by L. Fergus
They entered the concourse and found an information station to get a map and a list of shops.
“How long before they blacklist you?” Kita asked Rabbit.
“I don’t know. Not until communications are back online.”
“How long for that?”
“A couple of hours. We messed up the reception area. With luck, the lifts are out, and it’ll be days.”
“Not with Galina and Sheppard alive. Let’s go with a couple of hours. So, shopping first and then we hit the shipping guild.”
“The what?”
“What do you call who’s in charge of cargo and shipping?”
“Depends on the company,” said Rabbit. “We’ll go visit the portmaster’s office. They’ll have a list of all the freighters docked with all their information. Maybe, you should let me do most of the talking until you’re up on the current colloquial.”
Kita agreed. I don’t need my mouth giving me away. She followed Rabbit out of the concourse.
The station was busy for the size. The convention must be a big draw. People flowed in every direction. There seemed to be large knots of people gathered to look and fawn over each other.
“You said this place was ultra exclusive, but also said the convention would attract all classes. Doesn’t that defeat the purpose of the hidden planet and city?” she asked Rabbit.
“What I meant by all classes was all the elite classes. If I remember my medieval history correctly, not all nobles were equal. A duke’s daughter didn’t command the same level of attention as a princess, right?”
Kita nodded.
“Except here it’s all about money. These are mostly spoiled brats living off their parents’ money.”
“So, like nobility, their status is inherited?”
“Pretty much. It’s a hard group to crack. You kind of hit a ceiling around the point of asking, can I buy my own space station? I’m sure it was the same for you.”
“My father earned his title fighting in a war, as a reward for service and loyalty.”
“We might also run into some of the political elite. You can tell them from a mile away,” Rabbit motioned to a pair. “Like those, they’re very formal and rigid. They think this kind of thing is beneath them.”
“Then why are they here?”
“To be seen. That’s their idea of a good time.”
“I know the type. Shall we go searching the beauty boutiques? We need to hurry.”
Rabbit made a disapproving face but agreed.
Bright signs and motion activated bill posts offered everything imaginable. With the constant movement of people, the flickering lights and wall of sound, Kita had to pull into a quiet sitting area off the main strip.
“What’s the matter?” said Rabbit, concerned.
“Just a lot of…everything. A battlefield isn’t so noisy and chaotic.”
Rabbit shrugged. “Yeah, I guess if you’re not used to it.”
Sitting sideways on the couch, Kita looked at the stars and the planet. Rabbit joined her on the couch and rubbed her arm. Not much to see on this moon’s dark side, but the stars are pretty. She sighed and stood, announcing she was ready to continue.
They’d gone twenty feet when a group of teenagers and young adults assaulted them.
“Neptune’s rings, your Aquar costume is spectacular,” a young man dressed as a cowboy, but carrying a sword, said, planting himself directly in their path.
“My what?” Rabbit said with a sideways look.
“Your Aquar’s alpha suit. It’s absolutely amazing,” a girl dressed as Medusa, complete with moving snakes for hair, said.
Rabbit looked at Kita for help. Why does Aquar’s alpha suit sound familiar? I’ve heard it before. She whispered the details into Rabbit’s ear.
“Oh, right,” Rabbit replied with a shrug. “I forgot I was wearing the body suit. I normally wear my mech suit.”
“Are these real feathers?” a girl exclaimed from behind Kita.
“Yes,” Kita said in a royal tone. “I would prefer if you did not touch them. It took my designer over a year to have them specially grown and harvested.” Kita fluffed them in agitation.
The crowd gasped.
“That level of animation is incredible,” the cowboy said.
“I know,” Kita said flatly. “If you will get out of our way, my companion and I have some shopping to do.” Her imposing glare parted the group like the Red Sea.
A girl tried to take a picture, but Kita slapped her away. “No pictures or vids. I will not have any copycats devaluing my work.” Kita turned and with a measured and arrogant step, left the group behind. To add to the insult, Sarge took a second to turn and stick out his tongue.
