| Logs |
2000-01-08
| Starfall |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
Solstice Night
Alex patters up, looking worried, "What did I make clear? Mitya, what's wrong? Why're yo-" she blinks, taking a second look, then says in a carefully and artificially calm voice, "Dimitri... what happened to your good clothes?"
Natasha suppresses a grin. "Told you." Alex's ears flick sharply back and forth between Natasha and Dimitri, and her tail ruffles slightly, swishing slowly behind her... but she waits, a concerned expression still on her face, for her brother to answer.
The black fox turns his head slowly, looking up to his sister. His gaze is clear, his voice quiet, like steel in the dark. "That you are the smart one. That you were right. That my beliefs are too inappropriately naive to be trusted in such an important gathering. My duty is clear. So tonight it's to stay here, where I won't make a disturbance on yours and Carroll's night."
Natasha rolls her eyes and steps back a few paces. Alex gives Dimitri an incredulous look, "Who fed you that nonsense, Mitya? Don't be silly." She looks around, planning, then nods once sharply, "Okay. We need to get you back into your clothes soonest. Where are they? Natasha, can you take care of his stuff? Mitya, I'll give you a hand so you'll be dressed quicker... folks may well notice your absence, but we'll just ignore it and no one will be the wiser." She holds out a paw to Dimitri, "But we should hurry."
Dimitri softly growls, "You did, Alexandra."
Alex tilts her head at Dimitri in bemusement, then chuckles, "Okay... if that's what you got from what I said, that's fine, I can straighten things out while we're getting you dressed. But tonight we need you at the party, so please, can we hurry now?" She'll stoop and start neatly piling stuff together next to Dimitri... then mutters exasperatedly at her dress poufing up as she stoops, and pushes it down out of the way hastily to continues what she's doing. "Natasha, can you give me a hand here, please?"
Natasha smiles. "I can be takink care of that, Lady Alex. You get your brother back wit' rest of family, da?"
Alex gives Natasha a grateful, relieved look, "Thanks so much! C'mon, Mitya, please?"
Still sitting quietly, Dimitri folds his arms over his hauberk "Alex, there are only two furrs who need to be there tonight. You and Carroll. Horatio would be good, but like me, that's not a family necessity. If I'm not there, folks will think I am on watch. That's all. If I am there... Alex, you should know me better. If Father could not keep me from speaking what I thought was right… do you really want to chance that at this gathering?
Natasha smiles. "Am thinkink some girls would miss Horatio. And you, Dimitri."
Alex sighs softly, "Mitya, for stars' sake, you're a St. Genevieve. You know we should all be there -- we're asking these folks to potentially endanger their lives for us! Now please, let Natasha have your armoring equipment and come with me and let's get your good clothes on..." she grins faintly, "-or do I have to kick you in the stomach for your own good, just like you hit me for my own good?"
Dimitri looks up to Alex and then looks down at his hauberk-covered stomach. "You would hurt your foot."
Alex says, "I'm glad we're agreed. Now come on, please... you're wasting time!"
Dimitri frowns quietly. "It's not a good idea, Alexandra."
Alex folds her arms, her ears flattening and her tail getting fluffed up... then she takes a deep breath and kneels next to Dimitri. She reaches out and if he doesn't prevent her from doing so, gently turns his muzzle so he's looking at her. Dimitri watches quietly, his gaze never leaving hers.
Alex says calmly, "Dimitri St. Genevieve, you of all people should know what we're asking these people to do. The least you can do is be there, to be visible as a symbol of the St. Genevieve family, whose offspring are asking them to risk their families, their land, and their lives... for us. Now you can remember that you PROMISED me 3 dances and that you'd BE THERE, in good clothes, so that I would wear a damned dress, which I AM even though I HATE it... and that YOU taught me to keep my word, and that it costs you nothing to just keep your trap shut around Carroll... and you can get off your fuzzy butt and get in that hall NOW, dammit!" She stands up, her arms folded and her ears still pinned back, and adds flatly, "Or you can sit out here in a funk and be grumpy... in which case don't you EVER tell me I'm a quitter again!" She takes a few deep breaths, trying to make her fur lay flat, and says, "So decide. If you want my help to get ready you've got it... you've always had it, you lunk! -and if you don't then tell me now so I'll quit wasting my time!"
Dimitri quietly stands, throwing his hauberk over his shoulder. "You've always known I'm a lunk, Alex."
Alex says, "And I'm a mouthy brat, yes. So?"
Dimitri softly growls, "And I'm grumpy but I'm not in a funk."
Alex looks like she's on the verge of tears, "So... do you want my help or not, Mitya?"
