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 Lieutenant Miriam Cross (Chief Medical Officer) in KwaZulu- Natal - Visiting Home, Introductions Are Made (Tag Cross)
Posted by… suppressed (11) by the Post Ghost! 👻
snip

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.

Mthunzi remained silent for a few moments and then said “Father, I thank you for your blessings, and I will be honored to invoke the Spirits and ask for their blessing. Thank you.” and he looked down for a few moments in deep thought. He took a drink and returned the handshakes from some of his siblings and a hug or two. As everyone began settling down a bit, he leaned over to Miriam and whispered to her “I would very much like to tell my family about you. But I will not do so without your permission.” and it was then his mother called from the kitchen. “Mthunzi! I need you to go to the market! I need a few more things for dinner!”

Nkosenye

‘’Not yet Mthunzi,not before you understand the other side of me’’ Cross whispered ‘’Please let me come to the market with you’‘.

Cross Dr.

Mthunzi looked a bit confused but nodded once. Turning his head he said “Yes, Mother. Right away. Give me a list.” and he looked at Miriam. “The market is about two and a half kilometers away. We can walk or we can take a car. Whichever you prefer.” and he stood and offered her a hand up. His mother came up to them and said “Make sure the amandumbe isn’t bruised, Mthunzi. And see if they have any beets.” Mthunzi nodded and then looked at Cross. “Shall we?” and he escorted her out of the door of the house and down the front steps.

“We are going down the drive and then about a kilometer and a half to the east.” and he pointed in the general direction. “It’s a beautiful walk, and you should be able to see some of the park along the way.” and he looked down at her and said “We can talk on the way, if you like.”

Nkosenye, CoS