The door to the shuttle opened and a cool breeze was let in. Jim got off first, holding his hand out for Iris to take it.
Once she stepped outside she was met by more buildings and streets. There was a small market up ahead and they were walking towards it.
The people they past paid no mind to Iris but almost everyone said hello to Jim. Iris looked up at his broad shoulders as she walked behind him. The Captain is very well liked here, thought Iris. I hope everyone here will like me too.
As they walked through the market Jim stopped at a stand where a crossbreed of a man and a cat sat. He was selling gadgets that Iris idea never seen before. When Jim picked up a shiny metal object no bigger than his palm it reminded Iris of something she had forgotten so long ago.
The little girl stood in the field of flowers where she first met her new friend. He was working on the boat he had crashed while coming here.
"This is a screwdriver. You put it in here so these two parts connect. See?" Said Leland to his new little friend.
The little girl still couldn't understand him that well, but she enjoyed whatever it was he was doing nonetheless. "Screwdriver." She said in broken English.
Leland smiled, holding back a laugh. "Yeah, good job, kiddo!"
The little girl smiled back at him. "Kiddo,"
"My house is just up ahead." Said jim.
Iris broke from her trance and hurried up alongside Jim.
When they reached his home Iris looked up at the 'Benbow Inn' sign. It was much bigger now seeing how she was so far away before. She felt like the sign would fall off from where it hung, but of course she had nothing to worry about.
Before Jim could reach the door it swung open, nearly hitting him. He took a step back, accidently bumping into Iris in the process. "Whoa! Sorry, Iris."
Iris wasn't sure what to say. She was startled and then she looked ahead of Jim and saw a woman who looked like a lioness. She was dressed in a blue and white and gold uniform.
Jim caught her staring and looked back to the door. "Kate?"
"Jim, you're back." She said.
"What are you doing here?"
Kate was quick to answer. "Lets talk inside."
Jim didn't seem up to it but he went along with it anyway.
Once inside the inn was packed. An older woman and a robot were busy serving everyone food. When the older woman saw Jim she stopped what she was doing and ran to give him a hug.
"Jim! I'm so happy to see you. How was the voyage?"
Jim gave her a generous smile. "Hi, mom. The voyage went well. Very little casualties on my end."
Jim's mother was very pleased to hear this.
Right at that tender moment someone called out for service; the robot was busy with someone else.
"We'll talk later." She said and ran off.
Kate turned to Jim. "Can we talk some place more private?" She asked.
Jim nodded. "In the kitchen."
Iris wasn't sure what to do so she continued to follow Jim and this woman named Kate.
Kate stopped suddenly, finally noticing Iris. "Who is she?"
Jim looked back at Iris and then turned to face Kate again. "Her name is Iris. I rescued her from pirates. She has no place to go at the moment so I'm trying to help her."
Kate raised a brow. "People like her go to the facilities or head quaters once off the ship. Why is she still with you?"
"I have my reasons. Now, lets talk." Before heading into the kitchen Jim told Iris to stay where she was.
Iris did exactly as Jim told her. However, she felt so out of place. No one was looking at her but she could definitely tell she was different. Even Jim's mom and the robot were too busy to notice a lone girl standing in a corner.
Inaudible talking filled the large room; the smell if food made Iris's stomach when she thought she couldn't stand still any longer Jim and Kate stepped out.
Kate walked by Iris quickly and out there door. There was no goodbye, just an awkward silence in the room that wasn't exactly...silent.
Finally, Jim cleared his throat and motioned his head in the direction in which he was already walking.
Iris followed suit and sat down at a table sitting next to a window; Jim took a seat across from her.
"JIMMY!" The robot happily walked up to the table, his blue eyes flashed. "You're back! Ah, that's great!" The circle on his chest opened up and out popped a cake.
Iris jumped back in her seat when she saw this.
"Hey, Ben. Its nice to see you too." He smiled.
Ben placed the plate with the slice of cake on it on the table and handed Jim a fork.
"Chocolate is still your favorite right?" Ben asked.
Jim nodded as he took a bite. After swallowing he said, "Can you get a second plate for her?"
It was at that moment that Ben finally noticed Iris. "Oh! A new friend! What a pleasure it is to meet ya!" He stuck his hand out to her fast.
Iris tried to lean even further back but the back of the chair stopped her from doing so. She slowly reached up to take Ben's hand but when he clasped her tiny fingers he shook her hand at an uncomfortable speed. Iris was quick to take her hand back and hold it hostage from him.
I'm never shaking his hand again, she thought.
"I'll be out with that cake!" Said Ben as he retreated to the kitchen.
Jim's mom was still busy with other customers and wasn't able to come over yet.
Ben was quick to return and handed Iris her chocolate cake. "Enjoy!" He said and ran off to help others.
