“You’ll probably see father first,” said Crystal, “He’s quite tall. Mother’s about my height so you probably won’t see her from a distance.”
Unt was encouraged. Talking about her family seemed to be waking her up. He tried to draw her out. “How else can I recognise them?”
She was silent. Maybe she was regretting talking, but no, she was forming an answer. “I don’t know how to describe my dad,” she said, “He’s kind of, well, formal. People say my mother looks like me.”
“She must be lovely then.” It was a clumsy attempt at gallantry and Unt regretted it as he said it. It was stupid, not charming and it sounded like he might be after her mum. Pearson might be able to get away with this kind of talk but Unt couldn’t. “You look beautiful today,” he quickly added.
Crystal blinked and actually looked full-on at him. Had he made things worse? It was no less clumsy but it took her mother out of it and it was brutally honest, if nothing else.
Her lips played a bittersweet smile. “Thank you,” she said, “You look very smart too.”
Smart. Not exactly the best thing he could hear but it was a start. At least it seemed she didn’t completely despise him.
That was, however, the limit of their conversation. Unt had a hundred things he wanted to say: sensitive words; affectionate words; words to win her over. But the big switch of caution in his head wouldn’t let him. They were ill-conceived, stupid words and, he warned himself, things that were said once could never be unsaid afterward.
So Unt kept silent and joined Crystal in staring at the door, searching for someone he didn’t even know.
It was a long, drawn-out minute before Crystal said, “Oh, there’s my dad.”
Surprisingly, Unt spotted him straight away. His first impression was that ‘formal’ was a good description. ‘Uptight’ would have served just as well. Unt could only make out his head above the crowd but it looked like it was propped up by some rigid pole. It was a balding head, long and drawn. What hair was left formed a ring of white tonsure.
Unt was reminded of Lasper but where Lasper’s aloofness was transformed into anger, Crystal’s dad was like a man apart. He was a drop of oil in a bucket of water, chemically separate from his surroundings.
Unt chastised himself for condemning on appearance. This was Crystal’s father and if he wanted to win her over, getting her parents onside was a good start. He’d be spending a lot of time with this man and his wife so he’d better hope to get on with them.
Crystal made to go toward her dad but was checked by the cord tying their wrists. Unt had seen other couples shed theirs already but he and Crystal had moved about with so little purpose he hadn’t noticed they were still tied. It was either a sign they were comfortable together or indication that they needed to be bound as one to stay with each other.
She gripped his hand and pressed on. Her unthinking fingers held his with none of the reluctance he’d come to know and expect. They followed her father’s head like a navigating star as it floated over the crowd. As they got closer, he spotted her and the two couples came together quickly.
As they edged past the last intervening obstacles, Unt got his first sight of Crystal’s mother and saw it was true; they did look alike. She was an older, queenly version of the princess beside him; a little darker but very similar.
Both parents greeted their daughter warmly. “Darling!” they cried, taking turns to embrace her. Unt went unnoticed, just a bit of background scenery. He hovered behind as the family shared affections and took stock of his in-laws.
The two were dressed in the same silver material: a matching pair, well-suited to each other. Crystal’s mother was like her daughter in character as well as looks and had a bearing that was gracious and serene. Her father was as awkward as Unt’s first impression but he warmed as he spoke to his daughter.
At last, Crystal introduced them. “Father, mother, this is Unt. Unt, my father, Ulson and Landress, my mother.”
“Yes. Unt,” said Ulson, “How do you do?” He looked down at Unt as though he’d never seen the like before. His mouth was angled down, his offered hand was angled down, even his words seemed angled down.
“I’m very well, thank you, sir,” said Unt. As he shook Ulson’s hand, it felt like the older man wanted to pull it away as soon as was proper.
“Good to meet you, dear,” Crystal's mother deftly took Unt’s hand in both of hers and freed her husband at the same time.
