precious treasures

– hey the cafetiera should be done by now
– it’ll make noise when it’s ready, but it’ll probably finish up soon – do you want to give me a hand?
– i’ll help you, i should make myself useful at some point
– thanks
Vitoria and Auckland get up and go to the kitchen
Vitoria takes some covered bowls from the fridge, then hunts for desert-plates and cutlery
Auckland begins heating milk
– how many lattes?
– me
– me
– um… macchiato, long
– none for me thanks
– off coffee Seoul?
– not really, but i think i’m alright for now
– none for me either thanks
– i think everyone else is having short blacks Auckland
– sure
Vitoria lays out nine plates and places a small bowl of cream and a spoonful of marinated strawberries on each
she then stands in-front of the oven for a moment, awaiting some hidden time that only she knows
after her brief pause, she turns the oven off and slowly draws out her tray
– oh my god,
Moscow breathes
– now that is truly what it smells like in heaven – coffee and chocolate…
laughter
she places the nine square-walled bowls on the plates along-side the cream and strawberries
Auckland begins brining out the coffees two at a time, and Vitoria similarly carries two deserts at a time
– now this,
she serves the two girls first, handing the plates to Riyadh and Melbourne
– is chocolate self-saucing pudding, careful because the bowls and the filling will be hot, you might want to let it cool for a bit
next she serves Cardiff and Cairo
then Durban and Moscow
after Auckland places Vitoria’s coffee on the table, he carries his own coffee and desert
lastly Vitoria brings her own and Seoul’s
– thank you
Seoul whispers
Vitoria smiles at her
– Vee i haven’t tasted anything remotely this good since the last time you made this,
Moscow compliments her,
– not in any of the restaurants i’ve worked in all these years
– not in any of the restaurants i’ve been in all these years
Durban adds
– we really have been spoilt tonight
Cairo also says
– how do you like it?
Vitoria asks Cardiff who sits beside her
– it’s really awesome, i’ve never had this before, i mean, i’ve had chocolate cake and stuff, but this is totally different
– i think i will die now
Riyadh says
they all laugh
the conversation picks up again, and Auckland makes another pot of coffee once the dessert dishes have been cleared
after distributing everyone’s second round, he takes his long black to the sink and begins washing
– did you want a hand?
– there aren’t that many, i’ll be alright
Cairo smiles and gets up anyway
having forgone a second cup of coffee, she holds her wineglass in her hand, leaning the base of her back against the bench by Auckland’s side
– thank you
– no it’s alright, it won’t take long
– no, i mean thank you. for all of this
he pauses and looks at her
smiles, then resumes washing
– i didn’t really do anything
– you did a whole lot Auckland, and you did it well
he waits a moment before responding, his hands moving in the sink
– you’re welcome
another pause
from the sink comes the dull clank of ceramic against metal muffled by water
– i didn’t do it on my own
he looks at her
– you were very much apart of this too
she smiles and exhales through her nose
Cairo takes a sip of wine and blinks
– could i have a glass of water sorry, just from the tap is fine
– not from the fridge?
– mm – i don’t want to leave you
he turns to her again with eyebrows raised, then smiles
she drinks her water then hands him the glass to wash
again Cairo takes a sip of wine, this time less coloured by the taste of coffee
she turns to her side to look at him once more while he washes
the movements of his body seem like caresses in her mind
she enjoys watching him
feels proud of who he is, what he does, the way he performs even menial tasks
she moves her hand and touches him on his forearm by his shoulder
smiles, then gently pushes off the bench and returns to the group
– they have these little places called ‘Minute Burger’ in Manila – they’ve like, been there since the beginning of time
– you mean like those Japanese hut places with the tea-towel curtains and cardboard mats?
– no no, i mean like – it looks like the front of a train-carriage that’s been sawn off, and there are two stools by the window, maybe three if you’re lucky
– oh yeah, the super-store
– and there’s this one guy in there who literally makes you a burger in a minute and if you really want to you just sit there and eat it
– in a minute?
– you probably could, they’re not very big – like snack burgers
– wow – that’s amazing…
Cairo sits down and takes another sip of her wine
the others have since taken up their own glasses and sit either on the couches or on the floor leaning against them
Vitoria moves from where she is and sits beside Cairo
– how is he?
Cairo looks back over her shoulder at Auckland drying the dishes, turns back to Vitoria
– i don’t know. good i guess. he’s become much harder to read
– than he was before?
Cairo smiles
– yes i know. it is possible. well, i didn’t think it was, but yes…
– when did you meet him?
– only a few days ago. i had to look, we didn’t keep in contact at all, with anyone really
– no well, it seems only Moscow and Durban have spent time together – lucky them
– we weren’t to know, and it was probably safer for us all anyway. how are you though? and Seoul?
– Seoul probably isn’t doing as well as she lets out, but she’s doing really well tonight
– she’s different now – you’re different too, we all are
– i suppose we are. as for me well, i mean tonight has been – is just great…
she pauses
– it’s too good i think,
Vitoria stares down at her wine-glass as she speaks
– i don’t want to… i mean, this is almost perfect,
she blinks
– i don’t want it to stop
Cairo looks at her until Vitoria raises her eyes
– how did you like your normal life?
– it was great – fantastic. i mean, it was easy and lacked challenges, but, i could do it. it just didn’t have…
Cairo lets her think
– it didn’t have us. you, everyone. and i suppose even now it… it still doesn’t
– hush now, not tonight
– no i know, i’m sorry
– it’s alright, i don’t want you to think i don’t want you to be upset, but try not to spoil it for yourself
– i know i know
exhale
– it’s great to see you
– i know. it’s great to see you too, Vitoria. i never would have thought we would be together again
Vitoria takes Cairo’s free hand
– thank you
Cairo smiles

