Of Tea and Music
Chapter 25: A Normal Week - Sunday
She had had the whole day off. She slept late. She laid in bed and read a trashy novel. She nibbled on chocolates and salted nuts and just generally indulged herself. Then it was time to get ready.
She took a shower, washed her hair, dried it. Then she sat on her bed and painted her toenails and fingernails. She sat there, still wrapped in her towel and blew on her fingernails, helping them to dry. She turned them this way and that, admiring the new color. When they were completely dry, she started brushing her hair. When she had given it 100 licks, it was glossy and her arm was tired.
She stood up off the bed and walked back into the bathroom, leaving the towel and hairbrush. She put the nail polish up. Then she opened the top drawer of her dresser and studied the contents. She picked up several items, putting them back down, before making her decision. She took the small scraps of silk and lace that she had selected and put them on, looking in the mirror to see how she looked. Would he even pay any attention? She wasn't sure that it made any difference at all what she wore for him. She opened the second drawer and took out the new silk robe. It was a lovely shade of burnt orange and came about half way down her thighs. She tied the belt around her waist and adjusted the overlap at the front so that a fair amount of cleavage showed. She looked in the mirror again, twisting and turning. She still wasn't sure it made any difference, but she couldn't stop trying.
She crossed to the small synthesizer and punched in the combination she wanted, but didn't press the start button. She rinsed out the teapot and filled the steeper with leaves and set it in the pot, ready. She set out two teacups on the table, put out the insulated mat she sat the teapot on, a saucer to set the steeper on when she pulled it out of the pot. She checked the time and pressed the button to start the water heating. Everything was ready.
***
He had the whole day off. He rose early and lit the fire pot, settling down to meditate. After several hours, he rose refreshed. He ate a simple meal of fruit and grains. He spent several hours on some personal research. He went to the gym and ran and lifted weights.
He returned to his quarters and showered. He ruffled the towel through his hair, drying it. Then he brushed it until it lay smooth and shiny, every hair in place. He carefully trimmed his fingernails and toenails.
He stood in front of his dresser, contemplating. Finally he chose a pair of plain grey briefs. He stood in front of his closet next, even more doubtful about what he should choose. Eventually he pulled out dark brown slacks and a matching tunic with a high collar and an offset opening, with subtle embroidery down the overlapped edge. She did seem to notice when he wore something other than his uniform. He sat to draw on socks and soft shoes. He was ready and it was time to go.
***
She was pouring the water into the teapot with her back to the door when it swooshed open. She did not turn yet, being careful with the hot water. She wondered what he was wearing - maybe he wasn't in uniform tonight? She could smell his familiar scent now, feel his warmth at her back. She smiled, anticipating.
***
He stood in front of the door to her quarters, hand outstretched to tap the touchplate. What would she be wearing tonight? It was a cause of wonder to him how she could turn such small scraps of fabric into something to tantalize and bewitch him. How she often concealed something which left him stunned and almost unable to function beneath something else equally stunning. But then her bare body affected him in the same way. He felt himself becoming perhaps too warm for where he stood. There was no one else in the corridor, he tapped the touchplate and stepped quickly into her quarters, the door sliding shut behind him.
She was pouring the water into the teapot, her back to him. She wore something he had not seen before, a lovely dark orangey color that complimented her lovely skin and made it glow. The fabric caressed her body, sliding along her skin as she moved, hiding and yet revealing. He crossed the small space between them, coming to stand just behind her, breathing her in. He would not touch her now, for if he did, the tea would be quite, quite cold before they drank it.
***
She set the water container down on the table and turned to him, raising one hand to gently caress his cheek. She smiled up at him, her eyes soft and happy. He turned his face into her palm and kissed it softly. She sighed and leaned against him. His arms slid about her, cradling her body against him.
The teapot sat on the table for quite some time, all alone.