“Unt’s with the Councillors, as I told you,” said Crystal. Unt took pleasure from the implication that she’d mentioned him.
“Yes,” said Ulson.
“You must be very pleased,” said Landress.
“Er, yes, I am,” said Unt, “And I’m happy to be matched with your daughter.”
“But you wanted to be a Farmer?” Ulson made small talk seem a gargantuan effort. Again, Unt didn’t fail to note that Crystal had talked about him. He’d never known she’d even noticed him, let alone known his ambitions.
“A Farm Manager, yes,” he corrected in the politest possible way.
“A worthy calling,” Landress smiled. She looked at her husband.
Ulson looked like the reluctant kid who’d been picked last to play. “I hope you like the job you’ve been handed just as much,” he managed.
“I like it fine,” said Unt.
“That’s good,” said Landress. “We want our daughter’s husband to be happy.”
“Crystal is most precious to us,” Ulson spoke automatically. There was no emotion in the voice but Unt could see the emotional truth in his face.
“And she is to me,” said Unt gallantly.
Crystal blushed. “I’m very glad to hear it,” Landress patted his hand.
When she let go, his hand was left to hang along with the conversation. The four of them just stood there.
“Crystal says you’re an orphan,” Ulson blundered in. Unt saw a man who didn’t want to talk or know what to say. He just knew he wanted to make this less hard on his daughter. Unt let that forgive the blunt words, especially as it was another hint that Crystal had spoken of him.
“That must have been hard,” said Landress, coming to her husband’s aid.
“You get used to being on your own,” said Unt.
“Not any more,” said Landress, smiling, “You might find it hard to adapt, having a young woman at home.”
“Mother!” hissed Crystal, “I think it’s I who shall have to adapt.”
Again, the conversation faltered at a point where it might have become less than formal. Unt looked at Ulson and at Crystal but both were busy looking fixated on nothing. Landress had that hostess-look of disengaged interest.
“That was a warm ceremony,” she said, finally, “Crystal, why don’t you talk with your friends and then bring us some refreshments? We’ll just wait in the corner until you’re done.”
With another kiss for her daughter and one for Unt, Landress pushed them away and guided her husband in the opposite direction. Unt watched them avoid the other revellers like they were magnetically repelled. He and Crystal went off together.
“I’m sorry about that,” said Crystal.
“Why? Don’t be,” said Unt, “It’s not easy for anyone.”
“My father’s not an easy person.”
“I’d feel entitled to be upset if I was the one who had to let you go.”
It was another clumsy attempt at gallantry but Unt said it from the heart and he was rewarded with a small smile. He hoped she might say something but that hope faded as the seconds passed away. Should he add another compliment? That might be laying it on a bit thick.
He figured he could say something like how he hoped she’d like the house but the words stopped when he saw Bull looming out of the crowd, a great red ball of spirit. His new wife, Min, clung to him like a happy satellite.
“Unt, Crystal!” bawled Bull, slapping a hand on the shoulder of each. Unt could smell the punch on him already. “Well, if this isn’
t a fine-looking couple.”
Crystal gave her automatic smile. Unt was both concerned and amused to see the look of alarm behind it. “Hi, Bulton,” he said.
“Don’t forget Min,” Bull insisted. “Oh, I guess I should introduce, shouldn’t I?”
Without pausing for breath or reply, Bull began shoving them all together. “Min, dear, this is my best friend, Unt; the moodiest man you’ll ever meet.” Min smiled politely as she shook hands but was clearly distracted.
“And this,” Bull carried on, “is his new wife, Crystal: probably the second-most ravishing creature here today.”
“We’ve met,” they said together and kissed cheeks. Unt had been prepared for the same hostility he’d seen from Olissa or Mélie but Min didn’t care. The only thing in her world right then was Bull.
“Congratulations,” Unt said to his friend and meant it. Bull shook his hand vigorously and was moving on to attack Crystal when he noticed their hands were still tied.
