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Reality Fault

Realms: Morning Rain Logs

My Dinner With Caliban

"The Dallas police chief today admitted to using transhumans in his department as a sort of unofficial criminal justice unit. The governor of Texas noted that while Police Chief Gardener's policies were to be commended as forward thinking and progressive, at the same time they are, quote, 'a dangerous bypass of due process.' Chief Gardener was quoted only as saying that he supports transhuman rights and is looking to start a program to actively recruit transhumans. The Dallas city government has asked Gardener to take a vacation for a couple of weeks while they determine what position to take."

The day draws to a close, and Kim leaves for the day. The sky is clear except for a few puffs of clouds, and SoHo settles into the typical restless shuffle of a Monday night. It is a pleasant walk from OutWrite to Bryce's home on Christopher Street, the top apartment in a comfortable brownstone down the block from the London Underground and a few doors up from the corner florist. A large bag from Nunzio's contains an entire and delicious vegan dinner.

    Bryce's Apartment
    Bryce's place, to a trained eye, is a rapidly-cleaned-up-for-guests bachelor pad. The walls and carpets of the comfortably-sized apartment tend toward off-white, but are hung with framed black and white photography of artfully naked people by Tony Ryan, several tapestries, and some 8 x 10 color shots of Stonehenge and carved rocks. The furniture consists of a comfortably worn dark gray couch and a suspiciously clean coffee table. The kitchen in the next room is also too clean. No one has lived or eaten in this since it was hastily made suitable for guests last night after the decision to meet here for dinner.
    The tapestries, if anyone cares, are: a Celtic-looking Tree of Life in green and brown with knotwork borders; an Asian-looking dragon in red, black and white; and that medieval-recreation unicorn tapestry everyone seems to have.

Bryce lets himself, Jade, and Nagi into his apartment, and hands off the bag of food to Jade. "Can you find plates and set the coffee table or something? This'll have to be informal, I don't have a real table and chairs..." Jade tosses her coat across a chair with one hand, idly shaking out her long hair with the other, and looks around the familiar apartment with a smile.

    Bryce is a wiry, mildly tanned young man with chin-length bright sky-blue hair and cheerful eyes that almost match his hair. He stands about 6'1" and looks about mid to late twenties. He's wearing pale, ripped jeans, comfy black sneakers, a baggy gray tee with the faded rainbow logo "OutWrite Books," and rainbow pride rings on a necklace that hangs outside his shirt.

Jade blinks a bit startledly as she's handed the bag of food, then smiles and shrugs, "C'mon, Nagi, let's find utensils." There's the sound of cupboards and drawers being opened and closed several times, and the occasional, "Ah! Found the plates..." or "Here are the forks and knives, Jade." There's a pause for food to be moved around... and then a few minutes later Jade and Nagi return to the living room. They set placemats, plates, and other eating utensils across the living room coffee table... along with several bowls full of the food from Nunzio's, as well as large serving spoons. Jade looks around, then grins and puts something small and decorative from the living room in the middle of the table for a pleasant visual accent. "There, how's that, Bryce?"

    Jade is... beautiful. Her long, flowing hair shimmers a lustrous sable; her dancing emerald eyes are tilted and almond-shaped; her skin is a warm, smooth, flawless shade of honey; her lips part easily in fluid laughter or charming speech; her lithe shape is a supple dream; her slow walk is head-turningly distracting... and she's cautiously thrilled!

Bryce emerges from his bedroom with an armload of pillows and a fold-out chair. He glances over the layout, and nods, "Looks great, thanks!"

Jade settles in a chair and smiles, "Excellent. A brandy sour for me, please?"

As he's getting drinks, Bryce looks at Jade and Nagi and says seriously, "I have an important question. Do we want to admit what we are to Caliban? We already know that she says she and her father are. We're basically about to talk about her transhuman-saving plans tonight. I'd kind of like to be free to at least tell her I am, if you don't mind. But if it would make you uncomfortable, or put you on the spot... I won't yet. After all, if we're going to work together for real, I think it'd help to be honest. She's shown us trust already... I'd like to reach back."

Jade frowns thoughtfully at her drink, considering... then makes a decision. She glances at Nagi, raising an eyebrow inquiringly, "How do you feel about it, Nagi? I think it's all right with me, unless you think of an objection I've missed?"

Nagi mms. "I leave it up to you. My situation is most dependent on yours, although if you choose to give that away, it will become quickly obvious that I am as well... a transhuman with a mortal bodyguard makes little sense. I have the suspicion, it may as well be said, that it will be coming out soon anyway. My... bad feeling, has not gone away."

    Standing straight and wiry, Nagi is a honey-skinned man of indeterminate age, with a strong though not bulky build. His cheeks are hollowed by a five o-clock shadow, and his unruly dark hair is shot through with gray. He wears a long black leather jacket, buttoned up only halfway; the left sleeve swings empty at his side, his hand instead hanging in the crook of the opening. His wrists are covered by heavy rust-colored kendo kote that terminate in black gloves. His pants are loose and dark gray, his shoes are ratty New Balance sneakers. His shirt is printed in bright colors with a crashing wave, and his eyes are covered by large dark sunglasses -- the kind that enclose the sides. Not an impressive man, just a fit little man, with the look of someone's professor or somebody's uncle.

Jade nods quietly to Nagi, then looks at Bryce and nods again, "Let's do it, then, Bryce."

Bryce nods, looks briefly relieved, then sighs. "Nagi, about your bad feeling... I hope you're wrong, but I don't want to assume it. My other question for you guys is do we want to think seriously about getting or making a hideout... a secret place with stuff we'll need if we have to leave our normal lives for a while? And if we do -- should we include Caliban on that secret too, or is it too dangerous? Or is it the only right thing to do?"

