nice children, both of them. A true shame he would not get to know
them as they grew up...but who knew? The Great Maker worked in strange
ways.

Now if the Great Maker could only get him out of this marriage.
With a quiet groan, he slung his jacket over his shoulder, and headed back
towards Timov's home, dreading every step.

*   *   *

The Main Hallway stood empty in its quiet grandeur. Like the rest
of the house, it reeked of old money. Silken tapestries hung from every
wall, and the furniture was made of old braken wood. The floors themselves
were marble, and covered with expensive rugs. Besides the tapestries,
family portraits of ancestors hung in musty arrogance. This was a House
of name, perhaps not of one of the Royal Court names, but one to be
respected. And into this hall crept two of the descendents of that name, 
trying not to be noticed by servants or family members alike.

The boy peeked around the corner of the Main Hall. The coast was
clear. He turned to his sister, still wet from head to toe, and nodded.
The two quickly scooted down the Hall, towards the main staircase. They
had just reached the base, when a snide male voice came calling to them
from the shadows, "And where do you think YOU two are going? Dinner
starts in ten minutes, and you know First Mother hates it when we are
late."

The boy and the girl winced, looked at each other, and slowly
turned back to the Hall. From the dark recesses of one of the many doors,
that particular one leading from the green lounge, two older Centauri
boys, about 14, and one Centauri girl, 16, emerged. 

The boys expressions were mirror opposites of each other, as they
were the "Twins", Father's heirs to be. Both were tall, and somewhat 
stout, which they had gotten from their mother. Their hair and eyes were a
deep ebony, and they both had inherited Father's strong chin, a fact which
they rubbed into their younger brother every moment they could, as they
said "he didn't have one, and never would.." At the edge of manhood, they
were intelligent, charming, and tactfully cruel. They were, as First
Mother liked to say, wonderful Centauri. 

The girl wore a long, brown braid down from her bald head, and her
appearance was one of the proper young lady. With cat-like hazel eyes, a
creamy complexion, and an excellent figure, she was considered one of the
beauties of the Court. Her younger siblings however, knew of her dark
temper. She could as mean spirited as her Mother. She was considered a
good Centauri woman.

One of the twins came forward, dressed in a dark red suit, his
black eyes dangerous. His tone was demanding, "What in the name of the
Great Maker happened to _you_, Sha'Shona?" 

The small girl lifted her chin up high, saying firmly, "None of
your business, Makil." as she addressed him by name, an insult in a
proper Centauri home. Younger siblings only addressed their elder ones by 
Rak'Hona, or Rak'Shona, as a mark of respect for their place in line of
birth. The older boy bristled slightly, and moved towards the small
girl, but his younger brother stepped in front of the small girl, his face
determined, protecting her.

The other twin, also dressed in dark red, snorted, "Are you two
going to be in trouble when First Mother sees you! I bet it was all your
fault, wasn't it _Flubbo_?" He sneered at the boy, whose soft brown eyes
flashed anger, but he said nothing. Saying things had the most horrible
way of getting him pummeled by the older boys.

"It wasn't, Mikal! Unlike _you_, my _true_ Rak'Hona doesn't look
to get me in trouble.", the girl cried, poking her head around her older
brother, her blue eyes narrowed. Her brother turned to her, and
smiled. He squeezed her hand tightly in his, and she squeezed back.

The older girl snickered, "Does it matter? Father will have you
_both_ spanked, and chastised when he sees the state..." she sniffed
disdainfully at the little girl's clothes, "...of her attire." She
smoothed down her own gown of green silk haughtily.

The two younger siblings looked at each other, worried looks on 
their faces. They knew this to be only too true. The younger boy said
quietly, "Yes, but he won't know...unless Makil, or Mikal, or _you_,
Jessin, tell him. And I sincerly ask you not to do that..." He tugged on
the little girl's hand, and they started for the staircase again. He
paused at the base, continuing, "But of course, you will. So what's the
point of asking nicely?"

It was almost unnoticeable, those expressions of hurt that flowed
over the three older siblings faces. Their own baby sister and brother
didn't trust them. The three had brought it upon themselves, never
missing an opportunity to set the blame on the younger ones, insulting
and belittling them. Years of quiet jealousy and resentment made up the
gap between the three older children and the two younger. How  the three
'favored' children were in fact the ones most neglected when it had come
to love from their Father. 

The little girl whispered, "You just hate us because Father loved
our Mother..." The second the words had come out of her mouth, she
regretted them. 

The moment of guilt was gone, as Jessin smirked, masking the hurt 
expression that came over her face when the little girl had spoken. Makil
and Mikal copied her, their smirks almost as cold as their older sister.
"Sha'Shona has a big mouth, Sha'Hona. And it's going to cost you. I'm
sure punishment for both of you will be fair; a few good welts on the
behind and a month or two inside. Perhaps you'll be locked in the basement
again, _Flubbo_. With the _spiders_", the older girl said snidely, moving
her gaze towards the boy's face. 

The boy smiled sadly, and climbed a few more stairs, his little
sister in tow. Her blue eyes looked up at him questioningly as he
stopped suddenly, and turned around again.

"Say, isn't Father in a meeting with Lord Karon, the man you are
contracted to marry, Jessin? And hasn't he been waiting this opportunity
for...months, because Lord Karon's schedule hasn't allowed enough time to 
even _meet_ you? Which he is supposed to do tonight?" the boy asked, his
tone taking a far from innocent ring.

Jessin's hazel eyes flickered, as she answered suspiciously,
"Yes...he is. What are you getting at, Flubbo?"

"Hm, so I thought. Now, Makil, Mikal, my dear brothers...didn't
Second Mother, and, well, yes...even First Mother tell you to keep an eye
on myself, and our Sha'Shona?"

Makil looked alarmed, while Mikal said hurriedly, "They...did
not!" The twins looked at each other, something like terror shining in
their matching black eyes.

The little girl's eyes flashed, as she said sweetly, "Oh no,
Makil...she did. I remember very well. Second Mother said if _you two_
didn't watch us, and make sure _we_ stayed out of trouble, _you two_
couldn't go riding. For a _whole_ month. First Mother was even there to
witness it."

The younger boy smiled at Jessin, commenting quietly, "So, you're
going to burst into an important meeting that _Father_ spent weeks putting
together, to tell him that our Sha'Shona got her clothes all wet. A
trivial matter, which he will be _extremely_ embarrassed about. And
Lord Karon will see you as a _very_ petty, childish young lady, to
interrupt business over something as silly as getting _us_ into trouble.
He might _actually_ cancel your wedding contract, leaving you
shamed in Centauri society forever."

As Jessin's face became rigid with horror, the boy turned to
Makil and Mikal, continuing, "Of course, this means Father will have to
bring up the matter with First and Second Mother. Which means, of course,
no riding for you two. Which also means, I believe...that you two will not
be able to enter the Imperial City races next month. You'll never live it
down, because you'll be hounded by all the other young men around here
for years. They will _never_ let you forget that you missed the biggest
race in all of Centauri Prime because you _tattled_ on your younger
siblings."

"_Not_ to mention..." the little girl added, "...just how much trouble 
you two will be in _period_ for allowing my "attire" to come to such a
"state". First Mother will probably put you on babysitting duty for a
_year_. With _us_. After of course, she spanks all of us, even you,
Jessin..."

"So go right ahead, my dear Rak'Shona, and my dear, dear,
Rak'Honas. Tell them about Sha'Shona..." the boy said amusedly, as they
neared the top of the first flight of stairs, "..and let's _all_ just see
what will happen.." The two younger siblings stared down at their older
ones, knowing looks passing their faces.

Jessin stuttered, "Now...now let's not all be hasty. Maybe if
you, uh, if you hurry, you could get her changed before First Mother sees
her. Then Father will never have to know. We'll keep an eye out for you."
She waved at them to hurry, as she looked both ways down the Main Hall.

"And none of us will get in trouble..." muttered Malik. Milak
swiftly elbowed him. The younger boy nodded approvingly to his siblings,
and winked at the little girl beside him. She held back a giggle, as they
climbed the rest of the stairs quickly, and made their way down the
upstairs hallway towards their suites in the West Wing, the East Wing
being Father's offices, his study and library, First Mother and Second
Mother's 'relaxing'  parlor, and the guest suites.

"That was a little too close, Hona..." the little girl whispered.

"It's _always_ a little too close with those three around. I can't
wait till Father gets Jessin married off. Then he can get Malik and Milak
into the family business...and we will finally be left in peace." the boy
grumbled as they continued down to the very end of the family quarters.

First in the hall was Father's suite, then First Mother's.
Second Mother's was across the hall. Then there was Jessin's, and right
opposite was Malik and Milak's. Down at the very end, there was the
little girl's, and across, was her brother's. The room at the end, the
last one, was...no longer used.

The little sister sighed, as her brother pushed open the door to
her room, and shoved her inside. She said mournfully, as her brother went
to her wardrobe to find her dry clothing, "But will we ever really be
left alone, Hona? I mean, Father is always getting down on you to 'be
something useful', and First Mother is always saying you need more
'color', because you're so...'boring'. Which you aren't. You're just
good, which for some reason to them, is bad. I'll never understand
adults.." She clasped her hands in back of her, a frustrated look on her
round face.