Iris picked up her fork and cut a piece of her cake. When she took her first bite a tingling feeling filled her mouth. Her eyes went wide and her cheeks flushed. It was really good! She had never ate something so sweet in her life.
Jim laughed a little when he saw the expression on her face. "I take it you like it."
For the first time Iris smiled at him and she helped herself to the rest of the cake.
As Jim and Iris finished up their cake the people in the Inn were dispersing, leaving their tables and heading out the door. The older woman serving food looked a lot like Jim and Iris guessed that it was his mother. She was just finishing up with picking up all the dirty dishes and having Ben clean them. It was then that she noticed Iris and grabbed a chair to sit at the table.
"Ah," she took a breath. "Its nice to be able to sit down." She patted Jim's hand, welcoming him home. "Its nice to have you back." She then looked at Iris. She smiled. "Hello. Are you new at the academy?" She asked. "By the way, my name is Sarah. I'm also Jim's mother."
Jim spoke for Iris. "She's not a part of the academy. I rescued her from pirates."
Sarah looked shocked. "Pirates?! Goodness." She looked to Iris. "Its good to have you here...what's your name?"
"I'm Iris."
"Its nice to meet you." Said Sarah. A thought then dawned on her. "Wait a minute, I thought refugees, or those seeking help from pirates, went to head quarters. What is she doing here, Jim?"
At that moment Jim wished he had more cake to shove in his mouth. "I'm tired." He admitted honestly. "I'll take her there tomorrow."
Even though it was barely noon, Sarah knew of the struggles captains endured. "Very well," she said. "Are you still hungry? I can make you something to eat; Iris too."
Naturally, Jim could not refuse the offer, and Iris's stomach growled.
That night Iris was given a guest bedroom. Sarah was in the room with her.
"Here is a nightgown and some clean clothes for tomorrow." She sighed. "Since putting on a few pounds in the last year I haven't worn these clothes for a long time. I think they will do you more good than me. Its better than walking around in what you have now."
Iris looked down at the baggy shirt that fit her awkwardly in some places and the pants managed to find a way to unfold every so often and she would be forced to roll them back up.
"Right then," said Sarah resting her hands on her hips. "I'll leave you to it. Goodnight." And she left the room.
Iris stood there and looked about the room. Pictures were hanging on the wall, there was a dresser decorated with nick-knacks and a brown and grey rug on the wooden floor. The bed was twin size with a quilted blanket and feather filled pillow. Iris took off her close and reached for the nightgown. It was made out of a breathable cotton material, reaching almost to her ankles, and the sleeves seemed a bit too long as well, but that bothered Iris none. Still, she wondered why these people wore so much clothing. Surely it was a bother to have to take so many layers off everyday. And to walk around feeling so confined must have been a pain. Or perhaps they were all so used it that they never noticed? But to Iris, she noticed. She wasn't used to all this. She found it bothersome, but alas she did as she was told. This was a place unknown to her. She didn't know these peoples customs or their rules.
When she finished putting on her nightgown she gazed at herself in the body length mirror. She almost laughed. She thought she looked a bit ridiculous but mayhaps this was how it was suppose to look.
Suddenly, a knock came to the door and she jumped at the sound.
"You asleep, Iris?" It was Jim.
Iris opened the door and saw that he was dressed more casual. He ditched his captains jacket, put on more comfortable pants and got rid of his belt in the process. "I just wanted to check up on you." As he said this his automatically adverting his eyes to her chest; Iris's breasts slightly showing through the thin material. The color in his cheeks changing to pale pink. It was then that he quickly looked at her face, trying to not make it seem obvious as to where his eyes were peering. Come to think of it, there was something else hiding underneath her nightgown. It looked like a jewel, but there was nothing around her neck indicating it to be a necklace, so he quickly dismissed the thought.
"I'm fine." She said. "Thank you."
"That's good." Jim leaned his hand up against the door frame and tapped his finger. "Is there anything you want to tell me before we go to head quarters tomorrow? Anything I should know before hand?"
Iris thought for a moment. "When I told you that there were others like me I was telling the truth. They all got sick with a terrible fever and died. I'm the only one who survived."
Jim moved his hand away from the door frame and stood up straight now. "I'm sorry to hear that, Iris."
Iris sighed. "Perhaps it was for the best? However, I'm not sure I can say the same for myself."
Jim crossed his arms. "Why do you say that? What's wrong?"
A somber smile appeared on her face. "I'm sorry, Captain, but I'm tired and not thinking clearly. Goodnight."
Jim was thrown off by this. "Uh, yeah. Goodnight. By the way, Just call me Jim."
"Alright. Goodnight, Jim." She closed the door.
The next morning Iris awoke to the sound of soft chatter below. She sat up slowly and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. The bed was so comfortable that she didn't want to get up and face the day, but she knew the importance that today would bring. Wherever Jim was taking her it was crucial for her to be there. There was no way for her to refuse. Perhaps going would result in her finding a way home.
