--James, APU Dorms--
Okay, so she tells me her name and even answer my inquiries. Why am I still so tense? “Grass changing day, how does that work exactly? Is there a place to dump it?” Remembering the chore back in the orphanage, made me relax a little.
She motioned me to follow her as she turned around. “Actually, we only need to gather up the material and put it in the bags they provide. See?” She lifted a large burlap sack seemingly out of nowhere. “Once we are done, we place this outside the door for the faculty to collect, I assume.” When I raised an eyebrow, she followed up, “Look, all I know is to set the bags out on certain mornings, and by noon there is another one filled with fresh clean grass. It's not like I know or care about the specifics of what happens to used bedding.”
“Alright, alright. I get it, we gather up the grass set it in the sack, throw it out in the... hall?” It was really too small to be called a hallway. “And then by noon, there is a fresh sack.” She nodded her head before turning around with the sack. “Wait, where did you get the sack?”
She didn't even answer or even look back, all she did was just placed he hand on the opened door of the 'tree' she was standing next to. The 'trees' have secret compartments? That is so cool. Looking closer at the sack slung over her shoulder, I noticed a logo on it that looked like a blade of grass. With a push of her hand the little hole in the 'tree' became hidden once more.
Observing the seemingly solid 'tree', I noticed an unassuming crevice. Must act as the handle. She cleared her throat, drawing my attention back to her, “Right, so after I pick up the grass, I'll show you how to construct a nesting mould.” She looked back at me from over shoulder, “Well, I guess you don't have to worry about getting dirty.” She smirked before she turned her head back around.
Looking down at myself, I realized I was covered in dry dirt. Ah, I need a shower and to do some laundry. After following Sera for a short while, we arrived in what I could guess was a corner in the room opposite to where I slept. There was a lot more 'trees' around, almost concealing the grass nest completely. It had enough grass to comfortably be put into two nesting areas, maybe even three.
“Don't look at me that way. I know it's a lot of grass for one nest, but that can't be helped, there is dirt underneath and to the sides. I just didn't want to get my pajamas dirty.” She looked offended under my gaze.
“I didn't say anything.” She let out a huff at my statement. I continued, “So after we finish up here, can you show me to the shower, and perhaps where I can do my laundry?”
She shook her head, “As I said, I will show you how to a dirt mould first.”
“But I don't need that yet, I rather like the mould I slept in already, you could just tell me another time.” At my words, I swear I think her cheeks turned a little red, but it might be just the lighting.
“Fine. I'll show you the shower, but the laundry is another bag service.” She paused before continuing, “I have to say though, the laundry service is not as good as the meal and grass services. They don't handle non APU clothes very well, outsider clothes tend to get lost more often than not. Just write your room and sizes on the bag and the next day you will have one uniform, and one pair of lounge wear.” She pointed at her own clothes. “If you must wash clothes other than APU style clothes, take them into town.”
While I was processing what she had just said, she threw the bag at my face, “Since this my nesting grass, you hold the bag, I will pick it up.” After saying that, she proceeded to mound the grass into a mountain. So I dangled the bag open from my hands and thought back to the orphanage.
Nesting grass duty wasn't fun back then, but everyone helped everyone else, so it wasn't a terrible experience. Although the dirt mould is a new phenomena for me, we just put enough grass on the flat floor to be tolerable. Though even without the grass, last night's sleep was great. I should think about the dirt mould in the future, after college of course.
After a while I realized my gaze was staring into the swaying hips of my roommate. I quickly averted my eyes, before I could be caught. Hmm, the tense, scary atmosphere from earlier is now gone. I actually felt relaxed. Was it thinking back to pleasant memories or was it actually talking to the girl in front of me that actually eased the tension? Her stare was sharp, but I couldn't help but stare back, when it happened.
She had armful after armful of the not-so-fresh grass dumped into the burlap sack I was holding, leaving a trail as she went. After most of it was already in the bag she knelt down and resumed picking up handfuls from the trail she left. All in all, I think this process took an hour or so.
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After she seemed satisfied, she stood up and stretched her back. I looked at her work, and I noticed there was still quite a few blades of grass left. “Missed a spot, I guess it would be hard to pick it all up.”
She shook her head, “I actually like keeping a little of the previous nesting material around, it's comforting to have my own scent in the grass nest after it is refilled.”
At her words, I sniffed the air, almost involuntary. So, that fragrance was her after all. She is right, it is comforting, though almost stimulating. Upon me sniffing the air, I know I saw her blush a little as she looked away. Wow, she isn't staring at me for once. “Sorry,” I only offered that much.
She seemed to ignore my apology, “Just tie that up with its own draw strings, then set it outside the door. I'll get you a laundry bag.” She then walked over to another 'tree'. I definitely need her to tell me where stuff is in this room.
