20. Di Xin
Chapter twenty
Di Xin
Ihad stared at the palace for too long, wondering if I should return.
Naoma.
Of course she was the reason to stay and to leave.
I disgusted myself. Kell deserved it. This time I felt that, rather than treating it as just another justification.
Returning was a risk to her. If anyone knew what I had done, I endangered her and anything attached to her public image.
What about the vile indulgences I had seen? The vile sex-capades and objectivity of fans for their gain?
I took the first step, and continued.
Leaving Naoma was much worse. I had seen what she was capable of and doubted she needed me to protect her, but she wanted me there.
I still had lingering doubts about her admiration of me, but she voiced otherwise.
If she wanted me there, who was I to deny her.
None of the other celebrities were denied their vices at the dynasty. She deserved it more than any of them.
I entered with a group of inebriated twenty-year olds who had slipped out to enjoy some of the more pungent substances the Finians had offered them.
Petya: I’m done. Where are you?
Naoma: Fourth Floor, everything good?
Petya: Yeah, I think so. Did anyone notice?
Naoma: Yeah, but they forgot it after the next three fix or alcohol-driven fights. Some people might wonder why Kell didn’t show up to the recovery bay in the basement, but the Meat and Wine thing people are talking about should start soon.
Petya: Recovery bay?
Naoma: I guess the elites tend to beat each other up and need to leave like nothing happened.
Petya: Sounds like that’s the mentality here, huh?
Naoma: Leave like nothing happened? Yeah. Sounds like a lot of them need a place away from fans and media coverage.
Petya: I plug. Are you fine?
Naoma: Yeah, you weren’t gone too long. I’m talking to some people. Trying to blend in and such.
Petya: Any luck finding Zhou?
Naoma: I might have a lead, but I don’t know if we’ll make it before the Meat and Wine thing. Just hurry.
I exited my neurospace and sped up the stairs.
Few people paid me any attention despite my half-run.
The less time they had to focus on me, the better.
I guess that didn’t matter if I was going to put myself back in their circles with Naoma.
I had tried to keep my clothes tidy while I fed but had gathered a few blood marks that I had washed off in one of the property’s ponds.
I hoped that my disheveled hair and somewhat shocked appearance after cleaning up my face into the style that some of them chose, vacillating between elite nobility and strung-out homelessness.
Naoma was the peak for perfect beauty so it seemed fitting that she, like many other celebrities, would be with someone out of her league.
Despite the intensity of our situation, I could breathe again.
The dread of an assignment was insignificant compared to the anguish of tooth hunger.
I had run up every staircase to reach Naoma’s floor but wasn’t exhausted.
I could enjoy the pulse of the Finian beats once again.
The seductive toxicity of the party was enjoyable and no longer the crying of an infant in the middle of the night.
I could think for myself, not for the being that drove me to feed.
I was whole again. That completeness would wane, but at least I had it when I needed it most.
It made drinking in her sight all the more delightful.
I slowed my pace to a casual walk as we caught each other’s eyes across the room.
She faced the group with her body but watched me approach with a slight turn of her head.
Her observation was as delicate as her smile.
Perfect and relieved. In her eyes and the small rise of those glossy lips, I felt valued.
My worth didn’t matter, only that I was making her feel better.
As long as my existence improved her life, I had a reason to endure.
I slid into the circle of six people beside her. She slid her arm across my lower back and held me. Her demeanor was cool, but her grip was as tenacious as a child fearing that a storm would pull me away from her.
“So this is your guy?” said a tank of a woman who would have made Tevon crumble in adoration.
Tevon. I was glad I hadn’t forgotten him despite any past disagreements we had. I was glad his memory remained despite the ache of his absence.
Naoma squeezed me. “This is him!”
I slung my arm around Naoma’s shoulders.
The woman laughed. “And the relationship is legit?”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“They must do things differently in Medislavia,” said a man who was less human than tech.
“Relationships?”
The woman pointed at us. “I mean these kinds of relationships, you plug?”
I must have looked confused because the half-man spoke again to clarify. “A lot of us were thinking you two were just a romance plot, something to stir up attention for Naoma to make her return that much more spectacular.”
