Terrace Ridge Maison
Araxes - Mu Draconis
September, 2521
Companion's Journal
Things had been quiet, as expected.
I had left my client earlier. Enchanting images of bronzed skin against pale silk keep dancing through my mind, and it makes me smile to know I left him much more relaxed and at ease than he had been when I'd arrived. A Companion's job is so much more complex than simply sex. It's a common misconception, especially among those who have never engaged our services. The title 'Companion' denotes the ability of one to be an equal or peer in all things, and that distinction is what gives us our rank in society as skilled businesswomen, what sets us above the simple title of 'whore.' While a whore may certainly sate one's lust, a Companion may sate one's intellectual, psychological, spiritual, aesthetic, and physical needs.
It had been my intention to remain on Araxes for a few more days in order to settle some affairs; mainly, I was concerned with the presence of a certain statue, and there are some conversations that are better conducted in person. I wasn't certain where Lily was, whether she was with the Desertborn or the Myrmidons, but I knew where I could find out.
It was while I was preparing to venture out in search of information that my Cortex console alerted me to an incoming wave - the caller would be prompted to record a message, then remain on the line while I decided whether or not to accept the communication. Curiously, it was a call from a gentleman I had covertly paid much attention to at the U-Day party.
Captain Stew Macpherson appeared on the screen looking much the way he had when I'd first seen him at the party. Here was a man whose bearing suggested he had found himself in a situation that he wasn't wholly comfortable in, but was determined to make the best of it anyway. The smile playing across his features was almost smarmy, but it was easy to see that the man wasn't the type to be falsely ingratiating; he was just nervous.
"Ms. Fargis: I wanted to let you know what a fine time I had at the U-Day gathering... It was an honor and pleasure to meet you. Er...Furthermore, I did want you to know that my humble craft, Gypsy Trader is on Xin Caodi for a span of time longer. You expressed some interest in doing business last night if I was not much mistaken. I trust it was not the fine rice wine talking."
Smiling, I slid my palm down the screen, accepting the wave. "Captain Macpherson, what a pleasant surprise! You honor me with your attention - it was a great pleasure to make your acquaintance." The old adage, 'You catch more flies with honey than vinegar,' was so true in business. Treating everyone as though they were important, potential clients even, whether they were potential clients, the lowliest dock rat, or, in this case, the captain of a small, fairly unimportant vessel, had the tendency of endearing oneself to many, and was an invaluable practice.
He looked a bit dazzled for a moment. It wasn't the first time I'd seen that look on a man's face when he's been flattered, and the humility was reassuring. After gathering his wits back up, he stammered, "I assure you, the pleasure was entirely mine... Though you may have noted in my manner last evening, ah... er... high functions such as the one at the gardens... puts me... well, a bit of a fish out of the water, if you take my meaning."
I did, indeed. It had been one of the more difficult aspects of the transition into Companion lifestyle - the constant socializing, the dull pleasantries, the flitting around the room like a pretty butterfly to be sure each person had been given adequate attention. It was mentally exhausting. Laughing softly, I replied, "I know just how you feel, sir. It's quite intimidating to be amongst a crowd of strangers."
Again, I studied him, fidgeting with my necklace, more to distract him than for my own comfort. His reactions affirmed much of his essence. Again, the honesty was apparent on his face, in his demeanor. This was not a socially elite man, but that was a non-issue. Most of the social elite were either corrupt beyond redemption or else incredibly boring and insufferably self-important. Frequently, they were all three. Perhaps it was a familiarity with this kind of man from working in his line of business for so long, though it wasn't as though corruption wasn't rampant in the lower echelons of civilization, either. The term 'diamond in the rough' may have been a platitude, but there's a reason the term was so familiar.
I continued with my thought, deciding to go ahead with my plan for the time being. "I didn't notice if you were out of place; your behavior was quite exemplary. I will admit that you rather piqued my interest - I've need to contract out privately for shipping from time to time, and it's difficult to find trustworthy businessmen out on the rim. You strike me as being just such an honorable man of business, Captain, and I had hoped that we could meet to discuss a job or two that require some delicacy. How long were you planning on remaining at Xin Caodi City?"
At this, he actually frowned, his brow furrowing almost severely. "I dare say that concluding my affairs has ... met with some minor obstacles. I anticipate at least two days at this point just to wrap things up. I would be available at almost any time you find convenient. I have not heard back from my contact as yet. I will 'na put off your business waiting on these people."
"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear you're having troubles with your contacts," I replied, feeling genuine sympathy, despite potentially being beneficial to my own plans. "Perhaps, though, it's good fortune in disguise. I'm currently off-world, but can be back in the city tomorrow if you're amenable to meeting then." It would mean I'd need to leave Araxes as soon as the Laandsrat was over, likely without being able to contact Lily, but it could buy time in case she couldn't be located right away.
"Also," I added, because there's nothing wrong with greasing the wheels a bit, "If there is anything I can do to assist with your other business obstacles, please let me know. Sometimes it helps to have the right person at your back." It was very true - with an influential patron or associate, things tended to happen much more smoothly. If Captain Macpherson was, indeed, trustworthy, I would do what I could to help him on that front.
