Wishing On A Star

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Morkai and Andy threw a small get-together for Drokai, even Sandrick was there. Although we had met him before, this was the first time we really had a chance to really meet with him. Morkai and Andy told me he was everything Sally said he was. "He's got a terrific sense of humor, he gave me some names to contact when the Na'Vas has to go in for an overhaul, one of those "Give them my name" kind of things," said Morkai. He and Sally had apparently met while she was walking on the beach with the children, engaged in conversation, made a date to do it again, then it turned into every day for a week. Then it was dinner in town, meeting his parents and friends, us, "They're just crazy in love for each other," remarked Morkai. When Andy and I discussed the whole situation, as we did many times I told him, "Look at Hanna and I, we fell in love with Morkai and Nargra in less time, I tell you Andy, Falthian men just have a natural appeal, we are drawn to those eyes for some reason, they are warm, loving, caring, and simply fun to be around. Believe me, we women have spent considerable time discussing this phenomenon, and we can't even decide among ourselves why we were drawn to these men, but Sally seems to have fallen under one's "spell."

At the wedding reception, Andy and I spoke with Sandrick, who said with a grin, "It would seem Mrs. Draaka that Falth has three new citizens, her security status is now that of , "Citizen…Falthian…Female. As soon as she passes her citizenship exam, she and her children will be full-fledged citizens as you are. How about you Mr. Bickford, contemplating a change in your citizenship status as well?" "No sir, Emily and I are quite happy calling ourselves Americans. However I am very happy for my sister, I certainly hope things truly work out for her and Drokai." It was around this time that we learned that Drokai and Gitel were acquainted with each other. It seems Drokai's brother was a pod racer as well until he was badly injured. "Lorak would often be set up next to me," explained Gitel. "We would often share equipment one or the other had, if we didn't happen to have something. I remember talking with him and Drokai who acted as his manager and even pitched in as a mechanic. I was racing the una his brother was badly hurt, I understand he's well recovered, but still walks with a pronounced limp." Then Gitel chuckled, "Drokai is a damn good pilot in his own right, perhaps he'll teach your cousin how to fly as well. Which…Speaking of flying Holly, let's talk a bit about your flying, I've been talking to Morkai, and…"

Sally moved out of Morkai's house over to Drokai's place Todd and Jenny would be attending school in Akdor,which back on earth they hadn't started attending yet, however Sally took them to a special tutor that would bring them up to first grade performance as they were a dorn behind the Falthian children. Once they had completed the study, they would be moved right in with their proper grade.

Just before Christmas, all of us returned to Cluria, and Drolugi's to make final preparations for the Christmas party. We women got together and decorated the tree which the staff of Drolugi's were kind enough to set up for us, in the banquet room we were to have our party in. Gitel was kind enough to wire a whole string of variously colored instrument lights together so we could wrap it around the tree. Sara supplied some ornaments she spotted up on a shelf in a general store near her home. Weeko made a number of interesting ornaments of bears, buffalo, wolves, from metal foil, as well as a long string of plastic rings connected together, all different colors, and with various symbols painted on them, along with crosses. Pricilla also commented on the fact that we didn't have to mess with dangerous candles, tiny electric lights being much safer. Besides those of us from earth and our husbands who would be attending, we invited Dr. Metana, Professor Narkoa, Zarka, Sandrick Alazon and Marrack Miggis. I received a very enthusiastic message from the professor indicating that he would most definitely be attending, all of us Kagorians in one place was too much to resist.

Another interesting matter, was the fact that with the exception of Sally and Emily, the rest of us would be wearing Falthian evening wear, which to say the least was quite revealing compared to earth standards. It took some doing, but we managed to find modest evening wear for Sally and Emily, who weren't quite ready for the style of dresses we would be wearing. Both were rather scandalized by the dècolletè of our evening dresses, but as we explained, this was the style here on Falth, and we weren't about to wear the dark and "overstuffed" fashions from earth. The 19th century club also spent considerable time practicing Christmas carols, making sure we had all the words right. We practiced as an impromptu choir, as well as individuals. We decided to sing "Deck the Halls," and "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem" as a choir. I would sing "It Came upon a Midnight Clear, as well as "I heard the Bells." Sara and Ann would sing, "Oh Holy Night," O Come All ye Faithful, as well as, "The First Noel." Andy promised to sing "Oh Christmas Tree," and "Good King Wences Las." He also promised to recite Clement Moore's 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, a poem he claimed to know by heart.

Our Christmas party was to consist of a banquet, followed by a lively dance, then a midnight service with Andy, substituting for a minister, reading passages from the bible, and leading us in prayer. The night would then be capped off with toasts and opening of small gifts to each other. As plans were finalized, everyone became very excited in anticipation of the forthcoming event. Everyone had placed their gifts under the tree, a custom we had to explain several times to our husbands, who just knew of Christmas as a religious event, observed by those of us from earth. My heart warmed, as I noticed a separate pile of gifts wrapped in colorful plastic, and foil wrap marked for Todd and Jenny.

