The Sapphire Pass: All-Father

Unlikely Pairs

Iago looked up from his papers as he scanned his memory. He wasn't expecting company, but then again it wasn't completely unusual to have people requiring his help as odd times, especially if there was an emergency situation.

"Just a second," he called down the stairs as another knock sounded. "Orion? Oh, and Indira? What can I do for you?"

"I was actually heading home for the night," Orion said, "Indira needed to see you. I just offered to be the deliveryman."

"Oh, I see. Well, please come in." he said moving to the side and letting Indira in while Orion waved goodbye. "So Indira, how can I help you? Is everything alright? Settling in nicely?"

"Yes, of course. I just...there's one small thing. I don't know who I should go to." she couldn't bring herself to say it out loud, or ask for another's help.

"Well, what is it?" he asked raising an eyebrow when she didn't continue.

She rubbed her arm to quell the spreading itch.

"So you see, when I left my home, I was unprepared to come here or to be on my own, I thought that all my usual needs would be met. So I don't..." she shrugged. "I'm really not used to asking for help."

"I see." he said rubbing his chin. "So you need white? Worried it could become an issue."

She nodded her head lightly, looking at the floor.

"I can assure you, it won't. Come with me," he said opening a cabinet on the far side of the room. "I was involved in an accident when I was younger. A group was able to save my life at the cost of my old one. Now I need these to live."

He pulled out a row of small vials, all nestled next to each other.

"I don't understand," Indira said, picking one up and turning it over in her hand.

"Alright, so you just snap off the top pinch the bottom and inhale." he said, demonstrating it. "There is a team of scientists working on synthesizing it, but at the moment, there is a single source of it here, and I am the only one with access to it. Obviously, in the wrong hands we could have the same situation down here as up there."

"Alright, so how often...?"

"Right. You'll need 3-6 a day. It's not as potent as powder. Also since we're below the surface you won't have to worry about your skin, hair, or eyes shifting unless you want them to." he said adding, "Just in case that was something you worried about it. I should have told you all this before but obviously it's not a usual part of my job. Last thing before you go, how do you want it?"

"What do you mean? Can I eat it instead or something?" she asked.

"I wouldn't recommend that, it's quite bitter." he said with a chuckle, "No, I can have it delivered to you, I can deliver it to you, or you can come pick it up. Having it delivered would be suspicious and bringing it to you might cause it to be late. Now most people down here don't judge, but I'm not going to advertise who you are. That should be your decision."

"Oh, thank you." she said as he handed her a small case that looked to have enough to last a few days. "Not just for this, but also for trusting me to decide. I was never really given many chances to choose in my life. I think I'd prefer to come pick it up here? If it's okay with you?"

"Sure, of course. Make sure you have a buffer, if I have to be elsewhere... I guess I could bring it to you or... I'm not really sure." he said rubbing his chin.

"Maybe you could ask Orion? I think he might be okay with hanging on to it. He knows though, by the way, and I'm trying." she said shrugging her shoulders.