She stretched before getting dressed. The dress Sarah left for her was a white lace dress, but there was something else to go along with it: a shift and a corset; none of these she knew how to put on. More layers, she thought. What a hassle.
It was then a knock came to the door and Sarah called out. "Iris are you awake? Can I come in?"
"Yes," Iris answered her.
Sarah came in and closed the door. She saw Iris holding the dress in her hands. "Do you need help with that?"
Iris looked at the layered mess and then back at Sarah. She nodded.
Sarah chuckled softly. "Alright. Lets get that nightgown off then." Sarah was about to help her take it off but Iris stepped back suddenly. "Oh, I understand. You're shy. Its okay, I won't look. Here," she said. Put this on first." She handed Iris the shift and then turned around so that she could change.
Iris was quick about changing. It wasn't that she was shy about another woman seeing her naked (in her home village the woman often bathed together whether is was in the lake or hot spring) it was the fact that the crystal on her chest would be well exposed and she didn't want that happening. "Done," she said as she finished.
Sarah turned back around and helped her put on the corset. It was a pale pink silky material with two sturdy white strings to tie it altogether. Thankfully Sarah made sure not to make it too tight. And lastly came the dress. The sleeves were quarter length with frills at the edges. The bottom of the dress reached to her ankles but the ends were spared from more frills. And to finish the look of the dress Sarah tied a pink silk sash around her waist and formed it into a bow.
"Oh dear," said looking down at Iris's feet. "You forgot to put on your stockings. I guess I'm partly to blame for that." She grabbed the black stockings hanging off the back side of the chair helped Iris put them on. It was difficult for her to bend forward in a corset so Sarah did most of the work. And to help keep the stockings up she tied a ribbon around each thigh to help hold them in place.
Iris was nearly done getting dressed and already she was starting to over heat.
"I hope these fit you." Sarah grabbed a pair of black boots sitting off to the side and put them on Iris. They were a bit of a tight snug, but they would have to do for now. Finally, Sarah stood up and smoothed out the wrinkles on her apron. "I have to head back downstairs. I'm sure Ben is having a hard time keeping the food going. Him down there waiting for you also. Take your time though. No need to rush." She hurried out of the room without another word.
Iris stood, feeling the pressure of the boots tighten around her feet and she wondered just how long she would be able to undergo such menial torture that would soon grow.
As she decended downstairs to meet with Jim, the quiet chatter she heard once before grew in volume and once again she was met by a swarm of hungry people awaiting their breakfast.
Jim was just finishing up eating his toast when he saw Iris standing at the base of the steps. He took one last drink of his coffee before standing up and grabbed with him a croissant. "This is for you." He handed it to Iris.
Iris sniffed it before taking a bite. The inside of her mouth tingled.
"Do you like it?" Jim asked.
Iris nodded quickly.
Jim chuckled softly. "Good. Let's get going then." He opened the door and let Iris through first.
Once outside Iris was glad to have been dressed in so many layers. The wind was chilly.
"This way." Jim said as he made his way in front of her and walked down the stairs. Iris was quick to follow after him and he led her to a strange bulky metal object. Jim hopped on to what looked like a motor bike, and when he turned it on it effortessly floated a few inches off the ground. "What wrong? Have you never seen a hover bike?" Irish shook her head. Jimguessed that he shouldn't be surprised. "Get on back. Don't worry, its safe. I promise."
"Promise...?" Iris said more to herself than to Jim.
"Come on," said Leland. "You're never going to get stronger if you don't try."
The girl wasn't so sure about this. "I don't want to hurt you." Her English had gotten better but it was still hard to understand her at times, and certain words she didn't know how to pronounce.
Leland laughed. "You won't hurt me. I promise."
The little girl nodded once and swung her fist with all her might, hitting Leland in the shoulder. DOINK~
Lelands's shoulder stung just a bit, but the pain quickly fadded. "You did it." Leland ruffled her hair.
"Stop it!" she whined. "No touch hair, Leland!" But Leland just laughed even more.
"Are you you getting on?" said Jim.
"Oh," Iris came back to her senses. "Yes." At first she tried getting on by sitting the way Jim was, but her dressed would not permit her to so, so she sat with both legs hanging off the same side.
"Hold on tight." Said Jim as he pressed a few more buttons. A golden scale-like shield formed around them and at that moment they took off.
Iris wrapped her arms around Jim's waist tightly, afraid she might fall off. But of course she had nothing to worry about because somehow she knew Jim would never let such a thing happen to her.
As they made their way further into town the more houses and buildings showed up and the roads soon became stone rather than the usual dirt path.
