OBSIDIAN: Birth to Venus

2119

Over the years, Joy’s age had climbed, but so did her taste for training gadgets. The night before, she invited Jai to visit the training space they’d constructed on the top floor of the penthouse. Joy would’ve loved to spar in there, with the New York skyline behind her, but the most she could do was walk in the rooftop zen garden. “You’ll love the training rooms,” she told Jai wistfully. “Please, go take a look.”

Early the next morning, Jai realized months had passed since she’d last walked the penthouse. She looked down at her watch. She had hours to spare before her 2 p.m. meeting with the mystery trainer. Now’s as good a time as any, she thought, and took the elevator upstairs. With a ding, the wood-paneled doors opened to a wide, open space. She admired its simplicity. Joy’s taste was simple, streamlined and, though the electronic floor could transform into many different terrains, Joy had left the tatami mats on. Jai walked the length of the room, past the innermost climbing wall, and entered a room on the left. Immediately, she understood why Joy had asked her to develop an electromagnetic system to suspend varying weights against the wall. Joy had amassed a large collection of weapons, and each piece was appended to the wall with varying degrees of force. The invisible velcro must have worked well because Joy had already filled the first two sections with the swords she’d amassed over the years, and many new knives and daggers Jai had yet to see. Jai walked down each hall, admiring every weapon. Their silver blades shimmered under the soft lights, levitating from above.

Past the newest trinkets, Jai stopped at a halberd. Two-handed, she gripped the six-foot pole with an ax topped with a long spike, and laughed. Some wealthy mothers might spend their time and money researching and collecting famous paintings. Jai thought Joy owned her own share of those, but, given the massive weaponry displayed before her, Jai could see Joy’s true passion was clearly collecting weapons from centuries ago, in this case, the 14th century. Jai felt the halberd’s weight in her hand, and examined it. It had a spear; and, opposite the axe, it had a hook blade, a nasty thorn to snag and pull horse-bound opponents to the ground. The halberd was a triple-threat. Used properly, a single strike could pierce armor or slice through a skull, even at a distance. Jai wondered how many men this blade had killed, and ran her index finger alongside it, slicing it to the bone. Blood oozed out, a red streak glowing fiercely under the light. Quickly, before a drop could hit the ground, she placed her finger in her mouth and sucked. A slight sting and the taste of iron in her mouth. She pulled her finger out and looked. It was in pristine condition, with no sign of a cut; no slight redness or marking; not even an indent. Her healing had quickened, even faster than before. Most times, cuts healed too fast for even Jai to see. As if nothing had occurred. She wondered how egregious a wound would have to be, for others to see her wounded. Better to move on, she thought, and pushed the thought aside, favoring a Mongol saber instead. Genghis Kahn, 1200 A.D.

Ding. The elevator interrupted her.

“Time,” Jai said, loudly.

“It is 7:14 a.m.,” the Home system announced. It began listing the menu options. “Temperature, news….”

“Cease.” Jai cut it off. Joy must be up, she thought, and placed the saber down. With the labyrinth of weapons behind her, she stepped through the doorway and walked past the climbing apparatus. She turned toward the open floor, when suddenly a kick came flying at her face. She raised her fists upward, blocking it, and leaned back, her feet grounded to the floor. Bracing her stance, she leaned back, away from a second kick. It fluttered past her left shoulder as she moved fast, out of the way. A masked figure crouched down, swooping a left leg in a circular motion. Jai lifted her leg, foiling the apparent attempt to knock her down. Won’t be that easy, she thought, and raised her forearms in front of her face, ready to block the left back-kick being launched at her. The figure flew upward into an upright stance. Six foot three, Jai noted. He slammed his leg up, then down at her. Jai punched his side and stepped into a side kick. She kicked again, as he stepped back, just inches from her knee. She punched and threw another kick toward his waist, but he blocked it. He kicked his right leg to her chest. It knocked the wind out of her. She was barely able to catch her breath as he came at her face. She dodged and blocked each blow. She went after him, fist over fist, slamming repeatedly into his chest and ribs. He came at her harder, with left and right side kicks to the head. She blocked each kick to her temples, then squatted down. The heel of his foot swiped across the top of her hair. His leg fell to the floor. For a second, they were face to face, his intense green eyes staring at her through the open sliver of his mask. With a look of fierce determination, he whipped back.

Jai flew at him, punching in quick succession. He furrowed his brow and kicked back at her. Blocking him again, she pulled him down by the sleeves of his shirt, kneeing at his sides. She could feel his sinewy arms pulse as he ripped each of his arms away, launching his own counter-attack. What the hell? Jai thought, mid-kick. 2 p.m. is far off, and this asshole isn’t letting up. It wouldn’t be the first time an intruder had tried to bypass the Home system. Did someone break in, successfully this time? Jai refocused her attention on ending the fight. Whoever this masked guy was, he wasn’t holding back. She could feel his muscles tense; he was moving with increasing power. The pain in her chest began to subside. She could feel her adrenaline quicken, and she released a barrage of kicks and alternating punches. She hit him, crashing against his chest and sides, until he somersaulted with a back flip. Mask damp with sweat, he threw it off.

