Forging Freyja - Chapter 8.1

Lummatii
Lothian League
Marian Hegemony
The Periphery
18 December, 3149




     The evening meal had started to become a routine. Once or sometimes twice a week, Freyja would join the family for dinner, and they would exchange stories, tidbits of how things had gone that week and other small things, to the point that she was starting to become comfortable with it. And that made her uncomfortable. She would not settle into this life, she could not.

     "The solstice festival begins in a few days. Are you excited, Peter?" Ned liked to direct the conversation, and insomuch as dinner had become a kind of meeting, he was always the chair.

     "I suppose so. And a bit nervous." Peter tried to cover his admission by taking a large bite of food soon after he spoke.

     "What is there to be nervous about?" Freyja asked. As much as she was settling in, she still was often at a loss when it came to the local customs and traditions that had sprung up on this world. With the Inner Sphere spanning so many thousands of star systems, the number and diversity of holiday celebrations and traditions was almost limitless.

     It was Clarissa who spoke up with an explanation. "There's a huge celebration every year in the capital city. Lot's of food and merriment, but there are two highlights. There's a tournament among the youngsters where they fight BattleMech simulator duels and crown a sort of champion. The MHAF runs it, and there are recruiters there. There's also a huge Solstice Ball, anyone who is anyone in society is there, and being that this will be his first festival as an adult, Peter will be expected to attend."

     "Sentenced to attend is more like it," Peter quipped.

     Freyja smiled. "They really aren't that bad. I've been to several. You can find your own entertainment among the stuffiness."

     "Maybe for you, but you're a girl, you like those sort of things," Peter said with a frown on his face.

     Freyja was about to respond, but Clarissa cut in first. "It's also the unofficial kick off of the social year and an entrance to the dating scene. With things so spread out here on Lummatii, you don't get much chance to mingle if you live outside the cities and their public schools. Peter is just nervous about all the girls that are going to be there to gobble him up," she smiled and winked.

     "Mother!"

     "Relax, Peter. Everyone else there will be just as nervous as you, trying to avoid saying the wrong thing to the wrong person, worried that their dress isn't as fetching as the girl they just passed and so on. The key is just to enjoy yourself." Freyja tried to reassure him.

     "Easy for you to say, you don't have to go." Peter was practically pouting at this point.

     "Trust me, If I could, I would. I'm sure it's an amazing time."

     Clarissa put down her silverware. "Why can't you? I think it's a splendid idea. You can help poor Peter navigate the waters."

     Ned gave Clarissa a glare as Freyja spoke up. "I hardly think it's the kind of place for someone of my station, Lady Clarissa."

     Clarissa brushed aside her husband's attempt to interject. "Who needs to know? You'll be coming with us anyway, I'll take you out shopping for a dress. Once we're in the capital, nobody is going to know who you are. We'll say you're Peter's cousin or something, from offworld."

     They both looked towards Ned, who shrugged in consternation. "I'm smart enough not to argue with my wife, even if I think it's a disastrous idea."