The Cohen Clover

Caroline & The Chancellor A

copyright comidacomida 2024

There were times in her life when Dr. Caroline Ashley lamented having an atypical childhood.  She was the only daughter of a mother with either Borderline Personality Disorder or possibly Narcissistic Personalty Disorder-- whatever her problem had been it went undiagnosed, and it made Caroline's life hell for the first dozen-or-so years of her life.  As the only stable thing in her mom's life, Caroline became the rock to which she'd clung and, conversely, her mother had been her anchor.

Her mother had become pregnant on purpose by sabotaging the contraceptives she'd been on when she decided her boyfriend would make the perfect husband, but he left once he found out what she'd done.  In a last-ditch effort to find a way to keep him with her the woman had made sure that his last name appeared on Caroline's birth certificate.  Her mother obsessed over her, keeping her close always as the singular source of love and adoration that was 'owed' to her and could never be taken away.  Caroline hated her with a passion for as long as she could remember.

Dr. Ashley had thankful for her mother's self-centered nature because it was the driving factor early in her childhood which led the girl to become self-sufficient.  She excelled at school because it was her safe space-- the location that she could get away from her mom and focus on her own life.  She prospered at the top decile of her class in primary school and, even when her mom found her next 'forever love' in a visiting American and decided to relocate them from Belfast to Maine Caroline was determined to not let it slow her down.  Within two years of moving to the US she had caught the attention of Unity Programme recruiters.

She had joined the Unity Programme before her 13th birthday, but only because her mother had signed off on the permission slip so she could spend more time with her new husband-- that marriage lasted for scarcely two years but Caroline never looked back.  Her mother tried to reach out several times, including retracting permission for her to attend in a bid to regain control over her daughter, but by then it was too late; Caroline was finally free.  As time passed, Caroline attempted to ignore her past, focusing more and more on her future.  She started going by 'Ash', dropping the name her mother had given her in favor of the first syllable of her last name which was all she had received from her father.

Focusing on the present and looking toward the future throughout her studies meant that she was able to determine who she wanted to be, rather than who she had been, and it was the first time she had control over her own destiny; she loved it.  Caroline quickly completed all primary education classes and advanced into an accelerated university level program at sixteen.  She had her doctorate just before turning twenty one and within a year she had become an administrative assistant to one of Dr Nathan Cohen's assistants.  Although she was as surprised as anyone when scientists uncovered Shattered Earth, she had several years to overcome that surprise and start learning before anyone else had learned a thing about it or that Earth's people, the Oolou.

Once the information had filtered down to the mid-level administration there had already been preliminary contact and initial information exchange between the Unity Programme and the city-dwelling faction of Oolou known as 'Seekers'.  At that point Caroline had become the junior research assistant under Dr Emilia Loris, Dr Cohen's right-hand staff member for all-things-Oolou.  Dr. Loris took Caroline under her wing and, together, the two worked for almost six months on preparing what a Unity Centre would look like on Shattered Earth; that fall, Dr. Loris went through the Gateway and Caroline took over on Land Earth as a Lead Researcher in her own right, reporting directly to Dr Cohen.

Due to social conventions made by the two factions of Oolou there were tight restrictions regarding populations on Shattered Earth and, therefore, however many Humans went to Shattered Earth an equal number of Oolou were required to become 'exchange students' on Land Earth.  It was an interesting time for Caroline since she was one of the lead scientists working with the Oolou, who were barely prepared for what awaited them on Land Earth.  It was a learning time for everyone, and Caroline liked to think it shaped the woman, doctor, and scientist she had become.

In order to make the most of the exchange, both sides agreed that there would be a yearly transfer of staff, increasing the number of Humans on Shattered Earth and the number of Oolou on Land Earth.  Over the course of the next six years the number of exchanged personnel increased by between six to ten every twelve months.  The exchanges took place over one week with a distribution of Humans heading to Shattered Earth first followed by a contingent of Oolou transferring to Land Earth between two and four days later; there would usually be two exchanges maximum since some of both parties also needed to return home.  The journey between the Gateway and the Oolou city took just under twelve hours, which meant time was provided for offloading and provisioning.

