Chdrtlsy: A Short Story 11 Frozen By Confusion

When they arrived, Lottatna unlocked her door then grabbed a few pieces of tape to put her note up on her door. Resetarits sat on the couch in her office as she readied the s.p.a.ce for whatever client decided to come in. She dropped her mask while in her office. Resetarits' eyes studied the room.

"I've never seen an office like this," he commented.

"Because an office like this isn't common. I use tools in here that you don't find in any of your typical professions."

"So I see."

There was a soft jingle of keys outside the door as Lottatna's first client stopped to read her note. After a moment, the door slowly swung open. Her first client today was an older lady and she stood in the doorway, studying her.

"Quite the getup, Lottatna," she commented.

"It's as the guides have directed, Carol."

Her eyes turned to Resetarits. He shrunk a little under her gaze.

"This is Resetarits," Lottatna said. "I asked him to come and help me should the change I have undergone become yours."

"Then let's get on with it. I've nothing to lose in this life." Carol came in and closed the door behind her.

"Would you like me to work as usual or off the body?"

"The usual. I like feeling the s.h.i.+fts. I don't feel them when you do your voodoo."

Resetarits was puzzled.

"Fair enough."

Lottatna offered Carol one of her gloved hands as Carol climbed the two steps to get up on the table. She never collapsed or went unconscious the whole time she worked. By the end of the session, Carol turned to Lottatna with an interesting expression.

"Is something the matter, Carol?" she asked.

"You're covered in blood, Lottatna."

Resetarits stood and stepped to her side as she nodded. "The change has aggravated more of my stuff."

She nodded and started to sit up. Lottatna supported her then helped her off the table. Carol set her payment on Lottatna's desk before giving her a hug.

"Call me if you experience anything out of the ordinary," she said.

"This whole session wasn't out of the ordinary?" Carol asked, laughing a little.

Lottatna chuckled as well. "True enough."

"We'll see you in two weeks, unless I feel I need a session sooner, Lottatna."

"Alright, Carol. Take care."

"You, too." She turned once more to Resetarits. "And you better take care of this gem. Women like her are hard to find."

"Y…yes, ma'am," he said.

Carol gave one final nod then left the office.

Lottatna closed the door behind Carol and turned to Resetarits. His eyes studied her until she approached him and gave him a hug. He held her securely. The smell of death only lessening slightly from how strong it was when she dressed this morning.

"Are you alright, Resetarits?" she asked.

"Where is the blood she mentioned?"

"In my energy field—typically a sign of trauma or a strong wish to not live anymore."

His arms tightened around her.

"The conscious desire is fading, dear one. The rest will come as I can do more work on myself."

"And the death smell? It's worse than when I first smelled it."

"That is the release caused by the other five flower essences."

"Promise me you won't try to kill yourself, Lottatna."

"It's a promise, Resetarits. I've got you and the babes to help care for."

They kissed several times before Resetarits felt okay enough to let her go again.

"What time is your next appointment?" he asked.

"Not until 2pm. We should go get something to eat then come back."

"Alright."

They left the office and went to a small diner just around the corner. The building was nearly empty and Resetarits remained relaxed. As they stood by the counter to order, a man came in and approached them.

"Lottatna, baby. I thought that was you," he said. He leaned in as if to kiss her and she stepped back before he could touch her.

Resetarits was confused.

"Leave me alone, Trevor," Lottatna said.

"But you've changed so much. Can we try again?"
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"No."

"Come on. I'm sure your boyfriend won't mind, right?"

"My husband would certainly mind," she replied, wrapping an arm around Resetarits. "Do you know what you want?"

"I've already ordered."

"Okay."

"Husband?!" Trevor exclaimed.

Lottatna ignored him and ordered a light turkey sandwich and a cup of Tortilla soup. She was just paying for it when Trevor grabbed her sleeve. She pulled away, turning to him for just a moment before turning back to the cas.h.i.+er to take her money card. Trevor seemed as frozen as Resetarits. Lottatna started to turn to a booth when Trevor spun her around and kissed her. He pulled away, some blood coming though his lips.

"Don't approach me again, Trevor," Lottatna growled.

Resetarits set a hand on Lottatna's back and she turned to him. His eyes held questions, and his eyes his were a little moist. She lightly kissed his lips and he held onto her.

"I'm sorry. I will not let that happen again."

"I don't understand this feeling," he replied.

"Let's sit down and talk."

"Okay."

They sat in the booth together. Trevor still stood, napkins held up to his mouth. Lottatna kissed Resetarits many times before he locked his fingers in hers.

"Focus on the feeling," she said.

A sense of… hurt, and defensiveness stirred in Resetarits' core.

"What thoughts came to you when Trevor approached me?" she asked quietly.

"Confused because you never spoke of someone who accepted you. Unsure of how you would respond to a man of greater strength than me. Then wanting to strike out at him for not respecting your requests."

"I've never spoken of someone accepting me, because you were the first."

"But,…," he replied, starting to point in Trevor's direction.

Lottatna set her hand over his. "He only accepted the false persona I became for him. I have not had to do that with you."

Resetarits' hand came up to her cheek and kissed her. She kissed him back several times before his eyes lowered when he pulled away.

A waitress brought out their food and they started to eat. Resetarits ate slow, still bothered by Trevor's sudden appearance. His death smell increased some.

"As for strength," Lottatna said after a few bites. "You are the stronger one, Resetarits. Trevor would not have remained by my side when he knew death was calling for me."

Resetarits stopped eating and ran a hand across her shoulders. "You measure strength by kindness, not by physical presence."

"I do. Because kindness is what makes a relations.h.i.+p last, not how dominating the male can be to the female."

He nodded in understanding and resumed eating at a normal pace.

Trevor left.

"As for wanting to strike out, that's a natural response to have when someone is attacking or abusing your mate."

"And yet I couldn't. I…."

Lottatna set her hand on Resetarits' hunched back. "It's okay. These feelings are new to you and you weren't sure why you were feeling them or what to even do because you did feel them."

He nodded, but still lowered his head.

She touched his chin and turned his face to look at her. She kissed him.

"I could not want for a better man, Resetarits. Thank you."

"You're welcome, Lottatna." He kissed her back firmly and his death smell decreased.

After lunch, Lottatna and Resetarits walked around the office building together a couple times before going inside. Her actions in the diner still puzzled him. She had stayed by his side, despite Trevor being stronger than him. Why had she done that? Even the woman in Chdrtlsy would have gone with the stronger male despite initially mating with another male. Nor could he fault her had she decided to leave. But instead, she had chosen to show him respect that no woman at home was ever required to give.

Lottatna let Resetarits flip through several of her books while she did something on the computer. The images of the various internal structures were interesting, and held his interest. He only looked up once to see Lottatna turned towards him. Her large eyes sparkling as she smiled. He smiled back. Then she joined him on the couch and kissed him. They kissed several times. Resetarits pulled her to lean on him.

"Thank you for your support, Resetarits," she said.

"It's the least I could do, Lottatna." he replied. "Thank you for continually being kind to me."

"Always."

They kissed once more before there was a shuffling of feet outside the door.