The Date
by stephanie rabig and kathy couture

 

Kev loaded the cooling unit with fresh fruit juice and a bottle of sparkling Blue. He didn't even mind doing the chore himself. Sulis had more important things to do at the moment, namely picking Jaetina up and bringing her to the dock. He couldn't stifle the happiness he was feeling. Not only had his father showered him with praise for recognizing a great business opportunity and acting on it, Jaetina had agreed to keep her center of operations here, in Orad Dun. They'd spent the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon looking at different office and factory spaces to rent-- the tab picked up by Ahn Tar, of course, and tomorrow he was going to show her some apartments. Tonight however, had been reserved to celebrate and he couldn't think of a better way than taking her out on the boat to tour the port city shorline, and maybe even a few of the islands-- the more secluded ones, not connected by bridges and off the main shuttle/skimmer routes.

"Whoa!" he said, shaking his head at his own exhuberance. "Slow down. This one isn't like the others."

Jaetina was nothing like the other women he'd dated. For one thing-- he'd chosen to pursue her. He paused. Is that what was happening here?

Backing up, he replayed the past several hours in his mind. He'd gone to the show last night for Caiette's benefit but sitting there, watching the models parade by, he'd recognized the spark of inspiration in their outfits. At that point he had no idea who Jaetina Weaver even was. All he knew was that the designer had talent. A little raw, maybe, but that would change now that her company was in capable hands. And what an opportunity for her! Ahn Tar would provide Jaetina with the exposure she would never have been able to find on her own.
When he'd caught the first glimpse of her, behind the scenes, when he'd actually spoken to her. . . his hearts racing a million beats a minute. . . He blinked, shook his head. Slow down? he asked himself. "Why?"
He heard a shout from outside and climbed up from the galley onto the yacht's top deck. Sulis stood on the dock, Jaetina at his side. She was wearing a wide brimmed, floppy hat and the wind was threatening to send it soaring. He waved, flashing her a bright grin as he let the ramp down to accommodate them.

She waved back, keeping one hand firmly planted on her hat. Then she followed Sulis up the ramp, deciding whether or not she approved of this entire idea. She'd thought that by seeing the ocean, he'd meant 'standing on land and looking out at it', not actually getting out on it.

When she got onto the boat, she was alarmed to feel the floor rocking under her feet. Hopefully she'd get used to that soon, she thought. Either that or she'd start fervently hoping that an island was close by. "Hi. This is. . ." She paused, knowing that she could never measure all the distance between where she was now and where she technically should be. ". . . well, I haven't decided yet.

Kev laughed, meeting Sulis' eyes over her head. The other man noticed it, too-- Jaetina was not afraid to speak her mind and her honesty was a welcome change. Any other aquaintance would have been raving about the size of the boat, the beauty of the city, the sun sparkling off the waves. . . "Don't worry," he told her. "Waters are suposed to be calm tonight. Once we get going-- Sulis?-- you'll hardly notice we're not on land."

Not noticing *that* seemed impossible, with the floor still rocking and water stretching out ahead of them as far as she could see. "I'll probably not notice faster if I look around the rest of the boat." She grinned. "I'm sure you're sick of tours by now, but at least this should be the last one of the day."

"Not much to see," he said modestly, though he was proud of the yacht that his grandfather had built. "She's small compared to some but I can handle her. She was a gift for my fifteenth birthing day. I spent a week out on the open sea right after that. Good times. . ." He shook away the memory and led her below deck, showing her the hammocks and the master sleep square, then the small galley. "Parvi melon juice?" he asked, pulling open the cooling unit.
She nodded, thanking him when he handed her a bottle. She made a quick mental note that this was one of the worlds that practiced gift-giving on birthdays. She'd have to think of some kind of discount promotion to tie in with that when her business got up and running. . .

Thinking of the work to be done later, she followed him down another short flight of stairs, and immediately all thoughts of business left her head. She could *see* the water flowing underneath them; part of the bottom of this section of the boat was glass.

She slowly moved closer. "How strong is this?" she asked.

"Strong enough." He laughed, holding out his hand to her. "Come on, sometimes the chaser fish swim right under the boat."