Jade says, "Um... why don't we wait and see what Caliban has to say to us first, before we decide on a secret place or no?"

Nagi says, "You seem to be placing quite a bit of trust in someone we don't know from Adam. Or Eve, for that matter." Jade grins at her dour bodyguard.

Bryce says, "I'm trusting your bad feeling, Nagi, actually. This has nothing to do with Caliban unless we let it. This is us being ok if the shit hits the fan." He frowns.

Jade settles back and sips her drink relaxedly, watching her friends thoughtfully. Nagi says, "I think it would be wise to hear what it-" He scowls momentarily, "What they have to say, before we make such a decision." Jade grins quietly into her drink again.

Bryce says, "People are disappearing and being kidnapped all over the place for being what we are, guys. We may have to leave our normal lives. Joining Caliban makes that more likely by adding one more weirdo to the mix. All I'm saying is we ought to have a place to run, and supplies, if everything goes wrong -- and hope we never need it. Please think about it. We don't have to talk about it more tonight, in front of our dinner guest. But consider it, please."

Jade says, "Well, there are a few things Daddy has in place for leaving the country quickly... but I suspect they don't cover being a transhuman. Still, I stick by my original statement -- let's gather more information from Caliban before we make the decision."

Nagi says, "I have no intention of joining anyone, until I am certain of their motivations. Regardless, I can arrange for passage out of the country in a matter of hours. If you are that concerned, I can see to it that we put the Pacific Ocean between ourselves and... whomever." Jade smiles quietly at Nagi, unsurprised that there's more than one backup plan her father has in place. Daddy may be way too officiously old-fashioned... but I know he does care, at least.

Bryce sighs, "It has nothing to do with Caliban; it's just an emergency idea... but ok. This is a start."

Not long after, the doorbell rings. Bryce hands off Jade and Nagi's drinks in time to get the door, checking the viewport first to see if it's not really Caliban -- just in case Jade's narc admirer stalked them home... Caliban stands there outside, dressed much as she was earlier in the day, carrying a small, narrow bag cradled in one arm. She grins quietly as Bryce opens the door. "Good evening, Mr. Michaels."

Jade leans back with a relaxed sigh, kicking off her neat shoes and stretching her smooth legs out -- it's been a long day for her. She sips from her drink, then smiles as Caliban enters, "We meet again!" Bryce closes the door and locks it again after letting Caliban inside.

Caliban chuckles softly at Jade's greeting, as she steps inside. "Indeed we do!" She offers the bagged bottle to Bryce. "I'm afraid it's not much, but I do hope it's to the liking of you and your friends." Jade watches the strange looking young woman with fascinated interest, but remains politely silent as Bryce invites Caliban in.

    Caliban stands about six feet in height and is very slender, with a mop of hair so black it's almost purple, framing a pale, angular-featured face. Her eyes are somewhere between brown and pale green. She's dressed plainly and vaguely, wearing a mock-turtleneck, slacks, and fairly plain comfortable shoes. No jewelry is visible.

Bryce accepts the bottle, finds it to contain a rather nice wine, and smiles at Caliban, "Why, Miss Scah-let! Ah you trying to get me tipsy?" He winks and welcomes Cali in with a cheerful flourish. Jade covers a quiet giggle. Bryce says, "Please, find a seat... we're not being formal tonight." He demonstrates by going over to flop on a pile of pillows by the table, leaving the black canvas folding chair and the couch free.

Caliban laughs warmly, but doesn't attempt a Southern accent. "Heavens, no, Sir, only a polite gift from a dinner-guest!" She settles comfortably upon one of the pillows. "I will say, though, that dinner smells wonderful..."

Bryce says cheerfully, "Help yourself." He demonstrates, as host. Not as a hungry guy. Really. Jade helps herself and nibbles, enjoying dinner and the relaxation of not being in 'professional' mode. She's still thoughtfully watching Caliban.

"...and in local club news, DJ Mutant Z finally reappeared, arriving at the Rose Club about 24 hours late with the only explanation being that he wanted to practice his 'mad tranz powerz' before spinning. The Rose Club managers chose not to believe him. DJ Mutant Z will be spinning Wednesday night at the Palladium for a one-hour set that has yet to be announced..."

The dinner progresses smoothly -- idle conversation, nothing at all transhuman-related. ... just the weather, current events, polite questions from Caliban about running a bookstore, being a suddenly insanely popular author, being a bodyguard. Dinner -- as usual with Nunzio's, incredibly good -- is consumed, and soon enough there are only empty bowls and plates.

Caliban lets out a breath, smiling. "That was very, very good. Thank you." Jade smiles at Caliban, and is rather proud of herself for not bursting with curiosity! Caliban looks down for a moment, then up again, smiling quietly and eyes bright. "And I should at the very least tell you a bit more than I have. I guess the first, best thing to do is ask if there's anything so far that you'd like me to clear up?"

Jade looks at the debris of dinner, then covers a grin at a sudden random thought. She doesn't say anything, however... this is Bryce's show tonight. Bryce smiles at Caliban and floats the pitcher of water over to refill her glass, in a fiery, vanilla-scented glow, then raises the full glass to hover a foot in front of her, in reach. "Why don't you start with what happened to you and your father, and tell us what you think you've left out that's important?" Jade grins quietly, watching with interest as to how Caliban reacts.

Caliban looks surprised at the showing. She doesn't say anything right away, instead reaching up -- with a ghost of a smile? -- to gingerly take the glass from the telekinetic hold. "Father was right, after all," she says, though she doesn't seem one-hundred-percent pleased with that realization. She looks around, smiling quietly, and says in a somewhat brighter tone, "Well. Where to begin... as I'd said, I'm a transhuman, though," she looks to Bryce merrily, "-I'm afraid I'm not able to prove it in quite the same way."

