The Search For WondLa (13 page)

CHAPTER 23: WEAVE

As she stepped
through the curtained doorway, Eva entered the main living room of the Haveport family. Wide colorful pillows and brightly patterned blankets were arranged along the perimeter of a circular, tightly woven floor. A round curtained window looked out into the quiet central market below. An array of dimly lit lanterns hung, like a cluster of large fruit, from the center of the room. Hostia reached up and rubbed one of the round glass-blown lanterns with her hand, and the entire bunch flickered and then glowed brightly.

The lights illuminated an iconographical painting that covered the ceiling. It looked like invented star constellations with a large planet and several moons rendered in great detail. On the planet, which Eva assumed was Orbona, an immense rocket lay on its side, with a line of figures entering it. The inside of the rocket was filled with these figures, and an eye—with a horizontal iris—was painted on the nose of the ship. Enchanted by the mural, Eva banged into a tray sitting atop a low table.

“Sorry,” Eva said, pushing the decorated tray back. She realized it was covered with a buffet of finger foods. Bright vegetables and fruit lay sliced in a row next to what appeared to be spiderfish skewers. A myriad of sauces and dips circled an ornate bowl in the center of the table that held a small flame.

“It is no problem, Eva,” Hostia said. “Everythings is fine. We can enjoy this before suppers. Haves you eaten?”

Muthr answered, “No, thank you. We—”

“They have eaten already,” Rovender finished. “But, you know, I am always hungry for your cooking.”

“Ofs course, but first a family drinks to our guests,” Hostia said, walking toward the back of the room. A decorated sack was mounted to the back wall, with faded streamers hanging on either side.

The sack looked heavy with some sort of liquid. Several rods and tubes dangled from the bag, reminding Eva of the holograms she had seen of bagpipes. From a basket below it Hostia pulled out three tiny fluted glasses. The hostess filled the glasses with squirts of liquid from the various tubes, tapping in powders contained at the ends of the rods.

“What is she making?” Eva asked.

Rovender explained. “It is a tradition among the Halcyonus that you have a drink from the
heart
of the house—the family cask. Just as no two homes are alike, no two homes make the same drink.”

A smiling Hostia handed out the drinks to the trio. Rovender drank his down in one shot. “Much appreciation and gratitude to you,” he said with a nod, handing the glass back.

“And to you,” Hostia replied. She looked at Eva.

Eva sniffed the contents of the glass. An enigmatic whiff of otherworldly spice whirled around her face. She looked over at Muthr, who was analyzing her drink with a laser.

“It seems to be a combination of distilled herbs and spices,” Muthr said. “Their basic compounds are similar to anise, cinnamon, and perhaps coffee beans. Add a water purification tablet and you should be fine, Eva.”

“No,” Rovender whispered. “Just drink it.”

“Yes, drink!” Hostia said, still smiling. The other family members had now leaned over to get a better view of the curious interaction.

“You will insult them if you tamper with the drink in any way,” Rovender added in a whisper, nudging Eva’s glass closer to her face.

“I understand, Mr. Kitt. However, I—,” Muthr began.

“Oh, Muthr,” Eva cut her off. “They are allowing us into their home. Remember?” She consumed the drink in one gulp. Warm herbs and spices tingled her insides as the liquid made its way down her throat. “Much thanks and gratitude,” Eva said, mimicking Rovender’s gesture.

“And to you,” Hostia said, taking the glass. She looked at Muthr.

“Oh!” Eva grabbed Muthr’s drink. “Don’t worry about her. She does not eat or drink. She’s a robot.”

“What is a robots?” Mægden asked.

Hostia studied Muthr, cocking her head to one side. “Why doesn’t it drinks?”

“She just doesn’t. She runs on power cells,” Eva said, handing the drink back. Rovender intercepted it and gulped it down. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “It is true. The mother is a machine. A contrivance.”

“She is a toy, Mamus. Remembers?” Zoozi asked.

“That’s right,” Rovender replied with a grin. “You don’t feed your toys, right?”

“Ah, yes.” Hostia nodded in understanding. The rest of the family did the same.

“Come and sits,” Fiscian said, spreading the large pillows out onto the floor. “Tell us of your journey.”

“Yes, it’s been some time since you haves been here, Rovenders,” Hostia added, sitting down on the pillows. Mægden brought pillows over for Eva and Muthr to relax on.

And so, Eva and her companions enjoyed the hospitality of Hostia and her family. They all listened as Rovender recounted his story of the strange creature he’d encountered named Eva Nine. Rovender described a daring escape from the vicious huntsman, Besteel, and he told of the surprising companionship of Otto, the giant water bear.

Afterward Fiscian taught Eva a traditional Halcyonus fishing song. After she entered the words into the Omnipod, Eva joined everyone in singing:

“Oh, the wind was at our back

and the tide up to our knees.

