Orchid watched his Treasure leave the room, then rose from his chair. He was almost sad to be free of it. He really must stop having these masochistic thoughts. As they did seem to be his, he accepted them, although Orchid told himself the urges may be traced to certain traumas he had suffered in life; emotional or physical pain beyond his control. Now, others whispered that he was domineering, but it helped him cope with the truth that being a Vampyre meant he was always in danger of allowing a substance to rule his life. Been there; done that. At the time, it had seemed an escape from the people trying to control his life.

Taking control where he could was survival level coping mechanism at this point.

Orchid set his bath to fill and then closed the gauzy drapes that separated the concrete bath from his marble-floored living room full of antique furniture. The curtain didn't hide so much as obscure the view of bathers from the rest of the room.

He undressed, then stood folding his clothes neatly onto a wooden stool. Steam was already rising from the large sunken bath. Morpheus had often said he guessed Orchid the reincarnation of a Caesar, as he seemed to have a penchant for all things Roman. But, Morpheus was the one who had stolen all the Roman belongings across time, and had also hinted that Orchid was the reincarnation of a kilt-maker from Sodom. So, Morpheus might be the one who had a thing for Greco-Roman design.

He had somehow ended up in their myths, but Orchid knew better than to ask Morpheus about that period of time.

He sank down into his bath and thought about different things they might do to impress those in the capital. Yes, the were likely to play a private performance, but there was the reception after the debate where some of the most influential or generous political movers and shakers would meet. It was as important for Orchid make the appropriate impression on the candidates, as it was for them to impress the voters.

Orchid didn't claim to enjoy politics, but he understood the need to make some show of power in order to ensure the safety of The Village and of Darkling throughout Pakistan.

The intrigue he rather enjoyed, and recently he'd been getting into lots of that.

He got up, took one of his many robes from a hook on the wall, and went out to the devices in the living room. He was eager to see if any clients had sent messages to the Vivid Sadness address, but he checked his personal messages first.

The first was from Victoria. She said that something good had happened between Ahmed and her.  He had found programs on Darkling History and asked for her opinion.

Orchid smiled as he understood Ahmed must have been swayed by their last conversation. That it had driven him to Victoria was all the better.

Orchid replied to Victoria, saying he was happy things were better and that he hoped to see them in Islamabad.

Another message was from Claudia, who was David's child-in-blood and the most responsible and grounded of those Vampyres living in Goth. Often her messages included news from the coven living in Zakopane.

Claudia said she was well, as was her husband and child-in-blood whom they affectionately called  Sweet. He had been a famous political figure when mortal and wasn't out as a Vampyre to everyone, so they tended to use his taken name in unsecured communication.

Claudia relayed news about the others: Orchid's own child-in-blood, Joy; the ambitious and handsome Daerrick from America;  and his two Italian children-in-blood, Angelo and Estatsi. As usual, their coven drama involved who was sharing blood with whom and which holidays and traditions they insisted upon observing.

Orchid cherished the stories, but he thought he might go mad if he tried living with them. He had David, Miko, and Laila at his Haven, but it was just different.

Joy had gone through a lot since that long-ago time she'd been his Human muse and begged him for the blood which he'd left in a bottle. Orchid didn't worry for her physical wellbeing-- she'd proven to have not a few vampiric tricks --but she he could worry him.

If he seemed to worry, Morpheus would assure Orchid that Sweet was watching out for Joy.

Joy had nearly been the Vampyre to turn both David and Sweet, but it just hadn't turned out that way. Orchid wouldn't outwardly confess it, but he liked that Sweet had still ended up among his brood. He had an angelic face, two sapphire black eyes, and a butterfly tattooed on his back. He gave everyone fever, even Orchid.

They had a son-- Claudia and Sweet --born a dhampir after David had unknowingly turned Claudia during her pregnancy. Trepidation. He had two children now, Claudia's message confirmed, both immortal, blood-drinking, fanged, and breathing as their father.