Bryce smiles, leaning back and looking relaxed. The glow dies. "In any way? I noticed you suddenly weren't around anymore, back at the shop when we had our official visitor."

Caliban laughs quietly. "Well, there is that. Thank you for noticing that. And thank you for your trust; I know that it isn't easy. It's a brave thing to admit that to someone these days." She continues: "If it helps any to prove my sincerity, however, my father is the one who pointed me in your direction. He said nothing about you -- any of you -- being transhumans, only intimated that you were." She looks mildly uncomfortable. "It was because of what the Morning Rain gave him that he's... well, there isn't any way to say this easily. He's not of the same mind he had before the Rain -- you do know what I mean when I use that phrase, don't you? Some people do, others don't..."

Bryce says quietly, "Please explain. I don't want to assume."

Caliban nods. "The Morning Rain. What most 'official' sources call the Transhuman Incidence Event. That... whatever-it-was that made us transhumans." She shakes her head. "As I said earlier, 'The Morning Rain gaveth, the Morning Rain taketh away.' A bit dramatic on my part, I'm afraid, but true. In this case it took away my father's sanity and gave him... a gift. I'm not at all sure what it is, and he certainly can't tell me. It would be easier to show you, actually, to let you meet him, though that's much harder than him pointing to a map, saying something about 'at the rainbow sign' and strongly suggesting I go there. His... condition makes bringing him into public difficult, and any of the hunters would immediately know him on sight."

Bryce listens, trying to look sympathetic and trustworthy. Jade looks a bit puzzled, "He's changed physically? Does he not look human any more, or something?"

Caliban shakes her head, looking to Jade. "No, not... not really. Not even to the extent that I was. He..." She sighs again. "He isn't well. Emotionally, and mentally. He cannot focus on a single thing for longer than a few moments. And he is prone to seemingly random vocal outbursts, of whatever his... his gift brings to him." She looks frustrated. "Even that wouldn't be so bad but for the hunters knowing his face and what the Morning Rain did to him."

Nagi mms, "I believe our guest means that his insanity makes him... inconvenient to bring into public view. Prophets never being trusted in their homes, as it's said." Bryce nods quietly to Nagi.

Jade ohs softly at Nagi's words, and nods... then says quietly to Caliban, "Then... either his change was quite public, or he's a former public figure, yes?"

Caliban blinks, looking at Nagi for a moment. Then her lips quirk a little, "'Prophet.' That's... reasonably appropriate."

Nagi says, "I believe I understand what you are trying to say."

Caliban looks to Jade. "Well... somewhat public. He was an executive for a brokerage firm on Wall Street. More than that, though, shortly after the Morning Rain, he was admitted into Bellevue's mental health patient ward. It was there that his gift started to be documented, and the hunters began the process to obtain a court order to have him released into their custody." She straightens a bit. "I had to get him out of there before they succeeded. Unfortunately, because of the perceived importance of his gift, the hunters have an especial interest in finding him.

Bryce murmurs sourly, "Of course the government wants a prophet... ye gods. Talk about power-hungry bastards."

Jade thinks a bit, then nods, "A transhuman locator would be invaluable to the hunters, true. I'm glad you managed to escape with him in time." She pauses, tilting her head regardingly at the physically unusual woman before her, and adds, "Do you believe you've successfully hidden? Why are you tracking down transhumans?" Bryce leans back again and lets Jade guide the conversation; it's certainly her skill, and she's asking the questions he wants answered, too.

Caliban nods to Bryce, fidgeting a little bit. "His gift is a lot more than just prescience, I'm sure of it. I know it. But I just don't know what his gift is, really." She looks to Jade, nodding quietly. "Even if that was all he could do, the hunters would want him. He's as hidden as I could for him. As for why I'm looking for transhumans..." She sighs and rubs her forehead. "This is going to be rather embarrassing," she confesses. "I've honestly been trying to start clandestine transhuman support groups. The one I work with now, unfortunately, is collectively scared witless after all that's happened, and honestly I can't blame them. All the good that transhumans can do is annulled by the ones who go so far as to refuse to acknowledge even to one another that they're transhumans."

Then she looks distinctly uncomfortable. "As for tracking down transhumans... I'm afraid I can't explain that terribly well. My father basically told me, without prompting, to go to you -- rather, to go to Mr. Michaels' store. 'Under the rainbow sign.' As it is, I have no definite idea why his gift brought me into your life. That'd be something that I have to hope he'll be able to explain. Somehow."

Bryce sings very softly, "Somewhere... under the rainbow... Judy Garland, where are you when we need you?"

Jade blinks slightly at Caliban's words, "Er... are you saying there are multiple transhuman groups out there? -possibly working at cross-purposes to each other?" She adds curiously, "What is your gift, if I may ask?"

Caliban looks over to Bryce, smiling quietly. Jade's question makes her shake her head. "Not cross-purposes. There are groups out there, but they just provide mutual support for their members. Most are made up of people who are scared of what the Morning Rain gave them, some may be resentful of what it took away in the process, but most are simply trying to keep their heads down and avoid any attention from the hunters." She lets out a breath. "I'm not really in a position to do the same, with my father, and I think the other members of the group I help with tend to be resentful of that. They did not like the idea of me going to Mr. Michaels' bookstore, for example, especially at my father's insistence."

Jade raises an eyebrow, "I'm sorry, I'm not sure I understand precisely. Are you saying that the group you are now part of simply wants to keep its collective head down... and does not want you to be talking to us? Have you considered that they might try to do something to stop you?" She turns and scans the room slowly, wondering if Caliban's gift of "don't see me!" is replicated in others in this group of hers... who might be here even now.