“Who was she?” the Medusa girl asked.
“I don’t know, but by the way she talked she comes from ancient Earth money,” another costumed youth answered.
“Wow, you weren’t kidding,” Rabbit said.
Kita smiled. “That was nothing more than an average day around the castle.”
“Ah, here we go,” said Kita. She and Rabbit entered the salon.
A stylist greeted them at the door. “Can I help you, ladies?”
Kita looked down her nose at the woman. “I am Mistress Logine of…” Kita looked around for a name. Why does that one seem familiar? “Gjord Manor. You may address me as such. I am looking for products to restore my friend’s hair. She was pushed into that disgusting, brackish water of that quaint city.”
“O-of c-course, Mistress,” the woman stammered. “I can schedule her an appointment if you’d like. I have an opening in an hour.”
“If I wanted an appointment I would have said so,” Kita said tartly. “We don’t have time. My personal ship is scheduled to leave for Earth in the next hour. I don’t need to waste my time waiting for you to ruin her hair further. Normally, I would leave such an undignified task as buying hair products to my personal stylist, but she is ill, and I don’t trust anyone else to purchase the right balms. Now, show me to your wares.”
“If you tell me what you’re looking for I can—”
“Show me your wares, young lady. I do not need your incompetence ruining her hair further.”
“Yes, Mistress,” the girl choked.
She led Kita to a display rack that held bottles, canisters, sprays, kits, and some things Kita couldn’t identify. Kita looked it over, searching for something familiar. “Is this all you have?” Kita demanded. “I wouldn’t use any of this swill to shampoo a carpet in a slum. If this is what you think a woman of my place uses, you are as incompetent as you appear. I will not have my time wasted by it. Let’s go, Jessica. I will have words with the valet who recommended this dog groomer.”
“Wait, Mistress,” said the stylist, “you can browse our catalog. All of our elite care products our stores carry are in there. I assure you if it’s in the catalog I can have it brought from a sister shop in minutes. It will save you from having to search another salon.”
Kita stopped. “Show me.”
The stylist led them to a holographic catalog and attempted to search for Kita, but she pushed her aside.
Kita flipped through the catalog muttering over the garbage. She returned to the index, scanning the brands. On the back page, she found the brand Black. Images of the products appeared in her mind. She selected the section and scanned the two pages of products, tapping the five items she wanted.
“I will take those. I expect my purchase to be here in five minutes,” Kita ordered with a withering glare.
The stylist looked at the list and gulped. “I will send out an immediate request, Mistress. If Black is available anywhere off the shelf, it will be here on Angelica Station.”
“I’m waiting,” Kita said impatiently.
The stylist tried to hide the sweat building on her brow as she waited. The Arcom computer on her wrist buzzed. “They are being delivered, Mistress, and will be here in a few minutes. The courier may be delayed due to the excessive foot traffi
c.”
“Unacceptable,” Kita said firmly.
The stylist put on a charming smile. It did nothing to hide her nerves. “While we wait, would you like to sign off on the purchase?”
“You do not have my family’s account information?” Kita snapped.
“Well, yes, of course.” The stylist searched her Arcom. “I’m sorry, Mistress, you don’t seem to be an authorized signature on any of the accounts.”
Kita scowled. “Let me see that.” She nearly yanked the girl’s arm off as she grabbed the Arcom. She scanned the names on the accounts searching for one she might be able to bluff. She tapped the last one, simply named Gjord. A list of five names appeared, including one that read KITA. Her blood turned to ice. Why do the Gjords have an account for me? What do I not know? “That one’s mine,” Kita said, tapping her name.
“I’m sorry, Mistress. I was searching for Logine.”
Kita waved her off. “And give me an electronic copy of everything you have access to for that account. I want to make sure a backwater swill like this has everything up to date.”