The journey, Caroline was made to understand, was not a gentle one, and the landscape, which remained irradiated took its toll on Humans, even when they wore protective suits.  A combination of chemical cocktails were required medication for anyone making the journey and even once they arrived at the Oolou city where radiation levels were significantly lower than the wilds maintenance medication was required.  With treatment, a Human could survive in a relatively low radiation area for approximately ten years but the Unity Programme-- after that they would have to return to Land Earth to go through extensive decontamination and months worth of radiation treatments.  

Most personnel didn't stay more than four years tops, but Dr. Emilia Loris ended up staying for almost eight.  Caroline knew that Emilia had a great love of learning and had been quite at home on Shattered Earth-- either of those could have been sufficient reasons for wanting to stay that long but she knew the real reason: Dr Loris had married the Chancellor and they had a son together.  She had stayed for both of them.  It was romantic in a way and, at the time, Caroline considered it also a little naive.  Her opinion changed significantly when she finally had a chance to meet him.

Emilia's son was named Aelwin Loris; among the Seekers, a child's surname was taken from the parent who claimed them.  It would have seemed like a strange cultural affectation for anyone not familiar with the Oolou but Caroline knew that there was a treaty put into effect by the civilized Seekers and the tribal Purists that the Oolou could only replace their numbers and, as such, no Oolou could have more than one child to call their own.  Considering Dr Loris had always planned to return to Land Earth it only made sense that her son, who would be traveling back with her, would be 'her' child.

Aelwin was a precocious young Oolou and, since Caroline had seen pictures of the Chancellor, she could definitely see the resemblance.  She and Emilia had spoken at length upon her return, with little Aelwin romping around happily as he explored their office; despite what Caroline had expected of small kids he was incredibly well behaved and did not make a mess.  Since Dr Ashley was set to travel to Shattered Earth before in under 48 hours, Emilia spent that time preparing her for what she would need to know based on firsthand experience.

Dr. Loris had married the Chancellor as was custom of any female living in another male's house.  It was originally a condition of convenience but, over a matter of months, Emilia had come to care for the Oolou and the feeling, as it turned out, was mutual.  Aelwin came along less than a year later, and Emilia was able to enjoy the family life she thought she'd passed on when joining the Programme.  She explained to Caroline that the Chancellor was amazing in more ways than she could count and, in so doing, made the young woman think of one of those housewives bragging about their perfect husbands.  It made her smile.

Eventually Emilia's story of Shattered Earth came to a close as she explained that, as was Oolou custom, they divorced the day before she left; Dr. Loris had explained that Caroline was to be her replacement and, with the fur beneath his eyes damp, the Chancellor had explained that nobody would be able to replace his beloved Emilia.  She rested her hand against her cheek as she spoke, her eyes glimmering slightly with tears threatening to escape.  Her voice tightened slightly with emotion as she described the way he looked at her, and the way he rested his paw against her cheek as he spoke... and the kiss they shared before--

She seemingly snapped out of it at that point, clearing her throat with no small amount of blushing coming to her cheeks and neck as she added "But... well... ah... we couldn't stay together because... well... he will have to marry you."

Caroline had been quick to trip over herself in apologizing and attempting to deescalate, but Emilia simply smiled and explained that she knew it would happen and she didn't hold it against her protege.  Marriage to the Oolou was a matter of station, community, and society.  After stating that social convention as if by rote, Dr. Loris leaned forward and with a smile and a conspiratory wink as she added "Though I won't fault you if you fall for him... he's... amazing."

It was Caroline's turn to blush and she quickly and fervently began to reaffirm that she had no intention of getting involved with the Chancellor, especially not if he and Emilia had a child together.  The older doctor laughed at Dr. Ashley's awkward objection but made her follow up statement personal by using the young woman's nickname.  "Ash... I mean what I said.  He's a good man and he deserves to be happy and he hasn't had an easy life.  I'm not going to stand in the way of anything if I'm here on Land Earth and if you can make him happy and he makes you happy then you have my blessing.  Besides... once I get through treatments here I'll be ready to move back and take back over from you!"

Caroline laughed away her mentor's presumptive suggestion about any possible perceived interest she might one day have or not have with some stranger, but she accepted the statement in good faith and thought nothing of it.  She also realized that the the Oolou had a three month mourning period after the loss of a loved one (including a divorce) that would preclude her from even interacting with him, so whatever perceived concerns (or approval) Emilia had, it was not an imminent issue.  

