Marriage, in principle, was the same for the Sajomei as it was for humans; pairing off with a significant other for the purpose of building a future with them. Like many human weddings, called a xalgorinnah, there was a ceremony and celebration, and the entire tribe would attend. However, in lieu of rings they decorated an effigy of their choosing. For Hutch and Kahlala, their effigy was of the god Diachinak, the god of death, in hopes of warding him off and allowing them to share a long life together. And the garb was far less elaborate, although perhaps more meaningful, given the tradition of proposing using a bolt of cloth or gathered hides, from which the woman was to fashion matching outfits for the occasion. Every year forward, for as long as it fit, a xalgar, would wear the dress she made for the xalgorinnah during the festival of Sissinnishinnah.
Hutch had watched Kahlala dance for the tribe as a young woman of the tribe for three years. But even then, when she had been decorated in the pastel hues of flowers and wore the flowy pale colored dresses, she stood out amongst the others. That year though, she was painted with vibrant, rich, colors of the tribal xalgar, and wore the deep, indigo blue dress, she had created for their xalgorinnah.
By that night, they had only been wed for a couple of months, yet seeing her in that dress, her skin painted with the red and gold markings of the xalgar, he was mesmerized by her beauty all over again. Even as the young women danced for the attention of the bachelors, the other xalgar danced and sang for their men, Kahlala's dancing seemed livelier, and her song far louder, as if declaring to the entire world that she was proud and happy with her choice to be with him.
"I remember when Kahrima used to preform like that for me," Ghan'dono remarked, offering Hutch a mug of ale before sitting down next to him on the log as they watched the woman dance around the bonfire in the village square. "I must confess that I remain concerned. I was not surprised when she told me of her decision. I believe you to be a good man, even if you are on the short side. But all she has ever wanted was a family of her own, and she must give up on that to remain with you. I fear one day she may come to regret that decision."
"You and me both," Hutch replied, as his eyes remained fixed upon Kahlala moving about with the other women. "I can still hardly believe that she chose me, knowing what it would cost her. But Ghan'dono, I swear to you, I will torch our effigy myself if I see any sign that she is unhappy. Until that day though, I will honor her decision, love her with all that I am, and enjoy every moment I can with her."
"I do not doubt that. Just as it is all I can ask of you," Ghan'dono said before taking a swig of his drink. "I would be terribly disappointed if I came to regret saving you all those years ago. Especially given how well you have done for yourself."
"Simply making the best of a troubling situation. Looking back on things, meeting Cascel when I did was a stroke of good fortune. If not for him, I wouldn't have been assigned to the King's Guard."
"Have you told her yet?"
"No. I didn't want to spoil this festival by telling her that I'm going to the front. I'm in the safest position I can be, but I know her, she'll worry, and this was too important for me to ruin it. Besides, this is how I want to think of her when I'm standing around guarding our faceless, silent, King."
"I will pass that along to her after you leave. Perhaps it will quell some of her ire."
"I'd appreciate it," Hutch replied, smirking as he tapped his mug against the side of Ghan'dono's.
The first time he watched Kahlala dance as his xalgar during the Sissinnishinnah, Hutch knew that it might have also been his last, even if he never wanted to say it out loud. The war in the north with the neighboring country of Jeq had gotten to a point where the King could no longer remain absent from the front, and that meant that when his leave was over, Hutch would have to head back to Qor'ropi and join his company for the long march north. He knew waiting to tell Kahlala of his orders would upset her, but to him it was worth it to see how delighted she was while he was there with her watching her sing and dance exuding pure joy in every note and movement.
Hutch could still hear the drums in his mind as he placed the clean dishes in the cupboard. Cherry had turned on the TV, the noise of the Christmas carols that played with every commercial was abrasive to his thoughts, pulling him back into reality leaving him dissatisfied at his very core. He couldn't remember a time when he enjoyed the sounds that accompanied the holiday, but now he was certain he never would.
Ren and his mother Stephanie would arrive a short while later, and while Ren sat at the counter watching Hutch in the kitchen, Cherry and Steph would take off to the far end of the trailer, disappearing into her bedroom to share gossip and look through the remainder of her wardrobe.
"Is that what all girls are like?" Ren asked, hearing their mother's chatter excitedly in the background, although unable to make out the conversation.
"More or less. But why ask me?" Hutch wondered, as he retrieved two cans of soda from the fridge, setting one on the counter in front of Ren.
"Because you're the married one," he replied, leaning over the counter, and lowering his voice. "Obviously, you have way more experience in this area!"
"Okay, fair, but that doesn't make me an expert."
"Still! Could you give me a bit more than just 'more or less'?" Ren was practically pleading as he slammed his hands together and bowed his head.
Hutch chuckled at his behavior, finding it a bit on the dramatic side. "Fine, fine. But keep in mind I was on a different planet."
"Or in a different dimension."
"Or both," Hutch added with a smirk, tipping his can in Ren's direction before taking a swig. "Okay, so the broad answer is yes. From what I have observed, they are basically the same no matter what planet or dimension they are from. Kahlala spent her time with the other xalgar of the tribe and they spent the majority of their time with the Kopi'ama. Ghan'dono used to say that the woman gathered to work while men worked to gather. That aside, again, why do you ask?"
Ren sighed and slouched forward. "Laney Sutton." Grimacing, he sat back in the chair and began to fidget with his can. "I might be reading the situation all wrong, but I think she likes me, and I know I like her. And I really wanted to ask her to winter formal, but I keep chickening out."
"Winter formal?"
"It's a dance. I basically have until the end of the week to figure this out, because they stop selling tickets for it on Friday. It's bad enough I'm dealing with exams right now, but this is just a bunch of added pressure no one needs."
"Do you want to take Laney to this dance?"
"Yes."
"Then my advice is to ask her. If you think she likes you, she probably does."
Ren took a deep breath. "If only it was that easy."
"Normally it is, once you get over that fear of rejection."
"It's not the rejection I'm afraid of. It's Rachel. Laney's best friend. Who for reasons I do not know, absolutely hates me. So, if I ask Laney to the dance and she says no," he replied as he motioned towards the back bedroom, "that's her and Rachel gossiping about how stupid I am before spreading it to the entire school. It would be mortifying. Schools already hard enough without the girls piling on."
"But if she says yes, you get to take her to the dance and show her that you're worth getting to know and spend time with."
"Until she tells Rachel and she bad mouths me so much that Laney changes her mind," Ren grimaced burying his face against his arm.
"If she is so easily swayed, she isn't worth it."
"And that is why," he said as he lifted his head, "in exchange for everything I'm helping you with, and my continued silence, I want you to teach me everything you know about this stuff."
Hutch cracked up laughing. "Ren, bud, I could teach you everything I know and collectively we'd still know next to nothing." Taking a moment to catch his breath, Hutch took a glance back towards his mom's room before returning his attention to Ren. "Even after all the years I've been with Kahlala, I still don't understand why she decided to be with me. Her own father, Ghan'dono, didn't understand it either. Despite cautioning her and reminding her of what she'd be giving up, she never changed her mind, and never explained her decision. For the longest time, I feared that one day she'd tell me that she regretted it all or that being with me wasn't worth it. She hasn't yet."
"What she gave up couldn't have been that important if she got you in return," Ren jabbed with a wide grin.
"Oh, ouch, that burned," Hutch replied, rubbing at his arm as he rolled his eyes.
"Seriously though," Ren said, his grin fading, "what did she have to give up?"
"What she wanted most, kids of her own. While I could pass for a Sajomei, I was still a human, and nothing, not even their magic, could change that."