<JETMODE> *Night has fallen with a velvety hush -- not that you can really tell down at the gypsy camp. Torches and lanterns press away the darkness, and the air is alive with sound. The main event of the evening is about to begin, a showcase of dancing and tumbling, and the audience is slowly being herded into place.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod got there extra early after finding Kender and agreeing to meet up with him and Whisper once the festivities started. He hasn't seen any sign of them yet, though, but he seems to be enjoying himself all the same. He wedges his way as close to the front of the stage as he can, keeping an eye out for Jukka.

<JETMODE> *When the crowd has finally gathered, Jukka's mother steps out onto the stage, giving a curtsey and calling out a welcome to all their guests. When the cheering has settled, the musicians strike up a tune, and she begins to dance.

<JETMODE> *It's immediately apparent that she's the person who taught Jukka everything she knows -- and she is, unsurprisingly, a bit better than her daughter, having years of experience behind her.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod watches, smiling a bit and reaching out mentally to Jukka, trying to find her.

<JETMODE> *He might feel a faint flutter of nerves, edged with irritation from behind the curtain. Jukka's pacing there, trying not to dwell on her coming performance.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod grins to himself, sending her a comforting and reassuring wave.

<JETMODE> *She responds with a short wave of gratitude -- and pleasure that he came -- then concentrates on practicing.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod goes back to concentrating on Tula's dancing, but he also keeps Jukka's thoughts in the back of his mind, leaving a sort of channel open for her should she send him any thoughts or feelings.

<JETMODE> *When Tula finishes her dance, the crowd goes wild, begging for more, but she waves them off with a laugh and announces the next number -- her daughter Jukka and Timya, a boy of the tribe, performing the celebration of the spring solstice.

<JETMODE> *The distress and irritation from Jukka peak momentarily, then fade as she steps onto the stage. Next to her is a tall, wiry, and fairly handsome young man of about her age. Jukka is smiling at the audience, but the boy's attention is raptly fixed on her.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod picks up her feelings, which mingle with his own slightly when he realizes she won't be dancing alone, but he firmly tells himself not to worry -- they're only friends, after all -- and he settles back to watch the show.

<TIAMAT> *That doesn't stop the buzz of annoyance in the back of his mind, however.

<JETMODE> *They take the middle of the stage, and the music starts up slowly. The dance itself is very subtle at first. Jukka and Timya step in unison, but they rarely come into contact -- a brushing of fingertips here, a press of the hand there. The music picks up speed, though, and they come rapidly closer together, only to spring apart at the very last moment and close again.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod attempts to watch enthusiastically, but his interest is marred by pangs of irritation, to which he continues telling himself he shouldn't worry about.

<JETMODE> *The theme is very clearly courtship, and judging from the expression on Timya's face, there's a reason he wanted to dance it with Jukka. For her part, the elf-girl is buried in the dance, firmly ignoring her partner.

<JETMODE> *When the dance ends, they step apart and bow, and the crowd applauds, though not quite as enthusiastically as they did for Tula. In addition, there are a number of cheerful catcalls from other gypsies in the audience.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod lets his mind wander a bit, only half watching the dance and feeling a little guilty. When it ends, he claps politely, but not as enthusiastically as usual.

<JETMODE> *Jukka catches sight of him and sends him an apologetic wave, accompanied by the promise of an explanation. They leave the stage, and Hatani comes out.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod sends her a wave of reassurance and a hint of happiness. Basically, "It's okay, don't apologize."

<JETMODE> *Jukka's response is relief, then her attention returns to Hatani, who performs a solo number that appears to be at least partly comedic. After her, a few tumblers take the stage, and when they're done, a couple of dancers Jarod hasn't met perform. After them, Jukka and Hatani dance together -- and this dance Jukka wholeheartedly enjoys.

<TIAMAT> *As does Jarod. He picks up her projections and sends her his own, ones of happiness and content, which grow as their dance reaches its peak.

<JETMODE> *The dance finishes with a flourish, and the two bound off the stage to be replaced by the next number. A few minutes later, a familiar form drops into the seat next to Jarod. "So, you like to watch my sister dance?"

<TIAMAT> *Jarod starts a little and turns toward Hatani. "Er -- well, yes. She's very talented. *pause* I mean, your whole tribe is. That last dance you did with her--

<JETMODE> <Hatani> *waves a hand* It's a simple one -- we've known it since we were little. I'm not nearly as good as Mama and Jukka.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod smiles a little, trying to half-watch the dance. "Well, you're still very talented. Not many people can dance like that..

<JETMODE> <Hatani> *grins at him* I suppose we've got a different standard for comparison. *glances at the stage, scowling a little* That Timya, he's a little spoilsport, ya? He was supposed to dance the solstice with me, but when he heard Jukka was around -- meh!

