OBSIDIAN: Birth to Venus

2119

Jai went to Sean’s for dinner. Watching him stir a pot on the stove, she could barely contain her excitement. She couldn’t wait to ask him more. “So, tell me. How could siphoning, something that seems so central to sentient life, be kept secret for so long? I mean, not even the sentient scientists, who’d have much to gain professionally…even they don’t publish about it?”

“That’s right. The sentient scientists are willing to publish some results, but they study siphoning under extreme seclusion to the outside world. Soon, you’ll see, we have only one rule. It’s more like an unspoken but highly enforced expectation: don’t engage in any behavior that would call attention, especially when it comes to siphoning. We’ll introduce you to our sentient friends, including a few who devote their time and blood to help the sentient scientists better understand our species. Even they participate anonymously.”

Jai pictured herself with everyone in the piazza, remembering how taken aback she was when Sean first said the word “siphoning.” By then, she’d read all the journals, every article ever written about sentients, since the day the species was first discovered. Yet, she had never heard of siphoning until that day in the piazza. As soon as they’d flown home, she ran a search to recheck all the journals. And, just as Diana had said, “siphoning” was never mentioned in the literature. Human scientists and the rest of the world were in the dark, completely unaware that siphoning existed.

Sean stirred the pot and turned to look at her. “Siphoning’s not something our kind’s willing to share with the general public. Publicizing it could be dangerous. Who knows how the world would react? Right now, sentients get along with humans. For the most part, we’re integrated with the rest of society. If humans knew we could take their energy, possibly drain them of all their energy, what then? Would humans hate us? Fear us? Lock us up? That’s the main concern. There are other concerns, too.”

“Like what?”

“Well, for one, there’s a certain level of decorum to it.”

“A decorum, to siphoning?” Jai looked at him, an incredulous look on her face. She tried not to laugh. She found it hard to believe that siphoning could mean anything more than exchanging energy. Then again, she wasn’t entirely sure she knew what siphoning was. Her body was stronger than ever before, so she knew she’d been siphoning for years. But, it wasn’t something she’d done on purpose. She’d siphoned without even trying. The idea that there could be anything more? It was hard to comprehend. Requiring a certain level of civility was stranger still. She tried to wrap her head around it. She thought of the sentients she’d seen, siphoning in the club. “But, I thought you said those sentients were exhibitionists? What did you say? Something like ’siphoning’s not enough; they’ve got to siphon and be seen doing it’?” Jai pictured what she’d seen her first night at Club 10: the two women with the man, and the handler pulling the reins on her masked mutt. “I mean, how’s siphoning like that acceptable, while just talking about it is impolite?”

Sean laughed. “It’s a contradiction, I know. But, it’s true. Sentients tolerate public siphoning, so long as it happens inside the confines of our community, inside our private clubs. But, letting the entire world see it? To many sentients, that would be too dangerous. Besides, done the right way, siphoning can be personal.”

Jai had to ask. “So, the siphoning I’ve done in the past?”

“Trust me, you’d know if you’ve ever siphoned up close. The siphoning you’ve experienced is different from what I’m talking about here.” Suddenly, he looked away. She felt a surge of energy shoot off his body; and, just as abruptly, his body tensed. She watched him, ready to meet his eyes, but he turned away and pulled the pot off the stove. He spooned a large helping of risotto into a bowl and placed it in front of Jai. He didn’t speak again until he’d turned to grab another bowl, his back faced to her. “The siphoning I’m referring to…the siphoning we sentients are capable of doing…that close kind of siphoning is…intimate,” he said, another moment passing. Finally, he looked at her. “It’s definitely not something we’d share with the general public.”

More than ever, she wanted to ask Sean a million questions. Instead, she watched him take a small mandolin shaver in his hand and run a massive truffle across it. Paper-thin shavings rained down on the risotto. Steam rose from the bowls, and the room filled with the most delicious aroma. Salivating, she waited for Sean to finish garnishing his bowl before she took a heavenly mouthful. With each creamy bite, she wondered what words she could use to describe its rich, umami flavor. The taste seemed to meld with the question on her mind. When will I experience close-contact siphoning, for myself? She’d polished off the bowl. Her stomach was sated. But, she still wasn’t satisfied. “I just don’t get it. If siphoning’s so intimate, if it’s so dangerous for the public to know, then why do sentients let humans in the club?” She took a sip of wine.

“It’s a compromise. Some sentients would rather we never siphon humans. Others would never restrict their diet that way, and they’re adamant they can siphon whomever they want, whether they’re at home or not. Rather than argue endlessly about it, the clubs are a way for sentients to siphon humans without ruffling any feathers. At this point, our community doesn’t care, so long as it stays private,” he said, and ate another spoonful of risotto. “And, believe me. There are a lot of details to make sure it stays that way.”

