Off-Grid
Pacazahno
“You don’t have to go back, you know,” Yferen said to Ander.
They were sitting together at one of the tables set out in the village square, Chalis having thrown them out of the library as “all aglitter,” and choosing Seylin to help her with the finicky detail work of finding which of the damaged devices remembered its abuser most clearly.
Ander took a bite of cake, chasing it with a sip of sweet tea. He glanced up, first to the sky, where the dancing lights were still visible, though not so close as they had been. He sighed, and smiled, and lowered his gaze somewhat to meet Yferen’s eyes.
“Would I stay here?” he asked, genuinely puzzled.
“No! Why would you stay here? Well.” Yferen waved his hand, interrupting himself vigorously. “Understand, if you want to settle at Pacazahno, it’s not a bad choice. Might be a bit more comfortable for you, now I think, coming from the big city—there’s more people, is what I mean.”
“More people than where?” Ander wondered.
Yferen laughed.
“Here I am, making a hash out of it. Should’ve waited for Challi. Maybe not, though. She’ll bring your boss’s eyes and ears, and this ought to be private—between cousins.”
“All right,” Ander said equitably. “Why not start again? I’ll listen tight.”
Yferen laughed.
“That’s a go! What I mean to say is, if you want to come with us to Ribbon Dance Village, rather than going back under the Grid, we’d be pleased to have you. Me and Challi got plenty of room—you can guest with us ’til you see how the Haosa suit you.”
“Haosa,” Ander repeated softly, and Yferen sipped his tea by way of being sure he didn’t say anything to cut off Ander’s thinking.
“Why would the Haosa want me?” Ander asked.
“Why wouldn’t we?” Yferen countered.
“Because my Gift is weak, and I’m not—not proficient. I don’t like to be a burden, you see. I have a job in the city, and I support myself. I’m learning the first-level security module, which is interesting. Seylin says I have an aptitude.”
Yferen took a breath, and counted, like he promised Challi he would before he said anything wild. When he made twelve, he smiled, and reached out to touch Ander’s knee.
“I don’t know what you look like in the shadow of the Grid, Cousin, but sitting right here, right now, you’re a warm, steady fire. You grabbing that signature so quick—I was impressed, but that’s nothing. Chalis was impressed. You might be light on control, but there’s those among our cousins who would gladly teach you. While that’s going on, you could look about for what you’d like to do.”
He hesitated and pulled his hand back.
“Or you might want the city and what you know—that’s . . . I’m not trying to make your choices for you, Cousin Ander, only to show that there’s more choices than what you’re given in the city.”
“Thank you!” Ander said. “Thank you for your care. Are you going back tonight? Do I have time to think?”
“All the time you want to think, and a better man than I am for doing it.”
Yferen turned his head, looking across the square to the school.
“Here comes Challi and the Civilized.”
“Seylin,” Ander said. “Her name is Seylin.”
Yferen caught his eyes, and bowed his head slightly.
“Seylin,” he repeated. “I’ll remember that.”