The Ring Cycle (Sean)

[Joshua Bernstein]

Once when they were young Josh had bought Sean a ring at a fair. It was supposed to enhance psychic ability according to the seller, and although Josh knew this was untrue he had bought it anyway.

Decades later and Sean still had the ring.

Which was why, when he spotted a booth full of handmade jewelry and a sign declaring in calligraphy that all wares helped focus psychic powers he was drawn inexorably in that direction.

The couple behind the counter were perhaps a decade older than he, both with long iron grey hair. The woman was dressed in flowing skirts and a romantic, lacy top. The man was clad head to toe in black.

He checked to make sure the children were otherwise occupied before approaching the booth,,expression one of genuine interest.

"I noticed your sign," he explained, gesturing in case they were unaware of their own signs location. "Explain to me how this works?"

The woman clasped both hands on the table in front of her, smiling warmly. "All of our jewelry include gems that help to focus psychic energy on specific tasks. For instance, coral is known to enhance intuition, amethyst protects the mind from negative energy, iolite induces psychic visions. There are gems that help with astral projection and telepathy and trances, and others that are more general." She explained with animated enthusiasm. "Is there anything particular you are looking for?"

"Telepathy," Josh answered at once, and her smile widened.

"There are a couple of gems that will help there. The one you're most likely to have heard of is sapphire, but tektite is the best. It's even nicknamed the telepathy gemstone."

Josh stroked his chin thoughtfully. "May I see what you have in tektite please?"

As she and her partner began to sift through their supplies he mentally called to Sean come have a look here. I may need to buy you something.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

At the field day, as he did at other community fairs, Sean took the opportunity to sample various cuisines. Some of the food was healthy, like the fresh produce and hand-brewed tea. Some of the food was not healthy at all, like the freshly-fried fritter doughnuts and funnel cakes.

The telepath had just finished conversing with the young woman who manned the doughnut booth, and had bought an apple fritter to share with his partner, when he heard Josh think loudly, targeting him.

As was their typical arrangement, he had no expectations that the younger man buy him anything. At the same time, he didn’t discourage small presents, just as Josh didn’t discourage Sean from doing the same. Thus, fritter in hand, he went in the direction in which he sensed his partner was.

This brought him to a jewelry stand that boasted their gems enhanced psychic powers.

This claim was demonstrably false. However, despite being an expert in psychic powers himself, Sean didn’t start arguments with casual aficionados; he reserved that for people who were wrong and whose opinions were odious and harmful.

The telepath offered the couple at the booth a smile and nod of greeting, before sidling up to his partner. “You called?” He asked innocently, before glancing around the booth. Lowering his voice, he asked, “Did you feel nostalgic?”

[Joshua Bernstein]

Josh twisted around to greet his partner, wrapping one arm about the other man's waist. It was unusual for the telepath to acknowledge mental conversations aloud, and so the attorney hesitated a beat as he digested this statement. But after a second the intent behind this filtered through, and he nodded.

"I wanted you to take a look at the jewelry here. It's supposed to enhance telepathy."

He made a sweeping gesture at the tektite items spread across the table, only indirectly answering the more private inquiry with, "perhaps something unobtrusive, like a ring?"

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Sean stepped closer to his partner, allowing himself to be drawn nearer by Josh’s embrace. He returned the touch, slipping one arm around the younger man’s shoulders as they stood there.

He smiled at the mention of a ring, which answered his question. So Josh was feeling nostalgic, at least somewhat, if he intended to buy another ring, one with similar “purpose” as the one that he had bought the telepath when they had dated the first time. At the very least, the sentiment was the same, which Sean appreciated. He could be pragmatic in a thousand ways, but he did cherish sentiment when it was individualized, and he had a healthy appreciation for nostalgia, particularly for their first relationship.

“That’s certainly something worth pursuing,” he agreed, as he turned to peer at the wares, to get a better look at them.

While the claim remained factually incorrect, he could appreciate the hard work and tender care that the couple had obviously put into their jewelry. Several of the items were – when divorced from their purported purpose – quite lovely.

Turning to glance over at his partner, he asked, “Am I confined to tektite? Or am I allowed to branch out a bit?”

[Joshua Bernstein]

"Ahh...miss...." He paused, and the woman supplied Hopkins. "Miss Hopkins here says tektite is the strongest for telepathy, but of course you can choose whatever you want."

Mrs. Hopkins brushes a strand of grey hair behind one ear, adding helpfully, "Sapphire and angelite are both associated with telepathy, as well, but almost all of the stones here will help with it to some extent."

Josh dropped his arm from Sean's waist to allow him room to survey the offerings.

"You said rings?" The man spoke this time, clearing away boxes of necklaces and bracelets. 'Gilly, the angelite rings are to your left."

