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, I 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 me.
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.
I 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, I 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 Siminov 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 Drakov’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 me 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.
They honored my input on many topics that otherwise would have resulted in the Danubian cadets resorting to rote memorization of facts. Brigadier Drakov informed me that the cadet officer corps had asked me to be named an “Instructor of Merit” for my work to improve the cadets’ physical well-being and motivation toward water safety.
The Vice Commandant added that the Officer Instructors had requested me 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.”
I 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 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,” I 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 Siminovs 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, we offer you our hospitality.”
“Mykel,” asked his mother, “have you arranged a gift for the Siminovs?”
“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. I thought of putting two and two together and was pleased with Mykel’s thoughtfulness.