CHAPTER EIGHT #3
Inserting himself directly into the path of Maximillian and Poka'aki, Red Fox waited as the people around him cleared away until, at last, the gentleman beheld an Indian warrior, complete with rifle—although it was encased within its beaded case and was strapped around Red Fox's shoulder—was standing directly in his path.
Red Fox watched the man physically jump, and had it been gentleman-like to scream, the fellow might have done so. As it was, he gasped and stopped walking completely.
"Red Fox! I was wondering when I might see you here!
Welcome!" Dragging her escort with her, Poka'aki stepped up before Red Fox and proceeded with the introductions, saying, "Red Fox, this gentleman here is Maximillian the Third.
Max, this is Red Fox, my friend, as well as my tutor into the ways of the Plains and how one can easily survive on them. "
Maximillian bent over at the waist and inclined his head, but he said nothing.
Red Fox simply nodded. Then, looking directly at Poka'aki, he said, "I would like to dance with you, Poka'aki."
"Of course. They are playing another waltz, this one a little slower than the last. Do you know the dance?"
"I do, although I have only learned these steps this very day," Red Fox answered. He then watched as Maximillian bent slightly forward again, clicked his heels together, and turning, he walked away, although Red Fox saw the man's knees were shaky and bowed slightly outward as he walked.
Returning his attention to Poka'aki, Red Fox asked, "Will you show me how I should hold you like these other men are doing?"
"Of course I will. Now, you put your right arm around my waist, like so." She placed his arm in the correct place on the small of her back. "Then you hold my right hand with your left, and listen to the music and the beat. One, two, three; one, two, three; one, two, three. Do you hear the beat?"
"I do." He placed his rifle, complete with its carrying case, a little more fully onto his back and out of the way, noticing at the same time that, true to her Pikuni teaching, a gun in a holster was wound around her waist.
"Good," she said. "Now, starting with your left foot, we step up and back; up, two, three; back, two, three; up, two, three. Now, with your right and left foot, on steps two and three, you twirl around slightly, taking me with you as you twirl. Are you ready?"
"I am," he answered. And, then he began to dance up and back; up, two, three; back, two, three; up, two, three; back, two, three; as he had earlier learned. Then, he commenced to twirl around. Gazing down at her, he witnessed her beautiful smile.
"You are a quick learner."
"It is because I dance and sing every day to my ponies, and sometimes I dance while we are in camp. And, I often drum and sing as I dance."
"I know," she said. "I have seen you do this, although only on occasion, and I have always thought you are most graceful."
He smiled down at her. "Also, the wife of Eagle Heart showed me these steps today, though I did not hold her as I do you. She waltzed instead with her man, Eagle Heart." When Poka'aki remained silent, he commented, “This dance is as it looks. It feels as if one is floating.”
She grinned up at him. "It feels, indeed, exactly as you say. How lovely it is to be in your arms. I have never seen this regalia before. Is it new to you?"
"Saa, it is not new. Never have I had the occasion to wear it before this night. It belonged to my grandfather."
"And, was it passed down to you?"
He nodded.
She commented, "Perhaps our son shall inherit it."
Red Fox missed a step while at the same time someone behind him tapped him on the shoulder. He came to a halt and gazed over his shoulder, there to see Frederic Fehér behind him, Frederic's lips were set into a frown and his eyes filled with censure.
"I am cutting in to this dance," Frederic said.
Red Fox glanced at the brother of Poka'aki questioningly.
"It means," said Frederic in a voice dripping with sarcasm and disapproval, "that I am now going to dance with my sister while you step aside."
"You are?"
"Yes. Now." And, with no more instruction nor so much as a kind word, Frederic placed his arms around Poka'aki and danced away with her, although Red Fox observed she was frowning as she spoke to her brother.
Puzzled, Red Fox looked toward Poka'aki, who took her arm from around Frederic to say to Red Fox in sign, "Do not be upset. This is sometimes done."
What was he supposed to do? Stand here while the dancers twirled around him or bumped into him?
At last, Red Fox began to understand. And, waiting for Frederic and Poka'aki to twirl in close to him, he stepped up to Frederic and tapped him on the shoulder, only to experience the shame of Frederic ignoring him completely as he stepped quickly away and whirled around the dance floor, Frederic presenting a facade as if nothing had even happened.
Knowing Frederic had intended to create the sensation of wrongdoing within him, Red Fox determinedly refused to give the matter any of his energy.
Instead, with a steady gait, Red Fox turned around and walked off the dance floor and out of the ballroom completely, leaving the lovely sounding music behind him.
And, lovely it was, indeed. He couldn't remember hearing anything quite like it in his past.
For a moment, he paused on the wooden flooring outside the actual dance hall, doing little more than listening to the enchanting music. He would remember it. It was so very beautiful.
And, when the music for a jig began, Red Fox set off on foot over the plains, making his way back up to the ledge of the butte, where his wolf would be awaiting him.