Welcome to Gaia! ::

"Yeah, darlin'. It's time to go. You'll be okay, though. Just remember to breathe, and remember I'm here for you," Faolan said, stepping back to lead her down the steps of the vardo. "Everything will be okay."

"Want me to ask a roustabout to stick close to you to catch you just in case?" Faolan asked, only partly kidding. He thought a moment, then looked down at her. "Maybe you could try focusing on something else if it starts to feel embarrassing or overwhelming. Try not to think about the dancing and more about the movement and grace. Don't think about this stupid costume or what I'm doing onstage, just focus on how much I care about you." He wasn't sure that would help, but it had to be a good start to it. After all, he wanted her to enjoy the show and actually see it.

Faolan looked down at himself. "Yeah? I always thought I looked ridiculous in this thing. The colors nice, but I hate the jingly hips." He looked back up at Ellandra, grinning playfully as he began leading her through the carnival grounds to where the stage was set up. "Ready to see me dance, love?"

Truth be, as much as he hated the performances and stupid costumes, he loved to dance, be it for an audience or in private. He could already here the heavy tribal beat of the drum thumping out over the crowd and his muscles twitched at the want, the very need to move to the music.

"You'll be okay, Elle," Fao promised, stroking her cheek gently before taking her hand to lead her up toward the stage. He found her a place to stand by the stage near the backstage area and asked a roustabout to stay near her, both to keep her safe from any rowdy audience members and to catch her if she fainted. Assured Ellandra would be alright, Fao climbed the stairs to the stage, the performance area still dark. He made his way to center stage by memory and got in starting position. The music that had been playing stopped.

He counted silently. One. Two. Three. The lights came on and the music started. Moving slowly and fluidly at first, Fao soon began quickening the pace, following the beat. He feinted left, then right, began tossing in kicks and more sultry moves, and generally working the crowd. He twisted in mid-air, landing down in a perfect pose before moving across the stage again. His eyes met Ellandra's from time to time, and when they did, he smiled--smiled for the sheer joy of dancing, for the love of the girl, and a promise that he'd be dancing with her later.

Faolan lept into the air, following the music, twisting acrobatically. He'd seen Ellandra sink to her knees and moved so he could see her better, noting the roustabout coming to her aid. Performance be damned. He'd just take Keagan's anger later about it, but for now, his girl was on the ground.

He spun about and ran off the stage, the song far from finished. Leaping nimbly from the raised platform, he landed cat-like beside Ellandra and gathered her in his arms. He lifted her up in one fluid motion and began carrying her through the parting crowd back to his vardo. It was amazing to Faolan, and yet it never amazed him, how the audience thought his carrying of Ellandra was part of the show.

The roustabout he'd asked to look after the girl followed them back to the vardo as well, but left them be after opening the door of the small wagon home for Faolan. Kneeling beside the bed, he gently laid Ellandra down and sat back on his haunches, holding her hand.

"What shall I do with you, lass?" Faolan chuckled quietly, voice full of affection.

"Nonsense, love. Didn't ruin anything. The audience thought it was part of the show, actually," Faolan explained, stroking her cheek and brushing her hair back from her face. "Besides, nothing is so important to me as you are now."

Keagan appeared at the open doorway, frowning at the couple. He pointed at Faolan then jerked his thumb back over his shoulder. "You. Outside."

Faolan got up, bells jingling softly with his movement, and walked outside to talk with his dad. He figured he was about to get an earful since the old man was using one-word sentences. Closing the door slightly as he left, he came down the steps to lean against the side of the black and silver wagon casually. "It couldn't be helped, Da. I wasn't going to leave her on the ground like that."

"I ain't about to tell you not to have relationships, hellspawn, and Lord knows that girl's better than some of them you've let yourself get involved with, but this is a business, this is how we make our living. If I tell you to dance, you do it. Someone else can see to the girl. It's a harsh thing to tell you, I know, but you let a lover come between you and making money for Farstep again and you'd better be looking for a new home," Keagan growled, leaning in close to the young man so the threats were private.

"Are . . . are you firing me?" Faolan asked, blinking. He couldn't recall the last time he'd heard his adopted father being serious about something. "Da, I--"

Keagan held up a hand, cutting him off. "Stow it, kid. You get one and that was it. I love you and all, but don't let me catch you blowing off work for that girl again or I'll beat the s**t out of you. We work before we play. You got it?"

The young man nodded. "Yes, sir." He slumped back against the vardo, hating being reprimanded, especially where others from Farstep could see. It was hard to tell how serious Keagan was about it, but Faolan knew not to test the man. He'd been in enough trouble as a boy to know his dad had a temper when pushed hard enough. Looking up through his bangs, he licked his lips. "I'm sorry, Da. I just . . . I wasn't thinking about anything but her."

"It's not a bad way to think, hellspawn, but we can't live on love. I'm not telling you to be rid of her, but don't be so caught up that you neglect your family and your duties," Keagan said, pulling Faolan over to hug him. "Stop giving me that kicked puppy look already and go check on the girl. Take the night off and spend some time with her. Hell, get laid if you want, but get this new-to-the-relationship crap out of your system. Priorities, boy."

"Yeah," Faolan answered lamely when Keagan let him go. He gestured to the door with a slight jerk of his head. "I'm gonna go change now. The bells have finally gotten to me. No more jingly hips." He headed back up the steps, pushing the door open, and looked back at the old man. "Are we good?"

"We're good, lad. You heed my words and we'll stay good," Keagan said, nodding. He headed off back into the throng of performers and patrons, waving over his shoulder. "Have a good night, son."

Faolan walked back into the vardo, shutting the door and leaning back against it. He smiled at Ellandra, trying to pretend he and his dad had just had a friendly chat rather than the fact he'd just gotten reamed over his relationship with her. "Feeling better, lass?"

Faolan walked over and sat on the bed, ruffling Ellandra's hair. "La, girl, what's gotten into you now? You still shook up over fainting at the show?" He moved his hand to rub her leg gently, concern showing in his golden eyes. "Don't cry, love. Please."