Atlantians

Chapter 24

Christiana stared dubiously at the room before her.  It was a rough hewn room.  Spirals decorated the walls and some sort of green light glowed from nooks and crannies scattered across the room.  Rough seats were carved out of the wall where people could sit.  At the opposite end of the room was a shallow pool of water that was fed by a small waterfall.

"That looks inviting."

Christiana turned and Katarina a look which said she was crazy.  "Are you crazy?  That water is probably freezing."

Katarina smiled at her wide a mischievous look in her eye.  "Nah, but if it is it'll be a refreshing shower."

Christiana shook her head.  "I'll only go in once you test the water first."

Katarina laughed and started stripping off her clothes.  She folded them on one of the benches and walked boldly into the water.  Katarina turned and motioned for Christiana to follow her. 

"It's lukewarm which is perfect."

"Perfect for you, but I prefer my water a little bit warmer."

"Oh come on in."

Christiana sighed and took off her clothes.  She walked a little self consciously into the water.  Christiana wished that her body looked as perfect as Katarina's but she knew that she couldn't have Katarina's body.  Katarina had the body that a super model would be jealous of, but it wasn't without it's imperfections.  Scars covered Katarina's body from years of crawling around at archaeological digs and a childhood spent on a reservation with the closest hospital several towns away.

Christiana tried to forget her nakedness as she moved deeper into the pool.  It only came midway up her calf, but that was far enough for her.  She wasn't a fan of water since she'd watched a childhood friend of hers almost drown.  Christiana made it to the waterfall and slowly dipped her head into it.  It beat gently down on her head and slid down her shoulders. 

"If you want I can wash your hair."

Christiana pulled back from the water and wiped water from her eyes.  Katarina stood next to her with her dark hair slicked back and pulled over one shoulder.  She was holding a bar of soap in her hand and was waiting for Christiana's reply.

"Sure," Christiana said as she turned her back to Katarina.

Katarina's fingers were strong yet gentle and they felt good on Christiana's scalp.  Christiana felt her shoulders relax and she let her head fall back as she sighed.  "It's been a long time since anyone has washed my hair for me."

Katarina laughed.  "My Grandma used to wash my hair for me.  She had a special way of doing it that would make all of your worries disappear."

"I don't remember anyone washing my hair for me after I learned how to wash my own."

"Grandma insisted on washing everyone's hair when they came to visit.  She used her special shampoo and said that it made everyone happier when they could smell her love on them."

"Your Grandma sounds amazing."

Katarina sighed and patted Christiana on the back.  "She was.  I was only 18 when she died.  I still miss her, but my Grandpa is still alive.  You'd like him."

Christiana dipped her head back under the waterfall and rinsed the soap from her hair.  She didn't speak again till they had dried and were once again dressed.  "Does he still live on the reservation?"

"Yes, one of my siblings tried to get him to move off of the reservation and into a retirement home, but he refused.  He wants to stay in the home he shared with my Grandma."

"How old is he?""

"He's 85 and still kicking."

Christiana laughed as they left the bathing room.  They passed several of the Atlantians who were on their way to the bathing room.  Christiana turned her head and watched them walk by. 

"Did you ever ask Running Fox what they prefer to be called?"

"I did and the name they have for themselves is one that I cannot make sense of.  It doesn't translate well into the language I know.  He brought our name for them before their council and they have decided that they will accept the name since our story of Atlantis is very much like what their city used to be like."

"Can you believe that we found the existence of Atlantis?"

Katarina shook her head in disbelief.  "No Christiana and I am continually pinching myself to make sure that it's not a dream."

Christina laughed again as they entered the big cavern.  She separated from Katarina and headed back towards the surface.  It was her turn to help cook and she was excited to show Two Moons some of the food that they ate.  She hoped he liked her cooking.