After Word
Monday, 28 Jul 2521
Kuiper II class Summer’s Gift
Parliament Deadwood
Blue Sun (Qing Long) system
0010hrs, local time
I didn’t stay long with Joshua. He was recovering from major surgery and needed to rest. He was already breathing the deep even cadence of sleep when I gently extricated myself and covered him against the drafts. Before I left I looked long on his face, thinking that Kiera really had done an excellent job of restoring it and I wondered again why she’d tweaked it.
Artists enjoy talking about their work. Just find her and ask.
I quit the med bay for the galley. Around me our girl was quiet, Dyson and the crew having called it quits for the night and seeking their quarters. I had the ship to myself, all the better for a private conversation with Kiera. I poured two cups of coffee and went off to find her.
---
She had lain down for a few moments of quiet; time to close her eyes and catch a catnap for the time that the couple would surely need to reassure themselves that all was well. She had dimmed the lights of the container but left the door open. Just a quick fifteen and then she would go and see if Joshua needed any meds. She had a sneaky suspicion that he wouldn't, but she would still go and see. The open door would keep her from going to sleep completely; anyone approaching would snap her awake immediately.
---
I checked her container first, since she wasn't in the forward lounge when I passed through it for the galley. My hunch proved right. Her door was open and sticking my head inside I saw her racked out in her chair.
"Kiera," I said, loud enough to be heard but low enough to ignore if necessary. Not that I pegged her as the antisocial sort, no, but it had been a long day for both of us and she'd put in hours of exacting finicking work on top of it. If anyone had earned the right to blow me off at the moment, it was she.
---
"Does he need pain meds?" Kiera sat up and stretched. "I'll go bug Arden. I don't know what Joshua can have." She slid out of her chair and started towards the door.
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“No, he seems fine. He’s sleeping. Coffee?” I added lamely, holding the cup up and stepping fully inside.
---
Kiera paused midstride. "That'd be lovely." She gestured at a small rolling stool and took the cup. "Don't have too many places to sit down, but make yourself at home." She settled back on her chair and the motor hummed as she moved it to a more upright position. "So, what could I do for ya?"
---
I hooked the stool with my foot and got it under me and sipped my coffee before answering.
"Why did you tweak his face? Did he ask you to do it?" The hour was late and I saw no reason to drag this out. Short and sweet and a quick exit seemed best.
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"To make it more his." The answer came quick and full of frankness. "Next."
---
I regarded her over the rim of my cup and listened to my gut. She's telling the truth. As much as she's able, anyway.
"Good enough," I said and put my mug aside. "Next: Beautiful work. Which makes me wonder why you're not somewhere in the Core pulling down the big bucks doing politician's wives and daughters. The connections and deals you could make with them would be considerably ... useful. And it's not like you wouldn't fit in. So why are you here?"
---
“Well thanks!” Kiera responded with tired joy. “I’m glad you like it too.” She was tired; her normal quick repartee was failing her and she couldn’t think of something sardonic and witty to say. She sighed. “As for why I’m here and not there, hmmm. Freedom? An honesty to people that is hard to find in the Core.” She sighed again. “Hell, a sense of ‘I did it all by myself’ that I wouldn’t get anywhere else, especially with Daddy’s money.” An uncharacteristic worried line marred her forehead. “You aren’t kidding me? You do like it? I tried not to change anything significant, you know.”
---
“No kidding. I like it. And had you changed anything significant without Joshua’s permission, it wouldn’t be coffee I’d be bringing you right now.” Knowing Kiera’s fatigue could work to my advantage, I debated pushing harder… and let it slide. Sometimes you got more in return for honey than vinegar.
---
Kiera laughed softly. “Always threats with you. A little kitten spitting … except you seem to have scratched in the past. Who are you and who is Joshua, my dear? What did Blue Sun do to him? What was done to you?”
---
Or maybe vinegar was more to her liking.
“Even a cornered rabbit will turn and bite if it’s desperate enough. As for who I am? I am myself. As for who Joshua is ….” I shook my head. “That’s his story to tell and your job to earn it. As for was what done to me,” I added. “Why not take a look and see for yourself? I doubt you’d find it hard, given the line of work you’re in.”
