Royal Flush | pjm; jjk

Chapter Three

Nora needed new clothes, she wanted to take a bath. Everything was itching from the bandages and ointments. She kept waiting patiently for Jin to come, but somehow today he took longer than usual. Nora paced around her room, once in a while peeking into the bathroom. The tub was big and so inviting, but the mechanisms around it were highly unclear. Nora only heard about these things from other people, she never had one of her own. Still a bit uncertain of how homely she should feel, she paced back to her bed.

It was way past noon when Jin showed up. "Hi! What's up? You seem a bit down?" Jin asked, while preparing a new set of bandages. Nora turned her eyes away, not really sure how to continue. Jin was kind, he was friendly, she was sure he wouldn't make fun of her.. and still she hesitated. "What's up, Nora? Are you not feeling well? Talk to me?" Genuine concern left Jin's mouth and Nora finally spoke up, still hiding her gaze at the floor. "I want.. I want to bathe.. But I've never had such a.. such a tub, and so I don't know how to use it. I need help." She finally mustered out. Her voice was still a little rough, but it was bearable. Nora felt ashamed. Not sure what was so shameful about it - she has done much more shameful things for money. Nora did all sorts of things to get by, but somehow Jin has grown onto her so much that his opinion started to matter. As silence overtook the room, Nora finally raised her eyes at him. He was almost crying. Nora opened her mouth, but Jin quickly recollected himself.

"I'm so sorry, Jesus, you poor child. I'll get the bath ready for you and then I'll bring you towels and something to change into, ok?" Jin asked and squeezed her hand, Nora simply nodded back.He quickly stood up and showed Nora how to work the bath handles, left the bathroom and closed the doors. "I'll leave the towels and clothes in front of the bathroom doors, take them once you're done. We will also be meeting my friend today, so if you take too long I'll come get you, ok?" Jin mumbled from the other side of the door, Nora nodded. Quickly realizing she is not in his field of vision she hummed in agreement. She got so used to not speaking that it started to feel unnatural to use her voice again.

Nora laid her body in warm water, allowing the stinging pain overtake every cut, every bruise on her. As if healing, the water soothed every spot slowly. Nora would usually bathe in the lake or in her make-own bucket at home, so such amount of warm water covering and engulfing her whole was absolutely mesmerizing. She took a deep breath and dove under. As with other cuts, the water burned her throat for a moment and then started to soothe it.

Removing the damp hair from her face, Nora rested her head on the lapel of the bath and took a deep breath. At this point it didn't matter what the friend wanted from her. She was absolutely sure she will do everything in her power to help him. She was alive, she was healthy and she was taking a bath. If not him, this would have never happened.

A knock at the door woke Nora up from her daydreams. "It would be best if you'd start getting ready." Jins voice reached her, and Nora quickly agreed. She got out of the bath, tiptoed towards the doors and opened them sheepishly. Peeking out and seeing that no one was there she quickly collected the new clothes and towels. After drying herself up, Nora noticed the colors on the clothes. Beige?  She took the material and spread it out. A dress?  Nora stood in shock. I don't believe I've ever worn a dress before. She bit her lip, staring at the beautiful fabric, wondering how to even put it on. Turning it over she noticed many laces on the back. Trying not to worry herself with it for now, Nora finished up everything else and slithered into the dress. Her fingers kept trying to catch the laces and tie them up, but it was practically impossible. She exhaled once more and took a sorrowful look at the door.

Jin and Nora were walking down the corridor of a house that seemed like a castle in Nora's eyes. Jin couldn't help but notice the girls amazement at everything around her. He tried not to stare at her too much, but this kid kept impressing him. Even before, without any fear, she asked him to tie her dress up for her. Any other girl would have screamed obscenities for such actions, but she simply stood silent, looking more shy about not being able to do it herself, rather than a man dressing her. Every time Jin looked at her, his heart stung a bit. She looked so much like Ava, so full of life and potential, so young and free. Jin ripped his eyes away from Nora, reminding himself, that she is not her.