Theodore (10 page)

Anna was soon spending mornings at the Firemeadow's
residence, learning the local tricks of the trade.  But Emily insisted Anna
work half days at most, there were too many cultural things that she felt Anna
needed to be exposed to.  Much to Theodore's chagrin, that meant two more trips
to Rebecca Silverfox's place for afternoons of dance.  Actually, Theodore was
enjoying it in spite of himself as he too came along for practice.  It had been
easily a year since his last formal practice, and he had forgotten many
things. 

As the week pressed to a close, Anna was caught with the one
thing she had promised her parents that she hadn't done: write home.

Rose had great fun at Anna's expense as Anna kept rewriting
the same letter over and over, trying to get it mistake free.

“I have become so
thoroughly
spoiled by computers,”
laughed Anna.  “Between typing and handwriting recognition, I've not done a pen
and paper letter since I was Rose's age!”

Rose just laughed as Anna beeped her on the nose.

“This, little one, is why you are supposed to practice. 
That way when you are my age and trying to write a letter you don't get your
whiskers in a knot!”  lectured Anna.

“But you don't have whiskers...” replied little Rose.

“Good thing too!  At this point they'd be a horrible mess!”

Rose just laughed as Anna tried once more on the pages at
hand.  After several tries Anna relented and finished off the letter, mistakes
and all.  “How expensive and how long does it take to post?”  Anna asked as she
sealed it into a envelope that Emily provided.

“Cost is only two talirs for private post.  But it will take
close to a week to get there,” replied Emily with a warm smile.

“Cheaper and faster than I feared!”

“If you want to make a day of it and hand carry it to
Leicester, that will knock two days off.”

Theodore read Anna's confused look, “Leicester is that first
town we went through after being dropped off, as it were.”

“Uh, round trip that's easily eight hours at least of
walking... No, I can think of better ways to spend the day!” laughed Anna.

Emily smiled, “Fair enough, we can drop the letter off when
we head into town this afternoon.”

“I can just drop it off,” offered Theodore.

Emily grinned mischievously, “That won't do.  We have to get
Anna back to the seamstress.”

“Um, I've already picked up all the dresses I fit for,”
blurted Anna.

Emily's smile broadened, “That doesn't mean there isn't
another one waiting.  Come on, let's go get you up a proper dancing dress!”

Anna just blushed, “Um, thank you...”

“Well then, let's go,” grinned Emily.  “Do you want to carry
little Abby again?”

“Yes, please!”

Theodore planned on spending a pleasant few minutes at the
store while Anna had her final fitting, but no, that wasn't part of Emily's
plan.  Instead he found himself in a stall with a posh set of new clothes of
his own to try on.  He didn't know if he was supposed to be embarrassed or
thoroughly flattered by the effort Second Mother was putting into making him
look good for the dance.  Making
them
look good for the dance!  Theodore
stepped out for inspection, as it were, and was flabbergasted as he caught
sight of Anna's new outfit: it was a gorgeous flowing brilliant blue dress with
a flattering bodice and a... clever neckline.

“Don't drool on your nice new outfit,” admonished Emily
playfully.

“Second Mother!  Her outfit...”

“Fits quite well, doesn't it.  She fills it out quite nicely
too.  They do such an excellent job at this shop.  I fancied myself pretty good
with a needle at one point.  Couldn't last a day in this shop; they'd be
ripping out all my work.  I'll stick with repairs.”

“But mother... and the cost!”

Emily straightened Theodore's collar and started to square
up his shirt and vest, “How much do we spend on clothes as a family?  Not
much!  More on Rose and Father last year than the rest of us.  The girls just
like simple things when they paint...  While we aren't rolling in silver or
anything, we are actually doing quite well.  Third mother is due late Fall and
we can actually
pay
someone to put an addition onto the house for a
change.  If you aren't careful, next time Anna comes to visit she'll have a
real room rather than the attic!  The
family,
not just I, wanted to
splurge a little for you two, so let us have our little fun.”

Theodore just gave up and hugged Emily tight.

“Oh!  That's much better,” she grinned.    

“I think after the paintings, Anna would still prefer the
attic.”

Emily nodded, “They
did
do good work up there.  That
has been a nice thing with you home, they've all really been happy.  And when
those girls are happy they do nice work.  Both quality and speed!  They've
finished all their commissions and are working on decorative things again. 
Need to get people to sit for them again...”

“Would they be happier if I didn't go back to the
university?”

