Room 417, Section B
Richter was walking Zen home for the night, the both of
them talking and laughing in the same personal atmosphere
they’d shared since leaving the park, but that was quick to
change as Richter caught sight of the guards. There were four
posted outside her room, all surveying him with cautious
glances.
“Don’t mind them,” Zen told him, nearing the guards with
a glare, “Don’t mind him either.”
The door opened as Zen keyed into the panel beside it.
Richter, feeling the weight of stares upon him, stepped in
closely behind her as the door sealed shut.
“You know,” Zen smiled, gesturing her arms to either side.
“I didn’t even think about it, but I can’t even offer you a
drink.”
“I’ll be fine.” Richter looked around—no sink, no kitchen,
and no commodities, except for the adjoining bathroom.
“So,” she neared him with delightful gleam, “did you have
a good time?”
“I did,” he smiled, looking himself over. He was a real
mess; his uniform was dirty, and his hair was partly soiled.
“But it looks like I might need to clean up a little.”
“That can be arranged,” Zen pointed toward the bathroom.
“You can clean up in there if you like.”
Richter hesitated, “Seriously?”
Zen paused, not sure why he’d asked, “Why wouldn’t I
be?”
He’d just as much figured on cleaning up back at his place,
but it was an opportunity to spend more time with her. I’m not
arguing. “All right.”
“There are a few towels inside. I don’t have any changes of
clothes for you, but you’re welcome to use one of the robes.”
He wasn’t going to leave in a bathrobe, but that meant leaving
in his dirty clothes as soon as he’d finished; under the circumstances,
he found that acceptable.
Zen stood by the window, calling Sefira on her communicator.
“You’re friend all right?” Richter asked.
“Probably just out doing her own thing,” Zen made a brief
gesture. “She’s not exactly the indoor type.”
“Thanks, by the way. I won’t be long.” He went into the
bathroom, closing the door behind him.
He’d planned on a shower, but there was only a large tub. It
looked like it could have seated several. For its abundant lack
of conveniences, size seemed to make up for it. Then again it
was designed for Kristic use; various crystal shards lit the
walls, offering their green and blue mixed hues softly to the air.
Richter started the water, setting the temperature as he began
to strip down. He still wasn’t sure what to do or say about
what he felt, but at least everything else was beginning to come
more naturally; however, what happened next caught him
completely by surprise.
He’d barely just settled into the water when Zen came in,
closing the door just as quickly as she’d opened it. She was
very casual about it, naked as she hung her dress beside the
row of hangers.
“A bath sounded nice,” she said plainly, “and this way we
don’t have to talk through a wall.”
Richter blushed, horribly anxious. “N-no kidding,” he stuttered.
A moment later, Zen settled into the water, chest deep. The
heat from the tub wafted through the natural cool of the air.
“This is nice,” she said pleasantly, pausing a moment. “Is
something wrong?”
Richter was still blushing.
“Oh, I’m so sorry!” She looked frankly toward him, “It’s
because I’m naked; isn’t it?”
“It’s okay,” he said dryly. “Nothing you can do to change it
now.”
“Do you mind?” she asked. “If you do, I’ll put something
on.”
“No really,” he waved. “It’s fine.”
“Okay,” she smiled, settling in, “sorry about that.”
“Won’t your partner have my head for this or something?”
“No,” Zen sounded pretty sure. “As long as I’m safe, she’ll
keep herself in check.”
Richter bobbed his head, “That’s . . . reassuring.”
Zen came to the center of the tub and stopped. There was
still a good body length between them, “Would you like me to
leave you alone?”
Richter shook his head. It was just another adjustment. I
can deal with this.
Zen’s expression softened, “Well, I know this has been
somewhat difficult for you, and now that I think about it, I’m
sure this doesn‘t help.”
“Hey,” he smiled, his expression warming. “I don’t mean to
come off as such a prude.”
“It’s just,” she observed him, “you look worried.”
Richter frowned, “If I’m looking at this right, this is probably
the last time we’re going to see each other—at least for a
while.”
“True,” Zen agreed, returning to the end of the tub farthest
from him. “Don’t worry; I like you too, Richter Etrenank.”
Her remark helped him to relax. Leaning back into place,
he made himself comfortable. There were questions he wanted
to ask, but he was almost afraid to. He was here with her now,
so he’d at least make the most of it.
For the next few minutes both of them were quiet. Richter
washed himself as best he could, scrubbing away the dirt from
the afternoon. Zen gave him something that resembled soap, at
least it seemed to have the same purpose. She took the opportunity
to clean herself as well, beneath the water mostly, which
he figured to be mostly for his benefit. At least she made an
effort not to excite him any more than she already had.
