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 Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:33 pm
Fidel also wondered why he was sent off, but didn’t want to say he was told to. Being ordered meant there was something above him that had an upper hand, and Molgue was far from holding the reigns, not that anyone could leash Fidel to do anything. The blonde prided himself on going against anyone that thought they could push their authority on him. As of now, his tutor was the only person who was presently pushing his buttons and doing a fine job at it too.
Fabricating a lie without thinking, he was about to say he went looking for them out of the kindness of his own heart and personal worry. It wasn’t true, as little was when he spoke. He had found that he became such a perfect liar that he could say a very flattering untruth in seconds and without registering that he was doing so until he spoke it. Usually it was a very nice fib, that either flattered him or flattered his company. It was probably years of this that just made it such a habit that he didn’t really have to think as hard as most people to say a falsehood, but if it pleased his image and pleased others, then he hardly saw any wrong in it.
Just as he opened his mouth, he was gripped, lifted, and smushed by the older woman, who suddenly had him in a vice grip. The surprising hug caught him off guard and he dropped his cane, feeling the bottom of his own hooves leave the ground as he was lifted. His expression clenched as his eyes went wide and he was suddenly flailing to get out of her grip. The smooth, poised demeanor he prided himself on was disintegrated in a flash as he was wiggling to get out of the elder woman’s hug. He could feel his muscles tense and the hairs at the back of his neck rise. Fidel could be affectionate, but not the way other people were. He cuddles and made light touches when he wanted something from others, but hugs were downright out of the question. He hadn’t been hugged since…well, probably since he was still living with his family. After he left, he put a stop to that!
“Wha-What are you doing? Set me down. Set me down this instant!” It was both demanding, but also frantically pleading. For someone who liked to make other people uncomfortable, this was probably one of the few moments the tables were turned, and Fidel didn’t much like it.
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Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 4:05 pm
Nairne watched quietly as he flailed around in the old lady's arms. Right now she looked like a bear holding onto a trout, and it was a humorous sight. Though the Djardi apprentice should have told her to put the boy down instantly, she let him look uncomfortable and out of place for a moment. He had always found them boring, but right now they were the ones entertaining.
This whole time Nairne had been holding in a laugh, and had to (at one point) turn away so Fidel would not see. When she recovered, Nairne demanded that Tilly put down the Aishe. Accepting that this was probably best and putting him down, she instantly began to clean her shirt as if he had dirtied her. Nairne felt deep down that that had been a bit too harsh, but maybe Fidel deserved it. He had been rude to the old lady, and this made twice for Nairne.
In any case, it was getting later and they were going to miss everything if they did not hurry. Looking around, Nairne found where they came from, and began to back track. She could hear the footsteps of Tilly and Fidel just behind her as they crunched on the leaves that had begun to fall. "So Mister Guide, which way do we go?" The Djardi said it as coldly as the Aishe himself would have asked, with an added little huff at the end and hands on the hips.
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Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 5:12 pm
His hooves met the ground and he stumbled a few steps forward to regain his balance. With humiliation came embarrassment and anger, and he shot his eyes back to see the old Djardi brush off her clothes as if she held onto a dirty stray cat. Fuming, he clenched his fist and let his expression twist, before shooting his attention away. How dare she? Touching me and then acting as if I’M the one who’s revolting. These two. I don’t need their company. People should appreciate me being near them!
“Ah.” His eyes flashed as he looked ahead, watching Nairne already walking and breaking his thoughts. Slowly after this, the elder Djardi teacher followed, the pair walking back through the darkness. Left alone, his eyes glanced about, and he slowly picked up his dropped cane and followed afterward, eyes to the ground. They’re horrible. Low. Stupid. Poor. Dull. One’s old and the other is as uninteresting as a rock. The girl will probably marry some dimwitted man who rolls about in the dirt, growing plants. The old woman…” Fidel let his eyes glance at his elder. “…she probably was too unattractive in her youth to have been married. Maybe Narine will shrivel up just like her..”
"So Mister Guide, which way do we go?
His body jolted and he looked up, his eyes glaring up at her. “If you wanted to lead, you should have know beforehand where to go. It’s not very smart to jump into something and asking the important things in the middle. ” His words were laced with a undertone of malice. Walking by her, he lifted his chin and took on a strong posture that hissed the word ‘superior’ with each step.
“Don’t call me anything else than Fidel. I don’t need pet names from you. I only like them from pretty girls.” He shot back and walked up ahead, letting them choose to walk with him or find their own spot.