As we gathered up our gifts

from the green and giving seas.

“Both my feet are cold and wet,

but I walk without a care.

Very soon I shall be home,

where my family waits there.

“Mother cooks a tasty meal

as my children all hug me.

Please don’t thank me for my gifts.

Thank the green and giving sea.

“Sing! Sing! Sing!

For the green and giving sea.”

“We appreciate all that you are doing for us, Hostia,” Rovender said, carrying his heavy rucksack behind Eva. She and Muthr were following their host as she led them up a ramshackle staircase lined with fishing equipment, to an empty loft above the house. Eva could hear roosting turnfins chortling softly from within their baskets.

“You know, Rovender, our home is always welcomes to you,” Hostia said, opening the round door and entering. “All ofs you.”

“Much gratitude,” Rovender said as he held the door open for Eva and Muthr.

“Thank you,” Eva said, nodding to Hostia as she entered.

“Your hospitality is much appreciated, Mrs. Haveport,” Muthr added, extending an open hand. Hostia studied the wire-veined hand and gave it a quick pat.

The loft was a smaller version of the main living area, though there was an accumulation of fishing baskets nestled under the low window. Though empty, the baskets filled the room with a salty scent. Hostia reached up, lighting the lanterns in the room, and then pulled a single drape over the window. She grabbed three large pillows, larger than those used in the living area, and laid them out on the woven floor.

“There is a comforts station one door down,” she said as she unfolded a blanket. “Would anyone care for any more foods or drinks? Seabrine tea, perhaps?”

“No, thank you, Hostia. You’ve done enough. Oh, and I almost forgot … ,” Rovender said as he reached into his pack and pulled out his remaining voxfruit. He handed them to her. “I brought Zoozi his favorite breakfast.”

“Much appreciations and gratitudes to you,” Hostia replied, taking the fruit. “Zoozi will be so excited.”

Rovender smiled a toothy grin as Hostia went to leave. She paused at the door and turned to Eva. “You do not haves to leave by morning. You all are welcome to stay as long as you like.”

Eva’s eyes widened. She thought of exploring the market in the morning, meeting the locals, and learning how to fish. She thought of herself and Muthr living here with Hostia and her family.

Hostia continued in a solemn tone. “However, you should know that a Dorcean on your trail is likes a turnfin chasing a spiderfish—no matters how far down you swim to hide, he always catch his prey.” She waved. “Safe journeys, Eva Nines and Mother Robot.” Hostia left, closing the door behind her.

“Well, that was not very reassuring,” Muthr said, rolling to the window and peering down into the vacant plaza below. “Do you suppose Besteel is, in fact, here, Mr. Kitt?”

“I do not think so.” Rovender pulled out one of his bottles and began rearranging the pillows. “The Halcyonus are a tightly woven community. If he’d been spotted here, Hostia would have heard about it.” Eva saw him look over at her as she pulled off her satchel and jackvest. “We are safe for the night as long as we stay put, and remain inconspicuous,” he said.

“Then what?” Eva asked as she pulled the Omnipod off of her wrist. She slipped off her sneakboots and socks and dropped the Omnipod inside a boot. She flopped down onto a squishy red-patterned cushion. It felt good to wriggle her toes in the cool open air.

“Tomorrow morning I’ll take you to the ferry docks and see you off.” Rovender propped up a pillow under his legs and examined the scab on his ankle.

“Despite our differences, Mr. Kitt,” Muthr said as she wheeled toward the center of the room, where Rovender and Eva were relaxing, “I will be the first to say we could not have come this far without your guidance. And so, I thank you.”

“Yes, Rovee, thank you!” Eva scooted close, threw her arms around him, and gave him a peck on the cheek. A befuddled-looking Rovender remained rigid. “Oh! That reminds me!” Eva said as she crawled over to her belongings and pulled something out. “I wanted to give you this.” She unrolled the braid that she had made earlier.

Ivory threads from her tunic, along with the thick climatefibers of her knee socks, were woven into dirty-blond strands of Eva’s hair, and the braid was accented with colorful beads. “Hold out your hand,” she instructed, draping the braided strand in her lap.

Setting down his bottle, Rovender watched. Eva took his large, calloused hand, palm up, and placed it on top of the braid. She looped the loose ends together and began tying them around Rovender’s wrist.

“I learned how to make this from one of my holo-shows,” she said. “It is a special bracelet, a
friendship
bracelet, that I’ve made for you to wear. That way you’ll never forget about us. And you’ll know that wherever you are—wherever you go—we’ll be friends. Always.” She sniffed as she finished tying the bracelet. “There,” she said, admiring her handiwork. “It looks good, right?” Eva’s pale green eyes were glassy. Misty.

Rovender held up his hand and stared at the bracelet wrapped around his thick wrist. He glanced over at the girl and the robot, both quiet and looking back at him. Grabbing his ratty cloak and bottle, he stood and made for the doorway.

