Woes are fleeting, blows are glancing

[aeolian]

[ For spending so much of her time as a sword, Aria had never really lost her awareness of her surroundings. Sometimes, she wished she had. There were only so many screams and gurgles she could listen to, before she'd find herself wishing that she could shut herself away from all of it, not feel, like so many swords seemed to be able to do.

But festivals... markets, people laughing, and no stench of death permeating the air... if she'd closed herself off completely, she would have missed out on seeing just what humans could bring about when they were happy.

Sakon himself is an excellent example of 'happy' and 'fun', and well after they've thrown themselves at this particular festival (at least every food stand visited diligently), Aria finally takes a moment to rest.

... No, that's a lie, that's what sane people who spent over an hour running around the area would have done. But she can hear something that sounds a bit like a flute, and drums, and maybe she'd wandered away from her companion to get a bit closer to the noise. ]

I don't see how anyone can sit at all during something like this... [ it's half to herself, even as she smiles, expression warming. The atmosphere is so bright. ]

Comments

[uncalled]

[Sakon loves festivals. He loved them even before he found his purpose in life but now he can't help but appreciate him that much more. It's a time of rest where he can be away from his lord without being scolded, getting to enjoy the festivities and fun like everyone else.

And maybe gamble away a bit more of his reserves than he should, but well, that's just in his nature.

It's been a fun time with Aria and he's probably in the middle of searching for a gambling parlor when she starts to wander off - but eventually his gaze turns in her direction and notices that she's already disappearing.

When the realization hits that she's walking toward the sound of the music, he grins wildly and practically dashes to catch up to her, moving in front of her and snatching her hands to rest in his.]

Hey Aria-chan! Dance with me...!

[No, he's not really asking.]

[aeolian]

[ Funny, she can practically feel the vibrations through the ground, traveling from his feet to hers. That's some impressive speed, Sakon, but Aria doesn't look all that surprised to have him move from somewhere behind her to suddenly borrowing her hands. She's gotten used to him suddenly appearing, and of course she's never minded his aversion to personal space.

No, what surprises her is-- ]

You can dance, Sakon?

[uncalled]

[The question makes him laugh and he answer so confidently.]

Obviously. I used to visit the Maedas! And Keiji just wouldn't let me live it down if I couldn't figure out their traditional dances and stuff. Lucky for me I'm light on my feet.

[He adds on with an extra-wide smile.]

C'mon, we'll dance together.

[aeolian]

[ No argument there; she's seen him move.

Really, there's nothing to argue about anyway. She suddenly brightens, moving her hands in his grasp just enough to grip his wrists. ]

Can we get closer? And you'll teach me some of Keiji's dances, right? And--!

[ Someone's excited. ]

[uncalled]

[Her excitement manages to just feed into his own and he nods eagerly.]

Yeah, yeah! Definitely yes to all of that! I think this one is a little different but they all have pretty similar moves - so we can learn easy! Just follow me, okay?

[Yeah, he's never had any reason to doubt his ability to move.]

[aeolian]

Sir! I'll follow you precisely and with great vigor, sir!

[ and she'll bow-- just a bit. Not too hard to act like a soldier, is it? ]

[uncalled]

[ . . . he snorts.

And then pulls her over to him, catching her around the waist so she's not bowing anymore.]

Don't do that ever again. It was weird.

[aeolian]

What's wrong? I don't make a good subordinate?

[uncalled]

I'm waaaay too low in the ranks to have a subordinate of my own - even though I'm definitely awesome enough to have one just from merit.

[That said, he shrugs.]

But you're never gonna be my subordinate anyway, Aria-chan! You're my friend, obviously.

[aeolian]

[ What a nice, humble man he is. ]

Well, I'd have to say I like friend better than subordinate... but right now-- [ and she tilts her chin up, regarding him with a surprising amount of solemnity. ] Aren't we more than just friends right now?

[uncalled]

[ . . . oh. He seems to be surprised at that question and he tilts his head.]

Um.

Maybe?

[yes good job sakon you are completely on top of this]

[aeolian]

We're dance partners! Don't forget that very important role!

[uncalled]

[NOT WHERE HIS MIND WENT but]

Oh - right! Okay! Yeah, definitely. I would never dare...!

[aeolian]

[ OH SHE KNOWS ]

If I didn't know any better...

[ Yeah, she'll just let that hang. ]

[uncalled]

But you do!

[So he's going to take her hands again and start leading her out to the center of the dancing.]

[aeolian]

[ Aria might just keep up or take the lead, bright-eyed and eager. Once they're there-- ]

It's so loud!

[uncalled]

Yeah! Isn't it the best?!

[That said he's getting pretty excited and he's looking around to follow the steps that everyone else is doing before taking the lead in a quick act of mimicry.]

Just watch and learn, Aria-chan - literally though!

[aeolian]

No pressure, right?

[ but she says it with a laugh, stumbling only a little before she picks up the steps. ]

[uncalled]

Definitely not! Just me after all.

[But then he's just going to grin and watch her steps, nodding encouragingly with a big grin of his own.]

You've got it! More or less, anyway.

[aeolian]

Well, if I can keep a rhythm, that's good enough for me! [ And she most definitely can, her movements growing a little more spirited. ]

[uncalled]

I think you've got it!

[And then he's just going to laugh and move her into a twirl that probably isn't supposed to happen, but he's doing it anyway!!]

[aeolian]

[ And Aria's going with it, laughing and immediately adjusting her footwork to-- give him a spin of her own. ]

They don't mind improvising, right?

[uncalled]

[Well alright, he doesn't see any reason not to go along with that-

And then he snorts.]

It's a festival, Aria-chan!! The point of it is that you have fun!

[aeolian]

That much is easy! I have fun with you, so the festival's an extra bonus!

[uncalled]

[okay, he's just going to snort because-]

That's pretty cheesy, Aria-chan.

[aeolian]

I'm not embarrassed. Are you?

[ What a darling. ]