The town of Thebes's small police force was doing its best to maintain crowd control that afternoon as the Denver Express pulled up next to the station's platform. The only people currently on the platform were Theo, his daughters and some station workers, and everyone else who came out of curiosity to get a glimpse of the great magician and philosopher, Fintan Murdock, was kept at a distance outside the train station. Theo and his family could hear the distant clamor of the rubbernecking crowd until the gears, steam and other mechanics of the approaching train drowned out all other noise.
The cold February wind took a bite at everyone, stinging noses and cheeks as it blew through the station. Each time it picked up, those gathered on the platform would wince and attempt to bury their heads into their shoulders, like turtles retreating into their shells. Kay felt it was taking an inordinately long time for the guest of honor to depart the express train. The sooner she could get out of the cold, the better, even if it meant being paraded around by her father for the evening to amuse and entertain this stranger, Mr. Murdock.
She couldn't think of anything she was looking forward to less at the moment than meeting this creepy man as a part of his silly North American tour for the Temple of Helios. Kay took a long, weary exhale as she thought about her routine being interrupted by Mr. Murdock for the next... well, however long he was planning on discussing her father's grandiose plans for a temple and health spa in the foothills of the Front Range. Hopefully Fintan would hate this place and move on to the west coast, very far away from Kay and her sisters. Unfortunately, her father had some of the deepest pockets in the country, and that would probably be most alluring to the magician.
Kay shuddered at all her dreadful thoughts and decided to focus on something more pleasant instead. Lined up in chronological order with her sisters (which she found nauseatingly cutesy for a group of grown women), she glanced behind her shoulder towards one of the station's windows. She could barely make out Rufus's visage behind the glass, but she knew it was him and gave him a quick smile and a wave before turning around. Her sister, Juliette, to her right, eyed Kay and twisted up a corner of her mouth.
"Who is that man?" asked Juliette suspiciously, leaning into Kay.
Kay blocked her sister's lean with a shoulder and frowned. "Someone who works here," she said defensively, looking her sister over. "My, but gravity is giving you trouble today, dear sister!" continued Kay with an amused sneer. Lakmé overheard Kay and snickered; Juliette harrumphed, straightened her posture and turned her nose to the air.
"You seem very familiar with him, though, don't you? I've never seen your grin so toothy," accused Juliette, a touch bitter.
"Oh, stop," Kay grumbled as she rolled her eyes. Just once, Kay wished Juliette would find some independence and not rely so heavily on what her other sisters were doing for her own entertainment. "I only met him yesterday. He's a nice gentleman, and you have just as much opportunity to familiarize yourself with him as I. If you ever left the house, that is."
"Kay!" scolded their older sister, Izzy, bending forward to get a better look at her sharp-tongued sibling. Kay refused to return the glance. Izzy whispered loudly, "Now's certainly not the time to get into one of your silly debates over going out or staying in, you two." Since Kay would have nothing to do with Izzy's lecture, Izzy turned her attention to Juliette, raising her eyebrows at her statuesque sister.
Juliette simply shifted in place once and stared straight ahead. She let a few seconds pass before looking back at Kay and stealthily moving a hand towards her sister's midsection. Kay had gone back to minding her own business, that is, checking on Rufus again―she wished to be inside continuing her conversation with him rather than standing around for an eternity in the freezing cold―until she felt a sharp jab in her right side. She yelped slightly, amusing Lakmé into giggles once more. Kay looked around to see who else had heard her sudden cry; most of her sisters were now eyeing her curiously. Kay's cheeks turned as red as her curly tresses. Oh! Juliette was being such a pain!
"Grow up, Jules!" she snarled under her breath.
"Well, don't blame me for your crazy spasms," Juliette whispered back, wearing a cheeky grin. "Perhaps if you spent more time in dance practice instead of gallivanting through town, you'd be able to control your... ouch!"
Kay had no idea how her foot landed on top of Juliette's. "Oh, my oafish clumsiness! I do beg your pardon, lovely sister, for interrupting your most important lecture. Please, go on about my lack of..."
Kay was immediately hushed by the view of her father slowly working his way down the line of his offspring, surveying them as if he were a sergeant inspecting his troops. The women stiffened, and each waited breathlessly for Theo to pass them and scrutinize the next sister in line. As Theo made it to the end of the line and slowly turned on his heel, he took a prolonged stop between Kay and Juliette, sharing with them a critical glare that lasted much longer than Kay or Juliette were comfortable with. They both felt the tiny hairs on the back of their necks stand up, wondering when his moment of silent reproach would end.
