“Rath, babe, can you like, go work out or something? Remember, there was a Zumba class you wanted to take?” He scoffs, and Everest scowls. “You said you’d take it, so I could talk to Cielo. Alone. He has a break in ten minutes, and we have things to discuss.”
Rathyn grumbles under his breath. “I am suspicious of people who pay to dance in a small hot room. They look far too happy for such an activity.”
“They’re just happy people. Unlike you.” Everest folds his arms across his chest and glowers.
“You going to the Zumba class?” Haddie asks Rathyn, a white bit of foam lingering on her upper lip. Her tongue peeks out and swipes it away.
“Yes. He is,” Everest says. “Are you?”
Haddie nods. “Yep. A fun way to end my day.” She quickly finishes off her latte, burps, and then grabs onto Rathyn’s arm. “Come on, serious man. Let’s go wiggle our hips together while my heart pounds out of my chest from the caffeine intake.” Rathyn startles a little but lets the large woman lead him toward the other side of the gym. As Haddie guides him away, she glances over at Everest and winks.
“Who is that amazing angel?” he asks. “God, and look at her thighs. She could crush a man with those.”
“Haddeeee.”
Everest snorts. “Ha, look at him. Rathyn doesn’t know what to do with her.”
“She’s impressive. I bet she’d be much revered in Erethar,” Rosie says, and I nod.
“Well, I guess so. Even Rathyn seems scared.”
He giggles again, and it is good to see him smile.
“Latte?” I ask, and Everest nods.
“Please. We have a lot to discuss.” He leans toward me. “And sorry for all this secret stuff, but if Rathyn knew, he’d be such a grump about it, so I’m gonna plan with you, and we’re gonna make it happen.”
My hearts flutter in excitement.
I move back around the counter and begin making him his drink. It is simple, an iced latte. I do not like these as much asthe warm ones, but I have had plenty. When it is done, Rosie waves me away so I can go speak with Everest.
It is odd. Here on Earth, people who work get breaks. Sometimes ten minutes, sometimes an hour. In the Outerlands, we are expected to work from the time the sun appears to the time the moons come out.
We do not get breaks.
I find that I enjoy them very much. It seems that people here value their workers. Rosie rolled her eyes when I told her this, talking about corporate overlords, but I do not understand this. I am just pleased I can make enough money to support Niaus, buy her clothes, and occasionally buy Dante flowers when I see some that remind me of him.
The way his eyes light up and how happy it makes him…I do it often.
Everest links his arm through mine and guides me toward the gym, the same one that Rathyn disappeared into.
“Sorry, I just want to watch this.” The music is loud even through the closed doors, and it makes the large floor-to-ceiling windows rattle slightly. “Oh my god, do you think he’s actually gonna Zumba?”
There in the back of the class with Haddie is Rathyn, his hands on his hips as the instructor belts something into the microphone.
Everest giggles softly as Rathyn begins to move. I don’t tell him this, but the people in the city of Erethar, the social class that Rathyn belongs to…well, they dance quite often. They are structured waltzes and stiff processions. But in the Outerlands, we dance freely, wildly, nature guiding us. We move to the beat of the music.
It is natural for the Vyastil, and I think Rathyn will soon discover this.
“Anyway, I wanted to talk to you about a double date. You know, with Rathyn and me—you and Dante.”
“Daaate?” I ask, and Everest grins.
“Have I told you how good your English is getting? Anyway, yeah. A date. Like I was thinking the two of us could go see a movie and then go out to dinner or vice versa. What do you think?”
“Mooovieeee?”
“Yeah, like you sit in front of a huge screen and eat popcorn and shit.”