Sally was overcome with joy, as she told me, "I just can't believe how welcoming everyone has been. I'm embarrassed by all these gifts for the children, they've been asking me if would be able to find us." "What did you tell them?" I asked. Sally chuckled, "Todd's the smart one, if he thinks your lying to him he'll call you out, so I told them that since we are so far away from earth, we are celebrating Christmas a week later, and that St. Nicholas has a very fast and powerful space ship something like the Na'Vas he will use to make a special trip here, just for you and Jenny." I laughed, "That's what I call thinking on your feet Sally, very good." Sally had a look of dismay, "Now I have to figure out how explain to them why nobody else celebrates Christmas here, although I think I'll let Drokai handle that one."

We would also be having a live band, thanks to our friends at Drolugi's. Just before the party, we sang carols to familiarize the band with the melodies. Morkai and Ambor went over the dance numbers with the band leader, making sure there was an even blending of fast and slow tunes. Finally, Andy and Emily came to me and asked if I would give a short speech, as well as announce that they were expecting a baby in August. "Doctor Metana just confirmed it," said Andy. I wasn't sure about the speech, but said that I would attempt one, as well as announce the baby.

Merry Christmas 1887

The party began in the late afternoon with a reception, Andy and Nargra came up with a very close approximation of egg nog, using Beazy as an excellent substitute for rum. Of the invited guests, Professor Narkoa was the first to arrive, excited at the prospect of finally being able to meet so many Kagorians in one place. He also pulled Morkai and I aside, talking about a purposed university field trip to Kagor, scheduled for two alyt's from now, but still awaiting government approval. We were to speak of this on and off, for the rest of the evening, even Zarka was involved. Doctor Metana and his wife arrived, a very exquisite looking woman, Abara was her name. She wore body jewelry as many Falthian women did, as well as what appeared to be tiny pearls just under her lower eyelids. Her husband mentioned Emily's pregnancy and wryly smiled, saying. "I would imagine that with all you ladies getting married around the same time, Falth is due for a small population explosion pretty soon." I replied, "I think a lot of us were taking a wait and see attitude, concerning the harvest, as well as the fact that we don't want to take a chance of giving birth during the harvest." We spent a little more time discussing the birth control medication all of us were taking, and how effective it was.

Sandrick, Marrack and his wife then arrived, but surprisingly, they refused to discuss anything to do with harvesting, although I did see Marrack talking with Andy for a bit. Later on I noticed Sandrick talking with Sally without her husband, I was busy with the professor, so I couldn't pay the closest attention, but it seemed to be rather serious in nature. We circulated around the room speaking with my friends making sure everything was going smoothly. At one point I say Morkai, Nargra and Gitel talking with Sally's husband Drokai, all were laughing, so it must have been a joke someone was telling. Since I was responsible for the food, I kept checking with Drolugi's staff who were preparing the feast, and would be serving. I noticed Emily and Sally talking quite a bit with Weeko, who in turn seemed to spend a lot of time with the professor, and Zarka. Everybody seemed to be having a good time, then the head waiter came to me and told me the feast was ready.

Rather than have waiters serve us the food, everything was fervid from two long tables, we all formed two lines on each side of the tables, and with plates in hand, selected whatever we wanted. A beautifully carved roast yem tasty fruit salads, Chunga, which was like Mexican tortillas. Mooba, a bean and rice dish, plowma, or Falthian salad. There was so much more, everyone had full plates. And, because of Andy's efforts we had apple pie based on my Aunt Katrina's recipe, as well as coffee. Sally had overseen the making of the pies in Drolugi's bakery, and all complemented both her and the bakers for their excellent work. Many lively discussions were conducted over the meal, Gitel told a couple stories about his pod racing days, finally, Andy tapped his drinking glass with his spoon, and once he had everyone's attention, he stood up and announced, "I've never attended a banquet where there wasn't at least one speech," looking straight at me, he then said, "Holly, would you do us the honors, you've been instrumental in organizing this event would you care to share some of your thoughts with us?" I could kill him for this, but I had a hunch he would do something like this. Everyone clapped and cheered, calling for me to say a few words.