She stepped out onto the glass, all thoughts of how this might be a huge mistake disappearing when she looked down. It was odd that looking out over the water made her feel vaguely nervous, but watching it directly underneath her . . . she laughed and let go of his hand, kneeling to get a closer look. Maybe it was a good thing she'd worn a bathing suit under her sundress after all; suddenly she was looking forward to getting into the water.

They leaned against the railing and drank their melon juice as Sulis guided the boat under the capitol city's seven bridges. Kev pointed out all the important landmarks; the buildings owned by Ahn Tar, the citadel on the hill, even the villa where he'd spent his summers as a young, tow-headed boy. "There," he said, pointing at small house, "is where, in another life, I would live with my wife."

"Really," she said. Somehow she couldn't seem to imagine him anyplace other than where she'd seen him-- the enormous houses, fancy restaurant, this boat. Then she thought of something else and shook her head. "I suppose if I ever see Sahbel again, I owe her a week's pay."

"That could be a pretty sizable sum," he told her. "Once you decide on your office space and start hiring those laborers." He smiled. "Who is this Sahbel-- if you don't mind my asking?"

"She's a trader who settled on Tivona. Fancied herself a bit of a future-seer. It became a tradition in our village to go ask her sometime about our twenty-fifth birthdays-- our wedding day, for most of us," she said, realizing that he probably wouldn't automatically know the significance. "I asked her about mine, and she said, "It will be a good day, but you won't be where you think and you won't be with who you expect". I told her if that was what she'd 'seen', then obviously she needed her vision checked, and she said that she was right, and bet me a week's pay on it."

"Sounds like you don't owe her anything yet," Kev said. "Because there's no way you could be twenty-five. . . Unless, of course, I'm wrong-- and it's been known to happen-- so humor me-- when's your birthing day Jaetina?"

She laughed. "You are wrong, but only barely. Today's my birthday."

Her laughter nearly took his breath away. He loved the way her head tilted and her hair fell, revealing the soft line of her neck. . . Loved her shining eyes and luscious red lips. . . He looked away. "You should have told me," he pouted. "I would have done something special."

"You think this isn't?" she asked. "The biggest body of water near my village was a lake. I went to different space ports after that. Now I'm on an ocean. But," she added, "if it really does bother you-- you seem creative, I'm sure you can think of something."

Now it was his turn to chuckle. "That almost sounds like a challenge and everyone who knows me, knows I'm always up for one. So. . . let's see. . . over there." He pointed to a small island breaking on the horizon. "They call them the Cast Pebbles," he said. "A sprinkling of land dotting the ocean floor. The sea is shallow there. We'll put to shore and take a swim. Did you bring a suit, Jaetina?"

"No. We always swam naked on Tivona." Seeing his expression, she grinned. "Relax, I'm kidding." She took off her sundress, revealing the bathing suit.

The suit was as colorful as her personality. He wondered briefly if all Tivonans were as vibrant as Jaetina and then decided it didn't matter. She was the only Tivonan he wanted to know better. He grinned at her and pulled off his shirt. He was already barefoot and he vaulted off the back of the boat before it could come to a full stop.

Sulis' head appeared over the railing above them. "I hate it when he does that," he said. "He can't wait for anything. He's as impatient as a child." He disappeared and then the engine died. Water lapped at the sides of the boat and the roar of breaking waves could be heard as they crested along the shore. A moment later Sulis appeared on the glass deck and let the railing down so Jaetina could get in the water. "It's warm, go in," he urged.

Trying not to smile outwardly at Sulis's tone-- he'd sounded almost like an exasperated parent a moment before-- she quickly waded into the water before she could change her mind.

This was definitely preferable to a chilly lake, she thought, chiding herself for ever being nervous.

Kev popped up beside her, rivulets of water glistening over his tan skin. "Over here!" he said, then began stroking parellel to the shore line.

"Over here to what?" she asked, and then followed, discovering the hard way that it was a bit harder to keep to a straight line in the ocean. Maybe all it took was practice, though. In which case she'd have to swim a lot more often. As much of a chore as that would be, she thought lightly.

Kev waited for her. "I saw school of chasers," he said. "I think they might want to say happy birthing day to you. Can you tread water? Hold still. Don't be afraid. If we're quiet, they'll come investigate. . ." He squinted at the shining surface of the water, watching the white sandy bottom a body length beneath their feet.

