Nathanael to Shumani

[Banshee2020]

Unfortunately he was right again. It was an extremely painful memory for her and she did amazingly well to hold it together as long as she did. Nathan just sat there, unable and unwilling to move. Firstly he was completely taken by her story, by the pain and the strength this little creature had shown despite such great adversity. Secondly he really didn’t know how to cope with a woman crying so what chance did a crying Demeterian woman have. Shumani kept slipping into her own language and he was trying his best to remember the words she used. It wasn’t easy however considering the context and he resolved to ask about her language when things had settled down.

Perhaps, he thought, the release of the pain would do her some good. He remembered his sister telling him that crying was a good thing to release pent up emotion. Not that he had believed her, boys did not cry. He was about to tell her this when the phone rang. He cursed under his breath before looking at her apologetically before standing up and walking over to his desk. He slumped down in the chair and answered the call.

The voice at the other end made him roll his eyes and sigh, “Well hello there little brother!” The familiar tones of Tobias filtered into his ear; it was a tone that suggested trouble would not be far behind it. Toby had recently qualified as a lawyer and had landed himself a good position in a well-established firm. He had worked hard to get where he was now and showed none of the arrogance some of the others around him did. That didn’t mean he wasn’t up for a little fun when he had the chance.

“Tobias,” Nathan replied, “To what to I owe the pleasure of this call?” The line at the other end went silent a moment, that was unusual for his brother, perhaps there was more to this call than he had thought. “There are a couple of things actually. Firstly, a little bird tells me you have a new pet? Is this true?” Nathan replied with a flat affirmative, he wondered how the hell his brother had found out about Shumani but with his family it was usually safest to accept that they knew and move on. “Secondly, you’re going to be an uncle.” For the second time in as many days he was speechless and the silence made Tobias laugh, “No, no, not me. Nothing to do with me. It’s Maria, she’s been seeing that botanist guy remember.”

Maria was Tobias’ twin sister so it was unsurprising that he knew first. It was also unsurprising that it was Tobias giving Nathanael the news since Maria was probably in some odd corner of this world studying the fauna with limited access to communications, not because of the lack of technology, just her passionate interest blocking out anything else, if there was something important she would tell Tobias who would tell everyone else. Maria had surprised everyone when she went off into the field of exo-biology, she had always loved being outdoors and the planet fascinated her but it was always assumed that she would have followed in one of their parents’ footsteps.

“Do Mom and Dad know yet?” it was the first thing Nathan could think of to say. “Told them before I told you, don’t worry,” was the amused reply. A number of things ran through Nathan’s head as he sat there, foremost in his mind was the story Shumani had just told him about losing all her family and how visibly traumatised she was by it. It had never occurred to Nathanael that one twist in fate and all of his family could be gone in an instant. It was a distinctly sobering thought and he swallowed hard at the unpleasant thoughts. “That’s wonderful news for us all,” he said, “Any idea when she’ll be home? We should have a family get-together to celebrate.”

Now it was Toby’s turn to be taken aback, “Hang on, you’re supposed to say ‘What a waste of her life’ or something along those lines at least. You hate the idea of family except for us. You never want to settle down. What is it you say, ‘So many women and only one of me to go around’. I’m not sure I’m the one with the big news now, who are you and what have you done with my little brother?”
In truth he wasn’t sure what had happened, perhaps it was just the story Shumani had told him, “Hey, can’t I be happy for my sister?” He thought about it for a moment and added, “After all that’s one less man in competition with me.” His brother seemed satisfied that his attitude had not taken such a huge turn around after all, despite Nathan being a little unconvinced by what he was saying. He tried to convince himself that the uncertainty would go and he would be back to his old self soon enough, it was just bad timing that the story and the phone call came so close together. Yes that was it.

After the phone call had ended he returned to Shumani on the sofa and sat down. "Nathan help Shumani get flute now? Shumani knows what she will play for Nathan!" the little voice beside him sounded so hopeful that it was almost too cute. “Yes, let’s go out and find a place that sells them, I need to get out for a bit of fresh air and I think you could too,” he replied with an attempt at a smile.

[pumirya]

Shumani would have leaped high in to the air, so much joy she felt at that moment, had she not been trained to, behave. As Nathan took care of a few things before they went out, Shumani used the time to brush her hair and tail again until both shone faintly in the bright mi-day light which streamed in through the large windows of her master’s home. When her master said he was ready to leave, Shumani had to force herself not to run across the room to him.