With that, he led the way through the wagons and soon they were entering the celebration. The lights were hung lines, bright and colorful, and children and couples were dancing and offering drinks to their neighbors. Laughter was echoing as large bonfires crackled and music played.
Fidel looked up to see his ‘friends’ waving from their spot near a fire, setting on a beautifully detailed blanket. Tinten was stroking her mandolin and Chinta was already eating a piece of some roasted animal leg.
His eyes glanced behind him and flicking his tail, he walked over and pass the group were a trio of sisters sat, and without invitation, sat on one of the girl’s lap. The girls, known as the Sosha Sisters, squealed and one started to wrap her arms about Fidel lightly in a sensuous embrace. The boy reclined and passed his cane off to one of the sister’s to hold, as the other started to whisper in Fidel’s ear.
I only need people who treat me this way. He thought, and glanced to the side to see the perplexed gazes of Chinta, Tinten, and Molgue, who clearly wondered why Fidel was suddenly sitting with the sisters. With a huff, it was clear that they would not be talking with him for a few days, but what did he care? They would eventually want him again. It was a privilege to have him in anyone’s company after all.
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Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 5:30 pm
Finally, Fidel had broken Nairne. After he went to go sit on one of the sister's laps, she went over and cried softly into her arms. So because she was not a slut, because he had always been so rude, now suddenly she was ugly and worthless. A hate was starting to build in her heart, one that had before only belonged to her mother.
During this time, the old lady had been watching the young apprentice cry, and her own rage began to build. Unlike Nairne, however, Tilly let it all out. Her fists were clenched, and she lowered herself down into the Aishe's face. If one of the girls made a move, she would probably shove them on their backs. "Listen, boy," she mumbled rather hatefully, "how dare you go around treating everyone as if they were beneath you. You have people here who are your friends, and who want to become your friends, and yet you have the nerve to scoff us off. Just because not everyone is you doesn't mean they are worth less because of it." Standing, she turned to move away. She would have regularly kept her mouth shut, but ol' Tilly could not help what happened next. Glaring at him over her shoulder, she spoke again. This time, the voice was loud and so people for miles could hear. "I hope you get something that turns you as ugly as you treat people. If it happened, you certainly would not get MY help. Atleast not until you learned your lesson." With that, she stormed back to the Djardi caravan.
Even from all the way across from where they were, Nairne had heard everything the old lady told Fidel. It was much more harsh than anything should would have said, but it was true. Wiping her tears, she went to sit with Chinta. "I'm so sorry," she whispered to him despite nothing being her fault. "I hope I have not missed the fun..."
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Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 6:15 pm
Fidel reared back, pressing back into the girl who all sucked intheir breath as the Tilly yelled directly at Fidel, and as she stormed off, they all started to talk. “What a horrible old woman.” “Did she just curse him?” “Is it contagious?” “How dare she say such a thing after we are letting them in on our celebration. Some gratitude!” They all glared at the group from afar before looking down at Fidel. The boy was inwardly shocked, feeling a deep chill race up his back. It seemed more like a sentence of death than a threat, and he wondered if the older woman had that power.
“Ugly..” He repeated, eyes wide. The idea cut through him like a knife and he felt tense from the vulnerability of fear. I can’t become ugly. What does she know. People like attractiveness. If something is pretty, it’s treasured. If it’s treasured, it’s wanted, and everyone will fight to attain it. To protect it. If I was ugly…. He couldn’t even entertain the idea unless he wanted to enter a nightmare world of imagination.
Looking out, he watched the woman walk over to the group farther off.
“Fidel?”
The boy turned to one of the sisters, who was watching his with a creased brow. For a boy who always had a smooth air and a quick retort, him being speechless and shaken was something the sister was trying to recognize on his features. It was too foreign on him for her to instantly know what he was feeling.
“What a horrible thing to say. So cruel. So mean. Ehh…” He brought a dainty, curled hand to his chin and mustered a pitiful, innocent look, letting his eyes rise with the fake glisten of mock tears.
The three sisters fell for it, and curled about him tightly, cooing and soothing him as they threw hateful words at the woman and the group to make him feel better. He breathed deep inside, but he still felt unbalanced.
Farther off, the group sat on the lush blanket around Nairne. Molgue was stroking Nairne’s back to try and soothe her, and Tinten brought over something for the girl to drink. Chinta was inraged, and was huffing some rather filthy words about Fidel before looking to Nairne.
“Don’t listen to him. Fidel’s a jerk. He’s always saying things like that. It’s probably not the worst he’s said. He makes people cry all the time. ” He said, glaring back to watch the boy.