Caliban smiles quietly. "I was lucky, actually. I'm not easily seen. And ever since the Rain I've been able to see certain... patterns of things. Unfortunately that last started to make me noticed." She laughs quietly, and shakes her head. "Oh, dear. I'm sorry, I've been making an awful presumption, that all three of you are transhumans. If it isn't too rude, may I ask if you are? You don't have to answer either way; it is only curiosity that drives me to ask."

Bryce adds, "And are you saying that there are other people I've never met who suspect that I may be transhuman, and know where my store is?" Jade nods a little grimly at that comment from her old friend, even as she doesn't let her concentration on scanning the room flag.

Caliban looks to Bryce, shaking her head. "No. They only know that I was going at my father's insistence to where I might run into other transhumans if I was lucky. They didn't want to know any more than that."

Bryce nods briefly and sighs. That's a relief, if I can believe you. Jade doesn't see or scent anything out of the ordinary, so settles back on the couch. She curls her small feet up under her so she's not poking Nagi, and regards Caliban unsmilingly. She's worried about this "resentful" group. At Caliban's query as to whether she's a transhuman, she simply nods once, then adds, "So... what does seeing patterns of things mean?"

Nagi says, "Then, if I may, let me ask a possibly incisive question?"

Caliban nods to Nagi. "Certainly. It's only fair."

Bryce looks at Nagi, who says, "What are your plans, as of now? You have found us, difficult as it is to locate someone standing under a seven-foot-long rainbow. Now what?" Bryce grins quietly at Nagi's phrasing... serious as the situation may be.

Caliban smiles to Jade, acknowledging the lack of an answer to her question but not commenting upon it. "Trends. Elements of cause and effect that aren't immediately obvious. Believe me, I could have made a killing on NASDAQ if I also wanted to risk coming to the attention of every hunter in the nation." Her smile fades as she looks to Nagi. She nods once. "My plans. If it's one thing I've learned from listening to my father after the Rain came, it's that the Rain happened for a reason. Something brought about the Morning Rain, the Transhuman Incidence Event, whatever you wish to call it. And... I think my father taps into that reason, somehow. That's why I said 'prophet' was a reasonably appropriate appellation for him. Every prophet is just a voice of something.

"I think transhumans came about for a reason. If we can make it safe for transhumans to walk around in public, to acknowledge who they are without having the fear that they'll face an angry public or be whisked off to who-knows-where, then maybe whatever potential we have can be reached."

Nagi says, "And you believe that we have some part in that?"

Bryce nods slowly, thoughtful. "Do you have a plan for making it 'safe,' Caliban?" He frowns inwardly. What a disturbing thought -- that I'm being manipulated by vast forces, that my life has been changed without permission or apology to suit a 'greater purpose.' If we ever meet the author of this event, if there is one, I'm kicking him right in the balls for that. I don't like it one bit.

Caliban nods quietly to Nagi. "I've come to trust that what my father says or points out has some sort of importance with regards to the transhumans." To Bryce she simply shakes her head sadly, "No; at least, none that finds universal acceptance. We could do what others have done, like the enforced truce between the Bloods and Crips in LA, or we could just try to remain quiet and rely on normal human activists."

Jade nods encouragingly to the strange woman. She's got a vague idea of why Caliban is here, but figures eventually the reason will come out clearly. Bryce nods to Cali. "I see. Frankly, I'm not sure what to do yet. I need some time to think."

Caliban lets out a breath, biting her lip. "I'd... like to ask you to meet with my father, actually. All three of you. He's the one who told me where to go to find you, after all."

Jade smiles quietly, then curiously asks, "So... he said there were three people under the rainbow waiting for you?"

Bryce looks around at Jade and Nagi for their reactions. Nagi's reaction is impassive. He expected that. "If Jade goes, I will follow."

Bryce looks at Caliban and says simply, "I will go, regardless. I would like to meet this man."

Jade shakes her head to Nagi, her smile rueful, "I'm not going off to see the wizard until I have a lot more questions answered... especially if some group of tranzies is upset Caliban's here."

Caliban fidgets, but only a little. "Well... his exact words are... kind of hard to repeat. They weren't exactly coherent. But after pointing to a map, among the things he said were 'three lights in a circle,' 'under the rainbow sign,' and something about 'the tears that fell.' I'm afraid that I don't know what he meant by that last." She looks to Jade, and nods quietly. "That's fair enough. I realize I haven't been entirely clear on a number of things. I'll try to clear up whatever I can."

Jade thinks for a moment, then says curiously, "Tears... a metaphor for the rain, perhaps?"

Bryce nods, "That's my guess as well... especially if he sees the Rain as caused by a force. A sentient force, that is."

Caliban provides, "That is, admittedly, something he says fairly frequently."

Bryce says, "The tears, or that there is a force causing all this?"

Caliban says, "Oh, the tears imagery. This wasn't the first time he's said, 'the tears that fell.'"

Bryce nods, "Thanks." Creepy old man.

Jade nods at Caliban's comment and pauses, ordering her thoughts before she says, "How is this group of yours likely to react to meeting us? How is your dad likely to react? When do you want us to meet your father? Does he speak in more than one language, or is he simply incoherent? Do the various groups ever squabble with each other? Is there anyone that can recognize hunters? What do you expect from us, if anything? What do you want of a successful clandestine transhuman support group? As someone who has listened to your father for some time now, what are your speculations as to the reason for the Rain? What do you in particular believe is the best way to handle these gifts?"

Jade finally runs out of both questions and breath, and pauses. Nagi waits to see Caliban's reaction to the salvo. Bryce notes inwardly, And this is why we let Jade interrogate strangers, and listens.

Caliban takes the barrage of questions in stride, smiling a little as she shakes her head. "The only thing I'm sure of is that they'll be going out of their way to not meet you. They've told me as much, and they all said they'd not be around if I took you to meet father. They're scared, really. I can't blame them, since proof of being a transhuman is usually enough to have the hunters start asking questions."