The boy sighed himself as he took out a white gown, undergarments,
and slippers. He put them into her outstretched hands, and she went to
change in her bathroom. He walked over to her wide four poster bed, hung
all in blue, as it was her favorite color. He sat on it, holding his
hands together, as his sister had done. He spoke slowly, "I know all
this, and I know First Mother is trying to make you into a proper 'lady'.
Snob is more like it. As soon as Father has Jessin married, you're next, I
suppose."

The girl came from the bathroom, dressed in her white gown,
making her look like a small bald angel. Her rosy cheeks glowed from
drying, and her blue eyes looked wide, and a little sad. Her expression
was pensive, as she whispered, "I don't want to be married, and hate it,
Hona.  I don't want to end up like Jessin...or the Mothers. I want to be
with you. You're the only one who _really_ loves me."

The brother hopped off the bed, and led her over to her vanity,
also done in blue. He sat her down, and began to comb out her tail of wet
curls. He whispered, "And you're the only one who loves me. I don't want
us to part...but I don't see where there is a choice. We're our Father's
children,  and that means Father rules our lives...and everything we do in
them." His chubby form slumped slightly.

The little girl murmured, "But Mama always said that we
ruled our own lives. And that's why she married Father. Not because
Grand-Mama made her, because she wanted to."

The boy nodded, as he braided his sister's hair, saying
dryly, "That she did, Shona. She married for love...though how she could
love Father sometimes baffles me.."

"And you know what else she told me, Hona, when I was very small?
That you and I; we were born for something greater. She could see it in
our faces. Someday you and I, she said, will be able to touch the 
stars...." the little girl said with conviction. 

She looked longingly at the framed photograph sitting on her
table, of a beautiful young Centauri woman, her soft brown eyes glowing
with light. With love. With wonder. Eyes that her brother inherited. That
she sometimes thought her father hated, because they looked so much like
_hers_.

Those eyes looked at the photograph, as the boy murmured, "Then I
hope and pray by the Great Maker, that Mama was right. Because I hate to
think of a life stuck here under Father's thumb. And one without you.
Great Maker, Shona...today at the lake, I almost lost you..." He hugged
her tightly from behind, his eyes shining with unshed tears.

She smiled up at him, her blue eyes soft, saying, "But you didn't,
Hona. That nice young man came, and saved me. Maybe...maybe Mama sent him.
Do you think, Hona? That Mama sent an angel to save me?" Her small face
brightened at the thought.

The boy looked at the picture again, thinking just how lucky
it had been that...that...oh blast, he'd forgotten to ask the young
nobleman's name. Well, they had been fortunate that who-ever that had been, 
had shown up. He mused, "Maybe he was, Shona...", then he grinned, and
tweaked her nose, teasing, "..but I doubt angels dress in red burgundy
coats!"

The girl giggled, then looked at the picture again. The boy's eyes
followed, and they both looked at it quietly. The girl whispered, "I miss
Mama...why did she have to go away?"

The boy sighed heavily, "I don't know, Shona...I don't know.."

"Promise me, Hona..." the girl said, her eyes large, "Promise me
you won't ever leave me here alone." 

"I will...if you promise the same..." the boy murmured quietly.

"_Never_. I won't ever leave you..." said the little girl, turning
to her brother and wrapping her small arms around his neck. They hugged
each other tightly, not willing to let the other one go.

Again the bell sounded, and the two looked at each other, and said
in unison, "The Dinner Bell again..." They sighed heavily together. The
first ring signified it was the time to freshen for the meal; the second
that it was time for the family to gather. Both of them moved towards the
door, and ran down the hallway as fast they could.

*    *    *

Centauri tradition stipulated that first the head of the House,
the provider, entered first for dinner followed by honored guests. The
man sat at the head of his table, his guest to his left. Father entered
through one of the main doors to the dining hall, his walk arrogant, his
fan of black hair high off his head. His tall frame, covered in a fine
navy suit, moved easily across the wide room. His brown eyes noted the 
finery of his table, and he gave a satisfied grunt before seating 
himself.

Following in his wake, Lord Karon came in almost leisurely. He
wasn't much younger then Father, and was dressed with a certain amount of
pomp; high hair fan, ruffled shirt, fine brocaded pants and jacket, which
accorded with his station. A member of Royal Court, his family was known
as a "must know." A must know to stay in power, and a must know to get it.
Lord Karon, being the head of his House, was the most influential member.
Having only one living wife, he was perhaps one of the most sought after
men on Centauri Prime. 

Which was why Father and First Mother had their caps set on him.
Which was why Jessin had her sights set on him as well. Which was why all
had to go perfectly. The table which the men sat at was set with the
family's finest silver and table settings, the flowers in the vases were
fresh, and the candles were lit all over. Lord Karon nodded his head in
silent approval, and smiled over at Father, who smiled back. Then they
both turned to watch as First and Second Mother entered. 

First Mother, known informally as Tira, was tall, stately. Her
cold hazel eyes quickly scanned over the table, to make sure it was
properly set. Luckily for the servants, she could find nothing wrong.
Which was why they had worked all through the morning to make it just so.
First Mother's rages over "details" was legendary, and her punishments for
'lazy' servants were anything but lenient. 

She moved to Father's left side, as Lord Karon, the honored guest,
took up the right. She smiled warmly, or as warmly as she could, at her
husband and Lord Karon, then gracefully sat herself, smoothing her brown
satin gown as she sat. Her figure was still as slim as when she was a
girl, and it seemed hard to believe she had given birth to Jessin without
gaining an ounce. Some of the servants joked, in the back closets of
course, that First Mother's womb was airtight, and Jessin had popped out,
as stiff and superior as her Mother.

Second Mother moved timidly into the room, then moved as quickly
as she could to her own seat. Her black eyes, soft and large, remained
downcast, but she looked back towards the door to make sure the
children were following. One would find it hard to believe she was
the daughter of one of Centauri's greatest generals, but Deasete, as she
was called, always believed she took after her own gentle mother. She was
short, and rather plump, but she was a good and obedient wife. While
First Mother took care of the household, and most of Father's needs, she
cared for the children. 

Or rather, coddled them. 

All five children knew that any time that they wanted anything,
they need only ask Second Mother, and they would receive it. First Mother
and Father, well, you sought them only for punishment. Second Mother
spoiled all the children, but she gave special lenience to her boys, Malik
and Milak. Her pride and joys, and as some said, her meal ticket, as she
gave birth to Father's heirs, and two to boot at that. She smiled
nervously at Lord Karon, straightening the collar of her cream gown.

Then all four adults turned to watch the children enter, one by
one. Jessin was first, her expression one of sweetness. She curtsied
gracefully, her poise and stature perfect. Her siblings knew the
sweetness was fake, and the grace pounded into her by her Mother, but Lord
Karon nodded his head, a smile fixing on his face. She moved to sit next
to Second Mother, as was her rightful place as first daughter. She caught
Lord Karon's eye again, and lowered her eyelashes prettily. The blushing
bride to be exemplified. Lord Karon found himself sitting up a bit
straighter, proud in his choice. Father nodded quietly, a small grin
passing his face.

First Mother said, her tone almost gloating, "My daughter, the
First Born..."

Next followed the Twins. Second Mother watched them carefully, but
they performed beautifully. With respectful bows to Lord Karon, and their
Father, they moved to their seats, heads erect, matching expressions of
solemnity on their faces. They sat next to Lord Karon, and turned to watch
the doorway once more.

First Mother nodded her approval, as she turned to Lord Karon,
"Second Mother's children, the heirs to the House estates."

The youngest boy entered, and bowed. His face looked slightly red,
as he was out of breath from running, but he managed to hold himself
straight. Lord Karon lifted an eyebrow, but said nothing. The boy moved,
and sat down next to his older brother, trying to look dignified.

Lastly, the little girl entered. She curtsied as well she could,
as her short legs could only bend so far. She moved to the very end of the
table, where two male servants moved from the shadows. One placed a large
book into the chair, and the other lifted the little girl, and placed her
in the oversized chair. She mouthed her thanks to them both, and they both
smiled at her. Father coughed, and gave a look down the table to his
youngest child. The servants quickly went to fetch the first course of
dinner, while the little girl fidgeted under her Father's watchful eye.

First Mother's tone became a bit cooler, "And these are the
children of my husband's lately departed _third_ wife."

Lord Karon leaned forward, staring hard at the youngest two,
saying with surprise, "Oh! These are the children of famous Jassil, then?
The boy doesn't take after his mother in looks, does he? Well, except the
eyes. The girl..the girl will grow to be quite a beauty, I imagine. Just
like her legendary mother..."

"Yes..." First Mother's smile was frigid, "We imagine so." Second
Mother fidgeted nervously at First Mother's words, while Jessin and the
twins looked at each other, then down at their plates. Father's eyes
flickered slightly. For a moment, all was silent at the table.

"Well..." Father coughed, clearing his throat and continuing,
"Let's start dinner, shall we?" He picked up a small bell to his left, and
chimed it. Almost immediately, servants began to pour out of the kitchen,
one with wine for the adults and Jessin, one with the tak'hk tureen, the
other getting water and gurem for the children. Father's face wore a mask
of complete calm, but pain still sat in his brown eyes.

The boy glanced over at his sister, who kept her head bowed
respecfully. It was no secret that First Mother had resented Father's
feelings for their mother. Father married Jassil for love, as she had for
him. Something unheard of. Yet there was no one happier in a marriage then
their Father and Mother, and that happiness was spread on their two
children. 