“He thinks he’s so grand because his family is rich and are famous in their tasks. He also thinks looking good means he can put down everyone else. You should see him, toying with hearts here and there and then making people cry when he gets bored. He doesn’t even respect anyone.”
“I think it’s sad. Fidel can sing really well, and he can be fun too, but he won’t listen to people because he’s rich and because of his task.”
“As if. He’s just a mule pile! If the merchants didn’t like him so much for his singing, everyone would have left him behind ages ago. I’m surprised they don’t gag him. ” Chinta huffed, before looking back at Nairne.
“Don’t pay attention to him. We can have fun on our own. Do you want to sing, or listen to Tinten play the mandolin, or we can dance if you want. That’s fun! ” he said, trying to be helpful.
Molgue looked up as Tilly came and smiled. “You sure let him have it. If more people like you were around, Fidel probably would learn his lesson and behave himself. Too bad you’re a Djardi. You would have made a great Aishe teacher.” She beamed, along with the rest of the group smiling. They all seemed to really like Tilly now for what she did.
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Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 3:12 pm
Nairne listened to Molgue, Tinten, and Chinta as they tried to cheer her up. They were all so kind, so unlike Fidel, and when they offered to perform for her, she agreed. The Djardi had always liked music and entertainment, and it gave them the chance to show off what they knew. Nairne was about to smile, when Tilly came to join them.
"You don't think you maybe took it too far, though?" she asked, tears filling her eyes again. All she had wanted to do was be Fidel's friend, but now there was probably no chance of that. Maybe she should have called him Fidel in the woods afterall, and maybe all of this would not be happening. When her eyes moved in his direction, there seemed to be a look of shock on his face, which was surprising considering he had three beautiful woman all comforting him. To Nairne, this was quite out of the ordinary for him. Fidel always seemed so confident, and now it was like the old lady brought him to reality. Maybe he was as upset as she was?
"Well, I for one think he deserved it. He treats everyone as if they are some sort of possession." Huffing, she sat on the ground beside Nairne and began to clap her hands, making a beat. Now they both hoped the performers would perform...if only to get their minds on happier things.
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Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 3:56 pm
“Ahh. Bad mood. Bad mood. Let’s blow if off.” Molgue said, and cupping the air, grabbed it as if grasping an invisible firefly and then blew her hands, freeing it. “There. Now let’s have some fun.” She said, and rose up. Tinten started to pluck her strings and smiled sheepishly over to Nairne. “I’m still learning.” She said in advanced to excuse any off notes she might do. Molgue rolled her eyes at this. “She doesn’t mess up. Her family are all great musicians.” The girl patted Tinten on the head, to which the girl bowed in towards her instrument to hide a blush.
The music picked up and went in rhyme to the music about them, that came as a shared tune that everyone adapted to and added their own flare. Molgue started to clap as she lifted up, adorn in the dress she changed in before the celebration, with bell loops about her slender ankles and flowing sleeves and tassels. Already near the fire, a group of dancers were prancing about, moving around to link arms with one partner and then swinging in a circle, turn and going to another partner to link arms, around and around the fire in a continuous and joyous motion. Their hoof beats matched the music.
“Tonight’s the night when forests move
and stars dance overhead
And you and I and all of us
Dance on toadstool beds
Aglow with fire and alive with song
We dress in baby’s breath
Lets dance now, alive and laugh
And we’ll outlive our death.” Chinta’s voice was one of practiced tones, even, measured, and uplifting. It seemed to be a song many of the Aishe knew, as various singers were singing the lyrics in time.
Molgue dipped down and grabbed Nairne’s wrist, lifting her up. “Dance with me. It’s really simple, and fun.” She said, leading her over to the edge of the fire where the other dancers pranced about. “All you have to do is link your elbow with your partner, spin once, and then clap your hands as you move on to the next partner down line around the fire. Don’t worry if you get confused. Someone will jump in and link hands with you. ” She said, and with that, linked arms with the girl and dived them into the circle of dancers, taking her in to spin about with her.
The fire was high, it’s heat perfuming, and it’s embers rising up to the sparkled night sky.
“Fidel, dance with us.” The sisters call, slipping around the blonde as they watched the groups collect near the fires and tables.
“Why? It’s a dance for children. It’s too simple for my talents.” He huffed, reclining back into one sister that made his throne. She petted his hair softly as she pouted at his response. “…please. We never get to see you dance. I’m sure you’d outshine us all. I saw you sister 2 weeks ago and she was dazzling. Your family always makes the crowd envious, and I want to be your partner when they swoon.” The girl pouted.
