A Nagas tale

Let me help

It's been a month since she's come into my life. Every morning since I find her making a mess in the kitchen. The food she makes is good but it's odd the way she insists on taking over the duties that we men are normally taught to do. Her small height looked funny in the kitchen built for my height and hands. After eating she would follow up with cleaning the kitchen and taking the futon she slept on and letting it air out. I watch her clumsily carry the extra large futons I kept around my house. She looked like a tiny wild ocelot dragging a large catch. If I so much as offered her some help she would deny me. In my tribe, it is with pride that we help care for our partners. So having her refuse my help ticked me off a little bit. It feels like she is not used to being looked after. I managed to get her away from the kitchen for dinner. Yyvonne played a big role in pulling her away by demanding playtime. I sigh as I get the food going 'I've been going to the barracks sure but not enough for her to feel the need to take care of the house.' I groan as I am again confused by her actions. After the first week of her being here, she asked if there was anything informational she could read so I gave her some of the history books I had. I would catch her reading them when there was nothing left to do around the house. Honestly, I wanted her to keep doing as she liked to do and let me handle the house. I wanted her to learn more about this world that she seems so naive about. 'Even a sheltered child knows more than she did.' Watching her this past month I found it hard to believe she was a child much less of a noble house. She knows how to wash the dishes, clothes, floors and figured out how to clean a futon. She was odd nothing like the other girls in this village at least. Although I did not like a doll I'd like for her to lean on me even if it's for the stupidest thing like heavy clothes or tired feet. During her breaks, she takes up the catwalk just outside of her room overlooking the backyard. Engrossed in the books she did not notice or rather ignored me. So I get the chance to make some tea and get a few snacks. The smile she greeted me with always tossed my childish thoughts for a loop. Her curiosity about my daily activities while I was out seemed to express interest in me. I did my best to keep my affiliation with the government away from her. I sat with her today with tea and snacks hoping to set up an agreement. "You look tired." I point out seeing a few bags under her eyes. "hm? oh I'm alright I've been getting enough rest and eating properly." she assures me. "how was your day? Did anything interesting happen?" she asks me her own question. This question she always passed to me but I answered calmly. "Just a lot of paperwork and a few lazy guys."  I look out at the gray skies ready to pour down some more snow. These days its harder to get the men to keep their patrols. "hm? Lazy guys? Are you having trouble with them?" she asks putting her book down slightly. Her brown eyes are now looking at me directly. She had no reason to stress over my work so I shook my head. "It's not important, what did you do this morning?" I ask seeing the stack of books beside her. She nods "hm it wasn't so dirty today so I just got some sleep." she tells me this but the dark circles under her eyes tell me another thing. I sit and look at the books again 'They are all history books.'  I sit opposite of her leaning on the wall "It's nice weather for a nap." I chuckle. She lifts her eyes from the book up to the skies. She seemed worried "Is it?" she asks turning her eyes to me. Her lips are again a light tint of blue. I frown 'If it's not my aura killing her it's the weather thats killing her.' I open my mouth to point it out but I notice how dark her eyes looked and something in them told of a storm brewing. "are you feeling alright?" I ask leaning over and taking her chin. She lets a tired sigh "Yeah, I'm just tired and a little worried." she whispers. I place my thump on her lips feeling how cold they are. "what are you worried about?" I ask wanting to understand what storm was brewing. "I've noticed you are out of the house more than before." she points out. I rub her lips wanting to warm them up a bit. "I've been patrolling the area." I answer half truthfully. She turns her eyes to me "Am I bothering you? Are you uncomfortable with me in your home?" she asks. Her questions were filled with self-doubt and pessimism. "No, you aren't. I am perfectly comfortable in my own home." I answer without hesitation. She closes her eyes before letting out a sigh. "Why?" I ask curious how she would think I was not comfortable with her here. I looked forward to coming back after work. To find her cleaning after herself or reading I found her comfortability in my home pleasing. She shrugs "I kind of imposed myself on you." she answers. "Do you think you forced me to agree?" I ask amused she would think I would let anyone force me into anything. She sighs "Kinda," she answers. "is that why you've been insisting on taking care of the house?" I ask wondering if her actions stem from guilt. She shakes her head "I'm used to having to take care of my home..." she answers with a soft yawn that she quickly covers with her hands. "Cleaning by myself... eating..." Her answer sounds lonely and stifling. She rubs her eyes as sleep threatens to pull her down. I look at the tea thats getting cold sitting on the tray behind us. "Alright, well can we make an arrangement?" I asked letting go of her chin. Yyvonne quickly took advantage of the unsupervised snacks. The way her body was so cold felt uncomfortable. I grab her from under her pits and pull her over. I rest her head on my lap "Arrangement?" she asks looking up at me now. I nod "I have been enjoying breakfast and, dinner is good too but let me take over making dinner and let me help out with the house cleaning." I offer watching her eyes struggle to stay open. "uhm..." she whispers moving her hand up to her eyes again. "Just like you, I'm used to doing the basic housework from time to time." I explain. She turns onto her side looking out at the yard filled with snow. "hmm I guess I could let you help out." She whispers. I hear her breathing even out as she falls asleep. I sigh finally being given a chance to take a nap. I lean back and fall asleep. The scent of Grapefruit was nice and made the cold winter feel not so cold.