Debera for the rest of the concert.
He didn’t pay such close attention to the second and third parts of the
Landing Suite’, which brought events up to the present. A cynical
section of his mind noticed that Chalkin’s impeachment was not
mentioned, but then it was a very recent incident which the composer and
lyricist would not have known about. He wondered would it ever make
history? Chalkin would love it. Which might well be why no-one would
include him. That’d be the final punishment anonymity.
Dinner was announced at the conclusion of the Suite’, and the big Lower
Cavern was efficiently reorganized for dining.
In the scurry and fuss of setting up tables and chairs, he got separated
from Debera. The panic which that caused him made it extremely clear
that he could not divorce his emotions from the girl.
When they found each other again, her hand went out to him as quickly as
his to her, and they remained clasped while they waited in line to
collect their food.
lantine and Debera finally found seats at one of the long trestle tables
where everyone was discussing the music, the singers, the orchestration,
how lucky they were to be in a Weyr which got preferential treatment.
There was, of course, a tradition of music on Pern, brought by their
ancestors and encouraged by not only the Teaching Hall but also Weyr and
Hold. Everyone was taught how to read music from an early age and
encouraged to learn to play at least one instrument, if not two or
three. It was a poor hold indeed that could not produce a guitar or at
least pipes and a drum to liven winter nights and special occasions.
The meal was very good – though lantine had to concentrate on tasting
it. Most of his senses were involved in sitting thigh to thigh with
Debera. She was quite volatile, talking to everyone, with a great many
things to say about the various performances and the melodic lines that
she particularly liked. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes very
bright. He’d never seen her so elated. But then, he knew he was
feeling high with an almost breathless anticipation of the dancing.
He’d have her in his arms, then, even closer than they were now. He
could barely wait.
But he had to, for of course on First Day ice-cream, the special and
traditional sweet, was available and no-one would want to miss that. It
was a fruit flavour this year, creamy, rich, tangy with lots of tiny
fruit pieces, and he was torn between eating slowly – which meant the
confection might turn sloppy since the Lower Cavern was warm indeed – or
gulping it down firm and cold. He noticed that Debera ate quickly, so
he did the same.
As soon as the diners finished, they dismantled the tables and pushed
back the chairs so that there’d be space for the dancing. The
musicians, re-assembling in smaller units so that the dance music would
be continuous, were tuning up their instruments again.
When all was ready, K’vin led Zulaya – res pendent in the red brocade
dress of her portrait – on to the floor for their traditional opening of
the dance. lantine caught himself wanting to sketch the
distinguished-looking couple, but he’d hidden his pad in the pile of
tables and had to content himself with storing the details in his mind.
He’d never seen Zulaya flirt so with K’vin and the Weyrleader was
responding gallantly. He did notice some riders talking among
themselves, their eyes on the two Leaders, but he couldn’t hear what was
said, and while the glances were speculative it wasn’t his business.
Next the wing leaders handed their partners out on the floor for three
turns before the wing seconds joined them.
Then Tisha – partnered by N’ran, the Weyr medic – whirled very
gracefully in among the dancers. The first dance ended, but now the
floor was open to everyone. The next number was a brisk two-step.
Will you dance with me, Debera?” lantine asked, with a formal bow.
Eyes gleaming, head held high and smiling as if her face would split