The boy remembered a time where they were a family, just he, his
sister, and his parents. He remembered laughter. He remembered a soft
voice that sung him lullabies, and read him stories. He remembered the
cold winter nights where he would run and climb into bed with his mother
and infant sister, knowing no matter how freezing it was outside, it was
always warm in the circle of his mother's arms.

The boy quietly stirred his tah'hk around with his spoon, a
listless look crossing his young face. Everyone else was slurping away,
but the boy's appetite had left him. He pushed his bowl away, and folded
his hands in his lap quietly, staring off at the portrait of his  
grandfather, which hung above Jessin's head. To his right, his little
sister stared at him, a worried look crossing her face.

First Mother choose then to glance down at them. Her eyes 
narrowed, but her tone was sweet, "What, is the tah'hk NOT to your
liking?"

The boy started, and looked guiltily down towards First Mother. He
mumbled quietly, "Just not very hungry..."

First Mother's smile was almost acidic, "You know, there are
starvin Narns that would gladly have one eighth of what you've pushed away
there."

Lord Karon leaned over to Father, whispering, "The Narns want a
lot of what we have...now don't they?" He cackled to himself, while Father
smiled tolerantly.

The little girl looked from her Rak'Hona, to First Mother. She
blurted out, "I don't think he's feeling well, First Mother. Perhaps he
caught the Carpisan Flu from the Twins. They had it last week." Her
brother's head swiveled to her, eyes slightly widened in horror. No one,
but anyone, back-talked First Mother. All conversation at the table
stopped.

First Mother turned her icy gaze towards the little girl, who
shrank againist the huge chair as best she could. First Mother said
slowly, "I wasn't talking to YOU, now was I..." she paused, and her
eyebrows knit together, "You...you were wearing a different dress today,
weren't you? That ratty blue one you like so much."

Jessin and the twins froze in their seats, as they all turned
to look at their Sha'Shona. The little girl sat up as straight as she
could, and met First Mother's hard look dead on. Her reply was calm, " I
was wearing it. I changed."

First Mother smiled bemusedly down at her husband and Lord Karon,
then turned her harsh glare back on the girl. "And _why_ did you do that?"
she said, her tone leaving no room for argument or delay.

The little girl looked around the table at her siblings, each with
expressions of abject terror in their eyes. Her eyes paused on her
Rak'Hona, then she looked at First Mother again, saying softly, "Well
First Mother...you said when I put it on today that you didn't want me to
wear it..." Which was an understatement, to say the least. First Mother
had taken one look at her, and simply left the room, huffing disgust.

First Mother's eyes narrowed slightly, "I said that? I don't
recall it..."

The little girl took a deep breath, continuing, "Perhaps I mistook
your words as you stepped out the door, First Mother. But my Rak
Hona...Honas..." the girl noted Lord Karon's eyes on her as well, "...AND 
my Rak Shona said to me, you had best change, or lest you shall be an
eyesore on our family's name. And _Jessin_ even helped me pick out the
gown I'm wearing now. She's such a..a caring shona." She finished with an
affirmative nod of her small bald head, her tail of curls swishing
slightly.

First Mother turned her eyes on each of the children seated at the
table.  The only sound came from Second Mother quietly slurping her 
tah'hk. First Mother and Father turned to her, eyebrows quirking slightly. 
Second Mother gulped, and put her spoon down by her bowl, as she too,
looked fiercely at the children. Or attempted to, at any rate.

First Mother's eyes flickered to Jessin, asking more congenially,
"Is this true, daughter?"

And there was Jessin's opportunity. She could rat the rest of
children out, and turn all the blame on them, like she usually did.
Leaving the rest of the children to fend for themselves on a way out of
their predictment. A timeless, and understandable reaction.

What Jessin _did_, however, was quite different. Her eyes flicked
once, as she turned to her mother, and responded smoothly, "Mother, could
you even _doubt_ that I would help my Sha'Shona? Especially dealing with
her..." as she looked down to the little girl, and sniffed disdainfully,
"...deplorable lack of taste in clothing?" The young woman daintily took
another sip of tah'hk, before finishing, "Really, I  don't understand why
we let her dress herself at all."

The young boy's eyes widened slightly. The little girl gulped,
while Malik and Mikal elbowed each other under the table. First Mother
nodded her head slightly, an approving smile passing her lips. She
responded, with another harsh glance towards the little girl, "You see,
Lord Karon, what a _valuable_ prize you are getting? Not only is she
fashion conscious, but...kind to help her younger siblings in their time of
need..."

*     *     *

And the rest of the evening kept on like that. Father and First
Mother building up Jessin, and the children quietly snorting into their
food at every comment.  Soon after desert, the two younger children were
sent to their rooms, to prepare for bed. They didn't mind in the least. 

An hour or two later, there came the sounds from the hall of doors
being opened, and loud voices echoed off the walls. The little girl
peeked her head out of her bedroom door, and quietly snuck down the hall
to the Great Staircase. She slipped her small head through the railings,
looking down with interest. Even though she knew being out of her room at
this late hour could get her in serious trouble, yet again her curiosity
go the better of her. Besides, the scene before her was just too funny.

There was Lord Karon, stumbling drunk out the door, yelling his
goodbyes to Father. He blew kisses to Jessin, as he fell into his
transport car. Jessin smiled, a strained one, but she smiled. After the
servants finally closed the door, she turned to First Mother, griping
quietly, "_Must_ I endure that drunken idiot as my husband?" 

First Mother put her arm around Jessin's shoulder, speaking, as
she glared over at Father, "Wives put up with much worse, my dear.
_Much_ worse."

Father either decided not hear, or really didn't. He kissed Second
Mother's brow softly, then shot a look at First Mother as he moved towards
his private study. She moved to follow him, and he shut his door firmly
into her face. Oh, he _had_  heard her! The little girl chortled.

Milak and Malik both looked up from kissing their mother
good night, black eyes widening with surprise. First Mother's eyes drifted
upwards as well, and the little girl ducked out of sight. First Mother
moved away from Father's door, squinting in the darkness, her voice low
and suspicious, "Did I just see..."

Malik coughed, "See what, First Mother?" He glanced over to his
brother, then to Jessin. The look in his eyes said it all. First Mother
swiveled around to face Malik, her eyes roving over his seemingly innocent
face. He smiled blandly, and folded his hands behind his back. Her gaze
moved from him, to Milak, then finally resting on Jessin. They too,
smiled.

Second Mother looked up, then looked over at First Mother, her
black eyes wide with confusion. Her voice was soft, hesitant, "Yes, what
are we looking at?"

First Mother turned to her, a snarl nearly escaping her lips.
Instead, she turned on her heel, and disappeared down the hallway, her
anger rolling off of her in waves. Jessin called out, "Good Night,
Mother..." Her only answer was the slamming door of First Mother's drawing
room. 

The three children wisely said nothing else, as they kissed Second
Mother good night, and headed up the stairs to retire for the evening.
Second Mother sighed softly, a bewildered expression crossing her plump
face. Then she moved down the Great Hall to the kitchen, hoping to get a
'light' snack, before having to deal with her close mouthed spouse, and
her irate wife-in-law. Sometimes, she really wished she wasn't in the
middle of such things. Of course, she also wished that she had Jessin's
figure, but some things were never meant to be. Or so said the book of the
Great Maker. Perhaps a bowl of spoo would sweeten First Mother's mood...

*   *   *

Jessin, Malik, and Milak had just reached the top of the
staircase, when a small voice called to them from the shadows, "Why did
you do that?" 

The little girl quietly moved out from behind the sofa where she
was hidden, and into the dim light of the hallway. Her older siblings
faces were unreadable, but they all started slightly when another voice
came from behind them.

"I'm curious about that myself..." came the voice of their Father.
The little girl ducked back slightly behind her sister, as they all spun
to the staircase. There stood their Father, his smoking robe loosely tied,
hands firmly clasped behind him. His sharp brown eyes moved over his four
children, all of them wearing somewhat guilty looks on their young faces.
The little girl ground her bare toe into the carpet, casting her blue eyes
down. 

Jessin looked at her two brothers, then at the little girl. Her
face wore a mask of indifference, but her hazel eyes flashed a pain that
she would not speak of. "It's simple Father. Someone has to look after
her, and Flub-, I mean, Sha'Hona. _You_ won't, not anymore. And truth be
told, we have been...lacking in our duties towards them.", she said
quietly, head held straight up.

"It's hard to..." Milak's voice came out quietly, "When it
seems they were the only ones that were...wanted." He looked at his
brother, who nodded quietly at his father. Father was speechless for a
moment, as was the little girl. Her blue eyes moved over the older
children's faces. So that was why. They felt as if they were not loved. A
feeling the little girl could easily relate to, when dealing with her
father.

Father cleared his throat softly, then spoke, "Wives, excepting
one, I never wanted. Children, however, are always blessings. No matter
whose they are..." His eyes fell on Jessin, who ducked her head for
a moment in quiet embarrassment. His voice rose in firmness, "Now, off to
bed with you. ALL of you."

The children began to shuffle off towards their rooms, but the
little girl paused for a moment. She turned to her father, her eyes large.
Scared. Her voice came almost as a whisper, "Father...will you read me a
story?"

Father stopped, as he stared his descent down the Main Stairway.
He turned towards his daughter, his expression slightly pained, his tone
harsh,  "Doesn't your brother usually read to you?"

