Chapter 15 Khur
Khur
She’s exquisite, my girl. I’ve spent the day basking in the light of her joy, and I already know, after just five days with her, that I could spend the rest of my life just watching her.
I’m already planning the next “date,” as humans call them, where I’ll get to show her how Sanctuary does dancing.
We wave goodbye to Meshi as we enter the main corridor and he flies up to his second-level apartment. Destiny’s face lights up and I can see the questions building up in her mind like snowfall.
“What if they want to have visitors of the non-winged variety? What about Winged-Ones who can’t fly?
Are there any like that? I assume the very young and the elderly might struggle to make that flight.
I have so many questions!” She turns her bright eyes to me, full of excitement for things I’ve taken for granted for so long.
“You know, I honestly don’t know. I will have to ask for you,” and I will. I mentally file those questions for tomorrow at the office. Admittedly, I am very curious myself, now. How have I never thought to ask these questions before?
“What about Hope? How will she visit him when they fall in love?” she continues dreamily, and I look at her a bit surprised.
“I admit, I don’t know much about human expressions yet, but she did not look interested in his affections today.”
“Well, you’re right about that, but I have a feeling about those two. Sometimes love takes time to bloom between two people.”
I ponder this as we wander through the packed corridor.
The market is busy today and Destiny sticks close to me as we make our way through the crowd.
She doesn’t take my hand again, though, and I am quiet as I wonder if I should grab hers, or if she would rather keep whatever is blooming between us private.
Is it love? For me, it is dangerously close to that already, I think.
I have never been in love before and never thought it would happen to me with another Dhugaren.
That was before I met Destiny, though, who is different from anyone I’ve ever met, Dhugaren or otherwise.
I want to shout to the entire population of this station: THIS GIRL IS MINE AND I THINK I MIGHT LOVE HER, but I don’t know if she would accept this grand gesture or if it would embarrass her.
I think the kiss at the Meadows might have done just that.
It doesn’t feel like an appropriate thing to ask, either.
So instead I walk with her and watch her as she takes in the sights from my side.
We’re at the door to her subdivision quicker than I’d like and I’m struck by the disappointment that I will have to say goodbye to her soon.
I had planned to say goodbye, kissing her at the door like Josep instructed, but suddenly I’m searching for a reason to keep her with me a while longer.
Perhaps she would like to go back to my apartment for dinner?
I’ll even share her with Urzu and the kids (and, let's face it, probably Furga as well) if it means I get to spend another hour with her.
Just as we get to her door and I open my mouth to invite her back to my apartment, she turns to me with a sweet, shy smile.
“Wanna come in and help me figure out dinner on the food machine?”
My heart soars higher than any Silfan windrider ever could.
“I would be delighted to stay with you a little longer,” I reply with sincerity. The blush I am rewarded with is better than any battle victory could ever be.
She waves one hand over the panel to activate the pocket door and grabs my arm with the other, towing me behind her into her apartment. Once inside, though, she turns to me and the sweet, shy smile is gone, replaced with a frown and a deep groove between her brows.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, reaching out to smooth the wrinkle on her brow with my index finger. I trace the bridge of her nose and gently poke the tip, like she did with me earlier.
“It’s… well… this apartment is in my name. Mine alone.”
“Ok…” I say, waiting for her to explain.
“And no one is going to make me feel uncomfortable in my own home.”
“Ah… I would never dream of doing anything that made you feel uncomfortable, Destiny. Would you like me to leave?” I ask, a little confused.
“No!” She glances behind her, towards the sleeping rooms. “I want you to stay. And I want you to show me a new recipe on the food machine.”
She nods decisively to herself, then looks back up at me in horror.
“Oh god, you aren’t one of those males who thinks cooking is a woman’s job are you?”
I can’t help but laugh at that.
“Is that a human concept? Do human males not eat?”
“Well, yeah, but also… yeah. It’s a very human concept.”
“Well,” I say, teasingly, “It is not a Dhugaren concept. Anyone who wishes to eat must know how to prepare food. I may not cook the best furkurra as my sister does, but I know a few recipes I think you’ll like. The Originem made it much easier than it was on Dhugar.”
