Bab 550: DINNER IS SERVED
20 FEBRUARY, SATURDAY, FINALLY
We got to the dome at a record time of 35 minutes, as in it was the record for longest five minutes drive ever.
It wasn't even because of the convoy style driving, or broken and iced up lanes... Most of it was the queue into the Golden Dome. If we had to drive over to the Silver Dome next to it, I was going to start a rebellion and walk.
It was like the queue to the newest roller coaster ride on opening day at the amusement park, except we were queuing in cars. While waiting, I caught Dad leaning in to whisper-growl something into mum's ear.
"I'm already this close to getting out of the car." I warned my lovey dovey parents, "If you two do anything gross, I'm going to go ride with my betas."
I know, I know, I should be happy for my parents, that they could be as in love with each other as the day they first mated, and I was. But nobody ever thought about how inconvenient it was for us kids.
Laura said she believed that it was good for children to see their parents affectionate towards each other. It was supposed to give kids a sense of security and an example to follow when they were old enough to build a loving relationship with their own mate.
It also provided a sense of cooties. But I had been told Savy and I had it easy.
Mum had always believed in old fashioned ideas like appropriate behavior in public and shared spaces.
And Dad had alpha hearing. Plus Savy and I (mostly me) were really quite noisy pups, so we never accidentally walked into anything worse than PG.
When any of us kids complained, the adults would laugh it off with varying levels of embarrassment, and say something to the effect of, "Oh, you know... The mating bond..."
Oh, but the stories I've heard... Omo.
"Go ride with your betas." Dad decided.
"No!" Mum and I protested at the same time.
Dad just laughed and looked out of the window. His laugh was low and growly. He was in a good mood.
I found myself smiling. Me too. I guess Laura did have a point. Seeing my parents happily mated did make me feel happy. I hope that I'll be happy like this with my mate next time too.
Oh wait, as in my dumbbell mate, Bell? Hmmm... I covertly stole a glance at mum and dad smiling into each others eyes like they were posing for the closing shot of whatever Disney movie they were in - but only because they were probably mindlinking something incredibly mushy.
I highly doubt Bell and I would ever reach that level of sappiness. I would settle for if we could be alone together without getting mad at each other.
Oh right. I was still mad at Bell. Well, no I wasn't, but I was supposed to be. Revenge was such a time consuming thing, such a hassle. I couldn't even remember what I was angry at him for.
What should I do? Hmmm... I was going to see him later. We would be sitting at the same table too. I was really looking forward to this too because eating fancy food at the Golden Dome reminded me of our date at Moshiro's. And Ki said it would be our first public outing as a couple - that had sounded exciting.
So by the time we finally arrived at the Golden Dome and were seated at our table, I decided to forgive Bell. I had too many fun things to do to bother with a petty grudge.
It was really good timing because we were shown to the table by Sebastian (the red ant delta who I mistook for a butler earlier today), and Alpha Lorent, Luna Edith, and Bell {MATE!} were already there.
I was quite surprised because they were all wearing black - I suppose it couldn't be helped. A tux was supposed to be black although all my betas were cheating with blue jackets that looked almost black.
I bowed my greeting to my elders. Alpha James rose to shake Dad's hand - what was this? Handshake #4? #5? If they kept this up, everyone would think our packs were best friends.
Our betas sat us down and then moved to the side to watch over our table discretely from the side. They would be spending the whole evening standing. There were no seats nor dinner for betas. Poor betas.
Once seated, the waiters came to serve the aperitif - which I knew was a drink now. And when Dad told the waiter none for me (because I was underaged), the waiter asked if I would like a soda, I said, "Yes, please."
Because I was a polite princess.
Mum and Luna Edith took turns to compliment each other's dresses.
"I... I like your dress. Ac...actually, I saw it too..." Luna Edith confessed.
It turned out Mum and Luna Edith both bought their dresses from the same designer.
Luna Edith's dress was sequined black from head to toe with just a bit of dark gold sequins woven into the design.
"I... I don't usually wear this...this kind of dress." Luna Edith said.
Mum nodded, "Me too."
And even though I felt quite sure Luna Edith meant that she usually wore the traditional ceremonial dress, and Mum usually wore normal mum clothes, they both smiled at each other like they were relieved to find someone who understood them.
Henry's Mum came over with a small flock of other Lunas. She just wanted to introduce everyone.
"Did you ladies go shopping together?" One of the Lunas asked.
Apparently, not only did Mum and Luna Edith get their dress from the same designer, it was from the same season. And for some reason, there were lunas who tracked every piece of designer wear released each season.
Mum smiled, "No, it was a coincidence, but I guess it goes to show we share the same taste."
Henry's Mum smiled appreciatively, "You both look stunning. I really should drop by at his studios the next time I'm at Gate City. Lorent designers really have flair when it comes to handling classic styles with a modern twist."
And then all the other lunas decided they would also consider Lorent designers too. Lunas were generally required to dress conservatively, so the classic style was a staple.
On the other hand, Alpha James and Dad were discussing school board policies and educational systems. It's not like they had anything to say about their suits. All the men were dressed like penguins. Even Dad was wearing a bow tie. He won't wear a tie, but he would wear a bow tie. Okay...
