Chapter 3 #2
“It’s just silly folklore, but no, I wasn’t disappointed.
It didn’t matter to me either way. There was a similar tradition for the guys, but when MeK was told he’d have to pull up Lacie’s dress to remove the garter belt, he was all snarls, so Lacie left that part out.
Oh look, they’re getting ready to cut the cake. ”
“Does this have a meaning as well?”
“Actually, it does. It represents unity, commitment, and the ability to work together. Some people make this part a joke, but I personally take the entire ceremony seriously. You’re supposed to be joining with this person for life, as the vows say.
However, the symbolism has been forgotten, and most people just get caught up in their day-to-day lives.
Just because you’ve been given a ring and a piece of paper doesn’t clear a smooth path before you; you must take each step yourself and build on it as you go. ”
“Hmm.”
BuK looks up to see MeK helping Lacie onto the raised platform, and we all watch as they laugh and giggle while they feed each other a piece of cake.
However, the moment Carla steps up to start cutting pieces for everyone else, MeK lifts Lacie up, throwing her over his shoulder as he heads for the front of the tent, Kiki right on their heels.
Lacie is glowing as she waves at all of us before they depart the tent.
I turn back toward BuK, laughing, only to see a confused look on his face. “I do believe MeK has left prematurely.”
“There are no rules; he simply didn’t want to share her any longer. Let’s go grab some cake before it’s all gone.”
BuK maneuvers us expertly through the crowd, and before I realize it, he is handing me a small plate. “Here, let us find a place to sit and watch the others for a moment.”
“Ahh, I’m rubbing off on you … let’s do some people watching.”
The rest of the evening passes quickly as we sit shoulder to shoulder, eating cake and observing the laughter and camaraderie all around us, especially since both of us are worn out from dancing.
However, my eyes keep slipping back to Keida and Danny, and the dynamics of their relationship.
Several girls walk up to Danny, asking him to dance and each time, Keida’s pink eyes brighten, revealing the inner turmoil she’s fighting not to show.
Danny’s always friendly but turns them all down with a smirk on his face when he looks back at Keida.
Especially when he catches her watching him, even though she’s dancing with someone else.
I think if he’d actually accepted, things would have gotten exciting real damn fast; then they announced the last dance of the evening.
Just as Owen begins to pull Keida back onto the dance floor again, Danny steps in.
He doesn’t say anything, simply extends his hand to her.
Keida immediately takes it. I see her say something to Owen, and he nods with a knowing smile before stepping back.
I’ll give Owen points for being a good sport.
I expect Danny to hold her stiffly in his arms, almost act indifferent, but that is not the case at all. He gathers Keida close, twirling her around expertly, his eyes never leaving hers, and I have a feeling there is so much more happening here than what any of us can see.
“Wow BuK, would you look at those two. You can feel the heat clear over here. If he’s that good a dancer, why would he stand against the wall and watch her all evening?”
“I think he is trying to give her some space, even though it tears him apart inside seeing her with another. You see, they have been side by side since they were younglings. Keida claimed him the moment he stepped off RaZ’s ship, and that bond has only grown stronger as they have gotten older.
Danny is serious, whereas Keida is silly and outgoing.
But she is younger than he is and in his mind, this is her world, and if she decides at some point that she prefers another …
well, I do not know if he could accept that or not, but I think he is trying. ”
“You like him?”
“It is hard not to, as he cares deeply for Keida, Father, and Kira. He loves Victoria and Grandfather fiercely, but he fights an internal battle every tic. I know that Falcor has a private training area just for Danny because he is the only one strong enough to handle the power emanating from him. I do not know the entire story, but Danny survived something on Earth that should have killed him, and whatever that was, it changed not only him, but Raven and the other hounds.”
“You mean there are more like her?”
“Yes, there are three others, but Raven seldom leaves Danny’s side unless SeeSee is with them.”
“Is SeeSee the same as Raven?”
“No, he is a Selin, an extremely dangerous predator on Darverius. Keida bonded with him when he was little; she has a way with most animals. He would be here now, but he has chosen a queen and has to stay with her until the litter is delivered.”
“I have so much to learn about your world. Every time I feel like I’m beginning to understand the things around me, you throw another curveball at me.”
“Nonsense, I have never thrown anything at you.”
Laughing at his words, the day suddenly seems to have gotten to me, and I catch myself yawning. “Let’s see if Carla needs any help cleaning up. As enjoyable as this day has been, I’m tired.”
BuK is instantly on his feet, his hand under my elbow, helping me up out of the chair. Carla is busy gathering plates and napkins when we arrive. “Carla dear, what do you need us to do?”
“Not a thing, child. You two go on; you’ve done enough today. Dawn and Vedece both volunteered to help get things back in order, as did Ricky and Owen. Go on and get some rest. As much fun as all of this has been, unfortunately life gets back to normal in the morning.”
“Thank you, and you outdid yourself with the food, especially the cake. I ate mine and most of BuK’s.”
“I’d be lying if I said it was simple. Recreating something edible with the ingredients we have here isn’t always easy, but we seem to keep stumbling along.
SCOUT mentioned he would talk to MeK about recreating an oven for me when the energy grid is done.
The replicators are nice, but I would still like to be able to make some real bread and things for special occasions such as this. ”
“Well, you’ve kept us from starving so far, so if you need a taste tester, just yell.” I hug her before turning back to BuK, who’s stood here the entire time, simply observing our conversation. He holds his arm out to me, and I grasp onto it, leaning affectionately into his side.
The moment we step out of the tent, the cool air hits me, and I shiver, not realizing it was that much hotter inside. “All those bodies mashed together must have really created some heat inside the tent, or does it feel cooler than usual out here?”
“I do believe the air is cooler, and the sky does not seem as bright.”
“I’m sure it’s just us; we are in a fog of overstimulation. Thank you for walking me home once again. I really enjoyed today and you.”
“Briar, it is my pleasure as always. You are my favorite human after all. I will be waiting for you in our usual spot next rising for our newest project.”
“Ugh, we do have that new pod to start on in the morning? Thanks for reminding me.”
Even though my new pod home is not as close as some of the others, we still find ourselves back at the entrance quicker than I would’ve liked.
I hesitate for a second, almost asking BuK to stay with me, as the place is just too big and quiet for one person.
Because I’m unsure of his reaction, and it’s late, I lean up and kiss him on the cheek before putting my hand against the panel next to the door. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
He doesn’t say a word, just stands there looking at me with his hand hovering over the cheek I had just kissed.