It was late afternoon when I awoke again. A lot of the stiffness and pain had gone and I was able to make my way to the bathroom without problems, noticing as I did so that somebody had removed the breakfast tray. I'd been in the shower for about 5 minutes when Palrity appeared. She seemed in better spirits and a little more at ease. Random had sent her to check on me. I told her to tell him I'd be down shortly.
Having showered I determined that I'd run out of clean robes and kimonos. I settled for one of my Chinese dresses instead, pulled it on, and made my way down stairs. Palrity was seated on the sofa amongst a large spread of open books. She appeared to be reading a bit from here and there, correlating disparate pieces of information. Sulin and Marcie were by the pool, although I thought it a little chilly to be sunbathing naked. From the kitchen I could smell fresh coffee and frying bacon, and hear Random singing.
I crossed the room, acknowledging Palrity as she looked up from her books, to find Random in the midst of cooking an "All Day breakfast". "Take seat, house specialty. It'll be done in a couple of minutes." He crossed to the percolator, poured a mug of coffee and put it on the table next to the glass of orange juice. "I've sorted things with the Endeavor. Mr Hou from that club of yours has made arrangements for the passengers to stay ashore until you're ready to sail, and in agreement with the captain, arranged for the crew to get a little shore time in China Town. Oh and this Robert Anderson character you've been banging called round, he'll call you later."
"How'd you know about him unless..."
"Well he turned up in your car, and got all stroppy. I didn't know him form Adam, so I had no choice. Anyway I didn't know you could do it like that."
I choked on the mouthful of coffee, spraying it across the table. He threw a towel at me, "Don't worry I'm not going to tell anybody"
In between coughing fits I managed "Too bloody right.You're going to do more than that. You're going to allow me to wipe all those images from your memory."
"Really. I don't think so"
"Yes Really you are."
"I don't see what your problem is It's not like I haven't seen you naked on numerous occasions."
"That's entirely different. What you took is private. I'm not having you wandering about jacking off to those images, especially as you'd fuck me as soon as look at me if you thought you could get away with it."
He opened and closed his mouth. "The answer's still no"
"Really? Then you won't mind me sharing the memory of you fucking Sulin on the table this morning. And I really did get off on that."
He made like a goldfish again. "I didn't!"
I sat impassively glaring at him.
"You wouldn't dare"
I shouted so that Palrity would here me, "Palrity! Get my trump deck and bring it here please."
There were sounds of books falling on the floor as she disentangled herself from her reading. A couple of minutes went by then she appeared in the kitchen doorway trump deck in hand. Random and I were still glaring at each other although neither wanted to make direct eye contact. She stopped taking in the scene, "Um "
"It's Okay Palrity. Bring them here please."
"You stay exactly where you are young lady."
She didn't move. I smiled at him then blinked, appearing behind her, and taking the deck out her hand before he'd barely moved.
"What the..."
I smiled again and began shuffling through the deck. Both he and I knew he'd never reach me before I got to Vialle's card..
"Alright. Damn you! You win. For somebody who is supposed to not be interested in playing politics you're damn good at it, too much like your father. Your sure he's not been giving you secret lessons."
Palrity, now recovered turned and looked at me. "Go on go back to your books, this is all settled now." She hurried past me back to her waiting pile of books and I moved back to the table. "I've told you before I'm not interested in your little games, I just like to ensure my arse is covered."
"Well it wasn't the night before last!"
"Ha! Ha! Now open up and no stealing any new memories or poking about in my head whilst I'm doing it."
"Okay, but I'm going to ride your arse whilst you're doing it."
"I don't take it that way. And my breakfast is burning."
Having rescued my breakfast he submitted and I removed all of the relevant memories. There wasn't must of the last 48 hours he didn't have. Sorting through it did however serve as a reminder that I had a number of loose ends that still needed attending to.
"Thank you."
"Well you didn't give me much choice. Now as I've been here longer than I should have I suppose I should be going. I'll see you at the ball tomorrow?"
"Yes. I said I'd be there, but I'm not exactly sure where I'll be coming from. Can you do one thing for me though, can you formally invite Palrity, I sort of promised her for helping me."
"I take it you're going to bring her anyway?"
