Chapter 6

“Drat,” I cursed quietly as I missed another stitch. I had trying to keep myself occupied with an afghan I’d been crocheting until David came, but I was so anxious that I couldn’t focus. I cursed not asking him to come earlier to just get the whole thing out of the way. I glanced at the clock and was grateful that he was supposed to be arriving imminently. I’d just managed to fix my stitch when there was a knock at the door. I gulped and put down my handiwork. Having made it to the door, I took a deep breath and opened it. I gasped lightly as I recognized the figure in the doorway, or at least his scar. Likewise, he also jerked his head in recognition before breaking out into a wide grin.

“Well, I didn’t expect to see you! I take it your Ruth,” he said with a laugh.

“Yes, I am. I didn’t expect you either.” I relaxed a little bit and felt the corners of my eyes happily turn up slightly at ‘David’ not being a complete stranger. “Would you like to come in?” I stepped back from the doorway and he came inside.

“Whoa!” He exclaimed with a whistle. “This place is huge!”

“It was built as part of a government subsidized housing project for species other than humans. This particular building was designed to be inhabited by centaurs.”

“That makes sense. My neighbor said that this is the centaur district.” I looked at him curiously. “He’s lupine.” He explained and I nodded in understanding.

“I see. The building may have been designed for centaurs, but it’s still a bit cramped for them.”

“That’s really too bad, but it’s quite roomy for two-leggers like us!” I nodded again. “Well, anyway, I brought you something.” He held out a small item that wrapped in towels. “Just a little something to show my appreciation for you letting me see your home.” I took it and unfolded the towels releasing a wonderful aroma and the upper crust of a pie.

“That smells lovely,” I complimented. “I’ll be back in a moment.” I stepped into the kitchen to put the dessert down.

“You like knitting?” He asked, presumably seeing my yarn and crocheting hooks.

“I do knit,” I called back,” but I crochet better than I knit.” I heard him laugh.

“I can’t say I know the difference, but if you ask me, everyone needs a hobby!” I smiled at his apparent approval of my handicraft.

When I came back David was looking between two opposing bare walls of my sparsely furnished front room.

“You don’t have a TV?” He asked.

“No, I don’t...” I replied, not liking where this was going. “I’ve never wanted one.”

“I get that. I don’t really like TV either.” I signed lightly in relief. “I do like video games though...” I twitched my tail in agitation as he sucked in his bottom lip before letting it pop out again. “Would that ... be a problem?”

“I like it quiet in the evenings,” I replied softly.

“Me too,” he said with a grin. “I prefer to keep the volume low, and I don’t play online so I don’t need to talk into a headset or anything like that.”

“I guess that wouldn’t be so bad.” His grin widened slightly.

I’ve also got a couch. It’s kinda old but it’s really comfy.” I couldn’t see how I would ever prefer a couch sized for humans over my chair that was sized for me, but there was plenty of room for both so it didn’t really matter.

“That would be fine. I suppose I should show you the rest of the apartment.”

“Lead the way!”

Next we headed to the kitchen and David’s eyes nearly popped out of his head.

“Whoa! Look at all that counter space!” He exclaimed, “and the dining area’s huge!”

“I don’t cook much, but you would certainly be free to do so if you wish.”

“That would be great!” He gestured to the built-in cupboards. “Do you mind if I take a look?”

“No, go ahead.” He started poking around, seeming to be amazed at how much storage space there was. A few moments later I groaned.

“What is it?”

“I should probably tell you that I’m a vegetarian. My body doesn’t process meat and it would make me very sick.”

“Oh, ok...” he listened attentively as he waited for me to continue.

“While don’t expect you to stop eating meat, please don’t ever bring beef here.” He gasped lightly when he realized what I meant, but then sighed in apparent disappointment. A moment later he looked back up.

“That makes sense.” He smiled. “If I do end up living here, then I promise to never knowingly bring beef or any beef products into the apartment,” he added sincerely.

“Thank you. What you do outside of here is your business, but I do not wish to know about it.

“Deal.”

His eager willingness to accept my sensibilities was starting to make me think that having him live here might just work out and that brought a sense of relief and my tail started to swing freely as I led him down the short hallway that led to the rest of the apartment.

“Well, that leaves the bedroom and the bathroom. My room is the one at the end, and I’d prefer that be off-limits.” He chuckled.