“We'd better let her sleep."
Then they stared at each other. “This is Charm,” Havoc said.
“She made the jump between planets alone!"
“We'd better get back to Counter Charm.” He looked as shaken as she felt.
They did, not forgetting Symbol, who went off to be with the children. They settled back in their bed. “I am sorry we quarreled,” Gale said.
“And glad we made up."
“Agreement!"
“In future, let's make up without quarreling."
“Agreement!” she repeated.
As she faded out, Gale reflected on how much their lives had changed in the past three years. They had gone from innocent rustic villagers to king and queen, become Glamors, assembled a full four child family, and now were on another planet, interacting with alien sapience. How much wilder could it get?
Havoc squeezed her hand. “All is meaningless, without you."
“Stop trying to seduce me again!” She was overflowing with love for him.
“Never.” And they slept, bathed in love.
Somewhere along the way, Gale realized that she had forgotten Swale. Well, the succubus could make her own way back when she was ready.
In the morning the children were eager to return to the Red Chroma zone. So was Gale. The riddle of cloud formation had possessed her imagination; it was a challenge to be overcome.
“How do you do it, Voila?” she asked rhetorically as she nursed the baby.
To her surprise, Voila responded with a thought, showing how she used a process like the recent-past review to review the recent future. Normally what was about to happen didn't matter, as it was routine, but sometimes it made a difference. She lacked the mind to reason it out, but recognized coming pain, discomfort, or frustration when it loomed, and fussed in response. That usually abated it.
Gale emulated the process, and suddenly she was aware of the recent future. It was there, just ahead, like a path through a forest, clear close up, but curving out of sight in the near distance. It was dull, containing only activity she already knew about, but she knew with the magic sensing that it was a true vision rather than conjecture. Should anything untoward occur, she would probably know it in time to avoid it. She was unable to see far ahead when she tried; the path curved in multiple directions simultaneously, losing definition. She could focus on any one aspect, and it clarified somewhat, but remained devious. The forks did not remain separate; they spread, crossed, merged, fudged, and disappeared with seeming randomness. This was definitely a limited vision.
Gale fixed the process in her mind, so that she would never lose it. The clear vision ahead was brief, only a few seconds, but that could make an enormous difference in some cases. She wanted not only to have it, but to share it with Havoc and the other Glamors.
“Thank you, Voila,” she said. “I love you."
The baby knew it. She continued to nurse contentedly.
Distracted by the half hectic morning routine of conjuring breakfast and seeing to the children, even with Symbol's considerable and invaluable help, Gale almost missed the first useful manifestation of the new talent. Her left middle toe gave a twinge. She eased the forward power of her leg and set her foot down slightly short, distorting her balance. Why had she done that?
Then she saw the wooden block on the ground. It was one of the ones the children played with, somehow strayed from its companions. Her foot landed just short of it. Had she continued that step normally, her middle toe would have struck the block with some force. Probably not enough to injure it, but enough to make it hurt for a moment. Stubbed toes were never fun, even for Glamors.
The awareness of the recent future had made the toe twinge before it was hurt, and she had reacted just enough to spare it that pain. Just as Voila reacted to bad things before they hurt her. The talent had worked.
“Thank you, Voila,” she repeated, though the baby was sleeping in her bassinet at the moment.
At breakfast she shared the news with the other Glamors, explaining how she had received it from her baby and had the early proof of it. She opened her mind to them, so that they could read the process directly.
They were interested; none of them had known of this Glamor ability, but soon verified it. Green conjured a green metallic token, emulating one of the coins of ancient Earth, with a picture of a head on one side and a tail on the other. He flipped it, and others called out the side that was about to be upright when it came to rest on the table. Soon they were completely accurate. They could fathom the recent future.
They also verified its limitation. More than a few seconds ahead, the overlaying and fudging paths became too tangled to discern accurately and were useless. But close up the process was very nice.
“Appreciation,” Red said for them all. “Amazement that a baby discovered what we did not."
She is a Glamor, the Brown Glamor thought.
“Our thinking may have become stultified,” Green said. “We have not been stretching our boundaries sufficiently."
“And we should,” Yellow said.
“And shall,” Black said.
“Another potential interest,” Gale said. “Today the children discover whether they can become clouds like those of the ifrits. It will be preceded by a negotiation."
“Question,” Translucent said.
“Situation: Voila knows how to do it, having demonstrated it yesterday. The other children do not. They will bargain with her to obtain the information. Then they will try it themselves."
“Voila,” Red said. “Who showed us the recent future."
“Agreement.” The point had been made: this was more than child's play.
We are aware of your trepidation, the Brown Glamor thought. But this exploration seems necessary. We will participate.
That comforted Gale. The other Glamors had evidently discussed the matter more temperately than she and Havoc had.
They went out to the Red Chroma zone. The ifrits were there, already condensed to human forms. The human children ran to join their ifrit counterparts. Gale wondered whether it was coincidence that each human/ifrit pair consisted of one male and one female. Did the ifrits really have genders, or had they assumed them to relate to the humans? Were they truly as friendly as they seemed? There was an enormous amount they still didn't really know about the ifrits. That prevented her from being entirely easy.