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Kiera yawned. “Too much effort. As I told Joshua, I don’t need to know more information that will get me tortured or killed. He was kind enough to be a little open … made me want to be his momma, tho’.” She slid down in the chair a little and wiggled to settle in, a bit for comfort and a bit to disarm the tension in the room. “I’m not here to dissect you, Rina. Nor will I judge. In fact, worst of all, most of the time, I just won’t give a damn. I’m a bit selfish and self-serving, if you haven’t noticed.”
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“I’ve noticed.” Which was why I didn’t trust her any farther than I could throw her perky little ass. Not unless it came to working the profit angle. “And I’m a bit protective of my ship and crew. We all have our faults.”
---
“I won’t expose you to danger if I can help it. Not without telling you.” She paused. “All of you. You’re my ride and I need you. So aside from complimenting me on Joshua’s return from the darkside of ugly, to what do I owe this chessmatch of inferences?”
---
She had me there. My instinctive reaction to her modifications on Joshua’s face had already been addressed and yet despite my initial resolve to keep this short, I lingered.
“Nothing much beyond truth and curiosity.” Might as well own up. “However … you’re a cosmetologist, right? How much would you charge to make a custom fragrance? Say, a quarter ounce?” I had an idea forming in the back of my head even as I spoke but I wanted to get a feel for the landscape before exploring it.
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“For you, a credit towards you and me. I barter in bon homie and favors as well as cash.” Her face was sleepy, but her eyes were hooded and sharp.
---
Ah, there you are. Hook planted, I pushed it a little deeper.
“Fair enough. I’ll get back to you on that one but for now, I’m looking for something that says ‘clean, feminine and sultry’ but not too heavy. Just something to think on.”
I rose and picked up my mug.
“Thank you for taking such good care of Joshua. He means a lot to me.” More than just a lot, but I didn’t think it needed elaborating. Kiera had eyes. She could see for herself how much.
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"Does Joshua like flowers, fruit, or musk?"
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Gotcha!
"I don't know.” I suppressed a grin. “Why don't you ask him? As for what *I* like," I added. "I've always been fond of sandalwood. But that's another commission for another day." Kiera and I had something in common, I realized: she and I were happiest when solving puzzles and I hoped having her figure out who the fragrance was destined for would keep her occupied.
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"Ah, but does sandalwood like you?" Kiera responded. "Would you be adverse to me doing a chemical analysis of your skin? I could tailor this scent to you quite easily."
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"I wouldn't mind but the fragrance isn't for me." As much as I would have liked to drag out the suspense, I didn't want to waste Kiera's time and talents on a red herring. "It's for Nika. I know it's still July but Christmas is coming and I should get ready for it." And no matter what Kiera said about price, I reckoned it would take me about as long to earn enough to repay her for the commission.
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There was an unexpected clap of delight. "Oh! Dī shǔi zhī ēn dāng yǐ yǒngquánxiān bào. (A drop of water shall be returned with a burst of spring.) That inspires me. I'll see what I can come up with." She seemed to perk up quite well with the thought. She sat up and raised her eyebrows. "I'd still like to do a chem analysis of yours and now, her skin."
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"Mine you can do now, if you like." No time like the present. "Hers? I'll leave it to you to work that one out. Just don't tell her the fragrance is from me."
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"No problem. I can keep secrets quite well." As if sitting up had taken the last of her energy, Kiera slid back down into the seat. "She reminds me of subtle musk, sex, and pent up fire. I'll ponder on it." Her eyes closed. "I hate to be rude, but you mind if I get a few winks?"
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"Not at all," I said. "It's been a long day for all of us. Sleep well. You've earned it. And Kiera?" I paused on the threshold and looked back at the redhead, all sass and guile and no small amount of charm. “Thanks again. For everything."
So saying, I left the woman sleeping and closed her container door.
Go to Kiera's Crew Page or to Rina's Crew Page
Go back to: Timeline Season Four, April 2521 to Dec 2521
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