The Diaries of Cordelia Chan

My Condo, Sacramento, Earth - Fri 15 ^th October 2004

I returned to my emails, although I was not particularly in the mood to answer them. Palrity emerged from the kitchen about 15 minutes later supporting Hou-Jin and they disappeared upstairs. She returned about half an hour later wearing a towel and carrying her dress. She wanted to know where she could wash it, as Hou-Jin had leaked all over her whilst she tried to dry him. I failed not to laugh and she ran back upstairs crying forcing me to go after her, calm her down, and apologize, especially as I'd been expecting it to happen. It also meant I had to explain a few things to her. 

Talk over I showed her how the washing machine and drier worked, sorting my own laundry out at the same time. Normally I'd have left it to Lou Li but I needed some of it, especially with the current media storm we were attracting. Laundry in hand I retired upstairs indicating to Robert that I was going to bed. He said he'd be up as soon as the game finished.  It was about an hour later that I felt somebody disturb my sleep by trying to re-arrange the manner in which I was lying. When I started to resist it whispered, "Come on Cordelia you promised I could tie you up later." 

The tied up me replied, "If you're going to fuck me get on with it I'm getting tired and sore." In reality I wasn't but I wanted what I wanted. He removed his fingers, shifted position, and rammed it home.

"Fucking shit Robert that hurt." I triggered a cervical spasm, clamping down hard, and trapping him where he was,. and causing him to cry out in agony.

"Arrgh. Fucking get off, let me go you bitch."

"I can't", actually I could have really easily but I wasn't going to let him know that, "You're going to have to reach round and massage me, and bloody do it gently not like you usually do, and stop fucking leaning back it really hurts when you do, otherwise I'm going to have to get Sulin or Palrity to come and untie us."

By the time I deigned to come, and in the process let him go, Palrity was no longer in the door way, and I was no longer in 2 places at the same time. Whilst it had been an interesting experience I wasn't sure I wanted to repeat it until I could work out how and why it had happened.

My Condo, Sacramento, Earth - Sat 16 ^th October 2004

It was about half past six when I awoke. I picked up a kimono, and pulled it about myself as I made my way onto the landing. A quick check showed that Palrity was asleep and that Sulin was missing. Quietly I made my down the corridor. I felt rather than heard what was happening, until Sulin's voice said "Go down stairs and stop watching, I didn't watch you and Robert last night." I did as she requested and went down stairs to the kitchen.

She joined me about 15 minutes later, just as the coffee finished pecolating, and the first waffles were done. "Feeling better?"

You know I am. I can't explain it but we seemed to be more connected than when I hid that piece of myself in your psyche.I'm also sorry for yesterday evening, but you were radiating so much I needed the release. I think your Marcus was rather shocked the first time I came, that is the word you use isn't it?"

"Well it's one word, but in your case there's a bit more to it than that as you demonstrated in the Tulbranich, although I've not heard of anyone producing the volume you did."

"Argh that, I think I owe you an explanation for that. I take it you know now that you weren't in control, I just needed you to think you were, and I was holding back....... a lot."

"Oh", she raised an eyebrow, "Oh really". We both burst out laughing.

"I also had a visit from Palrity in the early hours of this morning. She wanted to know what Robert had been doing with his fingers."

"Did you explain things to her?."

"If you mean did I show her what to do then yes I did. I assume you know she was watching you last night."

"Yes,  I had a strange out of body experience and saw her peeking round the door jamb. As far as I know Robert never knew she was there."

"Is that why you squashed his doodah?"

"His what"

"His doodah, his thing, his cock?"

I was laughing hysterically again.

"What's so funny?"

Wiping away the tears that were streaming down my face I managed, "I've not heard it called that before." then a little more soberly "No that wasn't why. Anyhow you said you didn't watch."

"I didn't but you were leaking so much I could feel it"

That just set me off again.

"I shall be glad when I'm back home. The language here is so difficult, I don't know how to manage to have any sort of conversation at all."

I managed to pull my self together and replied, "Like everything else we're used to it. I have almost as many problems in Amber, or Tullbranich, or anywhere that's not a liberal as here. It's something you get better at with practice." Which caused her to start giggling which in turn set me off again.

When I managed to calm myself down again I looked at the time, " I do wish sometimes men would get their arse out of bed in the morning."

"Why don't you just go and get him  out of bed?"

"Because....... because if I go up there he'll most likely have his pecker up, and I'll get wet, and have to apologize for last night, and one thing will lead to another, so I'll just have to wait until he gets his arse in gear."