Trepidation was concerned by the recent conference in Africa on cloning. The dhampir's wife was a clone of a member of the famous Jewel family. It was David's father who had engineered her birth, and artificially inseminated her with Trepidation's first child. They were all concerned that those who opposed cloning, genetic engineering, or who saw the dhampir as a threat might  attack Trepidation's family.

David didn't like to talk about his father, but Claudia, Sweet Trepidation and those kids were still Orchid's blood. He'd do what he could for them.

Orchid checked the Vivid Sadness account for messages. There were a few, and he skimmed the list. Some were clubs asking the act to return, one was a club in Baghdad asking to book them for the first time, and two were for private shows.

The first one appeared to be from one of the Vampyres in Alexandria. It didn't say this, but the pseudonym and routing data seemed to point toward it. Somehow, Andrew must have discovered Orchid and Morpheus were Vivid Sadness. Unless...Andrew didn't know Katir was Orchid and wanted to see a performance anyway.

The last was an invitation from the admirer who had sent orchids to their dressing room and wished to book a private show in Islamabad.Orchid had anticipated this. The information seemed in order:  address of a private house, the hours between which they might choose to play, a choice between two days to perform, the payment account number and maximum charge. 

There was also contact info and a note asking whether they would agree to chat about the details of the performance.

Orchid made his formal reply first, agreeing to a show. He then entered the contact information to initiate a chat.

Morpheus popped into the room as Orchid was still waiting. He was much more modest in his dress when not performing as part of Vivid Sadness, and often in kilt or pants with non-functional straps, which reflected his past as a guitarist in more Rock-oriented acts. He was rocking a waistcoat and tie, which they both knew Orchid found attractive on him.

Morpheus pulled a chair close and sat down near Orchid. He didn't like to count the years they'd been together. Not only did it get complicated by the fact his lover traveled through time, but if Orchid let himself count, he'd find himself calculating how long they'd known each other but pretended for each other to only be friends. He had mostly thought of Morpheus as the son of one of Joy's friends until he began appearing as a dandy. He'd often looked like some Gothic-Industrial kid when he was younger, which Orchid had thought cute, but not so attractive. There was something about his figure in classically masculine American menswear that Orchid just found gut-wrenching. 

The most mindblowing part was that Morpheus usually generated clothes from his own shape-shifting exostructure nd the texture and tailoring were flawless. It was so hot.

"New gigs?"

Orchid reached out to feel the texture of Morpheus' convincingly tweed vest. "I think the earlier one is Andrew."

"But, does he know it's us?"His gaze lowered to Orchid's fingers.

"Not sure."

"You know him better." Morpheus leaned back in his chair.

Orchid lifted his brows. "True."  They'd had sex once, when Orchid was in an experimental phase between long-term commitments.

Morpheus sneered and wrinkled his nose. That wasn't for the sex, Orchid knew, but the sassiness with which he acknowledged it.

"We used to listen to Madonna and The Jazz Shears together. He could be a fan. Do you want me to say no?"

Morpheus shrugged then sighed. "It's not Andrew I mind, it's who he might invite. Ruins the whole masked singer secret identity thing."

There were reasons they didn't play America or Europe.

"Take some time to think about it," Orchid suggested. He was sure Morpheus could look to the potential futures and determine whether anyone familiar would be at a show in Alexandria, but he suspected Morpheus felt it wasn't a righteous enough cause to use his power. "You can chat with our admirer in Islamabad."

Morpheus leaned forward again and looked toward the display. "Text-only chat is so deliciously primitive and anonymous, like a glory hole."

Orchid laughed out loud. "You never!"

"You don't know."

Orchid snickered a laugh. "Sweetie, I know. I never did it, and you're younger than I am, and that time I stupidly told you to see someone else all you did was get a massage."

Morpheus smiled and his face blushed faintly blue. "But you did this?" He tipped his head to the devices as a sound indicated another member in the chat. 

"Oh, Gawd, yes. All the time."  Orchid returned his attention to the screen.

>>This is Katir and Rakis, in person, we want to talk about the performance we will put on for you. Tell us what you would like to see.

"Should you say 'in person'?" Morpheus asked as they waited for the reply.

