metropolis – three good words

November 21, 2014May 16, 2020

summer islands

It was a busy day in the VEN Centre when Ji’an was called to one of the glass offices on the upper deck. This meant that one of her superiors wanted to talk to her, probably to survey her latest project files. Superiors always did their surveys ‘in the glass’, where everyone could see what was happening, and so no irregularities could take place.

Once alerted, Ji’an quickly put together a ratio of successful and improvable trade routes to the High Falls, a sample of the latest docking logs for incoming Low Don goods, and a summary of the best price listings for the Moon Base 17 and 21 Suppliers, they were short on Os again, orange juice and olive oil. For the last five months, supplies to Bases 17 and 21 always bungled the Os which made no sense, since they were on the same tradeliners that supplied Bases 18, 19 and 20. One tradeliner after all supplied five bases. From what Ji’an surmised the Provider was clipping ratios to surpass Regulation prices, which meant that somewhere out there, someone was trading orange juice and olive oil for a criminally high price. Why was another matter, Providers could be tricky, and often broke FRs to trade with the Mainland Territories or the Outer Moon Bases that were still Deregulated. Ji’an did not worry however, she was certain to find the culprit soon.

Once she had all the information, Ji’an transferred the numbers and reports to her portable, made sure her workstation looked presentable, alerted Nuca in the neighbouring workstation that she would be ‘in the glass’ for the next half hour or so, and went to the upper deck. There was always that moment of surprise when she stepped onto a sphere and sailed up to the upper deck. Unlike other offices of the VBA, the ones in the VEN Centre were newly commissioned and had the latest state of the art interiors. There were no stairs or elevators anymore, except the emergency ones. They moved between decks by the latest spheres now, fluorescent blue, holding up to three persons of health in their force field while they transported them up the decks. Ji’an always felt an invisible hand scooped her up on the second deck and dropped her gently onto the seventh where the glass offices were, a moment of exhilaration that she genuinely enjoyed. It was almost like flying with an open glider in the skyways, though after that horrible crash three years ago, open gliding was now severely fined.

The notification said 398B7. Ji’an walked quickly, she did not want to be late. If it was Tebon, then there would be no problems, he liked her. If it was Zula or Ifeli, there would be a Look, but that was all. If it was Q’esta though… better hurry. Ji’an walked swiftly to 398B7, and already saw from afar that the glass office only had one person in it, and that person was male. It could not be Q’esta then. Ji’an relaxed, made sure her appearance was according to VBA standards, ID’d herself in and entered the office. To Ji’an’s great surprise neither Tebon nor Zula were waiting. The man who stood up to greet her was none other than Haen Ule, the merchant whose dinner she attended the week before. Ji’an was instantly alert. The VBA would not want Haen Ule to reconsider, though they had in fact talked on the morning after the dinner the merchant hosted.

Haen Ule had served a lavish breakfast for his guests, and Ji’an had finally found a few minutes to talk to him about the VBA’s wishes. Haen Ule’s trade routes connecting the South Falls with the Mallar Coast were known for their safety and steady supply. The Moon Bases the VBA provided needed a guaranteed tonage on wheat, honey fruit and rice, and Haen Ule was the merchant the VBA was confident in making this possible. Haen Ule had listened to the proposal and nodded at the appropriate places. When Ji’an finally finished her explanation, the merchant smiled, ‘I see you enjoyed yourself last night.’

It was just the kind of thing a merchant would say. Merchants, as a rule, were always bent on making trade look like a whim they succumbed to, an eccentricity they entertained out of pleasure, or a game they liked dabbling in when they had the time. When talking to them one would never imagine the weight of responsibility they carried, though Ji’an understood this feigned disinterest as a means to lighten the load. If just one tradeship was lost on its way to the Moons whole bases began to starve, not to mention what happened in the City when the trade routes were ambushed again. Such emergencies were always highly unpleasant, and Ji’an knew how it was to be out of bread or milk for weeks due to failed supplies, or that one summer where all water supply broke down and they had to store rainwater again. Thus it was generally agreed that allowing the merchants their little foibles was a small compensation for the strain of keeping the trade routes safe and steady.

Ji’an had smiled that morning, complimenting the merchant on his dinner. ‘Ah, it was nothing like the old days,’ Haen Ule had sighed. ‘Many things have happened on that gallery you were so fond of that even a House Mistress would blush to tell,’ he continued, smiling slyly, making Ji’an all the more curious. She had heard of the famous, infamous, merchant festivities that used to fill the grand houses down the Avenue, but those were all things of the past. After the Second Referendum, FRs were enforced much more thoroughly, which allowed for greater order and peace, though most of the older Citizens Ji’an knew still grumbled that people had much less fun as well. Why, no one ever said, but rumour had it that merchant festivities before the Second Referendum tended to get out of hand in ways unimaginable today.

‘Well, times go on,’ Haen Ule sighed again, ‘but I’m happy you enjoyed yourself. And I wager your khae as well.’

At this Ji’an had blushed. The resident was not her khae, and to suggest so was embarrassing. It showed the merchant had detected a closeness between them that was not appropriate between a client and a day-resident, since the merchant had to have seen the blue of day-residency. And it was true, she had enjoyed herself, so far so that she did not say anything when the resident yet again bent House Rules out of shape. The fact that the merchant noticed was not a good thing, and Ji’an had felt admonished. She finally said, ‘I think it would be difficult not to enjoy one of your dinners.’ To her surprise, the merchant laughed,

‘I guess that’s true, though I say it myself. Tell your Provider I’ll draft the contracts by the end of the week. If they have secured the loyalty of a young woman who can enjoy herself as you do, Ms Taiyge, then I think I’ve made a good bargain.’

