The seamstress had made good work of Meagan's new dress
with a half day to spare. It fit perfectly and matched Anna's dress down to
the smallest button. Meagan and Anna giggled all the way back to the house.
It was still a few hours before the dance would start so they sat in the kitchen
and snacked while 'helping' Emily with the food they were going to be bringing.
“Not playing tonight, Meagan?” fished Emily.
“No, ma'am, just dancing!”
“Call me Emily, please...” she grinned back.
“Um, where is Dad?” asked Theodore suddenly.
“Oh...” began Emily with a bit of a frown. “He had to go
take care of some things in town. He will meet us at the dance.”
“Did the Firemeadows need him again?” asked Anna slightly
concerned.
Emily sported a practiced smile, “No, nothing like
that...”
“Um, we're not kids, mom. What is wrong?”
Emily managed an honest laugh, “No, no, you're not. You
are all growing up so fast!” She smiled as she returned to her cooking.
Anna looked at Theodore as if she was about to ask another
question, but Theodore just shook his head. With a quick nod, Anna dropped the
subject.
“So, Meagan,” began Emily with a grin, “you've chased poor
Theodore for four years; now that you caught him, was it worth the trouble?”
That just launched Meagan into a giggling fit so Anna
spoke for her, “I think that is a 'yes!'”
Two hours later, the merry band found themselves back in
town. As before, the market square was cleared for dancing with long tables of
food and drink of every type laid out in the wings. Unlike the previous dance,
the food items tended to include the dinner fare rather than just finger food.
Several of the businesses along the edges had their doors open to provide even
more room and warmers to keep the food ready. Artificial lights were only to
be found in the periphery while braziers burning bright made clean lines of the
dance floor and added further decorative flair to the sidelines.
“Wow! It's gorgeous!” beamed Anna. “The firelight out on
the dance floor is both spooky and comforting. That is just wild.”
“Just wait until the sun goes all the way down,” grinned
Meagan. “As it gets later, they turn off the side white lights during the
dances and there is
only
the firelight! Winter solstice is even
prettier yet: same wonderful flames but with a backdrop of snow. Everything
just sparkles!”
Anna laughed back. “Don't tease! Besides this is plenty
gorgeous and I still get to go barefoot.”
Suddenly there was a blue flash at the far end by the town
hall. A blue flash Theodore knew all too well: his father's burst of Live Steel
armor. Rather than the simple blue sparkles and subsequent iridescent armor
that most Highlanders could manage, it was the same towering wall of blue
flames that Aidden had used back at the spaceport those long months ago. It
was only a brief display, maybe ten or twenty seconds, but when it abated
Theodore found himself holding Anna and Meagan tight.
The whole family had flinched, Rose tight up against
Emily. But they held their place knowing whatever had happened was now over.
Theodore glared at Emily, “There was someone in town after
me. That is what you didn't want to talk about earlier.”
Fiona spoke for Emily, which was not the normal state of
affairs, “Father was asked to help to try to minimize loss of life. The
constable had things well under control, they just wanted to explore... less
extreme situations. You are growing fast and proud, son, but you will
always
be our son. Father will always do his part when he can.”
“See, here he comes now!” grinned Emily.
Sure enough his father came bounding over to the family
with a broad grin, “Sorry to keep everyone waiting!”
“Um, Dad... You should have told me.”
“And have you get your stomach tied in a knot before the
big dance? Not hardly!” scoffed Aidden. “Your attention was supposed to be on
the two lovely ladies...”
Anna blushed and Meagan giggled but Theodore was
conflicted.
A sudden cry from the crowd, however, recentered
everyone's attention, “He has a gun!”
The crowd quickly parted at the far end of the plaza and a
desperate looking Taik with his fur standing straight on end as he aimed a
small pistol at Constable Sean Coldwell as the police officer was hauling his
thoroughly rattled and bound prisoner off to be incarcerated.
Aidden swore under his breath, “He had a friend...” A low
growl filled the air as Aidden's fur stood on end. “Alright son, next time
we'll make sure you are warned.”
“So this is the third guy they have sent?” asked Theodore
softly.
“Not hardly,” scoffed Aidden with an odd sense of pride,
“fifteenth... your cut of their purse is still in the queue.”
“Fifteen!” blurted Theodore. “They've sent fifteen people
to try to kill me?”
“They don't learn very quickly, do they?” grinned Aidden.
“I'm serious, Father, is this going to go on forever?”
Aidden offered a small grin, “If it helps your feelings,
these are the first two to make it all the way to our town. Chin up, lad. The
offworlders are quite involved. The point of trying to take these guys alive
is so the Altshea and Trakvell governments have something to work with. It's
not like...”