Jaetina watched, so startled when the first large fish appeared that she forgot to tread water and dunked herself. Apparently not offended by her moment of clumsiness, more of them appeared a moment later, darting through the water all around them.

Kev grabbed her hands, laughing out loud when one of the chaser fish swam between them. There were more and more of them now and they swirled around them and between them and under them. Suddenly, two-- a blue and a yellow-- erupted skyward and then they were off, a twisting rainbow of finns that disappeared into the setting sun.

He tugged Jaetina closer. "How was that for special?" he whispered, meeting her eyes.

She pretended to consider the question. "I suppose it'll do."

He smiled, let go of her, and dove.

Half-expecting his hand to close around her ankle, she waited for him to resurface. And waited.

"Kev?" she called, wondering if he'd swum in a different direction than the one she was looking in; if he'd come up for air out of her sight.

He didn't answer.

"This isn't funny. . ."

Sulis spoke to her from the yacht. "Might as well come back on board," he said. "He could be gone a while."

"So there is an explanation for this?" she said, after she'd swum back over to him.

"It's no coincidence that they live on a water world," Sulis said, holding out an open towel for her. "Voorians can hold their breaths for an hour, sometimes more. And he probably will."

She smiled and accepted the towel. "I see. So would it be bad form for me to lecture him later for not letting me know that beforehand?"

"That could be interesting!" Sulis said, sinking onto one of the deck chairs. "I doubt he's ever been lectured by anyone before. Other than Tarrant, anyway."

She laughed. "You've been working for the family a long time, I take it?"

He looked away as a shadow passed over his face. "All my life," he murmured. "Or what seems like it anyway."

She frowned. He hadn't sounded like he was making a joke. "What's wrong?"

"Wrong?" He sighed. "Nothing. I'm where I belong, doing what I want to be doing. Can't help but wonder sometimes though, what it would be like to be in his shoes."

"I think it'd be strange," she said. "I don't believe I saw one person today who didn't almost fawn. How would you know the person with you is being honest?"

That hadn't exactly been what he meant but she was right. "Too true," he said. "But Kev is pretty good about telling when people are for real. He just doesn't care."

"One way to go about it, I suppose," she said. "Well, you seem a decent sort, so I'm glad you got the job. Must've been a lot of applicants."

He stared at her for a moment, then laughed. Of course she wouldn't know. Some worlds didn't practice servitude, and not even all the affluent held bondservants. "I don't get paid to work here, Ms. Weaver," he said. "The Ahn Tars own me. I was bonded to Kev when we were boys."

She raised her eyebrows. "Bonded? What? And why in the galaxy wouldn't they pay you? Granted, room and board at a place like that counts for a lot but still. . ."

"They paid a lot *for* me," Sulis said. "And they've given me everything I need. I have an education. I could have done much worse than Kev. . ." But maybe he could have done better, too, he added silently. Been free to do what he wanted, go where he wanted, without the overwhelming need and desire to hang on every word Kev Ahn Tar said.

"If you decide you want something more," she asked, "can you quit?"

"A bond servant is for life," he said, noting her agitation and pitching his voice to a more uplifting tone. "But it's fine. I'm happy here."

"And if you weren't? Would it even matter?" She began to pace. "This is a thoroughly ridiculous practice. Is it widely accepted here?"

"There are many servants on Voori," Sulis said. He stood, alarmed that he had upset her. "The Ahn Tars' have been good to me. I . . . could not challenge my situation."

"What do you mean 'could not challenge'?"

"Leave," Sulis said. "I can't leave Kev."

"Why not? Just because they paid a good sum for you doesn't mean you have no control over your life."

He didn't answer. Couldn't. It was too difficult to explain-- sometimes he couldn't understand it himself. "Would you like something to eat or drink?" he asked, trying to get the conversation back on a more pleasant subject.

"I would like an explanation," she said. Then Kev came up the ladder, and she quickly turned to face him. "Apparently I need to talk to you."

"You do?" Kev took the towel Sulis handed to him and wiped the water from his hair and face, noting that both of their faces held expressions anything but pleasant. Sulis looked like a wounded sandkit and Jaetina looked ready to grow fangs.

