Sang the Stray (Completed)

56. White as a Ghost

"They'll be fine. Come here," Victor said quietly when I hesitated by the doorway.  He laced his fingers with mine and pulled me to the onaip in the corner. We sat hip-to-hip on the small bench before the instrument.  He started to play a gentle melody and I sagged against his side, dropping my head on his shoulder.  I could feel the muscles in his arm tense and release as he played.  I let the notes wash over me and ease my own tension.  My sweet Victor, how did he know this koo was what I needed?

"This is beautiful.  I wish I could play some of my favorite songs from Earth," I said. 

"Your Taren is getting better," Victor noted then asked, "How do they write music on Earth? Did you ever learn?"

"Thank you.  Remembering Taren is hard.  I am still learn...learning.  Music is actually written in a similar way.  Maybe because it is like math?  I learned how to read music in school, but I never wrote anything," I answered. 

"Maybe, we could work on 'translating' one of your songs.  You remember the notes.  I bet we could figure it out," he suggested.

"That would be great...I would love that," I replied. "I always love to hear you play Taren music, too, you know."

"I know.  Sang...there's something I wanted to ask you," Victor stopped playing and turned to me.  Our breath mingled and his lightning eyes captured mine.

I breathed out,"Yes?"

His lips twitched, but he formally asked, "Victor Morgan is doing a concert soon on Unara.  Will you go with me?"

I giggled, "You're Victor Morgan, silly.  I don't think they'll let me sit next to you in the performance arena."

He gave a mock sigh, then said, "Guess I'll have to make special arrangements for a private viewing box."  His grin dropped and expression turned into something more serious.  "Please, will you accompany me to the concert and following reception?  KOTIS will make sure your identification stays anonymous."

"Won't the Setari watchsites know who you are then?" I asked. Some fairly accurate illustrations of my face had popped up in a new dossier on 'New Female Setari'.  Evidently, they were still taking suggestions and voting on a code name for me.  I had secretly submitted 'Delona', but wasn't sure it would get any votes.  I wondered if just initials like, 'C.L.', would trend better.

"Like I said before, KOTIS can't keep my status as a Setari and songstar secret forever.  We had hoped it would last until I gained legal adult status and my parents could no longer arrange these events, but if you're there, it is worth it," Victor declared.

"Okay, yes," I said.  His eyes lit brightly, the lightning crackling with his joy. His hand cupped my cheek and he smiled warmly.

"Good, I'll tell Gabe to find something for you to wear," he added.  Then his gaze dropped to my lips and his eyes darkened.  I was starting to recognize this look.  My breath shortened as my heart sped.  I wet my lips in anticipation.  Victor started to lean closer and...Purrrrrr.

Why is my lap vibrating?

I looked down and saw nothing but felt the weight on my legs.  The Ionoth cat!

"Sang," Victor asked hesitantly, "is something wrong?  I didn't mean to..."

I cut him off by pressing my lips gently to his.  He stopped in surprise, at first, but soon caressed my lips with his.  As I kissed him back, I tried to discreetly lift the cat off my lap and place her on the ground.  However, unfortunately, at that moment, Victor pressed in closer.  The cat took objection to being squashed and yowled loudly.  This caused Victor to jerk back and look at me in confusion. The cat choose to burst into visibility and leap towards the onaip.  Victor toppled backwards off the bench and away from the sudden appearance of the Ionoth.  He gaped in shock as it ran across the keys, making dissonant chords in accompaniment to its escape.