We finished training and I went to shower. I was a little nervous since the showers were all open and there would probably be more people around. I opened the door and as expected, there were girls everywhere. They walked around in towels or robes through the locker rooms.
I went around the corner to the showers and saw that someone had hung curtains around each shower using large tree leaves. I heaved a sigh of relief as I found a spot to put my towel and clean clothes. I grabbed my bag from under the bench and put it near the shower on another bench. I placed my clean clothes on top and took my towel with me.
I went into the shower stall and turned on the water, happy to let the hot water wash all the dirt and sweat off. I was listening to some of the conversations around me while I showered.
"Did you see the prince's new fiancée?" One girl asked.
"No, but I heard about her! What's she like?" Another girl replied.
"She's pretty. She is the third princess from that western city by the desert."
"Oh, so he's mating for status then?"
"That's what I was thinking. The King has been trying to do trade with them for a while now, so it's no surprise…"
Their conversation faded as they left the showers. Too bad, that was interesting.
I started washing my hair and face when I heard another conversation.
"Do you know who removed all the shower curtains while we were gone?" Her voice sounded deeper than the others, maybe she's older.
A chorus of no's and nope's came from girls nearby the voice.
"Well whoever did it better not do it again. It's a huge pain to have to put these up again."
Someone took down the curtains? I wonder why anyone would do that. It would have been nice to have them when I had to shower with Ishi that time. It might have made things less awkward..
I finished washing up, dried off with the towel, and wrapped it around me. I went over to where my clothes were to get dressed so I could leave for dinner. Some of the girls in there cast curious glances at me, but no one dared to talk to me. It was more than a little awkward. I could hear them whispering, wondering what beast I was. Some of them whispered about how I was training with Ishi. Other's whispered that I must be sick since I'm here under the doctors care. Someone even speculated that I am Ishi's new girlfriend. I blushed at the thought.
I folded my ears down and tried my best to ignore the whispers. I finished up quickly and fled the showers. Since I was going back to the arena tonight, I decided to go back to Isola's to drop off my bag first before going for dinner.
On my way up the stairs to Isola's I ran into Dania, who was coming down.
"Hey! What are you doing here?" I asked her
"I'm here every day, silly." She answered.
"Wait, really?" I was surprised. I know Dania helped Isola out, but every day?
"Yeah. I know what it's like to be alone all the time, so I've been spending every day up there with Isola. I think we've finally become good friends." Dania said with a smile.
"That's kind of you." I said, not knowing exactly how to respond.
"I feel for her. So anyways, will we be seeing you for dinner?" She changed the subject.
"Yeah I will be over after dropping of my bag. Should we invite Isola?" I asked.
"That's a great idea! Ask her to come with you. I'll go start cooking." She said as she ran off.
I went upstairs and the door was locked again. This is becoming a daily thing.
"Isola! It's Mira!" I called out.
I heard the door unlatch followed by the scurrying of her feet back towards her study. I came inside and locked the door behind me. I dropped my bag over near the couch and went to find Isola.
"Hey? Are you back here?" I said as I wandered into the study. I saw her huddled into a corner among her piles of books, looking like a zombie. "Woah! What happened to you?" I asked her.
"What do you mean? I'm the same as always." She said, with a slight shake to her voice.
"Did something happen, Isola?"
"No, nothing." She answered. However the hallowed look tells me that she is distressed. I remembered the conversation from this morning.
"Are you worried about tonight?" I asked.
"…Maybe…" she hesitantly answered.
"I have been in the arena all day and there were only females. I wouldn't worry too much." I looked around her hideout and asked, "When is the last time you ate?"
"Yesterday." She said as she pointed as some old jerky on a plate in the corner. Gross.
"Okay, let's get you looking alive again and go have some good food at Dania's. You need a real meal. Look at you." I said, channeling my inner Dania.
She didn't put up much of a fight as I led her into the bedroom and found some clean clothes for her to change into. Then I grabbed a makeshift brush and tamed her hair. Once she looked presentable I dragged her towards the door. The whole process took longer than it should have; I don't have experience caring for other people. We wont have long to eat.
When we reached the door she pulled free from my grasp and went back towards her study. "Isola! No!" I called out, afraid she wouldn't emerge again.
She did come back, however. She was covering herself with a cloak.
Me and the hooded Isola headed down the stairs and off to the hut where Dania and Marshall are. We arrived with very little time to eat. Isola ate like she had been starved for years. We were all shocked to see a feline eating like a wild animal.
"Isola, I can make some more and take it your house later. Don't eat so much that you get sick, okay?" Dania said, putting her hand on Isola's outstretched arm which was reaching for another turkey leg.
Isola nodded and backed off. She managed to scarf down two large legs and I barely got to finish one. We had to leave though. Dania promised to take the rest of the food to Isola's and leave it there for us. We thanked her and headed off into the night.
Isola looked more paranoid than normal as we passed through the city plaza. She refused to look up, afraid someone would recognize her. The hook blocked her view and she kept running into things.
I took her hand and led her through the city like you would a blind person or a child.
The streets were usually deserted by now, but there were more people sauntering about now that the warriors returned. I saw a group of butch looking females, ale in hand, causing a ruckus outside of a bar. This is the first time I have seen this place look so lively.
We made it to the arena and Ishi was no where to be seen.
"I hope she didn't go to your place.." I said aloud.
Isola didn't answer. She just stayed quiet and hidden under her cloak.
"Do you think we should go in, or wait here?" I asked her as I looked around.
Still no answer.
"Isola…" I said, lifting the hood just enough so I could see her face. Isola and Ishi are both taller than me, so I only had to step closer and lift the hood just a little bit to see her face.
She looked nervous. I felt bad for her. I wasn't sure what to do to make her feel better. I remember when I was scared, hiding in my closet and afraid my father would find me.. all I wanted then was a hug. But I don't know if Isola would be okay with that. I decided to try.
"I'm here for you" I whispered as I pulled her into a big hug. My outstretched arms only wrapped around her waist and my face was chest level; I turned my head to the side as I pulled her in for a hug. I did my best to make it as not-awkward as possible; hugging was not something I had much experience with either.
I felt her pat me on the head as her tail swayed a little beneath her cloak. I smiled at the thought that I might have made her feel a little better.
"Thanks." She whispered back as she continued patting my head.
"There you are!" Ishi called as she ran up to us.
We quickly separated and turned to see what was going on.
"Hey-" I started to greet her and ask what was up, but she cut me off, looking worried.
"Isola, I'm sorry. I tried to catch you, but you weren't home."
Before I could process the situation I heard other voices approaching. Immediately, Ishi turned towards the sound and dropped to one knee. Isola seemed frozen in place and I wasn't sure what to do.