Just then one of the station workers announced the man of the hour and his entourage would detrain shortly. Theo wasted no time rushing to the front of the proper passenger car, straightening his coat and hat and attempting to smooth his thick, unruly eyebrows and sideburns. There's no helping you there, Daddy, Kay thought to herself, thankful his gargantuan shadow wasn't looming over her anymore.
"I'm sorry," she mumbled to Juliette as she took her sister by the hand.
Juliette squeezed Kay's hand and replied remorsefully, "Me, too." The two let their hand-holding linger a few seconds before their eyes were both drawn to the handsome figure stepping out of the car and shaking hands with their father. There was sudden murmuring among the women as they watched Mr. Murdock, the man their father worshiped like divinity, fully emerge from the train.
Fintan Murdock owed much of his charisma to his dashing good looks. Of course, it helped that he came from posh society, had traveled the world and spoke with a silver-tongued voice of velvet, but as he stepped off the train, it was hard for the 12 sisters awaiting their introductions to deny the power of his physical magnetism. Kay almost forgot that the man's philosophies disgusted her, as she and her sisters were taken aback by Fintan's impressively dapper appearance, clad in a dark coat, slacks with a perfect crease down the front of both legs and dress boots polished to a mirror finish. He carried a black cane with gold trim under his right arm and secured a crisp, fashionable homburg to his head, planting both feet onto the train platform and giving the collection of siblings a debonair grin and a flash of his icy-gray eyes as his handshake with their father ended. He was tall, broad shouldered and carried himself with a confident gait. Several of the sisters hoped that the rising color in their cheeks was hidden by the nip of the chilly winter air, and Kay felt confused over her prejudice towards the man.
"Why isn't he married?" Lakmé asked rhetorically. It was then Kay realized that she wasn't alone in thinking this man's charm could be seen for miles. Creatures dwelling in caves on the moon could see it, probably. She watched―though there was too much noise to overhear―as her father and Fintan exchanged friendly greetings and other formalities. Several other people, some of whom were quite exotically dressed, departed the passenger car as well, and slowly a small group of eclectic individuals in all manner of costume surrounded Fintan and Theo.
A minute or two of introductions later, Fintan boldly turned in the direction of the sisters and strode excitedly towards them, obviously used to doing things his own way, not waiting for Theo to make the initial greetings. Theo quickly caught up with the brazen man and made himself a barrier between his daughters and the Englishman.
"The Twelve Houses!" exclaimed Fintan, his arms outstretched as he greeted the 12 women. Kay's original conflicted feelings towards Mr. Murdock instantly turned back to repugnance; she hated being referred to as a "house." It was dehumanizing and degrading. Her father, it seemed, took sudden pleasure in the reference, as if he was the one responsible for such a fabulous creation as siring 12 daughters to represent the heavens. In truth Theo was responsible for having 12 daughters, but his pride wasn't over how lovely or smart or creative they were. It wasn't because each of them had so much potential for life and could contribute positively to the world at large. It was because they were his; they belonged to him, his prized collection of children, so that they could obey and serve and bring him esteem among the Heliadae High Council, as if throwing his wealth at them didn't already curry enough favor. Kay found it sickening that her father absolutely beamed at Fintan's delight over the women, his precious "houses."
"My word, Theodoric," Fintan said, enthralled, "not only have you fulfilled your destiny by populating the houses of the sky, but your daughters are positively radiant, indeed! Daughters of the Sun! Daughters of the Stars!"
We have names, too, Kay grumbled in her head.
Theo grinned smugly at Fintan. "Yes, yes, truly I am blessed. Come, Mr. Murdock, you must meet them," he guided Fintan to the front of the line.
Fintan put a hand up to halt the proceedings. "My secretary!" he craned his neck towards his colorful groupies. "Is he still out of commission?"
A man in a turban and several heavy, ornate robes replied in a thick accent, "Yes, my good lord." He pointed to a man sitting on one of the platform's benches, pale as a ghost and slumped heavily over the bench's arm. A doctor was tending to him.
"Bother!" Fintan complained. "I was hoping to account properly for the duration of my stay with you, Theodoric."
Theo's face lit up with interest; visions of being included in Fintan's biography filled the millionaire's head. "Of... of course! Certainly I can find a suitable replacement..."
