Relaxing
1095 Words
I raise an eyebrow. "Why are you here?"
Tiger takes a deep breath. "This might sound odd, but I got the feeling that you need to relax, like total body style."
I chuckle and admit, "It would help me get ready for the fight."
He pulls a container out of one pocket, and some papers out of the other with another little device. "We call this weed. This particular strain is great for relaxation."
I shrug my shoulders. "I'll give it a try, but if it tastes like alcohol..."
"Nothing like that." Tiger assures me, "And we smoke it."
I indicate for him to take a seat. Tiger does, and proceeds to put some of the weed from the container into one of the papers, then rolls it up, licking the paper as he finished. He then grabs the little device and uses it to light the end of the weed stick he made. Tiger sticks the end he didn't light in his mouth and inhales, before passing the weed stick to me. "Just do like I did." He instructs me as he exhales, "But inhale gently, or you might cause yourself to have a coughing fit."
I do as he says. It still makes me cough, but he assures me that wasn't bad for my first hit.
We sit there passing the stick back and forth, until it's too small to keep handing to each other. Then he rolls another stick and lights it.
We're nearing the end of the second stick when I remember to tell him, "I told my brother, Skit, to ask my old instructor to bring me a Warvian warrior uniform."
"Why would he have one of those?" Tiger asks, leaning forward as he does.
I laugh, a little too high pitched, clear my throat, and answer, "Because he's a full blood Warvian, who grew up on a Warvian ship. He learned to fight just so he could earn his freedom. Of course when they're expecting you to choose another Warvian ship, the test isn't nearly as difficult as what I'll be facing." I pause for a moment. "That might have been more than I needed to explain."
There's a beep sound from my wall.
I look around.
Tiger explains, "That's the ship intercom trying to get your attention."
"Yes, ship." I say warily.
"Vlon, you have a guest requesting knowledge of your quarters location." The ship tells me.
"Is it Arkner?" I ask anxiously.
The ship replies, "Arkner is the name given."
"Please show him to my quarters." I state.
I turn to Tiger and ask, "How does a ship show someone where to go?"
"With a series of blinking lights." He answers, then he asks, "Would you like me to leave?"
I shake my head. "We're having a good time. You're helping me relax. Plus, I want you to meet the man who taught me how to beat up other men."
"If you insist." Tiger says with a grin, "This should be interesting."
I squint my eyes at him. "What are you hoping to learn from it?"
"Anything I can." Tiger replies.
A chime sounds from the door.
"That would be your guest at your door." Tiger informs me, still grinning.
"Come in." I say loudly as I stand up.
The door opens and Arkner steps inside, carrying a dark bag. "Did someone order a special delivery?" Arkner jokes.
I rush over and give him a warrior's embrace. "I'm so glad Skit was able to talk to you. I didn't want to show up looking like the outsider that I am."
"You know I'd do anything for my favorite warrior." Arkner looks over my shoulder and asks, "Who's your friend?"
"Arkner, I'd like you to meet Tiger, my new friend, crew mate, and pretty sure commanding officer, and..."
"Tonight I'm just a friend." Tiger says, interrupting me, while he approaches and extends his hand to Arkner.
I slap Tiger's arm. "You cut me off from telling him about Jorman and Valor being space twins."
"Who is Valor?" Arkner asks as he walks to the smaller couch and plops down, letting the black bag hit the floor.
"My little brother." Tiger answers.
"The little brothers are space twins." Arkner repeats with a grin. "So, where are they?"
"Spending the night in my quarters." Tiger replies as he sits on the larger couch.
"Valor must be quite responsible for you to trust them alone like that." Arkner notes.
"He's learned that there's an entire crew willing to tell me the moment he steps out of line." Tiger states with a laugh, "Otherwise I wouldn't leave him for a second."
Arkner looks at me. "You're a lot more relaxed than I expected you to be. Maybe you don't need a limber up rub."
I remove my light jacket and sit on the floor in front of Arkner as I inform him, "Tiger brought something called weed, and rolled it into a stick, it helping me relax, but I still need my massage."
Arkner looks at Tiger. From the face Tiger's making: I'm guessing he's giving Tiger his skeptical stare. "Why did Tiger do that?"
Tiger swallows and answers, "I felt like Vlon needed to relax. It's the best solution I have available."
"By all means, let's keep relaxing Vlon." Arkner states.
Tiger immediately lights another stick, takes a hit and passes it to me.
Between my massage, the weed, and friendly conversation, I'm feeling the most relaxed I have since I can remember.
Suddenly Arkner asks, "Does this quarters include a soaking tub?"
Tiger replies, "Usually we don't use large amounts of water, but I can put it in as a medical soak."
"Put the temperature just shy of burning you." Arkner instructs.
Tiger disappears into the small bathroom.
Arkner stands up and announces, "I have to get going. You be careful with that man. He might be older than you, but you're the one who knows what is going on."
I lower my head. "As soon as I win tomorrow I'll explain it. I already promised him I would."
"Make sure he leaves before you take your soak." Arkner tells me, "Or you won't make it through the night without ruining everything. I don't need to become an empath to know that."
"I will." I assure him.
"Will what?" Tiger asks as he steps out of the bathroom.
Arkner answers, "Ask you to walk me out, before you go watch after the young brothers, so Vlon can soak in peace and quiet."
"No problem." Tiger replies.
They walk out together.
- Writer