After those three months, well, Caroline was content to know that the formality of a marriage with the Chancellor was a social expectation, but there was no requirement for any relationship other than a cordial, professional one.  Besides, she reasoned, she didn't have time for anything as complicated as romance.  with that confidently in mind, Caroline had bid farewell to Emilia, leaving her with her son.  Dr. Ashley left the following morning with a security detail and a Unity Programme graduate that she'd hand-picked from the list of Academy graduates.  

Unfortunately their caravan was attacked by Purists between the Gateway and the city; their security detail was killed and Mason Weston, her chosen graduate was forced to return to Land Earth due to a 'suit violation' in which he became exposed to the high levels of radiation outside of the city.  Caroline had hoped to have some sense of familiarity with at least those traveling with her but, as it turned out, she ended up at the Oolou settlement alone-- she didn't even know the other Humans already there, which meant that she was on her own.  Setting aside that concern, she spent the next few weeks building up rapport with everyone, including the Oolou with whom she had contact.

Her first month in the city (uninspiringly named "Ka Hoda", which translated into "The City") Caroline jumped in with both feet, working directly with the few administrative Unity Programme staff as they worked to establish the Unity Centre on Shattered Earth.  Although it had been open for almost five years, the UC was not operating at full efficiency due to the strict populous structure and social castes of the Oolou.  According to the staff, however, things were improving, especially since the Chancellor had finally taken an active role in attempting to turn things around.  Once she heard that, Caroline finally found herself interested in learning more about him, picking his brain and, hopefully, advising him on ways to move forward.

Despite not getting to interact with the Chancellor, however, Caroline was far from passive.  Her primary contact with the Seeker government was a black-furred Oolou who reminded her of a Land Earth Husky.  She had met Chairman Dughl Eskon via telecommunication meetings in the past, but she didn't realize how closely they'd be working together once she arrived on Shattered Earth; it made sense of course, considering he was the Chairman of the Inter-Earths Relations Board, one of the five governance boards in place to provide guidance to the Chancellor.

During the three months Caroline had spent on Shattered Earth she had the opportunity to meet at work with all five of the Chairs of each board-- Planning, Civic, Health, Tribal Relations, and, of course, Inter-Earth Relations, which was the newest.  Of all of the boards, it was Chairman Dughl with whom she worked the most while a brown-furred Samoyed-like woman named Chairwoman Keesa of the Tribal Relations Board she only met once and it was in passing.

Caroline also had many opportunities for guided trips around Ka Hoda, usually with one of the Chancellor's personal security detail but just as often with one or more of the Chairs-- Dughl most often, but also the Chairmen of Planning and Health, and the Chairwoman of Civic boards.  With the exception of Chairwoman Keesa all of the Chairs were upper-caste Oolou; the Chairwoman of the Tribal Relations Board was of the middle-caste.  According to her other contacts among the many committees a middle-caste Chair was not all that abnormal, but the Chancellor being a middle-caste was a rarity.

While Caroline understood the basics of the social system for the Seekers, getting to see it in action was much more enlightening.  The upper-caste within Ka Hoda looked like Land Earth Huskies and Malamutes; the mid-caste resembled Land Earth Akitas and Samoyeds; the low-caste, from what Caroline had seen, reminded her of Coyote/Dingo/Alsatian mixed-breed Dogs.  She hadn't had much of an opportunity to interact with much of the populous but she had been promised that it would be remedied as soon as she was married to the Chancellor and was given free reign to go where she pleased and interact with whomever she chose; unil then, however, Caroline was required to have a guide.  Fortunately for her, as she made herself comfortable in a well-cushioned armchair in the Chancellor's manor's sitting room, she would finally get to meet her host over dinner that very night!

In many ways, Caroline's impression of Chancellor Calther was larger than life.  She had seen him during transmissions between Shattered Earth and Land Earth but she had yet to meet him in person.  Numerous members of his household staff praised him as an employer and the folk around the city she'd heard from all had generally positive opinions of him.  While it was not impossible for Oolou in Ka Hoda to attain a caste outside their breed it was a very difficult prospect and yet, according to the stories she'd heard, Calther had grown up among the lowest class of the middle caste and yet he managed to rise to the rank of Chancellor and he'd held the role for nearly two decades.  It was honestly inspiring, and gave her hope that the Oolou might one day embrace meritocracy rather than outdated social structures based on segregation based on breed.