"Both you and I know you want to go up there, you're wet now just thinking about it."

"But I've decided I'm going to be good and wait till the ball, and I've got too many other things to do. On which note do you want another waffle?"

"Yes please."

I put four more in the waffle maker. then poured myself another coffee. When they were done, I handed Sulin hers, then took mine covering them in maple syrup. With sticky fingers I made my way across to what serves as my office. There were another stack of emails, most of them junk, for me to deal with. I deleted the junk then set about answering the remainder. As I did so my attention kept returning to the handbag and keys on the hall table. They'd been there last night when we returned, in fact now I thought about it they'd been there yesterday afternoon when I came down. I wasn't sure but I thought they'd been there when I returned with Sulin's body, but couldn't recall seeing them there much before that. If that were the case then they must have arrived with Heather, Hope, and Faith; so what happened to them and where were they?

I knew Sulin's memory of the whole trip to the Courts was pretty much non existant, which just left Palrity. It turned out her memory was as bad if not worse than mine. She could certainly remember Heather, and Hope, and Faith arriving there with us, and she could remember leaving with Heather's amulet to fetch Mandor, but she could remember nothing after that until she found Sulin and me. She couldn't even remember what had happened to her clothes, and when I pressed the subject she admitted she'd been naked when she found us.

When I retrieved the bag from the table it was definately Heathers. It contained both her wallet and her driving licience, along with both Hope's and Faith's wallets, and Faith's driving licience.It appeared that they all lived in the same apartment block. With all this evidence the logical assumption was that the other car on the front lot was Heathers. I picked up the keys and opened the front door, then walked around to the front of the garage.  

The squad cars, camera crews, and the bulk of the papperatzi had gone, but three photographers appeared to take a few snaps before I made it half way to the car. I pressed the alarm key and was happy to see the lights flash and the car bleep once. I just hoped that was the alarm disable signal. I pressed the other key and was greeted with the sound of locks either engaging or disengaging. I placed my hand on the tailgate and pressed the release. It opened without any alarms sounding.  There were two suitcases in the trunk and behind them a gun safe. I selected the key and opened the safe. 

Inside were what appeared to be two hunting rifles, a 12 gauge repeater shotgun, 2 Glochs, a  Desert Eagle, and several boxes of ammunition. I noted both of the Glochs had magazines loaded, pulled one out, and turned to face the figure that had walked up the lot and was now standing about 3 feet from me, "I don't believe I tended you an invite and right now I'm not in an entertaining mood."

The figure stopped abruptly, not expecting this turn of events. She was reasonably well dressed, in flat shoes, a side split skirt that hung to just above the knee, a tee shirt, and jacket. Whilst blond, she appeared to be at least part oriental., "I don't think you're going to shoot me Miss Chan. It's a little too public, and not your style. You much prefer to use your hands or your feet when pushed, or your sex and intellect when not."

"And what makes you so sure I've not turned over a new leaf?", I chambered a round and took the safety off.

I don't, but in the past you've never acted in anything but self defense, although I'm not sure the attack on the police commissioner at Marcus Trent's penthouse can be strictly classed at self defense, although a jury could possibly be convinced that you'd been sufficiently provoked to see it that way"

"If you're thinking of trying to blackmail me or think you can intimidate me with unsubstantiated alligations then you'll find it detrimental to your continued existance, and I assure you you'll never be found."

"Can I quote you on that."

"I wouldn't if I were you."

"Like you Miss Chan I don't give in to threats."

"It wasn't. It was a simple statement of the truth."

She was now very close to breaking, but controlling it quite well.

"Look Cordelia, can I call you that? I think we've gotten off on the wrong foot. I'm Linda Wong, I'm writing an article about you for Time magazine, but I want to straighten a few things out before I submit it, principly the connection between your step-father, the Triads, and Marcus Trent."

I lowered the pistol putting the safety back on. Then turned and locked the safe, before closing the trunk, and relocking and re-alarming the car. "I suggest we go inside, before you say anything else guarenteed to get you killed if anyone over hears it."

"So it's true then."

"No, but repeating it is a guarenteed way to ensure you don't live past 9 o'clock."

I walked inside, holding the door open for her, "Are you coming in or decorating the street?"

"I'd rather do this somewhere public."

"I don't know what you think is likely to happen to you, but you're perfectly safe for at least the next couple of hours. There are at least 3 photographers that have pictures of you talking to me."

She appeared to come to a decision and walked inside, nervously looking about as she did so. I crossed to my desk and put the Gloch in the draw.

"Do you swim?"

"Um, yes why?"