In the coming weeks, Jai saw it for herself. Humans and sentients intermingled, just as Sean had described. Jai found the details fascinating. It was different, certainly, than the siphoning she’d done. And, there was a prescribed etiquette. There were manners, customs, formalities to be observed. And, it wasn’t only to maintain sentient privacy. Like Sean had said, it was more than that. It was a cultural thing.

At the club, Diana pointed out a long line of applicants. “See?” she asked, motioning to the humans who were blindfolded, about to be led inside. “They’re sentient groupies. They’re enamored with the sentient lifestyle, and want to experience the mystique.”

Sean agreed. “And, over there? See that blonde sentient, beside the one wearing a blue shirt? They’re sentient scientists making their rounds, doing their own private studies. They’ve interviewed lots of humans, run a lot of tests.”

“Aren’t the humans afraid to be siphoned?” Jai asked.

Avena laughed. “Are you kidding? No. Remember, siphoning gives them a high. Chemically speaking. Plus, there’s the thrill of the hunt. First, the humans have to pass numerous tests. They can’t be on any drugs; they have to be healthy, of sound body and mind. Even then, only the brightest of the bunch are chosen. It’s quite prestigious, actually. There’s a lot of competition. There are clubs in nearly every major city now.” Jai was amazed, surprised these humans were willing to be blindfolded and chained, all for the chance to be released, for any interested sentient to hunt.

The next month, Jai often saw the human offerings, the prey, clinging to the periphery. Her sixth sense gave her more than a front row seat to the exchange. It was an all-access, backstage pass, and nothing could have prepared Jai for the pleasure both parties felt. Everyone’s emotions and energy were too loud to ignore. She couldn’t hit the mute button most of the time. As the humans donned their masks and were led into the club, their bodies hummed, more excited and eager than afraid. And, when a sentient chose a human and the siphoning began, the euphoria was electric, pulsing through the human and into the sentient.

But, the pleasure didn’t start there. It started long before. Sometimes, it took hours or even days before a sentient would make contact, and it was obvious the humans enjoyed the chase. They dressed in resplendent clothes; wore their most expensive perfumes and colognes; and, did their best to tempt the sentients, their hunters, in the way they spoke and moved. The humans might have been blindfolded, blind to the sentients around them, but their bodies and minds were alive, alert to every subtle movement, tingling with anticipation, hoping they might be chosen by one of the hunters encircling them.

After the initial selection, most would retreat into a private room, but, occasionally, they would siphon publicly on the floor. One evening, Avena pointed, first, to a female sentient who had just entered the club; and, second, to a male human wearing a navy satin mask. He was clear across the room, the two of them separated by a mass of dancers huddled in the middle. “See them?” Avena asked. Jai nodded her head. “They’re well known because they’ve been together the longest. When a human siphons with the same sentient again and again, the two can become known as a ‘pairing.’ Sometimes, even three are paired. Number and gender don’t matter. It’s all about the connection they share. Most pairings are fleeting, but some, like them, grow to be quite serious. The longer a pairing lasts, the stronger the siphon for the sentient, and the more meaningful the experience for the human.”

Jai watched, amazed, as the female sentient entered the floor and immediately sensed where the man was in the dark, crowded club. Within seconds, she had already cut through the dancers, to the precise place where he stood, his back against the wall. Without a word, he stood up straight, as if somehow he knew she was there, though their two bodies remained two feet apart. She moved in close, her skin a porcelain white, until her red lips hovered mere millimeters from his. He bowed his head down to hers. And, the moment he parted his lips, a flare of lightening burst out of him. His energy spilled into her mouth. It was a fierce blue light and, as Jai watched, she siphoned. The light glowed with such ferocious intensity, it grew into a tangerine blaze, falling deep inside her chest. Jai’s heart quickened, afraid. Suddenly, her alabaster skin looked paper-thin, as if it would burst into flame. But, just as fast as it had started, the fiery colors disappeared. The sentient shut her mouth, and all Jai could see was the darkness of the room taking over. The soft glow of the candlelight made the shadows dance around their bodies. She wrapped her arms around his waist, and he rested his cheek against her hair. Jai had never seen anything so beautiful.

“Did you see that?” Jai yelled over the music. “That light, that fire?”

