Victoria woke in Ahmed's bed. She had a vague notion that she'd just been listening to guitar-heavy music, but the room was quiet as Ahmed leaned over her.

"We only have a short while to pack our bags and dress," he said.

They would by flying to Islamabad. Victoria took a few moments to stretch and allow her body to fully wake before she moved to her own room. 

She showered first then dressed in a designer skirt suit.

Victoria had already laid out most of the clothing she would need, including the dress Orchid had created her for her appearances with her husband. There was also a spare black formal gown and a a small assortment of stylish separates and complementary accessories.

 Victoria joined Majnun and Ahmed in taking leave of the children. She gave their nurse some instructions before blowing final kisses to Brittany Leigh at the door. Victoria put her sunglasses on as she walked out to the towncar, where a driver waited to escort them to the airport.

There were internal checkpoints to maneuver, but they were able to get through to their gate before boarding had begun. 

Sidi  had already arrived and waved to them as they approached. He greeted Ahmed, and then Majnun and Victoria.

Beyond Sidi, Victoria recognized Orchid, Morpheus, and Eleni seated with other waiting travelers. Orchid held a figure shrouded in black and pastel pink leaning against him. There were three young men who seemed to be part of their group. One of these, wearing a light gray scarf covering his neck and hair, cradled a second shrouded figure.

"I'll go say hello to Orchid," Victoria said to Ahmed.

He just waved a hand as he was talking to Sidi.

Orchid was already watching her through small gold-framed glasses as Victoria approached. "Hello Victoria," he said.

"Are we on the same flight?"

"Looks like it. We were going to travel tonight but something came up. Forgive me if I don't get up." He shrugged his unoccupied shoulder.

Victoria shook her head. "Of course. It's quite all right..." Victoria looked down at the veiled figure's pale, slender legs. "Is she taking the sun badly then?"

"She'll be fine," Orchid said, "it's the direct sunlight." He made a toss of his head, indicating the array of glass looking out onto the tarmac.

Victoria stepped closer, putting herself between the sun rays and the seated Vampyres.

"Thank you." Orchid laughed quietly. "I guess it works sorta like that thing with Humans and needing to process Vitamin D. The paler skin lets more of something through. Only, for us, it feels like the light saps our strength. It makes it hard to just keep your eyes open, or stand up straight," he paused just a moment. "It's worse for some than for others."

The female Vampyre held by Orchid shifted and a pale hand with pink lacquered nails rose along his jacket lapel.

"There's no one trait at blame. And, we can still defend ourselves in such condition."

The hand patted Orchid's chest.

Victoria felt a hand touch her arm at the same moment and started. She breathed a sigh when she saw it was only Ahmed beside her. He said Hello to Orchid.

Orchid smiled brightly. "Shall I introduce you all?"

"Please," Victoria said.

"My lover, Morpheus," Orchid said of the blue-haired Angel in the next chair. He introduced the others, as he gestured to them: Miko against his chest, David under the scarf, with Laila in his lap, Eleni beside them, Joe with the fuzz of facial hair, and Zulfikar who looked away from them.  And then addressing his companions, "This is my friend, Victoria Jinnah, her husband who is running for Governor, Ahmed Ali Jinnah, and I believe this is his other lovely wife, Majnun Jinnah, and I think most of us have met Sidi-- Radhakrishnan isn't it?"

"Yes, Radhakrishnan," Sidi said.

They spoke casually of plans to attend the debate or reception afterward. Ahmed asked David, Eleni and Joe whether there was a polite way to ask Darkling if they were Darkling or what type. With glances, they consulted each other and then Orchid and Morpheus, before David answered for them.

"Unfortunately there is not a polite way for a Human to ask. But, once you know, it's all right to ask whatever you like in private."

"We're used to it," the one called Zulkfikar whispered.

There was an announcement then that boarding would begin.

"Do we have early boarding?" Ahmed whispered, inquiring with Sidi within Victoria's hearing.

Sidi whispered back, "The tickets are out of the campaign fund."

"We ended up in business class," Orchid said, "changing our flight last minute."

Victoria smiled down at her vampire friend as Ahmed, still at her side, nodded. It seemed they may all be seated near each other on the plane.

Once they boarded, Victoria found a seat along the aisle, beside Majnun, so that Ahmed might sit beside Sidi to discuss business. Nearby, she could see Orchid and Morpheus seated together, while David stood in the aisle, buckling Miko and Laila into their lie-flat seats behind Victoria.

As the plane began to taxi, there was moaning audible over the noise of the wheels and engines.  Victoria looked back to see one of their attendants in the aisle, leaning toward's Orchid's seat. The Vampyre did not sit buckled into the seat, but was leaning across the space of the stowed privacy screen to rest his head and shoulders in Morpheus' lap.

"Orchid, you must wear the safety belt during take-off."

"I have lived through being burnt more than once. You will not strap me into a flying machine that runs on combustible fuel so it can happen again."

The attendant looked to his sides, and his eyes met Victoria's for a moment. "We have an excellent safety record," Then whispering, "Do you require assistance fastening your belt?"

Orchid sat up and glared at the attendant. "Scott--"

He broke off as Morpheus reached out and slipped a sleeping mask over Orchid's eyes.

"He'll be fine. Promise. I'll make sure he's in his seat," Morpheus said.

The flight attendant moved back in the cabin.

Victoria looked to Orchid. "Does he know you?"

Morpheus sighed, "Dear, they all know him."

Orchid pushed the mask to his forehead, then fastened the seatbelt across his hips. He smiled at Victoria as the plane accelerated and pressed them both into their seats. She just managed to see Morpheus taking his hand.

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Secret: I had to do research on the different classes and types of seats used by various airlines before I could finish editing this chapter.