“What’s this?” he roared jollily, “Not shook off the rope yet?”
“We just haven’t got round to it,” said Unt. He fumbled at the cord with his free hand and Crystal did likewise. Between them, they got nowhere. Bull took their joined hands in his and undid the knot.
“There’s a good sign if ever there was one,” he chortled. Passing the cord to Unt, he resumed shaking Crystal’s hand. Her delicate fingers were swamped in his fist of meat. He leaned in at her like a conspirator and Crystal smiled valiantly against his raw breath. “You’re a lucky girl,” he rumbled in what he thought was a whisper. “He might be a bit dour but Unt here’s the best guy in the world.”
Unt was touched by Bull fighting his corner but he wished he’d stop it with the dour-jokes. Once or twice was alright but a joke repeated often enough stops being funny and then it’s just a statement.
Crystal was looking almost afraid and Unt wondered if he should step in but Min got there first. “Bull,” she said, “Wasn’t there someone you wanted me to meet?” She looked up at him like she could drag him down with her eyes.
“Yeah, these guys,” said Bull, oblivious to her signalling.
“But wasn’t there someone else you really wanted me to meet?” Her hand was behind Bull’s back and he suddenly twitched like she’d struck a switch.
“Oh, yeah,” he said quickly, “I think they were waiting for us outside. Unt, Crystal, we’ll see you later, yeah?” His last words were almost lost in the crowd as they quickly disappeared toward the exit. Unt didn’t think anyone would be seeing them later.
He was caught between the urge to laugh and concern about the impression Crystal was getting. He checked for her reaction but she was looking away as though scanning the crowd. Whether or not she really was, Unt couldn't tell.
He fingered the cord that Bull had put in his hand and could feel Crystal in its fibres. He could feel the love that had gone in to it but that love was for another.
“Sorry about Bull,” he said.
When she turned her head back to him it was like she was fighting an elastic force. “He was fine,” she said. “I’m just surprised he managed to drink so much so quickly,” she added.
Her head snapped back away with the invisible elastic. “I’d guess he got a head start before we came over,” said Unt, although he wouldn’t put it past Bull to put that much away so fast.
He was worried when Crystal looked disapproving. He’d been keen to make excuses for Bull’s quick drinking but she probably thought starting early was worse. Maybe she thought Unt had been drinking too.
As they walked toward the serving tables he led her gently by the hand. With their bonds gone, her touch was even lighter than before, as though only the memory of the knot connected them.
“What should I order for your parents?” he asked, hoping to use their order to gauge her attitude toward drink.
“Oh, some of the punch, I suppose.”
They weren’t teetotallers, then. “What about you?”
“I guess I’ll have the same.”
Unt was trying to judge the measure of that answer when Bull’s parents appeared from the side.
“Unt, darling, how are you?” asked Yvesse.
“Very well, by the looks of him,” said Sandy, twitching his head significantly at Crystal.
“Crystal, these are Bulton’s parents,” Unt did the introductions. Crystal, in diplomatic mode, smiled and responded politely.
“Unt’s been like a second son to us,” said Yvesse, “You’re a very lucky girl.”
“You’re neighbours?” Crystal asked them.
“Oh, of course!” Yvesse made the connection. “You’ll be living next door. I guess we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other, then. You must feel free to pop in whenever you like.”
“I’ll be certain to,” said Crystal.
“I say we’ll be seeing you two more than we’ll be seeing that boy of ours, eh?” Sandy nudged his wife in the ribs. “Speaking of which, have you seen that miscreant?”
“Er, I think they went outside,” said Unt.
“His sisters are out there playing,” said Sandy. “Maybe they’re playing with them.”
More likely with each other, thought Unt.
“Well,” said Yvesse, “we won’t hold you back any longer. I expect you young ones have got lots of friends you want to talk to. If you see Bulton, tell him we’re looking for him, won’t you?”
Unt promised he would and they went their separate ways.