Caliban continues, "As for how my father would react... I really don't know. He seemed pleasantly excited by this, however, so I can't see him being upset. As for when you can meet him... whenever you feel comfortable, though I would hope and ask that it be soon. His more incoherent talking is in English -- he never learned any other language, and he hasn't spoken in anything but English since the Rain came, though what he says can be hard to fathom, sometimes.

"I don't know if the transhuman support groups squabble. The ones I've worked with have been more concerned with hiding, though one or two are starting to make forays into addressing prevention of crimes perpetrated by transhumans. As for recognizing hunters... they're usually fairly recognizable. They travel and work under some government or corporate aegis or another. The fellow who took a shine to you this morning is a prime, if easily distracted, example." Jade smiles amusedly, but does not interrupt.

"As to what I expect from you... I can't expect anything. I don't have the right to expect anything, I can only ask for your help and assistance in the hopes that I'm not being too forward. A successful clandestine transhuman support group would have resources from sympathetic elements outside and within the group, for the preservation of the group's anonymity as transhumans until such time as there is no risk of being apprehended by the hunters. Especially for people like my father. He isn't the only one who... came to be in the state he's in now, via the Morning Rain; I've learned there are others around the world, a handful..."

Nagi hmns. More prophets. I'm not sure the world needs that much certainty. Bryce says, "Other prophets, or just other people who are incapable of disguising what they are?" Jade frowns thoughtfully. Her father being a global corporation's high mucky-muck, she has some idea of the horrific logistics involved in international endeavors. This... is going to be quite the mess, I suspect...

Caliban sighs quietly, closing her eyes and rubbing her forehead. "As for what the Rain was... I honestly don't know. I know that it changed a lot of us, gave us gifts, and in some cases changed us as well. That gift for seeing patterns I mentioned earlier... I've come to see a lot of events that took place during that time that... I don't know. Maybe they're related, maybe they're not. But what any of a dozen events might have to do with the Morning Rain, I don't know; I haven't seen those trends."

She opens her eyes, smiling a bit. "And the gifts. Well, there's so much we can do. All these natural disasters going on -- some transhumans are uniquely gifted to deal with them directly. Others can bring comfort and relief to the victims of those disasters." Her smile wavers. "And some of those disasters aren't natural -- they can't be. Earthquakes in tectonically stable areas? Flash-fires in places that have no history at all of them? Famine in areas with previously abundant crops?" She looks to Bryce. "Well... from what I've been told, other 'prophets,' as you put it. Only a handful, though, from what I've heard."

Bryce nods. "So. You've given us a lot to consider, Caliban... I myself, at least, need some time to think about it before I can answer your questions of us."

Caliban nods, letting out a soft breath. "I don't blame you. I've dumped a lot on you tonight. Even knowing half of that has scared a lot of transhumans into denying they have any sorts of gifts at all."

Jade says, "Well, I think I can answer at least two of your questions, Caliban. First, yes, I would like to meet your father. And second, Nagi is my bodyguard, and I..." She pauses, wondering how to politely answer the question as to what she does. She can't just say she's a fox spirit, after all -- she'd have to flee then, to wherever fox spirits go, and she doesn't want to do that just yet... and she'd rather not give away her best ability -- to sneak well -- when she might still need it kept a secret. Plus whatever she does should be non-threatening... she nods, figuring out what to do -- something like Bryce did. She looks up, smiling quietly, her eyes alight with mischief, and is... intensely charming at Caliban.

Nagi just sits, monolithic, with folded arms. If it becomes necessary for him to exhibit his ability, it will be immediately obvious anyway. Caliban listens politely to Jade, nodding and smiling at Jade's interest in seeing her father, and acknowledging Nagi's role, and the unspoken indication of Nagi's duty, as well. It's really only Jade's prelude, attempting to explain her gift, that gives Caliban any sort of warning as to what's happening. Cali actually blushes, staring but about as politely as one can, as Jade cranks the charm up to just about the top of the dial.

Jade holds the intense aura of charm just for a few short seconds... then lets it drop. She shifts physically as well, so she's broken eye contact with Caliban and gives the woman a chance to collect herself, if necessary. She smiles with faint rue. She can tell, by Caliban's scent, physiological changes, and behavior, that the transhuman finds the aura of charm quite... arousing... and also, interestingly enough, she can tell Caliban is probably either sterile... or neither male nor female.

Caliban does blink a few times, almost not quite realizing right away that the charm was turned off. She's silent for a moment, then nods a little. "Oh," she says in a tiny voice, then smiles quietly, adjusting the collar of her sweater. "That... that's quite an effect..."

Nagi doesn't react... above the table. Below it, he crosses one leg over the other and surreptitiously adjusts his waistband. I'm never going to get used to that. Bryce notices Nagi's little leg-cross, and tries not to smile out loud. Jade's laying it on thick... ahh, the little devil. Bless her for being female, and not drool-worthy. No offense, Jade. You look simply smashing tonight, dear. Heh. He leans back, legs uncrossed and trying not to be smug.

Jade smiles and nods politely to Caliban, then shrugs in faint apology, "I... it's hard to explain. I hope you didn't mind my small demonstration."

Caliban recovers, looking only a little flustered but not discomfited. She smiles and nods to Jade. "Oh, that's perfectly fine, I didn't mind. At all." Jade is faintly relieved, watching Caliban's behavior, to see the transhuman truly seems to not mind. A moment later someone else's behavior registers... and she blinks. Whups... hope I didn't embarrass Nagi... She gives her bodyguard a faintly inquiring glance... everything okay?