Dimitri softly growls, "...like each breath."
Alex rubs her face with the back of one hand roughly, and looks confused, "Um... what?"
Dimitri shakes his head and shrugs. "That means you don't even have to ask, silly."
Natasha stirs from her quiet wait a few meters away. "Am thinkink that is yes."
Alex opens her mouth to argue heatedly -- then pauses, mouth still open -- then realizes what her brother said. She takes a quick, gasping breath, then throws her arms around Dimitri in a tight, fierce hug!
With a soft grunt, the big fox stands for the tackle and hugs his sister back. He stands quiet, for more than a handful of heartbeats, before quietly leaning back. "The things I do for you, bratling. I'll keep my muzzle shut around Carroll... Come... let's go... three dances, cor... do I even know three dances?"
Alexandra takes a few more deep breaths while hugging Dimitri, then grins up at him, her eyes shining, "Let's hurry then, please? We're missing dances!" She grabs his free paw and tugs eagerly, almost bouncing in place as she tries to hurry him along, "Natasha said she'd help with your stuff don't worry about it okay? C'mon, please? Where're your nice clothes we need to get you changed quick?!"
Dimitri blinks quietly, "Uhm, back on tha' Mare. That's where my bunk is, of course."
Alex laughs delightedly, "Of course you do, silly! Sheesh, you showed me new dances from your training in Blackpool's! Don't worry I promise I'll tell Carroll he's not to talk to you tonight about whatever okay let's go c'mon hurry please? I already told him he might want to wait anyways so you don't need to worry about that either okay if we hurry maybe we can make the next set..." Natasha can hear Alexandra still happily gabbling a mile a minute to Dimitri as she hustles him as fast as she can to the launch and gets them headed towards the Mare.
Natasha smiles at the two siblings and starts to gather up Dimitri's spilled armor and tools. With a last turn as he's being dragged away, Dimitri tosses his hauberk in the wolf's direction. "Thanks... thanks, mi'lady Natasha."
When Dimitri and Alex make it back to the dance the musicians are still on their first break. Horatio is sitting with the little mink almost in his lap, and several of the other girls are sitting around them trying to distract him from her. He looks completely out of his depth. Carroll is talking with Gunther, but looks up as his siblings arrive. He smiles, and nods to Dimitri and Alex. His tail dips as he relaxes a bit, seeing them come in. Alex beams happily at Dimitri, "Why don't you get a drink, and I'll um just speak to Carroll for a moment and then I'll be right back and we can dance?" she blinks, then covers a giggle, "Hey look! Horatio's um... well!" She giggles again, grinning mischievously.
Quietly walking through the hall, Dimitri seeks a bit of refreshment. He stays away from the knots of folks having conversation, stealing a small space of the commons to call his own. A heavy goblet he takes for his own, to slowly sip.
Alex patters lightly over to where Carroll is... she'll nod and smile to folks that greet her, and she'll wait 'til some point when Carroll's not talking to anyone -- at which points she'll stand on tiptoe and whisper just to him, "Could you do me a favor please and not talk to Dimitri tonight about whatever? He's trying hard to be nice tonight and I think there's something that's really bothering him and he doesn't want to ruin things for anyone and blurt it out tonight?"
Carroll excuses himself from Gunther, when he sees Alex making her way to him, so she has no problem getting a quiet word with him. He nods, and murrs, "Of course. I'm glad he's come, but I'll let him be."
Alex beams happily and pats Carroll's arm several times, "Thanks!" then dashes off... she doesn't want anyone else claiming her brother for a dance 'til she gets at least one from him! She patters back over to Dimitri, and cheerily announces, "No problem! So... next dance with me?" She sniffs at the contents of his goblet curiously, "What'cha got? Anything nice?"
Dimitri looks in his goblet and smiles, "Water. I'm a simple fox. This is a fancy social party, not a revel after a melee."
Hildy bustles over when Alex heads back toward her darkphase brother. "There you are! We're almost ready to start the dancing again. All the boys want to dance with you, Miss Alex, but most of them are too shy to ask."
Alex blinks startledly at Hildy, "Beg pardon? Uhh... they do?!" She looks over at the crowd incredulously for a moment, her ears tilted quizzically, then grins at Hildy, "Well, send 'em over, I guess! But after the next dance, please... I promised that one to Dimitri!"
Dimitri smiles quietly. "I could convince someone to dance with you, if you wish." Alex pokes Dimitri with her elbow sharply, behind her back so Hildy can't see it, at that comment! Dimitri just looks down at Alex and then quietly nods. "After you then, Alex."
Hildy grins. "I'll tell 'em they shouldn't be scared to ask you."