"Because I was about to take a dip, and would find it extremely rude if you didn't join me."

"But I didn't bring a costume with me."

"That's not a problem. You can either go in as you are or naked or you can leave now, your choice."

 I walked across the living area, slid open the glass doors, and walked outside. I slipped out of the kimono I'd been wearing and dropped it onto one of the loungers, before diving in.

I'd done about 10 lengths when Sulin appeared followed by Miss Wong, still clad in her underwear. Sulin picked up one of the loungers and moved it around to the far side of the pool and into the sun. Divesting herself of her robe she laydown watching the scene unfold.  There was a look of shock on Miss Wong's face.

I did a couple more lengths then stopped looking pointedly in her direction. How much did she want this interview? Killing the article would be quite easy if I chose to do so, but I was more intrigued by the notion that I was worthy of an article in Time magazine in the first place. "My house my rules. Now it's make up your mind time. You either want the interview or you want to leave."

I turned and swam another four lengths. She was now sitting on the edge of the lounger, her back towards me her legs crossed. She had however removed her underwear.

"So far Miss Wong you've done very little that impresses me, or makes me inclined to grant you the interview you want, so I'm going to give you one more chance. The task is very simple, you walk slowly around this pool once, hands by your sides, head up, as if on military parade."

I waited, skulling gently on my back. She looked at me then at Sulin. Slowly she stood up, put her hands by her sides, and nervously started to make her way slowly about the pool.

She got about half way round when there was a noisy rustling in the bushes behind the fence at the back of the house.  This was followed by a clattering as Brad hauled himself over the fence. He began to strip off, breathing heavily. I started to speak but he waved his hand at me. In between ragged breaths he managed "Sorry. had to come in the back way, my parent's are on the warpath."

Miss Wong had crouched down behind the diving board, turned her back on him, and put her hands between her lags. She was now shaking violently. I swam over to where Brad was crouching down, and beckoned him closer. "What gives?"

"My dad's on the warpath over your's and Marcie's stunt yesterday. They both flew in late last night and have been reading the riot act since. They think I'm on my way to Patrick's, which is why I had to come in the back way."

"I didn't think you could get through that way."

"It's bloody difficult, the underbrush is really dense back there."

"Should you be here? Won't this make your life difficult with your parents if they findout you're here?"

"I suppose so but they're never around and don't really have a clue as to what is really going on."

He stood up and removed his pants and shorts, causing Miss Wong, who'd turned to watch what was happening, to blush and turn away again. "Who's your guest?"

"Miss Linda Wong. She's apparently an independant journalist. She's here to do an interview, but as you can see she's a little bashful. Why don't you go and help her up?"

He looked at me. This was definately something new. He appeared a little nervous. "Go on she won't bite. I want to know how much she want's this interview and so far she's done little to impress me."

He stood up and moved over to her, demonstrating he found her extremely attractive. Blushing and obviously nervous he said "Hi I'm Brad. I live next door. Can I give you a hand?"

She looked round, blushed, then looked away again. "No I think I can manage."

He turned round to see Sulin smiling at him, which just made him blush once more, and deflate his erection. He walked back to where his clothes were, picked them up then walked round to where the remainder of the loungers were, just as Palrity walked out the doors in an untied robe. She smiled at him.

"Leave him alone Palrity, Miss Wong has first dibs on boning him."

"1000 dollars says otherwise Miss Wong. Either put up or pay up."

"Look I came here for an interview not to indulge in your crude sex games."

"So Brad who's it going to be Miss Wong over there or Palrity behind you."

"Leave me out of it. I'm not in the mood."

"Evidence is visually to the contray. But it's your choice. Looks like that's 1000 dollars you owe me miss Wong."

"I told you I'm not playing your games now are you going to cut the crap and give me the interview or not."

"As I've said, I think 3 times now, you've done nothing to impress me, and the interview started the minute you walked in through the front door. It's just you've not been paying a great deal of attention. Now if you want me to answer any further questions you're going to have to play my game, which either means put up or pay up."

"I don't have that kind of money. I barely make 200 a week waiting tables and writing the occassional crap obituary. This article is my big break. You've been a hobby of mine since you kicked those kids from the Karate school's butts."

"Palrity I told you to leave him alone, and if you do that again I'll tan your scaley hide so you won't be able to sit down for a week."

She stuck her tounge out at me. "Spoil sport."

"No. With power comes responsibility. You don't do what you just did just to get laid. No means no in any language. You'll have no lack of opportunity at the ball."

"Excuse me? Did I miss something. What did she do and what's this about a ball?"