Auckland puts away the last of the dessert dishes and pours himself another half-glass of red
he takes a sip and rejoins the group near to where Seoul sits on the floor speaking with Durban and Melbourne
– hi
Seoul says quietly, slowly lifting herself backward onto the couch
Auckland sits down
– are you having a good night?
Seoul looks directly at him, as she does with anyone she speaks with
– i think so, it’s hard though, having everyone here but them
Auckland nods
she had always been honest with them all
– i don’t know if i can let go of things aseasily as the others, even if it is only temporary
– Seoul i don’t think i can either, perhaps i’m just better at acting distracted
she smiles
– i’m enjoying myself though – honestly, it’s a good night – nothing can change that
– true
– i’m just – very anxious about tomorrow
– i can try and delay it if you like?
– no, we have to talk about it, it can’t really wait. it has to be faced
Seoul turns and looks across the group as they talk
– everyone’s changed. in small ways, but everyone’s grown. i feel so old – no offence
– none taken
he smiles, then returns his face to neutrality
– you’re growing too, Seoul
she turns back to him
– really?
and for a moment her eyes reveal a glimmer of worry
Auckland remains very still
– yes
her body relaxes, tiny movements like a sigh of relief
– Seoul,
he looks at her
– how are you sleeping now?
– i don’t know – better, worse – i can’t keep track. i still don’t sleep a lot
– i know i’m not Venice
he speaks very quietly
– and Cairo isn’t Kyoto, but if you need us, even tonight, don’t hesitate
– thanks Auckland, but i know you and Cairo will want to spend some time alone
he looks across the living-room at Cairo
– i don’t know. i’m very… i don’t think distracted is quite the word, or worried or anxious
– i think i understand
– i don’t know whether she’ll sleep – whether i’ll sleep. it’s been a long day, but i think i’m – we’re on edge, even this evening
– it doesn’t show
– thank you. all the same though, don’t think twice about it if you can’t sleep and want company
Seoul nods
– Auckland,
he waits
– don’t be afraid of her. i’m happy for you
– thank you, but right now i don’t know what i’m afraid of or happy about
– courage Auckland
Seoul says
it was something Venice used to say to them all
he closes his eyes and nods in acknowledgement
when he opens his eyes again, she smiles at him then gets up to join Vitoria
Cairo also rises and settles down next to Auckland
as she gets comfortable he reaches for her hand
she turns to him briefly with a slightly surprised look
he gives a small smile and they both turn back toward the conversation in the room
it is the second time today he has taken my hand, Cairo thinks
the group of nine end up on one single conversation, the main contributors changing from time to time
it’s well past midnight and the rain has eased to a silent drizzle
just bellow their voices is the whisper of climate control, maintaining a comfortable warmth in the apartment
Auckland contributes less and less, reflecting on his thoughts and concerns as fatigue sets in
– i’m sorry, i’m tired
he says finally
– you look tired
Cairo responds
– you look tired
– i look tired? yeah – i feel tired
– i think we’ll go to bed
Auckland says without thinking, and it sounds so natural
– i’m pretty wrecked too actually
Vitoria adds
they stand and go around the room, kissing cheeks and embracing as if they are leaving again
– try and get some rest
Vitoria says to Seoul
the others resume their conversation