<JETMODE> *She's watching Jarod idly out of the corner of her eye.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod, awkwardly: Oh -- really? Well, I suppose...since you don't get to see Jukka much, with her being here...*he trails off, a little uncomfortably.

<JETMODE> *Hatani snorts. "You don't need to worry about him, scholar-boy. He's been a hopeless case ever since we were little." She grins. "I used to beat him up to make him go away."

<TIAMAT> *Jarod looks at her, bewildered. "I -- beg your pardon? Don't have to worry about him?

<JETMODE> *Hatani stares at him in faint astonishment. "Eh, ya. She wasn't lying, was she?" she mutters, half to herself. "Never mind then, ya? You just enjoy the show. That was my last dance, and Jukka's got a solo coming up."

<TIAMAT> *Jarod, nervously: ... Right ...

<TIAMAT> *Jarod does indeed go back to concentrating on the show, though he occasionally shoots Hatani a nervous glance.

<JETMODE> *Hatani, on the other hand, is watching cheerfully. Dance isn't exactly her calling -- more like a hobby.

<JETMODE> *When Jukka finally takes the stage again, it's nearing midnight, and her dance is the final act of the evening. Some of the crowd has filtered out and gone home, but most of it has stayed to watch. As Jukka steps to the center, a small voice sounds out of nowhere, as if next to Jarod's ear. "I'm tired."

<TIAMAT> *Jarod, who had been sending Jukka a warm thought, starts a bit and glances around.

<JETMODE> *Hatani aside -- she's watching her sister with a happy smile -- there's no one nearby who fits the voice.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod blinks a little sleepily and settles back to watch Jukka.

<JETMODE> *A few moments later it comes again. "I have to finish this, or she'll get mad. But I'm tired."

<TIAMAT> *Jarod starts again, feeling fairly irritated this time. He glances around again, then peers back over his shoulder.

<JETMODE> *Again, no one present. But before he looks back at the stage, the voice comes yet again. "I hope they're not angry at me tonight."

<TIAMAT> *Jarod's starting to freak a little -- he might even be projecting a faint sense of distress. He sits back, rubbing his head and eyes.

<JETMODE> *Jukka, picking up on it, sends him a questioning wave, not even missing a beat.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod smiles faintly and sends her a reassuring wave and a promise to talk after the show.

<JETMODE> *Hatani stirs, glancing at Jarod. "I'm impressed you never asked, you know."

<TIAMAT> *Jarod blinks and turns to her. ".. Asked?"

<JETMODE> *She grins at him. "How's an elf in a gypsy tribe, ya. Did Jukka tell you?"

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: Oh. *a little sheepishly* No, she didn't -- I was wondering earlier, but I didn't want to be rude.

<JETMODE> <Hatani> *claps him on the shoulder* Not bad, not bad. It figures she didn't tell you, though. She wouldn't have thought to.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod, a little weakly: Oh. Right. *he glances at her expectantly.

<JETMODE> <Hatani> *gaze drifts back to Jukka* We were travelling our winter route when we found a village -- all burned down and all the people there slaughtered. Jukka was just a baby -- well, so was I, but Mama and Papa told us later. They took her with them and left in a hurry, and Mama and Papa raised us as sisters.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: .. Wow. She ... never said anything. *it's impossible to tell if he's just stating a fact or if he's actually hurt that she didn't tell him. Probably a little of both. But not much of the latter.

<JETMODE> <Hatani> *grins at him* Ya, she wouldn't have. She doesn't worry about that kind of thing. *wrinkles nose* Don't tell her I said, 'kay? When she's ready, she'll tell you.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod nods a little. "Oh ... of course. Um ... thanks for telling me, though.

<JETMODE> <Hatani> Eh, I figured you oughta know. *she does not, however, elaborate on this*

<TIAMAT> *Jarod watches her for a moment in case she says any more, then turns his attention back to the end of Jukka's dance.

<JETMODE> *He's just in time to see her final steps as she winds down and bows to the audience, bidding them good-night and hoping they'll come again sometime.

<JETMODE> *As she starts off the stage, Hatani suddenly jumps to her feet and calls out, "[Oy, you picked a really thick one, Jukka!]"

<JETMODE> *Jukka pauses, stamps her foot, and shouts back, "[You leave him alone, Hatani!]" Then she hurries off the stage.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod claps long and loud for Jukka as she bows, a tired but content smile crossing his face. He stands and stretches, shooting Hatani a questioning look as Jukka retreats.

<JETMODE> <Hatani> *airily* Nothing you need to know about!

<TIAMAT> *Jarod, a little depressed: Of course.