Nagi shakes his head faintly. He's fine. A rock, like always. Yep. A rock. Hard as -- oh, blast. Jade blinks at Nagi's expression, and raises a thoughtful eyebrow to herself. Okay... I'm going to have to be more careful with that, I can see. Hope he's not pissed later. She looks at Caliban, casually trying to draw any attention away from Nagi, and smiles, "So... do you have any other questions?"

Caliban smiles quietly, settling into the pillow she sits upon and seeming a little more relaxed. She considers for a moment. "Well," she says confessionally, "I would like to ask the same question of you. What do you think caused the Morning Rain?"

Jade thinks about that for a moment... then smiles and shrugs, "Um... I'm afraid I've not really given it any thought. Shortly before it happened, something almost as astonishing as the Rain happened to me, and I've been coping with the fallout from that, so I've been... a bit busy." She grins ruefully, "Er... are you familiar with the New York Times bestseller list? Well... one of my books is on it... the absolute last one I would have guessed would make it!"

Caliban smiles wryly. "The Tao of Pikachu? I saw the display when I was at the bookstore. It's certainly a very unique title."

Jade gets a faintly attractive flush, and says with an embarrassed smile, "I... well, thank you for saying so, although I'm afraid you've probably already guessed it was meant as a parody." She shakes her head in amusement, then looks curiously at Nagi, wondering if he's had any thoughts on the source of the Rain.

Caliban chuckles softly, "Actually, I haven't read it yet, so I didn't let myself guess as to what it might be about. A parody, you say?"

Jade nods amusedly, "I wrote it to fill a contractual need -- it was tossed off in record time." She laughs liquidly, pushing her hair back, and adds, "It was a joke, you know? How was I to know it'd do so well?"

Caliban laughs. "Well, every writer gets their start from somewhere." She tilts her head to the side. "I wouldn't imagine that the success of your book is the reason you got a bodyguard."

Jade smiles and shakes her head, "No, that's due to my father."

Nagi says, "I'm paid to provide security for Ms. Ayakarimono while she is in the States. New York City can be a dangerous place for an important person." Jade smiles at Nagi, and thinks it's sweet of him to say she's the important person, instead of saying it's her father protecting his daughter.

Caliban nods to them both, "That's certainly true." She says to Nagi. "Have you two been in New York long?"

Nagi says, "I have only recently been sent in my current capacity. I believe Ms. Ayakarimono has been here quite some time."

Jade leans back in the chair, flipping her hair casually out of the way, and smiles, "Oh, yes... most of my life. I prefer it here, in fact, to where I was born." She pauses at a thought, then adds curiously to Caliban, "So... did you say your looks changed after the Rain? What did you look like before, if I may ask?"

Caliban purses her lips a bit at Jade's question. "It's... a little hard to explain," she says slowly. "When you asked what gender I was, I replied that the Morning Rain gave, and the Morning Rain took away. The name I was born with was Sera, short for Serafina. I... didn't look too different than how I do now. Most of the changes wrought were... less visible. And also maybe emotional, in some ways. It's hard for me to try and think of how I felt overall before the Rain came. I just most clearly remember walking to work from the train station as dawn and the Rain broke, and feeling, just for a moment, very sad." She shrugs. "Then the moment passed, the rain passed... and I had to bite my lip to keep from screaming in shock when I went to the ladies' room later that morning."

Jade looks a bit startled... then nods slowly and in sympathy, "Shock... yes, I can understand that, although I suspect my shock was far less unpleasant than yours." She pauses, then adds ruefully, "Some of my friends reacted more strongly than others..."

Caliban smiles a little, tilting her head to the side. "I take it, then, that you were a little different before the Rain, too?"

Jade grins ruefully, her head tilting slightly as she looks down at her sable hair cascading like new silk across her lap and her still-surprisingly small, graceful hands, "Yes, I'm afraid so." She looks up at Nagi, her eyes bright with teasing amusement, "Remember what you said?"

Nagi mms. "Most of 122nd Street remembers, I would imagine."

Jade laughs aloud, tossing her head back unself-consciously... then grins, blushing faintly, "Well... I didn't realize. Besides -- I took your advice and got off the street!"

Caliban smiles quietly but not without understanding. "Actually," she says, "-I can see how that could cause unwelcome changes. You've carried through them well though, it seems."

Jade smiles firmly, brushing her hair back from her emerald eyes, "Unwelcome? Well... it's not been so bad. Those that don't take no for an answer are dissuaded by Nagi." She grins affectionately at her bodyguard, then curiously asks Caliban, "So... why did you change your name?"

Caliban gives a slight shrug, still smiling. "I couldn't be who I was, not after I realized the full import of what had happened. That trick of seeing patterns, I mean. Everything I had been before the rain was wrapped up in a tidy little package named Serafina Churchill. And a lot of it was just washed away by the Rain, that one moment in the Rain. After I all but broke my father out of Bellevue, I couldn't go back to who I was. So... I changed the name I answered to. 'Caliban' seemed appropriate. I'd been finding myself wondering what the Setebos of the Morning Rain answered to, what the Quiet was."

"I don't know if I ever will find out, but I can accept that now. I know there are other things I need to focus on right now. What I can't accept is that there are Prosperos out there who would like nothing better than to tear apart the transhumans just to see what makes us tick, why we're different. 'If you prick us, do we not bleed? if you tickle us, do we not laugh?' Does it really matter what makes us transhumans?"

Nagi says, "If you believe that, why did you ask us what we thought the Rain was? Is the why really that important. Even if there were some godhead to blame for the changes wrought... it would change nothing."

Jade looks curious, "And how do you define Setebos?" She adds thoughtfully, "Wasn't Setebos the Patagonian god that Sycorax worshipped? Ah... do you feel the Morning Rain was Setebos' tears, or the Quiet's?" She hms, "Well... he was supposed to dwell on the moon..."