Avena looked at her, unfazed. “What fire?” Avena hadn’t seen a thing. And, apparently, no one else had either. With each hunt, Jai looked at Sean; at Borda, Mach, and Diana. She waited, to see if any of them showed any reaction. Don’t they see the fire, too? That blaze of energy she saw, with unique colors each time? None of them showed a reaction. They continued their conversations as if nothing were amiss, as if there were no fireworks on display.

By the fifth hunt, Jai realized she was the only one who could see the siphoning, the amazing exchange of energy as it was happening. She realized, her nightmare, her initial reaction to her first night in the club, was more to their accoutrements, their masks and chains, than the true feelings and purpose they shared. By now, she’d seen enough to recognize siphoning for what it was: an even exchange. There was pleasure, on both sides. And, what happened in the club resembled a mating ritual more than a meat market. Siphoning wasn’t just about getting high. There was something sacred and primal to it. It was far less ominous and dreadful than she’d first imagined it to be. Mach even said only a few humans had ever quit, and their reasons for breaking the bond were unrelated to the act itself, like moving to another state. Even then, the humans would ask to join the clubs there. Any club would welcome a human offering who’d already been vetted and approved by another club.

“It’s that sense of community that binds human offerings to the sentient world,” Sean said. “No human’s ever talked to an outsider about siphoning. I know the other club owners. If anyone told, they wouldn’t be welcomed back. A banning would be permanent, and the rewards are too great.”

But, what really puzzled Jai was sentient pairing. No matter how many hunts Jai had witnessed playing on in the background, she had never seen a sentient-sentient match. Before long, she couldn’t help but wonder, Is there an underground to the underground, some secret practice there too?

“What’s got your undies in a bunch?” Borda said, spitting out a straw of wheat. Jai was running on the treadmill facing the waterfront in Sean’s house. Without answering, she turned to look at him before jumping off.

She pat her forehead with a towel. “Shouldn’t you make up your mind?” She eyed Borda’s clothes. “I mean, are you a cowboy, or is it time for Total Recall?”

He peered out, his grey eyes smoldering from underneath a cowboy hat. Taking the hat off, he flexed the biomechanical sleeve tattooed on his arm. “You know me. I take schizo next-level.” He smiled warmly as Jai hugged his bony 6’5” frame. They’d gotten off on the wrong foot, that was for sure. But, Jai was thankful he’d led the charge that day in the piazza. If he hadn’t pressed, she likely would’ve stayed in the closet. Living the truth was a far livelier experience. Besides, unlike most people she’d met in the past, Borda lived his life wholeheartedly. He was straightforward and candid. He didn’t do pleasantries or niceties for their own sake. It was refreshing.

And, it didn’t hurt that he’d apologized for his brash behavior. “Listen, Jai,” he’d said, pulling her aside. It was their first night together, after the piazza. “I’m sorry if I rubbed you the wrong way. I can be an impatient son of a bitch, and….”

“No worries,” she’d said, cutting him off. “I needed the push. Truth is, I’ve known I’m sentient for a long time.” She caught her breath, realizing she’d left herself wide open. Please don’t ask for my birth date.

“Thanks for being so gracious,” he said. Relief washed over both of them. “Sean was going to break my balls,” he said, miming it with his hand. “You know Sean. He means it.”

She laughed in agreement. “Yea, but none of you can take all the credit. I would have told you anyway. I wanted to tell you. The timing was right. And, for the first time in my life, I could see myself reflected in someone else.”

“I know what you mean.” Borda looked out at the water. The setting sun was shining on it, and he traced the brim of his hat with his fingers.

“Stop!” Sean’s voice boomed from behind them. Borda swung and glared back. “It’s eight,” Sean said. “Time to wash up.” It was rare for Sean to let them run late. Seven p.m. sharp was their usual weekly dinner time; the earlier the better to get started on the nine-course menu. “Let’s do this!” he’d say, a long row of wines to pair with each dish, or sake if it was sushi night. Jai looked at Sean, wondering what it was that made this man, this regularly chipper guy, go completely zen, insanely focused at tai chi; Mortal Combat at karate, kung fu, judo, jiu jitsu, capoeira, or whatever other practice they chose for the day; and end the day with a lil French Laundry. Jai was still savoring the first time he’d cooked for her, their first night together, after their trip to Rome. Sean even prepared special meals for her mother, who relished her new low sodium diet like she’d never had before. In another life, he’d be a chef. In this life, he had too many hats to wear only one. That was for sure. And, Jai was not complaining. By meal’s end, Mach leaned back in his chair, rubbing the six-pack on his stomach, as if it were actually distended. It was amazing none of their stomachs were, with all the dishes they’d shared. “That was superb,” Mach said. “Now, on to the club! First round’s on me. Tonight, we’re all letting loose.”