Rita: This week we’re interviewing Kaguhi Mainmun-Cheng, Takel’s older sister, and Takuhi’s daughter. Like her mother, Kaguhi is a Kulturologist. Do you have to be bred for this work, Kaguhi?
Kaguhi: Our DNa is designed for it, yes. But when the Order was first started, over 2 millennia ago, having the right qualities and traist was a matter of chance. Many girls washed out of the Order before people were able to genetically design their babies, and then, it was largely a matter of who would be willing and able to raise these children until they would be able to join the Cloister at the age of 7.
Rita: You mean love and care for a child, knowing she wasn’t truly “yours.”
Kaguhi: My grandmother did it, and so did my mother. But Grandmere did it as a kind of second career. She had raised two sets of three before my mother, my uncle, and aunt came along, and raised two more sets after them. She liked her children in sets of three, for some reason.
Rita: I think it’s interesting that you have chosen to carry on in your career as a Kulturologist, instead of living full time in the palace, leading the life of a Compirial Princess.
Kaguhi: Of course I must. Can you think of any life more deathly dull than that of a princess? Oh, please, give me a break! And that silly wave we’re supposed to do when we’re out in public! That’s strictly yawnsville.
Rita:I can see where you would grow weary of that life, as active a young woman as you are. But when you do have to spend time at the palace, in between missions, what do you like to do for fun?
Kaguhi: I like to dance. Do you have any idea how huge the rooms are in that place? Why, the refectory at the Cloister would fit in my bed chamber, with room left over for my brother’s workout room. So in my bedchamber, I have plenty of room to dance, really stretch out, you know? I think there used to be a lot more furniture in the room, but my mother had it moved out, because she knew how much I love to dance.
Rita: Which styles do you do?
Kaguhi: Oh, you name them, I’ll at least try it. Nearly all the styles of old lost Erth, plus a few of the world out here. I even learned one from the Cat people, you know, one of our allies in the war against the reptilians and the bugs. By the way, Rita, do you know why Kujlturologist is always spelled with a capital K?
Rita: I think I did know once upon a time. Oh, do tell us. I’m sure our readers are dying to know.
Kaguhi: It comes from the German word das Kultur. German was one of Erth’s languages. It means the arts, the humanities. I went to the German planet UberAlles after graduation to check whether their society had developed any unfortunate tendencies, like fascism, you know. But it was a freewheeling happy society. I developed a taste for microbrew beer there. Great place, and great sausages.
Rita: What is your favorite treat or food?
Kaguhi: I am a confirmed chocoholic, and when it’s cold out, I like to snuggle up with a big mug of Mexihot chocolate with lots of foam on top, and just the merest touch of rum to deepen the chocolate flavor. That’s one of the few luxuries I love about hanging around my mother’s palace. Her chef Henri makes the best hot chocolate I have ever had. And I thought the hot chocolate at the Cloister was good. It doesn’t even hold a candle to Henri’s. I don’t know how he does it. He won’t let me in the kitchen to observe. If there’s snything we SIster love to do it’s observe how people do things/
Rita: Thank you, Kaguhi, or should I call you Your Highness?
Kaguhi: You do, and get ready to be throttled.
Rita: That was most enlightening. Until next week, Bright Stars!
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