The woman leaned down, pulling out a cardboard box. It was labeled with what appeared to be black sharpie, very simple compared to the care they had paid to booth an jewelry.

"Are there any other specific stones you'd like to look at?" Mr. Hopkins asked Sean as he placed the rejected boxes beneath their table.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Hopkins.

That was coincidental, although Hopkins was a common enough surname in British-settled countries, as the name was popular in England, Ireland, and Wales, and then all settlements therefrom.

Still, the thought of Robert actually believing in any of this mystical pseudo-science was impossible to conceive.

Since Sean had no intention of eating the jewelry (and, even if he had, the minerals would not readily become glucose), there was no chance of them aiding in telepathy. Which was why he found it curious that they specified that almost all of the stones would achieve that goal. “Almost all? Which won’t?”

While waiting for an answer, he considered what he wanted to see. The two most obvious that came to mind were unlikely to be found at this booth. Diamonds and pearls (Josh’s and his respective birthstones – or the most common iterations thereof) were so expensive and particular that he doubted that there would be much utility in selling them as psychic boosters. Additionally, both stones were so coded feminine by the jewelry industry, and by cultural overtones, that he could rarely find men’s jewelry with either diamonds or pearls, outside of very particular niches.

His thoughts wandered to what other stones might be of significance to them. Josh’s backup birthstones were sapphire and bloodstone. The telepath’s backup birthstones were moonstone, alexandrite, and agate.

Those were starting points. “You mentioned sapphire? May I see some of those? Also, if you have anything with moonstone, and I think there’s an agate one that you categorize as helping to promote good dreams?”

For some reason wholly divorced from the actual functions of psychic abilities.

[Joshua Bernstein]

While her husband searched for the sapphire jewelry, Gilly began sifting through boxes for agate and moonstone.

"Andalusite dampens psychic abilities," she explained, plopping a box of agate necklaces onto the table, "which is very useful for those who are overly sensitive to psychic energies but not useful at all if you are looking to enhance your abilities. And while emerald is a beautiful stone it doesn't help with telepathy. Visions and dreams are another story altogether."

Mr. Hopkins gently placed a box of sapphire rings beside the agate necklaces, then silently resumed his search while Gilly continued her lecture.

"Moonstone is an excellent choice for the spiritual soul. It's a very intuitive, gentle stone, known to relieve stress and cure insomnia, in addition to tuning the bearer in to psychic energies. But only those who are prepared for it. If you aren't already in touch with your spiritual side it won't help at all. Not that this seems to be a problem," she added, having naturally picked up on the implications of the two men's initial greeting.

"Agate is very similar to moonstone in that regard, a spiritual gem that assists with peace and relaxation."

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Sean politely listened as Gilly explained the various properties of stones and their relationships with psychic powers. None of this was true. None of it was even remotely true.

However, the telepath wanted neither an argument nor to ruin anyone’s day, and the jewelry was quite gorgeous. That was his inner mantra as she continued to talk, and as her husband laid out the different wares for him to examine. This was all harmless, because no legitimately psychic meta-human could go through life without Hammel or a comparable institution, and at such an institution, a psychic student would learn what actually made their powers function.

For the rest of society, this was why Sean wrote academic articles on the subject.

He began to look through the sapphire rings that had been set out before him. Unfortunately, the telepath had particularly large fingers, just as he had particularly large feet and shoulders, which mean that many of the rings were too small, even to use as pinky rings. Still, he could enjoy as he look through the wares, turning next to the necklaces, because they were there.

“What about moonstone cures insomnia?” He inquired, picking up one necklace that seemed to be set in sterling silver. It was a bit too ostentatious for his taste, but he could still admire the craft.

[Joshua Bernstein]

"Moonstones increase melatonin production by stimulating the pineal gland," this was Mr. Hopkins, placing a large moonstone ring at the edge of the table. "Ad of course as it helps to reduce emotional stress and enhance calmness, if anxious thoughts keep you up at night the moonstone will eliminate this."

Josh scoured the boxes of jewelry, blue eyes bright with curiosity. Although he wasn't the one who would pick out the ring he ultimately bought he enjoyed admiring the couple's craftsmanship, and he wasn't afraid to say so.

"And you made all of these yourself?" He asked, fingering a bracelet of amethyst.

"All of our jewelry is made by he Hopkins family," Gilly confirmed with a nos. "most of it is made by Harold and myself, but our daughter Lisa helps on occasion. She had an obligation out in Burlington today and couldn't be here. She made the necklace you're holding," she addressed this to Sean.

Josh pressed his lips together in thought. "Impressive." He said at last, and this was true. How many people were capable of hand making jewelry with gemstones and precious metals? This wasn't a common hobby in his experience.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Sean also doubted that claim, since it wasn’t grounded in science. He kept up with the studies related to insomnia and migraines – anything that was tangentially related to his side effects – for personal reasons, as well as so he could share with any students who had similar powers or side effects. He also kept up with treatment for nightmares, not only for Josh, but because of the students; there was a blood-pressure medication that showed promise as an unintended side effect.

