"Are you unhappy?" the commander asked Casina, when he found her in the garden a few weeks later, once he had fulfilled his other obligations and caught up on his work. She was sitting by a fountain, a forlorn look about her. He observed the sudden tightening of her lips, her sad expression when she nodded and ducked her head.
"I just feel like I"m...suffocating here," she said, while staring at his feet. "I need to be...doing something...other than sitting around here. I"m...so...bored."
Uri studied her bent head with indecision. To allow her freedom might well compromise her safety again, and this bothered him greatly. Still, he knew she couldn"t stay locked up forever. The incident at Dandor and then in the rainforest had been unfortunate, but he had rescued her in a timely fashion and had hoped she would be grateful.
"What is it you want me to do for you?" he asked. At this, her head came up.
"I want to be around other people," she said. "Live among them. Be able to talk to them. Perhaps make some friends around my own age. Have some...fun!" She hesitated as she met his dark gaze, and he sensed the fear in her at having to ask him anything. "Please. I would like a job. Volunteer work. Anything! Just something to keep me busy. Surely your Kaanig would allow me this."
Uri straightened, sighing as he stared off into the distance, contemplating the matter. Allowing her anything outside the protection of TrCasinaar would be a gamble. And dangerous. Especially after all she had recently been through.
When his gaze returned to hers, he observed the anticipation in her expression and considered her options.
"Very well," he agreed, his tone one of reluctance. "I will see what can be done. At least temporarily."
She squealed with delight and, jumping up, shocked him with an embrace that warmed him all the way to his toes. "Oh, thank you thank you thank you!" Then, as if realizing what she had just done, she quickly released him and stepped back, her expression plainly sharing a hope that he wasn"t offended.
He peered down at her, at the way her eyes shone with happiness, and silently groaned. This was the last thing he had expected her to ask for yet found he could deny her nothing as he lost himself in the depths of her incredible almond-shaped eyes.
* * * *
Amazingly, three days later found Casina in her temporary new home, in a quiet, well-to-do area of Zaratan, the domed city located at the base of the mountain upon which TrCasinaar was built. Her late arrival one evening, well past midnight, was done for her protection, she was told, especially because of what had happened at Dandor. Regardless, she paused outside a moment to admire the beauty of her new surroundings.
From where she stood, arms crossed to warm herself against the evening"s chill, she peered about in wonder. Unlike Dandor, Zaratan"s architecture resembled more like that of TrCasinaar. White appeared to be the color of choice around her, at least from what she could make out in the darkness. Yet various street lights cast an array of colorful streaks across the buildings she was able to make out. Towers and spires of splendiferous heights and designs lay shadowed against the backdrop of the city, as well as did the unusual shapes and sizes of other structures. Strange vehicles were also parked along the street.
Despite her protests, the Kaanig had sent along a maid named La"ara - actually the youngest daughter of Iddo and Mrovia Aemons - and an older male servant, H"non, to tend to her needs, which would include cooking, cleaning, and maintaining the small home they would reside in. Having arrived the day before, they warmly welcomed Casina and explained that rooms were prepared for her upstairs. La"ara and H"non would reside in the servants" quarters on the first floor and just off the bake room.
Unaware of the guards that would be discreetly posted outside, Casina felt she was in heaven. Finally independent for the first time in her life, she danced around the two-story house with glee. The place was nowhere near the luxurious state of the palace, but she didn"t care. Just being able to come and go as she pleased was the greatest pleasure she could have hoped for. Freedom, at last.
To her surprise, the commander had informed her that the Kaanig was also providing her, in addition to the wages she would earn herself, an allowance with which she could buy clothes and anything else she might need, not just for her new job but merely...for fun. She knew she would love being able to buy whatever she wanted since few clothes and things had been provided her since her arrival on Konatha. Not that she had had to go without anything. But everything was usually given her on a day-to-day basis. Nothing was actually hers or stocked in her closet, which in itself seemed odd to her. She just hadn"t given it much thought. Until now.
The house was already furnished but, since she knew her stay was only temporary, depending on how things went, she didn"t mind. The furnishings seemed fairly new and well-cared for, so she made no complaints.
She waltzed around the larger of the two upstairs bedrooms, enjoying the unusual, yet common architecture of the house itself. There was a bed three times the size of the twin-sized one she had had at her foster parents" house and at St. Christi"s, yet it was still smaller than the one she had slept in at TrCasinaar. Also, the room had a large dresser, a writing desk, and a padded chair, clearly of some unique alien design. A chest containing bed linen and blankets was at the foot of the bed.
Surprisingly, there was even a small conditioning room just off the bedroom, and a private bath. Still angry with God for the direction her life had taken, she hadn"t prayed much while at TrCasinaar since she was more focused on escaping. But now she had every intention of getting herself right with Him, as she once was, as her parents had raised her to be.