As it were, Shumani did skip a few times on her journey across the large room. Her master was watching, but for some reason, he did not correct her. This, again, puzzled Shumani to a great degree. It was true, she thought, that her master seemed to be a very kind master, but he was difficult to understand. He yelled at her when she did not think her would, and did not correct her when she had thought he would. Still, Shumani liked her new master, quite a lot, thus she was looking forward with great joy to playing flute for him.

Shumani spent much of the car-ride staring out the passenger side window. Once she asked for some water to drink, but was told to wait until they arrived ‘downtown’ and she could get a drink then. “What is down-town?” Shumani had asked quietly, stretching the ‘o’ sound a little and making her master laugh. Her master did his best to explain what the word, or was they words, meant. Though she looked doubtful when her master finished speaking, Shumani nodded her head vigorously; this, down-town, sounded amazing.

Nathan pulled the car to a stop and excited Shumani surprised him, a little it seemed, as she had gotten out of the car first and rushed to open the driver side door. Shumani smiled up at her master, hoping that he would be proud of her for doing what she had done, and on her own, without being told to. After a moment, her master turned and began walking, telling Shumani to follow him, and, stay close. Shumani did as ordered, walking close to her master, but keeping a step behind him as she had been trained to do. She was never to walk ahead of her master, unless she was told otherwise.

Shumani kept turning her head from side to side and making small, surprised, awed sounding noises.Her vibrant blue eyes were wide as she stared first at one building; then another; and then at a large holographic billboard which was advertizing soft drinks. “Master, what is that?” Shumani asked softly, tugging at Nathan’s sleeve to get his attention. When her master looked down at her; then asked what it was she was asking about, Shumani pointed up at the sign, which showed a large red can with some strange white writing on the side. Nathan would know it, of course, it was a Coca Cola add.

“Can Shumani have?” Shumani had asked, gazing hopefully up at her master. She readied herself for a refusal, but was surprised as Nathan said she could have one at lunch. Apparently she and her master were going to have lunch out that day. “But Shumani no know all food. Shumani can no order food for master,” Shumani protested, her soft voice trembling. “Shumani want to take care good of master. Shumani had meant to say, take good care, but sadly had mixed up the word(s) as she became emotional, again.

Her master had quickly assured Shumani he could order for himself. He seemed slightly annoyed at her for a brief time, but Shumani did not know why, as she did not know of her master’s issues with crying females. Shumani’s attention soon returned to staring up at the many buildings around her, some of which were so tall she was not able to see the top. Everywhere Shumani saw huge panes of glass, brightly gleaming metal, holographic signs, and other things. It was enough to make Shumani’s head spin. It seemed there was nothing the humans could not make, and or do, if they wanted to.

There were strange square shaped machines, about as tall as her master. Inside these machines were cans like the ones seen on the billboard, and other cans and small bags of, whatever it was. The machines would ask if they wanted some-thing to eat or drink, that much Shumani could tell. Shumani did not know the names of the things the machines mentioned, and had jumped; then hid behind her master the first few times one of the, what she would shortly learn were called, vending machines, spoke to her. Her master, an annoyed look on his faced had told her this after the third incident.

The store where her master bought Shumani her flute was a single story building nestled between two taller buildings that resembled the one her master lived in. Shumani was shown a wide variety of flutes, all of which she shook her head at, much to the annoyance of both her master and the store owner. Shumani finally settled on a plain looking flute shaped like a shell. To Nathan, it would look like a taco shape, and would seem a very cheap looking flute, but one look at the price tag would tell Nathan a whole different story, yes.

The flute was dark brown in colour, with a line of tiny holes on the top. Shumani took it in her small, delicate looking hands and held the flute against her chest as Nathan completed the purchase. As they left the shop, Shumani spotted a small open space across the street. The space had a shallow pool of water at the centre, with a statue in the centre of the pool, and a low wall encircling the pool. Around the pool, low stone benches had been placed around six feet from the pool. The area surroundinf the pool, and the benches, were made of a white coloured stone. Small shade trees had been planted behind each bench, each in a tiny square of green grass.

