as many Tak’sinii females and a few males turned in her direction, eyeing her curiously. She didn’t realize she had completely stopped until Ag’hana nudged her forward.
“Come, do not let them unnerve you. They do not smell of any hostility, only uncertainty and curiosity. They will watch you, but that is what we want. We want public opinion to sway to support you. Do not worry. All will be well.”
Charlie nodded, not the least bit confident standing in a room packed with Tak’sinii who might want to harm her. If Ag’hana was worried even the smallest amount, she didn’t show it. She introduced Charlie to everyone they met like a celebrity. Though Charlie struggled to keep all the names straight, she gradually began to relax, encouraged by the pleasant conversation.
“This is weird,” Charlie murmured in a low voice. She was still waiting for the usual anxiety when she was dealing with people who weren’t non-gratas.
“What is odd?” Ag’hana replied quietly as she waved to another female at the other side of the room.
Charlie smiled at the female when she included her in the wave. “That everyone’s being so nice. Not one person is saying anything snide or looks like they’re whispering behind my back.”
Ag’hana snorted. “Oh, they will talk, but our job is to make sure that the good things will outshine all else. Idle gossip is exactly what we want so that it reaches the ears of the king. The queen is no doubt hearing everything… She is right over there.” Ag’hana nodded to a female dressed in a deep purple kassan embroidered with gold and silver, a plumed headdress setting her apart from the other females.
Swallowing nervously, Charlie nodded and smiled to another female who was introduced, until at last they descended into a darkened room. Her fingers clenched Ag’hana’s arm, her vision noticeably lacking compared to the other females who navigated their way through the room effortlessly. The tension building through her as she walked blindly through the room didn’t relax until she was seated.
Making herself comfortable, her eyes widened as the curtain rose over a lit cage where Tak’sinii dressed in delicate costumes began their performance, colors moving together at the first chord of music that rose into the air. Charlie watched, captivated, her attention following the graceful dance as others sang melodies that were, as Ag’hana informed her in a low whisper, traditional songs of the Tak’sinii passed down for generations.
As different as it was, it was easy for her to slip into a performance. She had always wanted to see a ballet or opera in person, and this was like the best of both combined into something new that tugged at her emotions like a moon upon the tides as lost loves were mourned and new loves and the arrival of children were celebrated. By the end, tears had both dry and wet tracks down her cheeks at the final sounding bell of its conclusion.
Taking Ag’hana’s hand once more, they emerged into the bright room. Charlie blinked, trying to adjust her vision to the change in lighting. She turned to tell her friend how much she enjoyed the program to find that the arm she was clutching was not one belonging to Ag’hana, but the queen.
Horrified, Charlie dropped her hand away. “My apologies, I do not know what happened, I…” Her eyes sought the crowd. I’m going to kill Ag’hana.
“It is fine,” the queen soothed, drawing Charlie’s attention back to her. “Do not blame Ag’hana. I asked her to switch places with me. I have heard many intriguing things yesterday, and then today before the performance. I had to see you up close. Attending the plays is a good way of seeing a person’s heart, to see what moves them. I am delighted to see that you reacted to the program in a way that reminds me very much of my oldest daughter. She too is quick to cry at the sentimental scenes. No hint of a hard heart in that one. It pleases me to see that in you as well. Now tell me, how did you enjoy our traditional program?”
“It was life-changing,” Charlie replied honestly. “I’ve never had the privilege of seeing anything so amazing.”
A delighted smile creased the queen’s cheeks. “I am very glad to hear it. Now I will return you to Ag’hana before my entourage begins to worry. Ah, there she is. It was a great pleasure to meet you, en’assa.” Leaning forward, she pressed a kiss to Charlie’s