CHAPTER 54
I was nervous the day of the Ball. Kashtinela had told me the trade talks were proceeding very slowly.
The Charonu just didn’t know how to cope with a female leading the talks and being able to make binding decisions for her people.
Kashtinela had arranged a few tours for the ambassador and his retinue to tour parts of the city, and many of the businesses and sites they visited “happened” to be female-owned or operated.
I wondered if she was helping to shift their views on women overall.
I spotted Leo and his partners as I entered the ballroom.
They were immersed in conversation. If it were just Leo, I would beeline for him, but I wasn’t keen to talk to Aldrin and Gafand, so I skirted around the other side.
I was quickly accosted by a couple of male Ptexari who were eager to talk about courtship.
I explained that I was not accepting courtship outside of Dakleth, but they were not as easily deterred as the village men.
One of them, who introduced himself as Bakarto, was insistent that I should “give him a chance,” and then let me know what hotel he was staying at in town. Eww.
“I know you did not just proposition my mate,” a voice behind me growled. “My mate who explicitly told you that she is not open to courting any male besides me.”
Bakarto flexed his wings. “You know as well as I, Prince Dakleth, that any male can court a female. She is supposed to choose from a number of suitors.”
“I was absent for nearly a year,” Dakleth snapped back. “She had plenty of opportunity to know other males. She has chosen me.”
“She was not open to courting at that time,” Bakarto retorted. I remembered he had cornered me at a party in the past, but I barely spoke to anyone in the early days.
“I’m not open now, either,” I said. “Thank you for your interest, Bakarto, it is truly flattering, but as I have said, I do not wish to be courted.”
“Except by me,” Dakleth said.
“Except by Prince Dakleth,” I gritted out through clenched teeth. Bakarto and his friend harrumphed and stalked off. Dakleth turned and grinned at me.
“Oh, stop gloating,” I said. “I’m still not happy about being courted by you, either. I’m just using you as an excuse to keep the others from bothering me.”
The Prince stared at me, and his wings wilted a bit. Great. Now I felt terrible.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings,” I said. “I’m trying to be honest with you. I’m not sure I’m ready to be courted by anyone at all.” He looked at me impassively for a moment.
“You have nothing to apologize for, my mate. You have been consistent in your ambivalence.” He seemed amused by this.
“Winning your affections will not be easy. It is a worthy challenge.” He straightened up, seeming pleased.
“And I do not mind you using my name to keep away other males. In fact, I like it. It is a type of claim, even if it is not a full one yet.”
“Yes, well, ah, I’m going to talk to Kashtinela. She looks like she needs to be rescued,” I chuckled. She also was besieged by males of various species and looked particularly unhappy about it.
“As you will,” he said. “I will be watching.”
“Not surprised,” I huffed, and made my way over to his sister.
“Andie!” Kashtinela exclaimed. “You look beautiful!”
“You, too!” I said. I nearly hugged her, then stopped myself.
I knew it would make her uncomfortable. I missed hugging my friends.
She surprised me by opening her four arms expectantly.
I threw myself at her and grinned up at her as I squeezed her waist. “Thanks!” I said to her.
She gave me a small smile and said, “I am growing used to your human ways. I have seen how you and Leo cling to each other. You need this.”
“Yes, I really do,” I said as I sighed.
“I would be happy to embrace you, human,” the male to her right said. He was one of the Charonu delegation.
“Ahhh, thanks. We are a touchy people, but we don’t usually hug people we haven’t met,” I said
“Understood,” he said, backing away a step.
I looked at the males around her. “Please excuse me, but I have an urgent private matter I need to discuss with Kashtinela.”
“Of course,” they murmured, shuffling off. One bowed his head before leaving.
“What is wrong, Andie?” Kashtinela eyed me with obvious concern.
“Nothing, you just looked like you wanted them to leave.”
She threw back her head and laughed. “You are a delightful klovaka,” she said. A klovaka was a small rodentish creature known for getting into mischief. I smiled at her.
“I do what I can,” I said.
“Truly, you are a vision in this garment,” she said. “Robnar has an excellent eye for how to dress your form.”
“Thank you,” I said. “I’m lucky he finds dressing me amusing. I don’t think I could ever walk around in nothing but a skirt the way your people do.”
