Mirror Space - Marianne de Pierres [2]
Mira tried to quell her rising anger. Was the creature simply obtuse or was it being cagey? She had always imagined Extropists to be highly intellectually developed. Wasn’t that the point of their practices? ‘My questions seem to offend you.’
‘It is not the content that is offensive but the manner,’ it explained. ‘Interrogatives are offensive to Wanton-poda.’
Squelching noises emanated from under Wanton-poda’s skirt, followed by an unpleasant odour. Mira bit her lip, not sure whether to enquire if the creature was all right. She decided to remain quiet and hold her breath until the odour dissipated.
‘Better, better,’ said Wanton-poda after a while, as if relieved of discomfort. ‘My clarification is this. I am Highness Most Capable of Cultivation: Tissue. You -Nascent humanesque - have been brought to my chamber by Highness Most Capable of Security: Off-Hue-World. It was believed this would be a relevant location for you to take respite.’
Mira checked her desire to ask a direct question. Instead she responded with her own story. ‘I was visiting the markets in the Arrivals Bell on Rho Junction in the Saiph system. It is supposed to be neutral territory. My... my escort left me for a short time and Post-Species Siphonophores surrounded me. I thought it merely an accident at first. They were transparent but then their bodies darkened. I remember being lifted up off my feet. And that is all. Now you tell me that I have been brought to Post-Species space against my will. That is abduction.’
‘Wanton-poda laments your circumstance, but Highness Most Capable of Security: Off-Hue-World is most respected. It is simply my task to receive you and tend you until you are relocated, based on available information of your needs: food and liquid.’
Mira slid onto the floor and stood carefully, smoothing out her fellala. She wore the new one that Insignia had fabricated for her. The crispness had already gone from the folds, and stains showed along the hemline. At least she had the dignity and protection of her robe. The ambient temperature in the cultivation chamber was uncomfortably warm and moist.
As if tripped by that thought, she suddenly craved water and food. On the floor beside her she noticed a table stand holding containers of fruits and fluids.
‘These should be suitable,’ said the Extro, descending closer to the table stand, ‘according to specifications.’
Mira sank to the floor and reached for two of the containers. The fruits weren’t familiar but they smelt appealing enough. She sipped the water first, a tiny amount. It tasted so much like Araldis water that she wanted to cry again. The high calcium content had even begun to leave a white ring around the inside of the beaker. She swallowed the rest in one long, gulping draught.
‘Evidence indicates the liquid is accurately reconstituted.’ Wanton-poda hovered at shoulder height, its skirt frill trembling delicately. Perhaps she imagined it, but the creature seemed satisfied.
She wanted to ask how it had learned the perfect balance of mineral content but she settled for a simple compliment.
‘The water is beautiful. I have so missed the taste of it.’
Wanton-poda’s frill quivered and it bobbed. ‘Wanton-poda is gratified. Most gratified.’
‘Wanton-poda is most talented,’ said Mira cautiously. If the Extro did not like direct questions, how would it react to flattery?
‘Wanton-poda is happy to use its skill for an intelligent and appreciative Nascent.’
Mira felt her cheeks warm with colour. She stared at the creature suspiciously. Was it attempting to flatter her back?
Despite everything she felt a desire to smile. She converted it to humility. ‘If I was an intelligent Nascent I would be able to understand why I was here and for how long. I must be too primitive.’
Wanton-poda rose and fell like a graceful jellyfish caught in a sea swell. ‘It has been decided by the Highness Most Capable: Evolution that Wanton-poda will observe and monitor the Nascent until she is cleared of contaminations, and then she and her foetus will be further examined.’
Further examined? Mira