Chapter Six: The Salsa
Hoshi smacked her lips after she applied her lipstick. She checked every part of her with the life-size mirror; she wanted to look perfect for captain Grunehf's banquet tonight. The front of her hair was up in clips she found in the market. Her dress was cream-colored and knee-length; the sleeveless part accentuated her arms, and the v-neck showed off the long necklace she bought. As the final touch, she put on the sandal-heels she also found in the market.
-----
The feast was packed with crewmembers of both ships. Hoshi searched to find familiar faces among the crowd.
"Over here, Hoshi!" Travis called. He motioned for her to sit next to him at the table he, Jon, Malcolm, and Trip were sitting at.
"This place is amazing!" Hoshi exclaimed, breathlessly, as she sat down.
"Yeah, who'd have thought Captain Grunehf had so much wealth?" Travis said. The lighting was bright and on each corner of the hall was a statue of a bird. "It seems the Horienzi are into birds." Travis grinned.
"I see you all are enjoying yourselves," Grunehf said when he walked to their table.
"Yes, thank you very much for your wonderful hospitality," Archer said.
Grunehf sat next to Archer and chatted with him. Malcolm and Trip were also engaged in conversation, while Travis scoped out Horienzi women from his seat.
Hoshi held up her glass to take a sip of her drink.
Boom!
Startled, Hoshi's drink splashed on her arms. "Damn!" she muttered.
Everyone turned to the banquet's double doors. A young Horienzi man with short-cropped green hair had opened the doors of the hall with a loud bang.
"Oh, no," groaned Grunehf.
"You know the guy?" Trip asked.
"Yes, that is Alfgrhio…my son," Grunehf replied with a sigh. "He is very rebellious, or so he thinks. Every time I have a feast, he likes to storm in and cause trouble."
"Papai!" Alfgrhio called when he spotted his father.
"What do you want, Alfgrhio?"
"You should know by now, what I want," Alfgrhio said, gruffly. "I want to dance. I want to dance the salsa."
"You say that at every banquet I hold for special guests. Why can't you show some respect, my son?"
"I'll dance," Hoshi cut in.
All eyes were suddenly on her. She got up from her seat and walked to Alfgrhio.
"What is your name?" Alfgrhio asked. "Do you know the salsa?"
She extended her hand, "I'm Hoshi. And of course I know the salsa. It happens to be my favorite dance style."
Alfgrhio took Hoshi's hand and lead her onto the floor, which became the dance floor when everyone moved out of the way.