“Everyone just back off!” screamed the man with the
pistol. “Let him go and we'll all leave peacefully.”
“You drop the gun and run like a rabbit, and
you
might
go peacefully,” countered Sean evenly.
“He can soak that gun, right dad?” asked Theodore suddenly
very nervous.
“Pshaw! Of course!” replied Aidden. He hesitantly added,
“Well... I think...”
“Why are you people such fools to defend the stupid kid!
This won't stop until he's dead. How many people have to get hurt before you
backwater idiots figure that out?” came a snarl.
“Right now the only people getting hurt are you idiots
trying to rough the young man up,” countered Sean. “If you don't want to get
hurt, just put the gun down...”
“What is
with
you pagan peasants? He's promised
himself to a
human
? What is that all about? Is that the people you are
all about, defending some hedonist polluting the waters?”
Roland Redwood suddenly walked into the open and, with a
minor stagger started to close on the pair in the standoff. Theodore gritted
his teeth, Roland was a drunk and a braggart on a good day, a thug and a...
well...
“Fool kid brought the ugly girl here... that's right!
Brought her in amongst us...” bellowed Roland.
Theodore's blood started to boil as he held Anna tight. Anna
was shaking nervously and was on the edge of going limp.
“Ugly as sin, that girl is... no hair save for her mop!
But do you know what? The Firemeadow ladies say she's a damn good girl! Don't
matter what she looks like, you stupid off world punk! If they say she's good,
ain't none of us gonna say otherwise. She stays! She's part of us! We're
Highlanders! We decide what that means! Not taking to some off world trash
with a shaky gun in his hand trying to say what we are or ain’t!”
Theodore blinked, thoroughly astonished. While not
exactly
flattering, that was the closest thing to a compliment he had ever heard
come out of Roland's mouth... But... but Theodore wasn't going to stand by
while fools hurled insults at each other. “Meagan, hold Anna!” He took a step
away from the girls and invoked his Live Steel long bow he had been using so
well that summer. It was easily seventy meters to the man with the pistol, but
the distance seemed to race by in his head as he pulled back the string in time
to have an arrow appear out of the air, right into place with its normal blue
sparkle. No wind. Nothing to throw the shot but him. Hitting the target was
all up to him. His shot to miss. Target? Was he just going to strike the man
down dead? Could he really kill someone at such an impersonal distance with
the constable so close and at the ready? Don't let the man hurt anyone...
don't let the man hurt anyone... focus on the target... focus on the goal...
the goal, not the method... focus on the goal... goal, not the method... slow
down... watch your breathing...
The lessons of his father, those thousands of rounds of
sparring and practicing, learning Live Steel and what was and wasn't all played
back and forth in this mind. The countless hours, the long drills, the
expansive lectures all repeated in his head and the noise inside was
horrendous! But it faded, the sound faded and was at last gone. Not a thing
to be heard but his own heartbeat... slow and steady... slow... He released the
bow string.
The arrow was gone. Not hurtling down range in a lofty
arc with a musically tight spin, the arrow was just gone in a puff of blue
sparks that was Live Steel. The arrow now had the freedom it needed and it
made short work of the target. In a blinding flash, it reappeared as it
lurched through the thug's pistol and buried itself up to the fletching in the
miscreant's hand.
There was a long collective gasp as the crowd drank in
what had happened: not only was the assailant disarmed, but he had been done so
with a truly majestic display of Live Steel. A display of such skill that few
would even claim to be able to approach. The chief constable laughed softly
while he and his men made short work of their new 'client.'
Roland stood in the street all but driven to tears with a
deep belly laugh. He then made some boastful comments about Highlanders and
Live Steel to the wounded man, and Theodore
really
hoped that Anna
didn't catch the translation. Theodore also hoped she wasn't going to ask for
help with that parade of colorful euphemisms later.
“Wow. Um...” Theodore permitted himself a small laugh as
he saw Emily desperately covering little Roses ears.
“That, that was a
perfect
shot!” grinned his
father.
Theodore nodded to his father and just sat on the ground
as he tried to come to grips with what
exactly
he had just done. He
hadn't fired the arrow... it just appeared on target at full speed and power.
Heck, it was probably actually more power than the bow was normally capable
of. Live Steel: it spanned their dimension. He had just pushed it out and
back in again, right where he needed it.
“That was freaky and cool!” grinned Anna. “Stand back
up! I need a hug! You need a hug!”