We walk into the kitchen together and I show her the sequence of buttons to press for one of my favorite Dhugaren breakfast meals. This one takes a bit longer to produce than others, but I won’t admit I chose it to spend just a bit longer with her.
I am thrilled to see that she grabs the pottery I sent her and slides it under the machine.
“I see you like your gift?” I say, desperate to hear her say it. Did I do good?
“You sneaky thing, I wondered if this was you. I love my gift. They are so bright and colorful. Thank you.”
I nod, pleased.
“I am curious, though, how did you write my name on the box? It was such a lovely surprise seeing my name written on the package. It’s been a while, as silly as that sounds.”
“My boss…” I start, then correct myself, “Actually, my friend, Josep, knows a little more about humans than I do. He was very helpful in marking your package and giving me some advice on human dating rituals.”
“Human dating rituals?”
“Yes, like flowers for example.”
“Ah, ok That makes sense.”
As we wait for dinner to finish, she keeps glancing at the door, the worried line on her brow returning each time.
“Talk to me, my Destiny. What has you so worried?”
“Honestly, Khur, it’s my dad. He doesn’t approve of me mingling with the locals.
Hell, I’m starting to realize, I don’t think he wants to be here at all.
And on one hand, I feel terribly guilty for dragging him here with me.
On the other hand, though, I just wish he’d stop being so bitter and appreciate the gift we’ve been given.
Not everyone in this galaxy is so lucky to have a second chance like Sanctuary is for us.
I feel like a terrible daughter, though, and–”
“Hey, hey,” I cut in, desperate to comfort her but also stop her line of thinking, “You are terrible at nothing. I think you might be the most wonderful person I’ve ever met.”
“Pshh, you’re just trying to flatter me.”
“I’m not. And I wasn’t finished,” I say sternly, “I think you’re wonderful.
And so does Furga, and Urzu and Gunvall.
This station is a gift to all of us, a second chance we all cherish greatly.
No one was dragged here. If your father does not wish to be here, perhaps he should go somewhere else and give his spot to someone who would also cherish it. ”
“But he’s my dad, Khur. He’s the last family member I have.”
I nod, considering her words. I am lucky to have Urzu and the children. So many citizens here have lost their entire families and come to Sanctuary all alone, chasing hope across the galaxy, dreaming of creating something new. Perhaps I had not fully appreciated how difficult that could be.
“What happened to your mother? Do human mothers usually cohabitate with their families?”
Destiny puts her hands on the counter behind her and raises herself up to sit on it, bringing her closer to eye-level. She swings her legs in an adorable fashion and I move closer to her, drawn like the magnets we are.
“Generally, yes. My mother left though, about six years ago, when we still lived on Earth. My parents didn’t really get along.
They were both too young when they got pregnant with me and getting married was an act of duty more than love.
I think my grandparents kind of forced their hands.
They were pretty religious.” She shrugs.
“I don’t think she ever loved him, though.
I’m really not sure she ever loved me all that much, either.
I don’t think she wanted to be a mother, really. ”
“Destiny, I’m so sorry to hear this. It must have been really hard for you.”
She sniffles and for a moment I think she might cry, but then she squares her shoulders and says, “It was, honestly. But I’ve spent a lot of time processing it. And a lot of time in therapy. And I’m good now. I hope wherever she is, she finally found happiness. If she even made it off Earth.”
She shrugs with finality and I get the sense that this is her final word on the matter, but I can’t help but selfishly ask one burning question.
“Is marriage usually a religious ritual for humans?”
Back is her shy smile, her knowing gaze. “Maybe for some. Not for me, though. The only requirement for me… is love.”
Her golden-brown eyes pierce me as the word floats between us. Is it love? Is it too soon? The word sits on the tip of my tongue, begging to be spoken.
Then the timer on the food machine dings and the smell of a hardy Dhugaren breakfast fills the air.
“Khur! Is that biscuits and gravy?” Destiny squeals as she hops off the countertop, bouncing to her feet with exuberance.
“I do not know what that is.”
“This looks and smells very similar to a human dish. Come on, show me how to make the couches change position,” she says over her shoulder as she grabs both dishes and makes her way back to the common area, her luscious, wide hips swaying with her steps.
She seems to want to move on from the heavy conversation, and I'm happy to take her lead.