Alex beams sweetly up at Dimitri... then when Hildy leaves she grins and flattens her ears in amusement at her favorite brother, "Don't you dare try to slip out of this dance, you!"
Dimitri looks back over his shoulder as Alex draws him out on the dance floor. "If they don't, tell them I will volunteer someone, aye mi'lady Hildy?"
Alex brightens as the musicians get ready, then gasps in horror, "Don't you dare, Dimitri! I'd be mortified!"
Carroll nods and takes a deep breath, trying to remain relaxed. Glancing over to Horatio and the knot of girls he smiles, glad someone's having fun. He wonders for a moment if his brother is, before conversation demands his attention again. The musicians head back to their instruments and get ready to start playing again. Carroll looks carefully over the room, watching who goes where, as the music prepares to start.
Alex glowers in amusement at her dark brother, "You really are trying to get me into trouble, aren't you?!"
Dimitri shrugs quietly as his ears perk, listening for the first strains of music. "No. I've never had to try to do that..."
The musicians start playing again, a lively country-dance for couples. Alex laughs, and cheerfully pokes Dimitri's stomach -- then as the music starts, she lightly rests her left paw on his right shoulder, her right paw in his left. Dimitri wraps a strong paw around Alexandra's waist, and with the first note sweeps Alex out on to the floor, with a dramatic swirl and step. Alex barely stifles a 'wheeee!' and instead laughs joyously, whirled lightly into the dance with Dimitri. Her eyes are shining with excitement, and she's light-footed with delight as she floats through the steps.
Jessie manages to avoid a not-very-subtle attempt to cut her away from Horatio and continues to monopolize him on the dance floor.
The tall fox is quiet throughout most of his dance, but his steps have a rough and almost rambunctious edge to them, certainly not the formal steps of some courtly pavane. His boots hit the floor in sharp rhythm, and each turn is a flourish, earthy and vibrant. Alex is practically glowing with enjoyment of the dance... her eyes sparkle and her tail swishes dramatically with her flowing emerald dress, with all the style and flash she couldn't seem to summon up for the dress previously during the feast. She happily hums along with the music to keep her steps in time, and occasionally Dimitri can hear her laughing delightedly when they successfully navigate some particularly intricate swirl-and-step in the lively country-dance. She's alight and alive with pleasure -- it's obvious she adores dancing!
The piece ends, and the musicians start up another country tune, this one for a circle dance. Most of the folks form up in a few big circles - Hildy tries to steer all four of the St. Genevieve siblings into the one at the front of the room. Jessie looks annoyed as the older lady effortlessly inserts two other girls beside Horatio... Alex grins happily at Dimitri, not letting go of his paw unless he disengages himself -- she'll cheerfully keep dancing with him for as long as he'll let her -- as he probably already well knows from previous experience! Carroll is easily collected for the dance, smiling, and falling in to the circle easily. Dimitri steps back out of the St. Genevieve circle, his earrings jangling as his ears flatten. He looks about and, grabbing the collar of the closest young and handsome lad, sets him in his place next to Alex. He casts a glance to Alex, and then to his older brother as he steps away.
Alex scowls at Dimitri and barks, "Don't you do that! You have NO idea if he even wants to dance with me!" She adds apologetically to the (probably panicked looking) young man, "I'm so sorry... it's all right, I was um just going to sit this one out." The young badger whom Dimitri dragooned into his spot looks simultaneously nervous and eager and disappointed that Alexandra doesn't want to keep dancing. Alex turns from frowning disapprovingly at Dimitri to the young badger, her hands still on her hips and her tail still rather irritatedly fluffed up... she glowers... then blinks, realizing she's glowering at someone she doesn't know -- who looks... um... oops! She hastily beams with carefully proper (artificial, but who's to know?) cheer at him, "Uhh... that is um... gosh, I don't know, do you want to dance?!" The youngster blushes, but nods vigorously.
Alex whews mentally in relief -- no faux pas yet! -- then smiles, a bit more normally this time. "All right, that would be nice. Um... I'm so sorry, could you remind me of your name, please?" She looks apologetic, "I um... I have a terrible memory, I'm afraid!"
The youngster stammers out, "Umm. Mikhail, m'lady."
Alex grins cheerfully, offering her paw to the young man, "Mikhail... a pleasure to meet you! So... shall we dance?" He shyly holds his hand up toward her, his left hand already holding the fur next to him on the other side as the music starts. Alex takes his, then takes the paw offered to her on the other side with a smile... then beams expectantly as the music begins.
