Page 22 of The Outcast
Keith scowled at me so I put him in his place, “You can look pissed all you want to, but I might as well make it clear to everyone here that being the best Explorer won’t guarantee you a job unless you have the right mindset.”
Several of them nodded, gesturing that they understood.
Indiana looked straight at Keith. “Is that clear?”
“Yes.”
“Good.” Aubri clapped her hands. “I’m sure Banni’s introduction to the European culture has given you something to think about. Get your running shoes and be ready in five minutes. The sun is high enough that we can start our five-mile run. It will give you a chance to think about what we just discussed and ask yourself if you’re still interested in going.”
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CHAPTER 7
Winter Bathing
Sparrow
“It’s not that easy!” I told Banni.
“Why not? In the Motherlands and in France, nudity is as mundane as breathing. It’s just you Northlanders who are shy about your bodies.”
“You sound like my mother. She still thinks the children at the experimental school should shower together like children do in the Motherlands, but that’s not how it works here in the Northlands. I have no problem with us bathing in the river, but I don’t want to be your role model to make Lilly and Bianca feel comfortable. We’ll need to split into women and men for now.”
“No, we won’t. I know I’m pushing the boundaries of the candidates, but it’s an excellent way of seeing their reaction. I want to know if they can embrace the French culture or not.”
“It’s not fair that I need to do it when Aubri gets a free pass.”
Banni groaned. “That’s because of Indiana. I tried reasoning with him, but he already said that was a definite no.”
I breathed out in relief. “Then I’m saying no too.”
“Come on! It’s different with you, Sparrow. All the candidates are single and so are you and I. We don’t have to ask anyone for permission.”
My eyes narrowed as I accused him. “Is this about you wanting to see me naked?”
Instead of getting offended, Banni smiled. “If it were, I would do it in private, just the two of us.”
My cheeks flamed hot and a sudden lightness made my stomach flutter. Ever since Banni arrived with Aubri and Indiana there had been a flirtatious energy between us. It was something I hoped no one else picked up on and I was careful not to exhibit my feelings for him. “If you understood our culture, you would know that I can’t bathe naked in front of men.”
Banni’s head fell forward as he rubbed his forehead. “I do understand.” He looked up with his eyebrows knitted together. “But this isn’t aboutyourculture. It’s aboutmine! I’m here to find the Explorers who can adapt. You can’t adapt to a different culture inside your own comfort zone. How hard is that to understand?”
My throat felt dry and my eyes darted from side to side wishing for a way out of this situation.
Banni sighed. “Let’s just take them down to the river and bathe. You and I will show the way and go first.”
“But you would accept if Bianca and Lilly refuse?”
“Of course, but in that case, it’s a sign that they won’t be able to embrace the French culture.”
“And ifIrefuse?”
Banni crossed his arms. “I hope you don’t. It won’t be easy for Lilly and Bianca. I’m counting on you to lead the way.”
“But I…” I was trying to find words to describe what he was asking of me. “Banni, you have to understand that asking me to strip out of my clothes and bathe with all those men is like asking me to walk naked down the street… unless of course that’s a normal thing in France too.”
“It’s not.” He threw up his hands. “Victor was right. Northlanders are so strange in the way you sexualize everything. It’s just bathing. I hear all this talk about the Northlands being the last free country, but yet you’re caught in all these ridiculous self-made rules. At what point did the human body become a shameful thing to you?”
“I’m not ashamed of my body,” I defended myself. “I’m just a private person.”