“Not bad,” he said, a wide smirk across his face. Jai held her stance and flexed her fists, arching her brows at him. He winked a bright green eye at her. “Joy said you’d be out of practice, but I don’t go easy for anyone.”

“You don’t do punctual, either,” Jai quipped. She straightened herself out.

“What’s the fun in that?” he said with a smile. “I’m Sean.” He extended his hand. Jai fought the urge to slap it out of the way, and shook it. Boys, she thought, with a sigh.

“I’ll spare you the introduction,” Jai said.

“There’s certainly no need. I’ve known about you a long time. At least, it feels like I know you…through Joy.” Sean flashed a smile again. Cryptic, this one, Jai thought. She fought the urge to flip on her spidey-sense. After all, she’d decided the night before, it would be better to meet people the old-fashioned way whenever possible, and Joy seemed to trust this nutcase. The nutcase opened his mouth to speak. “Joy was my Master’s adviser at Columbia University. Back then, she was ‘Dr. Dean,’ Emeritus Professor, but she’s become a close friend since, not just a trusted mentor to me.” He smiled at the surprised look on Jai’s face. “Yea, I figure she wouldn’t have told you about me. Joy’s so private. She wouldn’t say much about you, either. But, I can’t say I didn’t follow your company or you…at least before you disappeared from the news. I run the Division. It’s a —…”

“Global defense company,” Jai said. Jai had recognized it immediately. A younger company, it’d taken the industry by storm, with increasingly substantial mergers. The company had captured the majority of the market’s intellectual property in defense, and it had amassed an unparalleled breadth of relationships, once held by its competitors. But, rather than focus on annihilating all competition, the company took a unique approach: forging cross-continent partnerships to guide humanitarian efforts in war-torn countries. It was precisely the salve that many underdeveloped countries needed. Families were often separated and barely able to grow crops in the increasingly arid climate throughout the world. Given the amount of revenue and resources the Division donated to spearheading its charity work, it’d become a media darling.

And, outside the trade journals, the media had made much of its mysterious owner. It seemed no one knew the owner’s name or where he was from. It was fitting. After all, he ran a company replete with defense experts. It was a hook news reporters loved to run. There was a long line of subsidiaries and shell companies, and the registration paperwork only identified a Registered Agent, not Sean. Even the highest officers in the company had never met Sean in person. He video-conferenced, with an avatar comprised of ever-shifting faces, and he always relayed directions electronically, with the highest levels of encryption.

Somehow the news found undisclosed sources, though. They doled out the details, small little crumbs on the mysterious trail that led back to him. Given Jai’s relatively recent experience with hiding her own identity, she was particularly interested in how he had remained anonymous. And, eventually, even she began to wonder what was true or false, especially when the news gave such conflicting reports. One source described a remarkably hooked nose. Another detailed a large arched back and uneven gait. Some said he was a giant of a man, while others reported he was unusually small in stature. A few sources even reported he had a B.O. problem. It baffled her, given the electronic directions they all swore they’d received remotely. Such strange and disjointed details surfaced over time that the media dubbed him the Quasimodo of the Modern Era. Collectively, it presented the owner as a less-than-attractive mess.

Seeing the mysterious owner standing in front of her, Jai could not contain herself. She let out a hearty laugh, her mouth agape. He just smiled, not needing an explanation. Before either of them could speak, Joy entered the room. “There you are!” Joy gave Sean a hug and turned to Jai. “So, I see you’ve met my little artiste!” she said, teasing Sean in a thick french accent. To Joy, Sean was passionate, deeply committed in all things, an adonis, even, in appearance. With his mask off, Jai realized that “chiseled” was not the word for it. He had deep green eyes and golden chestnut hair. He was painfully handsome, yet somehow approachable. It made Joy laugh no matter how many times she’d seen women, no matter their life’s season, fawn at him. Babies grinned their gummy grins at him. Teenage girls giggled at the sight of him. Grown women leaned in, lusting after him. Even the local grandmas’ eyes sparkled when he came nearby; they couldn’t help but hold on to his bulging biceps and pinch what they could of his chiseled cheeks…up high or down low. So charming, he took all the adoration in stride, without even a hint of machismo. It all seemed inconsequential to him. Clearly, he’d had no qualms with his nickname.

“Yes, I’ve met Quasimodo,” Jai said. “Funny you never mentioned you knew him.”

“Sorry, dear. Sean’s the only one who loves privacy more than you do. You know, you should count yourself lucky he wanted to meet you.” She smiled with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. Jai smirked and averted her gaze.