The little girl looked down at the carpet again, as she turned
away. She whispered, "My hona is busy, studying for exams. He wants to do 
well, so he can go to the Academy." She didn't add that he also wanted his
Father's approval, and academic excellence seemed to be the only way.

Father shook his head slightly, muttering, "He still has that
crazy dream of becoming a diplomat...after I told him only _noblemen_ get
the good positions. Well...I suppose he can't read to you tonight, can he?
Can you read to yourself?" His eyes roved over her.

She gulped quietly, then turned her head slightly towards her
father. She whispered, "I just thought that...maybe, you would want to.
But I guess not. Good Night...Father."

Father looked at the small white figure, moving her way slowly
down the hall. He opened his mouth to say something, anything. But there
were no words that would make it better; nothing he could do. He was a
Centauri; he was good at masking his true feelings. Perhaps, too
good. He turned quietly, and made his way down the stairs.

*     *     *

The little girl quietly lifted her candle off her vanity table,
and made her way over to her bookcase. Jessin often commented how 'odd' it
was for her to prefer books over dolls, but dolls, the little girl
reflected, didn't help her escape from this life. Books seemed to be
her only way out of a family that didn't love her, and a bleaker
future. 

By the bookcase, There was a rocking chair, and a small table. The
girl looked at the chair longingly, could it only be a year ago her mother
sat there, reading to her? Her soft voice still tickled the little girl's
memory, as she gently put down the candle on the small table. She pushed
herself up on her tiptoes, and ran a chubby finger along the bindings of
the books. 

There it was. Its silver engraving nearly faded away, its red
binding old and cracking. She knew the title by heart, 'The Warrior
Woman, and the People of Xon.' Her favorite book. Her mother's favorite
as well. Stretching out with one small arm, she pulled at the it. At first
it wouldn't budge, and she stuck out her lower lip in determination. She
pulled at the top of the book harder, and with a slight creak, it moved
from its space, and into her grip. It moved so fast, that she fell
backwards, unto her butt, the book now gripped in both hands. Her face
showed puzzlement for a moment, but then she giggled, and pulled herself
to her feet. With the large book settled under one arm, and the candle
held tightly in her grip, she made her way towards the bed. 

She placed the candle on the bedside table, and putting the book
carefully on the coverlet, climbed up unto her large bed, and under her
covers. She pulled the book towards her, and opened it before her. She
squinted at the words for a moment, then began to read aloud to herself,
"Once up..up..upon a time, there was a bea..uti..ful, beautiful young
wo..wo.."

"Woman..." came a quiet voice from the door. The little girl
glanced over, surprised to see the figure in the doorway. The young boy
entered quietly, his own candle in his grip. Without a word, he walked
around to the other side of the bed, placing his candle on the other
table. He climbed into bed with the little girl, and she snuggled up to
him quietly. He kissed her on her forehead, and moved the book in front of
him. His voice ran clear and slow over the words, "Once upon a time, there
was a beautiful young Centauri woman. She was the daughter of an important
general, and his only child."

"She was to be wed to some important nobleman, and do what wives
are supposed to do; raise a family, and give birth to sons. On the
outside, she was well mannered, dutiful, everything one expects of a
woman. But when she looked in the mirror, she saw the restless fire
burning there. She wanted to be more then a pretty face. She wanted to be
someone who people admired, not for her beauty, but for her brains and
courage. Little did she know that this was soon to pass. For she was
Werela, and she would be known for generations as the 'Warrior Woman'..."

And so, in the deepening gloom of night, the brother read to the
little girl, whose mind spun on fantasies of the Warrior Woman. And what
would it be like, to be just like her.

And the years passed...

*     *     *
Centauri Prime; 13 years later, 2252

The dining room had not changed much in thirteen years, the young
man mused, as he stared at the tablecloth in front of him, his plump hands
folded together. The same paintings, the same dinnerware. Only the people
had changed. He looked around the dinner table, its number diminished by
some. Jessin, Malik, and Milak all sat at their own tables this evening,
and he was willing to bet that they were having much more 'civilized'
dinner conversations. 

The long years had seen a lot of growth in the young man. He was
taller now, but just as plump. His hair was worn a bit higher since his 
graduation from the Academy, now he worked within the Government itself,
training for his, assistant post to some Ambassador.  He knew most of the
family's reaction to this, 'Good Riddance'. They couldn't wait to shuttle
him off somewhere. 

His soft brown eyes now held a far greater wisdom; years from home
had done him some good. Still, he was fairly naive about things. Centauri
men his age were already married, unhappily of course, with a few
mistresses on the side. And still he had yet to, well, even be engaged! Of
course, that was because he refused to marry for anything but love. To
himself, he was determined not to end up like his father, and brothers.
Married out of obligation. His family complied, not because they respected
his decision, but because they had so much trouble getting the 'other one'
married off.

The 'other one; sat across from him at the dinner table, and he
couldn't help smiling with pride. The stout little girl from so long ago
had transformed into a beautiful young woman. She had grown taller, as
children do, and her form had curved in the right places, with just a
little baby fat left. Her face retained its heart-shape, the features were
delicately pretty. Her blue eyes had not changed though, they still held
the color blue like a crystal; different tints glowing from facet to facet
in the sky colored eyes. The prediction of Lord Karon had come to pass;
for she had inherited her mother's looks. Unfortunately, she also
inherited her father's temper.

"I will _not_" the young woman said firmly, her hands gripped
tightly in front of her, "And I repeat it for you again, in case you did
not hear me the first _twenty_ times, I will _NOT_ marry that man. I 
refuse." Her form was clothed yet again in white, but this dress fit snugly 
around the girl's form. Her tail of brown curls fell loose from its holder, 
down to her waist. Her icy gaze moved to each of the three parents sitting
before her.

Grey hair at her temples, and a few more lines to her face, still
did not soften the features, or the attitude of First Mother. Her cold
hazel eyes met the young woman's blue ones with pure venom. Her tone was
not one to be trifled with, "You will, and you will make no complaint of
it. It is an excellent match, _almost_ as brilliant as your first." 

That gaze might of frightened a girl of five, but the eighteen
year old woman before it now did not even shiver. Her reply was biting,
"Oh yes, such a brilliant match, that first one. A thirteen year old to a
dying man of sixty. I was widowed the next year..." Her head shook
quietly, as she said, her tone more subdued, "I will no longer be a pawn
in your games to gather power through martial ties."

Second Mother, if anyone could believe it, had slimmed down.
Perhaps it was the stress of raising four children. Or perhaps it was old
age. She thought, to herself, that it was probably from having to govern
over the fights that had broken out with First Mother and their mutual
husband. Then the fights between the growing younger sister, and First
Mother. She liked to joke to herself, 'If it isn't one door slamming in
this place, it's another..' 

She sighed now at the girl's words. Yet another battle of wills
was about to begin. She looked at the girl, trying to coax her with
reason, "Now, now...we're just trying to settle your future. Make sure you
are taken care of ..." First Mother grudgingly nodded in agreement.

The young woman's face twisted into a slightly wry grin, "And why
can't I take care of myself? I can surely do better then any man. No
offense, Rak'Hona..." The young man across from her smiled softly, waving
his hand in a gesture of, 'It's all right.' She looked at Second Mother,
but spoke to First, "I have been taking care of my _own_ needs for over
four years now. I see no need to marry. Especially not that greasy Court
Lizard you picked for me!"

First Mother bristled, then turned to Second Mother, again
speaking to the girl, while looking at her fellow wife, "See how
_grateful_ she is for us raising her. For feeding her, and putting a roof
over her head. And now, as we try to assure her a place in Court..."

"I don't _want_ a place in Court..." the girl said through gritted
teeth, "An opinion I have stated many times over. I don't like Court,
never will, and I don't see why I should go if I see it as a waste of my
time. I could be improving my mind; reading, writing. But my studies are
constantly interrupted--"

First Mother gasped, then looked at her her husband, rage flashing
in her eyes, "Did you _hear_ what _your_ daughter said to me? She would
rather be...this is why reading is dangerous. It makes a woman forget her
place in this society."

At this, the girl exploded, "Why is it that anything that will
make me smarter, or faster, or anything _better_ then a man makes me a
horrible Centauri? Why can't I be like my brothers, and go into business?
Or even go into Government? Why is it the _only_ option for me is to 'marry
well'? Well, what if I don't want to marry well? What if I want to die a
spinster? I think I should have some _right_ to my own future!"

"I agree...." the young man said, looking up from the tablecloth.
He let his gaze rest on First Mother's livid expression, as he continued
to speak, "My Sha'Shona is five times smarter then the noble Houses
dim-witted sons . But they are sent to the Academy, and my sister has to
marry one of them. Why shouldn't she have the right to go study at the
Academy, or do other things? If a woman is as smart as a man, shouldn't
she be allowed some of the same rights as one?"

Second Mother's eyebrows raised in surprise, as First Mother
spluttered out, "What you two are speaking of is ridiculous. Unheard of!
Women are meant to be good wives, proper ladies. It is the way things
have always been."

The girl slammed her fist down into the table, shouting, "Well
maybe it doesn't have to be that way! Did you ever even consider that?
That maybe we deserve to be equal with men? That a Centauri woman can hold
enough worth for just being herself, and not being someone's spouse?"

