Morning broke across the worlds. As it does in most, the sun rising, some with two. We see ours as yellow, but many planets can have white or an opalescent color sun.

The hurried flush of youth, in the throes of anticipation and nervous apprehension, moved towards transporters. Watched by their parents, some just like Earth parents, with tears in their eyes, at the thought of such a long time, before they would see their Ket or Kets again.

This was no picnic, no school outing, or field trip. The parents had made the commitment and to some, that had been not a consideration, but a deep desire, born out of previous experiences.

Never forgotten, having spent time at the same place, sharing, caring having to learn, to adapt, to improvise, to overcome. The angst of youth in all its colors.

Margise glanced over to where Becci was still packing her things. They were close sisters, no surprises there!

There were NO secrets between them, they shared EVERYTHING! She watched as Becci, tried to close the container, her soft then louder voice cursing. She lost her temper.

Margise stepped across, to sit. Becci heard the soft hiss as the qit closed shut.
”They could separate us.“ “So, that is what has been on your mind, I wondered why you were so upset.” Becci’s mother, the Haphketsut Cisteral appeared at the entrance, stepping into the chamber she smiled overhearing Becci’s remark.

“True friendship outlasts everything! Sisters love is as close to inseparable as it gets.
Just remember, you’ll both be in the same place. Even if you’re on opposing teams. True friendship isn’t negotiable, doesn’t have tags, nor labels, isn’t gone simply, because you’re apart.“

She remembered, the first time she had arrived at the Akademy, La Toyah nicknamed ‘The Toy’ by the Kets, much to her dislike. Had watched her, seen her, how she had recoiled from Bexian Kets, shying away from them, cautious of them; suspicious of them.

How Soniette, had been quick to pre judge Cistera, her Animorphis instincts coming to the fore, ignoring the idea of exploring options, being presumptuous..

Suspicious, nervous? She had put them together, MADE them re think their ideas about each other, made them stop and CONSIDER each other. Their feelings, sensitivities.

That, had produced, an understanding,, a curiosity, to learn more. It had taken tears, rage, temper, frustration but in the end, they had formed a friendship, that was unbreakable.

Based on trust, on truth, on honesty and most of all courage, to accept each others differences, each others quirks, each others frustrations and to adapt, to overcome, to survive, but together!

“Ma ma!“ Cistera turned to see Ocasa wearing only his Kata iya.(boxer shorts). Margise looks at him and grins. Becci was NOT amused!

“Does he, have to come into my chambers, dressed only in his Kata, when I have guests?“ Ocasa shakes his head. Margise, was certainly in over 14 years, no stranger to him! She had seen him naked from a Kevletling! (baby, child Ket.)

Cistera ignores her, trying to hide the smile forming across her lips. “Yes Ocasa?” “I want to know, whether I need, to pack kit.” “You can if you wish, but they do provide everything, clothing and equipment; sport wise.

However Soniette and I, always wore our own, though most didn’t!” “My Sanwa. (trainers) are comfortable and worn in, so I think I’ll take those.” He glanced past her, watching Margise as she looked at Becci then giggled again.

She glared at him. “Was there anything else, brother, you wanted?” “Apart from clothes of course.” She picked up a pair of her knee socks [Kata sai] and threw them at him, he tried to move but they hit him full on, in the face. Margise fell about laughing, Cistera shook her head. Ocasa also shaking his head, as he threw them back at her.

Ocasa had sweaty feet, so anything resembling socks, made him recoil in horror.
 “That’s disgusting.“ His tone of voice, simply made it worse for him!
Becci joined in with Margise, laughing hysterically.

“I knew, there was something you’d forgotten to pack.“ Ocasa scowled, rushed off. Cistera knew, however much, Becci made Ocasa the villain of any situation, deep down, Becci had a real love for her brother.

True, they fought like, as we would say, ‘Cat and dog’ on occasion. They had never, shown closeness with a hug or a kiss, she couldn’t explain why.

Still, La Toyah would, she was sure, rectify that. ‘The Toy’, she grinned, as she looked at Margise and Becci, still laughing..

‘You really don’t know, what ‘The Toy’ is all about!

But you will, oh yes you will!