“That’s odd,” I said with some slight confusion on my part. “I was told the war was pretty much done and over with by that time?”
“There were still some pockets left over. Not enough to effect the armistice though. What was left was no longer worth stopping or pursuing in the Senate’s eye.” Bayen told me then.
“Ah,” I said, taking the towel off my head and toweling off my red hair. “I see.”
“Well, the war is over,” the older man said. “And we are at peace once more. So what do you do for fun around these parts?”
“Like I said, I’m an auto-frame pilot. It’s become my full time job away from all the other jobs Calis assigns to me. Or my mom at the very least.”
Bayen nodded, watching me from where he lay.
“I’m just amazed that you’ve progressed so far in such a short amount of time–especially given the fact that you’re a girl.”
“You find that surprising, Bayen?”
“I do. You’re only one of a few women in the sport that have managed to climb up in the ranks of both the S and L circuit.”
“I know. Juliet told me about her win the other day at Grandees Head–two days before I came up here. She said that she beat Jack Prichard in his Jackal S-4 to win the Winn Jackson Trophy.”
“That’s pretty hard to win.” Bayen thought to point out.
“I know. I’ve only won it twice myself and each time it was a fucking pain the ass. The race track there at Grandees Head is not one of the easiest to race–let alone navigate–even with the rig that I have currently.”
Bayen was quiet for a moment.
“I heard through the betting rooms that the Viper X-1 is a custom job. Is that true?” He wanted to know.
I nodded.
“Yep. A Mark III Spitfire engine configuration and a Reyes Cannon. Top speed is Mach 4. With the new engine engaged, I can push it to four point five-three.” I told him with pride.
“Can’t imagine what it took to design it.”
“It was my dad’s pet project. He wanted a custom made, one of a kind auto-frame. Like nothing anyone’s ever seen. It was a four year project that was a serious undertaking.” I said, before glancing over to him.
“Anyways…enough about that. How about we change the subject to something else a little more entertaining?”
“You’re a real kill joy.” Bayen complained lightly under his breath.
“What was that? I almost didn’t quite hear that.”
“I said you were a real kill joy.”
“What? Why?”
“Because I have always wanted to meet the legendary pilot to that auto-frame and now you just want to skip ahead to the finale?”
I chuckled to myself. “That’s what everyone else says too. But to be honest, I don’t have the stomach for fame or fortune. I just want to race.”
“But why not?” Bayen countered. “I thought all pilots dreamed of making it big these days?”
“It’s very rare that we do, Bayen.” I told him flat out. “I’m pretty sure I already explained that to your mother earlier.”
“Ah. Sorry. My mistake.” He answered contritely.
“It’s okay. The common thing people today think is that auto-frame pilots are rolling in the credits and they can buy anything their hearts desire. It’s not quite that simple. That’s why I was supremely envious over that two thousand credit chip you had in the bag.”
“I can always give you another one if you want. No strings attached.”
I looked at him pointedly–sorely tempted by his offer.
“And what about Fran? If she finds out, she’s bound to ask questions about how I came into possession of it.”
Bayen got off the couch and walked up to the upper level landing.
“Be right back.” He announced–while he left me there to tend to personal business. I was almost dry by this point, so I back to the bathroom to change out of the towels and find a robe to put on in the closet in the back. I found a blue one in my size and slipped it on–cinching the tie around my waist and found a pair of bath slippers to wear as well.
It was a bit odd how I was able to find two things in my size, so I counted myself lucky in that department.
Then I stepped out of the bathroom and headed back down into the living room where I sat down and began to openly scrutinize the books shelf next to me.
It was more of a wall mounted one with actual books in them–some of them looked extremely old (judging by the faded or torn bindings), while others were practically brand-new and recent editions.
I selected one (Fire and Frost) and started reading the opening chapter while waiting for Bayen to come back from his little errand. It wasn’t more than ten minutes before he reappeared with a small draw string bag and calmly walked back to the couch to reclaim his old spot once more.
I heard the clinking of the plastic credit chips as Bayen rummaged around for a second to withdraw something from the bag.
Then he leaned over to tap me on the shoulder–in order to get my attention.
He got it.
“Here.” He offered without a second’s hesitation.
I just stared at what he was giving me for a second, not sure what to make of it.
It wasn’t just one two thousand credit chip, but three.
My mouth went dry at the sight of so much money. That was more than I made in a four month time span and he was simply waving it at me like it was a big nothing burger.
“Is that…are you trying to bribe me, kind sir?” I tried to joke in a playful manner. But my voice sounded terribly awkward. My heart was pounding with both an underlying current of fear, dread, and sharp excitement all at once.
“You need it more than I do.” Bayen was telling me lightly.
My hopes crashed the second I realized what was he actually offering. I pushed his hand away in that instant.
“Sorry, but I’m not a charity chaser, Bayen. I work hard for what’s given to me. I seldom ask for anything in return.”