Fidgeting in her seat, Caroline was pulled from her thoughts by the gentle growl from Chairman Dughl Eskon; it was the Oolou equivalent of the clearing of one's throat, and meant to get her attention.  She looked to the black-furred Husky who stood by the room's western door; he was wearing a neatly pressed pair of black slacks with white pinstripes and a matching tailed coat with a burgundy vest beneath.  While the Chairman was always well-dressed, he was in a particularly presentable condition, complete with a walking cane.  while it was not a complete carbon-copy, the look of upper class dinner guests in Ka Hoda reminded Caroline of pictures she'd seen of Victorian era England.

Glancing past him, Caroline noticed that the Chairman's wife was not with him; among the Seekers, being present at high end dinner without a spouse was a major social faux pas for any married guest.  She addressed the Husky in the Oolou language  "You are not staying for dinner. Chairman?"

Always a consummate diplomat with a steady tone and a ready smile, Dughl offered a faint bow at the hip, holding his white gloved paw to his chest as he regarded Caroline and spoke in perfect English (with, as she'd noticed many times, an immaculate Received Pronunciation). "Apologies, but no, Dr. Ashley.  My understanding is that the Chancellor wished to have you presented tonight so that the two of you might dine together and gain a sense of familiarity before your official engagement."

Among the aristocracy of Ka Hoda there was a certain formality to dialogue in public, even when 'public' meant engaging one-on-one in a sitting room.  Caroline worked hard to cultivate her upper class manners and, since he chose English, she changed her language to match. "Ah... well we shall be at a loss for your absence then, Chairman Eskon.  Perhaps another night."

The Chairman offered a much more shallow bow.  "I will look forward to it but, for the time being, I am here to show you in, and then I must return to Antha."

Caroline smiled graciously.  "Ah... of course... a woman with child is always happier with her husband in close proximity."

Antha, the Chairman's wife of some six years was pregnant with their third child; since each couple was limited to two, they had received permission from the Chancellor to have a third after they lost their second two years past.  Caroline knew because she'd heard about it from Dr. Loris; the child was two when she died of a disease equivalent to Measels-- the two doctors had exchanged messages over a long period of time regarding how horrible a thing it was to have happened and in the years since more Land Earth medicine was brought to Shattered Earth to prevent such tragedies from happening again.

Caroline hadn't realized her mind had wandered until the sound of the handle on the door to the dining room clicked.  Chairman Dughl held out a gloved paw to her. "The Chancellor is ready for you, Doctor Ashley."

Offering a smile in thanks to the Husky, Caroline took his offered paw then stepped through the open door and, as she did so, she walked into a dining room that somehow seemed both grand and cozy at the same time.  The room was easily forty feet to the far end and at least twenty five foot wide with a large dining table in the middle with chairs sufficient for 18, but set only for three.  Seated at the far side of the room at the head of the table was Chancellor Calther, who stood up the moment she entered the room.

The Chancellor reminded Caroline immediately of an Akita, and a well-kept one at that.  She remembered hearing that he was a few years older than Dr Loris, which would have put him in his late thirties, and his body had the 'established' look of a man of means readying to solidly enter middle age.  He wore a crisp black dinner coat with a starkly white shirt which popped against his black-and-tan fur almost as much as it accentuated the burgundy bow tie he wore, but none of that compared to the attention-drawing deep, dark brown eyes that stared at her with a combination of good humor, welcome, and inquisitiveness.  His deep baritone rumbled with warmth from across the table. "Good evening."

Chairman Dughl announced her present with a well-protected declaration of her name. "Doctor Caroline Ashley."

The Chancellor stepped around his seat and moved to one of the ones where there was a place setting, at which point he pulled the chair out for her, addressing her in English with what almost sounded like a mellowed Welsh accent.  "Welcome officially to North Town Hall, my dear Doctor Ashley.  I look forward to learning from you and also instructing you.  As it is as one of your Land Earth Philosophers once said: Knowledge is power only when shared."

As Caroline moved to take her seat, Chairman Dughl offered her a brief "Goodnight" and stepped back out of the room, closing the doors as he went.  She sat down and the Chancellor pushed her seat in before returning to her own chair. As he sat down, the Human woman called attention to something she noticed. "You speak English much better than you have via the monthly check-in transmissions."