"Yes. When I came here I was not aware this world accepted slavery. Oh, pardon, 'bondservants'. Which is a prettier term for what is still buying people and owning them. Kev, choosing what you will or will not stand for is one of the most important paths to deciding your character. Do not look to him," she said, when he glanced at Sulis. "I demanded answers. And I do not have the slightest bit of fondness for what I found out. Buying a person like one would buy a new shirt . . . I'm truly sorry. But if this practice is something you and your family gladly accept, then I cannot work for you."

Kev met Sulis's gaze and the other man silently crept up the stairs. When he'd disappeared into the galley Kev went to stand beside Jaetina. "The Voorian goverment does not condone slavery," he said sternly. "Neither does Ahn Tar. Our servants are paid well and have ample opportunity to 'earn' their freedom. Most chose not to do so. Sulis' situation is . . . unusual, and--" He hesitated. "Not one I usually talk freely about."

"I'm asking you to make an exception, then," she said quietly, staring down at the water.

He shook his head. He didn't know how they had arrived at this place but he was suddenly very afraid of where it was leading. "You don't understand-- it's not possible."

"Then as I said-- I'm sorry. I don't wish to go, but unless there's a different explanation than what it looks like, I have no choice. He told me-- reluctantly-- that though he's happy in your 'employ', he's unpaid and unable to leave. Why?"

Kev took a deep breath. Part of him wanted to point out that she had a contract now-- she couldn't go anywhere that Ahn Tar wouldn't be able to find her-- but another part was afraid she would try to do just that and the thought of never seeing her again, or worse, having her think so poorly of him, wrenched his gut.

He stared out at the open sea and began to speak. When I was eleven we spent part of one season on the other side of the continent, at one of the Ahn Tar resorts. While my father attended business meetings, my mother and I roamed the shoreline looking for shells. We built sand citadels and swam with the chaser fish. I was always facinated with them. Did you know that when they spawn they become luminescent-- they glow in the dark at night. I was not allowed in the water during their spawning season but one night I slipped out of my sleep square and snuck down to the shore. I thought I could see them and promised myself that once I'd gotten a good look I'd hurry back to bed and no one would even know I had left.

My mother checked on me and found me gone. She had a good idea where I was. When I heard her calling I was already a ways from the shore. For a moment, I was stuck-- I knew I'd be in trouble if I didn't go back immediately, but I could see the light on the water, just a few body lengths away. Then I didn't need to make a decision-- one was made for me. I got caught in the undertow and it swept me out, over the spawning fish, out past the white sands toward the big drop. I must have shouted. I don't really remember that part, only that I was scared and the current beneath my feet was cold and it was dark and I was alone.

"I'm sorry," she murmured, both because the mere idea of being lost out in that expanse of water disturbed her, and because she had a horrible feeling about how this story was going to end.

He continued, unable to stop now. The story had played out in his head thousands of times but he'd never brought it to the light. It had stayed in his nightmarish thoughts all these years. "She came after me. There was too much distance between us. She swam hard. I swam, too, but I couldn't see. I was probably swimming away from her. The waves distorted the sounds of our voices, made it hard to tell what direction to go. When she realized she couldn't get to me-- that she couldn't get back to the shore herself, she talked to me. Told me how much she loved me. How everything would be okay. I tried not to cry. When I cried I couldn't hear her. Eventually her voice faded. I told myself it was because she was tired. She was just resting. I couldn't let my head go under the water because I wouldn't be able to hear her when she started talking again. I struggled to say afloat all night." He shook his head. "I got picked up by some fisherman the next morning. They never found her body."

Jaetina wanted to say something else, could think of nothing that wouldn't sound downright idiotic. Then she remembered him kissing her hand when they'd first met, holding it for a moment at the dinner table and again earlier tonight. Feeling more than a little awkward and hoping she wasn't misinterpreting something again, she took his hand.

He looked at her small hand holding tight to his own and continued. "I was despondent after that. For weeks. Months probably, I lost track of time. What my father did for me was wrong, but I don't hold it against him. I don't think Sulis does either, but I don't know. Sometimes I'm sure he wishes things were different, just like me." He cleared his throat. "And I'm not explaining this right. Sulis was one of hundreds of children who are created in a laboratory on Miena. My father thought he could use him to replace my mother. One word bonded Sulis to me for life. Did I know what I was doing when I spoke his name? No! Would I change it, do it over if I could? Yes! But I can't. No one can. Sulis is stuck with me and I am stuck with him until one of us dies. He will obey any order I give him-- with the exception of causing harm to another living being-- or ordering him to leave me. He can do neither. Believe me, I've tested it. "

Though appalled at the idea of hundreds of people created specifically for a life of servitude, she could find no anger for a grieving child or his desperate father. "I apologize for my words," she said. "I did not know the entire situation and I spoke rashly."

