A bystander listens, amazed at the chaos and the sentiments being expressed. She looks up at the towering Cylinder and then down at the remains of the effigy. She hovers on the edge of the crowd and simply watches the colorfully-attired guests, taking it all in.
Zander struggles to see through the crowd, the music loud so nothing could be heard other than the sound of the voices of those concerned. As he watched he was startled by the woman in white almost running him over. He caught her arm to prevent her slipping into the water surrounding the ballroom floor “Easy there Lady” he said in a concerned voice: his eyes looking at her face instantly recognizing……standing before her in shock
Kait: In her haste she had almost run the man over. When she felt him steady her to prevent a fall she recognized his touch and saw what the mask failed to hide. Brushing his hands away to stand apart the corpse forgotten she whispered a soft greeting. “Tal Sir, Thank you for your assistance.”
Zander moves closer to her ear “Kait?” he whispers only loud enough for her to hear “Is that you?” Still almost in disbelief and lost for words
Kait adjusts the mask and slides a nervous hand over the exposed skin on her arm…venting lace on the sleeves the only concession she had made to this year’s festivities. “I would ask you keep your voice down or all will know what you seem to have discovered.” She turned on her heel and headed for the stairs knowing he would follow but perhaps there would be far fewer ears to hear their exchange
Zander watches as she storms away from the commotion of the party turning to follow close behind not letting her out of his sight. He catches her on the stairs his hand slipping through her arm and torso leading her towards the railing
Kait didn’t expect to successfully elude the man but she hoped the discovery of the corpse might provide more fodder for the gossips than any exchange they might have. In a voice pitched low for his ears only once he catches up, “Tal Zander. I see you have been blessed with good health since we last parted. I did receive your letter.”
Zander turns to face her, he had so much he wanted to say but words escaped his lips, he looked at her and the time had been good to her hearing her speak he found his voice ” Greetings Kait, I knew you got my note, it was gone from the shelf this morning when I passed, I thought I might see you here tonight” looking around seeing she was unescorted, “I see you left your guards at home and Dren has skipped the ball”
Kait laughed but what she felt was far from humor. “You know Karjuk he is never far and Dren decided to sit this event out. He and I have a history with such functions that we have worked long and hard to put behind us. There is much I need to say to you but this is not the time or the place. Does your offer still stand for a meeting at the engineers shop?”
Zander nods, hearing the familiar tone Kait took when she felt threatened in some way but knowing there was softness within once she let down her walls of fury. He reached out placing his hand on her gloved hand as he spoke “Of course, I have much to say to you as I wrote in my letter, many questions as I am sure you have as well” unable to take his eyes off of her face as he spoke
Kait resisted the urge to pull her hand away. She remembered he could be very persuasive and he knew her too well. Fate and her own stubbornness had conspired to separate them and while she knew she owed him answers and likely more she just couldn’t bring herself to open herself to him. She already had one man in her life bound and determined she would yield to him in some fashion. “If you will offer me a time I will be sure to be there at the prescribed hour.” Looking back at the festivities she remembered carnival, “I suppose you are pleased to find me appropriately dressed this year….well somewhat.”
Zander couldn’t help the stifled laugh at her mention of the previous carnival, “perhaps I am” his memory flashing back to that night, the games, the trampoline “perhaps I was hoping to find you in much the same manner as the last time” easing his hand from hers “I am free now” he offered, “or if you prefer meeting when we are not in these disguises I am free tomorrow morning before the Builders meeting”
Kait uses his good humored remembrance to step away with a nod, ‘I will see you tomorrow morning then Zander. Tonight has been momentous enough just meeting this way. I wish you well Zander.” She slipped down the next flight of stairs before he could protest.
