18. Enter the Dynasty
Chapter eighteen
Enter the Dynasty
With the partition down and the rest of the skyride to ourselves, I did my best to relax after watching the upsetting news coverage.
Naoma took a glass of water from the risen table in the cabin’s center. “Do you think Ralia can do something about it?”
I looked at her with eyebrows tented and let out an airy laugh. “You think she can wipe the minds of everyone who just saw the news?”
She blew out her nose. “Sorry. You’re right. I’m stupid.”
“No, no, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that. I’m just–”
“Frustrated that the public is going to see you for what you’re not? That sounds awfully familiar.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t plan on getting used to it.”
“Look, Naoma, I didn’t mean–”
“Really. It’s nothing. Why are we complaining when neither of us are the problem. If anything it’s my fault for dragging you–”
“It’s my fault for pulling you into this zegging mess.”
“The mess that woke me up? I told you before, Petya. None of this is your fault. You let me free and I chose to follow.”
“And I’m choosing to follow you, too.”
“You’re right.”
“And you weren’t wrong to suggest Ralia.
“I meant she might be able to do something, not fix the entire problem.”
“And I should have given you time to explain. I’m sorry I bit back.”
“You’re nervous. I know you’re not like this.”
“Zegging worrytab withdrawals.”
“And that doesn’t help with the stress. You’re right to be concerned. Both of us need to be cautious, but maybe this revelation was bound to happen. You’re away from Medislavia and we have a hand in the government with Abbas.”
“Without him, I might be deported. I haven’t been here long enough to be a citizen, you know that, right?”
“Like they could catch you? Criminals mingle among the elite all the time. You’ll be a natural at this Dynasty thing, and I’m talking about you as an Imp.
By no means does your citizenship or lack thereof mean you are a criminal.
Those who run this country’s powers are thieves, brainwashing psychopaths, and rapists.
Criminals are those who think that punishing you is worth the violence it would take to get you out of here. ”
I smiled.
“See? Give me some time and I know how to make you feel better.” She smirked and nudged me with her elbow. “Just like my music used to do before we met, right?”
I sat up and looked into her eyes, drinking in the attention of someone I knew appreciated my presence.
How long could such a good thing last in a world like this?
Her hand pulled back as 3Rochi slid into the car to sit across from us.
I expected Kyo to make some remark about us, but her mischievous smile was enough to suggest that she was satisfied with fantasizing.
“You look nice,” Naoma said.
Kao looked into a handheld mirror as she pinched her eyelashes together to form small peaks.
Koro inspected her nails, which were a bright red to match the rest of her outfit and pointed like talons with an adornment of small pearls and gems. They each wore their respective colors with violet lines of living light to accent their style.
Kao closed her mirror placed in a compartment on the door. “Need anything before we dash?”
Naoma and I looked at each other and shook our heads.
Kyo turned back and knocked on the window to the chauffeur. The skyride lifted and flew in line with the skyline traffic.
Kyo leaned forward, resting her hands on her cheeks with elbows on her knees.
“Are you two ready? Nay, you’ll be fine.
If anything, everyone there will be nervous to meet you and so excited to talk about your latest mindshow!
Oh, what is that? I know suppressed disgust when I see it.
Did you and Nichley split on bad terms?”
“I don’t see myself working with them anytime soon.”
“Oh? Do tell.”
“I’d rather not.” Both of them smiled at each other with an expression that grew more pressured by the moment.
Kyo laughed. “No Nichley reps will be there, don’t worry. They keep their own parties.”
“Children’s entertainment is more unhinged than you would ever hope,” Koro said with a dead stare at me.
What the zeg was that supposed to mean? “I’m sorry?”
Koro cracked a smile. Was that the first I had seen from her? “That is what you would say if you attended one of those.”
“She means they’re lame,“ Kyo said.
Koro raised her eyebrows in question.
“Compared to the Dynasty at least,” said Kyo.
Koro looked out the window, back to her usual disinterested gaze that suggested constant dissatisfaction. “Depends on your vice.”
“Now you”—Kyo pointed at me—“will need some guidance, unless you political types know how to let loose more than I expect?”
“You’ll be fine,” Kao said.
Kyo looked at her sister with the same questioning stare as Koro had a moment prior, though hers was more playful. “You sure?” She turned to me. “Maybe I’m wrong. I mean we don’t really know anything about you, do we, Petya Nebokov?”
“Except my name. You must like the taste of it in your mouth to repeat it so much.”
“Oh?” She giggled.
“Am I wrong?”
She reached over to tap my nose. “So your boy isn’t as dry as he seems, Nay?”