At first, the Chancellor's demeanor made her think that he carefully cultivated his demeanor and, as such, was beyond humility, but she was proven wrong when she saw, even though his thick fur, a blush appear within his ears as they dropped slightly in embarrassment.  "Ah... well... truth be told, that was entirely Doctor Loris' suggestion.  Only she and Doctor Cohen were aware that I had learned proper diction.. a method for the Oolou to come across as less of a threat.  I will freely admit, however, that my English was quite poor before Emilia spent time with me and, credit where credit is due, I owe my improved pronunciation almost entirely to Emilia.  During her first few years here we would spend hours..."

She saw in his demeanor the moment he shut down the discussion, as if he suddenly realized that he was discussing his ex with his future bride.  His muzzle closed with an audible 'click' from his teeth and he immediately broke eye-contact, gaze going down to his plate.  The silence was growing to such an uncomfortable level that Caroline had just opened her mouth to speak when a side door opened.  Another Akita came and joined them at the table, sitting down without a word at the third place setting.  Caroline could see the family resemblance immediately.

The younger Oolou was as dour as his father had been amiable.  Like the Chancellor, the newcomer had a distinct light/dark pattern to his fur though his lighter areas were closer to cream-colored than his father's light brown.  No older in appearance than perhaps nineteen or twenty, the Chancellor's son's body was masculine but still had the distinct appearance of youth and, whether it was his build or the way he casually wore his fine attire, it was hard for her to say.  The Dog did not meet eye contact, flopping down onto his seat before loosening his half-looped crimson ascot, which was eye-catching in contrast against his dark-brown dinner coat.  

With the practiced patience of a well-meaning father, the Chancellor offered a verbal prod to his son in the Oolou language.  "Kalsur... we have a guest."

The youth was not moved and responded in a voice that hinted at rebellion, but not overtly. "I AM a guest."

Caroline remembered something Dr. Loris had said about the Chancellor's son from a prior marriage; he lived with his mother and visited the Chancellor only occasionally.  Offering up her most affable tone, the Human woman greeted the young Dog in the Oolou language. "My name is Caroline Ashley... but my friends call me Ash.  Would it be alright if I ask your name please, young man?"

The Chancellor's son was apparently 'in a mood'.  "No need... my father will insist upon me giving it either way."

While not precisely a scowl, a stern, terse expression crossed Chancellor Calther's muzzle for a moment before he licked at his bottom lip to compose himself and spoke.  "Doctor Ashley, this is Kalsur Vist, my first wife's son."

Considering the young Dog had his mother's family name, it revealed that he was her child rather than the Chancellor's, which might have explained some of Kalsur's reluctance to engage.  Despite the youth's resistance to being social, Caroline resolved to remain cordial.  "It is a pleasure to meet you, young Master Vist.  I am told that you visit your father here at North Town Hall every year. Will you be with us long?"

The Chancellor answered the question for his son, who seemed disinterested in engaging in conversation. "My first wife takes three months in the fall every year to herself, and so I am blessed with my son's presence during that time.  I look forward to giving you the opportunity to get to know one another."

Kalsur offered a muted "Uh huh."

The statement surprised Caroline since the statement was entirely a Human one.  "Did you just say 'uh huh'?"

If the Chancellor's son had attempting to be standoffish and 'above it all' her comment broke that illusion as his ears immediately dropped and his whiskers drooped.  He grumbled, wriggling his nose.  "Father, I would like to be excused, please."

The older of the Akitas glanced between Caroline and his son. "Kalsur, Dr. Ashley is my guest.  I would appreciate it if you could show her some respect and present yourself with a modicum of decorum... now, please greet my guest properly."

The youth growled softly as he stood, turning to regard Caroline.  He pressed a glove-free paw to his chest just beneath his ascot and offered a bow at the hip. "Good evening, Doctor Ashley.  You grace my father's house with your presence and I can see that his smile is warmer for you being here."

He obviously knew his etiquette, and he over-performed.  Smiling, Caroline responded. "Thank you, young Master Vist.  I hope that we--"

He bluntly interrupted her by demanding of his father "May I be excused now, Father?"

"Of course."

Rather than being overcome with exasperation, Chancellor Calther smiled lovingly at his escaping son, and he remained quiet until the young Oolou had closed the door after his departure.  Caroline's host's deep brown eyes then turned to focus on her and his smile waned.  "I apologize for him, my dear Doctor.  Please do not take his mood personally.  He has had... ah... a rather hard life."

