SIXTY-FIVE: Covert Connection

Siobhan held the box out to Arous who sat at the small table in her kitchenette.

“It’s full of all the dots and finger paintings you sent her as a child.”

“Oh,” said Arous.

“It has something else. A letter. A handwritten letter.  She told me that she thought you would come and that I was to give it to you if something happened to her.”

“Nothing’s happened to her.”

“I know. But she’s not here and maybe this is what she meant, you being here and her stuck in a HaleSpa.”

Arous stared at the box where Siobhan had laid it on the table.

“Aren’t you going to open it?”

“Not right now. No.”

“I understand,” she said and paused. “I guess I should go, I just have a go-see tomorrow early with the Ephor.”

Siobhan didn’t move but just stood a moment.

“Okay, then.  You’re welcome,” she turned to leave.

“Please. Stay. A minute.”

“Okay,” said Siobhan and sat down.

“I need your help,” Arous inhaled and said, “I’m going to try to break my mom out of the HaleSpa. I need your help.”

“Whoa, break out someone convicted of treason. Not me. My career is just – I have a go-see in the morning with the Ephor. I’m not about to mess that up.”

“I just need you to do a little investigating, a little acting,” said Arous. “Some undercover work.”

Siobhan had stood and was about to leave but she sat back down.

“All I need you to do is go to the HaleSpa and take a tour. Tell me the layout.”

“Layout?”

“Yeah,” said Arous. “Like, the hall my mom is on, how close is the nearest staircase or office or lounge. Where’s the nearest sink or water fountain.”

“Why can’t you do it?”

“I’ve already been there in a shimmer.  I can’t go again.”

“What?”

“Shimmer. It’s an enchantment. Like I made myself look more . . . Amlagamese.”

“Do it again,” said Siobhan.

“They’ll recognize me,” said Arous.

“Then don’t do it.”

“I can’t go in as a Lunese!”

“Okay. I’ll do it,” said Siobhan leaning back in her chair. “I’ll do it. I have an important go-see in the morning. I’ll add it to my charity slate, I’ll take off animal cruelty and add the crazies at the HaleSpa. That should get me in for a couple of tours. Especially, if I make the cut.”

“The cut?”

“Haven’t you been listening? I’m part of a group of girls that has been slated to be one of Ephor Ricci’s Idelles.  He’s going with two or three this time and not just one, he wants a whole entourage.  I’m in the top five.  If I make the cut, it’ll be a breeze to get as many tours of the HaleSpa as your heart desires.”

Therese’s voice came wafting on the breeze. “It’ll do no good to tell you this but you should stay away from him and his whole entourage.”

“Entourage,” murmured Arous.

Siobhan could see the sun beginning to set through the windows.  She was leaning back, draped in her chair.

“How long will it take?” asked Arous.

“What?”

“Getting appointed to this thing?”

“Getting you into the HaleSpa, you mean?” Siobhan asked and smiled. “Week and one-half, sweetie.  Just in time for the Ambassador’s Ball, next weekend.”

“Ugh,” she said.

“You’ll have fun,” Siobhan said. “After all, you’re going with every girl’s dream, Captain Hodges-Baire.”

“What?”

“Didn’t he tell you? Ricci promoted him to Captain of the Grey Guard just last week.”

“No.”

“Well,” said Siobhan waving her hand in the air. “Maybe he didn’t think you’d go if you knew that he you’ll be announced with him since you‘re his date.”

“He was right.”

“Oh, you can’t not go now. Arous, he’ll be so disappointed.”

“You can go with him.”

“I am going. As an Idelle. Besides,” said Siobhan. “I’m about to be named as one of Ricci’s Idelles. They’re announcing us that night.”

“Who’s in the running?”

“The only ones who count right now are me and Jellina,” she sighed. “Mijin made it into the top five, but she’ll never make the cut.”

“Mijin?”

“Yes, Mijin,” said Siobhan as if tired. “I’m surprised you haven’t noticed her.  Everytime you’re around I notice her skulking around.  They day we were talking in the garden, I swear she walked by at least twice.  And the night we met, Simon and Jude, she was with Jude but left when we got there. I don’t know what he sees in her.”

“I don’t remember her.”

“She’s not very memorable.  She kind of disappears in the sunlight, if you ask me.”