"Do I tell you how to use scrying pools?"

Morpheus' brows raised in a pointed look of disbelief.

Orchid did occassionally use scrying mirrors, as Morpheus occassionally owned and used a mobile device. And, Orchid asked a lot of questions about how scrying worked. He nodded as the next line of text appeared.

>>I am a great fan. You can call me G. I have seen you many times in clubs and want you to do a special performance. The address I gave you is not my house, but all is properly arranged so we can use it. A friend of mine saw you at a private home in Cairo and described your show differently. Do you decide or accept requests?

"What did we do in Cairo?" Orchid whispered.

"The gig for that minister with the infamous lettuce incident."

"Right. And the Bangles cover."

>>It's great to hear from you, G. Of course we accept your requests. For songs or whatever else you like.

There was a longer wait before the next message.

"I think he's shy," Morpheus said.

"You should talk."

"I've made a lot of progress."

Orchid laughed. "Maybe I should be asking you for a request."

Morpheus noded and rubbed his hands over the arms of his chair. "Why don't we have a bigger sofa up here so I don't have to drag you to bed just to get properly close-- and don't say David manages it. He's almost petit."

The device sounded a faint beep.

>>I think you are both beautiful and I would be very pleased if you would and stripping and sex to the show."

>>Your wish is our desire. Usual provisos apply.

>>Of course. I want you to look like you are having fun, the way you do on stage. But please take it further, it always looks like you want to, and I want to see it."

>>We are getting excited just thinking about coming to Islamabad. We would prefer the first date you gave us.

"That's tomorrow, the day before the debate," Morpheus observed.

Orchid nodded. "But you realize who this must be. If we are seen at the debate reception first, he may somehow regognize us and pull out of the show."

"More fun if he recognizes us after he's hosted the private show." Morpheus smirked.

Orchid sent a few more lines, confirming the booking "We'll need to take an earlier flight. Can you--"

Morpheus pouted. "It'll be during the day. You know I can help you avoid the plane."

Orchid beckoned, and when Morpheus leaned toward him, Orchid gave him a kiss. "I know," he said, "but it's no longer a choice for me to be political. If I wink into places, you'll be targetted."

"I love you," Morpheus said, laying his right hand on Orchid's shoulder.

"Thank you." He felt, sometimes, it seemed disingenuous if he simply repeated the same phrase. "Right now, you can help me by giving Zulfi a hand packing the gear tonight."

Morpheus made a wide smile. "Two hands even, maybe more."

"I'll warn David and Miko."

Morpheus stepped away from their chairs, and his wings sprouted from his back.

"Love you," Orchid called, just as Morpheus vanished with the sound of wings.

Alone, he went downstairs in search of David.

He was found with Miko and Laila in one of the small rooms sometimes used as a studio on the north side of the house. David, fully dressed, was stretched out on a setee as if posing for a picture, while Miko supervised Laila's attempt to sketch.

"We're flying up tomorrow," Orchid said, "during the day."

"Why?" David asked.

"Gig. Needs to happen tomorrow evening, before the next debate," Orchid told him. "We'll need you there to play bodyguard."

"One of your fans wants to see you ravish Murph on stage again?" Miko teased.

"Or vice versa."

"Shame I'll miss it."

Orchid rolled his eyes, because for all that he had a separate penthouse residence he still found himself with precious little privacy. Only part of that was Morpheus' family having no boundaries when scrying.

"Listen, I had an idea," Orchid said, "for the reception, I'd like the three of you to apear in traditional national cotumes, but black."

"What do you mean traditional?" David asked, "You mean I got to wear the kilt?"

"It will make the proper impression."

"I don't have a black kimono, we always wore white."

"I made a black kimono for Morpheus' mother. I think it's in the dresssing room.  I might also invite Eleni, and maybe Joe as well as Zulfi." Orchid looked to Laila "Are you all right?"

Laila glanced from Miko to David before answering. "I will be."

---------

Secret: I'm not sure exactly what 'the infamous lettuce incident' involved, but it probably had to do with the Egyptian theme.