“Because she’s never been with anyone?” I asked. “Publicly, I mean?”
The half-man shook his head. “Because she’s got this rebel mindset now, from what we’ve heard, and a Medislavian boyfriend would be an eye catcher with all the drama going on between your home country and hers.
The relationship plots Shou and the dynasty have dealt us this year are nothing compared to this.
Wait, you are from Arabasia, right Naoma? ”
She ignored their question. “What do you mean ‘from what you’ve heard?’”
Another woman in the group spoke up with a mechanical voice behind a mask that covered her face below the nose. “3Rochi have been saying a lot about you since–”
“What have they been saying?” The woman was struggling to hold back the frustration in her voice. Betrayal seethed within me and couldn’t imagine the exponential anger building within her.
“That you’re set on doing your own thing.”
“Or is the rebellious plot also from Shou–”
“No,” I said calmly, giving Naoma a chance to breathe.
“Wait…” The large woman tapped Naoma’s nose. I was surprised Naoma didn’t punch her. “This is your first dynasty event, isn’t it?”
“Yes. None of these are Zhou’s plots.”
“I can tell, you still call him Zhou.”
“And?”
“His people address him as Shou,“ said the half-man.
She breathed in and channeled her fury into a cunning smile. “Then it looks like I need to make myself one of his people. And how could I ever get one of these plots if I’ve never met him?”
“Not all of us have met him,” said mask-girl.
“Is he that secretive?”
Half-man shook his head. “No. You’ll see him tonight, but not everyone has the chance to speak with him personally, you plug?
Just like most people here haven’t actually talked to you.
Your old manager was too protective for anyone to try to speak with you.
Most of the plot points he gives us are from his Eunuchs. ”
“I don’t want to speak to a Eunuch. I’m the Neon zegging Idol and I think I deserve to speak with him.”
Everyone in the group turned to one of the circle who hadn’t spoken.
It had no clear sign of gender–or even humanity–behind a chromatic mask that encased its entire head.
Violet-light pupils centered on Naoma as she made her declaration.
It stepped forward, keeping its hands behind its back.
Every inch of skin was covered, save a strip of neck, as if that was sufficient to prove that this thing was still human.
It spoke with a metallic voice, nothing as foul as hammered steel, but laser cut platinum with a crystalline ring. “Is this a formal request?”
“Yes,” Naoma said. “Preferably before the event.”
“Meat and Wine?”
“Yes. Send him 3Rochi’s rumors if you want to prove that I’m worthy of his attention. If he wants a good plot, I’m better than fiction.”
“He is well aware of the 3Rochi rumors.”
“Good. Then you should have no problem bringing me to him.”
The Eunoch stared, calculating behind that mask whether or not Naoma was right in her bold step forward.
“Let’s go.” She gestured towards him, pulling me with her.
Blue flashed in the Eunoch’s pupils for half a second. “Shou would like to know why you are requesting a meeting.”
“I want to integrate myself into this, just as–”
“That is not specific enough. Please clarify your request or I will not relay it to Shou.”
Gongtide. The word rested on the edge of my tongue. If spoken, would that secure our success or condemn us as its enemies? Had Nichley already spoken with Zhou? What if we spoke of the Luxists? Was Zhou the Beacon or merely a name close to the Beacon?
“Nichley wants me back,” she said. “Can Shou make a better counteroffer?”
Was her mind following the same track?
A moment of silence. Its eyes pulsed with blue again. “Please follow me.”
The others in the circle watched us depart, but it was hard to gauge our fate based on their range of curiosity, pleasure, and unease.
Though there was plenty happening throughout the palace, increasing in excitement the higher we ascended, everyone we passed found the Eunuch walking with Naoma to be the peak of entertainment.
This was far from the only Eunuch scattered throughout the party, but one guiding Naoma produced a chemical reaction worthy of attention as if it was sensed before seen.
Had there been some announcement broadcasted to all who were already acquainted with Zhou?
Had they been waiting for Naoma to eventually join them after her dramatic departure from Reef?
Perhaps, but they did not ignore me either.