What she liked most about the master bedroom was the double-wide window, framed by secure, insulated curtains, that overlooked the city. She pushed them open to peer out at the domed, sloped rooftops of the houses around her. Many were side-by-side or back-to-back, yet some, like hers, had small plots of grass and gardens front and back, so they were separate and apart from the neighbors. She hoped to see more of them come morning. It was still pretty dark and more quiet than she expected Zaratan to be, even during the early hours.
As she gazed about, she was amazed at how similar many of the buildings were as compared to Earth and hadn"t expected to feel so much at home already. Still, despite her new found freedom, she sensed a feeling of loss. But of what or whom she wasn"t quite sure.
So she brushed her dreary feelings away and decided to retire. Although she knew she wouldn"t get much sleep due to all of the excitement of living in a new place.
* * * *
Casina was eager to explore the city the next morning and wanted to go shopping. Everything she needed seemed to be within walking distance, including the city aviary, where the Kaanig, she was told, had arranged employment for her. It seemed like the perfect place for her, and she was so excited she couldn"t wait to start work in two days, on the day Jupitarians called, in Kathian, S"lebba. She had learned that in Jupitar all businesses were closed for a mandatory rest day. On Konatha, it fell on Sh"ntala, the very next day. So that gave her only this one day to shop for what she might need.
Whether the Kaanig had known of her love for birds and animals she wasn"t sure. But, it didn"t matter. She was just thrilled at the chance given her to work at an aviary and made a mental note to thank the Altair first chance she got. She was grateful he hadn"t gotten her a job washing dishes somewhere or doing some other kitchen task she hated.
That afternoon, she took her maid with her, wanting her opinions on fashion and help as a translator. She was so excited, she practically dragged La"ara after her as she sought out the stores she wanted to shop in. La"ara was somewhat reserved and tried maintaining a respectful distance from her mistress, but Casina wouldn"t let her, treating her more as an equal than a servant, which surprised the younger woman and made her a bit uncomfortable.
Casina brought her inside a small shop in the midst of a long street, amazed at the similarities between this one and any one of a number of stores back on Earth. The window display had caught her eye, and she hurried inside to check out the ladies" clothes. When she had made her selections, she piled the few items on the counter that she felt she could afford.
"Um, please tell the clerk that I need these right away and will pay him when I get my first paycheck, if that is acceptable to him."
La"ara"s dark eyes widened in surprise, before she obediently turned to the older man standing behind the sales counter. She shared the information, but he harrumphed at the idea and reached for Casina"s wrist, the one with the strange mark on it. But Casina felt threatened and took a step back, yanking her arm away. She shot La"ara a perplexed look.
"I take it he wants payment now," she said. "But why does he want to touch me? Should I have told him the Kaanig would cover my purchases instead?"
La"ara, realizing her confusion, explained. "Here, everyone"s mark is checked. If they have one. Certain ones can be scanned for payment."
Casina nodded her understanding. "Oh? Okay." Then she cautiously allowed the man her wrist, who turned it over a scanner so the mark would register. "It"s almost like a handy credit card, isn"t it?"
La"ara shrugged, clearly not understanding what she was talking about, but smiled when the mark was accepted for payment of the items Casina wanted to purchase.
When the scanner light went from red to green and it beeped its acceptance of Casina"s mark, the clerk released her wrist. "Shal wa tusay," he commented, but its meaning was lost on Casina. She merely watched as the man eagerly bagged the items, murmuring excitedly in Kathian as he did so.
"He must not get a lot of customers in here," Casina said, glancing at La"ara. "No one back home would ever get so excited over making a sale like this. At least not where I come from."
La"ara fell silent at this and cast her mistress another puzzled look, which Casina failed to observe as the clerk handed her the shopping bag. Accepting it, Casina thanked him and headed for the door, only to have the man suddenly race from behind the counter to get the door for them. Bowing excitedly, he chattered on incessantly, but Casina just smiled, nodded politely, and exited the store, with La"ara following. La"ara grinned at the man and made a statement, which quickly silenced the man, as they left. But Casina was too preoccupied to notice.
* * * *
A"lam"s Aviary was a mere two blocks from Casina"s house so she was able to walk there. The commander had arrived just minutes before she left for work and insisted on walking her safely to the door since he wanted to speak with the proprietor.
When they arrived around nine o"clock Kathian time - 009 beohsa, Casina would later learn, they were greeted by a fiftyish, stocky man with a pleasant, round face and neatly bobbed, graying hair, who beamed from ear-to-ear at sight of them. He was dressed in khaki-colored slacks, a white tunic, and brown shoes, similar to what the shop keeper had worn at the clothing store, with a knee-length, plain green apron tied about him. He was also wearing a matching green fez-like cap.
"Maiyatom!" he said, welcoming them in a fawning manner. "Kayah mai tuk!"
The commander lifted a halting hand. "English, please, A"lam. The Zarcon knows but one language." Startled, the man turned to Casina, apologizing profusely.
"Forgive, please," he said, bowing. "I did not realize..."
