3.24 Music Fever

Every nerve in Min’s body seized as the heavy waft of alcohol breath struck her senses, a split second before the offer reached her ears.

       "Would you like to dance?" 

       She spun around, instinctively defensive as she beheld the lesser known god of the Underworld, towering above her. She glanced down at his hand, held out on offer, loaded with ugly rings, his nails, manicured into sharp points hardly wooed her, his energy was absolutely dangerous, this encounter wasn't going to be easy, she could sense that the moment she laid eyes on him.

       "I asked if you would like to dance?" 

       Min tried to fend off feelings of intimidation as best she could, but her eyes darting toward the Lemurian camp and back gave her insecurities away. Torus smiled, she was scared of him... 

       "My name is Torus." He held his hand out higher, insisting.

       Min looked back at his hand, held out in full expectation of her acceptance. She stiffened, reminding herself why they were here, took a deep breath and took his hand. 

       "I'm Min" she introduced herself as politely as possible, allowing him to lead her onto the dance floor. 

       From the stage, Neter had the best vantage point to watch over the action as he played with his band, it was impossible to miss the new courtship. Torus towered above the crowds and Min's fiery red hair was like a beacon to any eye. He didn't know Torus well, but it was good to see the gods were able to lighten up. This was a good sign. Perhaps the others would follow suit?

       Dancing wasn't one of Torus's specialties. He did his best to re-enact what he had seen, he held Min's waist firmly, spinning her around slowly, gradually inching his way with her, closer and closer through the crowds toward the stage. 

       Min felt his grip tighten around her, as they got deeper and deeper into the crowd, he was pulling her closer and closer. It was becoming uncomfortable, she didn't know how to react. She had to remind herself again why they were here, all she had to do was play along for a day, act gracious and stay in control. She tried to relax. It was only a dance.

       Neter noticed the bond was intensifying quite rapidly. He didn't take his eye off them as they inched their way closer and closer to the stage. Eventually he caught Min's eye, she didn't look like she was enjoying her dance very much... Suddenly it occurred that perhaps things weren't okay…

       He studied her partner some more, awkward on the dance floor... Perhaps he was getting a little too close for comfort? Perhaps he was being a little aggressive?

       As the song ended the crowds erupted in applause, a new fever had engulfed the hearts of the audience. Music god fever. Goddesses were screaming more wildly than ever before, some were even in tears!

       Mel and Dena still stood near the courtyard entrance, speechless as the gods of Music cast their spells, right before their eyes. The screaming was unbelievable, unbearable, it went on and on and on.
       "Oh. My. God!" Mel unloaded finally, shouting to be heard. "Why are they screaming?"
       "Maybe because they're SO DAMNED HOT?" Dena retorted, angry now, when out from the crowd popped one of the Firelight musicians walking toward the wine bar.

       "Nolan hasn't even hinted about marriage" she finally admitted. "And now I'm glad!"
       Mel had noticed Nepheus too. "If you even go near one of those filthy Serpents, Atalon will have you flogged! AND you can expect to lose your VIP pass to the Villa!"
       "I don't care!" Dena hissed, walking away, walking his way. "The Villa's BORING, that's why we're HERE and not up THERE! At least I can tell a  REAL VIP when I see one!"

       "I'M NOT COVERING YOUR ASS ANYMORE!" Mel exploded as Dena so defiantly marched away.

       The moment Mel raised her voice at her, Dena knew her gig was up. Something deep inside was pushing her forward towards the handsome Lemurian at the wine bar, regardless of fears and regret. There would never be another chance like this, Nolan was going to Ebar, and a new Wig Culture was about to be unwrapped, so there would be plenty of new salon opportunities, perhaps getting to know the Lemurians could pave the way for fresh opportunities to open her own salon.

       "YOU WON'T BE WELCOME BACK TO THE VILLA YOU KNOW!" It wasn't easy to be heard, Mel was competing with the whistles and screams of the crowds. Smouldering with rejection and defeat, she scanned the grounds for support but there was still no sign of Torus or Nolan, neither of them anywhere to be seen.

       The new ballad sounds drew her attention back to the show. The crowds were swaying together in a hypnotic embrace, calm and subdued… She couldn't believe what she was seeing, the control was incredible, almost superseding that of her own royalty, and these were savages? Savages who practiced sorcery? How did they do it? Was it just the sound? Every way she looked the aribu looked absolutely stoned, everywhere she looked they were smiling like drunks and hugging each other, dancing arm in arm…

       "Oh!" She gasped, feeling weak at the knees, the scene was getting worse by the minute, some of the aribu were arm in arm with the Lemurians! It had to be a huge disaster for Atalon, she knew it in her gut, she knew like no one else knew how bad tempered and mad the king could be. She returned her focus to the wine bar. Dena was now flirting with the music god, a part of her could understand the attraction. He was a stunning example, the Origians really were legendary-looking, but they were still savages.

       A tinge of jealousy tainted her thoughts now, she didn't want to question whether or not her position was really so desirable, she was in way too deep to ask those sorts of things. She let out a sigh, reminding herself; it would be worth it in the end.

       "Hello, my name is Dena, I’m from the salon" Dena held out her hand.

       "Hello, Dena" Nepheus returned the gesture, but when she reached for his hand, she coiled back in shock.

       "Oh!" His fingers were webbed! She hadn't noticed that before!

       "Is something wrong?"

       She hesitated for a moment, not wanting to reveal her shock. "No... No offence, but... What's wrong with your hands!"

       "Nothing!" He smiled, knowing. "They're webbed. I'm a good swimmer! So I have cheeks between my fingers! They’re good for playing music!" He made a circle with his thumb and finger turning his web into a whistle, blew into it producing a low hollow flapping sound. "See?"

       Dena smiled and blushed, the lush feelings gushed back, she liked this handsome and cheeky music god a lot!

       "Webbed hands are from an ancient bloodline" he explained. "It's a Nummo thing, don't worry, I won't fly away on you! I'm Nepheus." he held his hand out still on offer.
       Giddy, Dena took his hand, it felt soft, like he had cheeks between his fingers! He was exciting.

       Josh wove through the crowds looking for either Nolan or Tika, when he spotted Mel at the entrance looking very unattended.

       "Mel!" He hurried over. "Have you seen Nolan?"

       Mel shook her head.

       "Where's Dena" he asked, picking up on her dark cloud.

       Mel pointed towards the wine bar. Josh studied the scene, Mel didn't have to explain, he knew all about love and how it could possess the mind.

       "A Lemurian? What's wrong with her?"

       "She's under hypnosis" Mel replied.

       "Hypnosis?" Josh echoed, eager to learn more. "What's that?"

       "Sorcery. Serpent Sorcery."