Scars to Your Beautiful (New)

Home With a View

A few days later, as Ava and I pulled up the wagon with our belongings and tek, Indra met us with over a half dozen "helpers." After a brief word and a promise from Ava that she'd ensure the tek was packed away and organized, I left with Indra.

The walk was silent, and though I was curious about where we were going, I felt no need to start a conversation. Unlike Skaikru, Trikru didn't need to feed the air with noise and chatter, and it was something I had come to appreciate. It made words, when spoken, that much more potent.

We traversed across the village into the oldest section of Tondc. It was where the smithies and tanneries were located, placing the noises and smells on the outskirts of town. It was also where the few buildings that had survived the bombs resided. Most had been remodeled to compensate for a life without electricity, but not running water or waste removal.

That had blown my mind when Indra first told me about it. Unfortunately, as the village expanded, they couldn't do the same with the water and sewer lines. The necessary tek had been destroyed. Now, most of the town relied on cisterns and septic tanks.

"I have given thought to your request," Indra suddenly said, interrupting my thoughts. "I looked over your home, and I have to agree, it is unsuitable to grow a family and turn it into a workshop."

I sighed, nodding, "I figured as much. What about adding a second level? Would that be possible?"

"Am I correct to assume that you wished to complete this all before your bonding ceremony," Indra asked instead of answering.

"That is my hope," I replied.

"Then no, it would not be possible to accomplish in the time between now and then," Indra answered, and I deflated. "I spoke with our head builder and was informed it would take at least six moons to complete."

"Damn," I muttered. "What about getting a second building to use as my workshop? Is that possible?"

"That is why we are here," Indra said, stopping in front of a building.

In front of us was a narrow but long two-story brick and wood building with a gable roof. A balcony and staircase led to a door on the second floor. The windows had iron cross-hatching, and the glass looked bubbly, letting light in but no clarity. From the street, I could see at least one chimney on the left-hand side and a small stovepipe sticking up on the right.

"This is one of the buildings that survived Praimfaya, isn't it," I asked as I took the building in.

"It is," Indra answered, pulling keys from a pouch at her side. "Shall we see if it fits your needs?"

I nodded and followed her to the front door on the first level.

I had to pause when we stepped inside and let my sight adjust. Surprisingly, the exterior walls were adorned with more windows than I'd initially thought, letting in enough natural light that you wouldn't stumble when walking around. The first floor was open and void of furnishings except for a long counter on the righthand side. There was a large fireplace on the lefthand wall, a staircase behind the counter heading up to the second floor along the right, and two doors opposite the front door.

I walked through the space, my mind buzzing with ideas. I easily pictured aisles filled with tek, toys, and anything else I built. And toward the back, workbenches and drafting tables where I could design and create whatever I wanted. Maybe converting a section into a room that Ava could use for tattooing clients.

One of the doors led to the backyard and a large building. The building appeared sturdy enough to store some of the more cumbersome tek and equipment I'd pilfered from the bunker. The other door led to a room that held a toilet and sink.