#qua process

from Qua Process / Qua Being chapter 5 (live now)

(warning for Titus/Caine relationship and mildly suggestive whatever)

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“Look how strong you are,” Titus Abrasax said, trailing a playful hand down Caine’s bare shoulder. “I know you can do this task for me.”

“Who’s the target?” Caine leaned, supine and weightless, into a mess of decorative silk pillows. He steadied an arm against Titus’s back to keep from slowly twisting in the zero-grav. Caine flinched as he touched the latex straps on Titus’ favorite “pajamas.” The garment didn’t look ideal for sleepwear, but then, Titus had suggested doing briefings in bed to work on Caine’s focus. The young Abrasax was definitely dressed to pull focus: perfect abs and pink nipples peeked out from translucent rubber. The promise of Igdrys floated under the conversation like a prickling whisper.

Jupiter got the impression she was being directed, and that whatever Maledictes wanted to say, he would not do so on the courtyard of Kalique's alcazar. She took his hand and they walked, arm in arm, out through the arched door of the east tower. A long, dusky staircase spiraled up in repeating circles of stone. On several stories there were ledges that opened out onto cliffside windows; Maledictes hurried her past these, up the stair, plunging into a dark leg that twisted pointlessly away from any doors or outlets. When they reached the top, Maledictes withdrew a key from his robes and unlocked a little wooden door. A dramatic yank rendered it open. He ducked through; Jupiter followed.

Then they were outdoors again, gazing down on the meticulously-kept, ruby-colored jungles of Cerise. Maledictes fluttered over a path paved along the top of a high wall--possibly a dam. They were facing the rear of the palace and could not see the colonnade or the landing strip. Running water thundered afar; Jupiter's eyes followed the noise toward a mighty congregation of aqueducts.

"Where are we going?" she shouted. Maledictes put his finger to his lips, shushing her. He leaned into her ear.

"What do you know about the gene plagues?" he asked.