"I had intended to but a formal invite from you would make her day, or make her pass out."
"Alright, but if I do this you're to bring Sulin and Marcie, and I suppose you'd better bring your boyfriend as well. Oh and you'll stay the night."
"Planning to sneak away from Vialle in the early hours then?"
"Not on your life, and don't you dare breath a word. I'd be dead before I made it half way. No I think they'll keep other members of the family occupied."
"Sorry Marcie's off limits. She's not even 18"
"If you say so, but what if she hits on somebody?"
"As long as it's not one of the family then I won't intervene."
"Deal. Now have you something I can write this invitation on, then I can be off, placate Vialle, and get this damned ball orgainsed. You're still okay for Kashfa on the 21st"
"Yes. And I want to bring Palrity then as well."
"That shouldn't be a problem, it's not uncommon for us to turn up with guests."
I crossed to the office, retrieved my rucksack, and extracted the parchment tube, ink, and a pen. I returned to the kitchen as Random was plating up breakfast. I put the parchment on the table and sat down to eat. Whilst I did so he wrote in flowing script Palrity's invitation. Having signed it he asked if I had any sealing wax. I looked at him puzzled. "I need to put my seal on it so that everyone knows it's official, and to do that I need wax." I didn't have any sealing wax but asked if a candle would do. Apparently it would. After a little hunting I found one that was suitable, and watched whilst he placed his seal just below his signature. "Watching you do that reminds me of something Gerrard said about me having a signet ring."
He looked a little flustered. "Well.....Yes technically you should..... but... well you see Dworkin used to make them, and ...."
"Okay I think I get the message...you're working on it."
"That's one way of looking at it. Now I'll just give this to Miss Dalaman then I'll be off. I'll see you at 7pm sharp in the ballroom in about 28 hours. I'll have guest rooms reserved for 3 so you'll need to get there early to find out which rooms have been allocated."
He got up and headed for the living room, leaving me to finish eating in peace. Having eaten, I put the plate in the sink, then made my way into the living room. Palrity was sitting on the sofa clutching the invite. It was obvious she'd been crying. As I made my way across to my desk she got up, rushed over and hugged me. She then started crying again.
"What's wrong? I thought you wanted to go to the ball."
"I do, but well I can't go like this, and I have nothing else to wear.". Tears flooded her eyes and she began sobbing again.
I tilted her head up so she was looking at me. "Is that all? That's easily fixed. We've got to go shopping anyway. Marcie and Sulin will also need dresses, and you'll all need shoes, and clutch bags, and I'm going to need to get a suit and proper shoes for Robert, and I could do with something to show Flora up. We'll also need to get you some additional traveling gear, including wet weather gear, and some form of hand weapon. You don't get sea sick do you?"
"I don't know, why?"
"You don't think I'm leaving you here do you? You're coming with me to Hong Kong."
"But what about school?"
"I told you, you're enrolled in a different school for a while, one that will broaden your horizons a little."
"So I go back to school after we've been to this Hong Kong place?"
"Actually no. Depending on how things go we may get there just prior to the ball in Amber. After the ball we get to spend the night in the castle, and maybe I'll take you sight seeing in the morning, then we return to the ship and sail to Calderar. I'll arrange transport for you there and you can supervise the transfer of the supplies for the Art School to the school. At some point during the run from Honk Kong to Calderar, we'll leave the ship for a few hours to attend a ball in Kashfa. There may also be the opportunity to attend a third ball but I don't have all the details on that one yet."
"Oh...", she paused, "You really mean that, you're not just saying.."
"I would have thought that given what you've experienced in the short space of time you've known me, you wouldn't need to ask that. Now go and tell Marcie and Sulin to put some clothes on, whilst I phone Robert. I think we need to set a few balls rolling."
As it turned out Robert was in class, so I left a message for him to call me. Now Random had said he had my car, which meant I'd need to call a taxi. I pulled up the relavent entry from my list of useful numbers, noting that there were several emails that appeared to require my attention, and arranged a car for half an hours time. Whilst I'd been doing this Sulin and Marcie had come in and had that questioning look that accompanies an insufficiently detailed or out of context message.