The stylist nodded and furiously tapped on the keyboard. “I just need your thumbprint.”
It was Kita’s turn to gulp. She pressed her thumb on the Arcom’s pad. Keeping her cold exterior intact, she waited anxiously for a response. The light turned green. Inside she sighed in relief.
The courier arrived with a small bag. The stylist checked to make sure everything was there and then handed it to Kita.
Kita pulled out each item and inspected it. When she was satisfied, she snapped the bag closed and handed it to Rabbit. “That will be all, young lady,” she said dismissively to the stylist. “Come, Jessica. Let us find a more indulgent way to spend our last few minutes in this backwater outpost.” She spun on her heel and led her group out and down the strip.
“Neptune’s bloody blue moons,” Rabbit whispered, looking up at Kita with a mixture of shock and awe.
“What?” said Kita, humming happily to herself.
“I…Words can’t describe what I just witnessed. And I have seen some very, very strange stuff today.”
Kita chuckled. “You should have seen my mother in action.” Kita turned serious. “We have a big problem.”
“Yeah, how did you fool that machine into taking you on the Gjord account, of all people?”
“I didn’t fool it. I was already on it.”
“What?” Rabbit cried, drawing curious looks from passersby.
“I don’t know either. I figured if it’s a trap, Galina already knows I have to pass through here. If it’s a friend from before I was imprisoned, it will alert them I’m free.”
“Until we know which, let’s not use it again after we leave here. I’d love to see the look on whoever’s face when they see you used it to buy beauty products.”
“It might prove to them it’s me.”
“I’m glad you had that account,” Rabbit said, looking at the hard copy receipt. “This costs more than I’ve made since I joined the Bureau.”
Kita took the receipt, shrugged, and handed it back. How much is half a million dollars worth? They obviously didn’t pay Rabbit enough.
“So, what kind of supplies do we need?” said Rabbit.
“Food for the cats and us. Preferably high in protein and carbs. We should grab a snack before we go. If I eat something I won’t have to eat for a couple of weeks.”
“What do you mean a couple of weeks?”
Kita explained her metabolism, how she processed food and stored energy.
“Well, I’m going to have to eat more often than that. I get cranky if I don’t eat every six hours.”
“I can tell,” Kita teased.
Rabbit pushed Kita playfully, right into a kid dressed in a cape and glasses, and carrying a twig. Kita spun to catch herself, hitting the boy with her wings, and sending him sprawling. She looked down at him, as he scrambled to find his glasses and twig. Oh, damn. He might actually need those glasses. The eyewear sat on the tip of her boot. Flipping them up to her hand, she knelt next to him. “Looking for these?” she said with a pleasant smile.
The boy looked up at her. Fumbling, he took the glasses and put them on his face. When Kita came into focus, he recoiled in surprise.
“I’m ugly, but I didn’t think I was that ugly.” Kita laughed as she stood up. “Sorry, about sending you to the floor, kid.” Kita offered him her hand. He looked at her stunned. “Did I scramble your brain?”
“I got it. Sorry, I’ll be more careful,” he stammered, hurrying to his feet. He stepped on his cape and stumbled.
Kita caught him. “Easy, kiddo. Don’t kill yourself on my account. There’s no rush to get out of my way unless I say so.” Unlike the rest of the conventioneers, he wasn’t immaculately clean, his costume looked handmade, and he lacked the air of superiority. You want to be here, but not be seen. That must be a first for this place. “So, who are you supposed to be?”
He gave her a surprised look. “Mitch Dragon, the boy wizard of Alacorne,” he said, without shaking for the first time.
“I read those books in high school,” said Rabbit. “I thought they’d fallen out of fashion.”
“I like them,” the boy whispered.
“If you like it, nothing else matters,” said Kita. “So, where are you going in a hurry?”
The boy shrugged. “Nowhere.”
“You’re here for some reason.”
