A Gracious Hostess, Scene v1

Knock knock knock.

The curtains cracked open as Maria peeked out at the front door. Kismet played out the ever-so-familiar scene in her head as Lucas’ mother descended the stairs. Kismet took a small step back. The porch light grew to life, lighting her entire front side. The bolt was unlatched and the door crept open to the chain-lock’s limit. Maria’s eyes grew wide with fear when she found the Catheran’s face. She slammed the door shut with a small shriek.

Although she expected just as much, Kismet frowned and let out a small sigh. “Sorry to have startled you, Mrs. Damire. I don’t know if Lucas has told you who I am. I’m Kismet, one of General Devin’s squad members. If I may have a moment of your time…”

A long silence filled the air. Kismet could hear Maria trying to calm her heavy breathing on the other side of the door. The night air was becoming frigid as the days edged into the last month of autumn. The knob was turned. Maria peered out from between the crack of the door, eyeing the Catheran with uncertainty from head to toe. She unhinged the chain and stood to the side as she opened the door slowly. Kismet bowed her head respectfully before stepping into the store.

Maria closed the door behind her and led Kismet to the back room with a displeased look on her face. “I’m sorry. My son did tell me about you. I just haven’t seen a furlicker in over ten years, and didn’t expect to see one so suddenly in the middle of the night. After all they’ve done to us it’s hard not to be a bit jumpy.”

Kismet stood just inside the doorway, leaving a few feet between her and her reluctant hostess who attempted to make herself look busy by heating water in a teapot. Three chairs sat across from another at the table in the far end of the room. A tall standing mirror stood against the wall next to a shelf with several folded patterns of cloth and a measuring tape. “I’ve come to expect it.”

“So, what did you want?”

Kismet glanced over Maria. Her hair was damp and she wore a fashionably modest, pink and red, silk nightgown. The mixed look of irritation and worry on her face made clear her expectations of how Lucas was handling the situation. “As you know, he’s been having difficulty dealing with Isella’s involvement in the recent Kival activities. Because of that, he’s been removed from active duty until further notice.”

“Does Lucas know?” asked Maria.

“He was told just before coming here. Since he left in a bad mood, the General sent me to keep an eye on him to make sure he didn’t do anything reckless. Ever since we found Isella, he’s been struggling to keep his emotions in check.”

Maria contemplated the Catheran’s words. The teapot began to whistle softly, disrupting her thought. She opened the cupboard and grabbed a mug for herself, before reaching for the paper cups. “Tea? Hot Cocoa?”

Kismet shook her head and waved her words away. She could see the scorn in Maria’s eyes. Those eyes filled more with resentment than fear were the eyes of those who lost someone dear to them during the invasion eleven years ago. Despite Maria’s attempts at playing a gracious hostess, it couldn’t hide her ill-favor toward the Cathera. Kismet. “I’m fine. Thank you.”

Maria blew at the top of her hot tea impatiently. Kismet knew she overstayed her welcome from the very moment she stepped inside. “I won’t trouble you any further. I only came to tell you of Lucas’ situation. From when I spoke to him just before coming here, it seems he may not be returning for the night. Good night, Mrs. Damire.”



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