"Palrity says we're going shopping to get dresses for a ball in Amber tomorrow, is that correct?"
"In essence yes, we are going shopping, and there is a ball in Amber, and you're both invited, actually Random insisted I bring you both, but it's not tomorrow, well not exactly."
The both tried to simultaneously asked questions in response. Marcie wanted to know what I meant by "Not Exactly" and Sulin wanted to know why Random had insisted I bring them both. I chose to answer Marcie first. "Marcie, it's tomorrow as time flows in Amber, but as time flows differently here, it'll either be late on the 17th or early on the 18th. I haven't worked out the specific timing's yet. As to Random's reasons Sulin I can only make an informed guesss. I think he wants you to entertain either family members or other important dignatories. And before either of you complain I did try to dissuade him of that notion, but I'm not sure I was very successful, at least in your case Sulin. I did get him to agree that Marcie was off limits unless she herself chose to hit on somebody." I looked very pointedly at her, dissuading her from the outburst she was about to launch into."
"Well if that's the game he wants to play then I'm not going. I'm not a piece of meat to be passed around like a well hung steak. Just because I do what I do, and mostly for reasons other than making a living, doesn't mean I have a choice in the matter. The arrogance. What makes him think he can just order me to entertain whom ever he chooses?"
"I don't think he meant it like that. At least I don't think there was any notion of direction involved, the choices would still be yours."
"That's not the point and you know it."
"Look I don't like it any more than you do, but I called in a number of favours to get you back in your body, so I think some of his thinking revolves around some form of payback."
"He's had his payback. The kitchen table is not the most comfortable of places no matter what position you're in."
"Alright you've made your point but this isn't getting us anywhere. Can't you just come along as my guest no strings attached and see what happens. You can always retreat to your room if it starts to pan out badly."
"I'll think about it."
"In that case, whilst you're thinking, can we at least go shopping so that if you decide to come you'll have something to wear."
"I could do that I suppose. So when are we going?"
"As soon as you two have some clothes on."
"So going like this isn't acceptable."
"Certainly not. You'll cause a riot."
"In that case you'd better find me something to wear, as I didn't exactly arrive with an extensive wardrobe, or in fact any wardrobe at all."
I could see ideas forming in Marcie's head. "Not on your life Marcie. You're going dressed just like everyone else."
"What are you thinking Marcie."
"Well if we go naked, then Cordelia is most likely right it'll cause a riot, but it'll make us celebrities for about a week, we'll be all over TV, and with the right publicist we'll make a fortune."
"The answer's still no Marcie, and you can stop encouraging her Sulin, she's not old enough."
"In which case neither of us are going to the ball are we Sulin?"
She looked at me. "Oh I think we'll be going, and as I recall it she's pretty attractive without her clothes on. I take it three of us would create a bigger stir than say just you or I on our own?"
A fourth voice joined the conversation, "What about me? I'm still here you know, and I want to go to the ball."
"But you've already got a no strings attached invite Palrity."
"Well if you three are going without your clothes on then so am I."
Suling spoke softly, "No Palrity, you're still only a child", Palrity bridled at this point but Sulin just continued on "but more importantly you're not culturally used to what is going to happen. Being without clothes around the house here or with a few friends is completely different to what is going to happen, and getting an attack of fear at the last minute would not be an option. Therefore you are going clothed, although I'm sure Cordelia can find you something more in line with current fashion, in fact I think you'd look quite fetching in the dress she's currently wearing, and if you wanted to be daring you could wear it without undergarments as she's doing."
Sulin was now watching me very carefully.
"Alright but only until we get to the first store."
"No. You'll stay naked as long as we do. And in return I'll go to the ball, and entertain for you."
I could see this was one battle I would be unlikely to win, "Okay, Okay, but I'm going to make a couple of phone calls first." The first was to Wuz Hou, we were going to need some security, and the second was to Marcus Trent. He didn't want to play ball until I told him why I needed his help. At that point he said he'd handle it personally.
The first indication of what we were liable to face occurred when the limousene arrived. Apart from drawing a small crowd of teenagers as we exited the house and walked to the car, the driver didn't really know where to look, and didn't want to take us anywhere. A crisp new $100 bill changed his tune. The next problem was with him constantly trying to stare at our pussies, which Marcie didn't help by deliberately teeasing him.. In the end I was forced to do a little memory adjustment, which also meant I could erase the knowledge of where he picked us up.