Zen looked amiable, “So as long as you don’t see me naked,
is it okay?”
Richter laughed, “It’s not a bad thing really. If you can’t
tell by now, I’m easily excited.”
“I see,” Zen stood, removing herself from the tub. He still
felt anxious, averting his eyes. Today hadn’t been what he’d
expected, but he hardly knew what to expect in the first place.
Zen came back into the water, resting up against the wall
beside him. “It’s okay,” she assured him.
Richter looked her over. She was in a short-skirted gown,
weighed down by the water against her body. The contour of
her figure was still more than alluring, but it was somewhat
easier for him to deal with.
“Thanks.”
“Here,” Zen took up the soap. “I’ll take care of this; you
just relax.”
He moved easily with her gestures, allowing her to wash
his neck, shoulders and back. It felt good—it felt real good.
He’d never had anyone do it for him before, at least not that he
could recall. Even his excitement somewhat subsided to the
soap-moistened touch she ran over his body.
“That feels great,” he admitted.
“Thought it might.” She continued along his sides, not getting
too close to anywhere she shouldn’t.
Shortly afterward, she used a small bucket to rinse over his
body.
“When do you have to be back?” Zen asked.
“Tomorrow.”
“Then I won’t rush you. You can stay as long as you like.”
“Be careful. I might take you up on that.”
Zen got out, using a towel to dry herself off. “I’ll be outside,”
she said casually, closing the door behind her.
Richter dried off, putting himself in one of the white robes.
He’d change back before he left, but right now he was going to
relax.
Stepping back out into the living room, he found Zen on a
small, white couch. From it, she looked him up and down.
Leaning to her side, she keyed into the intercom. “Excuse me,
Justin, was it?”
“Yes ma’am,” came the reply.
“Could you do me a favor and take my guest’s clothes to
the laundry?”
“Sure thing. How soon does he need them back?”
“As soon as they’re done, if you can.”
“I’ll send a runner.”
“Thank you.”
A faint chime sounded the door.
“Come in,” Zen called.
The youngest looking of the guards made his way in, a
Kristic. “My lady,” he nodded.
“They’re in the bathroom,” Zen gestured.
Quickly enough, the Kristic moved in and out with Richter’s
clothes, handing over the minor articles that belonged to
him, his ID and communicator. “It will take a little more than
an hour, if you don’t mind.”
Richter shook his head, “That’s fine. Thanks.”
The Kristic left, and they were alone again.
“Here,” Zen stood up. “Why don’t you lie down?”
Richter looked up to her, “What are you going to do?”
“You look tense,” she smiled, “so I was going to give you a
massage, unless you’d rather I didn’t.”
Richter made a wide-eyed expression, “Can’t see any reason
not to.” He laid himself down, his back topside.
Zen straddled over him, digging her fingers along his neck,
then to his shoulders, working her way slowly down his back.
He was so absorbed by it that his tensions lifted instantly, his
body loosening.
“Can I ask you something?” he said strangely.
“Sure.”
“What’s with all the special treatment?”
Zen laughed, contouring her fingers to his triceps. The
robe, thinly woven, allowed her efforts to work just as effectively.
“It’s my objective of the evening.”
“What’s your objective?”
“To help you relax.”
“Well,” Richter seemed to be drowning in bliss, “I’d say
objective complete, but by all means, continue.”
“This isn’t so bad; is it?”
“No, it isn’t.”
“Now think back earlier today, or even yesterday,” Zen told
him. “Would you have been so open as you are now?”
“I don’t think so,” he groaned, “then again I had no idea.”
“Didn’t figure you had.”
“How very observant of you.”
“To a Kristic, there’s very little difference between a lover
and a friend, at least in regard to how one is treated among others.
There is a difference all the same, but we’ve come to find
that fewer social exclusions have resulted in less stress among
our people. Since we have romantic values, we still have our
limits, but in being closer with others, we develop a deeper and
frequently mutual understanding toward each others’ lives.”
Richter considered, sleepily, how things actually were between
them. Nothing had changed about his feelings toward
her, just that he felt more comfortable having them. To her, he
was a friend—strange treatment included—and that meant a
lot. They’d only known each other a couple of days, so it
wasn’t like he could expect anything more, but somehow it felt
longer.
Zen moved more gently over him, soon finding him fast
asleep. She’d expected as much. He was tired and worn, so
sleep was inevitable. Since he didn’t have to be back until tomorrow,
she didn’t see the harm in letting him sleep a little.
Dismounting, she moved toward the window with a curious
expression, folding her arms. All right Sefira, just what are you up to?
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