Caliban says to Nagi, "While I don't think it matters to me, at least, I know it might matter to others. And someday it might matter to me again. Just not right now. As to the reference to Caliban Upon Setebos, I guess that was when I was thinking a lot about the Rain. The Rain came, and it distributed its gifts and changed every transhuman for better or for worse, depending upon how the person looked at it. It didn't seem to care, it just happened. I guess, when I looked at myself and wondered upon what had been taken away from me, I came to hate the Rain. Even now that I'm really starting to learn what it has given me, I still feel a twinge of resentment. That's why I used to call it 'Setebos,' the cruel god."

"And the Quiet... I don't know. It had seemed to me that the Rain came for a reason. So maybe there was something greater than the rain that caused it to come about. So I came to call that reason or thing or whatever, the Quiet. Look, I have to admit, I was confused for a while after the Rain. Before then I was just another office worker in a glass-ceiling'd world, and everything in my life was more or less defined by my gender. When that... no longer became my defining characteristic... I was pretty lost. My father being sought by the hunters just made it worse. It was in the five weeks or so that I finally got my head on straight, and took a look around myself at what was going on and what needed to be done."

Jade smiles slowly, "Ah, I think I understand... you felt metaphorically Setebos' created plaything, since he couldn't make a suitable mate for himself -- you felt... robbed?" She's faintly puzzled at the thought of letting oneself be defined only by gender, but simply adds, "I'm glad to hear you've collected yourself and are feeling better."

Caliban smiles quietly to Jade. "Thank you. I never thought of it that way, but maybe something in me did." She looks at the time, then stands, smiling. "I'm afraid I should be off. Thank you for listening to me." She digs through her pockets, finding a small card. "When you feel ready to meet my father, please contact me through this gentleman." The card is a simple business card for the Sullivan Street Playhouse's managing owner. "He knows me; just say you've a message for Cali, and he'll understand."

Jade accepts the card with a smile, glancing at it before tucking it neatly away. "Certainly, and thank you for your time." Nagi arches a brow but doesn't voice his first impression. A theatre. Not sure I can take many more Shakespearean references. He nods politely. With that, and wishes of good fortune and good night, Caliban politely and warmly takes her leave of the three. Jade will help Bryce clean up, then cheerfully bids her friend goodnight and heads out with Nagi.

Back in her penthouse apartment (bought thanks to her father's money), she sighs tiredly as she enters, then kicks off her shoes and tosses her coat over a convenient armchair back. She sighs again, although this time in contentment, as she stretches her arms over her head, standing on tiptoes and arching her head and back... the languorous movement feels almost decadently pleasant, after sitting for too many hours in a folding chair and being charming for fans. Then she shakes her hair back and grins at Nagi, "Well, been a rather interesting day, don't you think?"

Nagi pauses at the threshold, bowing and removing his shoes. He removes his leather jacket, folding it over one arm. "Interesting. Yes... just like the curse."

Jade grins cheerfully, obviously unworried at this moment by curses as she replies, "But it was fun too -- doesn't that make it more worthwhile?" She giggles in spite of herself at Nagi's rather dour look, adding coaxingly, "Caliban wasn't so bad, now, was she? Er, it? -whatever...?"

Nagi hangs up his coat and locks the door. "Very polite, at least... though I'm not sure that I care for the flowery literary references." He slips his sunglasses into his shirt pocket. "It's obvious that Caliban has strong... mystical feelings about our situation. I mistrust that kind of motivation."

Jade smiles, then adds more seriously, "Ah... Nagi-kun, may I ask you a... somewhat personal question?"

Nagi says, "Yes, of course, Jade."

Jade says, "Well... I did not think to warn you and Bryce that I was going to... demonstrate one of my new abilities." She hesitates, then adds, "I... hope I did not embarrass you by doing that? -and... if you wish, perhaps we could work out some means of warning... a sign or something, before I do that? If that would make you feel more comfortable?"

Nagi says, "Embarrass me? Of course not. Whatever gave you that idea?"

Jade looks faintly relieved, settling into a comfortable armchair and smiling quietly up at him, "Oh, good. I wasn't sure, due to your body language and scent."

Nagi arches a brow, "My what?"

Jade says, "Body language and scent." She curls up comfortably, adding, "You know I'm good at noticing scents, Nagi. We realized that when we all experimented together to see what we could do." She adds comfortably, "You have a particularly relaxing scent, you know. Very calm."

Nagi says, "I was not aware I... smelled so much."

Jade giggles relaxedly, letting her head lean back against the chair so her hair flows smoothly over the arm. She covers a yawn, then replies, "Oh, everyone has a scent, Nagi-kun. It's not that you smell... it's just... part of you, you know? Like Bryce always has a hint of vanilla about him."

Nagi mms, "I believe that's a function of his... change."

Jade nods lazily, "Probably. I don't know if yours is too... I just know that at a guess my sense of smell is likely as good as a f- ah, dog's, perhaps?" She considers, eyes half closed, then adds thoughtfully, "Ordinarily you just smell like you, you know? Like... like a very healthy man." She sighs softly, eyes still half closed, and smiling... then adds, "And you have some faint orangey stuff you dab on too." Jade's emerald eyes open enough to regard Nagi and she smiles again, "Am I right?"

Nagi mms. "Force of habit. Perhaps I shouldn't keep buying it, if it's so easy to track me by."

Jade chuckles quietly, "I don't think most people can tell." There's a faint touch of pride as she adds, "I'm different, that's all."

Nagi says, "I suppose we all are more than we were, in some way or another."

Jade smiles quietly, letting her eyes go half-closed again, and murmurs, "Mm-hmm... I like that. Do you?"

Nagi says, "Like? Being different? Hm. I don't know if I've considered it much. I've always considered myself... separate from most people. But perhaps that's a function of my station in life." He leans against the arm of the chair, studying the far wall. "It is, after all, my job to stand in the way of other people." He smiles wanly.