“It’s true,” Sean said. “I’ve been wanting to meet you for a long time. And, don’t begrudge Joy’s secrecy. I enjoy my privacy, and I’d like to keep it that way. Being Quasimodo’s a blessing in disguise. Trust me.”

“Oh, Jai needs no convincing.” Joy answered for Jai. She asked Sean, “Where do you think I got the idea to let the nickname slide?”

“Your idea?” Jai asked, incredulous.

“Of course!” Joy said with feigned indignation. “I’ll never forget the trouble you had erasing your footprint. So when the news gave Sean the nickname, I told him, ‘Keep it…why not use the news to your advantage?’”

“But, enough about me,” Sean interrupted. “Let’s get lunch. Jai’s given me quite the appetite. I’m famished.” They traveled uptown for some lobster rolls and mimosas before Sean returned them home. “This Friday night. I’m counting on you,” he told Jai, eyes sparkling. He pointed, then waved, before speeding away.

Jai followed her mom into the house. Joy’s pace had quickened at the entryway. “Hold it!” Jai shouted, as she closed the door firmly behind her. Joy stopped in her tracks, her shoulders pinching up, as if bracing for impact. “Care to explain yourself?”

Joy turned slowly to face her. Hands raised, she said, “I’m sorry! I know you hate surprises, but it’s not like I meant to keep a secret from you. You know I’ve mentioned a few special students over the years. I met Sean after he graduated from NYU. He confided in me when I was his advisor, for his Masters at Columbia U. It was a very tough time for him. About a year had passed since sentients were discovered and he’d tested sentient positive. He was still reeling from his parents’ reaction. They’d cut off all contact with him and his sister. When I met him, he’d just barely gotten back on his feet. So, Sean is quite dear to me. I’m so proud of the massive success he’s achieved. He deserves it. And, what Sean said is true. He’s like you; he wants to maintain his privacy. I’ve respected that, as I have with you. When you decided to step out of the limelight, I didn’t talk about you to him, but he sure talked about you to me. He’s no fledgling to business, and he is a longtime admirer of yours…and, not just the business-side of it. For many years, he’s wanted to know more about you, personally.” Jai opened her mouth to speak, but Joy cut her off. “Besides, like I said, it’s time you started training with someone else, at least the physical training. I haven’t been able to spar for years. You need to. You do.”

“So, why do I feel like I’m on a blind date?”

“I promise, I’m not match-making. I can’t promise you that’s not Sean’s intention, though. The way he’s spoken about you, I’ve never heard him talk about anyone else that way. I can only say, I’m not trying to force anything between you two. Promise. But, what’s the worst thing that could happen, Jai? Sean said your form’s superb,” she said with a playful smile. Jai pursed her lips. “Sean can teach you many other fighting styles. And, more importantly, you could have some fun.”

Jai sighed, thinking, Here we go again. Joy was obsessed with getting Jai out, to spend time with “people her own age.” Jai knew what her mother meant, but, still, it made her laugh. Jai had lost all sense of what “people her own age” had meant to her; her chronological age no longer had any bearing. She still looked not a day older than 21. If age mattered at all, she might as well be retired, not getting ready to rev up her social calendar.

Joy steamed ahead. “Yes, fun, Jai. Since sentients were discovered three years ago, I’ve been waiting for you to venture out, to see what that world has to offer. But, you haven’t. I mean, I don’t expect you to get tested or anything like that, but there’s an entire sentient community for you to discover. You know what I’m talking about. Even I know sentients have their own culture now.” She paused. “Sean can show you that.”

“What?”

Joy caught her breath. Quickly, she explained herself. “Like I said, Sean’s sentient.” Jai’s eyes widened, unsure if Joy had spilled the beans. Joy clarified. “I know what you’re thinking. I haven’t told Sean you’re sentient.”

“He doesn’t know you’re my mom, does he?”

“No, but he saw your photos on my desk at work. I just told him we’re related. But, I think he’s on to you. When you left the table to answer Caleb’s call, he asked me what you were like as a child. Luckily, you came back soon so I didn’t have to say much in response, but he suspects you’re sentient too. He said there was something about your fighting that made him wonder. He didn’t get me alone after lunch — I high-tailed it inside. Just don’t be surprised if he asks you eventually.”

“Wow, Joy. First, I thought I was just meeting a new instructor. Then, I find out he owns the Division and he’s one of the best-kept secrets in business. Now, I’m expected to ‘come out’ to this guy?”

“No, no. You don’t have to tell him you’re sentient if you don’t want to.” Joy laughed and took Jai’s hands in hers. “I just wanted to prepare you for how he might be. Sean’s private to the world, but he’s extremely generous to those he trusts; and, he makes no apologies for the sentient life he’s embraced. He told me he was sentient almost as soon as I met him. He’s never looked back. You don’t have to look back, either, Jai. Go with him, Friday night.”

“I’ll think about it,” Jai said, and helped her mom upstairs.