“He literally made a single non-shac comment,” Koro said.
“Tell me, Petya, are you anything more than Naoma’s pleasure boy?”
“Are you anything more than 3Rochi’s seductress?”
“Ha! You hear that, girls?”
Koro’s voice was dry. “Wow, someone noticed you putting out and didn’t complain.”
“Who says I wasn’t complaining?”
Koro laughed. “There we go.”
“Ha… ha…” Kyo gave a single clap. “Okie, du, Naoma aside, who’re you sleeping with out of the three of us.”
My jaw dropped. I looked to the other two sisters for a save, but they seemed as interested in my answer as Kyo.
“Well?” Koro asked.
Zeg. Why was she chewing her lip?
I turned to Naoma.
“Nope!” Kyo reached out and forced me to face them. “You’re answering.”
“Don’t look at me for help,” Kao said. “I want an answer.”
“I wouldn’t choose anyone other than Naoma.”
Kyo scoffed. “Cute but not going to work. You’re going to answer.”
“Why?” I tried to ease the situation with a nervous laugh.
3Rochi gazed at me with cold stares, except for Kyo’s smirk as she said, “Because I want to get to know you.”
I bit the inside of my lip. “I’d rather not.”
“Then we’re turning back and rescinding your invitation,” Kyo said.
Naoma sighed. “Just answer her, Pet.”
“I–”
Naoma glared at me. “She’s serious about turning back.”
“Oh, yes I am,” Kyo said.
My skin crawled and did all it could to escape, but I was stuck.
There would be no escape. Even Naoma didn’t fight for my right to refuse. Was she understanding something I didn’t? Was there a purpose to this game more than making me cringe?
I forced myself to look at the girls and read them individually.
It wasn’t difficult–they were Arabasian-descended idols like Naoma with factual beauty–but meeting their eyes told them I was complying.
Their faces and style were nearly identical, leading me to conclude that they had to be triplets, despite never confirming it.
That, or they had been modified to mirror each other to sell the act of this three-headed pop idol.
Koro was stern. The muscle of the group in spirit. Should danger present itself, I had no doubt she would be the greatest power among the three.
Kyo was the frivolous, charismatic seductress as I had said. Despite her playful attitude, she was not as air-headed as she let on. Her tight gaze was not trying to make me uncomfortable, rather it was calculating.
Kao took the wisdom of Kyo to the next level. She didn’t speak of it or force it to be seen. She was delicate yet commanding. While Kyo was the most outspoken, she still obeyed Kao’s commands.
I spoke, hoping I understood the challenge, if there was one in the first place. “Kao.”
I expected some display of jealousy from Kyo–not because I thought so highly of myself–but her face was still besides the raising of her eyebrow. Koro’s stare turned into a glare.
Kao smiled. “Good taste.”
I looked at Naoma as if to apologize, but she didn’t seem bothered. She seemed confident.
“Let’s talk about politics,” Koro said.
Any hope for small talk–though I loathed it in other circumstances–vanished.
“Taxes and any other economic topics are out of the question,” Koro said.
“Then?”
“Imagine the next election. Let’s say Haven Health eats it and they’re out of the election. Who should take the presidency?”
“Who do you think?”
“No. We’re not letting you leave on neutral ground. The end of this short ride is coming, as you probably are hoping, but that doesn’t mean you can get out of this.”
“I don’t see any desirable outcome with Neocapitolocracy.”
Kao scoffed. “You liked Arabasia that much huh?”
“Well he can’t like Medislavia if he ran away from there,” said Kyo.
Kao shook her head. “I expected more from you. Joining all the other social net-driven kids who see the glamor and culture of east Arabasia and decide that it is where destiny wants them.”
“No.” The word lingered in my mouth. It was an inconclusive thought that I couldn’t quite deny.
Sure, I had adored the media and culture of East Arabasia just like most the people my age–especially as we turned away from the allure of the Repubilc–but my longing for it had deepened.
I didn’t understand the neuronet’s obsession over East Arabasia until I experienced it.
The Republic wasn’t my home and Medislavia was under a regime.
If we weren’t forced to return to the Republic to take down its Beacons, I wondered if I would have returned.
Aside from the Imps, the Luxists were the only ones who knew what we were and didn’t use us or hate us because of it.
Denji had been helpful so far, but I could feel the struggle of the Republic’s weak Luxists membership.
All of these were but small benefits compared to Naoma.
If anyone knew her past, it would be the Luxists. She had a connection to their god, so why wouldn’t they be the best start? If she had a connection to the heart of their religion, I had reason to believe that the Republic was never her home.