Ji’an only smiled then, relieved, and said the VBA would be glad to hear from him, steady supply from the Mallar Coast would be more than profitable for the VBA.

‘Of course, of course. And I would be glad to have you and your khae at one of my dinners again. I will be hosting another in a month’s time. Promise me you will come.’

Hane Ule’s supply routes were important to the VBA, so Ji’an had promised to come, hoping the resident wasn’t already requested for that day. It would please the VBA to hear that she had gained the confidence of Haen Ule so far that he invited her to another of his dinners. Merchants were usually not so generous with their invitations.

Now, Haen Ule was in one of the VEN Centre’s glass offices, greeting her with a smile and asking her to please take a seat, the arica would come in a moment. Ji’an took a seat on one of the couches near the windows, they overlooked the main plazas of the Main City. Everything was bright and glistening, the green from House Gardens flashing in between, Commuters shooting through the tubes, trainees assembling on the VEN Centre’s Green. All, as it looked, was at peace.

Once the first pleasantries were spoken, Ji’an asked if there was something the merchant would like clarified after his meeting with the Provider, but Haen Ule shook his head and smiled again. He asked her how she was doing, and if the gliders took her home well. Confused, Ji’an affirmed and asked if something was the matter, was there anything he needed clarified about the contracts? The arica was brought before the merchant answered. Once the caterer left Haen Ule drank from his cup and said,

‘Ms Taiyge, my request to speak to you is purely selfish.’
‘Selfish?’
‘Yes. I was in the neighbourhood, so to speak, and thought I would take the opportunity to contact you.’
‘But – why?’
‘I wanted to ask you about your khae.’

Ji’an stared at the merchant, non-plussed. She knew merchants didn’t think much of basic courtesies, but to ask someone about their permanent resident, factual as well as not, was beyond decorum. The merchant must have noticed Ji’an’s shock, for he quickly tried to appease her.

‘Please don’t be alarmed, Ms Taiyge. It’s just that I wondered if you knew where he’s from.’

Ji’an stared at the man. Why had everyone decided to be disrespectful to her these days? She still had an acute memory of what she had to endure after she left Haen Ule’s very elegant house. Granted, Regulations would put the preliminary blame on her, since she let what began in the glider run its course. Resident Lanec was after all what Enna called ‘delicious’, and seemed intrigued by her youth and her looks. Ji’an was certain he rarely had clients as young as she, and so showed his pleasure more clearly, which was always exhilarating in a resident. That was not what had caused offence. Yes, the resident had avoided her gaze all the way back to the House afterwards. He knew she could report what happened, and probably thought she would, he had once again followed a course that was more animal than controlled. There was, however, the matter of excellent gratification, and the fact that it was not uncommon to bend, even break House Rules for pleasure. And the pleasure… the pleasure had been of such satisfaction as Ji’an did not want to miss. And anyway, if she reported, she’d have to admit she’d let it run its course. In a glider. Up in the skyways. It wouldn’t be easy explaining.

Ji’an had wanted to say something to relieve the resident’s visible discomfort, but she didn’t know what to say and decided it was best to say nothing at all. By the time they reached Cartin Place she had discarded all thoughts of reporting, she still felt too well served for that, though twice in two days was not in fact all that wise. She quickly found out why.

Once they exited the glider, they took the elevator in silence to Mistress Koun’s. The elevator came to a halt, the doors slid open, and they stepped out into the foyer, but the resident didn’t follow Ji’an into the lobby. He turned and disappeared through one of the side doors without even saying good-bye, not even with a nod. From one moment to the next he simply disappeared. Ji’an just stood on the stylized crane and watched the door slide close. She at first didn’t fully believe it. After those looks of apprehension futuristic space4 and guilt, she would never have expected this open show of disrespect. It was unheard of. Ji’an had had to fight for composure. It did not help to know that half of it was her very own fault. She should have reported the first time, but she didn’t, and never showed disapproval when he bent, broke or fairly discarded House Rules afterwards. Now he obviously thought he could do as he pleased.

Luckily there was no one in the foyer, and if anyone else had seen then it was only the Monitor, which meant the resident would have to answer for his actions anyway. The thought had been a little satisfying. Ji’an then went through the usual procedures with Sila at the front desk, and signed the resident back in, Sila asking the usual questions about the dinner. Ji’an answered with as much ease as she could muster, though she would have preferred to speak to Mistress Koun immediately. She couldn’t let such insubordination pass unnoticed, yet even as she filled all the necessary boxes, she didn’t ask Sila for a minute with the Mistress. Ji’an knew she had to report, but she also wanted to wait until she knew how to explain what happened in the glider. Even so, knowing what she could do, how dare he show such open disrespect? He hadn’t looked a fool. Nor did Haen Ule, but here he was, asking impertinent questions –

‘Ms Taiyge, I’m not being rude out of enjoyment,’ the merchant said seriously. ‘My questions are legitimate. I believe you have struck a bargain without knowing what it is you have bought.’
‘What bargain, sir?’ Ji’an asked, coolly.
‘You know that there are different clans of Ciorèn on teh Mainland Territories, do you not, Ms Taiyge?’

Ji’an inclined her head. Everyone knew that.

‘They are usually light-haired in some way or other, which is probably why they are so sought after. But there are some clans that are not.’
‘Why are you telling me this, Merchant Ule?’
‘Because I think your khae belongs to a caste that is otherwise unknown to the Federation.’
‘Caste? I thought you spoke of clans – ’
‘Yes, yes, I did, but naturally each clan has a caste of underlings, warriors, ruling families and so on.’

