Otherworld Year Seven: Chapter 4




"This way." Isabo said, veering off the main road and down a broad flight of stone stairs, that led to a circular viewing platform sitting at water level... a low wall running along its perimeter, several carved-iron benches, facing out toward the view.

Isabo plopped down on the closest bench, one hand lowering to rub her right ankle.

"These stupid shoes are killing me." She said, then laid her purloined bundle on the bench beside her and reached down, removing her heels, then sighing, as she wriggled her toes in relief.

Auron approached the bench, but chose not to sit, turning instead to look out at the water... the city reflecting across its blackened surface in a rippling mirage.

"I hope you have not left your reception, or resorted to petty theft, strictly on my account." Auron said, in a teasing tone.

"Not completely. I badly needed an excuse to get out of there. I was hopelessly cornered by a particularly pretentious gentleman, with all the personality of a toaster." Isabo explained, as she unwrapped the bundle next to her.

"Glad to be of service." Auron said, with a chuckle and a small bow.

"My knight in leather armor." Isabo replied, her smile turning to a frown, as she stared at the bottle of wine in her hand. "I should have thought to pilfer a corkscrew. Guess I have no future in crime."

"Here." Auron said, holding out his hand.

Isabo handed him the wine, and watched, as Auron leaned over and drew a knife from his boot, plunging the blade into the sealed bottle, and with a deft twist of his wrist, cleanly extracting the cork.

"Nifty." Isabo observed cooly, taking the bottle from Auron's outstretched hand, then bringing it to her lips, tipping the bottle up to sample its contents. "Not exactly elegant, but thieves can't be choosy." She said, passing the bottle back to Auron.

"I don't drink with fingersmiths as a rule, but I'll make an exception, just this once." Auron replied, taking a drink from the bottle, then tilting his head down, to examine the remaining contents of Isabo's bundle.

Isabo followed his gaze, then laughed at the mish-mash of food laying in a heap, upon the linen's surface. "I'll wager you can't sample this mess, and discern what it is." She said, smiling up at Auron.

Auron grunted, then reached into the pile, scooping up a portion of the mixture, then leaned his head back and suspended his hand above his lips, dropping the wad of food into his mouth, as he cocked his head to one side.

"Shrimp, fig, olives, cheese, and pate, with just a hint of wasabe... delicious." Auron said, swallowing.

"Eww!" Isabo exclaimed, her face wrinkling in disgust, as she began to laugh, one hand on her forehead, the other holding her stomach.

Raising the wine bottle to his lips, Auron gratefully washed down the lump of food in his throat, Isabo's infectious laughter causing him to join her, and he reveled in the feeling. He couldn't recall the last time he had really laughed.

When their shared mirth finally subsided into silence, Auron felt relaxed enough to sit... resting the wine bottle on the bench between them. "Did you sell any work this evening?"

"Yes, quite a few pieces actually. Which means I can take some time off finally. It's been really hectic getting ready for this show." Isabo said with a sigh, then turned her head, examining Auron's strong profile for a moment. "How about you? Busy?"

"I'm on vacation." Auron simply stated, a hint of wonder in his voice.

Isabo swallowed, trying to ignore the butterflies that swarmed in the pit of her stomach. Here goes nothin, she thought... "Since we're both free at the moment, perhaps we could spend some time together. You could come over tomorrow night if you like."

Auron leaned forward, resting his forearms across his knees, and looked out toward the water. It would not be right, to take advantage of this situation. Isabo deserved to know, that he could not be bound to her in any way. He must give her the truth. Or as much of the truth as she needed, to make a decision about investing anything, in a man such as he.

Looking down at his boots, Auron brought his hand up, and rubbed his fingers wearily under the bridge of his glasses. Then rotated his head, to meet Isabo's expectant face with his steady eye. "There is something you should know, before we go any further. My circumstances don't allow long-term commitments. I can only offer you the now. My tomorrows are spoken for by a purpose, that take precedence over any personal consideration."

Isabo returned his intense gaze, her eyes filling with acceptance, and something else... a deep sorrow. "I understand Auron, I really do. My situation is... similar. We don't need to make this complicated. We can just enjoy each others company, that's all. Deal?"

Auron thought it unwise to pursue this. But he needed what Isabo was offering... simple companionship. And he sensed she needed it as well. Why a woman like her, should be lonely was beyond him. Perhaps he would discover the reason for her solitude, given enough time.

"Agreed." Auron said, with a nod.

"Okay then. I'll see you tomorrow night." Isabo said in a subdued tone, as she rose from the bench. "I should get back to the reception now. Regrettable, but necessary I'm afraid."

"Of course." Auron replied, gathering up the wine bottle and food-covered linen, then rising, to accompany Isabo up the stairs to the roadway.

************

Auron dozed, his mind lazily drifting in and out of awareness, as he lay in the lounge chair, dressed in his leather pants and white shirt.

He had come out on the balcony to watch the sun go down, and promptly drifted off. I'd better return to work soon, he thought, before I get too accustomed to this.

Hearing a small sound on his left, he cracked his eye open, to see Ron sprawled out on the second lounge chair.

"Comfortable?" Auron asked.

Ron stared back for a moment, then extended one leg stiffly out in front of him, as he began to clean himself.

"I'll take that as a yes." Auron said, with a chuckle, swinging his legs to the side, and sitting up.

Thinking he should change, before going to Isabo's, he stood and stretched. Then decided he didn't care, and strode to the stairway instead.

