~Chapter 6~
"I'm finished," Mae said as she stood in the doorway of the sitting room, wrapped in the towel and robe.
The room itself, was open and airy. Windows, similar to the one in the bath, located on either side allowed the wind to blow through, unobstructed.
Cushioned, platform seating, the same as was in her bedroom, lined the outer wall. A large, round, stone slab table, taking up the center of the room, had a black metal dish filled with a cluster of bright orange crystals sitting upon it. To either side of the table there were two more sections of platforms, but these more closely resembled the couches of earth with short backs, and arms, one being the same height as the back, and the other extending up and curling over in a graceful arc. All of the seating was covered in a heavy fabric identical to a brushed leather, but dark brown in color, although not uniform between the pieces. The walls were the same white as the other rooms, the ceiling the same raw wood, and the floor presumably identical, was covered in a myriad of furs. It had a rustic feeling to it, as pelts seemed to be the décor of choice. The only other material that was present was the linen like fabric, this time dyed an orangish-red hue, which Ven used as drapery. Hung by three points, one centered above the window, and the other two points at the upper corners, the drape was held back by a thick braided rope that once released from its hook would release the fabric from its drawn position. It seemed a clever system, different from what she was familiar.
"Come sit. Let me take a look at your injuries before I walk you up to bed. The light is far better down here at this hour," Ven said, motioning for her to come closer.
Stepping into the room, her foot sank into the fuzzy fur that edged the floor at the entryway. It was soft and puffier than it appeared making her stumble slightly.
"Are you…" Ven shouted and moved to rise, when she threw up her hand.
He stopped and relaxed as she regained her balance, straightening herself up.
"I'm fine. I just wasn't expecting for that to have quite so much give," she explained as she continued her way over to the couch, sitting down next to him as he had directed.
Taking her hand, Ven lifted the sleeve of the robe and examined her burns.
"The scaring isn't as pronounced as I thought it would be," he remarked.
"Why do you sound disappointed by that?" she questioned as he set down her arm and put his hand beneath her chin lifting and turning her head.
"You misunderstand. I'm pleased for you," he replied, using his thumb to delicately tug at the edge of the burn on her chin. "I know it was causing you concern, but culturally, scars are celebrated; a reminder of battles fought. Death defied."
"Stupidity winning out over reason?"
"Well, yes. In some cases, I suppose they would be reminders of lessons learned. In your case, they tell the story of your survival. The story of the first human to successfully journey through the Dailen Shaad and to come to Sah'Korhune. An unexpected adventurer for her people."
"You shouldn't romanticize what I am," she said as he shifted from the couch.
"You are what you wish to be," he replied as he parted the lower portion of the robe.
Lifting her leg, he flexed her ankle and bent her knee, which caused her to wince.
"The skin is tight, but with the proper care and exercise, I don't see why you can't make a full recovery," he said as he set down her leg and motioned towards the tie at her shoulder. "May I?"
She couldn't help but look away, drawing her arms up around her. It was bad enough with limited coverings, but beneath the robe and towel, there was no longer anything covering her, and the thought of him seeing her left her feeling embarrassed.
"I'd prefer it if you didn't," she replied, clutching tighter to the robe.
"Why?" he questioned, his tone of curiosity, his face contorting in confusion.
"Look, I know I was in no position to protest the treatments. You were doing what you thought was right. Healing me as quickly as you have is nothing short of miraculous to me. On Earth, burns like these would have taken weeks, months even, to heal. And I'm grateful. More than you can understand for not only the treatments but the care and kindness you've shown me. But that doesn't make my any less uncomfortable showing you my body when I have nothing covering me. I'm married. Even if Jack isn't here, I'm still his wife. It's no longer appropriate for you to see me… exposed."
"I apologize," Ven remarked as he shifted back onto the couch. "It was never my intention to make you uncomfortable Mae. I didn't realize that your culture viewed such things as inappropriate. I just assumed that it was…" he paused and sighed before turning to her. "I made the assumption that because we look so similar that we would view these things the same way. You have made it very clear that you are pair bonded with another, but I'm certain that has a much different meaning here. Don't hesitate… Please, don't hesitate to tell me about your culture. If I understand your views it will make it easier for both of us. It will also help me to teach you how to navigate this world."
"I'll try to do better."
"That is all either of us can do. I do need to see how your injuries have healed. How can I do that in a way where you will be comfortable?"
