Chapter-XXII.

Next day we appeared in the theatre well before the required time to leave time for Dave to have some rehearsals. Sri Ramakrisna greeted us warmly and showed David his restroom. Also, he sent a boy in with the warrior's costume he would wear during the performance. Today they will dance a Barish which is the male equivalent of the Legong, it is a warrior's dance. While my Malayan Tiger was dressed with the help of two boys Sri Ramakrisna told me what this dance was about. This special dance should be executed with energetic and warlike martial spirit. Right, would be easy for Dave, he is not lacking this spirit for sure. The Baris dancer has to convey the thoughts and emotions of a warrior preparing for action as well as confronting an enemy in battle. This dance is performed solo and requires great energy, spirit and skill. The warrior's changing moods have to be displayed through facial expressions and movements. Dave should be able to show feelings like chivalry, pride, anger and regret.
No prob for him, I think as he speaks body language fluently and can express virtually anything with his body. Though he should practise a bit more before the show, 'cause the Baris is said to be one of the most complex of all Balinese dances.
So he and Sri Ramakrisna started the rehearsal to the music several young lads played on the gamelan gong, the sound from quiet and calm became fast and agitated as the warrior approached his enemy, showed off his anger and started the fight with him. David was just awesome. I can't say more. He seemed to hover in the air, it seemed like he was flying. Such grace he had in his movements! I was looking at my beautiful David long and hard. I couldn't take my eyes from him. I am not a dancer but he mastered the art of this dance very easily. After two long hours of constant dancing Sri Ramakrisna offered a break. We had one hour and a half before the show would begin, he told Dave to have a shower and drink the special liquid he brought, it would enhance his performance he said. I became a bit worried what it could be, a drug was the last thing Dave needed right now.
-Sir, may I mention it I am not taking any kind of drugs, Dave said.
-No worry, my man, no worry. It is not a drug, only herbs, strengthen you to be able to dance for hours.
-Oh, I see Sir, then I take it. Thank you.
-After you had some rest and both of you dressed up into the traditional costumes I await you to a short ceremony, having sacral food and drink, saying a prayer.
-We are honoured Sir. We will be there in an hour.
The old man leaved us alone.
-What is this? A costume for me, what for?
-It's a surprise for you, you also would be taking part in the dance.
-No, no, no, no. David, it is not for me, unlike you I cannot dance. You decided this all alone again. Oh, Dave, love, why do you do this to me again?
-Dontya worry sugar, you shouldn't dance, you would be the kidnapped maiden of your hero and I save you from peril once again. You should only sit there elegantly, showing some fear in the beginning, then some desperation, then joy, then worry, then happiness. That's all. You can do it , that's right!
-Oh, David!
-Please! Do it for me!
-Alright, alright. Life with you is like wondering in an enchanted castle, one day you force me having sex with you in the car, then you are the sweetest lover, ever. One day you watch telly all day long, on the other you make an oriental princess from me. David, David!
He was grinning. - Your lover is full of surprises, yeah. This is it when I show you the world in my eyes.

After a short rest we should have begun to get ready to the big event.
I let the women get me dressed and put a makeup with strong, vivid colours. I was kinda suffocating in the tight costume and barely could walk. Dave wasn't that fortunate either, a couple of men put heavy armour onto an emroidered, heavy silk-costume he wore, the whole stuff weight 45kg. There we were two "autentic" Baris dancers. Soon it started. I was led to my place waiting for my hero to rescue me. The music was softly played and it become louder and louder. The sound of drums were harsh in contrast to the gamelan.
Dave blasted onto stage with a long jump. He looked around searching the traces of the kidnapped maiden and his enemy. He jumped from left to right, then he was spinning and when he noticed his enemy he started to run with long, bouncing steps. He grabbed his enemy and waved his sword in front of his nose. The battle started, he cut his enemy and a crimson ribbon appeared on his enemy's chest. Then he cut David and the same happened to him. As the battle unfolded in front of our eyes more and more red ribbons were hanging on their costumes. At last his foe was on the floor and David put his leg onto his neck. The fight was over, enemy laid motionless and dead. Then he stretched both arms toward me entacing me. I stood up, stepped to him and my hero embraced me. The show was over.
Dave was panting like mad as the helpers took off his heavy costume. He was covered in sweat. A woman with a tray stepped to him, showed him place on the cushions and kneeled in front of him. Put a cup into his hand and signed drinking to him. He did. And one more and one more. His agitated breath and pulse slowed down almost immidiatly. Then two girls came, took off all the clothes , only his sarong was left and with sponges they washed down his whole body with some water which was fragnant from exotic flowers. Then they made him lay on a bamboo rug and gave a massage to him all over his body. After finishing it one of the ladies hang a flower-garland to his neck and bowed themselves. Sri Ramakrisna waved them to leave and they did. We were sitting among the dancers and other participants of the Baris ceremony for hours celebrating the triumph of GOOD over BAD. Dave got a lot of presents, a kris, a ceremonial knife, decorated with emerald all over on its handle, it was an old, wonderful piece of art, he got ceremonial food, refreshments and flowers. He got jewellry, golden bracelets were put on his ankle, wrists and arms and one to his nose. The last one was placed on a tray, as Srí Ramakrisna saw there wasn't a piercing in Dave's nose. He was cherished and loved. I sat on his side as somekind of prize for the unvincable warrior. Strange feelings swept over me. I know it sounds very patriarchal, I mean this order of society, but I felt myself in my place at his side, him being the hero, me the prize.

Later, on the boat toward evening he stood on board and watched the first star appearing on the sky. The sun went down and darkness fell upon the world. I was standing next to him, lazily resting my head on his shoulders, drawing small circles onto his skin with my fingertips. More and more stars appeared as they do on the night of the Oscar-gala. They arrived one by one, dressed in silver shine, dancing on the sky, spinning and swirling. He looked up to the stars and showed me his chosen star, that was the evening star, the planet Venus. He was whispering into the calm air: - Shine for me!

Did he meant his star on the sky or me I did not know. I didn't ask. I just embraced him with all the hot love of my heart to protect him from the cold breeze which was blowing from the Ocean.

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