"I know!" Kay spoke up, emboldened. Low chatter picked up among the confused crowd on the platform as Kay disregarded formalities and trotted lightly into the station. Through one of the long windows Kay could be seen coaxing Rufus to come with her; he looked quite rattled as she dragged him outside without giving him time to put on his coat or hat. She continued, chirping, "This is Rufus Underwood. He was a stenographer for the Chicago Daily Tribune and more recently was a war reporter, serving in France!" Her face brightened as she looked back at him.
Rufus couldn't count the number of eyes on him at that moment. "H-hello?" he nodded politely, though flustered, first at Theo and Fintan, then at anyone else in front of him. Before Theo could chastise Kay for the incredible interruption, Fintan addressed Rufus.
"Good man, can you take shorthand like that?" he asked, pointing at Rufus's left arm. "You seem to be missing something." Kay thought Fintan's remark was uncalled for, not funny in the least, despite the chuckles coming from everyone and Rufus's good-natured grin.
Rufus replied, "It might look a trifle awkward, but I've found ways to work around my lack of a proper limb."
"Splendid!" Fintan went on, animatedly turning to Theo and clapping the man on the back. "I love this town of yours, Theodoric! How reformist of you to be hiring the disabled!" Theo puffed out his chest, quite pleased by the flattery. Fintan gestured flamboyantly in Rufus's direction. "Fetch your notepad and coat, dear fellow, and show us your best dictation!" Rufus waited for a nod from Theo before dashing back into the station and hastily retrieving the items he'd need. Emerging on the platform once more and demonstrating to Fintan and Theo how he could secure the notepad between the remainder of his upper left arm and his chest, the greetings continued, Rufus jotting down feverishly all that was exchanged between the men.
Fintan was introduced to all the sisters in turn as they were identified by their astrological houses and the duties they performed for the Temple. Rufus observed that Frank was incorrect about the sisters being connected to Egyptian deities at the mention of astrological houses and accompanying Latin. Aida of Domus Vita, Brünnhilde of Domus Lucrum, Carmen of Domus Fratres, Desdemona of Domus Genitor, Esclarmonde of Domus Nati, Fiordiligi of Domus Valetudo, Gioconda of Domus Uxor, Hedwige of Domus Mors, Isolde of Domus Itineris, Juliette of Domus Regnum...
Then it was Kay's turn. She felt a sudden tingling sensation as she realized she would lose the bet between herself and Rufus in the next second, and as her father was about to say her name, Kay quickly interrupted with a bewitching smile, honeyed voice and an outstretched hand, "Kay. Kay Frumoldus. Domus Benefactua, or House of Friendship, if you will. As I represent all social gatherings, as well as hopes and desires, it is my duty to attend to and entertain you during your stay with us." She bowed her head slightly and curtsied as Fintan most delightedly took her hand.
"Enchanting, my dear, simply enchanting!" he praised her highly, kissing the top of her glove as Theo looked on, shooting daggers at both Kay and Fintan, while Juliette, knowing her father wouldn't notice with his back to her, made a sour face at Kay to show her repulsion over her sister's showy interjection. As Fintan moved on to Lakmé, Theo hovered over Kay, looking down at her reprovingly. All Kay could see was his giant nose, which she tried not to stare at directly. Her father's long snout could have made an awning for Kay at that moment, had there been more measurable sunlight on this overcast day. Her heart rate quickened, knowing she had gone too far today and fearing the impending punishment. A nudge from Fintan caused Theo to turn his attention to his youngest daughter, delaying Kay's inevitable, forced atonement. In her youthful competitiveness she had forgotten that Theo's penalties for impertinent behavior were high, and she regretted her moves to keep her bet with Rufus alive.
Rufus gave Kay concerned looks between taking notes, now having seen her father's intimidating dominance firsthand. Kay's cheery disposition had faded to the look of an abused animal, and he worried that he had shared a part in some forthcoming harm towards Kay, even if he had little to do with her continued interruptions and brassy moves that afternoon. He stole a moment when he could and covertly leaned in her direction.
"Are you okay?" he asked her in a low but distressed voice.
Kay fought back the tears. She let a few seconds pass as she put on a stoic mask to cover the ill feeling she felt in her gut. She finally looked back at Rufus, replying soberly, "I will be fine."
Rufus was stunned. He continued shadowing Theo and Fintan, taking notes perfunctorily, but couldn't shake the feeling of responsibility towards his new friend, Kay. There were many more questions than there were answers, and the answers he could deduce were all unpleasant, if not downright malicious. He regretted allowing Kay to socialize with him; he had no idea he had compromised her safety to such an extent.