“Tch. If I had a partner, I’d pick a more nimble-legged one than you. You’re thighs are too meaty.” He said, and poked the girl, who shot up. Fidel caught himself and watched as the sisters fumed and marched off to find more willing and less judgmental dance partners. Flicking his tail, he sat back down and watched the fires.
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Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 4:47 pm
Before she knew it, Nairne had the dance moves down and had learned the song they were singing. Though her voice was not as good as Chinta's was, it was at least on the right pitch. The point was also to have fun, and to forget their worries. It was working.
The old lady, on the other hand, had simply been clapping to the beat as she watched Fidel and the sisters. At some point, they seemed to be so angry with him that they just left him alone. Though Tilly knew that he deserved it, she also felt that he should have learned something. Shaking her head, she figured that it was time for her to get up and join them. Pulling a potion from her pocket, and gulping it down, her hooves found the dance floor and began dancing with a handsome Luminesta.
By this time, Nairne had danced with everyone atleast once, including the sisters that had just moments before been concentrating on Fidel. She was not sure if they had totally forgiven the old lady, but certainly they now understood where she was coming from. They were so pretty, but he was awful enough to tell one that she had thick thighs. Why would he pick on something like that?
Then it hit her: maybe he picked on people's faults because he wondered if he had them himself. It would certainly explain why he was sweet one second, and cruel the next. This idea stuck in her head, and finally she broke away from the group to talk with him.
At first she simply stood in front of him. It was obvious he was angry, either because the sisters had insisted he dance and it annoyed him, because the old lady had insulted him, because she was standing in his way, or all of the above. It did not matter which it was, she had a point to make. "I am sorry for what I said in the woods, and about the other day." Her apology was sincere, and she held out a hand to him. "Sure you don't want to dance? You could always impress everyone by singing with Chinta."
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Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 7:14 pm
Fidel has his arms crossed and looked at her with a expression that was bordering once more on throwing an insult, but his eyes caught the commotion past her shoulder. The sisters that were dancing, having found better company in a few high spirited boys more their own age and older than Fidel, along with Nairne’s group who were laughing, signing, and dancing by the fires. A series of knots tied themselves in the pit of his stomach, and he could taste his own bitterness on his tongue.
The glow of attention had been displaced and he rightfully sought hit back. Singing was always a best bet, as he could outshine anyone, but singing with Chinta felt like a draw to him. Duos that paired two people of similar skill made it hard to see how Fidel surpassed others. It could be fun, but there was the possibility he would be overshadows. That and who could hear him with all the music, all the dancing, and all the other distractions. The spotlight was instead on the dancing grounds, were people who were singing and clapping were looking towards. Fidel’s eyes followed a older man’s attention to the fires were a couple danced, entranced.
Fidel made it a point not to dance. It was risky, and if he was around his family, forbidden. As of right now, his family was with the other party they were going to met up with, miles away, and Fidel was seeking for the attention he desired after getting the cold shoulder from everyone else. Enough so that he was willing to risk dancing to bring attention back to him.
Slowly, he unlaced his arms from his chest and slowly rose, his eyes taking in Narine’s for a moment. “Hmm. If I set around, I’ll become boring like you. Why do you want to play with those children when I can show you how to have some real fun?” His voice was deep and enticing and his hand slipped into hers. Hands intertwined, he lead her to the fires.
From here, he could catch Molgue falter in her dance steps as she watched Fidel approach one of the fires with Nairne and he soaked in her surprise and excitement. She wasn’t the only one. Fidel didn’t dance often, and usually it was for a one motion of dance steps to show everyone his family’s legendary dancing bloodline, before he went back to sitting or going off to accept some praise and adoration.
Turning, he listened as the music changed and the couples that had once been dancing about with linked arms, coupled together and clasped each other close. A hand against Nairne’s back, and the other lifted up her arm. “This will be a fast dance. Let me lead, and try and keep up. I’d also like to mention that us Aishe don’t take kindly to those who cripple our dancers, so do try not to step on me.” With that, he smiled and the music striked up quickly to a rising peak, before jumping into a fast, bouncing, beating song with flutes, mandolins, violins and all manner of quick, joyous music.
As if on air, Fidel pushed her forward and the entire field of dancers was moving in a current in different, spinning directions, all moving in and out in some pattern similar to a figure 8, but changing to make sure to move about the fires. Couples swirled past, their laughter flashing by them as they past and left, and the fires crackles in the corners of their sight. Fidel had the lead, and each time Nairne faltered in her step, he would lift her forward to regain her footing and into the next step.
