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

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."

From:

phouka

The Phouka pulled out the fine purple coat with the gold embroidery and matching trousers, then selected a teal silk shirt and gold cravat. He would wear finery tonight to celebrate.

But then he laid it aside and rather than get dressed he stepped in front of Winter and bent to kiss his forehead.

"You bring me joy," he said softly. "...But you are not trousers and Finlay said we must all wear trousers tonight."

From:

winter_wisp

"He's dumb," Winter decided. "Should I dress up too, Phouka?" he asked, smiling at the kiss.

From:

phouka

"Yes," he nodded, in no hurry to move away. He reached to touch Winter's cheek, then toyed with the fringe of his hair. "You will be lovely in whatever you choose. And if you like...tomorrow we can go to my tailor and you can be fitted for something rich and fine. He has picture books of the most wonderful fashions."

From:

winter_wisp

"I thought you liked how I dress though," Winter replied, wilting a little. "I like how you dress, Phouka, but- I don't think it's for me."

Getting up, he wandered to his closet on the other side of the room, revealing an odd collection of apparel. He dithered a little, but eventually settled on something Fin had told him he wasn't wearing out of the house. It was a mostly sheer pink ensemble, flowy and light, and he changed into it quickly.

"Is this alright?"

From:

phouka

The Phouka had pulled on pants and trousers and smiled once Winter was dressed.

"Yes," he nodded. "That is perfect. You always look so lovely. All the things you wear. I also do not think it is for me. You shall wear your clothes and I will wear mine. Agreed?" he asked as he began to fuss with the buttons of his shirt.

From:

winter_wisp

"Yes, Phouka. I agree," the pixie nodded, sitting down on the bed and then stretching before flopping onto his back.

"What will you do now you're free?" he asked after a moment.

From:

phouka

"I do not know. I could do most anything,I imagine. I would like to sleep and not be obligated to wake. I would like to sleep deeply and dream," he said with a soft smile.

From:

winter_wisp

"Will you leave me to explore and enjoy your freedom?" Winter asked quietly.

The thought upset him, but at the same time, he would understand. Being free for the first time was a wonderful feeling.

From:

phouka

"I would not like to go anywhere away from you," he answered, pulling on his shirt. The teal of it and the violet of his trousers made him look like a peacock.

Edited Date: 2016-05-27 01:50 am (UTC)

From:

winter_wisp

"You may though, one day," Winter said. "I left, remember? I thought I would stay with Fae Willy always, but I left to explore for a while. To find my place."

From:

phouka

The Phouka fixed his buttons and smoothed his shirt, then wet his lips as he looked at Winter.

"I would not like to go anywhere," he said. "I am happy by your side."

From:

winter_wisp

"I believe you Phouka, I just never want you to feel tethered here. I want you to know you're truly free," Winter said softly.

From:

phouka

"You could come with me if I desire to travel," he said. "We were going to go to the Seelie realms earlier. We could still go..."

The thought of striking out on his own made his stomach roll and squirm and he didn't like the feeling at all. He didn't want to be alone in the world. It had been hard enough coming to the mortal realm to serve and leaving all his kin behind. He knew he could not do such a thing again.

From:

winter_wisp

"Maybe after we've feasted," Winter said, in no rush to go now. ...He was too worried Phouka may want to stay there.

From:

phouka

"Yes, after we feast. We will eat our fill and drink all the wine and then I will sleep for...three days," he decided, smiling at the gross indulgence of it. There was no way he would sleep all that long, but it was nice to say he might. It was lovely to know he could.

From:

winter_wisp

Winter smiled at that, then nodded, sitting up and offering his hand.

"Let's feast then, Phouka. We'll make sure your belly is full before we go to bed tonight."