Aetheran Child (27 page)

They walked down to a nice patch, an indentation that formed arched walls all around. The floor produced a rounded table and four chairs. As each member of the little group sat down, the chairs readjusted for comfort.

A droid came in, dressed fashionably in synthetic fur overlays. The temperature lowered further once the guests were seated. The walls, Lexan noticed, flickered into translucence. The doorway, which originally house two glass doors through which one could stare in and out of the restaurant, suddenly held the image of a brutal snow storm. The winds raged and crashed against the window panes by the door. Snow-flurries swirled in. A faint outline of mountains could be seen beyond the smooth, ice and snow covered plains. The atmosphere was set.

“May I offer you an icy water to drink?” The waiter said, and then handed out skin-covered wooden menus. All synthetic of course. Every individual letter looked either carved in or burnt into the material. Lexan gave a mental command, unconsciously already, to turn the page. The page turned, new text burnt and carved itself onto the wooden-tablet, leaving no trace of the previous inscription.

Silently, Lexan and the others punched in their requests. The waiter bowed and took their menus, leaving four cups of tea on their table. Nivua took hers and stared at it with confusion. She sipped and smiled, enjoying the taste. Bloo did not really enjoy hers, cold-blooded as she was, turned her nose away from the steaming liquid, “How could you drink this?” She smiled and looked at Jacque who gulped half of it down.

“Not all of us are averted at the thought of a hot drink.” He smiled.

“You know, we haven't been on an actual date like this in a long time,” Nivua turned to Jacque and placed her hand over his.

“Yeah, we should do this more often.” He smiled and kissed her. Lexan saw a bit of envy in Bloo's eyes. Strange, he never noticed it before. He noticed the smaller things now. How Nivua's kiss was unsincere, made only to feel either Lexan or Bloo jealous. Also, how Bloo seemed strangely distant.

“Is something wrong, Bloo?” Lexan asked, looking at her intently. Nivua and Jacque turned toward them with awkward looks.

“No. Why do you ask?” Bloo turned to Lexan, looking rather innocent. The boy saw her face flush a bit, revealing a guilty secret.

“No reason. Never mind.” Lexan took a sip of the hot, herbal tea. The chemical analysis showed a blend of herbs akin to chamomile and peppermint. Jacque saved the situation once again.

“So, what does everyone think of the war?” The usual avoided topic, politics, seemed better than the general silence.

“I think it's too exaggerated. The Outlaw Alliance will beat them before they ever get here.” Nivua said absent-mindedly, drinking her tea.

Bloo answered to that, “I disagree. I think the UR should send its forces out to the Independent Nations. I don't think those swine Nethers should be given a chance to attack us at all.” Her face twisted slightly in disgust.

“Their attack could have been provoked, you know.” Lexan said, eating roasted insects off the middle bowl. It somehow appeared while they were talking. Another delicacy. Lexan's thoughts somehow slipped back to Nangern and Alary. Unconsciously, he looked around, just to make sure that she was not around by a chance.

“Oh yeah, and who would provoke them?” Lexan turned back to see the three others watching him intently.

“I'm not sure but you never know. Do you think the UR is really as righteous and innocent as they make us believe? ”

Jacque added onto the conversation, and it took another turn. As they continued to wait for the food, Bloo defended her own position in which she numerously stated that all Nethers should be annihilated, that the Aetheri should have invaded them first while Nivua continued to talk about peace talks, and about the war being just another way the politicians want to accelerate into the “Empire” cycle. Jacque kept on asking questions, taking neither side. Lexan stayed silent, thinking about how he'll be meeting Romul and Remu later on.

He noticed Bloo's violent thoughts, and aggressive opinions. She was always a very relaxed person around Lexan. They never really discussed politics before, that's true, but who would have thought her opinions seemed quite the opposite of her general personality? Nivua, on the other hand, seemed much more knowledgeable about the situation than the average person. Tackling the situation from another angle where the media, and the United Republics are just using this to gain more power. A very conspiracy-like and paranoia views. Jacque seemed cooler about it. He already mentioned a few times about how he wished to join the Free Militia, a non-profit military group in the United Republics that the government usually employed. Nivua disapproved, of course, she did not want him to get hurt, nor did she want him to support such a cause.