She smiled and extended her hand. "It"s all right," she said. "Perhaps I will learn some of your language while employed here."
"Ah, yes, my lady! That would be wise. And very necessary."
"Miss Brandon," the commander began, somewhat gallantly, "let me offer an official introduction. This is A"lam K"sini, your...employer. A"lam, this is Casina...Brandon. Your new...assistant."
A"lam stepped forward exuberantly and took the hand she offered, placing a gentle kiss to her palm.
"I can assure you, my lady. The pleasure of finally meeting you is all mine, to be sure."
Casina nodded graciously. "Thank you, sir. I am pleased to meet you as well." Tickled by his kiss, she carefully retrieved her hand, drawing it to her chest as she stared shyly at the man. Her new employer. Glancing up at the commander, she gave a soft smile of pleasure.
The commander studied her happy countenance a moment before snapping a few words at A"lam, in Kathian, as he turned to leave. He hesitated by the huge glass doors, as if not wanting to leave Casina there alone. She grinned a goodbye at him and gave a little wave, fully expecting him to depart without her. Then he snorted as though angry and exited, leaving her alone with A"lam.
"My lady," A"lam began, steering her away from the exit. "I will give you a tour of my aviary and tell you what is expected of you."
"All right." She slowly shuffled after him, for some reason unable to pull her gaze from the door the commander had departed through moments before. He seemed upset, but she didn"t know why, and this bothered her.
"My lady?"
She turned. "Um, sorry, A"lam. May I call you A"lam?"
"By all means, my lady."
"And call me Casina."
A"lam bowed, clearly pleased at this honor. "As you wish, my lady."
Then, for the next half hour, he walked her through the incredible aviary, a place so huge she was astounded. They entered a back room, apparently a supply room where a young woman was bent over several large black buckets, filling them with what appeared to be bird seed.
"This is T"nia," he said. "T"nia, this is...Casina Brandon. The one I told you of." T"nia, dressed in an odd pant suit, with a green apron that had strange alien markings on it tied around her waist, straightened and gave her a smile and bow of greeting. She appeared to be around Casina"s age, and Casina secretly hoped they would become good friends.
Entering an adjoining, smaller room, A"lam said, "And this here is St"mpl. He is one of twelve employees that clean the floors, windows, and cages." Dressed in an outfit identical to T"nia"s, St"mpl was hunched over what resembled a newspaper spread out on one of the counters. Engrossed, he apparently didn"t hear A"lam. Giving the youth a quick boot with his foot, A"lam scolded him in rapid Kathian which quickly brought the boy around in dismay.
"This is Casina Brandon," A"lam told him in English. "Our new employee. Show her some respect, boy." Then he rattled off more in Kathian that soon sparked St"mpl into immediate work mode. He mumbled a quick greeting at Casina, bowed, then hurried away. A"lam muttered something Casina couldn"t understand, all the while shaking his head, before switching back to English.
"Just can"t get good help these days," he commented. "Come, please." He directed her through several screened doors, into huge, high, glass-ceilinged, cage-like rooms where hundreds of rare and unique fowl were displayed. "Mostly, customers come here to admire our birds," he told her. "Others come to buy for their own private aviaries or collections."
"And what exactly will I be doing?" Casina dared ask.
"Oh, mainly supervising the younger workers such as T"nia and St"mpl, checking to be certain everything is in order before closing, so everything is ready for morning. That"s if you come to work in the afternoon. You can also help in the office, once you learn to read Kathian, and help wherever you want to. If you want to help feed the birds, groom them - whatever - you may. I have been given strict instructions by the Altair not to allow you too much menial labor. Do you understand?
"Also, you may greet any customers who come in. You may wish to learn all you can about our stock and share the information with people who have questions about them. It will be difficult at first, since you do not speak our language yet, but it will come in time. Although a few may know your language, too. But I will help you any way I can. Later, you may be instrumental in helping to sell our birds." He gave her a blunt stare. "How does all of this sound to you? Too much?"
Casina peered about her, amazed at the height of the ceilinged cages, at the colorful array of exotic birds, at the beauty of the natural habitats displayed, and smiled with pleasure. "No, it sounds absolutely...wonderful," she said. She turned to him. "I think I"m going to like it here."
A"lam beamed at her. "That"s what I was hoping you"d say. Come, I will show you the offices, the loading dock, and staff meeting rooms in the back. Later, feel free to browse and acquaint yourself with the other workers. They will see to it you learn about the birds. I also have manuals on the v"d"mr. That is, the portscan, in your language. It allows us to obtain information about anything, from anywhere in the galaxy. Do you have one at home? If so, you can easily access data and learn about the birds while there, if you want. Otherwise, I have one here you can use."
Casina couldn"t contain her smile as she listened to A"lam share his expectations of her. Truly, the Kaanig had known what he was doing when assigning her a job at the aviary. It was better than anything she could ever have hoped for, and she couldn"t wait to tell him so.