Jim parked his hover-bike over a circular metal contraption. Helped Iris off and after a few seconds the metal contraption latched on to Jim's hover-bike. "There," he said. "Now no one can steal it. Let's get going."
The town was bustling with life and Iris found it hard to keep up with Jim considering the uncomfortable pintch her toes were putting up with. She grabbed on to the sleeve of his jacket and held on tight. But what Jim did next surprised her: he pulled her hand away from his sleeve and grasped her hand with his. She blushed, staring down at their tangled fingers. What was this strange feeling swelling up inside her? Before she had time to contemplate her thoughts they had arrived at their destination: head quaters.
Everyone seemed to know Jim and waved to him as they walked by. Is the Captain really this popluar, thought Iris. She would soon find out just how high his ranking was as they walked into a room carefully decorated in banners of many colors. A table sat in the middle of the room with chairs lined in silver and gold. A rich red and gold colored rug lay rolled out before them, following the small set of marble covered stairs.
Iris noticed one familiar face and that was Jim's friend from the other day; Kate. And then there was a man who resembled a lion and Iris guessed that he must have been Kate's father. Their resemblance to each other was too obvious not to see it. Lastely there was an older female with striking features much like a cat.
Before taking a seat Jim pulled out a chair for Iris to sit down and then took a seat himself. "Kate, Admiral Black, Amelia." He said as he acknowleged every one of them.
"We all got your message late last night. You should have came to us straight away." Scolded Amelia.
"That's what I told him." Said Kate. "But you never listen to me, do you, Jim?"
Jim fought hard not to roll his eyes.
Admiral Blake cleared his throat loudly. "I'm getting too old to listen to all of your bickering. Let's get to the point." There was a moment of silence before Blake continued on. "Jim-you know the rules and regulations when a refugee or survivor enters Montressor. Why did you hesitate?"
Jim took in a deep breath before answering. "I was tired." He answered honestly.
Kate scoffed. "Typical," she said under her breath.
Jim bit down on his tongue from saying anything rash. She might have said it quietly, but he still heard it. "Look, Iris doesn't know anyone here. She's-."
Amelia raised a brow and cut Jim off in mid-sentence. "So you're on first name bases, I see." She looked to Iris now. "Hello, Iris. I'm sorry if you feel uncomfortable. Usually the crowd is bigger when surivors start pouring in."
Blake sighed. "Jim, in your message you explained that there were surivors but they had perished from a fever, leaving Iris the only one not effected?"
"Yes," said Jim. "So you see, there is no way of her knowing anyone else here. She's alone."
"Surivors come in on their own all the time. What makes her so special?" asked Kate. "Why should we not to take her the camps where the rest of the refugees live and work until they gain citizenship?"
Jim was trying his best to come up with a solution. He knew Iris was different, he just didn't know to explain it yet. "There is a reason, I think, that the pirates kept her alive. I believe it to be crucial that she be kept under strict supervison."
"The camps provide that." Said Amelia.
Blake could see the frustration on Jim's face and spoke for him. "I understand what you are saying. You want to personal watch over her in case the pirates come back. You trust the idea that Iris may open up to you more about her story and how it is she came to be in this situation." He paused. "I admire that. You may take Iris with you."
"WHAT?" Kate was baffled. "Are you serious?" Admiral Blake put up a hand as to silence his daughters complaints.
As for Amelia, she had a certain look on her face, as if she knew this whole time that Jim would get his way.
The meeting was over and Iris was relieved to be outdoors again. She followed close behind Jim as they made their way down the steps, but soon slipped and fell. She wasn't used to wearing heels; she wasn't used to wearing shoes period!
"Ouch!" Her hands skid across the pavement to help soften her fall. It didn't help much.
Jim was quick to kneel beside her. "Iris! Are you alright?"
Iris groaned feeling embarrassed now. She shook her head. "I'm fine."
Jim didn't take her word for it. Not only did she force those words out but she shook her head. She might have spit out the words she wanted to, but her body language decieved her. "Here, let me help." Jim helped her to her feet and escorted her the rest of the way down the steps. With every step she took her feet ached; this was painfully obvious to Jim as he watched her fight back tears. "There's a place to sit down just up ahead."
Iris looked to where he was pointing. To anyone else it might not have seemed that far, but she was in so much pain that that distance seemed impossible to reach. All of a sudden Jim picked her up bridal style and carried her the rest of the way. He set her down gently and started unlacing her boots and took them off.
"Ah," Iris breathed a sigh of relief. The open air felt wonderful.
"We'll have to get you new boots." Said Jim as he cupped one of her feet with his hands and started to massage the pain away.
Iris sat still and watched him, afraid that if she moved the slighest he would stop, and she didn't want that. "Thank you, Jim." She said after a quiet passing moment.
Jim looked up at her and smiled. "I'll carry you the rest of the way home. How does that sound?"
Home, thought Iris. I want to go home.