Blizzard in the Desert

18- Malls are Mazes

Karina had woken up the next day, in her comfortable bed.

She wondered if she could carry the mattress back to the facility, because it was just so comfortable. Perhaps too comfortable.
She can already see how hard it would be to get out of bed.

As she got up, her white night gown pooled at her feet;  caressing her skin ever so gently as she made her way towards the window to open the blinds.

Golden rays entered the room as the female shielded her eyes from the sudden light that filled the room. Before she could enjoy the view, she heard a knock.
Upon opening the door, she saw a woman who was a bit taller than her. Her expression held no emotions, her red eyes scanned Karina, as she smoothen out her cream colored dress. A white piece of silk, tied around the waist line of the dress with a white unique flower clipped to the side, as golden embroideries decorated the sleeves and the bottom of the dress. Her long hair tied in a bun, her hair holding a pin of its own. It was a red pin that looked like a drop. Frankly the tiny piece of jewel reminded Karina of a drop of blood, due to the ruby color.
The gem was beautiful nontheless.
The maid bowed slightly as she didn't want to pour the contents of tray on accident. Speaking of tray, Karina had finally noticed it, and scrambled to open the door.

As the woman placed the tray on a near by table, she turned to finally address Karina.

''Good morning, my lady. I will be your personal maid during your entire stay.'' Before Karina could say a word, the maid spoke again. ''Would you like me to make you bed? Or do you still wish to rest for a while longer?''

Karina took a seat at the table, examining the food present in the tray. Various things, from sweet bread to soft cheese along with fruits and strips of what she assumed to be some type of meat. A little cup which contained some type of cream, with a large piece of what she assumed to be cake.
She looked up and declined the offer of having her bed made, even though she wasn't about to return to its sweet and comfortable embrace.

The maid was puzzled at her refusal but then opted to run her a bath.

''Ma'am.'' Karina adressed her taking the maid off guard at the respect she was recieving from a guest of the royal family. ''What is your name?''

The maid remained quiet for a couple of minutes, wondering whether she had done something wrong for the female to ask her for her name.

''Llaren.'' The maid replied.

''Nice to meet you Llaren, my name is Karina.'' Karina said smiling brightly. ''Please take a seat next to me.''

Llaren was feeling very nervous now, even though she did not show it upon her face. Doing as she told, she sat before the cryokinetic girl. ''With all due respect Lady Llaren-''

''Please no! Don't address with such a title.'' The maid was quick to stop the girl from continuing. How could she speak to her that way? She was nothing but a servant after all. Karina laughed at her reaction making the she elf wonder what was so funny.

''See? That is how I feel when you address me as 'Lady'. I know I am a guest. But please, I do not feel omfortable with such a title. I prefer to be called by my name. ''

Llaren just stared at the girl shocked. ''Also... This is a bit too much for me. Have you eaten this morning?''

Llaren was about to say yes when she was interrupted. ''And if you lie to me, don't bother giving me your services from now on.''
The she elf sighed quietly; her shoulders dropping a tad bit as she shook her head no.

And that was how Llaren had ended up having breakfast with Karina, who explained to her the different types of foods and where they were from and how they were made. During the conversation, she had learned a bit of the native lauguage.
And Llaren in turn was learning about the human culture.
The elven female leaned forward as if she was about to tell Karina a deep secret.

''So is it true that you humans have...these so called 'Shopping malls'? They say you can find anything you want. And that you can get lost, because it is structured like a maze. Is that another thing that these business men do? They know that humans are greedy, so they create mazes so that people can be trapped? Do people really find what they desire? If there are so many of these malls, it means people go there willingly, so I assume it is some type of spell?''

Karina was trying her very best not to laugh. Unfortunately she didn't take training on how to keep her laughter at bay.

''I know....'' Spoke Llaren again. ''These mazes have a special force field that attracts the humans withing it correct?''

Karina couldn't help but laugh. She laughed so hard she thought she would fall out of her chair. What made it funny was that Llaren kept a straight face throught it all. She wasn't as stoned faced as she had been when she just entered the room, but her expression was still a serious one, and she was just so innocent, it was both cute and hilarious at the same time.

''Karina, forgive me if I speak a bit out of place, but why are you laughing?'' The woman seemed a bit frustrated, as she tilted her head to the side in confusion.

When the laughing girl had finally regained her composure she began to explain to Llaren that malls weren't that bad.

''Yes, people who invented malls, know for a fact that people can find anything they want, and therefore gain a lot of money. And upon going there, they actually do make things look so interesting, that you will end buying things you will, most of the time, never use. But it's just so pleasing that you can't helpt it.
Although many people know these types of tricks so they make sure they're careful not to spend too much. Other than that, it's like you go to a market and the sailsman just made you a great offer, even though you know you're never going to place that white rug made out of goat hair. ''

Llaren made a face, wondering why people would make rugs out of goat mohair. Well, she couldn't say there was something wrong with it. It was just her personal preferences.

As the two women were about to continue their conversation there was another knock. Karina, got up and opened the door without thinking of who it could possibly be.
Karina felt like slamming the door in the male's face.

''What do you want?''

''Calm yourself woman, I am here for- Good HEAVENS!'' Aelfric turned around immediately after seeing Karina in her nightgown.
Said female did nothing but raise her brow at him.

''Why would you open the door, and present yourself in you SLEEPING WEAR?! Truely you can not be this ignorant about self presentation..'' The man muttered before clearing his throat and speaking, his back still facing Karina. ''In other case; I came on behalf of lady Thalantel. She had sent a maid on your behalf but didn't see her return to the kitchen's since she is needed there.''

Llaren cursed herself mentaly. How could she have forgotten? She shouldn't be chit chatting, she should be working!

Before Llaren could say anything, Karina had beat her to it.

''First of all, General Aelfric, turn around and face me like a man. Because with how much you hate my guts, I doubt you're feeling any type of attraction, not to mention that my dress is bloody swipping the floor. There is nothing to see.''

Hearing that, the male turned around with a disgusted look on his face. ''So it has nothing to do with the fact that you are ignorant. It is simply the fact that you have no shame.''

''Shut it Severus Snape, go snap at someone else and not me. Now since I don't feel like talking to someone like you for too long, you can tell Lady Thalantel that Llaren is with me, and she isn't done helping me with things. I would need her for a bit longer, so she should please wait. After all, she is my personal maid. I'll send her down to the kitchen in a bit, when I am done.
Good day.''

Before Aelfric could say another word, Karina slammed the door in his face, although, not before stating how he is the one who is shameless for presenting himself and not sending a female like her to look for Llaren.

Silence.
For the first time, ever since she entered the room, and for the first time in many years; she had shown emotions.
The first which was shock, and second which was...

Humour.

She laughed.

Karina turned to look at her puzzled, but Llaren did nothing but laugh. She couldn't believe it.

Someone had finally put Aelfric in his place.