Chapter Seven: True Blue Worlds — Part 5

Orchid was careful to scan her food and drink before choosing to consume them. She had learned that somebody choosing to slip dangerous substances into food or drink could easily taint such products at clubs, even fine establishments like the Point of Entry. Though often these people were well intentioned, sometimes their best intentions turned malicious. Bamboo was equally cautious, but the two ate their food, comprised of diverse portions of meat and fresh vegetables arranged in fashions and with spices unfamiliar to their tongues. Served first were appetizers Orchid had never heard of. Barbequed chicken wings, oysters, wrapped in wet seaweed and roasted over a gas pit, and vegetable shish kabobs, all with their own dipping sauces, were set in piles before Bamboo and Orchid. Wine came with the main course, a French soup, and bread with a pasta dish on the side. Their waitress, a young lady named Yap, served all courses with courtesy and careful composure. The waitress, a perhaps too thin but otherwise beautiful young woman, moved with considerable grace. Yap had red hair and a quiet, always cautious voice, and she spoke very little. She cleared and cleaned the table before taking off her apron and having a seat at the bar.

While Orchid and Bamboo sipped on warm, sweet dessert-type alcoholic drinks, an older woman carrying a cane and hobbling slowly, more or less looking somewhat drunk and disabled, sputtered through a door. Sitting down across from Bamboo and Orchid, facing them with a mix of emotion and composure, the woman looked enough like both of them, yet nothing like either of them. Her eyes were green, her hair red, her skin tan, and her demeanor unforgiving. She leaned back against the chair, shaking her hand at the bar, to which Yap grudgingly got up and brought her a drink. As Amber drank it, her stiff body relaxed, her eyes glazed over in relief, and a slight smile crossed her face. She leaned forward, seeking out Orchid’s eyes, ignoring Bamboo almost entirely.

“It’s about time you two showed up.” Amber said, rather quietly, while Nikkei, having been absent until recently, sat down at her left side, nibbling from a small plate of food. “Nikkei, leave us.”

“Of course, madam.” Nikkei looked sincerely hurt, though Orchid could not fathom why, as she rose, taking her plate, to set near Yap at the bar.

“Don’t mind her, she is a terrible disappointment.” Amber said, sounding bitter. “I didn’t bring you here to discuss disappointments.”

“Then why did you bring us here, you crass old hag?” Orchid demanded, her temper getting the best of her.

“I’m dying, daughter, and all that is mine is now yours — for you and your brother.” Amber chuckled, staring into Orchid’s shocked face. “It’s not much mind you. The Safe Haven on Earth, all Eight Points of Entry, all my material and intellectual resources, and of course the small army I use to protect my possessions, and the world your stand on, from others. Nikkei will provide you with a list.” Amber put the papers down in front of Orchid, ignoring again, Bamboo’s existence. “You need only to sign these papers and all my real-estate, all my resources, and all my compiled knowledge, will be yours.”

“Then what?” Orchid asked, feeling suddenly livid.

“Then I will die, of course.” Amber replied.

Orchid’s eyes turned suddenly hateful, “And you wish to die?”

“It must be hard, when we both want what the other wants.” Amber shot back.

“No, merely disenchanting.” Bamboo said, speaking for the first time since they entered the building.

Orchid signed the papers, and set down the pen. Bamboo’s fingers worked across the page, and he too signed the papers where it was required of him.

“How long do we have to wait for you to die?” Orchid asked, making no attempt to hide her spite, expecting an immediate response.

When Amber, her face twisted with rage and pain, turned from a living breathing being to pile of lifeless dust, Orchid half fell out of her chair, and Bamboo rose, trying to sense the source of the assassination. None of the servants moved or even seemed to mind that a woman had just instantaneously turned to dust — bones and all. After a few moments, Yap rose and swept the dust out of the chair, pausing only to pick up a single pearlescent sphere that had fallen had been left on the seat, placing it in a box and handing it to Nikkei who took it and the paperwork away quickly, leaving Yap to explain, as best she could, Amber’s sudden departure.

“Forgive us for not telling you why you were called.” Yap said quietly. “I am sworn to serve your needs, as is Nikkei. We served Amber before you. As she is dead, I can now say that she was poisoned by an old friend, and really only held herself together long enough for you to arrive. She might not have lasted another day, honestly, as the poison was quite debilitating.”

Nikkei returned, her gloves containing only a hint of dust.

“Local transportation is waiting. You should be more comfortable at Amber’s private estates.” Nikkei said, her voice carefully passive.

Yap took Bamboo’s arm in hers. “Please come with me sir, I will see you to the safe haven.”

Orchid took Bamboo’s hand from Yap, placing it back on her elbow. Bamboo, having no idea how to deal with the situation that had just transacted, remained quiet as the two were led from the establishment to a limousine, and then away to their new home. Nobody spoke of anything of substance for the duration of the trip. They stopped, at Bamboo’s urging, at Jun’s bookstore, and Bamboo invited Jun and her father to come along. To everybody’s surprise, Alon and Swift insisted, Jun acquiesced, and the three were promptly on the road, headed toward Amber’s private estates.

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