Alpha George had invited professional MCs to host tonight's dinner. Luna Edith recognized them as celebrities from something on TV. Mum only recognized the lady. She was wearing a red gown and matching shoes and lipstick.
"Good evening, Alphas, Lunas, and distinguished guests." The lady began. She then proceeded to thank us all for taking time off our busy schedules to join them tonight. It was a great honor for her and her colleague, Dave to be able to host the dinner. We should remember that tonight was a closed door event, but we should feel free to take photos and share them. She provided a hashtag to tag all the photos from this dinner and share them with Alpha George and his Luna and all the beautiful guests.
The guy, Dave had to "absolutely" agree with Sheryl. He also had to comment on how gorgeous Sheryl looked today. Then he had to explain that we were here for dinner (in case we didn't realize), and that this banquet was held in honor of the young alpha Henry, whom Sheryl and himself would like to warmly congratulate, "Congratulations, Alpha Henry."
He said this and they bowed in the direction of the center table closest to the stage. We were just at the table across, so I could actually see Henry from where I was sitting. He smiled and raised a hand in response. Alpha George slapped his son on his back quite hard. To Henry's credit, he managed to maintain his smile through the assault.
After that, Dave and Sheryl introduced the chef and dishes he was preparing for us. The chef was busy in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on his masterpiece right now. I'm not sure why we would need to know this. And then Sheryl read out all his accolades and awards which was more information I didn't need. Dave lowered his voice as if telling us a secret (except he was speaking into his mic), not only would we be enjoying Chef Long's dishes tonight, we were going to be treated to his famous specialty, roasted duck.
Okay... I was actually starving right now. Mum's idea to eat before the fancy welcome reception turned out to be a life saver. I hadn't eaten since then (Chicken Kebab didn't count). I think I would also eat before fancy dinners next time too. I leaned over and told Mum so.
"Oh, poor dear..." Mum sympathetically remembered her puppy was hungry since just now.
"What's wrong?" Alpha James asked.
I shook my head quickly, "Nothing."
"She's hungry." Mum said, laughing it off, "Young wolves have insatiable appetites."
"I'm hungry too." Dad grumbled.
Alpha James laughed now, "These kind of dinners always start late. You ask the guests to come at 6.30, they come at 7. Nobody wants to wait, so everybody comes later. I hate this kind of thing."
Then Alpha James turned to Bell, "At your investiture, we will start the banquet at 7 sharp. If the guests come too late, they eat the leftovers."
Bell shrugged, "You say that now, old man. I'd like to see you actually do it."
Alpha James growled lowly, but Luna Edith put a hand on his arm and he adverted his glare.
Bell was completely unmoved by his Dad's ire. He reached in his suit and produced a packet a strawberry pokey. My eyes widened when he put it in front of me.
My mate was the best!
"Ki told me to bring this." Mate said.
Oh, well, that would be more realistic. I couldn't stop the smile on my face.
Luna Edith laughed a little, "Sh..she is so ha...happy."
Mum shook her head ruefully, "When she was young, I used to worry about her following strangers who offered her snacks."
Luna Edith nodded, "Ye...yes. Me...me...me too. That's very dangerous."
Alpha James told us how when Luna Edith was a child, a stranger offered her candy and then took her hand to bring her away to get more. It was Luna Edith's elder sister who saw it and shouted, "Hey! What are you doing with my sister?" The stranger let go of Luna Edith and ran away.
I ate my pokey sticks as I listened. Alpha James was a good storyteller.
"I...I...was even angry at my sister." Luna Edith admitted, laughing at her past, "I...I e...even scolded her after that."
"If not for your sister, who knows what would have become of you?" Alpha James growled a little and kissed the back of Luna Edith's hand.
"M...my..my mother al...always said I was the stupid one." Luna Edith said.
Mum was of course immediately empathetic, "How dangerous! Thank goddess your sister was around!"
And then the adults recalled how I had saved Savy from rogues at Morning Light.
"She what?" Bell seemed to be hearing all this for the first time.
"Th...that was a fr..frightening experience." Luna Edith said.
"But she was very brave." Alpha James approved.
"When was that?" Bell demanded.
"Without further ado, Chef Long and the staff at the Golden Dome is proud to present tonight's dinner!" Sheryl announced at the end of their menu reading session.
The lights dimmed, and smoke poured out from the doors. The music played and a hundred uniformed wait staff entered with covered trays propped up on one hand. I waited for any one of them to burst into a musical number and everyone to start dancing or something exciting like that, but they didn't. It was the most exciting way I've ever seen food being served.
And then Chef Long came up onto the stage with a fanfare of smoke. Sheryl and Dave clapped and made way for Chef Long and the rest of us, somewhat stunned from what just happened, politely clapped too. Two guys pulled up a giant gong to the center of the stage and handed Chef Long the stick. Chef Long hit the gong.
I winced a little as the sound reverberated throughout the hall. It made the inside of my ears tingly.
And then Chef Long bowed and announced, "Dinner is served."
I don't know why I thought dinner at the Golden Dome would be anything like dinner at Moshiro's.
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
katisnow
katisnow I dunno how it happened BUT there's a missing chapter! OmO
After CHAPTER 539 THE LANGSTON 2.0, there should be CHAPTER 540 THE THIRD TRIAL before CHAPTER 541 STEPPING OUT OF LINE.
So sorry. I've since uploaded and fixed it.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone