Back to Culture Clash - Chapter 05
Chapter 6: Help, I'm Drowning
Arriving at the academy gates the following morning, The guard
instructed Marcia to go directly to the Vice Commandant's office. "Go
right in her office, expecting you," came from the uniformed
receptionist. Knocking, Marcia saw a light breakfast buffet on the table
nearest the Vice Commandant's window and a male officer standing nearby.
The male looked like an older version of Lt. Drakov, and Marcia had
another of her moments.
"Brigadier Mykel Drakov, I would very much like you to make the
acquaintance of Instructor Marcia Shevat," Col. Drakov introduced the
pair. "Instructor Shevat, my husband Brigadier Mykel Drakov, our Mykel
is named after."
Marcia bowed, hands at her side. As she was still a public penitent and
nude, Marcia could not salute. The usual protocol of kneeling before a
superior was waived in the military, as was the kissing of the person
administering punishment's boots. It was both viewed as not within the
military traditions. Brigadier acknowledged the formal greeting with a
nod and gestured toward the table.
"First turn around, Instructor, so the Brigadier may see your discipline
completed," the Vice Commandant chuckled. Marcia complied with the
order, the ten purple stripes across her otherwise white backside
showing up dramatically. She then took a cup of tea and a pear from the
tray near the window and sat on a pillowed and toweled chair.
"I am a military man and not one for mincing words, the point the
colonel wishes brought to your attention," the Brigadier voiced in a
quiet yet authoritative tone." Our son is attracted to you, Instructor
Shevat, and has asked our permission to court you. We have two concerns
that we would hope for you to assuage. First, do you have feelings for
our son? Second, would you be willing to trade your life in America for
one as a Danubian housewife? The relationship settles into one of
serious permanence?"
"I genuinely like your son. He is sweet and intelligent, makes me laugh,
and taught me a great deal about the military culture in Danubia. I
would be honored if he wished to court me. As to your second question,
Sir, I have no answer. I have not yet begun my course work for the first
semester of my exchange student status, and while I love the regimen
here at the academy. I do not know if I could balance being courted,
instructing here, and taking course work there." Marcia spoke honestly.
"We have spoken to the exchange student counselor at the university,
Marcia, "Magda Drakov stated, "they have no objections to you doing your
course work here, as your study of athletics and kinesiology would be
the same in either institution. You will have access to our pool for
your training whenever you need it, and work on coursework can also be
done here in Danubian culture and history.
"Your job as Instructor here entitles you to take classes at the academy
free of charge. Exchange for your Aquatics Training" added Mykel Drakov,
"so if you want to stay in Danubia beyond your student visa time, you
have a job and schooling to justify your extension."
"A very tempting and interesting offer indeed, Brigadier," Marcia turned
to the Vice Commandant, "How many courses would I need to take here to
qualify me as a student?"
"Three semesters will give you the twelve contact hours your university
requires," the Vice Commandant replied. "During the week, we would like
you to accept housing in the unmarried female staff barracks, as academy
hours are more erratic than our public transportation allows. Our
military priest and priestess assure us that you may continue your
public penance while with the Siminov family and be absolved of it while
on campus. Therefore, except for your poolside teaching duties, we like
you to wear this." She handed Marcia a garment bag.
Marcia removed the garment. It was a modest caftan, in the military
brown of the Danubian armed forces, the mandarin collar at the neck,
pinched to a princess's waist and coming to the floor, stopping just at
Marcia's ankles. A military belt for the loops above the hips of the
caftan.
The Danubian script letter I was on the epaulets, where the rank
insignia would have been, and two medals hung from the left breast
pocket. One was the Commendation of Heroic Action in Saving a Life award
for the incident with Cadet Kara. The other was the Danubian Academician
Second Class for her development of the aquatic training and water
safety program. Soft fore and aft cap with the Danubian military griffon
crest on the right and the letter I on the left completed the look.
Marcia slipped the caftan on, still barefooted, and was surprised at the
lightweight feel of the fabric, which looked so coarsely military but
felt like silk against her body. "As a symbolic gesture toward your
penance, you may remain barefoot until the cold weather sets in after
the Days of the Dead at the Fall Equinox." The Vice Commandant added.
Giving the first to chest salute and having it returned by her superiors
for the first time (nude penitents do not salute) felt odd to Marcia,
another protocol she would have to remember in the future. Worse as she
left, the enlisted receptionist immediately jumped to her feet and
saluted. Marcia returned it and told the girl to return to her duties.
Mykel Drakov, Lieutenant, Danubian military, one looked at Marcia in her
uniform and did not know whether to laugh or to cry. To laugh for the
sheer joy of the woman for whom he had affection being in the uniform of
his life's work or cry as now he could no longer openly stare at her
beautiful body and drink in the woman whose essence made his life
worthwhile.
She saluted him, and he responded in kind. How best to normalize things
with the now clothed Instructor? Ask Instructor Shevat if she had enough
time for a cup of tea in the officers' club. The next shock was bumping
into Cadet Kara and her cadre. Salutes, "Doc-Doc Instructor Shevat,"
echoed from the group. Instructor Shevat and Lt. Drakov entered the
Officer's Club. Marcia, this was a new experience since nude penitents
could not be in the officers' club.
Over tea and biscuits, the couple spoke of all aspects of their duties.
Marcia explained her incorporation of water safety, water rescue, and
basic lifeguard techniques in the various cadet classes. She mentioned
that several cadets had approached her, with permission, about starting
intramural competitive swims. She asked Mykel if this was acceptable in
society.
Which physical culture was approved; competitive athletics were almost
unknown? Mykel sipped his tea and thought for a moment, then suggested,
"Why not come to dinner on Sunday at my parent's, and we'll all discuss
this at that time?"
"I should go see the Siminov family almost three weeks since we've
broken bread, and I hate to admit it, but I miss Kivar and the twins,"
Marcia responded. "We shall go together and visit your host family for
an early lunch then, Marcia, and return to the academy for a late dinner
with my parents." Mykel made it sound so final that Marcia simply nodded
in agreement. Marcia had three more aquatic training classes to finish
that day and five scheduled for Saturday, and then she was free. Mykel
was taking a group of senior cadets on a night exercise and would be on
Sunday after 0800 hours. So, it was agreed. Phone calls and the Siminov
and the Drakov would both have guests at meals on Sunday.
