Her week of leave was very badly needed, and she made sure she got out every day and did something she enjoyed and made a conscious effort to relax. After getting out of the meeting on Saturday, except for part of one day, she didn't wear a uniform for the rest of the week, even her sexy battle suits. Sexy was not how she wanted to feel this week, especially after what Seth had tried. The plain beige shift with a cloth belt and flats worn by Otani civilian women was all she cared to wear.
The one exception was the day she took Brian out fishing. She wore her standard gray winter army uniform in case they ran into others in the woods. The weather was cold, and the trees were becoming more spectral every day. Although the sky was overcast, the fish were biting and they had a lot of fun. It was a special day for both of them, as well as Ani, one that they would never forget. They brought back a stringer full of bass and a couple of trout and took them to the cooks in the basement. The cooks made a huge deal out of it and promised the family would have it for dinner. Brian walked out of the kitchen like he was a conquering hero. "I'm pretty good at fishing, aren't I, Kei." He said, chest puffed out like a rooster. "Oh, yes you are, Little Wolf. You are a natural. The next time the fish will all run at the sight of you." She responded. He looked up and said, "Well, I hope not! If they run, I can't catch em!" They both laughed, she tickled him and chased him to his room to play. The family, except for Cynthia, who did not eat with them the entire week, ate what Brian had caught for dinner and raved about how good his fish tasted. Keika teased him that his head was swelled so big, he would not being able to get it through the door. She devoted the entire day to him and Anubis and thoroughly enjoyed all of it.
Much of her free time was spent with the orchestra. She attended their practices for the week, just to be there, surrounded by other artists. This was one of the few places she went without her sword, or any weapons, only her violin. Here she was able to become someone else and her, very special, non-lethal, friends were able to interact with her. They loved her, not because of what she was, or what the public adored her for, but for who she was as a person, her love of music and her skill at producing it. Concerts were scheduled for the coming Friday and Saturday evenings and she was going to be able to play in both. Keika was excited and everyone was warm and happy to have her with them. They would be playing Beethoven's 6th Symphony - 'Pastoral' and, a real crowd favorite, Rimsky-Korsakov's 'Scheherazade'. They were among her favorites as well.
Keika's skill with the violin was well known within the kingdom and both nights were sellouts. She performed flawlessly, energetically creating magic with the instrument under her cheek. The orchestra behind her delivered inspired, powerful performances. The crowds responded to the concerts with loud cheering and multiple curtain calls.
Once again, she was able to stand beside Maestro La Barca, holding his hand, and bow, smiling radiantly, to the adoring throng, soaking up their love of...not her ability to kill or destroy....but to create beauty. At the last call of the last concert, the Maestro dropped her hand, stepped back, bowed and presented her alone to the crowd. They went wild. Roses were thrown onto the stage and at her feet. She was rapturous, almost tearful as she gathered them up to embrace in her arms. "I love you." she told them. Somewhere inside of her a voice said, this is where I really belong....this is where I need to be. If only her sister had not gone to that lab....
Seth did not bother her on Sunday and she didn't trouble herself to call or check on him. After Saturday night it was probably the best move he had made in a while. On Monday morning, however, he called and asked if he could see her. They had been seeing each other since she had been thirteen and he had been her only real boyfriend. She couldn't help but give him another chance. He was an angel for the rest of the week and worked hard to make her happy. They went out several times and she had a good time, so things seemed to smooth out again in their relationship.
YOU ARE READING
Firefly Light
Science FictionIn the not too distant future mankind's world has collapsed. The population of, what had been over 7 billion, has been reduced to a tiny fraction of that number. Nature has reclaimed most of what man had built. Time has been turned back to before th...
