Kia's Biehshah Gift

Chapter 15 Acting Normal

We went back to the festival. After all that, it was really hard to enjoy things.

Camila found us at the musicians with Angel singing "Sempre, Fidele" because she wanted to learn it. Camila joined in and what a voice! She sang alto. I had a descant with my 1st soprano voice and Angel, who really could have taken the descant, sang 2nd soprano.

But Uncle Chase was with her and sang bass. I didn't think Daddy could hold a note in a bucket, but he sounded like an opera singer!

After the song, she pulled me with her. "Oh, you sing beautifully, Kia! I hate to bother you during the festival, but our people need some help organizing their government. You two are good with such things, yes?"

So, we went. A lot of it didn't make sense to us. Mexico City had a lot of corruption in its government, though superficially, it was very similar to Atlanta. Ir insisted they follow the pattern Zheien use, with wives equal rank to their husbands, and the men mostly argued against that. They also didn't like the abuse progs, as a group.

I talked to the women, or tried to, and they got glares from their husbands so I waved up private containments. Not one would talk to me, with or without Ir present. Scared. Many of them had scars on their arms or faces. Oh, that made me mad.

"Listen to me, all you men! Women are equal in all of Earth Ye~. If you don't like it, you can talk to King Eanne~ or Se~spea, Council Leader. They will also tell you that abuse progs will run. The Alb Council agreed to it and any world of Alb will tell you the same thing. Abuse is not tolerated here." I waved up a display, in Spanish, of the number of times it had gone off in the last 3 days. Many of the men got upset. More like indignant.

Se~spea ported in. He's very short, but had the cobalt blue master trader outfit and the red-violet uniform underneath that all the Ye~ Council members wear. He glared at the men and his anger shook the room so the chairs rattled! Their council chamber was a conference room with hand-carved wooden chairs, so quite a racket! "All of you, I gave you permission for your city. But I see Kia's report of your cruelty. No group in our colony may openly abuse anyone. If you can ne follow our governance, you may leave. I warn you, any Zheien colony will have similar rules to ours.

"If you think Samar Thaae, D'gharr or D'sharr will allow you, they also agreed to our rules.

"Even the Earthan Colonies Authority agreed to them. I see that none of you meet their educational or skill set requirements. Education is offered to you here if you can follow our rules. Otherwise, your only option is to go back to Earth, but I warn you, if your wives and daughters do not wish to accompany you, you can ne force them to leave with you."

Some of the men got angry and left on foot. No one left with them who were female. Not one. I smiled.

The others asked some questions and one offered Se~spea a bribe. He ported him just outside the door and answered another question about trade with Mexico City.

Camila smiled at me and Chase did, too. Se~spea turned to them. "I wish you both to be Governor and Governess Of Mexico City Ye~. Thank you for bringing Kia and Ir, and I am happy I resolved your dispute." But he said it all in Spanish.

My stepmot—aunt curtseyed in her colorful Hispanic dress. "I am very happy to serve! There will be changes in this council and I will speak to all of our women. They are inspired by my daughter, Kia."

I smiled at her. Having two mothers is a pleasant idea.

We went back to the festival and watched Doug reciting a poem.

He saw us and finished up. "Irdaktin and Kia! Here is a poem for you.

Kia was a cashier at three different jobs