"I, er... uhm... Thank you." He looked rather embarrassed. "I doubt you would want to bother with such mundane matters as befalls the lot of a cargo skipper, Ma'am... So gracious of you to offer." He smiled in a way that suggested he thought I walked on water - it was so much more simple than that, though. I had been that captain before, waiting around for a contact or client who had decided to stand me up, and I knew how much of a hardship something like that could be. "Unless," he continued, "You knew someone with a prodigious taste for, er... caviar. Heh. To the point... I will make myself free to meet you at any time you wish tomorrow." He paused, his face flushing crimson, seeming to be gathering his courage before going on. "I, uhm... Ma'am, may I be bold and ask you a simple question?"
I couldn't help but be curious about what he would ask me. "Of course you may, Captain. And given the social circles I find myself in, I could probably easily find someone interested in caviar." That part was definitely true. Caviar was a rare delicacy on core worlds - obtaining high quality caviar on the rim? One almost had to pull teeth.
Again, he took a moment to gather his courage before speaking. "I do not wish to seem importune, as you say, uhm, social circles. I am not all that clear on the business of, er... The Companions of the Guild." The man actually began tugging at his collar, as if it was too tight and choking him. "I do not, uhm.. no... I'm merely a cargo skipper, Ma'am, so I would assume ... this business you are wanting to discuss ... It is cargo business, I assume, not, er, Companioning sort of, er, business. Sorry, but I had to ask." The last part came out almost in a jumble, as if he couldn't get the words out fast enough. His face was so red that I could almost feet the heat of it from the viewscreen.
I wanted to laugh. In fact, it took just about every ounce of willpower added with years of training in social decorum to keep from bursting into a fit of giggles. It wasn't as if I had wanted to laugh at him, it was more the situation I found absurd. That some poor man would stutter and stammer all over himself talking to me just because of what I am... Reconciling who I was with who I am is much simpler some days than it is others. No, I would not laugh at this man trying to walk in a world he was neither knowledgeable of nor comfortable in.
Sobered, I replied calmly, smiling that courtier's smile. "Not to worry, Captain. It is cargo business I'm wishing to discuss. You've no need to be concerned with my being improper. It's simply that sometimes Companions have needs for things that might not be obtained or transported easily, so we must seek private employ for those special jobs, as they're beyond the scope of the larger freight companies that we normally contract with." There was enough truth in that statement to allow it to be perfectly feasible.
Again, the look on his face nearly caused me to burst into laughter - his relief was palpable, and he even laughed at himself after a moment. "Thank ye, dear lady. I wouldna want us off on the wrong footin', and as fer impropriety... Well, that's more like to come from a man than any Companion Sister I ever heard of." He seemed to find his stride, looking much more comfortable now that he was in familiar territory. I may have been a Registered Companion that moved in a world he had no desire to be in, but this was business, and it was business in his world. "Gypsy Trader is a small vessel, Ma'am, as I mentioned... but she can carry sixteen tons of cargo. I fill the niche where the big freighters fail." He paused briefly, then continued. "Gypsy Trader... She does not stick out like a big ship. She is a discreet, wee vessel."
It occurred to me suddenly that maybe the reason he'd been so uncomfortable about the idea of the business being of a Companion nature was because he had a wife or flame waiting somewhere for him. A man in love would fret over the idea of being propositioned by a Companion.
In any event, Captain Macpherson was most certainly catching the gyst; it was a clandestine venture. That he didn't shy away, and even boldly asserted that his ship was discreet suggested this wasn't the first illicit cargo he'd hauled. I smiled again. "I'm glad to hear of it, Captain. My intended cargo will most certainly not come close to your capacity, but rest assured that I am willing to pay handsomely despite its small size. Perhaps you could even find additional cargo to transport along with it somewhere in the vicinity of the destination so you can double your profits." I paused, taking a breath, and then continued. "Discreet is generally apropos for this kind of business. But I'll say no more of it over the Cortex. Shall I wave you upon my arrival tomorrow?"
At this point, he appeared much more confident in his ability to navigate these waters, the tension that had been so conspicuous only moments before having melted away. Yes, this was definitely a man who knew his trade. "Discreet is the word, dear lady. I look forward to hearing from you. I wish you a safe return. I suspect we shall be able to do business. In spite of any rumors to the contrary, I am a fair man and I charge a fair price for Gypsy's services." He smiled, very much in his element now, cognizant of the fact that he likely had the upper hand in this; he was in a position to offer a service I needed in a very small, niche market. I doubt he would attempt to use that to push an unfair price, though - that sort of thing discouraged repeat business.
Bowing my head for a moment to signify the end of the conversation, I replied, "We shall see tomorrow. I hope that we may, as well. I look forward to meeting with you, Captain. Until then, enjoy your stay at Xin Caodi." I smiled warmly, gazing into the camera.
"I will do that," he said with a gentle smile, which transformed some of the harsher lines of his face into something much less severe. The effect was almost startling. "Tomorrow, then. Wave me the particulars when you have settled yerself... Unless there is anything else, I will let you get back to matters before I interrupted." I saw his hand pass over the screen, and I found myself watching the flashing, spinning, blue Cortex logo, indicating the wave had ended.
Very interesting, indeed.
For the time being, though, I had a considerable amount of work yet to be done - getting word to Lily discreetly, attending the Laandsrat, and the long flight back to 34 Tauri. It was going to be a very long twenty-four hours, and I didn't have a lot of time to sit around reflecting.
~I.F.