It's a lively dance, one familiar from previous festivals, the circle moving clockwise, then counterclockwise, collapsing and re-expanding. The townsfolk are in good spirits and seem encouraged to have their nominal overlords sharing this time with them.
Quietly Dimitri walks around the rings until he can find a place to watch the ever-changing circles. He does pause, however, to see if the badger actually does something before strolling away. Then he lets his stroll turn into a stalk as he walks through the dance hall. His wandering walk has a pattern, and just as the music begins a young furr feels a heavy tap on his shoulder. One who happens to be standing next to a wolf named Natasha. Natasha had just arrived a few moments ago after cleaning up the armor, and was standing near the door watching the by-play. One of the younger bucks was hitting on her, but VERY politely... after all, she carries at least a dagger even with her party dress. Dimitri simply walks up next to the other lad, and then extends a paw to Natasha. Natasha smiles, and takes Dimitri's hand. "Hurry, or we miss this dance."
Dimitri sweeps Natasha and himself into the closest circle, moving off with a quick sidestep as the first chords sing out. Alex happens to see her dark brother returning to the dance as she glances around the circle she's in, to see who she'll be dancing with for this round. She blinks -- then smiles slowly, her expression softening slightly. She's still smiling contentedly as she glances at the young men flanking her, giving them each polite nods.
Horatio appears somewhat disappointed at Hildy's separation of him and Jessie but he at least tries to hide it a little, though he's not terribly good at that either; he's at least being pleasantly polite. Certainly without the more adept mink he fumbles a few of the steps to the even simple dance. He does find a nice sort of enjoyment in the camaraderie of the Solstice dance. For a time, at least, Pravinchandra is far away, Starfall is far away, even thoughts of what he'd have to turn his learning towards in the coming weeks are far away.
Alex dances gracefully, happily, and well. She's a good partner in that she doesn't try to lead, she's light on her feet, she's happy to extemporaneize as the skill of her partner allows (and her partner dares), and she spins gleefully through the partner-switching with cheerful aplomb... when Carroll comes up as her partner he gets a wink too, of course! Carroll also dances well, enjoying himself, and smiling at all of his partners, as they hand off. He chuckles at Alex's wink. Dimitri makes his turn through the country dance from partner to partner, a firm paw to ooosh those who miss a step, and finally a smile crossing his muzzle as the rhythm and speed increases, until the circle brings himself back to Natasha, letting the music set the pace, each step a dare to one more increasingly dramatic flourish after another.
The second set is all group dances, circles and lines and various square-dance types of things. The object seems to be to dance with as many furrs as possible, so they involve lots of partner shifting. Everyone is happy, if a bit tired, when the musicians pause for another break about midnight.
"...thank you, mi'lady Natasha." The darkling fox ducks his muzzle, a polite bow above the wolf's hand, as the last dance ends, one foot still tapping the beat as the music fades away. He takes a deep breath, and actually seems relaxed, at least for this moment.
Natasha nods to Dimitri as he bows. "P'jalst. Was my pleasure, sir."
Dimitri shrugs and looks back and nods, "Mine too."
Alex is laughing with breathless delight at the end of the set... she beams happily at the young furr she happens to be dancing with, tucking her paw lightly through his arm as he walks her ever so properly back to where Carroll is. She thanks him, then grins and murmurs softly just to Carroll, "Have you noticed they always bring me back to you? I haven't decided yet if it's 'cause you're the heir... or less scary than Mitya!" She giggles softly, glancing mischievously up at Carroll, and adds, "Interesting how Hildy set that set up, eh? You almost don't have to ask for a partner -- they're all mixed up together in the dance!" She sways slightly in place, humming a snatch of the music of the last dance to herself, her skirts swirling softly about her. She adds happily, "And I've still got two dances Mitya promised to me!"
Several of the young males are standing around Alex now, nudging each other to see who'll have the courage to actually ask Alex for a dance first. Carroll nods, murring, "It's supposed to work that way, yes." At her second phrase, he murrs, "You'd better find him quickly, before you have to disappoint one of these pleasant fellows... or I claim another dance with you." He smiles, eyes-a-twinkle.
Alex's ears flick slightly in the direction of the young men, although she doesn't look at them directly... she gets a faintly thoughtful look, then looks down, checking herself and smoothing her skirts down. Hmm... looks fine, all tidy there... she glances for a moment towards the young furrs watching her and grinning nervously, then turns to Carroll, frowning slightly, and tugs gently on his shoulder for him to tilt an ear towards her so she can whisper worriedly, "Do I look okay? Is my hair messed up, or my petticoats showing? Those boys over there are staring at me...?"