Our arrival at the plaza was fairly low key. There were the usual collection of startled on lookers but only one camera man and he turned out to be with Marcus and his publicist. It did however mean that our exit from the limousene and my greeting of Marcus, which he played up, were recorded for posterity. After I introduced Palrity, Sulin, and Marcie, he placed one arm about each waist of the latter two and lead them across the plaza to the first boutique, leaving Palrity and I to follow in their wake. There was a small diversion, when we were intercepted by a goggle eyed Hou, who was then rather quick on the up take as to what the security was for.
By the time we left the first boutique word had got out and we were beginning to attract quite a crowd, including a dozen or so photographers and one local TV camera crew. I did however catch a glimpse of a second crew hurriedly trying to set up. There were also a few stunned cops who until that point hadn't quite worked out what was going on.
By the time we left the second boutique the situation had deteriorated somewhat, and the media circus was in full flood. I doubt if anybody managed any clean shots, even our own camera crew, as it was just about all our security personnel could do to forge us a path to our next destination. This also meant that the police now saw reason to act and I was paid a visit by an old friend, although now he had risen to the rank of District Commander. He suggested that whatever publicity stunt we were involved with it was going to end immediately. Were we to attempt to continue or leave the boutique by anything other than the rear exit then he'd have us all arrested for incitement, and ensure that we spent the night exactly as we were in unsegregated holding cells. Whilst he'd been talking I'd been replaying a few old memories, which to my surprise had had a slightly undesirable effect, and I shifted my sitting position to one slightly more comfortable. This shift gave him a much clearer view, which initially caused him to cross his legs, and then stand up and turn his back on me. He departed, in obvious discomfort with the words "Don't spoil our friendship Cordelia. If I need to make an example of you I will."
After he'd gone Marcus re-appeared. "Don't worry, I've arrangements in hand for you to use less public access to visit the remainder of the boutiques."
"Sorry, Marcus I'm not sure I follow you. We've only a couple more places I need to go."
"Don't worry it's all in hand. I think we can fit them all in, as long as they are prepared to stay open late. We just whisk you in the back way, you can then go out the front, wave at the cameras, then return to the boutique. We'll re-arrange all the footage in the studio."
"We'll want a bigger cut then and you can foot any legal bills."
"How big a cut were you thinking of?"
"12 percent on top of what we're getting already."
"No chance, 5"
"9 and you've got a deal."
"8 my last offer"
"Done. And I wish you wouldn't sit like that. You're too much of a lady, and it brings back too many memories. You're sure you won't reconsider my offer."
"As attractive as your offer is Marcus, you know as well as I do that I'm not going to play second fiddle to anybody, and your record of monogamy is scant at best. On the subject of which how did you find Kimberly?"
"Who?"
"The girl at the Purple Dragon 2 nights ago."
"Oh her. Somewhat disappointing."
"And how many times have you seen her?"
"Just that one night. She wouldn't relax."
"I told you she needed a little tlc and a little patience I suggest you take her out a couple more times before you dismiss her. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised."
"As good as you were?"
"I can't answer that, only you can."
"I'll sleep on it. How about you let me buy you a dress for old times sake? I saw a couple that quite took my fancy on the way in."
"Well after today I won't have to worry about revealing photos in the media, and I know your taste in frockless evening straps, and I could do with getting one over on Flora, so lead on before I do something else I'll regret."
Robert called me back whilst we were in the last of the boutiques I had originally intended to visit. He'd caught the end of the local news and seen our little publicity stunt. He seemed to take the whole thing rather more calmly than I expected. He even asked where he should bring the car. I told him to bring the car down to the plaza and I'd phone him with the final details when I knew the location of our final visit.
There were two upshots of the additional stops Marcus had arranged. The first was that I acquired a number of items that had been on Fiona's, Benedict's, Gerrard's, and Vialle's shopping lists for nothing, gifts from grateful boutique managers for the free advertising they were getting. The second was that I became more comfortable not being clothed as time went on, but in greater and greater need of having a particular itch scratched. I decided therefore that rather than return directly home we'd drop in at the Purple Dragon. Whilst I could have had Robert drive round to the staff entrance I chose instead to have him drop us at the VIP entrance. The fact that I'd previously primed Marcus, and his camera crew was there, had a great deal to do with it.
