It is 3039ad, almost eight hundred Earth years have passed since Desa emerged from the pass thru the Kinsheeta. The starship age has come and gone. If anyone has seen the report of the second expedition to 61 Cygni, you know that Desa was involved in some adventures during the early starship age. Its only lasting effect was cheaper suntower service to more places. That was so long ago that it is now taken for granted and many electronics companies are centuries old and their names are household words. But even now print media holds more of the market than it's had on Earth since its 20th century. It is still the main media of the average person. The average person in the city where and when this takes place uses an 'eye' (data terminal) once or twice a month at this time.

Desa never took the threat of celebrity seriously. People had warned her since the 55th, but it had eluded her so completely for four centuries that she didn't believe the threat was real. Yes, this same story could take place in New York, London, Amsterdam, Paris or Los Angeles and appeal to lovers of that time in Earth's history when music was important. Those stories have been told, those all have governments to appeal to and contend with, the scene in Zhlindu does not. In this Desa also has to come to grips with her ambivalence toward fame and her lack of empathy for one of her closest friends.

In here we also get a first-hand look at the music scene and music business of Zhlindu. This city is known for music and is probably the home of the culture where music is the most important of any human culture known to date. It is one of the biggest businesses in the city and one of the most important aspects of their culture.