‘Can Shumani play for master there?” Shumani had asked eagerly, tugging gently on Nathan’s right arm with her left hand, her right hand still clutching her flute, her flute, tightly against her breasts. When her master agreed, Shumani smiled brightly and started to make a happy sound, akin to a cheer, before catching herself mid-way and stopping. “Sorry,” Shumani said softly, staring down at the ground. Shumani expected her master to take her flute away, but was surprised again as Nathan did not do as expected.

After being assured everything was okay, by the heavily sighing Nathan, Shumani walked to one of the benches and pointed to it. “Master sit there, okay?” Shumani asked before walking to the fountain and turning to face her master. Bringing the flute to her lips, she started to play. The gentle notes of the song drifted to Nathan’s ears on a warn, soft breeze, which as Shumani began to play, gently ruffled her hair and tail, while a few scattered leaves drifted lazily through the air, one landing atop Shumani’s head. When the song was finished, Shumani lowered the flute from her mouth and looked hopefully up at her master, and asked, her soft voice filled with the fervent desire to please. “Master liked what Shumani play? Shumani play song of imħabba, love, for master”


(The song Shumani play.)

[Banshee2020]

Nathanael smiled as Shumani became so excited at the thought of getting a new flute. He left her to get ready while he had a brief check of his messages, despite this being a day off from work he knew there would be messages and he just couldn’t completely let go of his job. He picked up a jacket and the other things he would need and watched with a smile as she skipped her way over to him. Her enthusiasm was contagious.

That same enthusiasm continued as they travelled through the streets on the way down town. Shumani, it seemed, wanted to learn everything she could, she was learning to speak the new language well but sometimes she didn’t get it quite right and the affect was comical in its cuteness. He had to think about how to explain the term, being a term that everyone used it was odd to have to actually think about what it was that made ‘downtown’ downtown. He thought he managed it quite well though and she seemed suitably impressed with his description.

He was pleasantly surprised when , after he had parked, she had rushed out of the car to open his door. He was used to opening the door for women but to have Shumani open the door for him was an interesting turnaround. He stepped out of the car and taking a moment to gather himself he started to head off towards the place he knew would sell the instrument she desired. He was amused when he felt the tug on his sleeve and an awed Shumani had asked for a can of coke, he’d planned to have lunch out anyway so told her that she could have one then. When she became emotional again he frowned. “I can do the ordering,” he had snapped at her, frustrated that her enthusiasm to please also meant she would cry the moment she realised that she could not do what she felt was her role.

Nathan had jumped each time she did considering she had leapt behind him to hide from the machine that spoke to them. Annoyed at the fright he explained, “They are vending machines, there is a sensor in them that recognises when someone is close to them and they say a set phrase. That’s all.” He wondered if she thought they were somehow alive but did not ask, she would learn about machinery as time went on.

When he finally reached the music shop he smiled, it was quaint and had resisted the upward and outward growth that had gone on round about it. This was a very exclusive place, the reason it had resisted change was because of the almost cult status it had achieved. All the best musicians came here, the employees were the best in the business. As they stepped inside he looked around and headed for the desk. The store owner himself was there and smiled warmly asking, “Is there something specific you are looking for, sir?” Nathan nodded and explained that he was looking for a flute for his Demetarian. The owner did look a little confused but nodded anyway and hurried off to get some items to show them.

Time passed and with each flute Shumani was shown and each shake of the head the two humans became a little more frustrated. Finally the owner took them both over to the shelf of flutes and Shumani spotted the one she was after and pointed. With much relief he looked at the instrument and wondered why she would want such a plain looking thing when there were so many other, better, instruments on offer. There must have been something about it though because the price was higher than most of the others in the store. It didn’t matter however and Nathanael bought Shumani the instrument she wanted.

She was holding it like it was some precious holy relic as they left the shop. She seemed so delighted that once again Nathan was infected by her enthusiasm. He couldn’t say no when she tugged at his sleeve again and asked to play for him at the small park area, her enthusiastic squeal of delight was followed by a characteristic cowed posture and an apology. He sighed heavily, that was something she would have to stop doing, he liked her personality and enthusiasm for life, it was refreshing and honestly joyful. She had obviously been trained not to act that way but he didn’t like that.