“I just wanted to be here,” he said barely above a whisper.
“Well, since you’re going nowhere and just want to be here, you can join us for lunch.”
“I…I…” He turned white.
Kita grinned. “A simple yes would suffice. So, where’s the best place to eat, Jess?”
“Ah, you mean price-wise, food-wise, or just quick?”
“How about food-wise. It’s been forever since I’ve eaten more than bread and cheese.”
“Jack’s Steakhouse is supposed to be awesome.”
“Have you eaten there?” Kita asked them both.
They both shook their heads.
“Like that stuff in the bag, it costs more than I’ll ever make,” said Rabbit.
“Well, we’ve got an open line of credit. Let’s use it,” Kita said with a shrug. “Come on, ah, what’s your name?” Kita asked the boy, but he’d vanished. She scanned the crowd and spotted him. “Go get us seats, Jess, and put it under Gjord. That seems to carry weight around here.”
Kita jumped into the air and glided down in front of the boy. “Where are you going?” she asked, ignoring all the looks she was getting from her little flight.
The boy jumped in surprise.
“You’re right, you’re coming with me,” Kita said, corralling him around the neck with her arm. Gently, she guided him toward the restaurant.
Rabbit tapped her foot angrily, arguing with the host. “I told you it goes under Gjord.”
“There are no Gjords on the station,” the host said tartly.
“Check again,” said Kita. The boy tried to squirm out of her arm. “You know, I’m trying to be nice. I’m not going to eat you, tease you, or turn you in. You could show a little poise.” The boy stopped trying to get away and instead looked like he was about to cry.
“Are you a Gjord?” the host said skeptically.
“You want to insult me by scanning my print to make sure my account’s good?” said Kita.
The host shook her head. “How many?”
“Three, plus the cats.”
“Animal companions are not allowed in the restaurant.” The host pointed to the sign.
“Make an exception,” Kita said, pushing past her. She went to a table near the panoramic window. It had a reserved sign on it. She picked it up and tossed it aside, then looked at the chairs and scowled. They were all leather high-backed chairs, like the kind her father and his friends used to sit in to drink and smoke in his library.
“Find me a real chair,” Kita ordered the host. “These w
ings are too damn hard to take off.”
“That table is reserved,” said the host angrily.
“Yes, for me. If they come, tell them to sit elsewhere. You’ll make more money off me anyway. Find me a chair. I don’t want to eat on my knees.”
Rabbit tried not to laugh.
Kita smirked. “That didn’t sound good, did it?”
Instead of a chair, the host returned with a manager. Kita looked down at him and scowled at them both. The manager glared at her, trying to imply he wasn’t scared of her.
“Miss Gjord, I understand your family has a prominent status, but we do not bend our rules for anyone. We believe in integrity and honest service.”
Kita crossed her arms, annoyed at her snack’s disruption. “I am Mistress Logine, Mister Manager. I commend you for taking such a stand, and I understand your reputation for quality and integrity is valuable, but I can assure you it is not as valuable as my time. You’ve already insulted my friend, me, and my cats. Are you implying your reputation is more important than your customer’s? I don’t understand how this philosophy falls in line with your restaurant’s core values. Would you care to explain?”
“If we insulted you, I do apologize. Still, we will not allow you to make a mockery of this establishment.”
“Mockery, huh?” Kita glaring at him like a cat eyeing a mouse. She motioned for the others to follow her. Outside, she whistled to get the strip’s attention. “Hey, everyone, Jack’s is giving out free samples of range grown prime beef. If you can get a table, you can get a free meal. Have fun with the mockery,” Kita said to the manager as her group disappeared into the crowd.
Rabbit pointed them to a more casual eatery. They had no problem getting in, sitting where they wanted or getting a decent chair.
After ordering an exorbitant amount of food, Kita turned back to the boy. “Welcome to my life. What’s your name?”
“Raphael.”
“After the Renaissance painter?”
