One simple word

''So, Caspian, can I ask you a question?''. You already did but no matter, ask away.

''Of course, Justine, what is it?''. She tilts her head and looks behind me, out the window I assume.

''You remember the last time we met right?''. How could I forget?

I nod and she continues.

''You told me that there is a problem with some monsters in the woods, right?''. I did talk about them but I don't see what this has to do with anything, I already took care of the problem.

''There is, or more like, there was, I already solved the problem''. Her gaze turns back to me and her hand squeezes mine tightly.

''I see, but Caspian, you told me that you would never get involved with them ever again, didn't you?''. Did I? Good question, I rambled a lot that day.

''I don't recall saying that...''. Before I could continue she swiftly interrupted me by pulling my arm towards her, she's strong. In a somewhat louder voice than what she used up until now, she exclaimed.

''You did!''. The smile was still on her face but by any means, I would define it as a pout.

''Alright then, I did, is there anything wrong with that Justine?''. With the same smiling pout, she tells me.

''You lied to me, that's what's wrong!''. Hearing her words my right shoulder twitches suddenly and with such force that my chair moves back slightly, my instincts are telling me to run, I would know, I almost got eaten several times.

''No Justine, when did I lie to you''. I am not quite sure why she's so angry but I dealt with worse.

Pulling herself closer to me she says. ''Caspian you said that you would never involve yourself with those things again''. I nod.

''And you told me that you solved the problem''. I nod again.

''Therefore you got involved with them, you lied to me Caspian, I don't like it!''. This is strange, I get that I lied to her, I guess, but she is taking it too far, I don't understand why she got so angry.

As I was trying to figure out what going on, Justine started talking again.

''You know, I went out of my way to go out and check on things, just for you, and guess what I found, a murder hole in the middle of the woods, with traces of you all around it, not only that but they were very recent!'' Oh so that's it, is she just worried about me?

Figuring out the situation, or at least thought I figured it out, a smile replaces the worried grimace I had on my face.

''Thank you for trying to help me, Justine, I am sorry that I lied to you, I just did not think that we would meet again''. This is not a lie, I was a hundred percent going to avoid her until she appeared in my room at night and started using my table as a chair.

I reach out with my other hand towards her and say. ''Even if I didn't want to do it, I really had to, it was very, very important, so I hope you can understand''. Justine does not show any positive reaction to my words but she does place her own dainty hands in the palm of the hand that I stretched towards her, which I guess is something.

''Alright Caspian, I understand''. Do you really? ''But you should never go back on your words, if you say you are going to do something, you better do it''. Her voice was stern, her words concise and my confusion evergrowing. Am I the only one who doesn't really understand why she's so insistent?

In an effort to change the subject I say. ''So, I'm just asking but, how did you get in here''. It's been mildly bothering me.

''Trough the door''. Now, this would have been convincing if you didn't squeeze my hands lightly when you heard that question, and if I was a lot dumber.

Still speaking in a calm voice I say. ''Justine, the door was locked''.

Shaking her head she repeats herself. ''I entered through the door''. Alright, fine, keep your secrets for all I care, ill eventually find out anyway.

Before I could continue my line of questioning she asks me a striking question. ''So Caspian, what have you been doing today?''. Her question causes my mind to conjure images of the naughty cup.

''Umm, I was dealing with some issues down by the harbor, at the bar we first met!''. Alright, I got this, the omission of truth is not lying.

At some point in time, our fingers became an entangled mess and her presence made my already dry lips even drier, I would kill for some lip balm right about now.

''Then you spent the whole day at the bar, it must have been quite important?''. There is no reason to feel guilty, I did nothing wrong.

''Well, yes, I spent the morning doing the usual paperwork then I went over to resolve some business with Olan, the barkeep, and his wife''. Justine's smile widens and she says in a happier tone.

''Oh, so his wife was there, so that's why''. And here we go again, I really shouldn't say this but I'm just too curious.

''Yes she was, is there a problem?''. While looking at our entangled fingers she says.

''You smell like bath herbs, for women''. Hearing her words my sphincter twitched unnaturally. there's nothing to feel guilty about, nothing happened, she doesn't know, it's fine.

Wisely I don't say anything, all I do is enjoy the sensation of her supple fingers and soft smooth skin. The silence grows longer as we just stand there looking at each other, I'm fairly certain she knows or has an idea but won't speak about it, I probably found out one of the reasons she was pissy at me, she wasn't worried but annoyed cause I smelled like another woman, dang it.

Feeling like this is a good moment as any I decide to ask her the question that been on my mind for so long.

''Justine''. I break the peaceful silence.

''Yes?''. She has a very nice voice and listening to her speak only makes me hesitate more, what if I don't like the answer.

''So, you know, I can't help but notice that, uhhh''. How do I even ask this?

She just silently looks at me as I build up courage, yet again I feel that she knows what I'm about o ask. She always knows.

In a quiet unsure voice, I ask her.

''Justine, are you human''.

The small smile on her face disappears as her lips form a line, her back straightens and one of her hands pulls away. Before she could remove the second one I squeeze hard and pull towards me, her face is still expressionless yet she doesn't struggle to free her hand.

With her gaze fixed towards me, she gives her answer, it was but one simple word.

''No''