Ji’an waited, Haen Ule drank from his arica. He seemed hesitant.

‘The thing is, there is a particular caste that lives entirely on the Summer Islands –’
‘Merchant Ule – ’
‘No, Ms Taiyge, please let me finish. You will find it worth your while. The interesting thing with this particular caste,’ he began, ‘is that they are a secluded community, sworn to single worship since childhood.’

Puzzled by the merchant’s words and irritated by his forthrightness, Ji’an got to her feet.

‘Merchant Ule, I have work to do –’
‘They are priests. Of some kind. They are sworn to their strange gods and never leave the island.’

Ji’an stopped and frowned.

‘Priests? But such things are forbidden by the Federation.’
‘Yes, but as you know, the Summer Islands do not belong to the Federation -’
‘Yes, I know. These… priests, what do they do?’
‘No one knows. They never leave the island.’
‘Merchant Ule, I am still at a loss why you are telling me this.’
‘I met one of them once, a whole group in fact – ’
‘But the Summer Islands are beyond the Protectorate – ’
‘I know and we did not go there on purpose. There was a vicious storm and one of the tradeliners had to land for repairs. The nearest coast was one of their islands. Believe me we didn’t want to land, but it was either that or drowning. We thought they would kill us and make their blood offerings to their demon gods, but they simply watched and waited until we left. I was responsible for the crew, so I had to make sure nothing dangerous took place. One of them could speak properly so we had some kind of conversation.’
‘Yes, but what –’
‘And they all, to the last, looked like your khae.’

Ji’an sat down again, trying to find the right words.

‘You mean…?’
‘I’ve heard that the bondsmen have started to search further south,’ the Merchant said, eyeing Ji’an carefully. ‘Some of the higher Houses have made certain requests, but I didn’t believe it until I saw your khae. Does your House Mistress know what she’s doing?’

The merchant looked very grave now and Ji’an still didn’t know what to say.

‘They are dangerous, Ms Taiyge,’ Haen Ule continued. ‘Some, I guess, enjoy the fruits of civilization, but most of them are not to be trusted. And to take them to a House! A whole caste trained to celibacy from the day they – ’
‘Celi-what?’ Ji’an frowned.
‘Ah, yes, you are too young. You wouldn’t know. Celibacy. They swear never to touch a woman.’

Ji’an still didn’t understand.

‘Who would do that?’
‘It’s part of their strange custom. Every youth sent to that island swears this oath. Maybe that’s why they stay on the Summer Islands, I was told they are inhabited entirely by men.’
‘And how do they continue their generations?’
‘It’s a mystery. No one knows. We were lucky to get off the island unharmed.’
‘And you think my – you think he’s one of those… celibacies?’
‘Priests. Their priests are celibate,’ the merchant said, drinking from his arica.

Ji’an went through everything she had just heard, but still couldn’t understand why the merchant was telling her this.

‘I am still at a loss as to why you are telling me this, Merchant Ule.’
‘Just so you know if something happens,’ the Merchant said seriously.
‘Happens?’
‘If your khae acts against custom or courtesy, that is. They were not raised in the Federation. A civilized life is unknown to them, even if your House Mistress clearly did some very good educationing. Still, I thought you should know. The Summer Islands are a dangerous place, and I do not think their inhabitants lose their wild ways once accustomed to the Federation. Even animals can be cunning, Ms Taiyge, and these are wild men.’

Ji’an didn’t say anything. The merchant smiled, kindly she felt, and finished his arica. He took out an index from one of his pockets and handed it to her.

‘If you ever have a need to talk, you will find me here.’

Ji’an took the index, surprised and mystified, nodding a thank you to the merchant. It was rare that merchants of any kind handed out an index so easily.

‘I’m sorry for this,’ the merchant said, ‘but I like a woman who knows her business, and you Ms Taiyge, definitely do. If you ever need help, you will find me at that signature.’

Ji’an looked up, saw the merchant’s kind smile, and finally understood what this was. She knew the merchant had recently lost his consort to a deadly fever out in the Bays. She tried to hide her blush and docked the merchant’s index in her portable. She thanked him again and excused herself, she really had a lot of work to do. Merchant Ule was all apologies, he had disrupted her day long enough. After a few more pleasantries, Ji’an left the glass office, just as one of her superiors walked in, Ifeli, asking if all was settled. ‘Yes, ma’am,’ Ji’an nodded and left for her workstation.

Sitting down at her workstation, Ji’an let her holograph screen flash to life, showing the latest com&aqs[1], yet her thoughts were elsewhere. Summer Islands. Castes. Priests. Celibacies. And finally that cold fury she couldn’t forget, that look that, now that she thought about it, had told her that one wasn’t safe. It could happen with residents, and even the Physicians didn’t understand why. The Mentalists said it had to do with an inner fault that made them think they were still in the Mainland Territories, or worse, actual Citizens, which was a pity for their state of mind. You had to be born and raised in the Federation to be a Citizen, and the Mainland Territories still refused to join the Peace. One could buy a Citizenship, that was true, but one had to prove one was worthy, and being mad and dangerous was the last thing that would lead to approval. Still, what the merchant said made Ji’an get a cup of hot arica at one of the catering stands. coffee 3

She drank her arica absentmindedly at the milk-glass stand and asked the caterer to fill another cup. Castes. Priests. Celibacies. Why would anyone swear never to touch a woman? Were there women in the Mainland Territories who swore never to touch a man? The thought was so perplexing, Ji’an couldn’t think of it in earnest. It was both ridiculous and unnerving. Who would willingly become a celibacy, man or woman? Was that part of the price they paid to their demon gods? It was so strange… but after the second cup of arica and more puzzling thoughts, Ji’an decided it was better to finish her work and return to the SSQ where she could wonder in private. If she stood here much longer one of her colleagues would start teasing her that she was being moody, and there was no need to have them smile at her in the tea rooms like that, last time was bad enough.

