[Sodium_noir] Hell is other people

[Bill]

>   John Black, Abby, Dr. Lazarus, Sandra Scotland 
> Very Old Man, Bastet, Enlightened Scientist, and
> Bastet 
> Lady Sinclair’s Mansion 
>    
>   The Fey Cat laughs out loud this time, a silvery
> sound blending with the music
>   “My Folks, they got me started way early in
> classes. Ballet, among other things.  Even those
> that took me in after Pa passed were kind enough to
> encourage me.”
>   Hours of practice, stretching exercises, blisters
> and aching muscles. But oh so worth it. That feeling
> of the music flowing through her, taking her
> Someplace Else. Someplace where she was at Peace.
> The classes had been the only thing she and her
> foster folks had ever agreed on. The only thing
> she’d ever listened to ANYONE about.
>   She leans against him, moving with him and the
> music.

John was old.  Ancient is a term most would use, and
clear momories were rare events.  But dancing with
Abby, the feel of her body against him, he can see in
his mind's eye a second dance, this time with a woman
with red hair and jade green eyes.  

She was dressed in a long robe of greens and browns
and yellows, colors of the Earth.  The two of them
danced slowly, in a formal style found in the courts
of Germany.  There were several other couples dancing,
along with a number of spectators, though two girls
(ages eight and six) seemed to be paying special
attention to the couple.

"Come now, husband.  Pay attention.  Tonight only,
there are no politics, no Church and no Order, and no
threat of war.  Just you and me, and once our
daughters are safely in bed . . . "  Chantelle left
the promised passions awaiting him unsaid.

***

It was a good omen, he decided, that this was the
right place for him to be and at the right time.  He
watched Sandra and the doctor leave as a new couple
joined them.  He noticed to the women glance in each
others direction.

"Sorry if I zoned out.  A momentary case of nostalgia.
 And seems as if this is turning out to be a good
night for both of us.  Yes?"

-------------
"I swear, as God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly."
-- Les Nessman

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