"I think you've missed rather a lot miss Wong, not the least of which was to screw Brad over there. He's quite impressive isn't he, and he's now pretty good by all accounts. Now I think I've had enough of swimming so I'm going inside. Do you want coffee or tea?"

I climbed out of the pool and walked over to where I'd put my kimono. I pulled it on and went inside. As I crossed to the kitchen Robert came down. I waited for him to catch up then hugged him before kissing him and sliding my hand into his robe. When he responded I backed away. "Coffee or tea?"

He tried to make a grab for me but I knocked his hands away. "You should have been up earlier. Now I've got guests and we need to get to the Phoenix Dojo and sort your training out."

"Coffee, and what do you mean.." He stopped as miss Wong and Brad walked in. I noted that she hadn't put her underwear back on but was now wearing a robe. 

"Okay if I use your shower?"

"Yes Brad you know where it is.."

I walked into the kitchen to find Hou-Jin nursing a coffee. He didn't look too hot. "I think I owe you an apology Li Feng.."

"You don't owe me anything. Do you want a top up?"

"You don't have any Tylenol do you?"

"Yes. Robert can you get them please, they're in the cabinet in the bathroom." I handed him a mug of coffee. "Croisants or omlette?"

"Omlette"

He turned round narrowly avoiding miss Wong. "Commander Sun what a surprise I didn't expect to find you here. Your views on the Triads are well known yet here you are somewhat worse for wear in the home of the daughter of one of the most prominent figures in New York, if not the whole country."

"I've warned you twice now Miss Wong. I'm not going to do so again."

"Leave it Cordelia, she knows she's dead if she attempts to publish anything."

There was a klang as her brain made a connection. "You two know each other. From when exactly? When you ran Wang's Motorcycles? I know you did that ad campaign, I have a whole raft of press cuttings about it."

"Lucky you. You and Robert should compare notes. He has one of the posters and a limited edition jacket."

Pality came in behind him, which caused both Hou-Jin and her to blush. "I know you from somewhere don't I?"

"Yes, she put you in the shower last night when you were pissed, and you repaid her by coming all over her dress and trying to grope her. Her name is Palrity Delaman."

He tried to stand but was still too unsteady on his feet and fell over the chair. As he pulled himself uptight again, his robe fell open further adding to his embarassment. He tried to make an excuse but I forced him to sit back in the chair. "You're not going anywhere until you've sobered up properly. And you can put that away or I'll ask Sulin to come in here and sort you out again, unless Miss Wong cares to do the honours. And you Miss Delaman, you can go an put some clothes on before you cause any more distractions. I take it you want an omlette"

"Um yes, assuming it's something to eat."

"It is. You've got about 10 minutes, and leave Brad alone."

I retrieved eggs, ham, bean sprouts, and peppers from the fridge, a large bowl from one of the cupboards, and began to crack eggs into it. I beat these to an even consistancy, added a mug of water, and some seasoning, and left it to stand whilst I retrieved a large wok and set it on the stove to heat. Robert appeared with the Tylenol and handed them to Hou-Jin "Sit down miss Wong, you're making my kitchen look untidy. Didn't you have some questions you wanted answers to?"

"Marcus Trent. You had a long affair with him, and he backed the start up of Mizzurian. So is it another Triad money laundering operation likeWangs Motorcycles."

I whirled, crossed the distance to where she was standing before she'd even blinked, grabbed her by the throat and slammed into her brain. What was her bloody hang up?

I felt Robert's hand on my wrist. Perhaps 10 seconds had passed. I let her go and she fell coughing to the floor. "Cordelia what was that about?"

"You know I'm not going to tell you that. Pick her up and put her on the chair. No take her upstairs and put her in the bedroom next to Hou-Jin's, then tell Brad to go shag her brains out. It'll do her the world of good."

"No chance, I'm not going to stand by whilst you get one of your mates to rape her whilst she's in no position to make rational decisions."

"Suit yourself. But Brad is the boy next door, literally. Marcie is his sister, well sort of. Brad really fancies her, perhaps love at first sight does exist after all. Anyway irrespective of that I know every single intimate detail of the last 17 years of her life, and right now the best thing for her is for Brad to shag her brains out. It'll sort of act as a distraction whilst she deals with a few issues she has."

He opened his mouth, thought better of it and shut it again. I crossed back to the stove and put the ham, pepper, and bean sprouts into the wok. I turned them slowly to ensure they heated through without burning, before I added the eggs. Robert came to a decision and bent down, "I'm going to carry you upstairs if you're okay with that." I assume that as I didn't hear a response she agreed to what he'd said.