“We do not have such lumpy chests,” she said. “I would probably hide that, too.”
I laughed. “I’m surprised that Charonu spoke to either of us. Don’t they hate women?” I asked.
“Some of them are slowly coming around,” Kashtinela said.
“I think seeing strong Ptexari women - and humans - is good for them. Honestly, I think some of them are fascinated to learn that females have minds of their own and can hold intelligent conversations. I am hopeful this will bode well for their women at home.”
“That’s wonderful. Any marital prospects in that group?” I asked.
She snorted. “Definitely not.”
I gestured at the ballroom. “I didn’t know the Ptexari danced,” I said.
“Well, not like this. I’ve seen the Morufa that the villagers perform during celebrations, but this looks more like what we call ballroom dancing.
With partners.” The Morufa was performed in a circle to drums. Anyone could join, and it involved a lot of athletic and rhythmic jumping.
It was an enthusiastic dance, and I enjoyed the feel of getting caught up in the drums, but what I was seeing now looked almost like a flamenco.
The guests were partnered or in groups of four, sweeping their arms over their heads while simultaneously stomping the floor to a rousing tune played by wind and percussion musicians on the dais.
“Well, we did have dancing at the Harvest Festival, but you and Leo fled the room after your singing performance.”
“Oh right. Well, all the Ptexari dropping to their knees freaked us out a bit.”
“Indeed,” she replied. “Well, as you can see, we do have partnered dancing. These are considered court dances. Very different from village celebrations like the Morufa. It takes a great deal of training to learn.”
The steps did not seem overly complicated to me, but then, I had been in dance classes my whole life.
It was a repeating three step, three step, two step combo in what seemed to be alternating 3/4 and 6/8 time signatures.
The pairs circled each other, but did not touch, and others danced in a rotating quartet.
I could see the quartets were more complicated, as the dancers wove in and out of the middle and each other.
It was fascinating to watch, and I found my body swaying to the rhythm, as it always did when I heard music.
Gender didn’t seem to be a factor. The pairs and quartets were same-sex or mixed gender, and everyone seemed to be doing the same basic step, although I could see some were more skilled than others.
“Would you like to dance?” a deep voice asked from behind me. I turned and saw Dakleth behind me. Although I knew I could probably pick up the dance, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to dance with him.
“Oh, um, well, I don’t know how,” I stuttered, not sure how to gracefully turn him down. I thought he was going to insist, but he gazed at me for a moment and gave a slow nod.
“I understand. Come, I want you to meet someone.”
Dakleth
I watched as she crossed the room to my sister.
I was more than a little shocked when my sister opened her arms to embrace her, but then I was pleased.
Everything I was learning indicated that humans thrived on physical touch.
I was more than happy to provide that to my mate, but she was still somewhat wary of me.
I knew that my sister must truly care about Andie to allow it as well.
I was initially skeptical of the males surrounding them, but after a few moments, they nodded and left the females alone.
As they conversed, I could see Andie practically swaying to the music.
Her body called to mine. I would see if I could engage her in a court dance.
When she declined, citing she did not know how, I could see that the thought of dancing with me made her nervous. I wished I could soothe her, but I knew she needed time. Instead, I guided her to the dance instructor of my youth. “Andie, my mate, meet Malvinok, my old dancing master.”
“Oh!” she said, seeming pleased. “It’s so nice to meet you. I mean, blessings on your house, and all who dwell within.”
“You have indeed been a blessing, honored Lumanela,” Malvinok greeted her with a small bow. “My mate Robnar speaks of you incessantly.”
“You’re Robnar’s mate?” she said, excitedly. “I love him!”
I growled, seeing a red haze descend as she spoke of loving another male.
“Not like that, you big oaf!” she said, smacking me in the chest with her tiny hand.
“Robnar is my friend, and you know he designs my clothes. Well, make that our clothes,” she said, eyeing my blue skirt.
“Don’t think he didn’t tell me about your matchy-matchy plan. ”
“Mates often dress to match at public events,” I said. “It is a signal to others that you are taken. I have staked my claim on you, and I do not apologize for it,” I declared, puffing out my chest.
“Oh, calm down, you’re making a scene.” She rolled her eyes at me, and I might have been angry if she weren’t so adorable.
“You two bicker like my mate and me,” Malvinok chuckled.