Kaley and Ronika rode the glide-train in silence, Ronika smiling to herself and lost in her thoughts and Kaley looking out the window. She watched the information flash up on her specs as she looked from building to building as they passed, or at the blue lane-way and people walking around below. Changing her focus to the interior of the glide-train, her specs informed her that her final destination could be to the centre of Ning.
She knew that the girls were planning a visit to the city centre during their recreation days, but Kaley wanted to see it first by herself.
Their working routine would be four days on and three days off, with an option to work two of the three days if they desired to. This was a special setup for them, as the Femme labs were open seven days. Kaley was looking forward to working closely with a mentor and intended to work the full six days available. Now was not the time to waver in her dedication.
Ronika didn’t question her when their stop arrived and she didn’t hop off. She only gave a little wave when she realised Kaley wasn’t following her onto the platform. Kaley waved back.
The glide-train delivered her to the centre of the city as promised and she followed her specs’ directions off the platform and into the busy city. It wasn’t crammed with people, but there was a purpose to the multitude of women and men that were walking about. Their clothing was more varied here than at the Portal terminal. There were fewer shimmery dresses and Kaley’s choice with the pastel green dress blended in. The men were in various unpatterned colours—either bright or soft in tone—but always in their tunic-style dresses or same-coloured tunics over shorts. They mostly moved in uniformly dressed groups. Kaley recalled that their slaves were not to be sent on tasks on their own, as they were tourist assigned slaves and not errand runners. She felt a bit guilty for leaving Mecca behind at the hotel as he wasn’t able to wander around on his own beyond the establishment. She didn’t like the idea of trapping him—especially when all of the other girls were back already.
She found she couldn’t enjoy the beauty of the city now that she was thinking about Mecca stuck in their suite. She’d been thoughtless, coming here without him. Being alone wasn’t just about taking her time and enjoying the world on her own terms, it was also to escape the frivolous comments of the other girls who were more interested in chatting with one another than enjoying the sounds and atmosphere Femme had to offer. She wanted to immerse herself within it without hearing them compare it to Earth. She wanted to enjoy it physically, without hearing about statistics of this or that. Visiting a place was a million times better than reading about it. She hated spoilers of all kinds—books, movies and tourist destinations. Even though she sometimes felt a bit lost or overwhelmed, this was the way she wanted to experience things. To leap in; full immersion or nothing. What was the point of reading other people’s impression of a place when she could form her own, unbiased opinions?
She’d made a mistake coming on her own, though. Mecca was a part of Femme and she was enjoying his company more than she’d expected. It was nice to have a knowledgeable companion at her side, especially one as gentle as him. She knew he’d been raised for this purpose, but that didn’t make his role any less important or change how she felt about him. She’d been wrong in her initial impression about having a slave and more forgiving in hindsight of Shensha’s words. It was true enough that having a slave assigned to her helped her understand Femme’s culture. She hadn’t understood until she’d experienced it for herself. She could admit when she was wrong.
She hadn’t got far from the station before she came across the town commons—though her specs called it the Assembly Arena. The space was paved in a circular fashion and peppered with miniature gardens and small fountains.
Citizens milled about here in a way they hadn’t anywhere else. The atmosphere was different.
The town circle was huge and surrounding it was a strange collection of buildings. The strangest one was the most familiar one, as it didn’t fit in with the curves and arches that Femme architects adored. This building could’ve felt right at home in the annals of Earth history, Roman period. Large columns, a long row of steps, old fashioned and impractical in design. There were eight uniformed Authority officers positioned at intervals across the lowermost step and they were standing to attention. Kaley approached one, unsure of the result she’d get. The woman in dark blue looked at her, though her position was unchanging. Kaley’s specs didn’t identify her.
“Hi, wondering if you can help me? I’m just looking for a public phone and—”
“There are no phones here,” the Authority said bluntly.
“Oh. What? I mean, I don’t want to disturb—”
“There are no public phones on Femme.” The soldier observed Kaley’s stunned expression for a long moment before Kaley realised that was the whole answer.
“Then how do people talk to each other when they’re out?”
“They don’t.”
“Um, okay. Thank you,” she said while moving away, not wanting to get into trouble for talking to the Authority for too long.
The information was astounding.
What kind of future world doesn’t have something as basic as a phone?
Earth had been using phones for over a century now and were almost integrated with computers. She supposed the specs were their version of a smartphone, but she couldn’t communicate with anyone on them! No telephones and no television; it was like a media blackout.
