“My grandfather introduced me to this tea when I was very young. He brought it back from one of his many trips to London. I rarely drink anything else in the evening. It was a habit of his to always have a cuppa, as he told me the Brits called it, in the evening before bed. He said it helped him relax and unwind from the day. As a child, it taught me patience. Steep the leave too long and the tea becomes bitter. Don’t steep them long enough, and all you have is hot piss water that’s tinted brown.”

Loki choked on his tea. Seona hid a smirk behind her own mug. They were interrupted by a knock at the door. Seona rose gracefully and went to answer it. Judging from the sound of the voices, the visitors were all female and knew Seona well enough to know where she lived.

“SEONA,” one girl whined drawing out the “o” and the “a” of Seona’s name.

The way the Spanish rolled off her tongue had Loki closing his eyes and getting lost in the sound. That meant he wasn’t actually listening to the conversation happening at the door until Seona began to stutter. She only did that when she was really nervous or upset.

“Seona, is everything ok?” he called to her.

He doubted she was upset so that left nervous. Why she was nervous, he had no clue. Seona reappeared without replying to his question a few moments later. Following behind her were five young women all ranging in age from perhaps 15 or 16 to 26. The young women were all dressed up with slightly heavy make up.

Loki stood.

“Seona, what’s going on?” he asked.

She sighed, “I forgot I promised Alaia I would dance with her on her 15th birthday.”

“Dance?” he asked confused.

“She didn’t tell you she does flamenco?” one of the older girls questioned.

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“Carolina!” Seona hissed.

“Flamenco?” Loki spoke over Seona’s hiss with curiosity.

“Oh you have to come see!” the younger one exclaimed.

The other girls chuckled at her. Seona hung her head so her inky hair shielded her face.

“PLEASE Seona!” the girl begged. “You have to come and show off for your boyfriend now. Pleeeeease!”

Seona sighed, “I have no choice do I?”

The other girls shook their heads. Seona rubbed her temples briefly.

“I am so going to regret this,” she muttered quietly.

Loki was the only one who heard her comment.

“Come, we will get you ready and Aurora will lead your boyfriend to the cueva for the show,” Carolina ordered.

“He’s not my boyfriend!” Seona sputtered as they dragged her out of the house leaving Loki with Aurora.

Loki turned to her.

“She’s really lucky to have you all as friends,” he told her.

“No we are the lucky ones,” Aurora replied. “Were it not for her some of the teenagers wouldn’t be passing their science courses. The need was mutual. We needed her and she needed us, without realizing it. For an outsider who has only just learned flamenco, she looks as if she’s been dancing it all her life. That is an accomplishment.” She paused for a moment. “This will be her first true performance. The crowd is gathered because Alaia is performing. She is the best I’ve seen in a very long time. If the right person notices her, she could make a name for herself and get out of here.”

“You say that as if you and she are trapped,” Loki said.

“In a way we are,” Aurora replied. “Society expects women to be one thing and one thing only. The patriarchal ways of our society are so deeply ingrained that it is hard for even determined women to buck the system. Where she comes from it is even harder. Do you know how hard it was for her to get here even?”

Loki shook his head.

“Today she may look and sound like a modern woman, but where she is from she cannot be whoever she wants,” Aurora sighed. “Her society is far more backwards than many of ours. Sadly, she won’t speak much of her home. It’s as if it disgusts her and pains her all at once.” Aurora looked at the time. “Come we must get to the cueva before all the good seats are taken.”

She led him out of Seona’s home and down the streets. Music flowed from several homes and into the streets. People milled about and called out to friends, neighbors, and acquaintances. The atmosphere was nothing like Loki had ever experienced before. Despite the fact that all of these people were mortals, he found himself enjoying what they had to offer. He then did something that usually only happened when he was with Seona; he smiled.