londoncallingrpg

It had been some time now since his attack, and though he still wore a few faded bruises that stubbornly refused to fade, the streaks of purple and blue across his fair skin were not what was bothering the pixie. Guilt clung to him, weighing him down, waking him in the night, and dampening his mood. It didn't matter how many times his friends and kin insisted he'd just been protecting himself, pain stabbed through his heart any time he let his mind wander to that night.

He'd replayed it over and over in his head, the man's words, the feeling of his fists and the pain that had left him weak and breathless- And the feeling of ice as his power had reached out to protect him. He hadn't meant to harm the man, but there was no undoing what had been done. All Winter could do now was live with the pain of knowing he had taken a life while defending his own.

Not wanting to be fussed over or worried about, he'd taken to going out more during the day. Wandering the city and wasting hours at the library or the shops. Anywhere quiet and calm, really.

Some days he made his way over to a small ballet school near the centre of town. Through large glass windows he'd watch the girls inside learn their positions and practice their jumps. They were so graceful, all smiles and giggles, even when their teacher's voice grew stern and they all rushed to get back into place. Winter found he envied them- But also found comfort in watching them dance.

Usually when the class ended, Winter would leave, but one day the instructor had signalled for him to come inside, and Winter had been curious enough to do just that.

"This is the third time you've watched one of my lessons," she noted. "Do you dance?"

Winter bit his lip, then shook his head. "Not like they dance," he said as the girls shuffled past him and out onto the street. "They're very elegant. I'm not sure I could be that."

The instructor raised a brow, then smiled. "No? Well, I do like a challenge..."

He'd been going daily since, learning at a rate that Miss Fairlite insisted was very impressive. She waxed on about natural grace and ability, but Winter found, for once, he wasn't interested in the praise. He didn't come to be told he was good or talented- He came because it felt good. Because the music made his heart patter in a way most of the music he devoured usually did not. ...Because for nearly an hour a day he felt free of his guilt and worries, his full focus on the dance and Miss Fairlite's instruction.

It was wonderful. Better than ice cream even.

(OTA. Feel free to have seen Winter dancing through the window and either come in to watch, or meet him outside after. :D)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

phouka

The Phouka whined and licked him twice more, then backed off enough to lower his front half to the floor and wag his tail playfully. He hoped he could entice Winter to play, though part of him knew the pixie was likely too cross with him.

From:

winter_wisp

"No!" Winter sulked, stomping his foot. "If you want to speak to me, be a Phouka and speak. I'm not playing. ...This isn't fun," he added quietly.

From:

phouka

IN the crouched position he became himself again, an aspect of himself, and then he sank to the floor. Lying on his belly he looked at Winter.

"Do not be cross with me," he said. "I am sorry I am jealous. I am sorry I am selfish."

From:

winter_wisp

Winter studied Phouka, then looked down at his feet.

"I don't like when we argue, Phouka. It hurts my heart," the pixie said quietly.

From:

phouka

"As it does mine," he agreed. "But you are ever my friend and love, Winter. I..."

He paused, unsure he had the right to ask for what he wanted. But he decided to be brave.

"I want you to be mine alone," he said. "We are long lived and if not right now, then some day. Some day I want to be one another's only."

From:

winter_wisp

Winter heard 'mine alone', and his heart beat faster- For all the wrong reasons.

"No," Winter said, looking upset. "No, Phouka. I love you, with all my heart, but- I will not be owned. Never again."

From:

phouka

"Not owned, Winter," he said, then sighed and laid his head down on his arms. His eyes wee dark and full of sorrow. "I would not own you. You are free as I shall never be."

From:

winter_wisp

Winter studied the Phouka, wondering if things would be different if Phouka was free. Would he stay here? Or would he abandon Winter in search of someone else?

"I could free you," Winter said. "...I could make a wish."

From:

phouka

"If I was free I would never have to go back to the palace," he smiled slowly. "I cannot wish it myself. It is forbidden. But if you were to wish such a thing no one would get into trouble..."

From:

winter_wisp

Winter considered that, still wrapped up in Willy's shirt as he sat down.

"What do you think Fae Willy would ask in return?" he asked. "I have nothing to give him, Phouka. Nothing of worth."

From:

phouka

"He demands servitude or favours from most," the Phouka replied and his hopes fell. He knew Winter would not do well if he was bound to serve a year and a day, and if the prince wanted a favour all he had to do was ask.