Just as well Kaley had taken phone numbers for all the girls. She considered calling Ronika, but thought she should branch out a bit more, so looked up Teresa’s name and dialled that. She glanced at the small logo in the top left corner and the ‘Authnet’ text showing her connection to the Authority Network. No public phones, the soldier had said, but she’d failed to mention if you brought your own mobile phone, it would be recognised and automatically serviced. She couldn’t call Mecca directly but at least she could get to him through her friends.
“Hi Kaley, where you at?” Teresa’s laughing voice sounded in Kaley’s ear and it summoned a smile.
“Hi Teresa, I’m in the middle of Ning.”
“Of where? Are you lost? Do you have your specs?” Teresa was asking the right questions for a concerned friend but her tone didn’t match. She was still having too good a time to be worried, which was just as well. There was no cause for alarm.
“Yes, but I’m after Mecca. I wanted to get patched through to the hotel but there’s no way to call him.”
“I know! Isn’t it crazy?” Teresa squealed so excitedly that Kaley had to pull her phone away from her ear.
“Yes. Are you busy? I can try Ronika, maybe,” she said, not wanting to interrupt Teresa’s good time.
“I wouldn’t pass up a chance to eyeball that beautiful man you’ve kept tucked away in your room,” Teresa said. There was less background noise now, which meant Teresa was on the move.
Kaley didn’t know what to say, so simply managed a soft laugh to show her amusement at Teresa’s words when she was really feeling edgy about them. She was spared having to say anything because Teresa carried the conversation on her own, talking about how she quite liked her slave Baru, even if he couldn’t style her hair, but she’d be open to slave-swapping with Kaley. The choked sound that Kaley made in reply didn’t seem to deter Teresa from her mostly one-sided conversation. Kaley hoped Teresa was having her on and decided she must be. Teresa then reported something unusual.
“Aw, Ronika’s already talking to him. Did you call her first? They look like they’re in pretty deep convo. Have you already swapped?”
“No, I haven’t,” Kaley said, wondering where Ronika and Mecca were if Teresa could see them already. Was Mecca out of their room? Was he standing in the doorway or had Teresa found the pair somewhere else? Kaley wished she could see.
“It’s for you, Mecca,” she heard Teresa say in the background, as though the phone was already being held out.
There was some fumbling and then some discussion about how Mecca should hold the phone to his ear, not in front of his face like that.
“Hello Kaley?” he asked, his greeting uncertain.
“Hi Mecca. I wanted to tell you I’ve gone sightseeing. I’m sorr—um, I mean,” she hunted for a way to tell him how she felt without apologising. “I regret not taking you with me.”
There was a pause and Kaley wondered if maybe he’d hung up on her by accident. Then he spoke.
“That is very considerate of you, Kaley,” he said warmly. She’d expected him to say more to her, so struggled with something more to say.
“Instead of hanging around in the room, how about—”
“I’ll go on a walk with him in the gardens,” Ronika said, surprising Kaley. Mecca must’ve handed the phone back, not realising that there was going to be more to the conversation. She heard Teresa in the background offering to entertain Mecca also and didn’t like the way it was said.
“You could come with him to meet me here,” she suggested. She’d meant to ask Mecca if he was allowed to make his way to her by himself.
“You don’t have to do that,” Ronika said. “I’ll look after him.”
“What about Awichin?” Kaley prompted, trying to deter Ronika’s offer. Selfishly, she’d prefer for Mecca to remain in the room than for Ronika to usher him around the place. She had a way of making him do what she wanted and Kaley wasn’t comfortable with that.
“He’s out shopping for me at the moment. He’s a personal slave, he’s not tourist assigned,” she explained.
No wonder Ronika had been so fast on the slave questionnaire at the portal terminal. As a citizen she already had Awichin assigned to her and probably hadn’t had to do anything other than be scanned in.
“Uh,” Kaley struggled to find another way to decline but the opportunity was taken out of her hands when Teresa’s voice returned on the phone.
“Kaley, I would’ve been happy to look after Mecca,” she whined.
“Ronika beat you to it.” Kaley did her best to sound good-natured. They said their ‘see you laters’ and hung up.
She was worried. Ronika had stared at Mecca a couple of times already which Kaley thought were indication she was interested in him. Ronika was also pretty quick to offer to spend time with him, deflecting Kaley’s opposition effortlessly.
She wasn’t about to turn back though, that would be an over-reaction. She was sure Mecca would be able to refuse her if he wanted to. Even if he couldn’t, she was positive Ronika wouldn’t force herself on him. That would be wrong on all kinds of levels. But how well did she know Ronika anyway? The more she learned, the more she realised how much a part of Femme Ronika was.
“Stop,” she told herself. She was working herself up over nothing. A man close by and in front of her was looking at her in alarm. She was momentarily confused by his attention until she realised he’d obeyed her command. “Oh I’m—uh, keep doing what you’re doing.”