Once more, he and Crystal were alone in the busy hall. They reached the serving table with the punch and while Unt was pouring glasses, Crystal was looking elsewhere.
“Is there anyone you want to try and see?” asked Unt. It was a question loaded with many meanings and Unt wasn’t sure which he intended.
“What? Oh, not really,” Crystal put her glass to her lips but didn’t seem to drink.
Unt was scratching for another thing to say when the band took to the stage. He and Crystal watched and applauded like it was the most wonderful thing.
The band leader, a round, bearded man on legs too thin for him, approached the microphone. He wore a Lincoln-green jacket, hooped trousers and a red-and-white spotted neckerchief. By luck or design, he resembled a pixie.
Tapping the the mic, he introduced himself. “Good afternoon, Lovers! My name’s Jaro and these here are the Odds Men and we’ll be providing your entertainment today. The clock says it’s time enough, the punch says you’re merry enough and there’s one or two folk I see who’ve already had enough. All of which means, it’s time for the first dance! Now, how are we all feeling?”
Distracted noise went up from scattered corners of the hall.
“Oh, that’s no good,” said Jaro. “What do you think, Stipple?”
He looked to one of the wind players who drew a long, sad note on his instrument.
“No, Stipple doesn’t like that at all,” Jaro translated. “Let’s have that one more time: how are we feeling?”
The noise combined into a general roar with more voices and more enthusiasm.
“One more time!”
The din multiplied and became a roar. Unt joined in. Crystal didn’t.
“Now what say you, Mr Stipple?”
A flurry of comic fairy-notes answered.
“I think that means he’s happy,” said Jaro. “All that remains now is for us all to choose a tune. I have here three cards, each with the name of a dance on them. I’m going to lay these card face-down and what I need all of you to do is shout out a number, one, two or three. The one that gets the most noise is the one you’re gonna get. Got it?”
“Yes!” answered the crowd.
“Ok then, Lovers,” said Jaro. “Give it to me…now!”
A jumbled mix of the three numbers was shouted out. To Unt, there was no clear winner but he thought that “three” might have edged it.
“What do you think of that, Stipple?” Jaro asked his player. Two notes came back in reply.
&n
bsp; “Two?” said Jaro, “Then let’s have a look, here.” He bent down and snatched up the middle card. “Why, it’s Dolphins and Kittens,” he proclaimed. “So, without further ado, please, take up your positions. You all know the drill: four rings, please. Three for the girls and one for the boys.”
This was the old music of the town, the dances they had learned through endless repetition. There were twenty seven classic dances, all with their own movements and arrangements. The Artisans only came up with a new one when the dice let them and that hadn’t happened for years. Unt and Crystal set down their drinks and went out onto the dance floor.
Despite all that practice, with several hundred people to organise, a good deal of instruction was needed. As Jaro called out orders and Unt was taking up a position, he smiled inwardly at the bandmaster’s style. It was corny but he had to admit, it was effective.
It was all theatrics. Even the random dance selection was showmanship. Jaro hadn’t said which way he’d numbered the cards: only number two was fixed and that was the one he’d claimed was loudest. For that matter, there was no guarantee of what was written on any card. It was a fraud but a happy one and the people were willing to be deceived.
In Dolphins and Kittens, the men’s large circle was touched on opposite sides by three smaller rings of women. The men would walk clockwise and the women would go in the opposite direction. All the couples were positioned so that when they reached a point where the circles touched, it would be their own partner that they faced.
The couples would lock arms, spin and then the man would take his partner into the men’s circle, walk her round and deposit her in the next women’s circle. The whole thing would continue until every man had picked up every woman and danced with her several times. All the time, the music would be getting faster. Eventually, everyone would end up in their original positions.
It was many minutes before everyone was in place. Unt was at least a dozen spaces away from the connecting point and Crystal was out of sight. It was almost like a repeat of that wait before the ceremony when he’d doubted that she’d be there.
The Fall of Chance Page 15