Xi Feng wasn't happy about the whole thing, especially when I refused to put a dress on, at least until after I'd had Robert join me in the Red Dragon suite. When we returned down stairs about 45 minutes later, Sulin and Marcus were missing, and Marcie was wearing one of the mini-dresses she'd brought. When I inquired where Sulin and Marcus were, Palrity said she'd disappeared about 10 minutes after Robert and I had, saying something about the connection between you being too strong. A quick check with Xi Feng revealed that they were in the Green Dragon Suite. She also commented that I looked better clothed. I smiled and replied she looked better on a table attached to Hou's dick. Strangely enough she called me a bitch in response.
As I returned to Marcus's booth, Sulin and Marcus emerged from the Gates to Heavenly Blessing, the stair case which led to the rooms on the upper floors. She'd also chosen to put on one of the dresses she'd brought earlier. Marcus appeared a little embarrassed by my re-appearance. He made a couple of feeble excuses then left. I was going to go after him but Sulin put her hand on my arm and indicated that I shouldn't. When I inquired why, she lent close and whispered "He shouted your name when I... how do you say it came? the second time. He's still very much in love with you." All I could manage in return was a surprised "Oh". It was now my turn to be embarrassed.
I was saved by the appearance of Wuz Hou who wanted a quiet word. Firstly there were a number of people who weren't happy with pictures of me naked plastered across TV screens, principally my step-father amongst them. This was despite most of the pictures being of Marcie and Sulin. Despite this those same people were rather pleased with the publicity it had generated for the security business, and they were currently struggling to work out how they were going to cope with the volume of business. Thirdly he wanted to know when I was planning on leaving, all the cargo was now loaded including the shotguns, the port authorities were becoming a little touchy, the captain had said that the crew were becoming very restless, and his passengers were also becoming concerned over the extent of the delay. I said that if nothing else went wrong we'd sail on tomorrow evening's tide. The last matter was personal, specifically his relationship with Xi Feng, and the incident on the table, and how I'd upset Xi Feng earlier by referring to it. I told him that what was done was done and I couldn't undo it.
He said that wasn't the point. I asked him what was. He said he'd appreciate it if I didn't raise the subject every time I encountered her. I said that if she lost the chip on her shoulder and treated me with the respect that was my due, then I wouldn't need to but if she persisted in trying to score points at every opportunity then she'd suffer the consequences. He was about to say something, then thought better of it. In the end he said "I'll talk to her." As there wasn't anything else I left him there and returned to the booth.
Robert and Palrity were hanging over the balcony, Robert trying to explain to her the whole culture of the "Club Scene". Sulin was sitting back, a half drunk glass of wine in front of her, watching events. "Where's Marcie?"
"On the dance floor I think. She said she needed to find something worthy to get off on as Robert had refused her offer."
"Oh. Is she going to be okay getting involved right now?"
"I believe so, My instincts say stopping her right now would do more harm than good. Like you and I, I think she needs to let off a little steam."
"I'll let her be then."
I sat down and picked up my drink. I took a large sip, then put it down again. I wasn't in the mood any longer.
"Would you mind if we returned to your dwelling? I'm still rather tired and the events of a little earlier didn't help. Next time I have a really stupid idea can you try harder to talk me out of it?"
"Yes on both counts. I'll just go and tell Robert and Marcie."
We left about 15 minutes later, although Marcie chose to say. I made arrangements for her to use one of the Dragon Suites if she needed it.
We arrived back at the condo, to one side effect of our earlier shopping stunt. There were three camera crews, a possy of photographers, and two patrol cars parked out front. Barely had we pulled onto the front of the lot, Robert parking next to the Range Rover, than they surged forward, all trying to get a picture, all wanting an interview. In fact most of them didn't, most just wanted to either try and catch us out, or get an answer to one of two questions, "Why had we done it" or "Were we planning any further stunts". It was about all we could do to get inside.