Gale sat at the table, setting Voila's bassinet on top. The children clustered around. “Situation,” she announced. “Voila knows how to assume cloud form and return. The other children wish to learn how. Voila will surely share her information, but will need to be persuaded. She will want something in return."
The human children nodded. They know about bargaining.
“However, Voila is only three months old. She lacks the experience and information to bargain effectively on her own. Therefore she will need an adult assistant, a second, a representative, or advisor. A person who will bargain effectively on her behalf."
“No fair,” Warp protested. “We can't argue against grownups."
“Then perhaps you should have representation too,” Gale said evenly. “Whom do you want?"
“Daddy,” Weft said.
“Mommy,” Warp said.
Gale was taken aback. “I'm not sure we are appropriate. We are your parents, and dare not favor one over another."
All three children burst out laughing. But they did make new choices. “Black Glamor,” Warp said.
The Black Glamor appeared. “Humor?"
“Serious,” Warp said, laughing.
He shrugged. “Acceptance."
“Yellow,” Weft said.
Now the Yellow Glamor appeared, similarly surprised. “Acceptance."
“Red,” Flame said.
The Red Glamor appeared. “Comprehension: we match your colors of hair."
The children burst into another round of laughter. “Agreement,” Weft said. “But you must really do it."
&nb
sp; “Acceptance."
“Now who for Voila?” Gale asked.
“Brown!” the three said together.
The Brown Dragon Glamor appeared. Acceptance.
Gale looked at Voila. “Is this your wish?"
The baby smiled.
“So be it,” Gale said. “I leave the matter to you."
“Request,” Ivor said. “We are not apt at your mind communication. May we have a verbal translation?"
“Affirmation,” the Blue Glamor said. “I will speak Brown's thoughts.” She paused. “Herewith: Voila requires full interaction with her three older siblings, and the young ifrits. Also training in all the Glamor abilities the others have mastered."
“Outrage!” Red exclaimed. “She is too young to participate in many of their activities at this time, and would merely hinder them without benefit to herself."
“Also,” Black said, “Voila proffers only one ability. That warrants a return of only one ability."
“Compromise,” Yellow suggested. “One per child."
The Brown Glamor hesitated, telepathically consulting with his client. “Agreement,” the Blue Glamor said.
“Compromise,” Yellow said again. “Full participation in all interplay involving the young ifrits. Partial participation in straight sibling play, as approved by their parents."
Again a pause. “Agreement."
Gale looked around. “Do we have a deal?"
“Agreement,” the three said together.
“Then so be it.” Gale looked at Voila. “Now you may show them how to form clouds."
“Here is the secret,” Blue said. “You must go to your constituencies. That is, the forms of life you represent as Glamors. They give you Glamor power, and can give you this. You have but to request it from them.
“Surprise,” Gale said. “Voila did that?"
“She wished to become a cloud. The amoeba supported her. They understand individualism on the cellular level."
“Individual cells!” Havoc exclaimed. “That's what forms the clouds."
“Agreement,” Iva said. “We are conglomerations of many. We link to form larger entities for convenience."
Gale realized that this had been obvious, had they but looked at it that way. Fog was a collection of water particles; the ifrits were collections of demon particles. To become sentient clouds, humans needed to fragment into their component cells.
“Still,” Havoc said, “There needs to be guidance, to maintain connection between the cells. We must study Voila to find that way."
Voila, satisfied with the deal, was already starting to sublimate. Her body dissolved into mist, forming a cloud above the bassinet.
The three other children protested. “Hey, wait for us!” Warp cried.
“Do it slowly,” Weft agreed.
Slow. It was the Brown Glamor's thought, guiding Voila. The Dragon could think in words to communicate with humans, but was using concepts now, and that was registering better with the baby.
Voila's body coalesced, then dissolved again, more slowly.
“Like fungus spores!” Warp exclaimed.
“Like floating bacteria,” Weft said.
“Separate viruses,” Flame said.
They were going to their constituencies, and getting it. Gale glanced at Havoc. She knew he distrusted this, but he showed no sign of it. He loved the children, as she did, and was concerned for their safely. Yet if this conversion were possible, it was best that it be done here and now, with everyone watching, as Symbol had said.
Warp began to fuzz. A twisting streamer of vapor rose from the top of his head. Then his hair dissolved. He was doing it.
Gale kept her voice even. “Good, Warp."
“Good, Weft,” Havoc said. Weft's hands were misting.
“Don't hurry it, Flame,” Symbol said. “Do it slow and right."
The pace of conversion increased as they got the hang of it. Their extremities vaporized, then their torsos. Soon Warp was fully cloud, floating clear, with Weft not far behind. Flame was last, but definitely doing it.
The three small clouds were joined by the true ifrit clouds. The six of them floated after the two smaller clouds that were Voila and Iolo. They had done it.