Theodore finally laughed as he let it go, “Yes indeed,
lovely lady, I think we all need a good hug!” He stood and hugged Anna and
then Meagan, and then both before the entire family giddily started laughing
and hugging each other almost at random.
The boisterous laugh and unpleasant smell of Roland soon
joined the group and was soon followed by Roland himself as bear hugged an
unprepared Theodore. “That was an
awesome
shot, lad! Your dad...”
there was a painful pause as earlier words about his father had never been too
civil, “your father taught you well! Think how much even better you'd be if
you didn't keep going offworld!” He laughed again as Theodore fought for good
air as he tried to graciously accept the complement.
Roland mellowed as he turned to face Anna and swished his
whiskers and held his long tail. “Ain't nice of me what I said about your
looks. Ain't right neither. Just shows I ain't cultured like I ought to be.
But I don't take nothing back about you being part of us! Word on the street
is you are going away for Winter but will be back next Summer. We all look
forward to you coming back to stay.”
Anna graciously shook Roland's hand as she fought to keep
a straight face under the onslaught of smell that was his breath and body.
“Thank you. Thank you for standing up for me in front of that... rascal.”
Roland laughed and offered a few other color choice
descriptions of his own for the man in question before finally bellowing out,
“Hey! We came here to dance! Let's dance!”
“Theodore,” called Aidden as he entered the house.
“Theodore, where are you?”
“Kitchen, dad. Doing schoolwork.”
Theodore melted as soon as he saw his father's face,
“What's wrong? Trouble in town again?”
Aidden shook his head slowly, “No. No, you just need to
get right down to the Firemeadow's place. Anna... Anna needs you.”
Horror consumed his mind, “Did they lose an infant?”
“No... Not that bad. You just need to get down there.
I'll stack up your books and papers, just go.”
“I'm going to worry all the way...”
“Problems with her parents... I should be looking at your
butt going out that door, young man!”
Theodore nodded and sprang from the table, he gave Emily a
quick kiss on the head as he ran past her in the living room and bolted out the
front door.
Problems with her parents... sick? Injured? Was there an
accident?
He knew worrying would answer nothing. Knowing the truth and
walking that path are often difficult. He did his best and just concentrated
on his breathing as he maintained a fast jog the entire way.
As he approached the Firemeadows low broad house, he
quickly caught sight of Mary out front. She instantly locked eyes on him and
beckoned him closer before giving him a quick hug, “She's in the back
infirmary, room two. Quite a mess... She needs you. Don't worry about us,
we'll just work around you two.”
Theodore thanked Mary and quickly made his way inside and
to the back of the house. As he opened the door and what was left of his heart
melted as he saw Anna collapsed on a bed sobbing. He ran to her side an knelt
by the bed taking her hand, “I'm here...”
She squeezed his hand and held it long and tight before
rolling half way over to look up at him. “I got a pair of letters from my
parents today... Dad... father...” she just started bawling again.
Theodore grimaced and moved to sit on the bed next to her,
“Did something happen to him?”
Anna just stared off into space before curling up in his
lap. “His good heart left him...”
“He's dead?” Theodore asked in horror.
Anna shook her head. “No... he's alive... just... He's
not the man I always thought him to be.”
Theodore carefully caressed her hair and just gave her
time to talk.
“I had sent a letter telling them both about everything.
Bells on rings, you, Meagan, moving back here next summer,” she let out a long
sigh. “Apparently he went through the roof. He wants me to have nothing more
to do with you and come home immediately.”
Theodore's stomach tied in knots. He had always been
afraid of something like that, but had always held out hopes for the best.
Hollow hope it seemed...
“According to him I've gone from curious and wide-eyed to
cursed and wide... well... you know what fathers think... I don't know what to
do, Theodore. I just don't know.”
Theodore sighed and started with the obvious, “Do
you
still
want to come back and start a family?”
She smiled up at him through tear soaked eyes, “Yes! More
than anything! But it tears my heart so to hear my father that upset... I love
my father. I really do. That's what makes this hurt so much. The easiest
thing to do would be to learn to hate him. But I just can't bring myself to do
that.”
Theodore sighed and held her tight, “He loves you. From
his world view he is doing the right thing. He's trying to protect you.
That's what parents do. But at some point he is going to have to let go, all
parents have to. This time next year you'll be legally an adult.”
“I know all that... There is another problem: my mother
sent a separate letter.”
Theodore's stomach churned even tighter, “What did she
say?”
Anna smiled as she wiped away the tears, “She said
wonderful things! I had mentioned being lonely at home, she offered to take
sabbatical for my final year of school. She'd still work in the anthropology
department, but would be home when I got home and wouldn't be on emergency
medical call. She
glowed
at the thought that I had found someone so
dear to me. She just wants to make certain she can come to the wedding!” Anna
laughed briefly before the tears started to come back.
