Free Web NovelChapter 13: More than Strangers
The train ride home was enjoyable, as Valeria and Luke talked about different ideas for the comprehension of Defense Increase. Valeria explained her original comprehension, while Luke offered some counter arguments to the idea.
Their banter continued all the way to their house, with Luke getting some good ideas to try.
When they got back, Valeria wheeled straight into the bedroom while Luke went to the kitchen to find something to cook for dinner. He settled on a simple chicken and rice dish, while Valeria changed into casual clothes; wheeling into the kitchen and watching Luke cook.
As he cooked, Valeria wrote on the paper.
Where did you learn to cook?
Luke couldn’t just tell her that he came from another world, so he improvised; weaving in truth with lies.
I cooked a lot for myself. It’s a hobby of mine.
I see. I’ve never had the opportunity to learn, my family’s servants always prepared food. Maybe I should learn.
He thought about offering to teach her, but didn’t know if she would accept the offer.
The ice seemed to melt between the two, as they exchanged questions while Luke cooked.
What is your favorite food? I’ll try and make it sometime.
I like almost everything, but if I were to pick something as my favorite, it would probably be a good hamburger. What is your favorite?
Good choice. I’m pretty skilled when it comes to burgers. Mine would be pancakes, simple to make but delicious.
Valeria’s distant expression seemed to soften, as she chuckled slightly while reading his final response. Luke hadn’t expected her to laugh at his answer, but something about it was funny to her.
What’s so funny?
I just didn’t realize that pancakes would be your favorite. I was guessing it would be steak.
Make fun of me all you want.
Luke flipped a piece of chicken, watching as it sizzled in the pan.
It wasn’t too long after that Luke finished the meal and they sat at the dinner table and ate. In between bites the two would write on the paper.
Did you want to become an explorer, Lucius?
I always wanted a life that was full of change. The magic part is cool. Also, just call me Luke.
The rest of the meal passed quickly as they hungrily gulped down their dinner. Luke grabbed both bowls from the table and started washing them.
I can help. You don’t have to do everything alone.
Don’t worry about it. Its just some dishes. If you want to do something for me you could help me practice my ASL.
Valeria paused after reading, soaking in his words.
Aren’t you doing that for me though?
Sort of, but I’ve started to enjoy it. Plus seeing you and the interpreter speak so fluently made me want to practice more. If you help me, I’ll teach you how to cook.
All it took to convince her was the offer of cooking lessons, that he hesitated to offer before. After that, Valeria quietly waited for Luke to finish drying the dishes, before they headed into the living room.
The ASL for Dummies book was still sitting on the coffee table in the living room, it was still on the page Luke had left it on.
Valeria picked up the book and started skimming through, she mentally noted each word or phrase that would be most useful before writing them down on a piece of paper and handing it to Luke.
The session lasted an hour with Valeria flipping the book to each section, then visibly showing him how to sign each word. Luke repeated attempt after attempt until Valeria was satisfied with his progress. During the session Valeria would randomly sign words he previously learned and make him write the meaning.
When his signing was sloppy, she would reach over and lightly adjust his hands or arm positioning. By the second sign Luke’s forearms burned, but he wasn’t going to stop. Every time Valeria would guide his arms, Luke felt the thick calluses on her hands, the kind you only get through years of rough training.
Valeria noticed his lingering gaze at her hands.
Don’t worry about it. They’re are from years of training.
Yes
Luke signed back with the most relevant sign he had in his repertoire. As the lesson continued Luke became more confident when learning new words. His hands seemed to move more fluidly and his arms relaxed as he gestured.
His progress was noticeably faster than the previous night.
Once he learned four words, Valeria stopped the lesson and showed him how to spell with his fingers. He struggled far more with the finger movements than the broader motions of regular words.
Eventually Valeria stopped him.
Instead of learning the alphabet, let’s focus on your name first.
She signed a combination of four letters to him. Luke diligently watched every time, but Valeria had to correct him multiple times on each letter, before she was finally able to understand him.
He watched as she thought to herself, signing as if she was talking to herself.
Try this.
Valeria continued finger spelling, but this time it was seven letters long. Even without knowing the word, Luke could tell that it was her name.
Surprisingly, he seemed to pick it up quicker than his own name, with Valeria only having to fix a few of his letters.
Good job.
Luke signed back: Thank you.
Then signing again after.
Tired?
It wasn’t super late in the day, but Luke hadn’t slept since he got here and he was more than tired. Yet, he refused to go to sleep until he was sure Valeria was all good without him.
Valeria stared at Luke, for the first time since they arrived back home she looked at the growing bags under his eyes. She had forgotten about his nocturnal ASL lessons.
She couldn’t think of a response. Her brain was still awake and the sun was still out, but she could see the stubbornness in his eyes, the kind that wouldn’t stop until she was asleep.
Yes. Let me use the bathroom first and then I’ll head to bed.
So Luke helped with her night routine, noticing that she didn’t do any skincare yet her skin was flawless. After she was ready for bed, Luke helped her get from the wheelchair to the bed.
Good night, Valeria.
His finger spelling wasn’t perfect but she could understand.
Good night, Luke.
Before leaving the room, he closed the blinds, dimming the evening sun.
Valeria watched as he exited. She heard him collapse on the couch, before the whole house became silent.
She couldn’t help but think back to their discussion on spell comprehension. She was known as a genius that nobody could rival when it came to comprehension and yet Luke was able to give her ideas that nobody else could come up with.
His ideas didn’t follow the norm, but neither did hers.
Yet all she could do was watch him become the explorer she could no longer be.
