Chapter #47How To Get Ahead in LA by: imaj   You walk unsteadily across the airport concourse, dragging a little wheeled suitcase along behind you. There is an occasional yelp from an angry bystander as you roll over their feet, but you do your best to ignore them and clutch on tight to the satchel slung over your shoulder. You scan the crowd, looking for Kali and hoping desperately that she identifies herself to you because, with characteristic stupidity, you forgot to ask Joe what she looked like.
Of course, there was actually a very good reason why you didn't ask, but it's best not to think about it. You clutch your shoulder bag tighter.
Several people in the crowd at the arrivals section are holding placards with names hastily written onto them. Luckily for you, one of them reads 'William Prescott'. You walk over to the person holding it ' a copper skinned woman with a timeless beauty that suggests she could be anywhere between thirty and fifty years old. The only sign of age is where her wavy black hair is streaked with white at the temples. A long purple skirt and plain white blouse hint at a simple elegance. In fact, she puts you in mind of Kendra Saunders from Westside ' if Kendra was twenty years older and somehow stopped being a bitch.
'Excuse me,' you say politely, dragging your case over. The woman smiles warmly at you. 'Did Kali Valentine send you?'
'I am Kali Valentine,' she replies. The voice is light and airy with a distinct Scottish accent, although it does not sound exactly any you have ever heard on television or films, unless you count 300.
'Oh, sorry,' you stutter. 'I, um, didn't realise you had African Americans in Scotland.'
Kali laughs musically. 'No child, we do not 'have' African Americans in Scotland, because it is Scotland and not America,' she explains simply. 'Back home we would actually use the term 'black' in any case. My mother was one of the locals, my father came there from Malawi in the fifties.'
'My family are back in Saratoga Falls,' you reply. 'They don't even know I'm gone. We left a golem in a mask in my place.'
There is an awkward silence for a minute.
'First time in Los Angeles? How was your flight,' says Kali eventually. 'I understand something has happened to your face as a result of your experience with the Libre Personae. I had thought that might have caused issues with airport security.'
You flinch a little and hold your satchel tighter. 'No,' you reply. 'Joe helped me sort it all out.' That much is true ' it was Joe's idea to use the mask of him to get by security and travel on the plane. You only removed the mask once you reached LA, hiding in a toilet stall to make the change.
'Ah Joe,' says Kali wistfully. 'Is he keeping well? No doubt he told you much about me.'
'He's fine,' you reply. 'We're all still, that is me, Joe and Frank, we're all still recovering from the business with Blackwell.' You pause for a second before adding quietly. 'It was more difficult on Frank than on us.'
'I sense you have much to tell me child,' replies Kali. 'Joe has informed me of some of the bare bones of your tale, but there are several specifics that interest me. That and there is the matter of your own education child.'
'Oh, right,' you say quietly. 'I guess I'm happy to tell you all about it. Where are we going?'
'Right now, nowhere,' explains Kali. 'I have another visitor flying in today as well. Her flight arrived a little after yours, so we will not have to wait long child.'
'Uh ok,' you reply. After a couple of minutes silence, and because you really want to know, you find yourself asking: 'Why do you keep calling me child? I'm in my last year at high school, I'm practically a grown up'
Kali laughs warmly again. 'As you say yourself, you are practically, not actually, a grown up. But it is not just about your age child. You have only taken your first steps into our world, and that makes you a child,' she explains. 'True, you have faced your first major challenge and come out unscathed, if back to front. Very few could have achieved what you have.' Kali grimaces unexpectedly for second. It is so quick that you almost miss it. 'So soon at least. You lack experience and, crucially, you lack knowledge.' Kali sighs and smiles at you again. 'Here I am lecturing you already and we haven't even left the airport. You must be tired from your journey.'
'A little,' you admit.
'Do not worry, we will leave soon,' explains Kali. 'I can see my other guest over there.' She stands on her tip toes and waves. You follow Kali's gaze and spot an Asian women, maybe thirty ' it's hard to tell, with boyishly short hair change direction and head straight towards you. Her case is much larger than yours ' Women and their clothes you think. She also has a long, thin, sports bag slung over her shoulder.
'Kali, how are you,' says the women. Her voice has a light accent to it that you can't quite identify. She lowers her sports bag carefully to floor ' it clinks ' and hugs Kali.
'I am managing,' responds Kali as she breaks away from the hug. The two women hold each other by the arms for a moment. 'It is difficult on some days. Ah' Where are my manners, this is Will Prescott,' continues Kali, gesturing at you. 'Who has come to learn about essentia and the ousiarchs. Will, this is Miko Toyotomi, another member of the Stellae.'
'Hi,' you say, politely holding out your hand. Miko takes a step back and regards you coolly for a moment. She gives you a wary nod.
'Now that we're all here,' says Kali, apparently not noticing Miko's coolness towards you. 'Let's get back to my apartment.' Kali heads for the exit, with you and Miko trailing along behind her.
****
You are unpacking your suitcase in the smaller Kali's guest bedrooms when your cellphone rings. You flip it open and answer.
'You in LA now,' asks Joe.
'Unpacking my clothes right this minute,' you reply.
'Isn't Kali great,' asks Joe. 'You're going to learn a lot more over there than you would if you were stuck with me.'
'She seems okay,' you reply. 'I haven't talked to her much yet. Are you going to be alright on your own now?'
'Don't worry about me,' laughs Joe. 'I got some company over right now.' In your mind's eye you picture Joe waggling his eyebrows suggestively. 'I might have to phone you when Frank gets back from Dad's though, just in case I feel like ending it all.' He laughs uproariously.
'Um, Joe,' you say hesitantly. 'There's another woman here too.'
'Oh,' he asks, suddenly much more serious. You hear him talking to his guest. His hand must be over the receiver because he sounds quiet and muffled. 'No, I'll be back in a minute. It's my brother.' There is a brief pause. 'No the other one. Yes I have two. It'll just be a minute babe.' There is complete silence for a minute before Joe's voice returns clearly: 'Who is it?'
'Miko something,' you reply. 'Miko Toyo' Toyo, something Japanese I think.'
'Miko Toyotomi,' asks Joe quietly.
'Yeah, that's it,' you say. Joe makes a sucking noise with his teeth.
'Did she have a bag with her,' he asks. 'About four feet long?'
'Yeah, how did you''
'It's her sword,' interrupts Joe. 'One of the big ones too. The Japanese have a load of magical swords ' it's their top export after consumer electronics ' but Miko's is major-league. Dad knows which one it is, I think, but he's never let it slip to me or Frank.' He pauses for a few seconds and when he continues his voice his very quiet and deadly serious. 'Listen, that mask of me you used to get on the plane, hide it.'
'What,' you splutter.
'Hide it, somewhere no one will find it. Hell, throw it away,' says Joe quickly. 'You know how Frank's an insufferable asshole and zealot? Miko is ten times worse. She's not bad, she's just' she's just a fanatic. You've used the Libre Personae and it's left its mark on you. If Miko thinks it's left even just a trace of darkness, she will execute you.'
You nearly drop the phone in shock.
'Will are you still there?'
'Yes,' you manage to say with difficulty. Your mouth feels very dry.
'Shit,' he says with a sigh. 'I'm sorry, I didn't think this would happen. I'm sorry,' he repeats and then hangs up.
Well fuck, you think.
In the absolute quiet of the guest room, you can hear a faint murmuring from beyond the door. You move, as quietly as you can, over to it and open it a crack. Miko and Kali are talking in the room beyond. If you tried, you could just about make out what they are saying, but then again, eavesdropping might be exactly the kind of behaviour that might make you lose your head. Literally.
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