Free Chloë by Marcus LaGrone Page A

second twin with a broad grin.  “Does Chloë have a
set?”
    Heather
quickly turned to look at Chloë, “I’m sorry.  I didn’t even think about
that.  Do you have a set?  Ack!  Of course she doesn’t have a
set silly, she just moved here from off world…,” she groused to herself.
    “She
is quickly starting,” began one twin. “to lose her accent,” finished the
second.  “You are quite the good study of language,” they offered in
unison.
    Chloë
flushed at that, “Thank you both very much for that.  I have been
trying.”  Chloë was tickled; it wasn’t like the twins to say something
like that unless they really meant it.  “But, I don’t know what bells you
are talking about, much less have any.”
    “These
might be,” began one twin.  “Of some help then,” finished the second as
she placed a small bag in front of Chloë.
    Chloë
opened it to find a whole range of brightly polished silver bells with ribbons
attached to them.  “Well they are all very lovely, but what are they for ?”
she asked of the twins.
    The
pair of twins just laughed so it was up to Heather, “I keep forgetting
your aren’t from around here.  At big dances, eligible girls wear bells on
their fingers and toes, or ankles for that matter.  The bells on ribbons
lets guys know that you are old enough to start to date and willing to look
around.  If you see a gal whose bells are attached by rings, well, she has
already got a steady boyfriend and they are serious.  For larger dances
and mixed dances it lets you know who will mix and when the boys just need to
watch their furry noses.  If you don’t want to get asked by a boy to dance
at all, then don’t wear bells.  Then you will only be dragged into the
family circle dances.”
    Chloë
laughed, “So no bells is, not interested.  Ribbons and bells is cruising
for a guy.  Bells on rings are, I have a guy already thank you.”
    “Exactly!”
beamed Heather.  “So what will it be?  Bells or no bells?”
    “What
the heck.  I’ve gone through all the trouble to learn the local dances;
bells it is!”
    “Excellent!”
replied the twins in unison.

14        
     
     
    The
dances started right at sundown, and soon the town center was alive with people
and the flicker of lamps mixed in with artificial lights.  The mezzanine
to the town hall was laid out in a great banquet, and Chloë was fascinated to
notice people brought more food and drink to the long tables as the night wore
on.  It was truly a community event!  April and May along with two
local musicians played from a central elevated gazebo while the great swirling
masses of dancers surrounded them.  Heather was quite the trouper; she
made almost every open dance.  Chloë had far less endurance but had no
less fun.  She was flattered to be asked to dance by a variety of boys as
well as being asked to join the larger dances that contained between two and
four girls per boy.  It was all quite so different and a lot of fun.
    Ultimately,
however, the refreshments kept calling her back; she was going through an
insane amount of fluids trying to keep up with Heather.  She was in no
shape compared to her.  Heck, none of the boys seemed to be able to stay
on their feet as long as giggling Heather.  Chloë sighed pleasantly to
herself as she watched the masses below.
    “Enjoying
the evening, miss?” asked as young man behind her. 
    She
turned to find a fetching young man of eighteen or nineteen, “Why yes, it has
been a lot of fun.”
    He
smiled cryptically, “Too bad not everyone is having fun.  Anna, for
example, is having a terrible time.”
    Chloë’s
hair stood on end—Anna was the name of her governess. “What about Anna…”
    The
man’s grin turned more sinister, “Well, she survived the crash, but is in poor
shape.  We can’t decide who we should take her to for proper medical
help.  The nearest Altshea canton here on Afon, or maybe back to Bervik.”
    “What
do you