"_Enough_.", came the stern voice from the end of the table.
Father sat, his expression dark as he looked towards his daughter. Gray
was apparent in his fan of hair, and age had made his face more craggy.
He rose quietly from his seat, and pointed towards the girl, saying in a
low, intense voice, "I will have no more of this radical talk in my home.
You will marry who I say, when I say to. It is your duty as my daughter,
and a woman in your position. In our family's position."

The girl clenched, and unclenched her fingers slowly. She turned
her darken blue eyes unto her father's visage, saying quietly, "Well what
if I do not wish to? What if I have plans of my own, _dreams_ of my own?"

"They are irrelevant..." Father said cooly, "You are a woman. You
have no rights before the eyes of the law. And you will do as you are
told by me, your Father, until your husband claims you. Then you will do
his bidding." The girl opened her mouth to protest, and he continued, his
voice growing ever louder, "That is my final word on the subject!"

The girl stood from her seat quickly, nearly knocking it down. Her
skin had drained to a ghostly white, but the look in her eyes was full of
anger and hatred. Her voice had a strained quaility to it, "It may be your
last word, Father. But it is not mine. _Good night_." And with that, she
moved towards the door, her gaze meeting no ones at the table. The door
slammed firmly behind her, causing the crystal chandler above them to
quiver slightly.

The young man stood himself, allowing his brown eyes to move to
each one of the adults there. "Very well handled, I thought..." he
murmured quietly. He slowly moved towards the door, waddling somewhat. He
paused for a moment at the door, to glance at his Father, "You listened
like a true caring parent. Funny how things just never change..." 

And the door shut again, more quietly this time. Leaving the
three adults to their own dark musings.

*   *   *

The girl opened the door to her quarters wide, and then closed it
firmly behind her. The room had changed little, still were its color was
blue. Now though, books littered the place. They were crammed into the
bookcase, left on the tables and on the dresser, piled by the bed. Books
of every genre, books of science and math, not only of Centauri variety,
but the rarer Minbari, and Narn. Earth volumes of literature sat by the
window seat. She moved around the room in a rampage, knocking books off of
tables, and throwing them at the walls, the door. 

"Useless! All of it useless!" she screamed, pitching the Book of
G'Quan at her closed bedroom door. She started slightly as the door opened
suddenly, and her brother's head appeared. The book of religious thought
conked him solidly on the head, and he stumbled back into the hall. She
put her hand to her mouth, fighting back a half gasp, half giggle. 

The door creaked open, as the young man entered again. He picked
up the book, and with a wry expression crossing his chubby face, held the
book out to her. She took it with a sigh, and turned away from him. Her
voice was quiet, "It's useless, Hona....just useless."

"Nothing is useless, Shona..." the young man murmured, coming
behind her to touch her shoulder lightly, "You just have to give people
time.."

"Time is not something I have..." she whispered, clasping the book
to her chest tightly, "In a matter of weeks, they will have me married off
to that...that toad!" Hot tears cascaded down her cheeks. 

Her brother moved closer to her, his hands squeezing her shoulders
tightly. A softly apologetic smile passed his mouth, as he murmured, "You
can't change the whole universe all by yourself...you're just one person."

The girl sighed softly, "If someone doesn't start to change
things...they never will. Men will be men, and women will be objects.."

The young man just stood there, not knowing what to say, what to
do. He simply hugged her around her neck, still being just slightly
taller then her. She leaned her cheek againist his arm, and hugged him for
a moment, fighting back tears of aggravation. He turned her around, making
him look her in the eye. His voice was soft, "Well...maybe you are the one
then, because I don't know anyone who cares as much about this then you
do. But tonight Shona...tonight you cannot win this battle. You have
angeredd Father and First Mother. Poor Second Mother must think you mad
by now..."

The girl looked down at his chest, smiling slightly. Her voice
took on a teasing tone, "It must run in the family...I seem to recall a
certain young man getting the same reaction when he went off to the
Academy."

The brother laughed then, "What can I say? We're the 'radical'
branch of this House." He leaned forward, and kissed her gently on the
forehead, continuing, "Get some sleep. You'll think of something." 

He released her, that gentle smile still on his lips. She leaned
forward, and kissed him softly on the cheek. He turned, and walked towards
the door. As he closed the door behind him, he waved, wiggling his fingers
as he did as a child. A laugh erupted from the young woman's lips, and
stayed there as he shut the door firmly behind him.

Then her blue eyes grew solemn, and she stared at the book in her
hands. "Not even you could find a solution to this one, G'Quan.." she
muttered softly.  

She quietly put the book on her vanity table, a soft sigh of defeat
leaving her lips. Her eyes caught unto one of the few remaining books left
there. She smiled as she picked up the volume. 'The Warrior Woman..',
still one of her favorite books. After years of historical research, (her
brother sneaking her volumes out of the vast Academy library) she had
found that such a woman DID exist during the time of those battles. 
Indeed, she had done everything that legend had proclaimed; with a few
dramatic discrepancies. She wore the clothes of the men, fought alongside
them, and led them into the battle that brought the Centauri to victory
againist the Xon. In the end, she was made a Goddess by her own people
because of her brave deeds. She was even offered a position on the new
Emperor's council... 

The young woman smirked, all the Warrior Woman had to do to prove
her point was dress like a man. Even though the Warrior Woman had done
many good deeds, the young woman found it hard to believe they just _let_
her join the army. They had probably thought she would get killed the
first day...

Something glimmered in her blue eyes, as something in her mind
clicked. She opened one of the drawers of the vanity, and pulled out her
data pad. Searching through the same drawer, she pulled out a data
crystal, and pressed it inside. She tapped on a few keys, until the
paragraph she wanted had come up:

"It is believed that to gain access to the army, the
Warrior Woman brought up a petition before the newly 
made War Council of the time. This later lead to a
similar  practice in today's Royal Court. Now, any
request made to the Emperor himself, in the original
petition form, has the ability to be approved by not only
the Emperor, but the Centaurium. Any Centauri, be it
man, woman, or child had the right to petition the
Emperor's aid. It was considered one of the first ways 
that the common person's voice could be heard..."

A grim smile passed her lips. A loop hole. Not much of one, but a
loop hole never the less. However, the only problem with this particular
loop hole was that fact that it was so flimsy. Certainly, she could go,
and make a bequest, but what difference would it make? What could she ask
that wouldn't sound childish? 'Please, Emperor Turgon, make all women
equal so I don't have to marry a toad', didn't sound too convincing.

She remembered her brother's words, 'You're just one person...'
And she was. So perhaps...if she undertook the task of getting seen as a
full citizen in Centauri, other women would follow her example. What was
that Minbari phrase? Oh yes, 'One tiny pebble could start an avalanche.'

She looked herself in the mirror, her chin firm. She already knew
her choice. She couldn't stay here; that was for certain. Even if she
didn't marry the man they picked now, there would be another, and another,
and another. She had to make her own destiny. She just hoped her brother
would understand...

She couldn't think of him now though, because if she did, then she
could never leave. In a way, this was the best thing for both of them. He
would finally have the chance to leave home, for good. She was only tying
him here. Both of them needed their freedom. And by the Great Maker, she
was going to give it to him, and herself. It was what their mother would
of wanted.

She moved to her closet, pulling out a loose canvas bag, and idly
examined the contents of her wardrobe. No, she couldn't go to the
Emperor's Palace dressed in one of these ridiculously frilly gowns, and
ask for the right to earn her place as a citizen. No..what she needed was
something a..a little more drastic. And she knew just where to look.

*    *    *

The sun was just rising over the hills, when there came the sound
of a transport leaving the front gate. The young man started, the noise
almost deafening in the quiet of the country. He blinked his eyes tiredly,
and glanced over to see his clock. There was a letter sitting there, 
addressed with his name. His eyes narrowed at the familiar handwriting, and
he picked it up, and ripped it open. He read the contents quietly:

Dearest Hona,

I slept on it. And now, I am doing what need to be done, to make
things a little easier on other dreamers like you, and me. Don't try to
find me, or contact me, because it will only bring the family shame. I
have the feeling you will be hearing much about me in the years to come.
Only remember that I love you, and I am doing what Mama told me to. Living
my own life. 

Be well, and be prosperous. May the Great Maker bless you in your
journeys.

Love always,

Sha'Shona

The young man read the letter a few more times, before quietly
going to his father's bedroom to tell him the news. By the time the letter
reached the old man, it was slightly wetter then it had been. It would be
a long time till he saw her sweet face, hear her gentle teasing. But he and his
sha'shona would be together again. He just knew it.

*     *     *

Royal Court on Centauri Prime was, as per usual, a bedlam of
insults, gossip, brown-nosing, and showing off. The lords and ladies
wandered around the Main Hall, sniffing their noses disdainfully as one by
one, the 'commoners' were lead into their presence, to have their cases
heard before the Emperor himself.

Emperor Turgon was, if anything, an old, old man. His illness was
just starting to deteriorate him, but for now, he knew he was still in
control, and let all the power hungry Centaurium leaders know it. Dressed
in the traditional white, the coronation seal hanging from his neck, he
sat on the high dias, boredly listening to the complaints of his people.
He really didn't see what they had to complain about; at least they had
roofs over their heads, and food in their bellies. They had avoided major
warfare for over 50 years. But they had their little grievances, and the
Great Maker help him, he had to listen to every one of them. He found
himself yawning more then once, and prayed it would soon be the Darkening
Hour, when this blessed thing was over.