Kev turned slowly and his eyes found her face. "There's no need to apologize," he said. "You had no way of knowing." His voice sounded coarse and he cleared his throat. "Besides, I like your rashness. It's like a breath of fresh air on a smog covered world. Do you know how many people I can count on to be honest with me, Jaetina?" He held up two fingers. "My father and Sulis."

"Well, now you have a third," she said. "Granted, I don't think we'll see each other much after today, since you're a busy man and I'm about to become very busy--" And the fact that that knowledge disappointed her was something she was *not* going to dwell on. "-- but for whatever it's worth."

Kev grinned. "You can't get rid of me that easily. We've still got dinner tonight and maybe breakfast-- or have you forgetton the apartment showings tomorrow?"

She laughed. "Actually, yes. I think the past day and a half has completely fogged my brain. I'm rather impressed that I'm talking coherently."

"I'm just impressed-- with everything about you," Kev said. He pushed away from the railing. "Now I'm going to try to impress you-- by cooking our dinner. Relax and enjoy the sunset. I'll send Sulis down to keep you company."

She watched him walk away, then realized that she was smiling as she did so and nearly bonked her head against the railing. "You stop that right now," she muttered. "Absolutely ridiculous."

But at what point in the evening had she stopped being relieved that his flirting was only non-serious kidding around and started being vaguely disappointed? She'd been right, she thought. Her brain was definitely fogged over.

"He can be endearing sometimes," Sulis said as he stepped onto the deck, then aplogized for startling her. He'd expected Kev to be angry with him but instead the Voorian had announced that he was cooking dinner and ushered him back outside. "Here," he said, holding out a glass of sparkling demaris. "He asked me give this to you."

"Thank you," she said. "I think I've had more Demaris Blue on Voori than in . . . well, ever."

"You should probably get used to it," Sulis said, seating himself. "It's an integral part of his diet." He watched as Jaetina took a tiny sip of the liquid. "I suppose he explained our situation to you."

"Yes," she said. "And I hope you won't be offended if I say that if I ever meet your creators, I'm going to kick them across the room."

His eyes widened and then he laughed. "I doubt your paths will ever cross. But if you ever get to Miena, they have an office in Seighla."

"You never know," she said, smiling. "I hear well-employed fashion designers get plenty of opportunities to travel." She shook her head. "I keep thinking I'm going to wake up back at the Keton space port."

"Not going to happen," Sulis said. "Unless you decide to run away. Ahh, there she goes," he exclaimed, pointing toward the horizon as the top half of the burnt orange sun seemed to sink beneath the sea. A few stars twinkled overhead. "Clear skies," he continued. "And the sisters together again. Muriel rises first tonight, then Aluvia. They only share the same sky twice a month. It will make a spectacular sight, out on the water like this."

"Looking forward to it," she said. "Does he spend a lot of time out here on the ocean?" She didn't want to think about what a storm might be like on the water, but right now she could easily envision just staying here, doing her work in the lowest room, her design papers spread out over part of the glass and. . . And you're being ridiculous again, she thought.

"Depends. He can go for weeks without even seeing sand or sun," Sulis said, "and then sometimes, he can't stay away. Especially after traveling. Voori's seas are more home to him, I think, than the Ahn Tar Complex. Look at the night birds!"

They watched as the small flock of large birds appeared suddenly, cirlced the yach and then glided into the night. Sulis spoke again. "I've been studying Tivonan Culture," he said softly. "My creators endowed my mind with a vast capacity for storage. Please don't be offended-- gathering information for Kev is one of the things I do-- to help with pending business deals usually. I'd like to ask you something."

"Ask away," she said, curious.

Sulis took a long time to frame the question. Finally, he spoke. "I know that your race rarely leaves your homeworld, and very few offworlders ever reside there. I also know that it is very rare for a Tivonan to remain unwed after their 25th birthday, that mates are chosen once, early in life." He paused, could think of no easy way to continue.