Sitting himself down, he settled back and lay his arms over the rear of the stone bench and crossed his legs. As she started to play he closed his eyes and just enjoyed the sound and the moment. The warmth of the sun with the gentle breeze added to the relaxing atmosphere. He opened his eyes as the song ended and smiled at the happy face of Shumani with the leaf balanced on her head. It was adorableness personified. He did however stop a moment when she said it was a song of love. He assured himself that she didn’t mean it in the scary way before continuing.

“I told you, you don’t have to call me ‘master’,” he said with a warm smile, “but yes, it was beautiful. You are very talented and thank you for playing for me Shumanitutanka.” He tried saying her full name again, he hoped it would convey how much he had actually enjoyed her performance. He stood and walked over to her, ruffling her hair playfully he said, “I think I owe you lunch for that.” He started walking off towards a restaurant knowing Shumani would be a step behind him, he owed her a coke most certainly.

Entering the restaurant he could see others with Demeterians waiting on them hand and foot. What he was about to do would cause a stir and he felt a growing sense of mischief as he took a seat at a table and indicated for Shumani to do the same. Eyes started turning towards them as he placed an order for them both and he couldn’t help the wicked smile that played on his lips. There were faint mumblings from people around them about his treatment of the Demerterian he had come in with, treating her like a human. Nathanael did enjoy winding people up.

He watched with curiosity as Shumani took her first taste of coke, wondering if the sugar and caffeine would make her hyperactive. In front of him had been placed another coke, he took a sip and placed it back on the table, watching her every reaction. Food came not long after and although it was only a light lunch of soup and bread he took his time and made sure as many people as possible saw him eating with his Demeterian being treated as an equal for all they knew. It was a test of people, the other Demeterians in the place were subdued and almost looked through instead of being acknowledged. His plan might just work.

When they had done he paid the bill and left with Shumani, heading back to the car. “Is there anything else you want to do or see before we go home?” he asked her on their way. He had enjoyed his time out of the house and the day off he’d almost managed apart from a few little lapses. Anything else she wanted to do would be a bonus now and might still prove useful in a work capacity too.

[pumirya]

“Oh,” Shumani had breathed softly as she had placed her glass of Coke gently back down on the table in front of her, slightly to the left of he r right had, The drink, Coke, tasted sweet, with a hint of sourness to it. It also made Shumani feel lively, though she didn’t know why, and she, for a unknown reason, felt compelled to stop eating frequently to take small sips of the drink. All was not well; however, as Shumani knew it wasn’t her place to be treated thus.

Why was her master doing this? Surely he knew it wasn’t how it wasn’t her place to eat wit h him as an equal, and it should have been she that done the ordering. It was how things were. Shumani wanted to ask Nathan, but instead she ate her bread and soup in silence, keeping her eyes on her food, only lifting her gaze when she wanted to reach for her glass of Coke. Shumani sensed the many pairs of eyes that rested on her or passed over her, and her keen ears picked up bit of conversation, most of which were not very kind, that much Shumani could tell, even with her less then perfect grasp of the human language. She wished the meal, over.

Soon enough the lunch was over and Shumani left the diner, as always walking one step behind her master. When Shumani was asked if there was anything else she wanted to do anything else, she blinked up at her master, looking surprised, and perplexed at the question posed to her by Nathan. ‘What Shumani want to do?” Shumani asked hesitantly, blinking a second time and, tilting her head slightly to the right. “Shumani will to do what master; what Nathan wants to do.” A sudden noise above that of the bustling city caught Shumani’s attention, drawing her eyes to the heavens.

High overheard, a passenger spacecraft was hurtling toward space, itsmassive engines leaving a long, billowing trail of white smoke behind it. “You can fly? The awe in Shumani’s voice was equaled, if not surpassed by the look on her face, and in her vivid blue eyes as she lowered her head and gazed at Nathan. Shumani raised her head again and watched, with obvious fascination and awe, until the spacecraft disappeared from sight. “Master can fly,” Shumani breathed softly in a reverential tone, staring adoringly at Nathan.

‘Nathan take Shumani to see…?” There Shumani faltered badly. She was not sure what to call the thing she had seen in the sky. It flew like a bird, but it didn’t look like any bird she had ever seen. Maybe the humans had created a bird? They could make anything, after all. Shumani ran to her master’s side and then stood there, gazing hopefully up at him. He would, she suddenly thought, tell her, no, and her ears tilted forward, while her long tail ceased its rapid back and forth motion, and the excited expression on her face vanished.