Out among the respective lords and ladies, another Centauri was
bored out of his mind. Londo Mollari had spent most of this day at Court
avoiding all babbling idiots, brow-nosers, mostly that idiot Lord Karon
and his insufferable wife, and his own three 'darlings'. He also was on
the constant trail of another good glass of liquor; he was starting to
sober up, and that was the last thing he wanted. Thirteen years had filled
Londo out a bit, sharpened his nose and eyes, and left his expression
sarcastic. He felt, as he always did; jaded. The Centauri Republic was a
joke in today's galaxy, and he felt like its Jester. 

He smoothed down his blue suit, covered with various medals he had
earned from military service, and the sunbursts that his people
favored. He slid through another group of people, oozing charm all the
way, towards the refreshment table. He was trying to drown out the sounds
of the whining commoner, and the incessant dribble of the Royal morons
around him. He smirked quietly; in some cases, inbreeding had been over
done. 

There it was, the gem of his search. A bottle of brevari sat,
full. Untouched. Unsallied. Just waiting for him. He snagged a clean
goblet, and reached for the bottle, saliva forming in his mouth...

When a shrill call of, "LON-DO!!", made him grit his teeth. He
took a deep breath, bracing himself as he slowly turned to face his second
wife, Timov. 'Amazing..' he thought to himself dismally, 'Predators _do_
travel in packs.' 

Indeed, they did. For instead of just Timov, he found all three of
of them bearing down on them. Daggair had her usual congenial expression
on her face, which meant he'd better watch her carefully. Timov looked out
of sorts, and Mariel...well Mariel was looking at every lord that she
passed like they were lunch. Of his three wives, Mariel had to be the most
out of control. Well, there was that biting incident with Timov...

He forced a smile unto his face, as he held his arms out to his
three 'lovely' brides, saying smoothly, "Why ladies...what a pleasant
surprise. I didn't know you were here this day; I would of looked for
you."

Timov's reply was biting, "Oh yes, certainly. That's why you
were hiding behind the potted fern earlier on...you were just 'dying' to
see us."

Londo's eyebrows lifted in mock surprise, "Hiding? Oh...gracious
no! I...had lost one of my medals, and was looking for it. Back there, in 
the foliage. But as you can see, I have found it, and now everything is
right in the world." He thought to himself, 'Or it would be if all three
of you suffered from spontaneous combustion before my very eyes.'

That did not happen. What did happen was all three Centauri women 
started talking at once. Daggair began to attempt to wheedle more money out
of him for shopping, on the pretext that it was for the children, Timov
wanted to know when he was going to send over the money to pay off the
interior decorator she had hired to completely redo the downstairs of her
home, and Mariel wanted to be introduced to one of the Lords who had, as
she said, the 'aura of power' around him. Londo merely stood there,
quietly bobbing his head in agreement, eyes raised to the ceiling in a
silent plea for divine help.

Then, as one of the Great Maker's little ironies, or so Londo
liked to think, who should come up then but Lord Karon, and his wife, Lady
Jessin. Lord Karon was shouting out greetings. He was greyer, older, and
richer, but he was no wiser. Lady Jessin herself was following behind with
a practiced look of patience on her face. She had become almost a carbon
copy of her mother, excepting the fact her face wasn't _quite_ as sour.
Londo liked to think of her as a pale, white, wax statue with a metal rod
stuck in the most unladylike position...

The two gentlemen, and their respective wives, greeted each
other in the formal way,  and things fell to fairly civilized conversation. 
Londo pondered how long it would take for the four women to be at each
other's throats. He guessed a matter of minutes, at best. Of course, it
would be polite back-stabbing. The Centauri had exemplary manners.

"So Londo...I hear the newest Babylon station is about to be
completed.." Lord Karon said, with a smirk, "What are they up to, three?"
He moved in front of Londo, effectively blocking the way towards the
brevari, damn him.

Knowing that his prize was now out of reach, Londo snorted with
disgust, "I believe they are up to number four, Karon. Let us see if they
can keep this one from exploding...or worse." He shook his head 
skeptically, commenting, "This is what happens when you let Humans and 
Minbari build anything together. One half is defective because of poor
Human resources, and the other half is too advanced for anyone but the
Minbari to understand. Well, expecting the Vorlons. But they seem to
understand _everything_. Or so we've been led to believe.."

Lord Karon chuckled quietly, as Londo moved his gaze to the
Emperor's throne. He sighed heavily, a flash of his death dream coming to
him. Himself, an old, wrinkled man, sitting upon that very throne. It made
him shiver in fear, and long to reach behind Lord Karon, grab that
bottle of brevari, and drink himself into oblivion...

The Emperor himself, was finally finishing up with the latest
commoner. He signaled to one of his Advisors, and whispered, "I'll see one
more of these uncouth idiots, but that is all..." The Advisor nodded, as
he moved to get the next commoner. The Emperor grabbed him by the arm, and
pulling him back, adding, "And for the Great Maker's sake, make this one
interesting!" The Advisor nodded once more, then headed down from
the dias, and into the hall.

The Emperor called for a servant, who quickly ran up to the dias,
a wine goblet in hand. The Emperor lifted the cup to his lips, and glanced
towards the great double doors that led to the hall, and the unbathed
masses. What he saw made him spit out the wine in a surprised spray. All
the Court members turned towards the door at this reaction from the
Emperor, and for once, all conversation stopped completely. Dead silence
reigned.

The Advusir  gulped nervously, as he led the young woman down the
stairs, towards the dias itself. She herself was as calm as one could
be...or as calm as a _woman_ could be dressed in the clothes of a man.
Everything was slightly baggy around her; she had to borrow them from the
clothes left over from Malik's and Milak's wardrobe. The white ruffled
shirt was tucked into the black pants, which were belted tightly.
Over that, she wore a simple black coat, no ornaments of any kind. The
black boots were her own, and they fit over the pants neatly. She wore no
hair adornments, save her hair was braided and tied with a black ribbon.
She looked not at the gaping Lords and Ladies, but straight at the Emperor
himself, her blue eyes intent.  

Daggair murmured from Londo's elbow, "Disgraceful...coming to
Court in an outfit like that!" Londo didn't reply, he was dazzled by the
girl. The Long, shiny brown hair, curly beyond the ribbon in her hair, the
creamy white skin of her bald head and face. Clear, gorgeous, blue eyes.
Now why was something tickling about in his memory in reference to blue
eyes? Her form was easily admired in the outfit she had chosen, for it
showed off her legs in a way that no dress ever had been able to achieve.
Beautiful, but dangerously so. Perhaps the most interesting sight he
had ever seen this Court to date. He moved away from his wives, to the
edges of the crowds in the center, peering over them to watch her progress
before the floor.

Two others moved to stand beside him, and he noted with some
surprise and dismay that it was Lord and Lady Karon. The expressions on
their faces, however, made him pause. Lord Karon was trying to hide his
shock and surprise, but Lady Jessin's skin and taken on a ivory pallor.
Her mouth had dropped slightly open. Londo blinked; surely the girl
wasn't that offending to them...

The girl stopped at the foot of the dias, looking up at the
Emperor with an expectant expression on her face. The Advisor scurried up to 
stand beside his Emperor. Emperor Turgon stared for another moment or two,
then cleared his throat to speak, "Well...My lady. What is your...ahem,
complaint?"

The young woman smiled, a bemused light entering her eyes. Her
voice was soft, but it carried well in the dead silence of the room, "I
come not to complain, Your Majesty, as I do to request."

The Emperor sat up in his throne, interest piqued. His own voice
was slightly skeptical, "And what is it that you wish to request?" He
glanced over at his Advisor, who mouthed, 'You wanted an interesting
one..'

A snide voice called out from the crowds, "A new tailor, perhaps?"
This brought out the nervous laughter in all. The young woman merely
folded her hands behind her back, a polite smile flickering over her
apathetic features.

The Emperor glared out into the crowd, and silence reigned again.
The girl tilted her head slightly towards the crowd to her left where the 
comment had orginated from, making sure she was loud, and distinct, "Well,
I think it obvious, your Majesty. I want to be a man."

There was a stunned silence for a few deafening minutes. Then an
amused chortle. Soon, there were a few giggles here and there. Soon, the
entire Royal Court was bursting into laughter. The Emperor coughed into
his glove, trying not to laugh as well. He cleared his throat, calling for
silence. It came, but only after minutes of hysterical amusement. He
glared down at the young woman before him, his voice stern, "My dear young
lady...are you trying to make a fool of this Court? It is, well, it's not
impossible. But it is certainly againist every social edict to make
you...", he coughed again,"...a man."

The young woman stood as before, nodding her head slowly. Then she
replied, a charming smile resting on her lips, "I'm sorry, perhaps I
wasn't clear. I don't want to be an actual man...I just want the rights of
one. I thought you could help me."

Silence again fell over the room. No one dared to speak, as
hundreds of horrified pairs of eyes moved towards the Emperor. His face
slowly became a quite interesting shade of red, and the girl would of
laughed, had it not meant moments later her execution would of come to
pass. Not like it probably wouldn't anyways but....

"_This_ _is_ _preposterous_. " a loud, booming voice filled the
room. The Emperor turned his attention from the girl, to the tall older
man stepping out of the crowd. The girl herself turned, and quietly raised
an eyebrow. She must of set off a barrel of nil'feeders, for fast  
approaching her was Lord Refa, one of the Emperor's closest advisors, and 
one of his most private nay-sayers. The disgusted look on his face as he
took in the girl before him already spoke volumes. 

