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:

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.

From:

winter_wisp

"Please don't make me serve, brother. Please," Winter begged. "There must be something I can give worth Phouka's freedom."

From:

willysilver

"And what would a pixie offer me?" he asked, trying so hard to be stern about it all, even though his mind was already made up.

From:

winter_wisp

Winter hesitated, then got up, gesturing for everyone to wait as he rushed off.

Winter had many things, but few of worth. He searched through his trunk though, then his closet, digging until he found something- The most precious thing he had.

When he returned, he was carrying a gold button, something he'd once stolen from Aspid. It was small and shiny, and for a very long time, it had been his only possession. A tiny trinket tucked under his pillow.

Even though it was a reminder of a sad time, it meant a lot to the pixie, and parting with it was, honestly, painful. ...But worth it, for Phouka.

"I will give you my most prized possession. Worth little in price, but full of potent emotions," he said quietly, taking Will's hand and pressing it into his palm.

"Please, fae Willy, will you accept?"

Edited Date: 2016-05-26 02:36 am (UTC)

From:

willysilver

Willy looked at it for a long moment and then slowly closed his hand.

"Winter, are you certain?" he asked. "This is a powerful trinket. It is a part of your heart, little one. Worth more than you might imagine. This is what you would exchange for the Phouka's freedom?"

But he didn't give Winter a chance to think too long or even reply. He slipped the button into his pocket, then ruffled Winter's hair.

"Very well."

He turned his gaze to the Phouka who stood with wide eyes.

"You are free, my friend. You are, as you have always been, family. You are no longer beholden to me or my mother, though I would like it if you would continue to look after Winter. Not as a servant, but as true kin."

The Phouka found his voice gone, but he nodded enthusiastically.

From:

winter_wisp

Winter knew what he had given away, and as he looked at Phouka, he was okay with what he'd lost. It was well worth what was to be given in return. ...Besides, if he was to surrender part of his heart and soul, at least it was safe with Willy.

He smiled then, his pain and envy forgotten in this moment of pure joy.

"You are free, Phouka. What will you do to celebrate?" Winter asked. "We could go out, have a grand meal!"

Fin sat up slightly, leaning back against the headboard as he finished his cigarette and stubbed it out.

"Yes, Phouka, how do you want to celebrate?" the actor asked.

From:

phouka

The Phouka smiled brightly and dropped the shirt so he could embrace Winter. He bent low and wrapped his arms around the pixie, then stood up again, lifting the little one from the floor.

"Yes! Yes, food and wine and music," he said happily. "All of us. Please? All of us as one. We will celebrate for a week!"

Willy moved to sit beside Fin, watching the joy of the pair.

From:

winter_wisp

Winter squeaked, then giggled as Phouka lifted him off the floor, catching his lips in a kiss. He wanted to kiss everyone now, his heart felt so bright and warm. He wanted to kiss the world.

"We should feast!" the pixie peeped. "We should fill the flat with food and wine, and celebrate as pixies do!"

Fin leaned over, speaking in Will's ear. "How, exactly, do pixies celebrate?"

From:

phouka

Willy kept his eyes on the pair and shrugged at Fin's question. He had no idea, though he imagined it included mischief. He wasn't about to tell Fin that.

The Phouka kissed Winter in return and then lightly put him down. He had no shame, nor did he even remember he was naked.

"We should. You must teach me how the pixie celebrate, though, little one. I only know how my kin and kind celebrate...that is rarely in man-form," he said. He doubted very much the prince would turn the three of them into dogs so they could race through the night barking and catching tasty prey.

From:

prince_of_nymphs

Winter grinned, then looked over at Fin and Willy with a bright smile.

"I suppose we're to fetch the food and drink then?" Fin asked, unprepared for the way Winter threw himself at him, knocking them both backwards.

"Yes!" the pixie peeped. "We must have all Phouka's favourite foods! We will fill every table!"

Fin snorted at that, shaking his head. "How about I order some pizza, and Will pops to the corner to buy wine?"

From:

phouka

"Pizza is delicious," Phouka agreed.

Willy rose and went to him and put his arm around the Phouka's bare shoulders.

"And what else?" he asked.

The Phouka was quiet for a long moment, thinking of what else he might like. There were so many good foods, many he'd only seen and longed for on the queen's table. Time passed silently and he looked to the prince, then to Finlay and to Winter. He found he did not know what to ask for.

"Chocolate?" he said, knowing Winter would enjoy that, too.

Edited Date: 2016-05-26 03:51 am (UTC)

$winter_wisp: (\o/)$

From:

winter_wisp

"Chocolate!" Winter agreed excitedly, nearly whacking Fin in the face. "We will feast!"

Fin gently shoved the pixie off him, and got to his feet. "Alright. ...But let's all have trousers on before we feast, hmm?"

From:

phouka

The Phouka looked down at himself and then nodded.

"Yes. Trousers. And then feasting," he agreed. "Come, Winter. We will dress for dinner while Finlay and the prince sort out dinner."

He caught the pixie by the hand and pulled him along, into their own flat so he could wear some of his new finery.

"Which should I wear?" he asked. "I like the purple..."

From:

winter_wisp

"I like you as you are right now, Phouka," Winter grinned, looking positively cheeky, then shrugging one narrow shoulder. "If you have to be dressed though, I like he purple also. You should wear what brings you joy."