This chapter is short—please don't shoot the author! It's mainly a transition, and then after I get chapter seven up, the plot truly thickens. Hang in there and don't forget to review!

Chapter Six
Evelyn, the head of our Avian dance performers, had been the first to suggest that I take part in the Spring Festival celebrations. Interaction with my people, Mel had suggested, would strengthen their faith in me. It would keep my humanity alive and ensure the people that I was still just one of them. And so I had agreed to take part in the celebrations, though I never thought that could mean having to take private dance lessons from Evelyn, and then have to perform in front of my people. That part hadn't been mentioned during Mel's motivation speech. But if I backed down, I knew the dancers would see it as a weakness, Mel would as well.

Sothat was why I was sitting there, on a sill in the hall, looking down at the Market Square, the dais a large stone platform that had been built a few days ago. Then I looked down at what I was wearing: a dancer's garb Evelyn had made specifically for me.

The bodice, which was not shy to show off my figure, as all dancers attire did, was a deep bronze that shimmered when in the light, almost metallic. Silk golden ribbons laced from my neckline to my waist in a criss-cross pattern, with matching ribbons that dressed my shoulders and wrists. I'd never worn anything like it before, preferring not to encourage the epithet my people used when referring to their Tuuli Thea: the golden one. The hem of the skirt draped from my knees to my ankles, the same color as the bodice, free-flowing and light. And flexible for the dance patterns I would have to perform.

"My lady?"

I turned away from the window at the sound of Evelyn's voice. She smiled when she saw me in the dancer's garb. "My lady looks beautiful in gold and bronze," she said to me. Though my hair, I knew, matched the ribbons on my outfit, Evelyn's black hair curled down her back, contrasting nicely with her auburn colored dancer's attire.

"Thank you, Evelyn," I replied, though I could not keep the note of nervousness from my tone.

Evelyn moved to stand next to me. "You've practiced as hard as any one of my dancers the past two months, you have nothing to be nervous about. Your people will be pleased to see their Tuuli Thea rise to the challenge." Evelyn's words brought comfort to me, even though I could not banish the fluttering feeling from my stomach.

I smiled appreciatively at her then stood. "The sun has set, let's not delay the start of Spring Festival," I said.

———

By the time Evelyn and I had reached the Market Square, the scene was already bustling with celebration. Vendors sold their goods, especially made for this event, to buyers along the edges of the Market. Steaming food was being brought out and set up along way on carts. I recognized some of Evelyn's dancers already performing simplepatterns through the crowd to create excitement and set the ambiance of thefestival into motion. Musicians were stationed on platforms encompassing the Square, their songs reaching everyone. Tables and benches were set up around the stone dais for when the performances would begin. Torches were being lit, their flames casting warmth and light into the Market as they hung on the surrounding buildings.

Everything and everyone seemed alight with life. The first performances would begin after the sky turned completely dark. Knowing that I would have to make an opening speech I moved towards the dais, aware that Aderyn had joined me on my left, following at a discreet distance. I noticed that additional guards had been posted at several entrances to the Market as well.

Everyone had chosen to dress in earth tones, some sparkling in the light and others streaming with ribbons–I caught sight of the dark colors, and immediately met the garnet gaze of Kiesha Cobriana. I recognized Isadora, dressed in an outfit similar to mine–it exposed a bit more skin than mine–but forest green and silver. Brassal was also in company, dressed in dark blues that matched her eyes.

"Queen Alasdair," Kiesha inclined her head in a greeting as she walked over to me. Kiesha drew stares from passersby, as her dress, I noticed, could have passed for the color of blood.

"I am pleased you could join us tonight," I greeted Kiesha, taking note of the fact that the other five male Serpiente were not in the Market, as far as I could see.

Kiesha smiled, careful to hide her fangs. Brassalmight havetold her about my reaction to Nalini when I'd visited them earlier. "The histories written about your people do not do your culture justice," she complimented the Festival. I wondered, what histories had been written about my people? I knew the Dasi were far more ancient than our civilization–we were still young in time's eye.

"The past winter was good to us during the harvest, they are happy to celebrate," I offered, knowing that the topic was one I could discuss easily.

"Tuuli Thea, if I may interrupt," I heard one of the dancers voice's surface next to me. I cast a quick glance at Kiesha, who did not seem to mind, and then turned to a face I recognized as Cavan. "Evelyn suggested you perform after we introduce a folk dance, and that we are ready for you to make your opening speech," he said to me. I nodded, and he left, heading back towards the dais where I noticed the dancers had started to gather on the dais.

Kiesha's voice brought me out of my thoughts. "You will dance tonight?"

I nodded, already feeling the blush rise to my face. Most of the dancers under Evelyn's instruction were twice my age. I knewI hadonly been allowed to study with them because I was Tuuli Thea, but I hoped I wouldn't make them regret the decision tonight when I performed.

"The last two months I've been studying with our performers in order to prepare for this Festival," I replied calmly, despite the constant fluttering in my stomach that had not left me since I'd dressed for tonight.

Kiesha seemed to be pleased when she heard this. "Isadora is one of our most esteemed dancers. Itis a way of life amoung the Serpiente. I'm sure my companions will enjoy watching the performances," she said. At the mention of companions, I found myself tensing at the thought that Landon, and four other male Serpiente, would most likely be watching me as I performed. Chastising myself for the immaturity of the thought, Iattempted distractionfrom the fluttering feeling in my stomach.

Kiesha seemed to sense this because she added, "But I must inform you that Donte will not be able to attend tonight, he is still resting from the journey here."

I nodded, and then wondered why one of their males would need to rest when Kiesha, Isadora and Brassal seemed in perfect health. The anxiety crept up my spine at the idea that they felt disgusted in partcipating in an event that invovled Avian tradition, but the feeling was soon quelled when I saw the three absent male Serpiente join up just behind Kiesha. They seemed to slip in out of nowhere, but then again, agility was an art for them, not just a necessity.

Shaking off the thought I spoke. "If you would excuse me," to which Kiesha nodded in response.

Walking away from the Cobriana, I felt the fluttering in my stomach intensify as I made my way to the dais. At the last moment I caught Landon's piercing emerald gaze, and felt my stomach tighten as I stepped up onto the stone dais.

Taking a deep breath, I moved to stand on the center of the platform, the Market slowly quieting around me.