‘Shumani go where Nathan go,” Shumani said softly, deferentially as Nathan stared down at her. “Nathan want to go… to a… party?” Shumani had no idea what a ‘party’ was when it cam to human(s), but she had heard the term used many times by the man who had sold her to Nathan, and on most times, the man had seemed rather happy about going to a ‘party.’ Shumani would go wherever her master ordered her to, she only hoped that he would not repeat his earlier actions from the eating place But if Nathan did, there was nor a thing she, Shumani, could do. It wasn’t her place to object.

Across the street from where Shumani and Nathan were, stood a large movie theater, its massive holographic display promoting the latest movies. The two story building was a modern affair with gleaming metal, large windows, and doors that slide open when someone neared them. The light(s) and noise(s) from the theater were noted by Shumani, and she had been about to ask Nathan about the place, when a series of angrily spoken, loud word(s) caused her to turn toward the building; then freeze in mid turn.

A very tall, athletic looking young man with gleaming blonde hair and hazel eyes, was beating his Demeterian who looked somewhat like Shumani, save for the colour of her fur, which was a light red, and her eyes, which were a dark forest green. The man was rich, It was clear,e, he owned a slave, and two, he wore a very expensive looking white suit with matching shoes and a purple silk tie. He was shouting curses at his slave as her beat her with a silver tipped cane. Shaking visibly, Shumani slunk behind Nathan, her ears flat against her head and her long tail curled tightly around her legs...

[Banshee2020]

Nathanael grinned broadly at the wonder on her face as the shuttle went overhead. She had clearly not seen one before, “It’s a shuttle, it takes people between worlds or between places on one world. I tell you what, I’ll probably have to take a ride on one before too long anyway because of work and when I do you can come with me.” He understood her deference to what he wanted, that is what she had been trained to do but he wondered how much she had been like that before she had been captured. He was curious about how she would have lived in her natural environment now.

Knowledge was power, or at least to him knowledge was a way to make money. He was good at his job and every possible avenue he could think of taking he would. This left him with a massively overactive desire for knowledge, he had to keep a step ahead of his rivals and the opposition which meant learning everything he could about anything whenever the chance arose. This was why he was so interested in Demeterians and this was why his head popped out new questions every time he looked at something a slightly different way, rather than taking the obvious route.

He heard her talking about going to a party but it seemed she did not know quite what one was. “I do like to go to parties, that’s true enough. There isn’t one going on that I know of right now though Shumani. Parties are usually celebrations of something, where people gather to eat, drink and dance. You probably had something like that didn’t you? Like a birthday party? Where everyone comes and gives you gifts to celebrate the anniversary of when you were born?” His voice trailed off as he followed Shumani’s gaze across the street.

On the other side of where they stood was something he had seen probably a hundred times before and taken no notice of. A man was beating his Demeterian for doing something wrong. This time however it struck something inside him that made him angry, properly angry like he hadn’t been for many years. Something about having Shumani and realising that they were beings that deserved better than to be treated worse than dogs. The thought from earlier popped back into his head, people would complain if he was beating a dog but no-one cares that it’s a Demeterian.

Nathanael cared.

For the first time in his life Nathanael Tassinari cared for the welfare of someone other than himself. He did not approve of the treatment that this man was giving out and he was in a position to do something about it. He made up his mind that he was going to do something about it too. Nathan strode across the street with a look of grim determination on his face and stepped between the man and his slave. A look of wild indignation was plastered over the man’s face, suddenly Nathan recognised him, Jack Williams, self-made billionaire from doing very little and being a bully.

The cane that had been raised to strike another time was already being brought down with force, Nathan swiftly raised and arm to block the strike. The cane hit hard across his forearm and broke, the silver tipped end making a strangely pleasant sound as it hit the pavement and rolled away. Nathan knew he would feel that later but his mind was focussed on stopping the abuse from continuing. “Jack,” Nathan forced a smile onto his face, “nice to see you. Having a problem? Tell you what I’ll take it off your hands at a good price and then you can get something better trained.”