“You’re not too bad. Maybe you’d be better drunk.” He joked, his voice near enough to hers to be head over the celebrations.
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Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 8:02 pm
"No thanks," Nairne said in the same joking voice. She was not really one to drink, and certainly not with someone like Fidel. He was still somewhat being a jerk, and until he became kind to her (truly kind, not an act), she would never drink with him. The apprentice made it a promise herself, and a promise she would keep.
The Aishe also still found her boring, probably because her gift did not include entertaining him. Which was fine with her, because her talents were meant to help others who needed it. Certainly Fidel did not need help. He was perfect, after all. The sarcastic bitterness almost showed on her face, but Nairne was able to pass it off as being bored herself.
As they continued to dance, the Djardi took the time to talk. "So when are you and your company heading out?" she asked, not making eye contact with him. Instead she seemed to be watching the others as if they were more of an interest.
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Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 8:29 pm
As Nairne took the time to look aside, he inwardly winced. From the start of the dance, he had been conscious of his right knee. The first steps were relatively easy, and he lapsed in a sense of overwhelming confidence. The idea that he possibly could endure the dance, if not several dances, made his heart skip. It wasn’t until a few moments that he felt a rising stiffness and the familiar tenderness he was so acquainted ever since he was diagnosed as a child. It was first a heated tenderness that, with each hard step or pivoting turn, he could feel rise up in intensity, giving on a brief spark of pain. After a few more moments, it had turned into a grinding of what felt like bone on bone, as it probably was. The heat had spread to take over his entire knee and was now spreading up and down his leg. By the end of the dance, it felt on fire, and even standing up now sent a singing pain as loud as the music around him.
The song was still a few moments from ending, and he breathed deep, before he glanced back at her. Despite everything, he did not faulter in his steps and because of it, it was making things worse. He would not, could not, end this dance. He would perform as brilliantly as his sisters, better than his family, and better than anyone else. Not only would he show he succeeded as a singer, but in everything, showing everyone he was faultless in all he did.
As Nairne spoke, he glanced to her, fighting to hear her over the alarms going about his mind. “I don’t know about them. Ask them if you want. I’ll be heading back after this. I’ve been to many celebrations that after a while, even they start to repeat. I’m sure it’s all exciting and fresh for you though. I bet you don’t have too many celebrations like these in the Djardi caravans.” He said, proud of his Aishe heritage.
His face tilted away as they continued the dance. Fidel counted the seconds, measuring the length of the song till it was done, and felt his face flush from his own personal abuse. After this, he would grab his cane and made a show to elegantly walk away. Once he got done with this dance, and after he left everyone’s sight, he would make it as quickly as possible to his own wagon and take off his bracers to relieve the pressure.
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Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 8:46 pm
Suddenly, Nairne stopped dancing. She took two steps back, and for several moments, would only look him straight in the eye. "Why do you hate me so much?" she asked, eyes almost wide with fear. He seemed to only have a deep dislike for her in his heart, and regarded her as if she was a worm.
Moving away before he could respond, she went to get his cane. A few tears fell from her eyes, but she cleared them before she returned to him. Holding it out slowly, Nairne could only guess that he would snatch it away from her. She was, in a way a peasant to him, under his royal powers. Nairne had felt something for him (besides annoyance) since they had first met, and she wanted to find out what it was.
She stood their for a few moments longer, waiting on his answer. Would it just break her even more, or would it surprise her? Did he have the ability to become her friend, and put everything in the past?
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Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 8:58 pm
The music was dying down as Fidel stood rigid, his one leg begging to twitch, but would not show itself as anything other than a normal, healthy leg under Fidel’s own will and stern mental command. Standing there, he watched as the Djardi healer fetched his things and came to hold out his cane, with a glistening wetness to her eyes. It was hard for him to see someone so emotional, and he remembered how deeply effected he could become when he remembered how his sisters would cry. Part of his felt the sting from her eyes, and he breathed deep.
“I don’t hate you. I just think you hold yourself back. I don’t like people who don’t just do what they want, and instead think too much. Live a little and just do what you want. See, if you didn’t care about how you should act, then you would have a lot more fun, and that’s what everyone wants. I don’t hate you, but I think you could improve. As you are now, you’re still boring and I’m not going to waste my life being bored. Live a little.” He said, and with that, turned about and taking his cane, walked away.
"It was a nice dance. Let's do it again sometime." He called back, gesturing a goodbye wave, and with that, he walked home.
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