Free Rhythm of the Imperium by Jody Lynn Nye Page B

had to paint with a brush broader even than I had used for my cousins. With a swift glance at my teacher to ensure that she did not disapprove, I created a landscape. I moved from here to there, imitating trees, mountains, a running brook.
    “The world, huh?” Teesh asked, beginning to catch my intimations.
    I beamed at the Wichu. Then I gathered all my creations in my hands and drew them down into a tiny globe I held tenderly. He watched as I gathered more and more “worlds,” making each tiny in turn.
    “Okay, I guess … the system? Taruandula?” Now Mr. Icari had become interested. He peered at me closely as I plucked tiny “systems” from all around me. “The sector?”
    Then I threw my arms around them all.
    “The universe!” they chorused. I drew my forefingers together in a graceful gesture, keeping my face immobile, though inwardly I was beaming like a laser. Success! The two males cheered, then subsided, looking at one another with sheepish expressions. Such an outcry must seldom be heard in such a dignified establishment as Icari.
    “What’ve we got that looks like the universe that salutes?” Teesh asked, stroking his massive jaw.
    “The Starburst,” Icari said. He clapped his hands together. “Teesh, bring the Starburst. Make certain it is in his lordship’s size. It is for you, isn’t it, Lord Thomas, and not for this lady?”
    I glanced again at Deirdre. She widened her eyes slightly, giving me permission. If I ever thought that Parsons owned the trademark on microscopic facial expressions, Madame Deirdre came as close to anyone who violated it. I nodded.
    The room became a bustle of activity. All of the rotating racks went into operation at once. Gondolas of clothing lowered themselves from the ceiling and raised up again as Teesh failed to locate the item he sought. I had a moment’s concern in case they would not have what I wanted and would have to make it or alter it from existing stock. The longer we lingered on this station, the greater the chances that my cousins would find this place and strip it to the walls. All my hopes of holding an exclusive on choice fashions would be dashed. I knew that each of my relatives had their own list of establishments they had planned to visit, but I fancied I had the inside track on the very best of the best. Odile’s recommendations had certainly paid off thus far.
    I allowed my concerns to surface in movement. I drew my arms inward, wrapping myself in a cloak of misery. My shoulders drooped. My eyes went wide with hopelessness. So effective were my emotings that Icari himself came to lay an arm over my shoulders.
    “Don’t worry, my lord! That’s a new design. We got in the whole range of sizes. I can’t recall selling a Starburst in your size yet. I fancy we’ve got it here someplace. I apologize deeply for the delay. Please, allow me to get you a drink of something.” He snapped his fingers.
    A tall cylinder of a serverbot sailed into the room brandishing a tray. In a circular depression that contained chill circuits, a glass bottle of pale green wine shivered. A handsome decanter containing a rich red towered over various beakers and containers of a rainbow of liquids.
    “Name it, sir. We’ve got it. Taruandula gets practically everything. Would you like a snifter from my private store of Nyikitu brandy? I know that’s his Imperiousness’s favorite.”
    I smiled, but shook my head.
    “I know how hard that is to obtain, Mr. Icari,” I said. “I prefer to keep my mind clear. That red wine looks entrancing.”
    The serverbot raised the carafe and poured a perfect measure into a glass. I allowed my features to return to their normally optimistic expression. Icari relaxed. The wine lived up to the richness of its color, sating my palate and wetting a whistle grown dry from exertion.
    “A fine vintage,” I said, allowing my free hand to create symbols expressing my approval. “My Imperium cousin wouldn’t find this out of place in