He didn’t give the man a chance to respond, he pulled out his Lumion and typed something into it. “Will this cover the costs?” he asked, still smiling as he held out the device to Jack’s face. He thought Jack was going to spit feathers at any moment, the furious look still making the man look as though he should be locked up in an institute. He roared right into Nathan’s face, “That little bitch just about tripped me up, walking behind me like that, didn’t stop when I did, walked right into me and nearly shoved me over, you think I’m going to let it get away with that?” Nathan merely raised a hand and waved it in front of his face, “Garlic for lunch was it?”
Jack swung at Nathan with what was left of his cane, something had obviously annoyed him well before whatever the Demeterian was supposed to have done happened. He was just looking for someone to take it out on, Nathan was now the target of the bully’s rage. This wasn’t his first rodeo however and Nathan ducked the wildly uncontrolled blow with ease and as he stood he balled his right fist and brought it up into Jack’s stomach. The full force of both Nathan’s arm and body went into the blow, Jack was no lightweight and he was well known for his pride of appearance and athletic boasting.

The bully staggered back three steps and vomited. “Right,” said Nathan calmly as he adjusted the figure on the Lumion, “here’s the deal. You sell me your Demeterian for this figure here and I don’t have you arrested for assault and attempted murder.” The look of disbelief washed over the curled up figure’s face, “Yes you heard me, first you swung that stick so hard it broke over my arm and then you came at me a second time. My action was self-defence.” Jack glared evilly at Nathan, he had made an enemy this day but he could take it. Trying to still recover his breath Jack nodded and Nathan transferred the significantly smaller sum than he had originally shown to Jack’s account.

Waving Shumani over he asked her, “Can you take her to the car? We’ll get her home and find out exactly what the hell has been going on here.” He added afterwards, “Talk to her in your own language, it will be easier for both of you.” Nathan walked ahead of them to the car and got in. He started up the engine and waited for the two Demeterians to get into the back. Taking a moment he realised what he had just done and muttered, “What the hell just happened to me?” He gripped the steering wheel and winced, that arm was starting to hurt now.

[pumirya]

Shumani was shocked at her master’s behavior. Never before in all her brief time of being around humans had she ever once seen one do anything that was even remotely as kind. Her vibrant blew eyes grew wide as Shumani watched Nathan deal with the other human. When she was told to come fetch the other Demeterian, Shumani rushed over, putting a arm around the still shaking girl’s shoulders and then help her get slowly to her feet, and then to Nathan’s car.

Shumani opened the door and helped the other Demeterian into the vehicle, being as gentle as she could be, for the other girl cried out softly with almost every touch. What Nathan would hear would be a series of soft, gentle, soothing vocalizations, mixed with words, as Shumani spoke to her new, still terribly frightened companion. “It’s okay,” Shumani said, over and over, as she gently stroked the other Demeterian’s long hair, running her fingers softly through its length, “Master Will not hurt you, he is good master, kind master.”

Shumani slowly moved her tight hand down the other girl’s tear streaked cheek, brushing away her tears as the other Demeterian continued to whimper and cry out softly; although she was trying quite hard to surprises any noises “My master’s name is Nathan. Master likes to be called, Nathan... He won’t hurt you... Shumani knows; I promise you, believe me.” The other girl slowly raised her head and met Shumani’s beseeching, sky blue eyes, her own forest green eyes full of fear, uncertainty, and most of all, so much pain.“

Shumani had noticed that the other Demeterian, whose name she learned was, Asuko, could not hear well out of her right ear. The injury was noticeable, if one looked at Asuko’s right ear, closely. A deep scar ran scrods it, almost from one side to the other, near the tip. Shumani didn’t ask Asuko who had caused the wound, it wasn’t needed, it must for have her now former maters, Shumani reasoned as she pulled Asuko into another embrace and spoke to her again, pulling away and gesturing in Nathan’s direction several times over.

The trip back to Nathan’s apartment seemed to take no time, and without even being told to, Shumani got out of the car and moved to open the driver’s side door before returning to help Asuko exit the vehicle. Asuko was still moving slowly, and the expression on her face showed that she was still in pain. She kept her head low, only looking up when spoken, and when her gaze did meet that of Shumani’s, the suffering Asuko and had endured, was clear in her eyes. As they silently followed Nathan into the elevator, Shumani hoped he would be as patient with Asuko as he had been, thus far, with her… Only time, Shumani knew, would give her the answer...