Jade tilts her head thoughtfully, looking up at Nagi from beneath her eyelashes, "Do you like that? -feeling separate, I mean?" She pats the arm of the chair in silent invitation to him to sit, if he wishes.

Nagi seats himself carefully, perching on the chair, folding his arms. "I suppose. It's... rather a necessity, for me to remain unattached to the situation when I'm guarding you, so that nothing escapes my notice. Perhaps I haven't been so good at... 'clocking out,' as they say. I have been accused of bringing my work home with me." He shakes his head. "It must be genetic. My father retired after he almost died of karoshi... he worked himself into a heart attack."

Jade frowns thoughtfully, "I... don't quite understand, Nagi. How do you mean bring your work home with you? You seem very dedicated, to me and to Daddy too, I'd guess, or he'd not have hired you. Er... sorry, I don't know that one yet -- what's karoshi mean, please?"

Nagi grins ruefully. "Work-death. It's more common back home than you think."

Jade ahs and nods with a faint grimace, "Yes... I worry about Dad sometimes for that reason." She adds amusedly, "Not that he ever listens to me -- just says he's got to keep working until he's sure I'll be taken care of." She shudders slightly, then adds firmly, "Silly man. I'm doing fine." She tilts her head against the armchair's stuffed back again, waiting curiously to see if Nagi answers her other question.

Nagi says, "He is dedicated to the company... and to you. What else does he have?" He pauses, then adds, "All I meant was, that I suppose I'm in the habit of being on duty all the time. I have been accused of not knowing how to relax."

Jade sighs softly, "Well, true... since Mother died." She slowly, unhappily winds a stray lock of hair around a finger... then sighs and lets the silky swirl slide free. At Nagi's last comment she looks up again, her eyes teasingly bright as her usual good mood returns, "You, Nagi-kun? Not know how to relax?" She gasps softly, melodramatically putting the back of one slender wrist to her forehead, "Say it ain't so!" Then she giggles, unable to hold the pose with any seriousness.

Nagi hrmns. Jade giggles, gently poking Nagi in the side with a finger, "Oh, c'mon, it was silly! You can laugh!"

Nagi mms, then smiles a little. "All right, all right..."

Jade beams, inordinately pleased that she persuaded Nagi to smile, then adds encouragingly, "Besides... ever since we made our agreement, don't I always follow your advice, when you're 'on'?"

Nagi says, "Of course you do, of course... I have no doubt of that."

Jade grins, "Well then! So... why not let yourself relax more, hmm?"

Nagi says, "Ah, I suppose I should... at least while we're here. And while we have the chance. I suspect the situation is going to get more complicated."

Jade smiles, curling lazily back into the chair, "Glad to hear you're willing to relax more." She adds teasingly, "After all... what would I do without you, if you had a heart attack, eh?"

Nagi mms, "Well, that is not likely. At least, I hope not. And speaking of relaxing, what are you doing with the rest of the evening?"

Jade smiles thoughtfully, her eyes going half closed again as she leans her head back again, "Mmm... don't know yet, Nagi-kun. Something relaxing, I'd guess... why? Do you have any suggestions?"

Nagi grins a little. "I was about to ask you the same thing."

Jade laughs softly, then lazily stretches her arms and legs out again. "Ooh... nothing strenuous." She laughs softly again, adding, "No writing! Hm... something fun. Want to watch a movie or something? Curl up and read? Something else?"

Nagi mms, "I doubt you'd want any example of my writing..."

Jade grins... then looks up in sudden interest, "Do you write, Nagi? How come you never told me?"

Nagi smiles ruefully, "I write, in that I am literate. I doubt I would be much more articulate than the electric mouse you wrote your last book about."

Jade giggles, looking faintly sheepish, "Oh, the research on that was ghastly dull!" She smiles, leaning her head tiredly back again, "Well, in that case... would you rather read or watch a movie? Um... or if you prefer, you don't have to stay here... sorry, I didn't mean to assume."

Nagi smiles and shakes his head. "And leave you alone? After all that's happened? Hardly. Let's watch a movie, Jade. It may be the last quiet evening we have for awhile."

Jade smiles with quiet warmth, and says tiredly, "Okay, let's." She rises, yawning slightly, and adds, "Can you pick one, and I'll make us each a drink?"

Nagi nods, rising and kneeling down to scan through the videos. "All right... take your time."

Jade moves with slow weariness into the kitchen and prepares some sake, then comes back and sets the two tiny matching cups on the living room table. She pours from the small, warm, porcelain container, then sets it down and hands Nagi one of the little cups. She curls up next to him, reflecting that she's rather more tired than she realized... sake should help her relax and fall asleep easily when she goes to bed. She takes a small sip of the warm rice wine, then adds, "So... what're we watching?"

Nagi pauses, unused to being quite this close to the person who is, at least nominally, his client. But he doesn't move; it wouldn't do to insult her so, and there's really no harm in it... and there is some part of him that acknowledges that he rather likes it. He says, "Miller's Crossing. A friend recommended it to me." He sips the warm drink and settles back, already more drowsy than he expected to be by now. Jade nods absently, neither realizing the source of Nagi's momentary stillness, nor recognizing the movie's title. Still, she's quite willing to watch and unwind.

Nagi watches the movie mostly in silence. It's not an easy movie to follow; Nagi makes a note to question his friend about it later. It isn't until the credits begin to roll that he makes another sound, a half-murmured question about how Jade liked the film... it's after he receives no answer that he realizes that Jade is already asleep, curled against his side. He frowns for a moment, wondering if he should wake her... then shakes his head, and simply turns off the television. There's no harm in it. And again... he can't deny that he's at a loss to think of a better way to spend the evening.

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Last modified: 2002-Feb-20 23:39:31

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