* * *

[1] com&aqs short for communications and acquisition suggestions: news and advertisements

November 20, 2014May 16, 2020

watercolour

Ji’an was finally home, where her cat greeted her with loving purrs. Her Screen blinked with five messages. She didn’t check them, nor did she make herself the usual cup of arica. Instead, she stretched out on her recliner, a smaller version of the one she had lain on not long before. She watched the latest screening, just to be sure. …yes, he was good. fireplace minimalist Since her acceptance to the Loge she rarely experienced something like that with a resident. They were usually calm, giving her gratification with calm persistence, stroking her body as was appropriate and kissing her when it was right, following her words precisely. She had had a few young ones who could be unnecessarily rough or uncoordinated, or spilled too soon, but after a while she knew which residents suited her tastes best, and ever since she joined Mistress Koun’s list her times at the House were always very satisfying.

They did not, however, leave her with a quiet wish to repeat what had taken place. She would have to wait until the following day however. The dinner would be long, but with such a resident, Ji’an no longer felt it would be tedious. Smiling to herself, Ji’an shut the Receiver, got up and went to the kitchen to feed her cat and prepare her dinner. Contrary to her expectations, the following day would probably be enjoyable after all.

Haen Ule was a Merchant who wanted new contracts with the VBA. Newly promoted, Ji’an was now responsible for negotiations with this particular sector of trade, and it was up to her to go to the dinner Ule was hosting, now that her colleague was detained. The dinner was in one of the grand merchant houses full of glass and white carpets, foreign flowers and water music. There were at least fifty guests all with their residents, most of them permanent, but Ji’an was relieved to see that the blue of day-residents could also be seen in the crowd.

She entered the glass parlour next to her own day-resident. He was silent, she had barely managed to find out his name when in one of the private gliders Haen Ule had sent specifically for his guests. By the puzzled look he kept on giving her, the resident didn’t seem to understand why she wanted to talk to him. It was just as well. Better a silent resident than one who talked too much.

Ji’an couldn’t help pointing out who was who while they walked through the crowd of guests though, seeing she had chosen well in matters of dress. The gold was neither too flashy nor too plain, and so perfectly adequate for someone in her position at the VEN Centre. ‘That’s the Commissioner’s second consort,’ Ji’an pointed out, ‘and that’s the Trade Warden with his second permanent resident. They say there was some strife with the first.’

Her resident didn’t comment, but it didn’t matter, Ji’an continued explaining. He had said his name was Lanec. It was probably a House name, after all most residents were not from the Federation. Ji’an was pleased that it was a simple and easy name to remember, it was always a little embarrassing when one had to ask for a resident’s name again. He smelled very good and looked very good in the deep blue robes. Ji’an wondered who had commissioned them for him. From what she had surmised so far, they were of Biyoran silk and Valgrave cotton that each cost a small fortune. Then again, with the kind of clients Mistress Koun had, it was probably natural that the residents received expensive gifts, especially if they were as satisfying as this one.

Again, Ji’an was aware of her curiosity about the resident’s other clients. How old were they, and how wealthy? Had someone already made a formal request? Did he have any preferences among the clients? She didn’t ask of course, it was just nice to wonder. The resident was very silent, but he didn’t look displeased. Rather, as if he was simply taking his time to see everything. He didn’t join the other residents standing to one side though, but stayed just a little behind her. Ji’an wondered why, this was not as formal a dinner as expected. It was up to him though. If he didn’t want to join the others so be it, he probably had his own reasons.

The resident stayed with her while they waited for all the guests to arrive, only leaving to get a drink for her when she asked him to. He himself didn’t take any of the colourful vials balanced by the servants on light trays, which was taking it too far, a vial or two was quite all right, but Mistress Koun was probably very strict. Some Houses even made their residents undergo substance tests once they returned. Ji’an didn’t think Mistress Koun was that strict, but it was a possibility. It could also be that he thought this tedious and was simply doing his duty. With all the wealthy clients Mistress Koun had, the resident was probably used to more luxurious occasions and probably thought this was beneath him. If he was bored, he didn’t show it however, which was good.

The gongs sounded for the dinner and they had to part. She didn’t see the resident for two hours, two lively hours on dining couches and a long glass table covered with many excellent dishes. There were toasts and talks and small-talk with a portly woman next to Ji’an, whose consort had business with Haen Ule. The trader himself was travelling so it was up to her to represent him at the dinner.

The dinner was lavish, the gossip even more, and finally after they left the dining couches and joined the residents in a large private room, Ji’an found time to speak to Haen Ule who quickly said, ‘Oh no business tonight, young lady, you’re here to enjoy yourself.’ Knowing merchants rarely liked to be disturbed in their celebrations, Ji’an let it be and started looking for her resident. watefall violet horizon To her surprise, he was at the farthest part of the wide room, far away from the recliners, where the first were already undressing. He was looking at a watercolour, a rare piece Haen Ule had apparently acquired in the South Plains, if the plaque next to the painting told the truth. It was a landscape of some kind or other, water and hills and a light. It was pleasant, but Ji’an had never had an eye for these things. She was surprised to see the resident looking at it with interest. It wasn’t something one expected from a resident.