"It is not customary for us to even associate with off-worlders, no, let alone wed them." She frowned. "In fact, I can think of no one who's done it. Not that they would be the subject of much conversation. My own engagement was broken when I chose to leave Tivona." Which was far from the entire story, but she didn't feel like getting into *that*.

Sulis sighed then shook his head. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean. . . I was . . . just curious. It's always interesting to read or see the documentaries on other worlds but they don't always provide answers to the questions my mind can come up with."

"No need to apologize," she said. "It does not pain me anymore. He said he loved me and always expressed a curiosity about other worlds, but when the time came he was not brave enough to leave with me. That was that."

Sulis nodded but he didn't believe her. Her voice couldn't quite disguise the regret hiding in her words. Before he could say anything Kev appeared in the doorway announcing that dinner was ready.

Glad of the distraction-- she didn't want to focus on Keatin
anymore, especially not right now-- she followed him below deck. "If this tastes half as good as it smells, I'm going to earn enough trading items to hire you as my personal chef."

 

 

When she'd thought 'apartment', she'd immediately pictured the small rooms at space ports. Should've known better, Jaetina decided, given the Ahn Tars' obvious preference for lots of room.

She probably could've fit her old home twice over into the apartment she finally chose. It wouldn't look as pristine as this for long, she thought, already planning where she'd hang her fabric samples and stand her modeling figures.

Then she turned back to the doorway and saw Kev standing there, smiling.

Already feeling awkward and determined not to show it, she walked up to him. Her few belongings were en route now, and she'd deal with getting them arranged . . . wasn't much reason for him to stay around unless he wanted to help her pick out furniture tomorrow, and she doubted that.
Still, what was she supposed to say? 'It's been nice meeting you'?
Curse the stars, she thought irritably as she held out her hand. She wasn't used to all this. "Thank you," she said. "I . . . I'm sure we'll see each other around."

Kev raised his eye brows. "What's this?" he asked. "If I didn't know better, I'd think it was a good-bye. Is that all I am to you then?" he joked. "Now that you've got what you want, you cast me away like a--" he searched for the perfect similie-- 'like a bad design?"

"No!" she said. She'd known she was going to go about this wrong somehow. "I've liked spending time with you, but you've been around for a specific reason and without that it'd be-- I. . ." Then she crossed her arms when she saw that he was smiling. "You're teasing me, aren't you."

"Maybe. Or maybe I lied to you earlier-- about keeping our relationship strictly business."

"So all those comments . . . you were being serious?" She had to look up to meet his eyes, something she had to do with a lot of people now. She'd been one of the taller people in her village, was used to looking at people squarely. The height difference had made her feel off-kilter at first, but that was nothing compared to what she was feeling now. Steadier ground, she thought. Just find out exactly where you stand, tell him how things have to be, and you'll be fine. "Do you want to go to bed with me?"

Well that's one way of putting it, Kev thought, but knew better than to say it outloud. "Jaetina," he said softly. "I want to get to know you better, in a more personal way. But if I'm overstepping my bounds. . ."

"If you were overstepping your bounds, I would've let you know. Trust me. But if I'd known you were actually serious I would've told you . . . it's not that I don't--" She paused, sighed.

"Don't what?" he asked, suddenly worried.

"I'm finding out that most cultures here have a wedding day. Tivonans have a wedding night," she said, looking away from him. "Making love is how we marry. The first and only man I lie with will be my husband. As I said, if I'd known you were at all serious in your remarks I would've told you."

"Well, that's definitely a piece of information Sulis left out of the briefing he gave me on Tivonan culture," Kev muttered. Then he smiled. "Tell me, does your culture allow for casual dating before this 'wedding' night?"

"It's never been a topic of discussion," she said. "We're usually betrothed from childhood." And she should just end this talk right there, she thought. Tell him she was flattered, but that she didn't have time to try and figure any of this out right now.

But she kept remembering how he'd looked beside her yesterday
when they were in the sea, laughing as his hand took hers; and couldn't deny the fact that she'd spent too many moments last night wondering what the ocean water would've tasted like if she'd licked it off his skin. . .

Enough, she told herself. In a moment she was going to blush or some ridiculous thing and then he wouldn't have to be anywhere close to a mind-seer to guess her thoughts.

"But I suppose we can give it a try," she finished.

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