Mitsuko’s grin was positively mischievous. ‘Yes, well, that’s politics for you.’
Nava showed no sign of noticing the grin. ‘I didn’t think that kind of politics existed in the Clan Worlds. Politicians are largely an extinct species.’
‘Anyone who says that hasn’t encountered enough people high up in the clans. Yes, the governance of clan-run worlds falls upon the high-ranking clansmen. The more powerful families essentially run things in every system, but you can’t really rule like that if you don’t have the support of the people below you. There’s still a need for politics, even if it’s just understanding the needs and desires of your people and at least making it sound as though you’re meeting them.’ Mitsuko regarded Nava for a second. ‘You are something of a conundrum.’
‘I am?’
‘Yes. Your abilities are remarkable, that’s one thing. You yourself are something else. You appear to have only one expression. Though I’ve seen a smile and a frown, I think, both are barely different from your disinterested, passive resting expression. You exhibit both amazing awareness and common sense and a degree of naïveté which is quite surprising in this age.’
‘I had a sheltered upbringing,’ Nava responded. ‘I don’t talk about it.’
‘Uncomfortable memories?’
‘Something like that. Some of them are very uncomfortable.’
‘Then I’m sorry for bringing it up. It was not my intention to cause you discomfort.’
Nava raised an eyebrow, just slightly. ‘No, from your mode of dress, I’d say your intention was quite the opposite.’
Both of Mitsuko’s eyebrows rose. ‘Would it bother you if that was my intention?’
Slowly and carefully, Nava lowered her eyes so that she could scan Mitsuko’s body from her toes to the top of her head. By the time Nava’s eyes met Mitsuko’s again, the brunette was squirming. ‘No,’ Nava said, ‘it wouldn’t bother me at all.’
235/2/4.
Mitsuko’s shower was objectively better than Nava’s own one. It had multiple heads, side jets, and it was significantly larger. Everything was controlled from a waterproof touchscreen which let you set pretty much every parameter you wished. Mitsuko had better soap too.
This specific shower came with an additional option which had nothing to do with plumbing. A hand slid over Nava’s hip, onto her stomach, and then began sliding down. A second hand cupped her left breast. Fingers began teasing at her nipple. She pushed up onto her toes to give Mitsuko easier access; the height difference between them was fairly large. However, what she said was, ‘Didn’t you get enough of that last night?’
‘A new lover is something I can never get enough of,’ Mitsuko replied, her lips right beside Nava’s left ear.
‘Really?’ Mitsuko’s fingers found Nava’s clitoris and began to stroke. Nava let out a soft whimper. ‘And how many lovers have you had?’ she asked when her breathing was even once again.
‘Oh, I’ve had–’ Mitsuko stopped herself. Somehow, she doubted that lying to Nava was going to work. ‘I’ve had exactly one. You. I still think that a new lover is something I could never get enough of.’ Mitsuko punctuated the assertion with two fingers, slipping them into Nava with absolutely no resistance.
‘Ah! Well, y-you’re my first too. You know w-we’ll be late to Sebastian Ranta’s meeting if you k-keep this up.’
‘We’ve time. I’ll make it quick.’
‘Liar.’
~~~
‘What did you think, Nava Ward?’ Mitsuko asked.
Nava was busy watching the crowd around them, but she had sufficient processing capacity to handle answering the question. ‘Sebastian Ranta appears to be aiming to get votes by appealing to anyone who sees you and Tracey Spears as too radical. He has no policies other than “Don’t rock the boat.”’
‘Hm. And what about you, Melissa Connelly? What did you think?’
Melissa let out a squeak. ‘M-me? You want to know w-what I thought?’
‘I wouldn’t have asked otherwise.’
‘Yes, of course. Right. Um, I thought he sounded n-nice. Like Nava said, he didn’t really s-say much… Anyway, I already decided to v-vote for you.’
‘Much as I’m grateful, why?’
‘You’re a Trenton Sonkei.’
There was a barely audible sigh which Melissa failed to register. Nava heard it and glanced at Mitsuko briefly before returning her attention to her surroundings. ‘You’re voting for me because of my family and clan?’ Mitsuko asked.
‘No,’ Melissa replied, which surprised both Mitsuko and Nava. ‘Well, sort of, but it’s not because your family is powerful or anything. Well, yes it is, but the point is that you’ve grown up with power. You’re used to it and you know how it should be used. Plus, I thought you were nice when we met in the b-bathhouse. You’re the only one of the candidates I actually know. Well, not know, but I have met you, which is more than I can say for the rest.’
‘I think that was quite carefully reasoned.’
‘If not quite so carefully explained,’ Nava said. ‘We should return to your apartment, Mitsuko Trenton. You need to prepare for your own speech and it’s safer there.’
This time, the sigh was more audible. ‘I suppose you’re right. Melissa Connelly, are you doing anything at the moment?’
‘Uh, no,’ Melissa replied. ‘I don’t need to be on the Flight Club stand today.’
‘In that case, I’d like to invite you to my apartment. Having an audience while I practise my speech would be useful.’
‘I-I-I–’
‘And you can use the shower if you want.’
‘I’ll come.’
~~~
‘That shower is as wonderful as you said it was, Nava,’ Melissa said as she emerged from the bathroom. She was rubbing at her hair with one of Mitsuko’s enormously fluffy, very absorbent towels and wearing a robe that Mitsuko had supplied. It was, therefore, short and a little translucent. Melissa did not seem to have noticed yet.
‘I’m so glad you enjoyed it,’ Mitsuko said, smiling warmly. ‘Do you also like the robe?’
‘It’s wonderful! It feels so silky. Uh, it’s a little short…’ The robe in question was silvery white, glossy, and it fell
