Posted by Ensign Marthese Bugeja (Doctor) in KwaZulu- Natal - Visiting Home, Introductions Are Made (Tag Cross)

Posted by Gamemaster CockRoach (Gamemaster) in KwaZulu- Natal - Visiting Home, Introductions Are Made (Tag Cross)
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Increased aggressiveness and injury tolerance,recklessness .... ‘’
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She did wonder if he completely understood her but it did not matter Nkosenye was not deterred by what she had divulged ,as the doctor stood up a small smile formed at the corner of her mouth when he said he’ll give her all the stimulation she needed ‘’Don’t be surprised if you see me running around the ship like a mad hatter on my days off though’’ and with that Miriam took his hand for she reasoned there was no need to hide their relationship anymore.

‘’Quick lets get what your mothers needs ‘’ Cross pulled at the massive man to hurry .....as she envisaged the woman waiting with a broom stick to wack her son with, at the very thought Cross burst out laughing.

Nkosenye took her and led her into the market. The market was a large open air space with stone walls around it. Most of the stalls and vendors were in the center, but there were arch ways in the wall that seemed to lead back further into more dimly lit areas. Their senses were assaulted by bright colors, smells, loud voices shouting and bartering, and music. Glancing at the narrow alleys leading off the center place, Nkosenye said “You can find anything in this place, legal or not.” Moving with practiced ease, and keeping a firm hand on Cross’s, he maneuvered her through the market and went to specific stalls and retrieved the ingredients for his mother’s dinner. Once they were done, he looked at her and bent down and whispered in her ear “One last stop.” and he took her through the market and then into one of the smaller alleys off the main area. Weaving their way back further and further into the dimly lit space, they came to an stall set back under an archway. A woman sat behind the display of various trinkets and items, and she was surrounded by bits of wood, bone, and various other materials.

‘’But..but your mother,I thought you were in a hurrr............ before she could even finish the sentence the doctor found herself looking at a stall with a woman behind it.

Nkosenye approached and said something in Zulu. The woman looked up and a broad smile spread across her face. She was older, but stunningly beautiful. Her hair was thick and black, woven into a myriad of braids accented by brightly colored beads. Her dark ebony skin was flawless, and her eyes seemed to take in the light that shone on them and kept it within their depths. She wore a brightly colored robe that billowed out as she leapt to her feet and came around the display and wrapped her arms around Nkosenye’s waist and gave him a close embrace. She looked up at him and said something else in the odd language, to which Nkosenye laughed and replied. He then looked at Miriam and motioned her closer. Speaking to the woman, Nkosenye said something that included Cross’s name. He then said “Miriam, this is Fadira. The woman I rescued, and who gave me my necklace.”

In contrast with this woman,Miriam had a musk-rose flush on her ivory cheekbones, it did indeed seem that beauty was in the eye of the beholder . We know it when we see it, even if we can’t define it and at that moment Cross wondered what Nkosenye saw that attracted him to her with her strange eyes and wild red hair.

Fadira looked at Cross and smiled, her teeth brilliant white against her dark skin. She took both Cross’s hands in hers and said something in Zulu. Mthunzi said “She says she is honored to meet the one who could tame my wild heart.” and he chuckled.

Cross smiled back while squeezing the woman’s hand ‘’I suppose he should receive another necklace’’ she replied .

Nkosenye chuckled and translated. Fadira laughed, a laugh that seemed almost like music, and then she stopped and looked at Cross with eyes wide. An even bigger smile crossed her face and she threw down Miriam’s hands and dashed behind the stall. Ducking down, she rummaged around for several moments before exclaiming “AH!” and standing up holding what appeared to be a piece of folded leather or hide. Coming around the table, she opened the primitive gift wrap and held out the skin to Cross.

Nested inside the hide was a necklace made of wooden beads. The beads were polished to a deep, rich brown and looked almost as if they were oily even though they were completely dry. At the center was a pendant made of an obsidian-like material, but if one looked closely a reddish hue was apparent. Fadira looked at Cross and said something over her shoulder to Mthunzi, who nodded his head once slowly and he replied. He then said to Miriam “Fadira made this for you. She knew you would be here today. It will bring you peace when you feel alone.” he said quietly, almost reverently. Fadima looked at Cross and pushed the necklace closer. Mthunzi looked past Fadima and said “You may not believe this, love, but she is a great healer. I think most cultures outside of the African Tribes called people like her ‘Witch Doctors’ in the past. But she is a good person, with a great deal of knowledge that I cannot explain. When she says she made this for you… it was made for you specifically.”

Cross accepted the gift whole hardheartedly passing her finger on the pendant with its reddish hue ,suddenly the female doctor felt slightly light headed as memories from the past overwhelmed her …the crushed doll,the swamp,her loving grandfather,insane mother ,the abduction ,the baby…and finally hearing the two shots.Yes Cross believed it was specifically made for her and with that she wore the necklace around her neck .Miriam gave Fadima a hug and whispered ‘’Rigal minn ghand Alla’’ in her own native language (Gift of God).

Cross Dr.