She’s used to being ignored, isn’t she? Zara said after a moment’s thought.
Being the tenth of a big and noisy family that could produce Roddie would result in that posture, Damia said. And sighed. None of you allowed yourselves to be ignored for any length of time. Asia might be soothing company.
Zara gave her mother an odd glance to see if Damia was teasing, or serious.
A bit of both, dear.
She’s pretty, too, Zara remarked, if you look at the bones of her, though that outfit is not the best style for someone with bones to show off. ů ů well, that’follow the personality problem. However, she’d do a little something with herself You’re right, she is pretty, though I doubt she’s as delicate as she appears. The Eagles are a physically strong family. Afra, we must do what we can with this child, Damia told her husband. She’s got some Talent but she’s even locked that up as tight as hot weather seed pod in snow.
Before any of them could step in, Rojer walked up to Asia, took her by the hand and hauled her shrinking self up from the stool.
`I want you to meet my Dinis. I got the new improved models when I got home. Since you’re here to learn a few things from Xexo, I’ll just take you along and do the introductions. You’ll like Xexo,’ Rojer said as he hauled his reluctant victim beside him. `C’mon, now, Asia.
I don’t want to hear a single moan of “oh, I can’t do this” out of you, d’you hear me?’ Stay out of this, Zara, Asia’s mine! And, as he left the room with the girl, he shot a stern warning at his sister over Asia’s head. And a second one at his mother. I know you two ladies too well! You keep away.
Berated from such an unusual source, Zara and Damia exchanged bemused glances and grinned as they `heard’ Rojer telling Asia all about the puzzle and how many pieces he had part credit for fitting together when all the engineers on Alliance worlds were trying to reconstruct the Great Sphere.
`Of course, that was before we all snitched Refugee out from under the Hivers’ noses. `Is our Rojer smitten?’ Afra asked quietly of his womenfolk.
`I’m not quite sure …` Damia replied.
`Well on the way to it, if you ask me, Zara said with a knowing sniff. `Deciding to protect someone who appears defenceless can lead to a meaningful relationship. Provided, of course, it doesn’t lead to an unsuitable over-protectiveness that inhibits the less confident party.
Damia grinned at her suddenly authoritative young daughter who was only just in control of her own hormones and burgeoning womanliness.
And don’t even think like that about me, Mother, Zara said with some asperity. I’ve learned a great deal, a very great deal, from Elizara and Isthia in the past three years. I’m qualified on first-level psychotherapy and Asia’s problem is not that complex.
leave Asia alone. She doesn’t need two more mothers!
came Rojer’s acid rejoinder.
Do as he says, Afra suggested, casting a mildly stern glance at wife and daughter.
Rhodri had changed into a very elegant leisure suit, remarking that it-was a relief to be out of uniform as he passed his host and hostess. He took Zara by the arm and insinuated them both neatly into the group comprised of Flavia, Laria, Thian, and Keylarion, the Tower expediter.
Later it was he who suggested they roll up the rugs and dance. If he danced more with Flavia than the Lyon girls, he also danced three times with Damia, two slow dances with Asia, one each with Morag and Kaltia and a boisterous polka with Petra, a dance which he insisted was well within the scope of the `Dinis and shortly had them cavorting as wildly as he and Petra.
And he’s Asia’s older brother? was Zara’s enigmatic comment.
People come in all shapes and forms, Afra said, even mentally breathless from his exertions with Damia as his polka partner. Then he smiled broadly at Petra’s prim curtsey when Rojer took her hand for a waltz, the next dance on the tape of assorted musics.