"Can I put on my undergarments?"
"Of course. Let me take you up to the closet and dressing room."
Ven had her climb the stairs first as he felt it would be easier to catch her if she fell, and once they reached the first landing, she lifted the latch of the door, pushing it open as she stepped inside. In truth, it wasn't just a closet, it was also storage, a dressing room, and laundry all on a single level that wrapped around the entirety of the core.
Platform seating was once again set along the white walls, but the windows this time were smaller, about two feet in diameter, round and up higher, set no more than a foot apart across the width of the room they were in. A wall with a door was immediately to their left, and to the right stretching down the middle of the area was a shoulder high shelving unit with three shelves of large bins, in four columns.
"I've cleared an area here for you," Ven remarked as he walked her between the shelves and the racks that lined the interior wall where his clothing was hung to a now empty section.
Ven had cleared half of his clothing rack for her, as well as the shelf below and the one above, and a column of bins on the shelving unit behind her.
"I've arranged the garments Golkic sent with Karanosi, but you may change things to however you would prefer. The bins are traditionally used for undergarments and cold weather coverings, the lower shelf for footwear and upper for head. Robes and casual wear are normally hung."
"You didn't have to put yourself out like this for me. You could have stuck everything in a box for me in my room and I would have been happy."
"No, Mae. That would not do. You are not a guest here. This is your home. To anyone who would ask, you are family."
"Cousin or sister?"
"Sister. Karanosi has adopted you. He is known for taking in orphans and it wouldn't be questioned by anyone who would ask. And no one will ask how you became an orphan. While speaking of the dead is quite common, speaking of how they died is taboo. Death is a celebration of life, not a glorification of how it happens."
"Would I ever address you as brother?" she asked as she slid out the bins and looked down into them.
"Perhaps, but that would be slightly abnormal at our age," he replied as she pulled out a clean set of undergarments. "You would be more casual with my name though. You would normally use Venificus in formal company, Ven casually and in polite company, but publicly you should refer to me as Ficus as it would be more personal, something only family would do, and if you're angry or displeased, you would use our family name, Foedari. Come."
Pocketing her undergarments, she followed him through to the next section, which was separated by a decoratively carved archway. To the left against the outer wall sat 2 large chests, with 2 smaller ones above them on a shelf. Weapons racks, lined the inner wall, filled with quivers of arrows, swords, spears, axes, and a number of others she couldn't name or recognize. Shields and bows hung from the ceiling, and a dresser unite, 10 drawers high, with large drawers, easily five feet wide, stretched from floor to ceiling out from the inner wall, creating a barrier to the next room over, and in the middle was a large cabinet, housing a numerous amount of smaller drawers on one side and cabinet doors on the other. The handles and knobs were gold in color and the wood was a deep red, like that of a mahogany, and had a tight grain with no visible knots on its pristinely smooth surface, that had been polished to a shine.
"This is beautiful," she remarked as she ran her fingers over the edge of the cabinets top which was the perfect height for a table.
"Kyurn, Karanosi's second son made all of the furniture you see. He is quite gifted. But this," he remarked as he set his hands on to the top of the cabinet, "this is something special. This wood is from the first Davibas tree we brought down together. The drawers and shelves behind me, from the second that same trip." His eyes lit up as he spoke, and his voice filled with enthusiasm. "We traveled three days to the Igna branch just to find a single Davibas. We never expected to find a second so close by. It took us two days to bring them both down, another three to skin and butcher them before having to haul them three days back. That was the best trip I ever took with Kyurn."
"It sounds like it. You will have to tell me more about it sometime," she remarked, smiling softly since little of what he said meant anything to her.
He sighed and momentarily clenched his fist.
"Please, never let me carry on like that. I would bore you to tears with my nonsensical stories if you allow it."
"But I like your stories. Even if I don't completely understand them, I know you'll explain eventually. But on with the tour."
"Yes, of course. This is where you will find your gear, once we get you some. I don't think anything heavier than hide will work for you, but that is a discussion for another time. Either way, the lowest three drawers are empty, so feel free to fill them," he said before continuing into the third section. "This is our dressing area. I will get you a proper dressing table, but this one will have to do for now."
As he motioned to the dark wooden table set along the inner wall on the far side of the room, a large square, cushioned platform set before it, her heart thumped in her chest. For below the table, safe and sound, was her large black purse and bags from the fabric store.