After a couple minutes, Mikhail detaches himself from the group and moves toward Alex. The others are whispering among themselves... Carroll chuckles, and murrs quietly, "You look perfect. You're dancing divinely. It's no wonder they'll stare."
Mikhail gets close, stops, and clears his throat nervously. "M-Milady Alex, ma'am?"
Alex blinks startledly at Carroll, her ears perked so alertly and sharply the tips almost touch, "They what?!" She blinks again, her head turning sharply to stare just as startledly at Mikhail, "What?! -uh, I mean, excuse me -- yes, Mikhail?"
The badger swallows nervously. "Ma'am, we were... I were..."He pauses again, then gets out all in a rush, "Would you dance with me?"
Alex blinks again, still looking startled... then smiles, relaxing a bit, "Of course, Mikhail. Um... but could you do me a very big favor?" Her voice drops conspiratorially and she takes his hand and whispers to him, "Could you tell me why those guys over there, that you were standing with before, are staring at me? Carroll says it's because I'm dancing well... but I'm not dancing right now!" she adds a little worriedly, "So... do I look funny or something?" Carroll rolls his eyes, and meanders off, leaving his sister to confuse the young badger. He looks out for a partner for a dance, or something to drink, worst case.
Mikhail manages to blush all the way up to his ear tips. "Oh, n-no, milady. Not funny a-tall... you're beautiful." This admission seems to cost him almost terminal embarrassment.
Alex blinks again, and says startledly, "I am?!" She blinks again, and realizes maybe she shouldn't say things like that quite so clearly... or incredulously... she gives herself a firm mental shake! then pulls courtesy training from Nanna out of memory -- what now?! Quickly she beams at Mikhail, "Why Mikhail! Thank you so much -- that's so thoughtful of you to say that -- I'd love to dance with you!" She mentally whews! Maybe Nanna's nagging wasn't such a waste after all!
Mikhail looks surprised at Alex's first startled outburst, then nods vigorously. "REALLY? Great!!" He doesn't seem to know if he should stand there and wait, or go back to his friends for the moment. He settles on standing there out of sheer inability to make his legs move...
Alex grins at Mikhail, her mental equilibrium recovered, and puts a paw gracefully on his arm, "Shall we get a drink during the interim between sets?" She glances around, still smiling to herself, noticing her siblings and who they're with... doesn't look like any of them are in need of a pick-me-up... so she won't worry about them for now.
Mikhail nods vigorously, too flustered to say anything. He wanders off toward the cider kegs, grinning triumphantly at his fellows, who look upset that they didn't try first...
Dimitri quietly nudges Natasha and nods to Alex and the badger. "I hope I was never that young."
Natasha chuckles to Dimitri. "We all were. But question of how young we were when we were that young."
Carroll sees the dark fur of Dimitri across the room and takes a step or two that way. Remembering, though, that his brother didn't want to even be in the same circle as he was, and Alex's warning, he decides not to, turning away again.
Jessie has firmly reattached herself to Horatio during the break. Couple dances are coming up again after the musicians get back, and she's planning on keeping Horatio for herself as much as possible. Horatio is quite clearly a bit out of his league; formal dances were most assuredly not held around the Master's athanor at the Academy! He's certainly not complaining about being apparently 'claimed' by Jessie, though of course he's not quite noticed that aspect of it. He does manage to talk with her, the festive atmosphere loosening his shyness somewhat, about life on the island in general.
Dimitri smiles quietly, "Father always used to get so mad. He'd bring in all these fine ladies from the other manors, and I'd end up dancing with the serving staff."
Natasha laughs! "Bozh'moi...you didn't?"
Dimitri shrugs quietly, looking back conspiratorially, "It's true. And Alex, of course.
Natasha grins. "Well, this right in character, then. Am not high-class fur either."
Mikhail fills a mug of hot cider for Alex, and manages to offer it to her without spilling it. At this point, he realizes that he didn't ask what she wanted first, and looks relieved when she takes it without question. Alex accepts it with courteous thanks, and sips thirstily -- dancing is hard work! She drinks, chats about cheerful inconsequentialities, introduces Mikhail to her brothers as they wander... and mostly waits impatiently for the music to begin again!
Dimitri snares a pair of drinks, passing a goblet to Natasha. "As I said, I work for a living. These?" He flicks one ear, the three bands of gold jingling, "Earned on the line in Blackpool's marines, rank and file."
Natasha nods. "Da. Not useless noblemen, your family. Am thinkink you too hard on yourself, though."
Dimitri nods quietly. "Maybe. I want to make sure anything I earn is because of me and not my name."
Natasha nods again. "Am thinkink you will. You not expectink furrs to give you things because of who you are. So you earnink everythink."