“But–”
I looked at him earnestly.
“You have more than I could ever possibly dream of, Bayen. I do not. I live in a world full of hardship and a pitched battle for daily survival. That does not mean I go looking for tips.”
“This isn’t a tip, Isis. This is me trying to help you out. Especially if you plan on staying here for more than a day.”
“I have enough money on hand, Bayen. I’m not worried about what happens in the next day or so. Your mom’s generous offer of lodging probably saved me the time and expense of searching out a rental cube.”
“How do you know about those?” The sky dancer asked.
“I was on Level 1716 and I looked at one of the information kiosks and inquired about rates and such. The system’s computer was more than gracious enough to give me some available options. But most were out of my immediate price range.”
Bayen pressed the chips into my open hands. “This is why you need the money more than I do, Isis. I insist.”
“And if I refuse? What will you do then? Is there any sky dancer custom that will have a house guest like me keelhauled off the back of an Olympus-class cruiser?”
Bayen laughed a bit. “No. But I would consider it rude and bad manners. It is usually customary for house guests to receive a small dowry from the lord or mistress of the house.”
“Lord?” I bit out with some laughter. “Mistress?”
Bayen appeared super serious by his choice of words. The look on his face even communicated that much to me. So I reigned things in a bit before I did something else both dumb and stupid.
“Okay. But couldn’t you give me something else that has less value than–?” But he stopped me right there.
“What?”
“Nothing we have on hand is of any less value, Isis. Everything has value and that’s why we cherish it so. To bring much needed light to the world.”
“I’m touched. I really am. So…giving me this endowment is somethin
g of a passing ritual for sky dancers all over?”
“It is.” Bayen confirmed–before drawing away. But I closed the distance between the two of us in a flash of movement and hugged the older man in passing.
“Thank you for this.” I whispered into his ear.
“You’re welcome.” He said in return, before the sound of the front door opened and Fran came back with an armload of shopping bags.
I pulled away from Bayen in that instant–super embarrassed by my sudden display of affection and thinking that I had done something wrong.
But in that fraction of a second, I found myself wishing that I could have done something more–if Fran wasn’t around for more than a few moments–but I could tell that by looking at Bayen, I was sure that would create more unnecessary complications than it was warranted.
So I cooled my jets and took a step back and sat down at the end of the couch–while clutching my house warming gift at the same time. Then I put the chips in my pocket before Fran came into view–while waiting for her to make her grand entrance.
When she did, she beckoned me to come see her.
I got up to see what she wanted.
~25~
I had never guessed in a million years that Fran would have gone shopping for me on a whim. In fact, the whole idea was ludicrous to a tee because I simply could have brought an extra spare change of clothes with me if I had even thought about it.
But I wasn’t planning on staying the night, so the thought never really crossed my mind.
She showed me what was inside the bag and I was both surprised and amazed that she was able to match my size without even asking me first.
“How did this even happen?” I wanted to know.
“My shop comes equipped with biometric scanners. So it takes the measurements turns them into a profile data for each customer. Did you forget that I sell dresses as well?”
I blinked on that one.
“Oh. I didn’t even know that. I thought it was funny when I walked in and that green light played over me briefly before the bell chimed.” I recalled in that moment–thinking back when I first stepped into the shop.
“It’s a big time saver.” Fran answered for me. “Before that technology became available, people in my profession had to resort to tape measurements and sliding weight scales. In fact–when you stepped up to the counter, you were actually on a pressure plate that gives out weight variables for each customer. The information is fed into my shop’s mainframe system and it generates a profile in a matter of minutes. That way, if anyone wants to buy a dress, I know precisely the measurements of each person. Saves on expense, mind you.”
I cringed in that moment.
“M-my weight?” I whispered in a horrified voice.
Fran nodded. “Yes, even a person’s weight.”
My mind was filling fast with doomsday scenarios of every kind as I tried to think of a way out of this one.
“But–” I began with grave uncertainty.
“I wouldn’t worry. Your profile came back surprisingly normal. I was a little concerned when the system recorded you at least five kilos below normal.”
“Is it that…bad?”
“For a healthy girl your age and size? Not necessarily so. But I requested a medical scan to check a hunch of mine and you are borderline for a vitamin and protein deficiency.” Fran revealed to me then. “But thankfully, it’s not severe.”
“It’s called desert living.” I tried to joke, feeling a little bit ashamed by the fact that I wasn’t eating as healthy as I should have been. But it couldn’t be helped in any regard anyways.
“Desert living or not, Isis, you should pay close attention to your diet. You don’t want any possible complications along the way. It could be fatal to your overall health.”
“As long as I am eating, I should be fine–right?”
“Yes, but that’s not my point. A healthy body equals a healthy mind.”
“True. I’ll give you that much. But I’ve been doing fine on my own.”
“Really? You look positively burned out from my perspective. How’s your sleep?”
I sighed, knowing I wasn’t going to get out of this one.
