Day of Honor - Michael Jan Friedman [41]
"Stately," the Doctor said out loud. "Even regal."
But then, as a guest of the Fifth House of Betazed, he had expected no less.
He looked out his window at the elaborate white marble stair that connected the sprawling lower lawn with the even more sprawling upper lawn. The rails on either side of it, also cut from white marble, were festooned with garlands of dark blue and blood-red uttaberry blossoms.
Beyond the stair, between two towering trees with silver leaves, a white canopy shot through with thread-of-latinum had been elevated on yellow-and white striped poles. The sun filtered through the canopy, glinting off the ancient silver chalice that graced a marble stand within.
The Sacred Chalice of Riw, the Doctor noted with some satisfaction.
It was one of the most valuable artifacts on Betazed, and had been for the last seven hundred years. The chalice was brought out only once a year, in recognition of the emperor Rixx's mythical marriage to the goddess Nope.
In the twenty-fourth century, Betazoids no longer worshipped gods and goddesses, of course. However, they were still eager to celebrate the holidays associated with said gods and goddesses-particularly this one.
The Wedding of Riw, he thought excitedly, was the most important celebration on the entire planet, observed by young and old alike. Indeed, it was one of the most festive occasions anywhere in the galaxy.
Never having set foot on any planet in the Alpha Quadrant, where Betazed happened to be located, the Doctor couldn't know this from personal experience. However, Voyager's computer had given a wealth of information on the subject. In fact, he had perused only a fraction of it, preferring to be surprised and delighted by the experience.
Just then, he heard the strident tinkling of Betazoid cymbals. Their purpose was to alert all and sundry that the ceremony would begin in five minutes. The Doctor smiled with anticipation.
Now, he thought, all I need are some appropriate garments. However, he couldn't see anything even vaguely resembling a closet in the room. His first impulse was to ask the computer for an explanation-but in the end, he decided against it.
When on Betazed, he mused, do as the Betazoids do. Spotting what looked like a set of wind chimes near a particularly elegant divan, he crossed the room and tapped them with his finger.
Surprisingly, the sounds that came from them were nearly as strident as those made by the cymbals a moment earlier. However, they had an almost immediate effect, as the Doctor heard footfalls approaching from outside the room. Before long, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in," he said.
The door opened and a female attendant entered the room. She had long red hair and a rather pleasing appearance.
"How may I assist you?" she asked the Doctor.
"I need some clothing appropriate for the celebration," he told her. He indicated his black-and-blue
Starfleet uniform. "Obviously, I can't attend in this old thing."
The Betazoid looked at him as if he had suggested she lay an egg in the center of the room. Then she smiled. "You're joking, aren't you?"
The Doctor returned her gaze. "That wasn't my intention. Just what is it about my request you find humorous?"
The attendant didn't answer right away. She seemed to be searching for theright words. But before she could find any, the Doctor saw something attract her attention.
Something seen through the window, he thought. Frowning, he turned and took a look in the same direction.
Suddenly, no explanation was necessary. The Doctor approached the window and leaned on the sill, his gaze fixed on the procession of thoroughly naked Betazoids marching across the lower lawn.
Naked, he repeated silently for emphasis.
No clothes.
None at all.
As he watched, the procession reached the stair and ascended it, then headed for the wedding canopy. The Betazoids chatted and laughed and clasped their hands with joy. None of