Not apologising was difficult but she was glad he smiled and nodded before moving away. It was a strange experience, that a single word could stop a man twice her age.
Kaley slipped her phone into the pocket of her dress and used her specs to direct her to Ning’s Cultural Hall. By its description it sounded like a museum/art gallery/theatre jumble.
She wandered around the large complex, her specs giving extra insight to the things she saw. It was also interesting that the newest items on display didn’t have further information on them, as though the specs hadn’t been updated. She hadn’t found a typo in her specs yet, so they were edited extremely well, but the missing information proved that there must be citizens somewhere inputting tons of information into a databank that transmitted wirelessly. It was ridiculous that they had all this technology at their fingertips but excluded the ability to communicate over distance. She was getting a sense of purpose behind it but she couldn’t see what the advantages could possibly be.
After Ning’s culture hall, Kaley moved around the city randomly, looking at the large windows with products on display. Even though she’d noted and understood the reasons behind the absence of children, it was eerie not to see them. She wasn’t overly fond of children; she didn’t know how to talk to them and certainly didn’t find them delightful for doing ordinary things. She also didn’t dislike them or seethe about how inconvenient or loud they were while in public places. They were just a different stage of growing human beings. She hadn’t expected to miss them, but there was no laughter or wild vibrancy that was synonymous with them. Children laughed and played and got in the way. They cried and screamed and frustrated their parents. They were a part of life and living, except on Femme, where they were swept aside and raised in artificial environments until they could ‘contribute’.
Their culture was obviously working for them, just look at the advancements they’d made. She stopped to watch a glide-train whirr overhead and then at the small two person carriages that used the same rail system but acted more like taxis. Her specs translated her eye line and offered her information. The glide-trains and glide-cars operated by repelling magnetic forces. The trains were free public transport while the smaller, unconnected versions were more like a share-car. Femme citizens sacrificed some of their personal credits to be able to use the cars over the trains.
There were no deviants here, no openly criminal activities. The only crime she’d seen so far was a walking protest that had been quickly and peacefully scattered by the presence of Femme police. There were no signs of vandalism, no rubbish on the streets and everyone seemed satisfied with their lives, including the slaves. The men looked as content as the women. Why shouldn’t they be, in this high-tech world with no negative drawbacks?
Kaley found the lack of familial connection horrifying and the upbringing tragic. At the same time she understood the citizens of Femme knew no different. Their ignorance saved them from this heartache. How do you miss a parent’s love when there was no understanding of what a parent even was?
Once a child was old enough to be released into the system, what an amazing life to lead in an amazing world. It was something that could be truly enjoyed.
As long as you’re a woman.
Ronika’s words were haunting her. It didn’t help knowing that Mecca was walking around with her, having a chat. Kaley liked Mecca’s easy nature, she didn’t want Ronika to make things difficult by putting new ideas into his head.
She couldn’t enjoy her tour because her mind kept returning to what might be going on between Mecca and Ronika. The desire to get back surpassed her wish to see the Chambers of the High Priestess. She hadn’t read her information booklet in great detail but she had looked at a tourist pamphlet so she would know the names of some of the sights. The Chambers of the High Priestess ranked as the top place to visit. A quick scan of her itinerary within her specs revealed an event booked by the University on the fourth week of their stay on Femme. She and the other students were to witness a Judgement. The Judgement was to take place in a huge hall beside the Chambers. With a little bit of patience, she’d be able to see it then.
Her return to the Clio was swift in terms of public transport but it was still getting dark by the time she walked into the lobby. Her specs alerted her with a notice that she had one hour before the shuttles arrived to take them to dinner at Winhao. Kaley read the description for it while being transported to her floor. The direct translation for Winhao was ‘rising waters’, so perhaps they would be near the river. Ning’s geographical map showed it was on the cusp of one.
When she arrived at her suite, Mecca was already inside seated on the lounge. He stood and gave her a smile that Kaley answered even as she approached.
“Was your walk with Ronika a nice one?” she asked.
“Yes, thank you Kaley,” he said and moved to greet her, holding her shoulders with his hands. It was a gesture she assumed was his permitted version of a hug and thought it sweet. “Was your time in Ning enjoyable?”
“No, not really,” she said. “The whole time I was wishing were with me because you’re much better than these silly specs,” she said, laughing at her own mistake and taking the specs off, the movement confined by their proximity.
When she made eye contact with Mecca again she held her breath. There was something about the way he was looking at her that made her tingle. She was aware of holding the specs awkwardly between them, that they would get in the way if he leant forward and kissed her. She waited for it, like she waited for all kisses and then realised he wouldn’t do it unless she gave him permission. Telling him that he was allowed to kiss her would be a passion killer. She preferred spontaneity.