The food came in, the droid swung around and brought four hot, steaming, dishes. Lexan ordered a thoroughly cooked and grilled animal. It seemed rather large, and Lexan did not think he would even be able to finish it. Nivua ordered some kind of fish, while Bloo ordered a steaming, grilled bird. All of the food seemed either grilled or steamed, hot for travelers who came in, away from the freezing cold outside.

Bloo put up a bulletin for all four of them to read. She wanted to lower the temperature, the others sent agreements and the temperature in their little concave lowered considerably. Lexan changed his avatar's clothing. Simulated fur ruffled under the cold air that came in as the door to the restaurant opened.
 

It took them a long time to eat the food, but they ate it all. Even Lexan, to his surprise, finished his large course. It must have been because he had not eaten real food in so long.

Bloo and Jacque excused themselves and left to the bathroom.

Nivua moved closer to Lexan and spoke, “I've seen the way you look at Bloo. How disapprovingly you looked at her during the whole conversation.” She smiled, a kind of evil smile.

“I just don't agree with some of her views.” He answered and stared at Nivua. Her eyes sparkled seductively. Her hands reached for his across the table.

“Look, she's been with lots of guys, she never keeps anyone for more than just a couple of months. I’ve seen how she is,” Nivua started.

She then started listing all of Bloo's bad qualities, “You two don't even go out anywhere together,” she mentioned, upon which Lexan retorted, “You and Jacque don't either.”

“Look, you know that I'm a party girl. I like to have fun, I like to go out. I like to enjoy life,” Nivua continued, “Jacque is a good guy. But he likes to stay in his dorm too much, listening to his music or whatever. He goes out with the guys and leaves me.”

“That's your own problem, Nivua. Jacque is my friend.” Lexan replied and paused, “And, I love Bloo.”

“I know you are like me, Lexan,” She said, looking at the boy in front of her seriously, “I know you like to party and have fun. And I know you don't have that with Bloo.” Her eyes narrowed.

Lexan thought for a second. What she said so far, all of it, was true. He liked to go out and have fun. Bloo, as laid back as she was, always ended up making him stay at her place to watch a movie. No restaurants, no hang outs. The first month, they walked and explored the whole planet. But after the initial euphoria of the new planet faded, she just stayed in. Lexan did not understand why, and after two more months, now, he could not figure out why he had not noticed before.

“Lexan,” Nivua looked at him and leaned in. Her lips touched his, Lexan did not struggle or pull away. He just sat frozen. He did not enjoy the moment, he could not because there was too much on his mind, he was too stunned to realize what was happening. They were locked in the position, her hand on the back of his neck, bringing him closer.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” Jacque screamed at Nivua, his personality computer automatically muting the channels so that only Lexan and Nivua received the message.

They separated. The girl stared at Jacque, speechless. Lexan just sat, wide-eyed.

Jacque jumped closer and pushed Lexan off his chair, “You damn bastard. What is wrong with you?” He ran around the table and started punching Lexan.

“What are you doing with Nivua?” Jacque said between the hits. With every word, he punched harder and harder until some hits started shaking the floor.

“Nothi-” He tried reply, but Jacque cut him off, “Shut up, I don't want to hear it.”

He turned to Nivua, “And what were you doing with him? I leave for five damn minutes, and come back to see you kissing my roommate. You damn slut.”

Lexan threw up blood into his helmet as Jacque's crushing fists broke a couple ribs. He struggled back, landing a few blows to Jacque as well. The blows started to cause concussive waves which other patrons in the restaurant responded to. The waiter-droid alerted the security. Soon enough, two large androids pulled them apart. Jacque calmed down a bit, and stopped punching Lexan who held onto his stomach, feeling blood trickle down from his nose. The blood was a simulation, but on the inside it felt real.

Jacque threw a couple of credits down on the table and dragged Nivua, by her arm, “We're leaving. And I'll be telling your damn girlfriend about this.”

Both of them left, the androids downloaded the data about both of them and sent out a message if either of them wished to press charges, neither did.

Bloo came running and stopped Jacque and Nivua before they left, “What the hell did your whore girlfriend do, and what did YOU do?”