When they arrived in the apartment, Shumani helped Asuko to the couch, where she had Asuko lay down, thinking Nathan would not mind. ‘Master; thank you,” Shumani had said, forgetting again her master’s wish to be called, Nathan, as she went to him and hugged him tightly, wrapping her slender, frail looking arms tightly around Nathan’s waist, until she came to her senses and pulled away, her ears tilting slightly forward as she, out of habit, cowed a little, to which Nathan frowned deeply and told her, with a heavy sigh, to stop doing cowering. “I… I sorry,” Shumani had replied softly as she stood up straight. “Nathan; Asuko need help... Asuko hurt... lots.”

As Nathan started toward Asuko, Shumani tugged gently at his left sleeve. “No hear good,” she said, pointing at Asuko’s right ear. A brief conversation followed between Shumani and Asuko... during which Shumani helped the other girl sit up, allowing Asuko to lean against her for support. “Asuko say back hurt, and here,” Shumani said, moving her own small, fragile looking hand to her right side and placing it against her ribcage. ‘Asuko want know… when can eat; she hungry,” Shumani added, while Asuko appeared to shrink against her, looking as though asking such a question would bring punishment; and Shumani remembered it had, during her training.

But Shumani reminded herself, again, that she was no longer with the people whom had found her, and thee horrible human(s) who had trained her. She was with Nathan, and Nathan would not strike her for asking when she could eat, neither would he hit Asuko for asking that,oor, hopefully, other questions. While Nathan went to make a call on the phone device, Shumani left Asuko long enough to fetch some water and fruit for her to eat and drink. By the time Nathan had finished his call, Shumani had returned to Asuko, and was watching her eat, while helping Asuko to remain sitting up. “Nathan? Why you save Asuko?” Shumani asked, her soft voice filled with wonder and gratitude... ‘Why is master so kind to us?”

[Banshee2020]

The trip back to the apartment seemed so slow to Nathan, his arm was throbbing and he kept glancing back to the two Demeterians sitting in the back. He hoped the new one would be alright, it seemed as though she was at the sharp end of some seriously brutal beating on the street so he hated to think what she had been subjected to at home. Finally they arrived back and he pulled up, Shumani opened the door for him again before returning to Asuko and helping her. He rubbed his arm as he got out but was more concerned with the health of his new acquisition.

Shumani got the girl settled as best she could and then hugged him. He didn’t complain, he was still shaken by his own reaction and the affection shown comforted him and validated his decision to act as he had done. When she pulled away, acting submissive, he frowned at her. One day, he thought, she might understand that it was ok to be herself around him. He smiled again a little as she pulled herself up straight. Maybe she was getting the idea after all. His expression changed again swiftly as she told him Asuko was hurting a lot and then it got even darker when she said the girl couldn’t hear well.

He approached her and crouched to meet her at eye level, he could not blame her for being scared, for all she knew she had gone from the frying pan to the fire. Nathan looked to where Shumani was pointing and was instantly concerned that there were broken ribs, he would have to get someone round to check her over. She was understandably hungry and thirsty too, he hated to think how the poor creature had been treated by the arrogant prat she had been owned by. Jack was a notorious asshole and only the sycophants who were after his influence paid him much attention.

“Shumani will get you…” he tried to remember the words and speak clearly enough for her to hear, “Ikel… and umm… Ilma.” He looked to Shumani for approval. He nodded to her and then stood, walking off to the phone to call a medical profession for Asuko. He had no idea who to call, he tried his own doctor. “Alison? It’s Nathanael, ever treated a Demeterian?” he waited for the response before nodding. “Good, I have one here who’s been beaten badly. She’s safe for now but she’s complaining of bad pain in her back and ribs.” Alison was a good and open minded woman thankfully and agreed to come out to see the girl in need, also giving him advice on what he could do until she arrived. He watched Shumani get the new girl food and water as he spoke.

The doctor had said she would be round within the hour and Nathan thanked her before hanging up. He returned to Shumani and Asuko via a cupboard where he took out two pills and gave them to Shumani, “Give her these, they’ll help stop the pain.” He then moved away and took a seat nearby. He watched them both as Shumani comforted the still terrified and pained girl, trying to persuade her to take the pills that would help. Eventually she acquiesced but it was at the determined persuasion of Shumani.

