![\"\"](\"https:\/\/buber.net\/Basque\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/maite-and-kepa-v3b.png\")
She looked around. The small room housed the strange pod, a small closet, and little else. She noticed a note on a small stand. Picking it up, she read \u201cOnce you are refreshed, please come out through the large red door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maite looked and saw the red door in question. There was another door on the opposite side of the room, smaller and of the same off-white color as the walls. Maite cautiously opened it, discovering a strange little room with gadgets that she couldn\u2019t understand. One had a little cubby that reminded her of science fiction shows. \u201cUra,\u201d she said tentatively. A glass of water appeared in the cubby. She took a sip. It was chilled to the perfect temperature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Returning to the first room, Maite opened the closet door. Inside was an array of clothes, from a relatively mundane white athletic suit to a bright turquoise robe. Maite grabbed the robe, a sense of security as she wrapped it around her body. On a shelf were a pair of slippers. She smiled to herself as she grabbed them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maite pushed a button on the red door and it silently slid open. On the other side was a small patio that overlooked the city. In the middle sat a table with two place settings. At one of them sat de Lancre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAh, egun on,\u201d said de Lancre, a smile across his face. \u201cI do hope you slept well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maite tensed, her eyes darting back and forth for some kind of weapon. She remembered Kepa\u2019s ability to summon light and focused on her fingertips, hoping some kind of lightning bolt might erupt from them, but she barely felt a tingle. She backed into the bedroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPlease,\u201d continued de Lancre, \u201cI did not mean to frighten you.\u201d He waved toward the empty spot at the table. \u201cI imagine you are famished. Please sit. I promise you no harm.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maite warily sat at the table opposite de Lancre, her eyes never leaving his. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWould you like some coffee?\u201d asked de Lancre as Maite settled into the cushioned seat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maite nodded slowly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With a wave of his hand, a cup of steaming coffee materialized on the table in front of Maite. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maite took a sip. Cafe con leche with half a packet of sugar, just the way she liked it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhere am I?\u201d she asked, finally allowing herself to look out the deck and onto the city below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is my home,\u201d said de Lancre. \u201cThe tallest tower in Bilbao. Quite the spectacular view, no?\u201d He took a sip out of his own cup. \u201cDid you sleep well?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maite paused for a moment, assessing her physical well being. Her legs, paralyzed during the attack, were working normally. In fact, she felt great. She couldn\u2019t remember the last time she had felt so rested and energized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2026 did,\u201d she said. \u201cWhat was that thing I was in?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
De Lancre chuckled. \u201cI had thought about getting you a regular bed, but the thing is, they are impossible to find in this time and the system wouldn\u2019t even create one, it being so archaic. Everyone sleeps in these pods, which provide the perfect sleeping environment and administer basic medical treatments while you sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhatever it was, I feel\u2026 great.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
De Lancre smiled. \u201cI\u2019m glad.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maite paused a moment. \u201cBut, I couldn\u2019t figure out how to use the toilet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
De Lancre chuckled again, and Maite couldn\u2019t help but be struck by his charm. \u201cMy sincerest apologies. I remember how confused I was when I first got to this time.\u201d He touched something on his wrist and a spherical drone flew up to the table. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe drone will show you how to use things. Rejoin me when you are ready.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maite stood up and walked back into her room, the drone hovering just above her shoulder like a strange parrot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n