‘Do you like it?’ Ji’an asked.

The resident turned sharply. It was his expression that made Ji’an step back. He looked… cold with fury, if there was such a thing. One thing was certain: it was not done. A resident was to be always polite and approachable. His expression changed immediately, but Ji’an had seen it. That icy anger was real and it was more than disturbing. She looked hastily about herself. No one else was near, which meant no one else had seen it.

‘It was just a question,’ she said, indignantly.

She had lost her composure and it annoyed her. The resident just looked at her without answering. Ji’an could see nothing in his eyes now, neither friendliness nor anger, just calm. It was common in residents, but with this one now, after those seconds of startling anger, it was unnerving. Ji’an found she had to look away. When she looked again, he was looking over her head to the spacious room full of guests occupying the recliners. He moved to join them, but Ji’an stayed his hand.

‘You didn’t answer my question.’

There was no way she was going to ignore this, she was after all a member of Mistress Koun’s House. Another look passed between them, Ji’an waiting for him to disobey. He inclined his head. Ji’an breathed out, relieved. She had heard of residents running wild if their clients couldn’t control them, and she wouldn’t have anyone whispering about her in the tea rooms.

‘It’s wrong,’ he said with that accent Ji’an could as yet not place. His voice was cool, though deeper than she expected.
‘Why is it wrong?’
‘The waterfall is on the other side.’

Perplexed, Ji’an looked at the watercolour.

‘You know where this is?’

He just nodded. Something in his face closed and Ji’an knew he would speak no more. It nettled her that he could simply choose not to talk and that she had no means to keep him from it. ceiling futuristic It felt like insubordination. Maybe she should file a complaint about what happened on the recliner. She had let him have his way without a reprimand, now he probably thought it would always be like this. And he had dared to look at her like that. Ji’an turned and walked back to the main room. He followed her closely which was a relief. She had half feared he would stay at the watercolour, which would have forced her to an argument, or worse, a raised voice, and that would have been uncommonly embarrassing. No wonder breaking House Rules was so highly fined. If you let them get away with it, they obviously thought they could do whatever they liked. Well, it wouldn’t happen again.

November 18, 2014May 16, 2020

reconstruction, 3

Not PG rated

There were the usual procedures of inspection. It had to be done, there was always a Monitor, and if a client was dissatisfied, no complaints could be made if there had been no inspection. Contrary to the usual practices of giving orders, Ji’an had her own method. silkwood white Just letting them undress and going through the prescribed motions was not very exciting, so she acquired her own way. First she walked up to the resident and looked at his face. It was good-looking, all residents were nice to look at, though this one had something really nice about him that some sometimes had. Ji’an looked a little longer, enjoying the well-made face. He didn’t look at her, but straight ahead to the view of the City, his eyes violet in the red sunlight. He was obviously waiting for the usual inspection and she really shouldn’t stall.

Ji’an laid a hand on his right shoulder, it was firm and warm. She sensed a moment of surprise and smiled. Her method always surprised the residents. Then she began, tracing firm biceps, a broad chest, solid abs, feeling his smooth skin as she slid her hands over his body. It was firm and good, his muscles well trained. It was a delight to feel. She liked taking her time with this, exploring every ridge and curve, relishing the simple joy of touching a strong, healthy body. Maybe it was silly of her, but she liked to think the resident enjoyed it as well. She didn’t look to check however, it was enough that he remained still. An inspection wasn’t supposed to take too long anyway.

She walked around him and ascertained all was well. The dark hair was still unusual to her eyes, especially with that skin tone. It had always struck her as strange that most of Mistress Koun’s residents had a kind of cream-like skin. It was said she got them from the Mainland Territories, that unmapped dangerous place, but that was probably just a rumour. And how should anyone get them from there, the Territories were a savage place, nothing sane could live there. This resident was strong and young and didn’t look like the monsters they said were bred in those savage places. Quite the contrary, he was perfectly built, and since Mistress Koun was always very particular, there was a guarantee that he had been tested. It was a prerogative that Ji’an came to the inspections regularly as well, and she was careful never to miss them, one could be downgraded if one became careless. Next to that Ji’an thought it simply irresponsible to be negligent in such matters.

Ji’an continued, picking up the scent of freshly washed skin, maybe he just came out of the baths. Did they bathe together or did they have separate stalls? Just once she would like to see it… but this was not a time for that. She really should hurry up, she didn’t have all that much time.

After the successful inspection Ji’an went behind the screens. As always there was an armchair and a table with the necessary provisions: cleaning pads, a fresh towel, a robe, a sealed supply of make-up, a mirror and a phial of perfume. Ji’an undressed quickly, folding her clothes neatly over the armrest. Then she used the hygienic pads to clean herself, using one pad each for her armpits, and two between her legs. They smelled faintly of Jasmine, just like Ji’an liked them. She cleaned herself thoroughly. She always felt that, if one expected cleanliness from the residents, one should be clean as well. Once done, she threw the pads into the slim, white waste basket and checked herself one last time, then took the robe off the hanger and put it on.

She considered using the phial of perfume on the table but decided against it. She didn’t want everyone to know she’d been in a House when she left again, House perfume always stuck to one’s skin for hours on end. Sashing the silk robe, Ji’an walked around the screen. The resident was already on one of the recliners, the right one, stretched out on his back looking to the ceiling. With the sunlight fading into reds he looked like one of the sculptures in the PRA[1], smooth stone turned into perfect proportions. He had his hands folded on his middle, he had lost some of his firmness. Ji’an was a little piqued. She was considered attractive, if not beautiful, she wouldn’t have been able to enter her Loge[2] otherwise. She hadn’t taken that long. Then again, it wasn’t up to her to make him ready.