Trying to reorient myself in the room, I somehow make it back to my nesting spot to pick up my camping bag. With both hands occupied, I march my way to the exit to drop of the used grass. The sack full of her used grass, definitely leaked that scent from earlier, I was nearly tempted to sniff the bag itself. I'm pretty sure she is watching me from somewhere in the room. With such a thought, I glanced over my shoulder and found nothing.
I looked back at the door in front of me and opened it, then I was hit with a wall of clashing odor, causing me to scrunch my nose. I laid the burlap sack by the side of the door before quickly shutting the door again. It actually took a few moments for the odor to kind of dissipate. The air was thick, I almost gagged, why? What caused that?
Walking to what I assumed is the center of the room, I thought I saw a hidden door beyond a certain cluster of 'trees'. It barely got my attention, but I walked toward it anyway. If I think about it, it's probably the shower room. Thinking about it, my bladder made its presence known. After the sudden urgent news within my body, I picked up the pace and managed to get there a smidge bit quicker. I even saw Sera exiting the shower room.
Sera being in front of the door managed to bring my advances to a halt. “I know the room isn't too hard to navigate, but you found the shower rather quickly.” Haha, when nature calls, miracles happen. She presented another burlap sack to me, this time with a logo that looked like a t-shirt and shorts. I also noticed a tag on it, presumably where I would write my size.
Now I was feeling tense for different reasons, still I took the bag and thanked her, “Thanks, I also don't have my own soaps, eh, do you mind if I use the ones in there?”
She nodded, “Just make sure to dry off your feet well, otherwise the dirt will clump when you come back.” She then stood aside and let me wander into the tiled paradise. I quickly close the door as I looked for the toilet. Upon spotting it I rushed over.
Undoing my trousers, I could only marvel at the cleanliness of the toilet and the bathroom as a whole. Even the floor, aside from some dirt, was pretty clean. There was also some drawers, a sink, cabinets and a mirror. Truly this was best bathroom I had ever seen. After relieving myself, I made double sure that no messes were made before disrobing completely.
Turning on the water, I made an about face to put my filthy clothes in the bag before I jumped into the shower. The warm water felt really good, but after soaking in some of it I turned my attention to all the soaps. So many bottles.
Picking up one of them I read the contents: Face exfoliating cream. Okay... So I picked up another: Facial Cleansing cream. Hmm... Tail Shampoo, Tail Conditioner, Ear Cleanser, Hair Conditioner, Hair Shampoo, Body Exfoliating Cream, and Bubble Bath Mix. There were a few more bottles to read, so I just started sorting them.
I have no idea how long it took, but I was sure it took too long. After lathering up and rinsing off, I turned off the water jets while stepping out of the shower. Geez, I have never seen so many different soaps in my life. Drying off with a towel I looked at my self in the mirror. Hmm, looking at a real Tiger-kin, my ears weren't that different. Just mine were a little pointy...
Finishing up, I unzipped my camping bag to retrieve a red t-shirt and beige shorts, nothing flashy. Slipping on the garments, I saw no reason to remain in the shower room, and so I left. With both bags in hand. I used pencil looking thing, that I'm pretty sure is for make up, to write my size.
When I exited the bathroom, I was greeted by those piercing golden eyes. “Was everything alright?”
“Haha, yeah, I just have never seen so many bottles of soap before. I hope you don't mind that sorted through some of them, there was just so many.”
She shook her head, “No, no. It's quite alright. You'll have to set out the laundry with the used grass.” The last part almost sounded demanding...
“Oh yeah, the door, when I opened it, I was assaulted with such a... strong smell. Why was that?” I asked as I made my way to the exit door, not looking forward to the nasal assault.
“Ah, that well... It is grass changing day, so everyone in the building puts out their used grass. Everyone's scent kinda blends together, along with, if any, unclean smells. So, yeah, it can become quite smelly until the afternoon.” Ah, that explains it.
I arrived at the exit door and just stood there, the door and I, me and the door. I placed my camping bag near my shoes that were still at the door, and then placed my now free hand upon the lever that opened the door. I steeled my resolve and pushed through. It was strange, the smell wasn't as bad, almost nearly gone actually. In my bemusement I saw a really tall, bulky man coming down the stairs. Looking down at my watch, I noticed it was just a little past noon.
The man was clearly a Bear-kin, maybe a Grizzly type. He was holding three large burlap sacks, without a word he laid them before me as he took the bag of used grass and the bag of laundry from my hand as he lumbered back up the steps. Grey hair and ears, hair being shoulder length. Interesting. I stepped back in my room while dragging the heavy newly acquired luggage.