He dropped his hands and dipped his head in a small bow before stepping back, putting more space between them.
“Forgive me, Kaley. I have not known such kind and considerate words. I wished to tell you on the phone but with the other mistresses there, I did not want them to overhear.”
Her heart did a flip in her chest. Immense guilt flowed into her as she thought about how selfish and thoughtless her action had been to disregard him, and here he was praising her. She knew he was supposed to make her feel good, but this was all kinds of wrong. She couldn’t even say sorry.
“I apologise for this morning,” he said, confusing her. It took her a moment to remember the breakfast at Lonchian. So much had happened today that she’d forgotten his transgression.
“Why would you lie to me?” she asked, no longer upset because enough time had passed but it was still a concern.
“If you forgive me for correcting you Kaley, I did not lie, I abused a privilege.”
“How so?”
“I am able to offer my opinion with your permission but I am disallowed from sharing my views publicly. You seemed interested in what I had to say so I… misrepresented myself.” He smiled at her but it looked sad. “I do not wish to abuse your trust. I enjoy being assigned to you. It is not often that I am heard.”
His appeal was intent and she felt it was genuine. With him standing closely and speaking earnestly, she couldn’t help but believe him. She remembered pushing him for his opinion at the gardens so she couldn’t fault him entirely.
“Alright, but you shouldn’t do the wrong thing just because I don’t know the rules. You have to help me figure this world out without putting yourself at risk.”
“Thank you, Kaley,” he said warmly.
They’d had a shaky start but she was sure they’d be able to manage. She hadn’t told him to stop voicing his opinion because she still wanted it, but now she wouldn’t prompt him for it in public.
“Would you like for me to draw you a bath before dinner?” he offered.
“Um, no thanks. A shower will be faster. Can you pick my dress, though? I have no idea what to wear to Winhao.”
“If you please excuse me, Kaley. You will discover the word is pronounced Ween-how,” he corrected.
“Ween-how,” she repeated, liking the sound of that much better than her own attempt. “Rising waters,” she said, much to Mecca’s delight. He was openly pleased that she knew the Femme translation.
She found the dress he’d chosen laying on her bed when she came out of the ensuite. It was one of the long shimmering colour-changing gowns that had a wispy cape-like attachment at the neck that hooked onto bracelets just above her elbows. It was slinky and feminine and made her think of sultry jazz singers. He’d also set out white glittery slippers to go with it. It was a dress she thought more suited for heels, but much like cigarettes and public phones, there were no such things on Femme and they were unlikely to be imported, either.
Mecca had changed into a turquoise outfit in a style akin to ancient Egyptian kings. Throughout Earth history—surely long before Authorities had come by—men had worn gowns, togas, skirts. Surrounded by the culture and associating it with her own world history, it no longer seemed odd that he was wearing what she’d initially considered a dress. Kaley was surprised at how quickly she’d adapted; she was already getting used to being pampered with fancy clothes and exquisite hairstyles.
He wove broad green leaves and large pink flowers into her hair. Already with ancient civilisations in mind, she thought of the mythical nymphs. She was steadily being transformed from ordinary Earth girl to sophisticated Femme woman. When Mecca did her makeup in the Femme style, blazing orange under her eyes and over her cheeks, the transition was complete. She felt like a Hollywood extra in a glamorous production.
“You’re stunning,” Mecca said, admiring his handiwork.
“Only because of you,” she said, pleased by his compliment but not feeling like she deserved all the credit.
“Not only,” he replied. “We must leave now, if we wish to arrive on time.”
“It’s Earth custom to arrive a little bit late,” Kaley told him, and grinned at his confused expression. “To make an entrance.”
“Is the entrance not negative, being tardy?” he asked with surprise.
“Not usually. Depends who’s late, I guess,” Kaley said, her confidence melting away. She doubted her lateness would be appreciated. She’d already been late once before and right now she didn’t want to create more waves. Mecca must’ve sensed her shift in attitude because he immediately drew close to her.
“I apologise, Kaley, I—“
“It’s okay, really. You’re helping me,” she said and extended her hand. Mecca surprised her by taking it and lifting it to his lips for a kiss. When he saw her face, he immediately lowered it.
“Was this not the correct custom?”
“That’s an old-fashioned way to greet a lady,” she said, trying not to think about how his lips had felt upon her hand or the soft tingles that followed afterward.
“I understand. What was your intention?”
“For you to hold my hand,” she said, blushing.
He held it and they walked out of the suite together.