Swallowing hard, I looked around the room, then began; "I'm certainly glad everyone could make this festive event, I want to thank our guests, doctor Metana and his lovely wife Abara. Professor Narkoa, Zarka, and of course Sandrick Alazon and Marrack Miggis. For those of you unfamiliar with the purpose of this joyous occasion, it's in celebration of the birth over eighteen hundred and eighty-seven dorns ago of our savior Jesus Christ, we celebrate Christmas in his honor. Although this is our second dorn living on Falth, this is the first time we celebrate this event as we do. Tonight we are with our husbands, families and friends." Looking at Sandrick, I continued, "Although we've all expressed our feelings to him at one time or another, on this matter, I wish to publicly thank Mr. Sandrick Alazon for his steadfast support for those of us from earth, or as you Falthians call it, Kagor. Without that support one of Falth's newest citizens my cousin Sally Malmeck would not have had a place of refuge and I might add a new husband in the bargain." Everybody clapped as Sally and Drokai briefly stood up. "Although we are now all Falthian citizens, we take this time to celebrate our faith and traditions. So, in closing, I say let's all have a wonderful time at our dance, and the caroling followed by a short midnight prayer service, followed with gift giving."

Everyone clapped as I sat down, then Andy stood and recited "Twas The Night Before Christmas" He gave us an excellent rendition which brought wild applause. Once he was finished the dance officially began. The band had already started playing "jump" music as well as other lively dance selections. Hanna and I gave Andy and Emily an impromptu dance lesson, although it looked as though Drokai and Sally were doing all right. We did the "jump" and the "hop" as well as my favorite the "spin" in which two rows of dancers stand facing each other mimicking each other's hand and body movements, then the end of the line starts spinning off down the row of dancers catching someone in the row, depending on if they are male or female. Then the couple spin away from the line off to the side. As the ranks thin everybody closes up as people continue to spin and are caught by someone in the line, this continues until the line is gone and everybody is dancing in a group.

After the dance ended, we of the 19th Century club sang carols, with the help of the band who we had previously sung the carols to, so they could pick up the melodies. "O Come All Ye Faithful" God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, of which Andy gave a wonderful performance. In groups or by ourselves we sang, "Oh Holy Night," "Oh Christmas Tree," and "The first Noel. We sang "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem, and "Deck The Halls" as a group. All in all, it was an enchanted time. Andy then read from Matthew telling of the birth of Christ, then leading us in prayer. Since they were not Christians, our husbands sat and bowed their heads in respect as we prayed. The professor and Zarka were most interested in our prayer service, and later, asked me if I could provide him with a Bible. Andy and Emily also came to me and said, " This was probably the Christmas we will always carry in our hearts Holly. Even though we are so far from home the true spirit of Christmas was in this room tonight, and we thank you for it."

After the service, small but thoughtful gifts were traded, most of the gifts consisted of jewelry , earrings, bracelets, and rings. I gave Hanna a very beautiful bracelet ring combination an item she had had her eye on for a long time,. As we hugged, we wished each other a Merry Christmas "I gave my gift to you to Morkai to be given to you at the right time, but I truly hope you like it." I knew what it was but just hugged my very dear friend, and replied, "Thank you so much Hanna. She squealed when she opened my gift and gave me a big hug. I gave Andy a Brivari pocket knife, and Sally gave him an Andara flight bag which he had been leaving a lot of hints as something he really wanted. I gave Weeko a sewing kit consisting of several colors of beads, sinew, and needles I had picked up in the mercantile in Laramie. She was extremely happy, as she had run out of beads, and was in the middle of a project. We also talked a bit, with her telling me that because of my efforts, the other women were not shunning her anymore, and in fact were now actively speaking to her. She also told me that Emily had spoken to her at length concerning the plight of her people, and that she was involved with a group seeking an end to the corruption in the Indian agency.

For most of us, the big thrill was the next morning when we had the privilege of watching the smiles and laughter of Todd and Jenny as they opened their gifts. This was what Christmas was truly about, the delight in the faces of laughing children. It was only a matter of time before we all would have our own, but for now Sally's were the first. Sally also thanked each one of us for the gifts noting that she simply couldn't get over the love and support she had received welcoming her to Falth. Most of the gifts they received were toy spaceships, puzzles, children's sun goggles , stuffed toys as well. Sally even mentioned to Andy and I, "Someone gave each of my children a children's tablet, those are not cheap, but Todd and Jenny think St. Nicholas stopped here last night, but I would like to find out who it was, to truly thank them." Children's tablets were small basic computers especially designed for children, teaching them the skills needed to operate the real things when they grew older, I mused at the thought of two childern of 19th Century earth suddenly going from toy horses and carriages to spaceships and computers.

Much later, Sally told me it was Sandrick that gave her children the tablets, and when she attempted to thank him, he told her an amazing story about him coming from a family where he and his sister were terribly abused by his father, who later committed suicide. " listened as he told me this terrible heartbreaking story," said Sally. "He told me that when he met the children and I, he saw his mother, so he knew he had to do everything he could to help us. He also told me that since he wasn't married, and only had his sister it gave him a warm glow inside to give the tablets to the children,"