– do you want the window blacked?
– what do you want?
– it doesn’t matter really
– leave it open if you like
changing in the same room is something they had done in the past, and does not feel strange
Auckland stares out of the window at the city
Cairo turns off the light
– do you think you’ll sleep
he feels her standing just behind him, not touching
– i don’t know
stillness
he turns around
– i don’t want…
Auckland begins
Cairo waits patiently
– i want you to be safe
he chooses his words carefully
– i want us to be safe, to…
in the gloom he sees her lips part
– i want to know that i can love you, and we can love each-other, and that nothing can stop us
he can hear the slow steady rhythm of her breathing
– that we don’t have to worry about…
Cairo reaches up to his face and feels moisture
– lie down with me
she says softly
– Cairo i feel like i can’t… do…
– you don’t have to do anything
she replies
– come and lie down with me, and we’ll rest
she gently pulls him by his shoulder, and he moves with her

slowly the others grow tired, and one by one go to the rooms they share to sleep
only Riyadh and Seoul remain
– i take it you don’t sleep much
Riyadh says, a glass of water in her hands
– no, not at all
– you don’t looks as tired as us – as i probably look
– you’re doing alright Riyadh
Riyadh smiles
– was it a hard thing to give up? coding i mean?
Seoul takes a breath
– i didn’t
– really?
– no – the others did, but – i’ve had that system the whole time, built on it, kept it running
– i thought you gave up like the others until everything started happening
– i didn’t touch a system for four months after we all broke up, but after that i thought about it, and it wasn’t something i wanted to never do again
– do you ever think about addiction?
– yes, sometimes. but to me it’s more like,

musicians hear music in their minds, constantly
whether they have an instrument at their fingertips or not makes no difference
the instrument merely is a tool for them to communicate
that’s the difference i think between people who are highly skilled
and people who are talented
while i would say that yes, i’m passionate about coding, it’s almost as a given if that makes sense
because the code makes sense to me
it just makes sense
and i can always see it, whether i’m actually in the net or not

– sorry, that probably sounded either flaky or abstract or both
Seoul smiles
– no not at all. i mean it’s scary,
Seoul turns to look at Riyadh
– but it’s scary because i understand it
exhale
– yeah
– Seoul – i’m scared. not just of what’s happening, but just… i don’t know, myself, everything
she doesn’t know why she’s opening up, but there seems to be an urge to talk, to expose fears and reach for comfort
– most of the time Riyadh, i’m afraid too, but that’s what this is
Seoul gestures with her arm to the apartment
Riyadh’s eyes widen
– you find things that aren’t afraid of you, that challenge you, that accept you
she takes a breath
– and that make you happy
Seoul knows she won’t understand it now, but that it is something she will establish for herself in the future
– at least that’s what someone told me once
they sit in silence for a while
– thank you Seoul. for bringing us here
– that’s alright. it’s been a night of thanks i think, between many of us
– what will happen to us after this… thing… that’s happening?
– i don’t know – we’ll have to work through it first to see what’s on the other side
it’s a slightly troubling thought, but Riyadh’s mind finally succumbs to the tiredness of her body
– you should get some sleep if you can – if you’re anything like me you’ll only need a few hours
– yeah. ok. goodnight Seoul
she slowly gets up and shuffles toward the rooms
– goodnight Riyadh

an hour later Seoul sits on the couch with her legs folded beneath her
wide-eyed, aware, and very much awake
on the horizon, the sky begins to grow pale