The Emperor smiled slightly, Refa would put this girl into her
place, but quick. He leaned back into the throne, awaiting the barrage to
come. The girl, he had to admit, had acted superbly so far, but Refa
would send her home in tears. Back to her shamed parents, no doubt.

The girl in question turned to face Refa, her expression no less
disgusted. She knew of him, of course. Any girl with any connections at
all knew of House Refa, and their klout in Court. She also knew of a
number of shady dealings the Lord himself had with the Black Market. It
did occasionally pay to be a merchant's daughter. She allowed her tone to
cool to freezing as she stared directly into Refa's eyes, "What is 
preposterous? The suit? I do admit...as the crowds have already advised me
on, my need for a tailor. But black does go with  most anything, doesn't
it?"

The crowd laughed, abeit fearfully. Lord Refa snapped, his black
eyes filled with rage, "Don't mouth off to me, _girl_. What do you think
you're doing here, saying these things? You are a Centauri female, you
have a position to uphold."

"_Wrong_. I have a position that I don't want, that society wants
me to 'uphold'. The _male_ society, who thinks females are pretty arm
decorations at balls. Sorry, not me.", the girl said, flashing dimpled
cheeks.

Refa huffed, as he circled the girl, like a vulture inspecting his
next meal, "Who do you think you are, anyways, _girl_? Don't tell
me...you want to be 'equal'. You are certainly not the first..." He
laughed softly, as he leaned over to whisper in her ear, "The Centauri has
done just fine without the idiotic advice of a hormonal female for
centuries. Go home and play with your dolls; you're not wanted here."

The girl turned, her blue eyes soft, dangerous. She began to
circle with Refa, her voice demure, "First of all, I've never liked
dolls. They break too easily when one is climbing trees. Secondly, I 
know for a fact you are lying. If any woman had come here before me, 
all of Centauri Prime would of heard if it by now. Such news is too
unusual not to be spread. What's the matter, Refa? Scared to let girls
play in your little political sandbox? Think I just might run you out of
your job?" A few in the crowd snickered.

His cheeks flushing with anger, Refa sneered, "You don't have the
brain power to even count past a hundred, much less best me intellectually 
enough for me to fear loss of my postion."

The girl smiled again, an unpleasant one, "Well then, try me. Test
me on anything you might of actually learned through osmosis during your
schooling years. I can guarantee I'll know it...and I'll know more about
it. Perhaps then, you'll feel a little...nervous."

Refa smirked quietly, as he turned to the Emperor, "We'll just see
about that, now won't we?" The Emperor quietly discussed it with two of
his Advisors, and the crowds spoke in hushed excitement.

Londo, fascinated by the scene in front of him, almost didn't
notice the rustling of silk behind him. Almost. He felt his shoulders
tense, as Daggair whispered to the side of him, "The _nerve_ of that
little whore. Who does she think she is, anyways?"

Mariel snorted softly, "Obvious _her_ head's been swelled up. In
about thirty seconds she leave here looking like the fool that she is."

"Actually...." Timov murmured thoughtfully, "I sort of like
her..." Londo smiled into his glove. He and Timov often didn't see eye to
eye, but there were times like these that he really did admire her.

"You would. ", Daggair growled. There was no more time to bicker
though, because the 'Inquisition' had begun. Refa, gaining the silent
permission of the Emperor himself, shot off his first question to the
girl, "What are the three working principles of the Prophet, Ja'lan?"

"Out of clutter, find simplicity. From discord, find harmony. In
the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.*", the girl recited with
perfect form. 

(*Was actually quoted from Mark Twain..)

The crowds began murmuring amongst themselves, while Refa
snorted, "That was too easy..." He fired off another one, "What is the
basic equation of the exponent theory of Gimlak?"

"Seven x, times ten to the third power, divided over point one one
three, equals 18,584.o7x. If x is a given of two, it will give you the
equation that was the milestone in the jumpgate time-flux solution.", the
girl said, idly inspecting her fingernails. 

This answer broke the silence, as the crowds gasped and
conversations grew louder. The Emperor glared down at Refa . Refa's eyes
flickered fear for a moment, then grew hard with determination. He spat
out at the girl, "Give me the seventy-seventh stanza to the Minbari Poem,
'Firebird.'"

Surprised, the girl looked up at him, and replied, "I can't."

Refa's smile was a triumphant one, "Why...because you don't know
it? Perhaps one of the greatest poems written in galactic history, and you
don't know it? A Narn _child_ knows it!" 

The girl tilted her head to the side, looking at him. Then she
calmly commented, "Then the Narn child would know that the poem 'Firebird'
only has seventy-TWO stanzas. If you want me to, I can give you that one. 
Which language would you like it in? The native Minbar? Or in our own
tongue? Perhaps in Drazi, or even Narn? My Human is a bit rusty though..."

Londo laughed, oh this was too _precious_. This smart mouthed
girl, yes, _girl_ was making fools out of Refa, and the Emperor. It
definitely had made up for this day, and scores of others before it. Now,
perhaps it was his turn to step into the foray. Just to make things more
_interesting_. Slipping through the gawking crowd, he came out unto the
open floor. His wives, and the Karons started with surprise, as he bowed
silently before the Emperor, and behind the backs of the girl, and the
furious Lord Refa. 

The Emperor nodded, speaking dryly, "Lord Mollari, what a
surprise. Perhaps you would care to take the floor? As your associate Lord
Refa seems to be 'failing' miserably in convincing this girl of the errors
of her ways."

"Why your Majesty...I would be delighted...", he smiled
concedingly at Refa, who with a foul expression silently left the
battlefield, "...but my throat is dry. May I?", as he gestured to a
servant carrying a tray of drinks. The Emperor waved his hand, and the
servant brought the tray to Londo.

Picking a glass filled with a yellow liquid neatly from the tray,
he made sure not to make eye contact with the girl. Londo Mollari was no
fool, trying to intimidate someone took the right kind of attitude from
the intimidatee. Something told Londo this girl was not that kind. Sipping
the drink, some wine from the East Islands, he imagined, he gestured to 
the steps, "May I take a seat, your Majesty? It's been a grueling day..."

"Of course..", the Emperor said, raising his eyebrows just
slightly. The girl stood, her weight shifted to one leg, arms crossed over
her...ample assets. Her eyes were narrowed suspiciously as she watched Londo
lower himself unto a step. When he had finally settled himself, he looked
to the girl. Amused grey eyes met icy blue ones, and round three had
begun.

"So tell me..." Londo began, sipping his drink as he leaned
casually back unto the stairs, "...why do you want to be a man?" At the
the angry flash in the girl's eyes, he said demurely, " I'm sorry, let me
rephrase the question. Why do you want the _rights_ of a man?" 

The girl bit back a smarmy reply, and said instead, "That's
perhaps the most intelligent question I have heard so far. I congratulate 
you, Lord Mollari, of House Mollari."

Londo grinned quietly, "Only a very stupid man would think a woman
is stupid, as my father used to say. I have three...'sweet' wives. I know 
from a vault of 'experience'. They are all from the best families, and
like you, are educated to read and write. I take it from your clothing
that you are from some rich family..", and at the girl's surprised nod, he
continued, "That black silk lining. No commoner could afford it. So when
you say you want the rights, basic rights, of a man, I suppose you mean a
nobleman, yes?"

"I mean basic rights, period." the girl said, "Common men, rich
men, they all receive basic rights. They are only divided by money and
birth. Women, all women, have none. The street cleaners have more rights
then the Emperors wives themselves. Oh yes, we noblewomen are educated. We
read, write. Some of us even learn mathematics and history. But the 
knowledge is wasted because all we will ever _be_ is wives. Or daughters. 
Servant girls, or whores. I..WE deserve better."

Londo put his drink down, and folded his hands in front of him in
a thoughtful steeple. He commented softly, "You don't suffer. You aren't
hungry, or poor. You wear good clothing, will marry well. You obviously
are allowed some freedoms. What more do you want?"

"I _want_ to be able to be seen as someone with a _mind_. I want
to be judged on my thoughts, not my _curves_ or my trust fund. I want 
to go to the Academy. I want to get a place in government, to serve my 
people and my Emperor, and _not_ by just having male sons. I want it to
change. All of it!", the girl exclaimed, throwing her hands to the sky.
This wrought more excited conversation from the crowds.

"You are asking for a lot..." Londo said quietly, "You are asking
your people to change the way they have lived for thousands of years.
What gives you the right to say, 'things must change, because they don't
suit my needs'? You are very arrogant if you think you, and you alone
reserve the right to tell the _Royal Court_ what it is 'doing wrong'."

"Just because things have been that way, Lord Mollari.." the girl
responded, "...does not mean they are right. And besides...if the
Centauri Republic does not learn how to change, it will become obsolete."
She glared quietly, adding, "And I am not doing this for me. I am doing
this for all Centauri women. We've all suffered too long because of
foolish _male_ pride."

Londo chuckled softly, "I don't think your female brethren are
_agreeing_ with your statements. In fact, I would be fairly certain that a
great deal of them feel stoning you would be a very appealing gesture."

The girl commented, as she shifted her weight to the other foot,
"And for every one of those who hate me, who think I am some sort of
lunatic, there are at least two or three who think I am braver then most.
Or perhaps the _male_ population is too scared to ask them what they
think?"