He didn’t look at her until she was right next to him. For a moment she thought she saw surprise, but you never knew with residents. With so many clients as Mistress Koun had, only few things probably surprised them and with a face and body like his, this one probably got requests very often. Ji’an removed her robe. She caught him tracing her body with his eyes, her breasts, her waist, her sex, her legs. It was quick and made Ji’an smile. It wasn’t something residents usually did, at least not so openly. Maybe he was surprised. She was young, and few of her age had the means to acquire permanent membership at a House like Mistress Koun’s, but in these matters, Ji’an had always been particular. Certain necessities were a given in such a House, and Ji’an was very willing to cut down in other parts of her life to keep this high standard.

* * *

Ji’an paused a moment while she retouched her make-up behind the dressing screen. That was… unexpected. Her body was warm, parts of her still echoed with sensation, and she felt pleasantly tired. She smiled a little, and finished preparing herself. Once done she walked out. One quick look into the glass walls was enough, she looked as she should.

Ji’an crossed the Garden Path, passed through the sliding doors and stepped out into the lobby where Sila was waiting. The payment was quick, though she couldn’t help a furtive look to the Monitor’s door. She half expected the silver door to slide open, but it remained closed. What happened on the recliner must have looked adequate on the Monitor’s screen, which in turn made Ji’an wonder how often the residents broke House Rules without the Monitor noticing. No resident was to put a client in a position where she no longer was in control of what was happening, which meant they had to be in control of themselves. It was a well-known House Rule, and the fines were high if it was broken. And yet, Ji’an didn’t file a complaint. She felt too well served for that. After so many days in the VBA without any kind of gratification, it had felt great to let go like that again.

shoes black The fee was high since her booking was for the following day, which was a very short notice. Ji’an felt she could only do it because she was a long-time client of the House. She would never have booked but for the dinner she had to attend the following evening. One of her colleagues had to go to the Upper Falls on an emergency and now Ji’an had to go in his place. It was a formal dinner, so one was to bring one’s resident, which in Ji’an’s case meant she had to request Mistress Koun’s services, since she had no permanent residency yet.

One day she would, maybe not too far away now. For a moment, Ji’an wondered how high the fee would be for the resident she had just been with. She could then have that kind of satisfaction at least once a week. Granted she would have to consider the expenses, the clothes, the allowance etc. She would eventually have to move. It would be expensive, but after what just happened on the recliner, Ji’an was starting to think it was worth it. She would make a formal request after the dinner, that way she’d have enough time to think about it without having someone else snatch him away.

As far as Ji’an knew, most of Mistress Koun’s clients had enough means to pay an a.v.[3] on a moment’s notice. She wondered if he satisfied all the clients like that. Probably, he had the build and the stamina. She would like to see him in a libria, but that always cost so much. Maybe his a.v. had already been paid and he was just waiting to change residency, you never knew really. She didn’t even know if she could afford permanent residency yet. Where would she move to? Prices were exorbitant these days. Ji’an decided to wait until after the dinner, she’d know what he could do better after that, and so waited patiently for Sila to finish the last touches to the booking.

Once Ji’an paid the fare and signed an agreement of full legal responsibility for the time the resident was with her, Ji’an left the House via the Commuters. Sitting in the comfortable armchairs she felt that particular softness under her skin that she always had after a session in the House. She slid the token Sila had given her into her Receiver, and watched the screening the Monitor had made, plugging her earphones in so she could hear it at high volume. It really did look all right on the screen. She replayed a few parts… there, that. He was good. She would talk to her Referent and see if she could afford a permanent residency.

Ji’an reached her home in the SSQ[4] not long after, humming quietly to herself as she stepped out of the Commuter, joining the crowd of men and women leaving the blue-lit station, wondering how many were just returning from a House. There were many in Cartin Place, some inexplicably luxurious, others simple Baths, where one took a quick bath, got a massage and picked one of the residents from the crowd. She had gone to Baths when she was still in training and couldn’t afford being a House client. original

With her Loge on the higher scale it was easy to get into the better Baths, where she had been part of some long nights, where a simple bath and massage turned into something very satisfying. That was back when they still went out in groups, usually four to five trainees, both men and women. There was one particular night she remembered, a night she went out with Enna. It was a simple Baths, but the residents had been ‘delicious’ as Enna said. Ji’an still had the screening. Enna’s preferences were fixed after that night, she kept on saying that one day she would apply for joint-residence, never mind the expenses.

That was one of the last parties Ji’an went to with Enna though, they didn’t see each other as much as they used to now that they were no longer trainees. Work kept them busy, but every now and then they met for drinks in the Main City and inevitably ended up in a House, where Ji’an could see Enna’s latest preferences. Sometimes they’d meet one of the men they used to go to parties with when they were in the Main City. As far as Ji’an knew, Enna had been eyeing one of them, Telen, for a consort the last time they met for drinks, but Ji’an didn’t know if anything had come of it. It was all a little while ago, and with the travelling she did she hardly had any time to keep herself updated on other people’s lives.

