Another Mystery

As Kori quickly resumed showing her around the palace, MJ spotted a section covered in white drapes. Servants were going in and out frequently, and they seemed to be extremely worried, if the looks on their faces were anything to go by.

Suddenly, she felt a pulse coming from her bag. Looking inside, she saw the shard, the light emitting from it now just a bit brighter then before.

“MJ,” Kori asked, “Is something wrong?”

MJ briefly considered showing her, when a servant came up to them. She spoke to Kori in Tamaranean, her tone grave. Kori nodded and replied to her in their tongue, gesturing to MJ.

She then turned to MJ, saying in English, “My apologies, but there is something that demands my attention.

”Do not worry, Rera here will show you to the guest quarters,“ She continued, gesturing to the servant besides her. ”If there is anything else you need, she can take care of it while I am away.“

MJ replied, “Okay, see you later then.”

Kori then turned and quickly headed towards the area in white drapes.

The servant Rera gave MJ a quick bow, and gestured her to follow. MJ did so, though she couldn't help but notice the pulse from the glowing shard grew weaker as they walked away from the closed section.

MJ took a moment to quickly look around the guest quarters, as they entered. There was a twin-sized bed, a sofa with a small table, and a window facing the wilderness.

Turning to Rera, MJ gave her a quick glance-over. She was wearing a modest-looking knee-length dress, which was a surprise, and sandals. Unlike the others she had seen, Rera wore her hair in a neat low ponytail.

MJ said, ”Well, thanks for showing me the guest room.“ However, Rera only gave a polite smile.

“Oh, right,” MJ said, “You can't speak English, which means...”

Upon remembering how Tamaraneans learn languages, MJ blushed, as the memories of Kori and Komand'r kissing her popped back into her head. Her head started to spin as she realized she might have to kiss everyone she meets on this planet.

Oh, sweet God, I'm not sure I can go through with that, but then I'd be stuck with only a few people who can actually talk to me.

Looking at Rera again, MJ noticed that while she was still smiling, she was clearly confused. No doubt, she saw the look on MJ's face and was torn on what to do.

MJ took a deep breath, and said to herself, ”Alright, let's do this.“ MJ held out her arms while Rera looked at her with confusion. Thankfully, she quickly figured out what it was, and gently taking MJ's hands, she moved in and...

Pressed her forehead against MJ's. MJ waited for the kiss to come, but then Rera let go, stepping back and bowed to her.

“It is a pleasure to speak with you at last, Mary Jane Watson,” Rera spoke in perfect English.

For a moment, MJ stood confused and disappointed for some reason. “Wait, huh?” she said.

Rera replied, “I'm sorry, did I say something wrong?”

“No, no, you're fine,” MJ quickly reassured her, “I just thought that we had to kiss for you to speak my language.”

Reva politely smiled, saying ”Not necessarily. While kissing is a pleasing way to go about it, we Tamaraneans can learn languages through any kind of skin-to-skin contact.“

”Oh,“ MJ said, a bit relived, before realizing what that said about the two Tamaranean princesses.

Rera continued, ”Now, as you are a guest of the royal family, Princess Koriand'r has charged me with seeing that you are comfortable during your stay here. Is there anything you need of me at the moment?“

”Give me a minute,“ MJ replied, taking a seat on the sofa, and taking off her heels. She pondered on what to ask for, when she felt her stomach growl. MJ remembered that she didn't really eat much before her interview that morning, just a granola bar and coffee. She then took a brief look at her clothing, realizing her current outfit's all she has at the moment.

Turning to Rera, MJ asked, ”Can you get me some food, and maybe any spare clothes you have here?“

”Of course, please wait here while I fetch them,“ Rera said, bowing again and walking out of the guest room.

With that, MJ turned her attention back to the shard, taking it out of her handbag. It had stopped pulsing after she had left the area covered in white drapes. Thinking back to when she first saw it, MJ wondered if the pulsing was a sign.

Maybe, if I go back there, I can get a clue as to what the hell this thing is. But, on the other hand, I'm a guest here, so it wouldn't say anything good about me, if I started going places where I shouldn't.

MJ mulled it over in her head, deciding to take a quick peek at whatever is going on. She left the guest quarters, leaving her shoes and handbag, figuring it would be easier to sneak around without them.

So, barefoot and with barely a clue, MJ went to find answers.