Havoc took her hand. This was nominally his reassurance for her, but she felt his tension. He was worried that they would not be able to return. She squeezed his fingers. Voila had returned, and they were following her.
The clouds played for some time, while all the Glamors watched. Then the clouds drifted back, following the smallest. Voila and Iolo condensed, slowly, and so did the others. Gale fought to prevent herself from snatching Voila, picking her up carefully. The baby nursed, satisfied.
“That was great!” Warp exclaimed. “We talked with Ilka."
“Question?” Gale asked carefully.
“She's the co—co—"
“Coordinator,” Ivo said. “The one of us who remains in natural form, enabling us to relate in solid form."
“She's nice,” Flame said. “She knows everything."
Havoc picked up Weft, and Symbol took Flame. Gale knew they were quietly checking to be sure the children were as they had been before. Warp seemed to be his normal boisterous self.
The transformation seemed to have been a success. Gale relaxed at last.
Her gaze fell on her own left hand. She froze.
The hand was dissolving into mist.
She clamped down on her threatening scream. She had been following the children too closely. She didn't want to make a scene. Havoc!
He responded immediately, understanding. Reverse the process.
That was of course the answer. She focused on her hand, willing it to be solid again. The mist swirled down around it, condensing. In a moment the hand was whole again.
She hoped no one else had noticed.
* * * *
Havoc had seen Gale's hand, and been uncertain how to alert her without making a scene neither of them wanted. Then she saw it herself, and took care of it.
Now they knew: adults could do it too.
Havoc set Weft down, and she ran to join the others for one of Symbol's pudding snacks. He did love her, as he loved them all. He suspected that she had actually picked him as favorite, rather than the other way around, because there were limits to the influence the adults could wield. The children had somehow parceled out the choices among themselves, perhaps in a compromise to avoid quarreling. They were children, but they were also Glamors, and that made them formidable. The way Weft had visited them at the Charm hideout—if she had intended to astonish them, she had succeeded. At this point they could not be restrained; only their returning love and respect for the adults in their lives kept them in line.
Gale and Symbol had done most of that, loving and disciplining the children with unceasing vigilance and competence. He had expected it of Gale, who was a loving person; hard-nosed Symbol had been a surprise. But her commitment could not be questioned; he trusted the lives of his children in her hands. She had become a mother, and was indispensable. He suspected that this development had surprised her as much as him; she had never craved conventional motherhood and family. Of course it made her as sexually scarce as Gale, because of the constant demands of the children; the two together did not amount to what either one alone had been before. They had to make an effort to be with him, scheduling trysts. But how could he begrudge that? They were doing a job no other women could do.
And now they knew that Gale could turn cloud, if she chose to. She associated so closely with the children that she had picked up the technique and started to do it unconsciously. Was that another breakthrough—or a danger?
“The venture seems to have been successful,” Iva said.
That reminded him of the ifrit female. He did not fully trust the ifrits, not because of any apparent fault in them or their motives, but because they were alien entities whose nature and motives were bound to be substantially different from human ones. He would have much preferred to m
ix children at a later time, once the ifrits were better understood. Sex with Iva had been fine, but that had required far less trust than needed for children to become clouds. “Agreement."
“I was concerned that there could be a problem."
She was concerned? “Such transformation is normal for ifrits."
“We wish to relate well with you. A problem with a child would spoil that."
“Concurrence.” He had to recognize that the children had succeeded; the ifrits had not done them any harm. Still, he distrusted this. He wished he could get truly into the mind of an ifrit, to comprehend its ultimate nature. Then perhaps he could really trust them.
“You remain tense. Have I offended you?"
The ifrits were surprisingly swift to pick up on human nuances. Havoc suspected that they had no concept of offense in their natural state. “Negation."
“There is other reason?"
What should he tell her? That Gale had started to become a cloud herself? No, that was best kept private until they had a better notion of the potential. That she had been jealous of his sharing his feeling of love with the ifrit? Admitting that probably would not be wise; were the ifrit a human female, she could be angling for Havoc's further favor, and that would be reason for Gale's concern. Ini and Futility knew their places, in this respect, and would never cause him embarrassment. But Iva—what better way to weaken human unity than to alienate his affection for Gale? That would be impossible to accomplish, but Iva would not know that. That whole subject was best avoided.
He decided on the straight truth. “We do not know you ifrits well. I am wary of exposing my children to the power of beings we do not fully understand."
“Affirmation!” she said with surprising vehemence. “Ivor did not want us to bring ours, but I felt it was the most effective way to relate."
“You distrust humans,” he said, wondering whether she was serious, or merely trying to emulate a human concern.
“We do not know humans,” she said, qualifying it exactly as he had. “Your ways differ from ours, and you are frighteningly intelligent. If your private motives are hostile, we could be in peril."
“Concurrence. We are necessarily cautious."
“We are trying to understand you in every way possible. We are handicapped by having to use these clumsy solid forms. We wish you could understand us completely, too."