“Old pond
A frog jumps in –
The sound of water”
Matsuo Basho (1644-1694)
When Jaymes finally decided to accept his master’s proposal, he was not expecting the experience to start as some sort of military display. After being notified a formal acknowledgement from Ewan Sinclair, the emperor’s Majordomo, he received a missive asking him to be in his personal quarters by 21:30 sharp. At the specified time, he was then met by an escort of four Varangian guards in pageantry uniforms. ‘Follow us!’ ordered the older one in a cold voice. A Major looking at his epaulette. Charming, as usual… Jaymes thought sarcastically. The members of the elite unit did not have a reputation for warmth and politeness. And his promotion as Imperial Aide de Camp did not improve their behavior towards him. Something personal probably…
The little troop started to march through the empty corridors of the Sacred Precinct, the four bodyguards closely surrounding their master’s most trusted servant, their eyes looking straight ahead. Not a single word could be heard, just the thumping noise of their boots echoing on the cold walls. Leif took a close look at them. The close-fitting of their uniforms was revealing the lines of their body muscles as they moved, shaped over long years of training. These four were undoubtedly coming right from one. While perfectly neat in appearance, his trained nose could detect the subtle smell of the hormonal spicy scent noticeable after an intensive workout. From the age of 5, after a careful analysis of their genetic data, potentials were taken to the Hive’s training facility where they would remain unseen until reaching the age of 16. Then, they will be committed to 30 years of active service. The few unfortunates failing the rigorous instruction were kept in the Varangian compound and directed to administrative work, as were the retired ones. Altogether, apart when on duty, Varangian guards were not seen mixing with the rest of the crew; the Service was a lifelong commitment. Once a Varangian, always a Varangian.
They finally reached a gilded door decorated with water symbols. ‘Alt!’. The guards stopped simultaneously. The Varangian Major pressed a section of the wall and the door slid to the right. Turning to Leif, he ordered: ‘Enter! We will be back in three hours. Precise-ly!’ Jaymes stepped in and the door immediately slid back behind him.
He was now standing in a small changing room. Simplicity seemed to be the apparent norm: a single bench and a little cupboard, dull white walls. A suave feminine synthetic voice echoed from the ceiling: “Please, remove your clothes and put them into the cupboard for your convenience.” He executed himself, only keeping his swimwear on; he was going to a bath house after all. “All your clothes please,” said the voice quietly, “you will be provided with all necessary garments in the baths”. How does it know? He was unable to notice any visible eye-com. He reluctantly removed the last piece of cloth covering his body. Then a new door slid. ‘Please, enter.’ He moved in some sort of clean white airlock. “Prepare for decontamination.” – “What the…” Before he could finish his sentence, a fine cold fine mist was sprayed on his whole body before instantly drying out. Jaymes was shivering. ‘Thank you for your cooperation’. The other side of the airlock opened letting a warm moist air in. “Please enter. You will find a suitable garment on your right. Enjoy your stay.” He walked into a small corridor and saw a bathrobe hanging on his right which he put on straight away. It was awfully close fitted but extremely comfortable at the same time. He headed straight forward, then stopped abruptly.
He was gazing at a wide dark circular misty space. The edges were lightened up by small glittering lights coming from the ground, mimicking dozens of tea candles, and fading towards the ceiling. Leif’s eyes progressively accustomed themselves to the ambient brightness, revealing stunning details. The walkway was almost completely obscure, except for its brighter center enhancing a large round pool surrounded by a double colonnade reaching up to imposing arches. The side walls were covered halfway up by deeply iridescent turquoise tiles, bordered by a delicate golden edge. The part above was intentionally kept on a shadowy tone. The floor was paved with exquisite mosaics, in the same turquoise pattern, decorated with fabulous sea animals. Each column was spiraled by golden dragons and phoenixes heading to the arches and sprinkled with tiny glittering crystals resembling stars in the night. Finally, on the left side, was the opening of what looked like a shadowed alcove.
Despite these lavish details, your gaze was inexorably attracted by the center pool. Jaymes reached the access stairs on the right side. The crystal-clear water was lightened up from the bottom, revealing a lotus shaped mosaic. Looking up the arches, was circling a crystoglass dome. Without warning, two invisible hands gently removed his wardrobe. Before he could react, they had vanished into thin air. He was now fully naked. Almost instantly, the surrounding warm moisture enveloped his whole body, leaving tiny glimmering tears slowly running along his whole skin. Mixed in the midst, Leif could detect an ethereal scent. That is when he noticed a large bronze incense burner standing on the opposite wall. Whatever was the diffused substance, the flagrance was mesmerizing, relaxing him, bewitching his mind, captivating all his senses. The placid sound of droplets lightly hitting the floor was vibrating in the background. He stared at the peaceful inviting water, standing undisturbed in its dazzling cradle, apathetic to the insignificant muggy disturbance. After a short moment of hesitation, Jaymes slowly entered the pool. Its content smoothly embraced his fit body along its muscles; his legs first, then moving up to his lower back, his chest and arms, until reaching his chin. The soft element was sliding along his smooth skin, coating every single corner of his anatomy. The feeling was wondrous. He suddenly took conscience that he was not fully immersed, the water seemed to have risen to his upper neck on its own, animated by its own self-consciousness. He froze in a movement of surprise. Organic water!
A zither started to play. Seated in the lotus position, a shadow magically appeared inside the alcove. Man or woman, no one could tell. A languorous melody started to wander around, echoing in the mist. Jaymes took a step further, he could not feel the bottom anymore, floating away. The music was intoxicating his senses. A longing warmth started to unfold in his groin. At that precise moment, he knew his most intimate desires could be attended immediately. Woman, man, both; he just had to ask and they will come to him. At this thought, his muscles tensed even further, his nipples hardened almost painfully. His whole body was desperately craving for lust… ‘NO!’ The music stopped abruptly. He took three slow deep breaths. ‘Yes. Take control of your mind, pacify the maelstrom. Breathe.’ The words of Venerable Gyatso Rinpoche where echoing in his mind. The inner storm slowly calmed down and he felt the soothing emptiness of the soul. I’m here to experience a moment in time, he thought, not to satisfy a personal gratification.
His inside peace restored, Jaymes swam to the center of the pool and then decided to float on his back, staring at the crystoglass dome. The zither came to life again. But on a different tune; the music was more celestial and waterier this time, like the sound of a serene stream running through space. The ceiling swiftly blurred and the ambient light dimmed further. Tiny spots of glittering lights started to appear. Just a few of them at first. Then their numbers multiplied, aggregated together until they seemingly formed a large belt of stars in a deep night. The Milky Way as seen in Earth sky! After a small pause, the cloud of sparkling diamonds went further and further away until, eventually, forming a barred spiral swirl lazily rotating around its bright center. Our galaxy seen from above. All light around him was gone; just lingered the suave melody, the mesmerizing scent and the sensual touch of the organic water. Jaymes felt like floating into deep space, transformed into a potent divine being witnessing the wonders of the universe. He was transcending into a timeless moment, with no beginning and no end…
“Sir… Sir?” The in-com was beeping
“Yes, wat is it?” he answered in a breath. It was Ensign Volotskoi.
“My deepest apologies for interrupting Sir, but you are requested by Admiral Acosta to attend the main bridge, urgently. There’s been an unexpected development in our current schedule. Your escort is already waiting for you.”
“Alright, tell the Admiral I’m on my way.” End of fun, duty calls.
FR 
EN