“Okay, your mother has taken it very well. So, is there a
problem with your mother or just your father?”
Anna would have been crying, but she was running dry.
“They had a fight. A fight over me and you. Father has all but moved out of
the house. They are already talking about getting lawyers involved.”
“So, you are afraid they are going to get divorced because
of us,” summed up Theodore as he leaned against the wall and sighed deeply.
“Well, from your father's world view...”
Anna shrieked, “Would you stop with that 'world view'
crap! Stop trying to pretend that other places aren't all messed up! This
isn't about cultural imperialism or nationalism! If something stinks, it
stinks no matter where it is! 'Oh, the locals are surrounded by a horrible
stench; it must be me and my cultural bias.' Maybe it just smells like crap
and people need to wash their fool streets!”
He kissed her gently on the head, “Alternatively, a rose
by any other name would smell as sweet.” Theodore sighed as he collected his
thoughts, “Okay, pardon me if I'm mercenary for a bit. I'm going to a good
school on a rock solid scholarship. I've proven I'm both capable and willing
to look after your safety as well as your needs and wants. The only obvious
concern is I'm a Taik and you are human. So that makes him speciesist.”
Anna laughed softly, “That is the first time I've
ever
heard you say something unkind about
anyone!”
Theodore frowned, “And it was about your father...”
Anna sighed and tried on a small smile, “At least that
means you aren't a complete Pollyanna.”
Theodore smiled, “I do try to find the best in everyone.
But you are right: at some point searching for the good when the bad is staring
you in the face is foolish.”
Anna hugged him warmly, “I'm glad you are an optimist. I
really am.” She laughed as she beeped him on the nose, “You get that from your parents.
Your father especially. But even they knew they needed to fix their house.”
“Enter Emily,” he grinned.
“She helped fix the house without compromising everyone's
personality. That is why your family is
so
perfect! They solved their
problems and everyone was better for it. There was no compromising, just
loving and sharing! No wonder you are such a screaming optimist!” Anna laughed
and snuggled back into his lap. “Okay, mister optimist, what do you suggest?”
“Assume your father will get over it. Tell him to stop
whining and be nice to your mother or he won't ever get to see the grandkids,”
grinned Theodore.
“
That
I can work with,” she laughed.
“Home early for lunch,” observed Emily as the pair entered
the kitchen. “Everything alright? I noticed Theodore left in a hurry.”
Anna hugged Emily warmly and smiled up into her eyes, “Got
a grumpy letter from my dad and an awesome letter from my mom, so that about
broke even. Only weird thing from my ma is she wants to make the wedding, so
that will take some planning. On the good side, she's going to only be working
half days this next year so I'll be seeing a lot more of her.”
“That is wonderful! Well, not about your father, but your
mother, that is so good to hear!” beamed Emily. “You should get something to
drink, you are parched girl.”
“You can smell the salt, can't you,” laughed Anna as she
rubbed her eyes. “Yeah, Dad's letter was grumpy but after talking with
Theodore, I got over it. Had a good start to the day at least, Bluebell's boy
broke his leg!”
Emily laughed in confusion, “How is a boy breaking his leg
a good start to the day?”
“I got to go in and fix it while he was under stasis.
That was so cool!”
Emily laughed as she turned back to preparing lunch,
“Remind me to not talk shop with you.”
Aidden grinned, “So you two are still rock solid?”
Anna playfully frowned at Aidden, “Of course!”
“Old lady Deidre finally decided she's at risk living
alone, so she finally agreed to move in with her sister over in Kellyston.”
Theodore waited for the tail to swish the other way; his
father hadn't said everything. “Okay, spill it.”
“Conditional on the three of you getting married, she's
offered to sell the house for two thousand. Foundation is good and the main
beams are solid but it needs reroofing, new windows, fresh paint and heaven
help the patterns of the rugs...”
“Two thousand? That's a steal! I couldn't take advantage
of her like that,” blurted Theodore.
“Alternatively you could take a wedding gift as it is
meant.”
Theodore laughed and hugged Anna tight, “That is wonderful
of her!”
Anna giggled, “So much for feeling like an outsider.”
“Hey, I think even Roland would come and help prime the
walls.”
“Only if he takes a bath first,” countered Anna as she
wrinkled her nose.
“I think we can all agree that's a good idea,” laughed
Emily.
“Have we netted positive on the day yet?” grinned Aidden.
“Yes. Yes, indeed!” grinned Anna as she hugged Aidden.