Nivua answered before Jacque could open his mouth, “Whore? You're the last person who should be using that word.”

Bloo turned back to Lexan, keeping her chill as she saw the two large androids ready to intercede in case of any more conflict.

“Why were you kissing Nivua?” Bloo's eyes narrowed on Lexan, her tone angry.

“I did not kiss her, she kissed me.” He reached the bottom of his helmet, to let the blood out but could not. The shield wouldn't start, his whole face was splattered with blood.

“It doesn't matter, you didn't stop her. And you're not even apologizing!” Bloo’s temper finally let loose. She started yelling at Lexan while Lexan did not even reply.

“She kissed me, I was too stunned to pull back. No big deal.” Lexan turned; he wanted to leave. Just go, be away from Jacque, from Nivua, and even Bloo. Nivua's words got to him. He did not even know why he was wasting his time with her. He could have any other girl, someone more suited for him. Someone, with whom, he could have a normal conversation.

“It IS a big deal. Shut up Lexan. I don't want to see your face until you come back with an apology. And a damn good one!” She turned to leave.

“Fat chance of that happening,” he mumbled back and was sure Bloo heard it too. Lexan was tired of this drama. He really was. Bloo cared too much about her social life, she cared too much about her reputation. Her personality did not match his and he did nothing wrong. How would she react if Jacque all of a sudden kissed her? Would she damn apologize, after Nivua beat the hell out of her? I don't think so, he thought.

Lexan sent an order to have the dinner paid for with his Cardinal Regions's credits. He left, and headed toward the meeting place with Romul and Remu.

III

The transports, and commerce were busy. People walked through, laughing, enjoying themselves. The restaurants were full, shops busy with customers, and the parks did not offer any free seats to occupy. The entertainment spheres were so packed, a sign actually warned the incomers.

Lexan walked aimlessly around. His mind slightly distorted, he looked for a place to sit down. The two broken ribs, as his analysis showed, caused him enormous pain whenever he moved. One hand clutching the chest, Lexan tried to find a place where he could sit, activate his shield and strip. Then, he could download some preliminary medical programs to his NCC, swallow the nano-bits, and recover at least partially. He thought about turning into an Aether, but the actual act would require him to either calm down enough to enter a meditative state or perform a physical act that he would not be able to do with the broken ribs. In the Aether form, he could heal.

He walked on, and decided to take a transport to the meeting place. The entire trip, Lexan was hurting. The program necessary for medical operations was not available freely on DomeStem, neither was it available in the general stores. In case of injury, most people turned to public droids with such knowledge. Lexan groaned at the thought, he would have to go see a medical droid sooner or later. He'd prefer later. Romul and Remu should have some routines that would enable his NCC to start the healing.

Two more hours until the meeting, he thought sadly. Joshua obeyed his thought command and called on Romul and Remu to ask for an earlier meeting.

They complied and replied that they would be at the meeting place, another large garden, within fifteen minutes.

The garden spread all around, it seemed more like a small forest perhaps a park. Lexan stumbled through, it was dark. He sat down on an empty bench under a lamp. The yellow light shone down on him harshly. Several drops of blood on the visor made it impossible to see well.

“Joshua, turn on my shield,” Lexan said, hurting as he did so and switched back to thought commands. The shield shimmered into existence, and Lexan snapped off his helmet. Blood dripped down on the concrete. Liquid swarmed up to his mouth from his wrist. The NCC entered Lexan's body and seeped through into his bloodstream. It couldn't do anything useful at the moment.

Romul and Remu appeared momentarily.

“Whoa, what happened to you, man?” Romul stared at the blood on the sidewalk.

“I got in a fight with Jacque. Broke two of my ribs. You got any medical subroutines for my NCC?” Lexan replied, clutching his chest.

“Why did he fight you?” Remu asked questioningly but she did send him a few simple medical programs that would control the damage done to the tissue.

The nano machines started their work, first by stopping the bleeding. Then, the machines repaired the bone tissue, putting the ribs back into their places with a crunch. Another part of the NCC liquid released opiate painkillers that numbed the area. They continued their work, unsupervised.