Emily looked shocked, “Oh heavens, no!  They are proud of
you, proud of your scholarship!  The
only
reason they'd want you to stay
and not go back is all about safety.  But the good folks back there are working
hard on that already.  They are happy when you are happy.  And we've seen more
smiles from you this last week than all last summer!  Come on, enough of that! 
Let's make sure this fits properly!  I noticed that you didn't comment that your
and Anna's outfits coordinate...”

“After the whole bodice... thing... I thought the fact that
we matched was kinda moot.”

Anna smiled and quickly came bouncing, er... bounding over
to Theodore and did a quick spin in the dress, “It's gorgeous, isn't it!”

“Yes.  It is quite lovely,” Theodore sheepishly offered.

“You think maybe it should go a little lower in the
front...”

Theodore's ears throbbed painfully and his fur spiked on end
launching Anna and Emily both into a laughing fit.

The entire family turned out for the dance.  Theodore knew
that First Mother wasn't much for dancing herself, but all the others
definitely were!  Theodore seemed somewhat self-conscious that his and Anna's
outfits drastically outshone the rest of the family's.  That wasn't entirely
true: Rose's outfit was quite festive as well!

The entire area along the market square in front of the town
hall had been festively decorated for the evening.  A mix of artificial and
torch lights surrounded the square while great displays of food and drink were
spread out on long tables all along the wings.  Aidden carried two large
baskets of finger food as the family's contribution and soon people were
looking to the stage for the start of the evening.

“I think they are going to open with the children's dance
again this time,” offered Aidden.  “So Rose, this is your big chance to shine!”

Rose beamed and laughed with giddy anticipation.

“She is growing fast,” remarked Theodore with a grin.

“She'll be six in two weeks,” remarked Emily.  “Same
birthday as Anna.”

Theodore's face went wide, “Oh my word, I haven't found a thing
yet for your birthday!  I didn't realize it was so soon!”

Anna just laughed, “And yours is in a month, and I haven't
found a thing yet either.”

“So, Anna will be seventeen?” asked Fiona with a grin.

“Yes, indeed,” replied Emily.  “Oop!  There they go, Rose! 
Run on out; it's about to start!”

They all laughed as they watched Rose and about fifty other
small children take to the dance floor while the musicians took to the stage to
thunderous applause.

“Oh... It's some of the gals from House Rose playing tonight,”
murmured Theodore.

“Is that a problem?” asked Anna.

“I hope not,” he replied meekly.

Anna just laughed as she put her bells on and gave them a
good flick.  Bells on her toes, too.

“Um, how long have you been going without shoes?” asked
Theodore suddenly.

Anna laughed, “Since my second day here, actually.  Didn't
notice, I take it.”

“He's been looking other places,” teased Fiona.

“First Mother!” groused Theodore.

 “Hey, here comes Meagan Rose,” beamed Emily.

“Just kill me now...” murmured Theodore as he stared into
the night sky.

Anna just laughed at Theodore as a gorgeous teenage Taik
came bounding up to the group full of smiles.  She had short black hair and a
soft white coat with black rosettes, similar to a snow leopard but softer and
muted in color and definition.  Her bells jingled spritely as she ran up and
was carefully carrying what looked like a shortened bassoon.

“Hi, Theodore!  Glad you are back from school!” giggled
Meagan.

“Hi, Meagan.  You are looking… festive.”  Theodore fought
for a reply.

Meagan laughed and turned to Anna with a broad grin, “Hi! 
I'm Meagan.  Meagan Rose.  You are Anna, right?”

Anna smiled and shook her hand, “Yes, indeed.  Anna
Westmore.  Delighted to meet you.”

“Is it okay if I join you two on the lines and thirds?  It
doesn't look like you have a third or fourth yet in your party...” she asked
with intoxicating enthusiasm.

“I'd be delighted for more support out there,” chimed Anna.

“Great!” She beamed.

“That is a curtal you are playing, right?” asked Anna with
honest curiosity.

“Yep!  It's a tenor curtal.  I've got to get back to the
stage for the opening.  I'll catch you two later this evening!” she bounced
back the way she had come giggling all the way.

“
That
is what happens when you bottle sunshine,”
grinned Fiona.

“Let's pray for cloudy weather...” murmured Theodore.

Anna just laughed, “What is wrong?  Meagan seemed like a
delightful young lady.”

Fiona laughed, “Meagan has had her eye on Theodore these
last four years, and she's not been shy about the fact!”