Once inside I noted two things, there were a purse and a set of keys on the table in the hall, and the TV was on. I thought initially that it must be Brad and Patrick, but was surprised when it turned out to be Huo-Jin Sun. I didn't ask how he'd gotten in. "Hou-Jin Sun would you like anything as you're here?"
He was slurring badly, "I'll have a Jack Daniels on the rocks please". He reached for the bottle on the coffee table, but just knocked it off. "If you've another bottle, that one appears to be empty."
"I don't so you'll have to settle for tea. There's more answers in a tea cup than in a bottle. I take it those are your men outside."
"Nope. Don't have any anymore. I quit."
I turned to Sulin, Palrity, and Robert. "Can you make yourselves scarce for 5 minutes whilst I sort this out. Sulin, Palrity, I hope you don't mind but can you share, just in case Marcie comes back here? Take the room opposite mine. Robert, if you can find some clean sheets for my bed, I'd be grateful."
They disappeared upstairs and I made my way across to the kitchen. I filled the kettle and put it on, then turned to find Sun leaning on the door frame. I crossed the room just in time to catch him as he fell, saving him from smashing his head on the table. I dragged him into one of the chairs, slapping his hands down when he tried to grope me. He sat swaying in the chair as I made tea, then tried to knock the cup away when I put it down in from of him. I wasn't in the mood for a long drawn out counseling session. As I caught his wrist, I invaded his mind and back tracked until I found the source of his problems. I didn't hide what I'd done, but in his state I doubted he was in a position to actually comprehend what had happened. It did however sober him up somewhat.
"Drink your tea. You can stay here tonight. The bathroom is at the top of the stairs. If you want I can make a phone call in the morning and get you a job, provided you quit drinking. As to the rest I suggest you apply a little sober reality to it. Now I've got a few things to do, and would appreciate it if you didn't puke on any of my friends, furniture, or floors, and you don't hit on any of them either.". I picked up my own tea leaving him to it as I crossed to what served as my office.
Robert appeared on the stairs a couple of minutes later, and I beckoned him down. "Rub my shoulders will you. I've got to get on and answer these emails. You know where everything is if you want a drink."
"Who is he?"
"An old friend. Until a couple of hours ago he was a district commander in the San Francisco PD. but he said a few things he shouldn't have, not that I blame him or that they didn't need saying, then he chucked in his badge for good measure. His honour won't allow him to go back, and he'd lose too much face if he did. He's also got nothing left to go anywhere for. His wife left him 18 months ago taking the family home and kids, and he's been on a slow self destructive spiral since.
"He told you all this?"
"No I wasn't in the mood for a long psyche session. I read his mind."
He stopped massaging and moved his hand back so they were only just resting on my shoulders, "That's pretty rough"
I reached up and grabbed his wrists pulling his hand back down to where they'd been. "I'm aware of that. He's vaguely aware I did it, although I'm not sure he fully comprehends what happened. What I do know is he's trying to work out what to do next. I've now put him in a really difficult position because refusing my help will mean he loses even more face than he would by accepting it. It all depends on how much honour he has left."
He tried to pull away but I tightened my grip and pushed his hand lower, kissing him as his head was drawn down level with my shoulders.
"Your encouragable"
"Your own fault. You started it. I asked you to massage my shoulders and you chose to do something else."
He whispered, "Alright I'll tie you up later, now I suggest you let go, Palrity is coming down the stairs."
I kissed him and let him go. "I'll hold you to that."
Palrity looked at me quizzically as she completed her descent, obviously having seen enough to work out what might have been going on.
"How's Sulin?"
"Tired. She's gone to bed. Where's you friend?"
"In the kitchen. Could you do me a favour and check on him? If you could give him a hand upstairs, stick him in the shower, then put him to bed in the room at the end of the corridor, I'd appreciate it. Oh and no getting any ideas and sleeping with him okay?."
She stuck her tounge out at me, then crossed to the kitchen. My guess was that by the time she got him into the shower, he'd have a major stiffy despite the alcohol, and it wouldn't take much to make him come, especially if she tried to wash him. Still it'd be a learning experience for her.
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| Supporting Cast - Cordelia | The Keep of the Thirteenth Hour |