Path book 1 Jane. chapter 4.1

"It's so beautiful, Little Fox, it's... it's so great to swim! Almost like flying!"

"Let's swim to the exit, Ham. You've had enough for today."

"Whatever you say, Zhen."

After getting out of the pool, I came across Dakar's thoughtful gaze, the doctor's emotions were calm and, it seems, doomed. She walked up to him and, looking into his bright blue eyes, asked:

"Uncle Duck, I did it! Do you see?"

"Yes, Zhenya, I see it! And I also see that your experience cannot be shared."

"Why?"

"Because I know of no other empaths, neither among humans, nor Asari, nor, especially, among Turians. I haven't even heard of their existence, and you alone can't teach an entire race."

"But the guys overcame their fear on their own! I only helped them!"

"No, Zhenya, not by yourself! It was you who defeated their fear, you and no one else. The device showed it clearly."

"And what should I do next? I thought this experience could be useful to all Turians... But it turns out that he is useless. I can't teach you all!"

"No, you can't. And don't. It's enough that you taught my boys and Nain. And all the others... Well, our race has never been able to swim, and I think it will continue to live without this skill. I will not send the report. He'll only draw unnecessary attention to you. Let's go home, Zhenya."

When they returned, the whole group went to the Tanir's house. Nain rushed to Kaadi from the doorway, barely taking off her shoes.

"Mom, Mommy! She did it, she did it! They swam both Hame and There, it's so cool! Really, Mommy?!"

"Really, honey," Kaadi came out into the hallway and looked at us curiously. "Children, can I congratulate you on your success?"

At the same time, the Tamil assumed a proud pose, like a Roman senator, folded his arms on his chest and, looking into space, declared:

"Yes, Mother, I have learned to swim!"

Ham just went up to his mother and, looking at her with completely happy eyes, said in a low voice:

"Mommy, this is just great! It's like flying, I just don't know how to tell you how I feel! You spread your arms and fly, and there's a blue distance below, and it's so easy...."

Kaadi hugged her eldest son, pressed her cheek to his head and said,

"Good boy, son."

"It's not me, Mom, it's all her, our Zhenya!"

We are sitting at the kitchen table, drinking erg (a kind of Turian fruit tea) with buns. Kaadi looks lovingly at us all, devouring rolls with both cheeks, and at the gloomy, thoughtful Dakar, frozen like a statue with a bun in one hand and a cup of erg in the other, staring into space with unseeing blue eyes.

"Have you made a report, Dakar?"

Dakar shuddered, focused his gaze on his wife and answered in a low voice.

"Yes, Kaadi, but it's pointless to send it."

"Why?"

"Because we don't have another Eugenia Shepard. Neither with us, nor with anyone else. And without her, the whole idea is a waste of time. I decided not to draw the attention of our hierarchs, or even the Asari matriarchs, to her. If the information comes out (and it will!)... this is not at all what Zhenya needs now, or in the future either."

"Won't she leave here?"

"I don't think so, but just in case, I'll talk to Reyan and Mikhail. Well, it's worth connecting Tael, he's a great master at hiding various information out of the blue."

"You know best, Duck. Do as you see fit."

Kaadi looked at me with an unusual warm feeling:

"Thank you, baby, you're a smart girl."

I was so embarrassed, I think I even blushed....

"Come on, nonsense! You're friends, and we do everything we can for friends. That's what my daddy says."

"A good life credo! Stick with him!" Duck says and runs his hand through my hair.

The doorbell rings from the hallway, and Ham and Tam get up from the table and run into the hallway. There is a hissing of doors and Deniska's loud voice.

"Well? Is there a movement?"

"Otherwise! We've learned, both of us!" A Tamil voice is heard.

"Honestly?" It's already Leshkin's voice. "Well, the beauties! Ah-ah-ah! Well done! Take five, bro!"

clapping of hands and loud friendly laughter of four guys can be heard. Thin arms wrap around her neck, and Nain's hard, hot cheek is pressed against her cheek:

"Let's go to my room and have a chat at the Basik. I need to practice, that's what Rien says. Are you coming?"

"Yes, let's go."