* * *

[1] PRA: Pre-Reconstruction Artifacts: exhibitions of artifacts created before the Reconstruction, set up in every JDC of the City.
[2] Depending on a Citizen’s physical condition and monetary abilities, once of age, each Citizen enters a Loge and thus is allowed to become a member of the Houses ascribed to the respective Loge. Beauty tends to reign over money, but since surgical redefinitions* are not uncommon, unattractiveness among adult Citizens is practically unheard of in the Federation. Natural beauty, however, is rated higher than ‘enhanced beauty’, and since redefinitions are always cited on a Citizen’s detail, the Loges choose accordingly: the more natural the beauty, the higher the Loge.
*Redefinitions are only open to adult Citizens. It is part of Federation Regulation that only women who have ended their years of fertility are allowed mammoplastic redefinitions, also known as mammoplastes. This is largely due to Federation Regulation 8-20 where fertile women are expected to breast-feed for three months after pregnancy as a service to the Federation. Federation testings found that the healthiest nutrition for newborns is mother’s milk. Mammoplastic redefintions are considered harmful to the adequate development of the necessary milk. Since pregnancies are strictly monitored under FR 8-20, and unauthorized pregnancies are severely fined, the prohibition of mammoplastes for fertile women is practically the law.
[3] a.v., short for Alias Via: the price set for residents to be released from a House to a paying client.
[4] Stellar Stair Quarter: main residence of VEN Centre employees

November 17, 2014May 16, 2020

reconstruction, 2

Ji’an rushed down the glass halls of the VEN Centre [1] and was just in time to catch one of the Commuters into the Main City. Leaning back into one of the comfortable white armchairs, she tried not to fidget. She was late. And she hated being late, especially to these appointments. The Commuter glided through the transparent transport tubes in silence, the City rushing by, glass and lights flashing through the glass ceiling. A caterer offered her a cup of arica, which Ji’an took gladly.

The Commuter was fairly full, most of the men and women Ji’an saw were from the VEN Centre, their crisp black suits and skirts always stuck out. Crossing her legs, Ji’an suppressed the urge to remove her shoes. At the end of a long day, the heels started to get uncomfortable, but as a member of a VBA, [2] she couldn’t afford indecencies in public, not even the slightest. During her training she hadn’t cared, ignoring the surprised looks, but now she had to keep form. She crossed her legs instead.

Ji’an drank from her arica and sighed. Other Commuters flashed by, men and women in black suits and skirts entered and left at the blue-lit stations. It was half an hour from the VEN Centre to the Main City, half an hour Ji’an took to lay down the busyness of the day. The Commuter finally stopped smoothly at Cartin Place, the cabin was almost empty now, only a small group of trainees sat in the back talking in low voices.

Rushing through the blue-lit station, Ji’an checked her timer. Five past already! She hurried to the glass elevators and watched the city grow smaller as she rose in a swish to the seventh floor of the building. It was already twenty seven floors above the ever-busy JDCs.[3] Up in Cartin Place, the air was peaceful. The sun was setting and bathed the entire City in warm light. They said there had been many parks before the Reconstruction, large patches of communal greens far larger than any House Garden. Ji’an couldn’t imagine it. To her the City was always glass and silver, flashing with windows.

The elevator came to a silent stop and the doors opened to a small foyer. A stylized crane graced the marble floor in shining black and gold tiles. It was spread out in front of the milk-glass sliding doors that opened the moment Ji’an walked across the polished floor. The entrance had its usual luxurious simplicity, whites and greys accentuated with the bright colours of flowers from the Low Don in enormous vases. The usual faint smell of incense lay in the air, and the young woman at the check-in desk nodded when Ji’an walked up to her.

‘Hello Sila,’ Ji’an said.
‘Ms Taiyge,’ Sila nodded, scanning through her monitoring screen with a flick of her hand.
‘I have an appointment. I know I’m late.’
‘She’s already waiting,’ Sila said, taking the card Ji’an handed her. ‘Will you be staying?’
‘Only the usual,’ Ji’an answered. Sila nodded and slid the card into the respective slot.

Ji’an thanked Sila as she handed her her jacket and her new Lexen, a perfect piece of yula leather. They would be kept in one of the private lockers until she returned. Turning, Ji’an checked herself in the mirrored wall, all was well. She walked to the office on the far side of the left corridor. There were vases of flowers in intervals, and the soft hum of faraway music. Ji’an stood out in her all-black outfit, her glossy heels clicking loudly on the marble, reminding her of the VEN Centre and all the business there. The milk-glass doors to the office opened noiselessly and Ji’an stepped in to the white space.

‘My apologies, Mistress Koun,’ she said immediately. ‘I had a meeting I couldn’t get out of. I’m not too late, I hope?’
‘No,’ was the calm reply.

Mistress Koun, dressed in her usual flowing dark robes, stood at her aquarium feeding her rare and poisonous fish, small and flat and very beautiful with delicate gossamer fins. Their watery world was the only colourful thing in the entire office. The windows behind the glass desk overlooked the sparkling City, awash in sunset colours.

‘Have a seat, please,’ Mistress Koun said in her calm voice, returning the fish-food into the long array of milk-glass jars next to the aquarium. None of them were labelled. Ji’an always wanted to ask how the Mistress knew which one to choose.

Mistress Koun walked across the room, looking as if she were gliding over the white carpet to the opposite side of the wide glass desk. She was tall and thin, and her face reminded Ji’an of the mysterious dark birds that sometimes flew around the VEN Centre. There was something almost too serene about the Mistress, even as she sat down in her spacious armchair and fixed Ji’an with her calm, grey eyes. They said Mistress Koun was from one of the Haldan Moons, but who knew. She was striking, that was certain.

‘I tried to get out as soon as I could, Mistress Koun, but the meeting was rather important,’ Ji’an tried to explain, but the Mistress waved her hand as if it didn’t matter why she was late. She was late, that was a fact that could not be changed. Ji’an fell silent and tried to look as calm in her seat as the Mistress.