Shumani seemed to be able to read his mind, he was thinking the exact same thing as he sat there and watched them. Why had he stepped in? He couldn’t remember ever seeing anyone discipline theirs before but then he had just been blind to it. He didn’t really know for sure why he’d done it. Looking at Shumani his mouth just opened and closed for a few moments as he tried to work out what to say. Then he stopped and thought again before saying, “I don’t know… I just couldn’t stand it. No one should suffer like that… you are intelligent beings who deserve better than to be treated like slaves.”

It was then that the buzzing of someone wanting to come in sounded, Nathan went over and checked who it was. Alison was stood there, bag in hand, he let her in and waited for her until the elevator door opened. Nathan explained the situation and Alison looked at him as though he had grown a second head, it was not something she had expected from him. He led her over and left her with the two women while he went to the kitchen area and did not much, he was too worried about the girl.

Asuko shook even more when the doctor appeared, she had seen them before and they had been rough and sore and stuck needles in. With persuasion she sat still and let the doctor look at her injuries although she still shook and held her head low. She winced and fretted when the woman pushed against her tender injuries but fear of more pain kept her still. The doctor made some notes about the bruising and then looked at the scarred ear. She sighed sadly and made another note before telling Shumani to take her to lie down.

Asuko meekly followed where she was led and her eyes opened with surprise when she was led into Shumani’s room. “But this must be Master’s room… it is too big and nice for us,” she exclaimed, fearing repercussions again.

Nathan came over when they had gone. “So?” he asked, “How bad is it?” Alison sighed, “Her ribs are cracked but she’s lucky. Her back is just bruised badly and her ear will never fully recover. She needs rest and cold packs for 10 minutes every hour while she’s awake, she’ll probably sleep for a while which won’t hurt her at all. Give her one of these every six hours and that’ll also help.” Nathan nodded and took the bottle of pills. He walked with her to the elevator and she headed out, “There’s been a lot of damage over a long period of time Nathan, take care of her, she’s not had a good life so far.”

Nathanael took out a cold pack from the freezer unit and wrapped it in a towel. Knocking at the door of Shumani’s room he waited for her to come out and handed her the package, “Hold this on her bruises for 10 minutes every hour while she’s awake. Will you be alright with her in your room… you can have mine if you want somewhere private to sleep… I’ll sleep on the couch.” Rubbing his arm again he winced, he didn’t know what was going on anymore, he was as lost in this situation as the other two must feel.

[pumirya]

Shumani had shook her head slowly back and forth and then given Asuko a gently, reassuring smile. “No; master’s room is there,” she had replied, pointing in the direction of Nathan’s room. Asuko did not seem quite able to believe this was true as Shumani lead her to her bed; then helped her climb into it. Asuko would cry out softly with almost every touch; though she kept her voice low and bit at her bottom lip to stifle a loud cry as Shumani helped her lie down.

Shumani had nodded that she understood when Nathan came to the room and given her instruction(s) on what to do with the ice packs, but she had shook her head back and forth when Nathan had asked her if she wished to sleep elsewhere. ‘Shumani stay with Asuko,” she had asked, looking at Nathan beseechingly. ‘Shumani no want to leave Asuko.” Nathan seemed to understand and had taken his leave shortly after that. Shumani had sat at Asuko’s side, placing the ice packs where directed and keeping them there for the time Nathan had said, until she had fallen asleep hours later...

Some hours later; when Nathan would wake up briefly and come into Shumani’s room to see how things were going, he would find both she and Asuko leeping. Asuko was resting on her good side, a slowly melting ice pack placed over her injured rubs by Shumani, whose head rested on Asuko’s shoulder, her free arm resting on the bed, her hand lying against Asuko’s head, as though Shumani had fallen asleep while gently petting the other Demeterian. Shumani’s flute lay next to her hand, a sign she had been playing it, possibly.

There were also two empty glasses of water on the bedside table, and two apple cores laying next to them. Shumani shivered in her sleep, having covered Asuko partially with the blanket on the bed, but having not gotten another for herself, not knowing where they were. She had, however, hung her clothing in the closet, and was now in a state of undress; hence her shivering as Nathan liked to keep his home at a cool temperature. In her sleep, Shumani spoke softly, saying Asuko’s name and other words, many of which were in her native tongue, and thus Nathan could not understand them.