Back to Culture Clash - Chapter 06
Chapter 7: Dining Out
The trolley ride from the academy to the Siminov home took the usual two
transfers, followed by a short walk to the family front door. Unsure of
the protocol of entering while accompanied by Mykel, Marcia knocked and
waited for someone to answer, and it happened to be Kivar. Quick-witted
as always, Kivar yelled into the house, "Ivanka, there are two people in
uniform at the door who wish to speak to you," he then grinned and
winked at Marcia.
Ivanka came scampering to the door, her pubic region freshly shaved.
Marcia realized it was near the start of the university semester. Ivanka
had either just received her second twenty-five lash switching or was
due for it tomorrow.
"Stand for inspection," Mykel snapped the order, playing along with
Kivar, and Ivanka followed the order about facing and showing the two
uniformed guests her bruised and welted bottom and thighs.
Marcia giggled and blurted out, "Got you good this time, you naughty
school girl?"
"Oh," Ivanka feigned anger when she realized it was Marcia in the female
uniform, "It is only you two. Come in and make yourselves comfortable."
Kivar, beside himself laughing, ran to get out of his older sister's
sight. Seeing Momma and Poppa Siminov in the kitchen, Marcia quickly
introduced Mykel and then asked if they might use Ivanka's room for a
moment.
Both girls excused themselves while leaving the door open and removed
the uniform to be as nude as the rest of the Simonov family.
"Ah, that is more comfortable, "Mykel stretched and grinned. He asked Kivar,
"Have you ever thought of a career in the military?"
Ivanka muttered, "No, he is destined to go on stage at the Socrates club
as a comedian."
Brought howls of laughter from the adults, although the twins did not
get the joke. Ivanka promised to explain things later, alone, and this
satisfied Kaleen, and Martina was more fascinated by their military
guest than a lame joke at the moment.
"What are your intentions toward my daughter, Marcia Shevat, Lt. Mykel
Drakov?" The question came after a dessert of fruit and tea while the
family sat in the dining room.
"Ivan Siminov, I am here formally requesting your permission, and that
of your family, to court your daughter Marcia Shevat," Mykel answered
formally.
"You may do so in this home and of your parents. You may also do so
while well chaperoned and in public." Papa Siminov gave the formal
blessing.
Mykel would have to send a gift, by courier, to the Siminov by Wednesday
of the following week to acknowledge his honorable intentions. He has
chosen a family gift that would be both unique and one the family would
not expect.
After exchanging goodbyes', the couple, now again in uniform, left to
take the double trolley trip back to the academy and Mykel's parents'
residence. Dinner at the Darko's was more formal, with orderlies serving
several courses of food and polite conversation held to a minimum. Talk
about duty, class schedule, and cadet disciplining arose, including
Marcia having to take the college course in the proper administration of
corporal punishment.
She was to continue in her post as Instructor of Aquatics training and
Water Safety. Her courses in Leadership, Organization, and Structure of
Danubian Society, and Military Law and Protocol had been going very well
for Marcia. To set up the college course to appreciate the different
cultural backgrounds the American student/instructor brought to the
class discussion.
Honored her input on many topics that otherwise would have resulted in
the Danubian cadets resorting to rote memorization of facts. Brigadier
Drakov that the cadet officer corps had asked to be named an "Instructor
of Merit" for her work to improve the cadets' physical well-being and
motivation toward water safety.
The Vice Commandant added that the Officer Instructors had requested
Marcia be given full Instructor status following the end of this
semester and the brevet rank of Signet, the lowest commissioned officer
rank in the Danubian military.
"Would you think about extending your visa from a student stay to a
working visa status," Colonel Drakov asked, "and signing a three-year
Instructor's contract with the Academy?"
"Wow, that is a lot of stuff to think about," Marcia exclaimed, "I'm
honored that your people think so highly of me, Brigadier, Colonel, and
I will strive to meet or exceed the standard I have already set in my
work as Aquatics Instructor. However, I am only a second-semester Junior
in my American university and do not see how I'm qualified to do what
you perceive me doing."
"Marcia Shevat, in conjunction with you still being a student and
working as an instructor at this academy. Next semester you can complete
all your course work here at the academy. Combined with the course of
your American credit will add sufficient credits and practical
experience to graduate from the Military Academy of Danubia, undoubtedly
with honors." Brigadier Drakov offered.
Mykel Drakov then cut into the conversation with," Besides all that,
Marcia Shevat, my heart would break if you were not to stay. I'm sure
the Siminov family would feel the same way."
Marcia laughed and said, "Kivar is already disappointed, and did you see
the look on his face when he saw me in uniform instead of naked than the
way he is used to seeing me?"
"We make excuses for teenage boys," Mykel chuckled, "all adult males
pass through that stage."
"A gaggle of giggling teenage girls is almost as bad," Marcia noted,
"and I've seen some of the first-year cadets. Ogling one another on the
poolside while waiting for their turns at lessons. I guess that sort of
attraction is built into us all, or none of us would be here."
"Using that as a segue, Marcia Shevat," Colonel Drakov smiled, her voice
almost a whisper, "what are your intentions toward our son?"
‘Oh my, now I'm committed,' Marcia thought, and then said," I would,
very much, request the honor of being allowed to see your son, Mykel, on
a regular formal basis."
"Mother and Father," Mykel interjected, "I have already asked permission
of the Siminov to court Marcia formally."
"So be it then," the elder male Drakov pronounced, "from this day, you
are welcome in this house as the official guest of our son, offer
hospitality."
"Mykel," asked his mother," have you arranged a gift for the Siminov?"
"Yes, Mother," rank is dropped as a family matter, not a military one,
"I have. Although it took some negotiation between the University and
the office of the Spokesperson for the Criminal, I believe my gift is
more than adequate."
His mother smiled. Marcia thought of putting two and two together and
was pleased with Mykel's thoughtfulness.
