After supper, Beth tackled the dishes in the deep stone basin not far from the table where they ate. Rosek was the first to offer help, and August followed her lead. Beth laughed at that. “A man coming to help with the dishes? You dome-folk really are strange, aren’t you?”

The dishes were cleaned, and their hosts led them outside. They explained that a fire roared in the community yard every evening and that everyone in town gathered there for songs and laughs. Alvis opened the front door to reveal a crowd of citizens standing in a half-circle around the entrance. It must’ve been the whole town. They weren’t necessarily crowding the door, but that might’ve only been the case because of Farscout’s efforts.

The young, red-skinned scout created a perimeter between Beth’s house and the curious onlookers. He waved his hands up and down and shouted things like “get back” and “keep some distance.” Shouting wasn’t necessary as the crowd was rather quiet for one of its size. There was nothing dangerous or sinister about them. They were simply curious.

Whatever the case, August turned red at the sight of them. Too many eyes and all of them aimed in his direction. Beth walked ahead to join Farscout, leaving the squad behind in the doorway with Alvis. “Alright, alright,” she said in a calming tone. “I know it ain’t often we get visitors, and these are pretty special ones at that, but you’ve got to disperse. You’ll all have time to meet our guests at the fire.”

General Wolf leaned in close to Alvis and whispered. “I never agreed to attend this fire. The squad and I mean to retire and get as much rest as we can before leaving in the morning.”

Alvis chuckled. “Trust me. Y’all are attending that fire. Don’t try to argue about it either. When Ma’s this excited about something, she gets her way.”

Wolf straightened out and cleared his throat. “I suppose it couldn’t cause too much harm.”

A young woman asked an indistinct question. Beth answered. “Yes, I guess we should address what we’re all thinking. Your eyes haven’t deceived you, my friends. The Dalton West is here in our little town.”

A cheer broke out amongst the citizens. Mostly the women and young folk. August turned to regard West, but the old sniper pushed past him just as he’d turned. Dalton West stood between Beth and Farscout and saluted his fans in a proud stance. The cheering got louder, which only made him wave and salute with more vigor.

Rosek scoffed and turned away from the spectacle.

Beth took West’s hand, which put an abrupt end to his triumphant movements. He seemed to almost crumble at her touch. “We’ve got a copy of all your movies and play them at our little theatre every Saturday night.”

Dalton’s face turned red. The crowd cheered.

“Like I said,” Beth raised her voice to the crowd, “our guests will be joining us at the fire tonight, so go on and get yourselves ready.”

They did. The crowd dispersed at a shocking rate. Most folks ran to their houses to get this or that or to change clothes. A small group of men ran off toward the center of the compound, likely to start the fire.

Alvis stepped outside and positioned himself before his mother and Farscout. “Will he be allowed to join the festivities?” He pointed to Farscout while speaking to his mother.

“Of course,” Beth said.

“What about his punishment?”

“Don’t assume I forgot,” Beth said. “I’m the one who handed it out, remember? This is too important of an event for him to miss out on just because of a silly mistake. Besides,” she shifted her eyes to Farscout, “you’ve learned your lesson, haven’t you?”

“Yes, Ma’am,” Farscout said.

“Good,” Beth messed his hair and made her way toward the fire.

Farscout combed his black hair with long fingers but didn’t accomplish much. He threw a shy look toward the squad. “You guys comin’?”

General Wolf led the way, and the squad followed their hosts to the center of the compound as the sun receded past the horizon in the west, somewhere over the nest.