Anna suddenly looked worried, “I'm... I'm an outsider.  I'm
not causing problems am I?”

“Heavens, no!” beamed Emily.  “She's looking to be a Second,
no challenge to your station.”

“My station?  Well, yeah but... I'm...” began Anna
nervously.

“You're just fine,” replied Theodore as he kissed Anna on
the forehead.   “Ignore anyone that says otherwise.”

A warm grin threatened to consume her face and for once, no
one made a joke at the pair.  Anna and Theodore stood there holding hands while
the rest of the family politely giggled.  His sister Rose was getting ready to
dance and he made sure to give his little sister the attention and applause she
deserved.  Anna just smiled and leaned on Theodore while the series of opening
dances played out.    

Little Rose was all smiles as she came bounding back to the
family.  Giddy was an understatement as she bounced up into Fiona's arms, and,
with a giggle, launched herself into Charlotte's arms.  Emily passed Abby to
Fiona and went to rescue Charlotte as the giggling girl was a bit much for
Third Mother to handle.

A fiddle and a nyckelharpa were soon playing racing
arpeggios beckoning the next wave of dancers for the opening singles dance.

Anna beamed at Theodore, “That's our cue, yes?”

Theodore smiled as he took her hand.  He was stepping out
onto the dance floor in front of his peers and elders.  Dressed to the nines in
a matching outfit with an offworlder, a human.  The fact that they were
presenting themselves as a couple was beyond obvious and all that was left was
to soak up the catty remarks from those around him for his display.  But
Theodore didn't care!  Finally!  He was happy to be with Anna and was just as
happy... proud... to show her off to the crowd.  There would be talking in the
morning, that could not be avoided, but tonight?  Tonight was theirs! 

Anna must have been nervous, too, as her grip grew tighter
when they stepped out from the sidelines into the open dance floor.  But with a
quick smile from Theodore, the pair quickly found their place and stood proud,
waiting for the music to start.

The music all but exploded, launching the dancers into
motion.  Theodore was instantly glad he had gone to the Silverfox's to practice
with Anna; things were far faster than he had remembered!  Anna's bells jingled
along in time as the pair made good use of the dance floor, both were having
fun and it was showing.

Theodore had almost forgotten that there were other dancers
on the floor, he was so intent on Anna, but his nerves were suddenly tested as
someone cut into the dance.  He had half expected it to be Meagan barging in on
the pair, but no, it was smiling Alice Blackfox.  She was a nice enough gal,
but Theodore was pained at the interruption.  And what of Anna?

Alice must have read the concern in Theodore's face as she
giggled and motioned over her shoulder.  Theodore's grin could have lit up the
whole dance floor as he caught sight of Séamus Clearwater dancing with blushing
Anna.  “She's a darling, silly boy.  You don't need to worry about her!” 
laughed Alice.

Theodore grinned back, and did his best to keep up with
Alice who was quite an accomplished dancer.  It took him two more sets before
he was able to cut back in with Anna, but had a wonderful time in the process. 
Blushing Anna was never short of a partner, but it was obvious she was relieved
as well to finally be back dancing with Theodore.  The dance ended far too soon
and the exhausted pair made it back to the sidelines.

“You two looked wonderful out there!” beamed Fiona.

Theodore just grinned and kissed his First Mother on the
cheek.  Anna watched Theodore and giggled before doing likewise.

Dance after dance filled the night air.  When Theodore and
Anna weren't on the floor, then Emily, Charlotte and Aidden were!  Fiona
laughingly got dragged into one dance and they all enjoyed the festivities.

When the dances of three hit the lines, Theodore looked
across to find giddy Meagan as their third.  With Anna beaming at his side, he
had no choice but to smile warmly at Meagan as well.  After all these years,
Meagan no longer made him nervous.  A fact Meagan quickly exploited!  Any
chance of seeing
less
of Meagan Rose was quickly rent asunder as Meagan
and Anna soon took to gabbing amongst each other between the dances.

As midnight finally came and went, it was time to get back
to the house.  Little Rose had long since passed out for the night and Aidden
carried her softly back.

Anna and Theodore giggled as they walked behind the rest of
the family.  Suddenly he turned and looked Anna square in the eyes, “I think
I've figured out what I'm getting you for your birthday: bells.”

“Bells?” she asked confused as she gave her set a quick
flick.

“Bells on rings!”

Anna started to say something, but he knew letting her talk
would be a mistake so he silenced her the old fashion way: he kissed her.