Londo coughed again, then spoke, "You realize what you are saying
is radical. No woman has ever stood before the Emperor, and asked for
these things."

"I beg to differ, my lord. What of the woman, Wereal? She stood
before the first Emperor, and asked for the right to bear arms, and fight
with the army againist the Xon. You might know of her as the Warrior
Woman." the girl replied, a slightly amused grin passing her face.

"So I have...", Londo admitted, grudgingly, "But what have you
done to earn these rights you want so badly? The common man works for them
everyday. The nobility fights for them against their own brethren. Even 
your Warrior Woman fought the Xon to gain her equality. Men have earned
their rights, yet you come in here, and simply demand them?" He raised a
single feathered brow.

"I don't want them...if I have no right to them. I just want the
chance to earn _them_, and to prove that my gender is worthy of them.",
the girl said, letting her arms drop to her sides, "Every person deserves
the chance, if nothing else."

"And what..." the Emperor interrupted, his brown eyes quietly 
flashing, "..are you willing to do to earn your rights, as you put it?" 

"Whatever I can do...under moral restrictions." The girl said to
the Emperor, but still looking to Londo, "I will not earn my rights
through _selling_ my body. To anyone." A smile quirked on Londo's lips,
but never truly emerged. 

"It wouldn't matter if you ready to...ready to sell your soul to
the Narns!", spat out Refa from the sidelines. He smoothed down his jacket
officiously, adding, "As you have pointed out so well...you are a woman.
And women are _not_ _recognized_ _in_ _the_ _Laws_. Therefore, the Emperor
cannot recognize your request. He can hear it, and _that_ is all!"

The Emperor nodded his head slowly, almost regretfully. He hated
to admit it, but the radical female was starting to grow on him. Perhaps
she had another trick up her sleeve? By the little grin on her face, he
had a sneaking suspicion she did. He hid a smile of quiet excitement, and
awaited her reasoning. What he didn't expect was..

"Tell me Lord Refa, what are the color of my eyes?" the young
woman commented, concentrating her gaze on him. The crowds murmured their
surprise at this line of questioning.

Refa, a dubious expression crossing his face, quietly squinted,
then said roughly, "Blue.." Londo looked at the girl, shock written over
his face.

"Rare color, blue. For a Centauri, at any rate. Most have dark
eyes...brown. Black. Hazel. The occasional green, or like Lord Mollari's, 
grey. But blue...blue only occurs to the handful. Less then one percent of
the Centauri population has blue eyes. So I suppose it is no wonder they
were honored by the Ancients.." the girl said demurly, reaching into the
side pocket of her jacket.

Londo tilted his head slightly, the fan of his hair wobbling. He
muttered, as he looked at her, "What is this proving? _What_ are you
up to?"

The girl looked over to him, and smirked, "Just this...", as she
pulled out a long scroll of paper, and unrolled it. She looked around the
room proper, before reading, "..and the Great Maker kissed each of these
special children, and named them the 'Children of Luck'. Their eyes were
the color of the sky, a tribute to the Great Maker's Creation. And the
great Prophet Ja'lan said unto the people, on the birth of the Children of
Luck, that they '..be granted their one true hearts desire by their
people, as is their right as the Honored Ones of the Great Maker, and all
the other Gods, and Goddesses.' And so...in other words, not only do I
have the right to have my request granted, the Centauri Government owes
it to me under our own religious laws, which I am afraid to say, Lord
Refa, have been around much longer then yours. Therefore, they take
precidence." A condesending grin passed the girl's face, as she fluttered
her eyelashes at the stunned face of Refa.

"In other words...you have the Centauri Republic over a religious
barrel. You knew that if we rejected you, you could just go to the
Temples, and force the issue, didn't you?", the Emperor commented, his
eyes narrowing on the girl below him. She nodded her head softly, the smug
smile still on her lips

"Well...Great Maker." Londo murmured, as he reached forward, and
snagged the scroll out of the girl's hands. He read it, then stared at the
girl in front of him. Lord Refa grabbed it from him, and he too stared at
the girl. In fact, most of the Court was now staring at the girl. The
others who weren't staring...had fainted.

The girl sauntered over to Londo and Refa, snagging the scroll
from Londo, and patting Refa on the cheek. She turned to the Emperor,
saying, "Well your Majesty? What do you say? All you have to give me is a
chance." She again folded her arms across her chest, patiently waiting.

The Emperor sighed, and rubbed his forehead gently. Then he looked
at the girl again, brown eyes hard, "On three conditions."

The girl raised an eyebrow, "_You're_ making conditions? Whom has
who between the proverbial rock and a hard place?"

The Emperor smiled, "And whom is wearing the coronation shield, and
could just have you executed for annoying him at his hour of rest? Not to 
mention the fact that you are a radical? I'm sure it would give Lord Refa 
and Lord Mollari the greatest pleasure to see you getting your head
chopped off and stuck on a pike outside in the Royal Garden."

The girl looked over at Refa and Londo, their darkened faces, then
looked back to the Emperor. "Point taken..", the girl muttered, "The
conditions are?"

"Number one...before you test your metal at the Academy, I want
to see how you do in the physical arena. You are to join the Army, and
make a rank of at least lieutenant, before even considering coming back
here looking for your...'citizenship', as it were."

The girl nodded her head slowly, "Agreed. Number two?" She thought
with some quiet amusement that this must of been the path the Warrior
Woman had taken so many years ago. The irony was almost _too_  
unbelievable.

The Emperor folded his hands in front of him, continuing, "Number
two, _if_ you manage to get by in the Army, and survive the Academy, you
will take an assistant post in the Government. Of my choosing. I want to 
also see how well you deal with the political world, and the bureaucracy,
that you so want to change."

The girl raised an eyebrow, but conceded quietly. The Emperor
finished, "Thirdly...you will have no contact with your family, or
friends. From the moment you accept this bargain, you become a non-entity.
No family name to protect you, no House to run to if you feel weak. Just
yourself. And if just one time, one single time, anyone finds out your
House name, by you, or by any other, you lose. No citizenship. Nothing.
Agreed?"

The girl's mouth opened slightly, then shut. She knew what she was
getting into when she started this; she had to see it all the way
through, despite the great pain it would be causing her. Silently, she
prayed to her brother to forgive her, as she nodded her head yes. The
Emperor's tone softened, "Now...if you survive all that, if you make it
through; I will see to it that you are a personal advisor to myself, and
any Emperor that might follow me. If I should die before you finish
your...'tasks', as it were, this agreement still holds. It is merely the
next Emperor who will judge you, and your performance."

The girl grinned cockily, "Sounds like a plan to me. So where's
the Army Registration?" The Emperor looked over to his Advisor, raising an
eyebrow in question.

The Advisor coughed, then spoke softly, "Go to out to the Great
Square, take a left. There should be, I mean, there are signs. And such."

The girl nodded her head again, and saluted to the Emperor, the
Advisor, Refa and Londo. Refa said nothing, but Londo smirked, "Well, I
certainly hope _not_ to see you any time soon. Not that you aren't a
pleasure on the eyes...but really, the radical flavor is a bit too..acidic
for me."

The girl replied dryly, "Your lordship, I will give it my utmost
attention that our pathes will _never_ cross...ever..again. Good day..."
Londo bit back a chuckle, as she moved away from him.

She turned on her heel, and started for the door. Her eyes 
flickered over to her sister, and her sister's husband. Lord Karon merely
turned away, disgusted. But in Jessin's eyes, there was a questioning,
that could not be answered. Not now, and perhaps, not ever. The girl moved
her eyes away, and Jessin lowered her head, hiding the pain there 
effectively. On either side of the girl, the people merely watched. None
had the gumption to say a single word or retort.

The Emperor, watching the girl leave, noted the look quietly.
Still looking, he whispered to his Advisor, "Call up the Registration
Office. Tell them we are sending over a 'special' case. Tell them we need
her in the roughest boot camp, with the lowest of men. We'll see who lasts
longer; her, or them."

The Advisor nodded, and turned to run off, when he paused,
whispering back, "Just whom should I say _is_ coming?"

The Emperor frowned, "Good question. My lady!", he called out. She
had reached the top of the stairs, and stopped at the threshold of the
Doorway, turning to face him, and the entire Royal Court once more. He
asked, making it sound as superior as possible, "Your name, please? We'll
need it for the records. Death and mental health..so on and so forth."

The girl quietly shook her head, her lips quirking into a half
grin. She looked at the Emperor, her tone honeylike, "The name, dear
Emperor, is Mula...and just that. Don't worry..you'll be hearing again
soon."

With that, she turned again, and left the room. As soon as she
had departed, the room exploded with noise, as each person had their own
opinion about the 'Incident'; The Emperor, meanwhile,  glared up at his
Advisor, who gulped nervously in turn. The Emperor said quietly, "The next
time I ask for interesting...think about it. Think about interesting, next
to, making-the-Emperor-outrageously-angry. Think about it, then choose
wisely. Now go."

The Advisor nodded his head, again, and turned, running down the
dias. Refa snorted softly, as he turned to return to his own family, "This
is completely _ridiculous_. Mark my words, we will not see _that_ little
whelp again."

Londo drained the last contents of his glass, murmuring softly, as
he too moved to his three wives, "I am not so sure of that. I am not so
sure of that at all..."