Incipience

Chapter 21

 (Please!!!  read the announcement at the end of the chapter!!!)

Despite the distance between destinations, it takes me less than twenty minutes to get back to the PR office, tell Firodi's assistant the change of plans, and trek across the building to Vorem's office. I'm grateful that there are so many frantic assistances bustling through Nimfizija because my scurrying didn't even make anyone look twice.

I'm surprised that I remember the way to Vorem's office in all honesty. I've only really been in his office once, and at that point, I was so focused on not strangling Rombag and the others to really commit the route into memory.

Unlike the last time I was here, Vorem's secretary is sitting at her desk just outside of his door.

The older woman greets me with a smile. "Ri vyka īm iddiemab?"

I know enough office Inovarian to know that she's asking if I have an appointment.

"Ēa," I shake my head.

"Aj idizitela," she says with a sympathetic tone, "xoi bir īm iddiemab."

Ugh, of course I'd need an appointment to see him. While I consciously recognize that Vorem has the kind of job that requires scheduled visits, I didn't really think about that in my haste for information.

"Aj bir a nedi a Vorem," I explain, gesturing towards Vorem's closed door. "Xī aj? Aj jez pa coen."

My request for a quick visit is met with a firm but polite no. When I open my mouth to try again, she cuts me short by asking for my name so she could make me an appointment for later in the day.

"Saeo ne bixa ef Charlotte-Amalie, but if you don't let me in now, I won't really need an appointment later since my meeting's in—"

"Charlotte-Amalie?" She looks up from her computer with a chipper smile before enthusiastically waving me ahead. "Xinxi Bagzah, ti isair!"

I do my best not to look outright hostile as I smile at the lady before turning to Vorem's door. Someone call me Xinxi Bagzah one more time and see what happens.

"What did you tell your secretary about me?"

The door screeches angrily as I push it open. I came at the door a bit more aggressively than I honestly meant to, but the dramatic sound effect is admittedly satisfying, as is the startled look on Vorem's face. His expression shifts from rattled, to annoyed, to apprehensive within seconds. I'd laugh about how much his glare looks like Rombag's if I wasn't so irritated.

"Hello, Charlotte-Amalie," he greets. "How can I help you?"

His voice sounds nervous. As it should, given my current agitation.

I take a seat across from him at his desk. "I need information about the hate crimes against humans on Inova and an explanation as to why your secretary immediately called me 'Xinxi Bagzah' as soon as I gave her my name."

He blinks. "Well, I certainly didn't tell Zaje to call you that."

"Yeah," I cross my arms, "but you didn't not tell her to either."

My use of double negatives visibly confuses Vorem, so I try paraphrasing

"I'm saying that you didn't tell her that she shouldn't call me that, and I wanna know why."

Vorem still looks confused. "I don't necessarily see the problem. What should she call you then?"

I haven't had this strong of an urge to box a Bagzah since the last time I was in this office. Fitting.