He returned a few minutes later, just after Palrity had taken her seat. "I asked Brad to go and talk to her. He seemed a little unsure of himself."

I put a plate of omlette down in the spare space at the table."I told you this is a bit of a new departure for him. I'm sure they'll work it out. Now get on and eat. We're going to be late for class as it is."

In fact class was half way through when we arrived.  Choi Lee was leading and Mcallister was observing much in the same way as Master Toguwara had done. As soon as he stood up everything stopped. Choi clapped her hands and the class scurried to the edge of the mat. 

"It's been a long time Chang Li Feng and you appear to have forgotten some basic lessons."

I handed my sword and purse to Robert. "Stay here until I call you."  I crossed to the center of the mat and bowed. I then performed the same slow deliberate backwards walkover that I'd done all those years before. He attacked just as my right foot was about to touch the floor. The only problem for him was that I was no longer there, but completing the move about 10 feet behind him. He stopped and turned. The moment of truth, if he bowed he accepted me as his master, if not, well it could possibly get messy.

"I see your abilities have improved, but have they improved enough?" He was watching me intently, looking for the slightest twitch which betrayed a weakness. I gently flexed my foot. He took the bait, but his attack was so slow, sort of like Agent Smith attacking Nero in matrix after he discovered he was the one. I moved my hands and blocked his punches, subtle movements of my feet blocked his kicks. He leapt and I punched flat handed. He sailed across the mat and landed in a heap. Now we would see.

He hauled himself to his feet. He looked so small now. He placed his right fist into his left palm, bowed, then knelt. It was all but over. "Forgive me Master Chan. I have been a fool all these years. I beg for your forgiveness."

"There is nothing to forgive. Now get up before you make an even bigger fool of yourself."

He stood and bowed again. "Perhaps you could spar with Choi, I know she'd appreciate it."

I bowed and Mcallister retreated from the mat, Choi taking his place. She bowed and I reciprocated. We sparred for about 10 minutes leaving me sweating heavily. She'd become quite good although no where near good enough to defeat me. Sparring over we bowed again. "You should go to Japan and spend a year or two with Master xxxxxxx."

"You're not staying then?"

"No. This is just a flying visit. I shall be leaving again tonight. However I have a favour to ask. I need you to teach young Mr Anderson over there. He needs to reach Dan grade in 18 months."

"That's a big ask under any circumstances, especially if I go to Japan as you suggest. Why the rush?"

"He needs it to get a promotion in his new job. I'll cover any necessary fees and wages and there'll be a bonus on top but can I get a shower before we discuss this any further?"

"By all means, you know where they are."

I walked over to Robert and told him what was happening, then went and showered. By the time I returned Choi was winding up the class. I retrieved my sword and purse from Robert, then removed the envelop I'd put there. "Come on, I'll introduce you to Choi. She'll be in charge of sorting out your Bujikan training.

I introduced Robert to Choi and McCallister, then handed her the envelope. "That should cover everything you need for the next 6 months. If you need anything else, just send an email to the address on the card, or send a message with Robert. I'll drop a similar amount by in about 6 months time, but if you'll excuse us I have a number of other things I have to do, and very little time if we're to sail on the evening tide."

I pulled her to me, hugged her, then kissed her lightly on the cheek. "Take care". I turned to McCallister, and did the same, adding "Remember me to Sumito, Tomoichiro and Mitsuji"

When we were back in the car Robert wanted to know what the initial fight had been about. "It all stems from my refusal to defend my 'Japan All Comers Bujikan' title. McCallister couldn't understand why, so he engineered a situation at a competition where I couldn't get out of fighting him. To cut a long story short, I thought I'd done sufficient to let him win, but the judges gave the victory to me by one point. He demaned a re-match but I refused, and until today I refused to fight him at all."

"So why'd you fight him today?"

"Because if I'd not done so, Choi Lee wouldn't have been able to train you, as McCallister is the registered Master of the Dojo, and what he says goes."

"And because you beat him he now has to do as you say?"

"Not in the least. In acknowledging my skills are superior to his, he must listen to any requests I make, but to refuse any request that would do no harm to the Dojo or it's students would lose him so much face he'd be ostracised and/or possibly expelled from the organization"

"So he has no choice - won't he try and get back at you  through me."

"No for exactly the same reason, to do so would make his lose face, showing him to be a sore loser. You'll be treated as would any other student - on merit, effort, and dedication."

"So where are we going now?"

"Heather's - there are questions Sulin and I need answers to."