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 (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻
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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. Fadira looked at Cross and pushed the necklace closer. Mthunzi looked past Fadira 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 Fadira a hug and whispered ‘’Rigal minn ghand Alla’’ in her own native language (Gift of God).

Cross Dr.

Fadima hugged her back and then pulled away and placed both hands on her cheeks, and gently pressed her forehead to Cross’s. She said something in a language much different than the Zulu she had been speaking before, and then turned and hugged Nkosenye; reaching up and patting his chest exactly where the pendant he wore rested. She looked up at him and smiled, and reached up and patted his cheek. She then spoke loudly as she walked behind the stall and waved them off in dismissive but friendly manner, the smile never leaving her face. Nkosenye laughed and then turned to Miriam. “She says she is too busy to spend the rest of the day cavorting with the likes of us. So I think we should head home, if that is okay with you.”

Nkosenye, CoS

‘’Of course ‘’Cross replied as she waved back to the woman ‘’I suppose your mother and sisters are going to be furious and hopping mad, for the food should have been cooked by now’’ .
She slid her hand with ease in his and simply walked in silence ,yet with peace and tranquility the doctor had never experienced before.

Cross Dr.

Mthunzi smiled. “Oh, probably not. My mother cannot take a trip to the market without being gone for at least twice as long as we have been absent.” and he gently squeezed her hand. He then led her back out through the hustle and bustle of the market and back onto the road to the house. He let them walk in silence for a majority of the walk back, simply enjoying the sights and smells of home… and feeling Cross’s hand in his.

Nearing Mthunzi’s house Cross stomach did a double turn,his sister had already screamed in her face when they first met… now what?.

As they approached the house, Nkosenye let go of her hand and walked up the steps to the large doorway which stood open letting the late afternoon breeze in. As they entered, his father looked up from a book and said “We thought you decided to go to another planet, so we ate without you.” which elicited a round of laughs from the assembled family. Mthunzi looked at his father and said “As if you needed a reason to eat early, Father.” which brought an even louder round of laughter form the family.

On noticing they were in good spirit the doctor managed to relax and feel less tense.

Nkosenye took the ingredients to the kitchen and said something to his mother in Zulu, and then she smiled and looked at Cross. “Mthu tells me you met Fadira. I hope she left you feeling welcome here, my dear.” she said across the great room.

Nkosenye, CoS

‘’Yes ma’am she did indeed ‘’ Cross responded as her fingers touched the necklace around her neck ‘’Sorry for the delay it was my fault,em..em can I help you with the cooking? ‘’ Cross offered,not that she had any idea about their cuisine,the style or method of cooking, especially as characteristic of their particular region.

Cross Dr.