************

Auron pushed the button beside the doorway, then waited. A moment later, he heard Isabo's voice coming through the intercom above the buzzer... "Who is it please?"

"Auron."

"Auron who?"

"Just open the door." Auron rumbled.

He heard an evil giggle echo through the speaker, as the door hissed open on its track, then the sound of footsteps on the tiled floor of the entry.

"Sorry, couldn't resist." Isabo said in greeting, as Auron crossed the threshold.

She fought the impulse to let her mouth drop open, as she took in the sight of Auron's uncovered face. He's gorgeous, she thought, then mentally smacked herself. Don't go there, stay cool. But she couldn't help it. The sight of him made her knees weak. This was not going to be easy. Get over it Isabo, she told herself. He's just company. He's just a friend. Don't blow this.

"Come in." Isabo managed, turning to lead Auron through a doorway on the right of the studio entrance.

Isabo's apartment was very modern in style, but the harsh lines of the room were softened, by the artful clutter that dressed it. Pillows, candles, stacks of books, a collection of sea-shells, and numerous other personal touches, adorned the room... the overall effect one of warmth and welcome.

Moving further into the space, Auron noticed an exquisitely carved chess set, that sat atop a small display table, and paused to admire it.

Isabo came to his side, her voice low in remembrance... "This was my fathers."

"It is beautiful." Auron said, as he offered the bottle of red wine he had brought.

"How nice. Thank you." Isabo said, then asked... "Do you play?" Nodding at the chess set, as she took the bottle from him.

"It has been many years, but yes... I play." Auron replied, his mind drawn to the memory of his friend Kinoc, and the many quiet evenings they had spent together, bent over the board, as they tested one another's skill. Those days seemed like a hundred lifetimes ago to him now, and he felt a wave of melancholy wash over him, at the thought of all the people and places he had left and lost.

"Are you okay?" Isabo asked softly, laying her hand on his arm.

Auron inwardly flinched at her touch and her question, as he realized his emotions must be leaking into his face unbidden. Coming here without his collar and glasses had been a mistake. Maybe all of this was a mistake.

"Perhaps I shouldn't have come. You deserve better company than I can offer." Auron said turning away, not wanting to meet Isabo's eyes, and what he might find there.

"Don't go." Isabo whispered, her throat constricted with emotion.

Auron turned back, and lowered his head, his one eye locking to her two... the silent communication in their shared gaze, revealing the spectre of hidden sorrow that resided within each soul.

Isabo brought her chin up slightly, regaining her composure and gathering her courage. "Maybe it won't be so bad. If you annoy me too much, I'll part your hair with this bottle of wine. In the meantime, let's have a game. I want to find out if you're as sharp as I think you are."

Auron's face suddenly softened, as he shook with a deep chuckle, one hand coming to his chin. "I'll endeavor not to irritate or disappoint, as either would obviously do me harm."

"Now that we have that straight, why don't you set up the board, and I'll get some glasses." Isabo finished, turning to walk from the living room into the kitchen.

Auron's gaze followed her, then he shook his head with a small smile, and gathered up the chess set. He looked around the room for a moment, then moved to a large ottoman centered between two small couches, that flanked the fireplace, and set the board on top... lowering himself to sit on the forward edge of the couch, as he arranged the black and whites in their proper formation.

"Do you want anything to eat?" Isabo called from the kitchen, her voice accompanied by the sound of cupboard doors opening, and the clinking of glass.

"No, just the wine will do." Auron replied, lifting his gaze to a vase of flowers on the fireplace mantel, drinking in the sight of their natural beauty.

"Here you go." Isabo said, leaning over to set a coaster, then a glass of wine in front of Auron on the ottoman... her hair falling forward in a loose tumble across his right knee, Auron clenching his teeth, so great was the temptation to reach out and touch it.

Moving to the opposite couch, Isabo set her own glass down, then sat, leaning forward, rubbing her hands together, her eyes shining in anticipation of the game, unaware of the profound effect she had on her opponent.

"Do you have a preference?" Auron offered, nodding at the board.

"I'll take black." Isabo replied, reaching for her wine.

"Very well." Auron said, rotating the board to place the whites on his side, then beginning the match, by pushing his queen's pawn. Taking only a moment, Isabo responded with her knight, beginning to set up a defense Auron recognized, and one that meant he had a real game on his hands. Isabo was not surprised by Auron's style of play... his moves very aggressive, constantly on the attack, and it wasn't long before the pieces were moving rapidly off the board.

Keeping it close during the opening moves, and for the duration of the middle game, Isabo suddenly found herself in trouble, as Auron, in a completely unexpected series of moves, took her bishop. Groaning, Isabo reached for her wine and took a long drink, glancing up at Auron over the top of her glass. Auron's face remained as it had throughout the match... completely dispassionate, his only response to her look, the slight arching of an eyebrow.

"That's quite a gameface you have there." Isabo observed dryly, then lowered her eyes back to the board, studying it for a good while, before deciding on her next move... Auron responding quickly with his own. Too fast, Isabo thought, her brow furrowing, as her eyes moved rapidly around the board, trying to see where Auron's current attack was going. Then Isabo sighed, as she realized he had her in six moves, and there was no defense against it. Reaching down, she tipped her king, resigning the match.

"You're good. Very good." Isabo said, smiling warmly at him, and sinking back against the couch.

"And you, are far more attractive and gracious, than my last opponent." Auron replied with a chuckle.