A show of household drama was certainly not what she expected out of her first dinner meeting with the Chancellor, and things only became more personal as the first course was set out for them.  Her host explained that he believed strongly in transparency and he had nothing to hide, and so he explained that his household was limited to himself and his son, who only visited for three months out of the year.  Feeling compelled to at least let her meet him before the engagement, the Chancellor wanted to make sure that his son at least had the opportunity to sit face to face with his future stepmother.

It was an awkward discussion, but the Chancellor guided it with a steady paw and a sensitive attention to Caroline's emotions; she was surprised at just how smoothly such a touchy topic was laid out, especially due to all of the 'complications' accompanying it.  Her host was surprisingly open and blunt about how his son was unwanted by his wife once the two had gone their separate ways.  He insisted that he was not going to speak poorly of his ex, and so he focused entirely on his son instead, lamenting the boy's mental deficiency.  

Although the Chancellor didn't go into details about Kalsur's difficulties he did mention that the boy had a great adoration for Dr Loris since she had done amazing work with helping him overcome much of his barriers to learning, even teaching him English, at which point the Chancellor noted with jovial surrender "And I could not for the life of me determine why he was so adamant about NOT using it when speaking with you this evening..."

Reigning in her smile, Caroline admired just how much of a dedicated, caring father the Chancellor must have been to take such a focused interest in his son and his son's welfare, despite how much his ex wanted to be rid of him.  She also thought to herself that the poor older Dog just didn't understand teenagers; perhaps she did better because she was far closer to Kalsur's age than Calther's.

The rest of dinner went well and she found herself enjoying the Chancellor's company.  He reiterated that he hopes that the marriage arrangement will not be too stifling for her and that he promised that he was not expecting anything from her; he realized that their matrimony would be purely for symbolic and traditional purposes and that she would maintain a room separate from him and he would set no expectations of anything other than a cordial partnership in furthering the goals of the Unity Programme and a successful establishment and expansion of the Shattered Earth Unity Centre.

The evening finished with him wishing her a fair evening, taking her hand in his gloved paw, and offering a gentle nose to the back of it, doing a reasonably skilled imitation of a genteel Human kiss; she had no doubt that it was one of many Human mannerisms that he'd learned over his time studying Human culture.  He concluded the farewell with a warm "My words were not polite platitudes, I assure you.  I truly DO look forward to learning from you, Doctor Ashley, and I hope you enjoy your time here with us."

She offered her own polite farewell as she fought to keep her cheeks from blushing; out of all the ways the introduction could have gone she found the Chancellor gracious, understanding, patient, and pleasant.  She really WAS looking forward to spending more time with him too.  Mind focused on the future, she very nearly walked past Kalsur before she realized he was leaning against the wall.  She jumped in surprise when he detached from the wall and turned to regard her, arms folded over his chest as if expecting her to say something.

She didn't waste the opportunity.  "Good evening, Kalsur.  I'm sorry you didn't stay to talk with us during dinner."

Despite his expression being neutral, there was a decidedly displeased tone to his voice.  Caroline was further surprised when he spoke in English. "No need.  My father does a fine job saying behind my back whatever he would have said in front of me... I do not need to hear him say how stupid I am."

It took her a moment to re-translate his statement in her head, having not anticipated English. "I--... he didn't call you stupid... why would you think that?"

Unfolding his arms, the young Akita turned and made his way up the stairs, calling over his shoulder.  "They all say I'm dumb.  I'm not.  Emmy said I have a learning disability, but that doesn't make me stupid."

Caroline remained standing at the foot of the stairs, watching the youth as he ascended them, looking ahead and no longer paying her any mind.  He called Emilia 'Emmy' and, understanding that, Caroline started to understand why he seemed so hostile to her: she, in his mind, had replaced someone who meant something to him.  If Kalsur's mother was as bad as the Chancellor refused to say she was then it was reasonable to assume that the Oolou youth had grown close to his 'stepmother', and she had left.  The situation left Caroline feeling--

--she honestly didn't know how she felt, but she did know that she would ultimately need a second first impression of Kalsur Vist, and she resolved to keep an open mind when next interacting with him.  What she needed before that, though, was to seek some insight from her mentor, and Kalsur's ex-stepmom... who, by chance, happened to be the same person.