Posted by Lieutenant Mthunzi Nkosenye (Chief of Security) in KwaZulu- Natal - Visiting Home, Introductions Are Made (Tag Cross)

Posted by Lieutenant Miriam Cross (Chief Medical Officer) in KwaZulu- Natal - Visiting Home, Introductions Are Made (Tag Cross)

Posted by Lieutenant Mthunzi Nkosenye (Chief of Security) in KwaZulu- Natal - Visiting Home, Introductions Are Made (Tag Cross)
Posted by… suppressed (8) by the Post Ghost! 👻

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Cross was about to wink back but decided instead to give the father a warm smile and lower her head.

As he did so, the woman in the doorway came forward and, following the same routine as the man, embraced her son. She then looked at Cross and approached her and put her hands on Miriam’s shoulders. “A true pleasure it is to meet you, my dear. I am Yibanathi. This is my husband, Kagiso. Welcome to our home. ” she said with a smile. She then pulled her close and gave her a warm hug. “Do come in. You must be tired and hungry from your travels.” and she almost pulled her into the house.

‘’Thank you ma’am’’ the doctor replied hugging her back while trying not to loose her footing and trip over,at this point she did wonder if Nkosenye’s family were all as strong as he was.

Crossing the threshold, ‘house’ wasn’t quite the right term for the structure. Completely open throughout, it was a three story structure with a large open expanse in the middle, the upper floors hidden by the trees outside. The ceiling high above was clear so the whole interior was lit by the natural African sunlight. Large windows stood open all around the ground floor with screen over them to keep out insects. A soft, cool breeze seemed to blow continuously through the rooms, ensuring that the inhabitants stayed cool despite the heat outside. Looking up, the upper two floors seemed to be made or rooms surrounding the open space of the home, with doors leading off on all sides. Spiral staircases sat at opposite corners of the ground floor leading up the next. A large seating area decorated with large couches, chairs, stacks of pillows, and a large, low table in the center sat at the bottom of five steps that lead down from the front door; inviting all who entered to sit and relax. Past the seating area, the floor again rose into a huge kitchen complete with fire pit with a large copper hood providing an exit for smoke. Counters partitioned off the kitchen area from the rest of the room, but there were multiple openings for people to move through. Pat the cooking area was another large seating area, the walls of which were covered in bookshelves. Hundreds and hundreds of books, files, albums, vids, optical disks, and holo emitters filled every shelf. Actual photographs graced the walls, as did more African and tribal artifacts and maps. Some looked hundreds of years old.

The female doctor looked around rather impressed by the decor,even the air she was breathing seemed different.As her eyes fell on the artifacts and maps she remembered him saying his father was an Anthropologist ,her brain cells decided to remind her of the day she stole a map and practically got everyone in trouble.Cross shook her head slightly as if to get rid of that memory ,her locks bobbing up and down as she did so.

As the small crowd of people came inside, they started filling the front seating area. Nkosenye ushered Miriam to a large overstuffed leather chair draped with an animal hide of some kind. The hide had been decorated with black and red beads around the edges of it. “Sit, Doctor. Please. Would you like a drink?” he asked.

Nkosenye, CoS

‘’Oh yes please ‘’Cross replied realizing how thirsty she was ‘’Lt.. since we are off duty could we call each other by our first names’’ the doctor suggested loud enough for those nearby to hear,then sat down wondering if her pretty behind was sitting on a once life animal .

Cross Dr.

Mthunzi grinned slightly and nodded. “Of course… Miriam.” and his mother slapped his arm. “Don’t just stand there, you big ox. Help me fetch the drinks.” and she dragged him to the kitchen. They could be seen setting out large clay cups and a massive pitcher made of some kind of pottery and colored in bright and contrasting colors and filling it with some kind of dark reddish-purple liquid.

As they prepared the drinks, Zanele walked over to where her father had taken a seat in a large chair that seemed to dominate the area and she whispered something in his ear, and cast a glance at Miriam and smiled as she spoke. In response, Kagiso simply smiled slightly and nodded in agreement. As Zanele took a seat next to Nomusa, who was still scowling at Cross, Mthunzi and Yibanathi came back with the drinks on a large tray. Setting it down on the center table, Mthunzi began passing out drinks. As he did so to Miriam, he gave her a slight smile and small shake of his head and mouthed “I’m so sorry.” and the smile grew a bit more. As he took his seat, Kagiso said “A toast. To our prodigal son. The spirits saw fit to bring him home to us, even if just for a short while. And they have graced our home with the company of Dr. Cross. We thank them for bringing both across our threshold safely and hope that will be happy for the length of their stay.” and he raised his glass and was mirrored by the rest of the family, Mthunzi included.

Nkosenye, CoS

How long had it been since she said that non verbal communication speak volumes....a few hours maybe at the academy. Cross took the offered glass looking at its contents with suspicion,wondering how she was going to get out of this one.

‘’I’m sorry Mthunzi I suffer from a condition and would prefer just a glass of water,hope I’m not being a disappointment ‘’the female doctor claimed with displeasure caused by the non-fulfilment of one’s hopes or expectations .

Cross Dr.

Mthunzi cocked his head to the side in a slightly confused expression. He said softly “It is only a berry juice, nothing more. But I can get you glass of water. An no, you are not a disappointment.” he said with a small smile. He fetched the water, and another clear pitcher with more water in it, and set it on the table and held the glass out to her.

Nkosenye, CoS

Darn Cross thought *Wrong number’’ she had half expecting it was a trick maybe his culture was different as if the doctor was on another planet ,perhaps she should stop being so paranoid ‘’Thanks Mthunzi I appreciate it’’ Cross said taking the glass of water and sipped it quietly.
There was much to tell,she could not wait for time alone with him.

Cross Dr.

Kagiso raised his glass and said in a deep voice not unlike Mthunzi’s “For the first time in many seasons, our home is blessed with all of our family within it’s walls… and with friends from beyond our circle.” and he smiled and nodded at Miriam. “The Spirits have seen fit to put us all together, and that means we will show our thanks. Tonight, we feast as our ancestors did. In celebration of family, hearth, home…” and again he looked and smiled at Miriam before casting his gaze over everyone, “… and new friends who we welcome into our home and our Circle with open arms and open hearts.” and he took a drink, but did not sit down. The family followed suit, but did not speak.

Cross raised her glass ‘’ To my colleague and his family’’ she added still with a questioning gaze.

“Mthunzi, my son. My oldest. You have learned our ways perhaps better than even I have. And you bring honor to us by living in balance between the old and the new. Tonight, you will invoke the Spirits and carve our bounty.” This statement was met with a stunned look from Mthunzi and broad smiles and few soft words of celebration from his siblings.

Nkosenye

That gaze now fell on Mthunzi, as Miriam observed his stunned look, wondering what was going on in his mind.Surely he knew the way of his people the female doctor thought.

Cross Dr.