“Troubled.”
“How long?”
“A couple of days. It’s been a bit draining. And tiresome.” I said.
“A good night’s rest will fix you right up.” Fran promised. “You have a busy day ahead of you tomorrow, so let’s not dwell on the things we can’t change, okay?”
I nodded in gratitude. “Okay. So what’s this?” I asked, changing the subject–while looking into one of the bags. They contained a whole stack of dress shirts and tees. Some of which I found personally appealing.
“New clothes for you to take home.” Fran announced with pride. “I saw what you were wearing in the bathroom and thought a bit of a makeover was just what the doctor ordered.”
“Why? I was fine with what I had on me.” I said, deflecting a bit.
“Isis, you can’t go around wearing the same clothes. Especially with a pretty young woman such as yourself. You need variety in your life if you hope to have a chance at a relationship.”
“You mean with Bayen?” I blurted out unconsciously–not realizing my immediate mistake.
Fran reared back in surprise. “My son? You want a relationship with my son? Oh, honey. Even I never moved that fast with his father.” She said with a bit of laughter in her voice.
“I wasn’t planning on it. Sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“Why do you say that?”
I sighed heavily. “I just…I dunno. I ran into him on one of the lower levels and I was…immediately attracted to him on principle. I never came across anyone as gorgeous as him.” I said in a quiet rush of embarrassment.
Fran’s heart swelled upon hearing those words come out of me.
She reached out to give me a hug in passing.
“Thank you. Saying that means a lot to me personally.”
“Why?”
“My son hasn’t been very successful in finding a girlfriend since he broke up with Leona two years ago. I had almost given up hoping until you came along and then I saw how you were occasionally staring at him in my shop while we talked, I figured something was up between the two of you. Just wasn’t sure. And I wasn‘t about to ask either.”
“Sorry,” I apologized again. “I’m just a little bit infatuated with him. Pay me no mind.”
“As long as you don’t act on your impulses, you should be fine.”
“Well, I’ve never been kissed in my life, so I shouldn’t cause you guys any problems.”
“You’ve never been kissed? Not once?”
I flushed beet red. “No.”
Fran looked around herself for a moment and then leaned over to me in passing: “Not even…sex?”
I shook my head furiously. “Oh, hell no! Never even got that far either.”
“Just wondering. You seem pretty assured of yourself even though you’ve never had a boyfriend, never kissed, or even had…sex.”
“I’ve been around boys before, but very few of them caught my attention as I got older.”
“Oh, so you fit the perfect model of a virgin.”
“It’s not that bad. Mom didn’t fall into a relationship either until she met my father. I guess I was waiting for the same thing to happen to me. At twelve. At fourteen. Sixteen even. Nothing. Pickings were just slim. And I didn’t want just any boy either. I was holding out for the perfect one.” I relayed with a sad sigh of my own. “Then I came up here and Bayen came along. I thought I had struck pay dirt for the first time in my miserable life.”
Fran looked at me for a moment. “So you’ve been miserable all this time?”
“Is it that obvious, Fran? I don’t want to go through life not knowing what it’s like to be in love, to be loved, to be cherished and touched by the one you love. You know? Just like it was with my mom and dad when I was little. I always saw them in their most vulne
rable moments and I thought that this was what I wanted above all else.”
“So why didn’t you?” Fran wanted to know in a moment of absolute seriousness. “What made you decide to wait for so long?”
“The life of a desert rat is very unpredictable, Fran. I found out through a few hard lessons that you always cherish each moment as though they would be your last.”
“Like your past injuries?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
“So you thought that getting mixed up in auto-frame racing would be a better alternative than what your parents did for job professions?”
“My father was an inventor and an auto-frame mechanic. Same as Calis. He came from a pretty good family. My mom was a rustler and Scavenger. They made for a pretty interesting couple–from the stories my mom told me about my dad.”
“And what did you want to be when you grew up?”
“Seriously? I wanted to be a bride. Like my mother when she first got married.” I revealed at that point. “It’s been a dream of mine ever since.”
Fran shook her head in quiet amazement. “So the simpler things in life. No stress. No worries. That’s a very interesting take on something you’ve always wanted but could never achieve for yourself.”
“I just haven’t found the right guy yet.” I told the shopkeeper up front.
“But you mentioned my son a few times as someone you find desirable. What about him? Could you see having him in your life?”
I shrugged helplessly. “I’m not sure about that. I just find being with him to be very interesting enough. I haven’t even thought about marriage yet.”
“Ah, so you haven’t crossed the bridge yet. Well, as someone who was once married herself, I would suggest you wait a bit before making that decision–for all the right reasons.”
“Oh, I know. I’m not in a rush to tie the knot. It’s just nice to know that I have a few options available to me–now that I am up here.”
Fran nodded in support.
“But you must know that there are rules and even laws that govern such a pairing–right?”
My heart fell a little bit upon hearing that.
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