From:

winter_wisp

"I do not want to serve," Winter said quietly. "There must be something else. Something special I can offer."

From:

phouka

"Perhaps you should ask him what he would want," he replied. "Something only you could give him."

It was almost too much to hope for. Freedom, Winter free of servitude. They could both be happy, could travel as they pleased. Part of him knew it was foolish to hope for such a thing. Surely the prince would never agree.

From:

prince_of_nymphs

Fin had only nipped out for cigarettes, and was a bit surprised to find a very naked Phouka on his bedroom floor.

"Something you could only give who?" he asked. "And really, Phouka, I thought we talked about the nudity. ...Winter, I know you're in here as well, you better not be naked as well."

Winter freed himself from Willy's shirt, taking off and fluttering around Fin.

"I wish to make a deal with Fae Willy, but I do not wish to serve. What does he want that only I can offer?" the pixie asked.

From:

phouka

The Phouka took up the abandoned shirt to cover himself, wrapping it round his hips and holding it in place. He wondered, not for the first time, what Finlay had against a lack of clothing. There was no shame in nudity, he thought. Why would one be ashamed of their own body?

"Yes, Finlay, you know the prince the best. What would he ask of Winter that is not servitude? A favour? Winter could give him money from busking..."

From:

prince_of_nymphs

Sitting down on the bed, Fin looked thoughtful as he opened his fresh pack of cigarettes and lit one.

Winter returned to his full height, sitting beside him and trying to take the lit vice- Which only prompted Fin to hold it out of reach.

"Will doesn't need money- He doesn't really want for anything," he added with a small frown.

From:

phouka

"Then how can Winter make a wish? Such a thing would create such a debt..."

He sighed and reached to touch the pixie.

"Perhaps you should not do this."

From:

prince_of_nymphs

"What exactly do you intend to ask for, Winter?" Fin asked, only surrendering the cigarette when the tiny pixie was practically on top of him.

Winter sniffed it, then took a long drag, forgetting for a moment what they were talking about- Then snapping back to the conversation when Fin took the cigarette back.

"Oh, I intend to ask for Phouka's freedom," the pixie chirped.

Fin raised a brow at that, then frowned.

"Why not just ask?" Fin replied. "What makes you so certain you'll have to barter and beg. Will sees you as a brother, Winter. Surely, even if freeing Phouka was something he couldn't do easily, he could just make it so Phouka was... I dunno, your phouka?" he suggested.

Honestly, Fin wasn't certain how that all worked. He didn't like the idea of Phouka 'belonging' to anyone, but it was the sort of thing he knew better than to fight with Will about.

From:

phouka

The Phouka thought he would not mind being Winter's. He would accept such a fate gladly.

"Do you think..." he started, then the door to the flat opened and closed and heavy boots thudded on the floor.

From:

prince_of_nymphs

Fin flopped onto his back, taking a long drag.

"Can't hurt to ask," he replied simply, gesturing at the door towards the sound of Will's arrival.

From:

willysilver

Willy came in and saw Fin and Winter and the naked Phouka and smiled at his little family. But then he truly looked at the Phouka. The creature would not meet his eyes and the hunch of his shoulders spoke volumes.

"What has happened now?" he asked. "Winter? Why does the Phouka look guilty?"

That only made the dark creature duck his chin more.

This was a terrible idea.

From:

winter_wisp

"Phouka's done nothing," Winter huffed. "I wish to ask a favour though."

Fin glanced over at Will, silently pleading with the fae to listen to what the pair had to say.

From:

willysilver

Willy wet his lips, caught Fin's glance, and he nodded.

"What favour?" he asked, noting how the Phouka stood still and tense.

From:

winter_wisp

"I want you to free Phouka," Winter said, looking nervous then, and looking down at his hands. "I want Phouka to not serve, but to be part of our family."

From:

willysilver

Willy was quiet for a long moment. The Phouka's stance made perfect sense now. He looked from the creature to Winter, then to Fin. Then his gaze fell on the Phouka again.

"And what do you think, Phouka? What will your life be without service?" he asked.

The Phouka was quiet for a moment, then looked up and raised his chin, meeting the prince's eyes.

"I wish to be free. I wish to protect Finlay and Winter because I choose to.Because I love them. Not because I fear you," he replied proudly.

Willy looked back to Winter.

"Wishes and favours mean payment," he said calmly.