‘Well,’ Mistress Koun said, and tapped the desk’s surface. The hologram screen appeared, showing the lists both to Ji’an and the Mistress.

‘Since your request was a little unexpected,’ the Mistress said, scanning through the names, faces flickering past the screen in flashes, ‘choices were limited.’ space 3

Ji’an nodded, she had expected this. It made the fact that she was late a little worse. She hated being late to these appointments. Mistress Koun had a way of ignoring Ji’an’s discomfort that made it all the more clear that she didn’t approve of the delay.

‘Yes, I know,’ Ji’an said. ‘I received the invitation only yesterday. Someone else should have gone but then – anyway, I was told only yesterday.’

‘That is why I would advise you to keep a permanent residence, Ms Taiyge,’ Mistress Koun said, eyeing Ji’an through the hologram screen.

Ji’an dropped her gaze. She couldn’t admit that she couldn’t afford permanent residence yet. She had just been promoted. It was not appropriate to make such expenses now, but it would have taken too long to explain that.

‘Well, fortunately, I did find something suitable,’ Mistress Koun said.

Ji’an smiled with relief. Mistress Koun was famed for never letting her clients down, even if they weren’t one of the illustrious patrons of the House.

‘You’re 4.5, am I right?’ Mistress Koun asked.
‘Yes.’
‘No specifications?’
‘Not too young please.’

Mistress Koun raised a graceful eyebrow but nodded.

‘Well then, I have just the right one for you. Come with me.’

The older woman tapped the glass table’s surface and the hologram disappeared. She rose in a soft rustle of expensive cloth, Ji’an got to her feet and followed her. The milk-glass doors glided open to the Main House a moment later. The smell of incense was stronger here, and her tread was mute on the thick white carpet, despite her heels. They walked across the Garden Path, crossing the spacious House Garden in a high arch of glass. As always, Ji’an would have liked to stop and look down, but that was not done. There were House Rules and it was a given that one didn’t break them.

They reached the end of the Garden Path that opened to small foyer. The second milk-glass doors slid open, and Ji’an could already hear the murmur of the residents in the main rooms, distant and deep like quiet nights at the coast. It was every Citizen’s dream to once cross the forbidden threshold and see how it really was behind those doors, but the djan, the House Guards, only let the majar and Mistress through. The djan stood motionless on either side, their hands clasped behind their back, their long white robes and expressionless faces showing they would tolerate no disobedience. It was said that they would kill if it was necessary, and that no Magistrate would put them under the law for it. Ji’an always felt that terminating an intruder’s life was going a bit far, but then again this way privacy was guaranteed.

They had hardly reached the open hall when a tall, well-built man of at least forty approached them, dressed in simple white robes and the characteristic red belt of the majar. There was a short exchange between him and the Mistress. Then the majar nodded and walked past the House Guards into the depths of the forbidden premises. Ji’an followed Mistress Koun into one of the chambers.

It was like all others, a spotlessly clean, white room, with a high ceiling and broad windows overlooking the Main City. The gliders flew along the skyways crisscrossing the darkening sky and the Commuters raced like caterpillars of light through the tubes. Inside the room, there were the usual recliners. Round, wide and made of a soft material she never could name, they reached a little higher than Ji’an’s knees. Two people fit easily on them and there was one on each side of the room.

The sun was setting in bright colours, the first reds and oranges were already turning the white room into hues of rose and pink. The Mistress nodded ‘Ms Taiyge’ and left, the sliding door closing quietly. Ji’an stepped to the wide windows and watched the gliders and Commuters as the sun set. The City was a maze of skylines and skyways reaching far into the darkening blue, showing its overwhelming scale. It was the largest civic settlement this side of the Low Don and was still expanding. One day it would fill out the whole Shelf and maybe reach down to the Valleys.

Not long after the Mistress glided out of the room, there was the three-knock signal at the door, but Ji’an didn’t turn. She heard the door slide open and knew without seeing that the majar came in followed by one of the residents. There was another silky slide of doors, which meant that the majar had left the room. Ji’an was still at the broad windows overlooking the City with its glass towers and domes. It was said that ten million people lived in its expanse, and seeing all the windows glitter in the setting sun, gliders passing up high, Commuters halting and racing on, Ji’an believed it. She had always wanted to see the entirety of the City, maybe even go into those parts that were considered dangerous, apparently full of relics of that dark time before the Reconstruction. There was talk of ghosts and strange creatures that lived and fed in those dark spaces. Ji’an had seen some holographs of what was said to live down there, some were disgusting. Well, maybe one day she’d book a day-pass and take a guide down, but it would be a while until she could afford to ask for such freedoms.

Ji’an turned right then, the resident stood in the middle of the room, waiting. He was about her age, which was a relief, she never liked the young ones, she always felt inadequately responsible for them. He had the usual black ger on, loose Low Don cotton that reached to his knees, showing off well-shaped calves. His build was perfect, but that was to be expected, Mistress Koun only took the best. His hair was very dark, which was a surprise. Usually Mistress Koun gave her fair-haired ones. Then again, she had sent the request rather late. Ji’an stepped away from the window. She didn’t have all day after all, and the House’s fees were high.

* * *

[1] Vidan Eldin Noli Centre, named after Vidan Eldin Noli, one of the first to open up the trade routes after the Reconstruction
[2] Van Benem Associates, one of the various Providers, i.e. trading conglomerates in the VEN Centre
[3] Joint Development Centres, one of the many places of commerce and leisure in the Main City