“I am going to do a sweep of the village tonight to be sure of your safety, Eva Nine,” he said. He draped the cloak over his head, opened the door, and looked back over his shoulder. “Get your rest. You have a busy day tomorrow.” With that, Rovender Kitt slipped out into the night.

Distant thunder grumbled as the village of Lacus went to sleep.

Calling turnfins awoke Eva Nine from her deep slumber. Through the undulating curtain she saw the lavender predawn light drift into the room. Her blanket still wrapped around her, she crawled over to the window to view the waking village.

Down below, one group of Halcyonus fishermen gathered gear for their morning outing, while another was in the center of the open-air plaza arranging small mats in a circular layout. Eva wanted to get dressed and explore before she left; she couldn’t wait to see everything in the daylight.

Muthr was in sleep mode, standing stationary in the shadows of the room with her eyelids closed. Eva’s jackvest and satchel were next to her. Rovender’s rucksack was still in the room, but the lanky creature was nowhere to be seen.

I’d love to get some holos of Lacus before we leave,
Eva thought.

As quietly as possible Eva slipped on her thick socks and reached for her sneakboots.

“Walking distance traveled: thirty-four kilometers,” the shoes announced. Eva shut off the odometer in the sneakboot’s heel. The ever-vigilant robot awoke.

“Good morning, Eva, dear. Did you achieve restful sleep?” Muthr asked.

“Good morning, Muthr. Yes, I slept great,” Eva said as she pulled on one of her boots, feeling it contract around her foot to hold it snug. “Where is Rovee?”

Muthr rolled to the window and peeked out. “Mr. Kitt departed early this morning to secure our ferry to Solas. He said he would return shortly to bid us farewell.”

Eva slipped her other foot into its sneakboot. As she did so, she felt the Omnipod still tucked inside. She removed the Omnipod, snuck it into her tunic pocket under her blanket, and then put the sneakboot back on.

“And where are you off to?” Muthr turned toward Eva. “Mr. Kitt specifically told us to remain here.”

Muthr is not going to let me explore at all. I’ll have to think of a good excuse.

“Oh, I just have to use the … um, comfort station.” Eva pointed to the shoulder patch on her tunic as she walked to the door. “You know, before AnatoScan kills me.”

“Of course. Let me come with you.” Muthr rolled close.

“I’m okay. Seriously—you don’t have to come with me,” Eva said.

Muthr stared at her, her eyelids clicking with each blink.

“Besteel’s not here, remember?” Eva wrapped her blanket around herself and pushed the door open. A misty morning chill swept into the room. “Hold on to my stuff,” she said, pointing to her jackvest and satchel. “I’ll be right back. Okay?”

“Very well. Hurry right back,” Muthr said with a sigh.

“I will. Don’t worry. I’ll see you in a sec.” Eva smiled as the door closed.

I’ll have to be quick,
she thought.

Standing at the outdoor walkway of her room, Eva watched the morning light paint Lacus in a golden varnish. The rings of interwoven globular huts that comprised the village rose up toward the dawn sky like a gigantic bowl. Stretched across the diameter of the structure were strings full of long colorful pennants, waving and twisting in the day’s early breeze. From every residence Eva could see the citizens of Lacus emerging as the village came to life. A shiver ran up her spine, and she trotted over to the neighboring hut where the comfort station was located. Eva pushed the door open, and spied two Halcyonus locals inside, chatting to each other.

“Hi! I’m Eva.” She raised her hand up.

One of the Halcyonus whispered to the other, and both scurried past her out of the station. Eva relieved herself in the simple bathroom and exited. “I hope the others in this village are more like Hostia’s family,” she said to herself as she pulled the Omnipod out from under her blanket.

As she captured holograms of the village and its inhabitants from the walkway, Eva heard music—the same lilting music from the night prior—drifting down.

Eva paused and closed her eyes, mesmerized by the wondrous fugue.

“Human child.” She heard a breathy whisper within the song. Eva opened her eyes and looked around. A flock of turnfins fluttered across the square above her as villagers below began to open their market stalls. Eva searched the locals milling about: She saw the party of fishermen heading down to the bridges below, a street sweeper cleaning, and a group of yogis stretching on their mats, but no one addressing her.

“Human child,” the song whispered again. “Eva the Ninth. Nine Evas. The child human.”

“Who are you?” Eva scanned the multitude of windows across the plaza, trying to locate the source of the music and the whispering. High above, the flock of turnfins circled and squawked, as if they were pointing down to a tiny hut nestled between two larger shacks at the topmost tier of the village. As her eyes traced the latticework of stairs that led to it, Eva started toward the remote location. She paused for a moment at the door to her room, but the mysterious melody danced in her ears. Entranced, she pocketed the Omnipod and headed toward the tiny hut.