Silent Dances by A. C. Crispin, Kathleen O'Malley Page A
Authors: A. C. Crispin, Kathleen O'Malley
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it's true. I love living outdoors, but these days I'm only
good for a week on the ground and then it starts affecting my mobility.
"Besides, I raised my own kids a long time ago and found out I wasn't great
parent material even then. Every time I go home and one of lil' darling'
descendants calls me babushka, I want to slug the little beast. I've got most
of them trained to call me by my first name, even though the in-laws
disapprove." Her expression clearly said, "too bad about them," and Tesa had to laugh. Meg returned it goodnaturedly.
"Scott used to tell people I was `nobody's grandma,'" she continued. A
shadow crossed her face at the mention of his name. "And, besides, the
person who raises the chick should be more of a sibling than an elder."
Meg looked at the young woman solemnly. "I want to tell you how much I
admire your willingness to postpone your ear surgery for this project. There
aren't that many people who would make that kind of a sacrifice. I couldn't
wait to get to Shassiszss. It's hard enough to have to wear sound nullifiers,
but when I thought I'd lost my hearing forever ..." Meg shook her head as she
trailed off into her own thoughts.
Tesa kept her expression under control with an effort. She wished Meg
hadn't brought that subject up.
"And your parents were so supportive when you explained why you wanted
to delay the operation! They must be wonderful people. They'll be very proud
of you, Tesa, and don't worry--the time will go by fast. Grus chicks are fully
grown in six months, and by then he'll be flying. I'm confident that even
before that we'll convince the board of the Grus' intelligence. Before a year's
over, you'll be free to go. Just think, when you're hearing, we can have a real
talk. I'll bet you have a
38
lovely voice. Your laughter is almost musical."
Tesa knew Meg would interpret the flushed look on her face for a modest
blush when in fact she was fighting anger and frustration . Hearing people were always so smugly convinced that their language was better than hers, that speaking was superior to signing , that sound was critical to the
enjoyment of life-that theirs was such a better way to live! Gritting her teeth,
she forced a smile . Meg couldn't understand how she felt, any more than
other hearing people could. Tell them how you really feel, prompted
something inside her.
What for? she responded bitterly. It wouldn't do a damned bit of good.
"The transport will be leaving StarBridge Station tomorrow afternoon," Meg
said, pulling Tesa's attention back. "I hope that'll give you enough time to
say good-bye to your friends." Say good-bye? Tesa thought inanely.
Meg patted her shoulder comfortingly. "I know how hard it is to leave people you love." She brushed herself off, preparing to leave. She was small, and
Tesa tried not to loom over her.
The Indian woman picked up the stilts, feeling overwhelmed. In twenty-four
hours she'd be leaving StarBridge! She'd always hated good-byes.
Wrenching her mind from the thought of saying farewell to so many people
that she'd come to love, she quickly changed the subject. "When the First
Contact's completed, would it be possible for me to get involved in another
project on Trinity, so I could stay two years instead of one?"
Meg looked thoughtful, then shrugged. "Well, it's a big planet, there's a lot to
learn."
"I was thinking ... with all my work with raptors ... maybe, when there was
time, I could study the Aquila, their ..."
Meg's blue eyes suddenly blazed with fury, surprising Tesa so much she
stumbled, slipping on the mud.
"Aquila!" Meg's rapid mouth movements and the way her head moved told
Tesa she'd spit the word out. "Those filthy carrion-eaters! Tesa, you have to
understand that those creatures are taboo on Trinity. The Grus don't even
have a sign for them-they use the sign for death and move their heads as
though they were throwing up a casting. Didn't Rob tell you about them?
About what they
good for a week on the ground and then it starts affecting my mobility.
"Besides, I raised my own kids a long time ago and found out I wasn't great
parent material even then. Every time I go home and one of lil' darling'
descendants calls me babushka, I want to slug the little beast. I've got most
of them trained to call me by my first name, even though the in-laws
disapprove." Her expression clearly said, "too bad about them," and Tesa had to laugh. Meg returned it goodnaturedly.
"Scott used to tell people I was `nobody's grandma,'" she continued. A
shadow crossed her face at the mention of his name. "And, besides, the
person who raises the chick should be more of a sibling than an elder."
Meg looked at the young woman solemnly. "I want to tell you how much I
admire your willingness to postpone your ear surgery for this project. There
aren't that many people who would make that kind of a sacrifice. I couldn't
wait to get to Shassiszss. It's hard enough to have to wear sound nullifiers,
but when I thought I'd lost my hearing forever ..." Meg shook her head as she
trailed off into her own thoughts.
Tesa kept her expression under control with an effort. She wished Meg
hadn't brought that subject up.
"And your parents were so supportive when you explained why you wanted
to delay the operation! They must be wonderful people. They'll be very proud
of you, Tesa, and don't worry--the time will go by fast. Grus chicks are fully
grown in six months, and by then he'll be flying. I'm confident that even
before that we'll convince the board of the Grus' intelligence. Before a year's
over, you'll be free to go. Just think, when you're hearing, we can have a real
talk. I'll bet you have a
38
lovely voice. Your laughter is almost musical."
Tesa knew Meg would interpret the flushed look on her face for a modest
blush when in fact she was fighting anger and frustration . Hearing people were always so smugly convinced that their language was better than hers, that speaking was superior to signing , that sound was critical to the
enjoyment of life-that theirs was such a better way to live! Gritting her teeth,
she forced a smile . Meg couldn't understand how she felt, any more than
other hearing people could. Tell them how you really feel, prompted
something inside her.
What for? she responded bitterly. It wouldn't do a damned bit of good.
"The transport will be leaving StarBridge Station tomorrow afternoon," Meg
said, pulling Tesa's attention back. "I hope that'll give you enough time to
say good-bye to your friends." Say good-bye? Tesa thought inanely.
Meg patted her shoulder comfortingly. "I know how hard it is to leave people you love." She brushed herself off, preparing to leave. She was small, and
Tesa tried not to loom over her.
The Indian woman picked up the stilts, feeling overwhelmed. In twenty-four
hours she'd be leaving StarBridge! She'd always hated good-byes.
Wrenching her mind from the thought of saying farewell to so many people
that she'd come to love, she quickly changed the subject. "When the First
Contact's completed, would it be possible for me to get involved in another
project on Trinity, so I could stay two years instead of one?"
Meg looked thoughtful, then shrugged. "Well, it's a big planet, there's a lot to
learn."
"I was thinking ... with all my work with raptors ... maybe, when there was
time, I could study the Aquila, their ..."
Meg's blue eyes suddenly blazed with fury, surprising Tesa so much she
stumbled, slipping on the mud.
"Aquila!" Meg's rapid mouth movements and the way her head moved told
Tesa she'd spit the word out. "Those filthy carrion-eaters! Tesa, you have to
understand that those creatures are taboo on Trinity. The Grus don't even
have a sign for them-they use the sign for death and move their heads as
though they were throwing up a casting. Didn't Rob tell you about them?
About what they
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