The telepath said none of that.

Instead, he reached for one of the sapphire rings; it was set in either silver or platinum (he assumed silver). The band was a little thin for his preferences, but it looked incredibly well-made, and he wanted to try it at the very least.

“How long has your family been involved with jewelry?” He inquired, as he tried to fit the ring; it was too small for his ring finger, and so he moved on to his pinky.

It was a tight squeeze, too small in its current state. Still, it had been worth the try.

Managing to twist the ring off slowly, he set it back down on its display and began to search the agate more closely.

[Joshua Bernstein]

Gilly was evidently the more extroverted of the pair, as she answered the question Sean posed before her husband could even open his mouth.

"Funnily enough we met through jewelry," she confessed, noting the rejected ring and digging through the box in front of her for something larger. "My mother made jewelry until her arthritis got too bad, and Harold came y her booth at a festival one year, asking to learn."

She lifted up a thick ring with a moonstone surrounded by coral, offering it to her customers. "If you can't find what you want we will design custom."

Although she did believe in the powers of the jewelry she was hawking, she was still a salesperson, and she wanted to make this sale

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Sean took the proffered ring with a smile, managing to easily fit that one on his pinky. Whether it would fit over the knuckle on his ring finger was another matter entirely, but one that he would tackle in a moment.

“Did your mother make the same type of jewelry that you and your husband make?” It was possible, since this sort of mysticism was hardly new, even if it had gained a larger following due to a resurgence of interest during the 1960s and 1970s. Then again, those beliefs could have come to Gilly and her husband later in life.

People’s beliefs changed during all stages of life.

The telepath slid the ring off his pinky and then shifted it onto his ring finger. It was a bit tight, but it fit better on his ring finger than the previous ring had fit on his pinky. It was a bit ostentatious, but, by virtue of fitting, it was automatically in the maybe pile.

“What does custom design entail?” He asked, tilting his head slightly to the side. That might be the necessary route, given how difficult it was to shop for him. However, he didn’t want to take the spontaneity away from his partner, since he knew how Josh could get about romantic gestures. Even if the attorney wouldn’t acknowledge them for what they were.

[Joshua Bernstein]

"Oh, yes, she's always been very in tune with the spiritual world," Gilly explained, scouring her box for another ring large enough for her customer. "Although she can no longer make jewelry, she still is interested in helping people maximize their spiritual energies and achieve a positive balance. She's earned quite a name for herself at the home she's living in, helping the other residents achieve feng shui."

At the question regarding customization Harold lifted up the cashbox, revealing a large red binder. He slid this across the table to Sean.

"This shows all the different settings we have, as well as a list of available stones. We would have to size you, of course, but you can choose your design and gems and the materials the setting is made from, and then in about a month we would mail you the ring, or you could come pick it up at our kiosk in the mall."

[Dr. Sean Neville]

“There must be longevity in your family,” Sean remarked, as he also assessed Gilly and her husband to be in the realm of ten years older than him. Given that both of his parents had died several years ago, for her mother to not only be alive but to have the cognitive function to take proactive steps to help others boded well for her genes.

“You’re at the local mall?” The telepath asked, since he wanted to confirm that. It was far easier to arrange for a pickup at the mall in Pilot Ridge than it was to do a pickup at the one in Burlington. Burlington wasn’t that far away in the scheme of things, but he couldn’t stop there during an errand trip or after work.

Sean took the binder and propped it open, glancing at the arrangement of the order sheet, before beginning to peruse the different settings. He didn’t turn to look at his partner, although he did change the angle that he held the binder, so that Josh could look over his shoulder.

Do you want to do a special order? Unfortunately, I think my fingers are ruining our plans.

The telepath still had no regrets about his size.

[Joshua Bernstein]

"My mother turned eighty six last month," Gilly replied, "but my father passed away thirty years ago, so I don't know how this will affect my own genes. My mother has always Ben very conscientious about her health, though. She uses healing stones and aromatherapy, eats only organic foods, and has acupuncture monthly. Her exercise has been limited recently, but she takes a yoga class for older adults and I know she really enjoys herself, even if the instructor is rudely skeptical about her stones."

She sniffed disparagingly at this thought. It wasn't polite for the yoga instructor to belittle their strongly held beliefs, especially when the results were right there for anyone to see.

"We're in the Pilot Ridge mall," Harold confirmed, and then turned his attention to a young woman who had come up behind Sean, leaving the two men to look and ask questions of his wife.

Josh heard the mental question, and made his way back to his partner, peering over the other man's shoulder with interest.

We can do whatever you would like. You're the one who has to wear it, so if we need to special order so be it.