M’traliel was llhaesa’s first. After the 500 N’rellia orienting incomers had placed a sizeable dent in the food offerings, they had naturally circled the inferno safely contained but which dominated their immediate environment.

Llhaesa and M’traliel had chosen a cosy spot off towards the left side of the pyre; Khahishra and a few others had grabbed two blankets, which was now a temporary home to a half dozen students.

Upwards of a dozen students were now making use of the provided musical instruments, well into an impromptu but expected jam session. The blanketed six were engaged in that most timeless of student multitasking: busily laughing whilst simultaneously engrossed in the music saturating the greater field area.

Suddenly llhaesa sprung upward, and all in the same motion grasped M’traliel’s hand, leading her closer to the band, where an open area was seemingly kept from implosion by the sheer energy of the many dancers. The two newest dancers made their way into the inner circle, joining in and moving to the music.

There was nothing slow about anything being played, and soon enough M’traliel and llhaesa were moving towards working up a sweat in the warmth created by the central inferno. After dancing through several songs, the band decided it was time to move away from performing and back into student life. Llhaesa anticipated this moment, and asked M’traliel if she wished to play.

“What do you have in mind? “ M’traliel was noncommittal, seeking more information.

I’ll play piano; you play guitar.” Llhaesa obviously had a plan. M’traliel was rather surprised at the willingness of the incomer to play for the crowd, but on balance decided she wished to play. The two new friends made their way to the band area, where it would be a duo – and no more.

M’traliel selected one of the 7 acoustical guitars made available; llhaesa sat at the piano. Both took time to get familiar with the feel and sound of each instrument, and both were perfectly tuned. M’traliel moved toward llhaesa, and they chatted for a few minutes on what they wished to play.

Llhaesa led off into a classical piece, which seemed at odds with the rather hyper crowd. One could almost hear the energy level diminish with the huge change of pace. M’traliel joined in tentatively but competently, and both remained fairly faithful to the centuries old masterpiece, though they both added a definite emotional interpretation absent in most recorded versions – until about midway through, when they took it in very improvised and livelier directions. Along with the change in tempo, they were both on their feet, M’traliel moving in closer to llhaesa. Both were feeding off the energy of the other, and their fellow students loved it.

At the conclusion, the crowd, already on its feet, broke into wild applause. While humbly acknowledging the appreciative crowd, llhaesa and M’traliel had no desire to dominate the evening, and so they left the band area, returning to their home blanket anchored by Khahishra.

As she settled onto the blanket exhilarated and desiring a more quiet moment, a scowl-faced student pushed through those around them until he stood over the stretched out llhaesa.

“What you did to that music is a disgrace!” he shouted angrily, taking a deep breath before continuing. “Something that is of our ancestors from another time, something revered as precious across the world… and you reduced it to improvisation?

Who the hell are you to do this? You are a fucking whore!” he completed his outburst.

At that, M’traliel, who had already risen to her feet unnoticed, gently reached for his arm and began to guide her away. Seeing her easily identifiable shirt which called her out as a guide, the unknown student moved to walk away. M’traliel let him go, but not before taking in his overall features, from face to body to clothing. She would wish to identify this student later. Whether she reported the incident was another matter. At this point, she thought not.

The incident diffused, she turned to llhaesa, who looked a bit stunned. Reaching out in the timeless open signal and invitation for a hug, she embraced her young charge.

“Everyone is entitled to an opinion” llhaesa began. “Music is nothing if it fails to inspire one’s emotions. Apparently we did just that, just not as we intended.”

M’traliel stopped, pondered, and smiled. This one was interesting indeed. And based on how the evening was unfolding, she sensed reciprocated feelings flowing her way.