(Untitled)

[dionysos_evios]

He comes in the lushness of midsummer, his music beating in both slave and lord like a second pulse. Miracles follow him on this day; there is a spring running sweet with wine below the twisted apple tree, and another spring issuing forth milk beside it, and beside that a spring of clean, sweet water. The taps in the Mansion all run red with wine

Comments

[tinylittleonion]

*soon Alyosha will have to observe the fast, to abstain from milk and meat and wine, but today is a day where fasting is forbidden, on which the faithful are encouraged to enjoy what God has given them and deny nothing, for He is everything and everything is holy; his novice's heart delights at the appearance of miracles, and he recognizes them as miracles and not only magic, the same miracle (if not the same god) that transforms water into merriment and wine when merriment is most needed. he drinks milk -- still cool! -- from a stream -- and though there are things he meant to do, people he must inquire after, he feels today his duty is nothing more than to be glad and share his gladness --*

[false_kyllikki]

Kyllikki had been working in her garden, although she felt like dancing (she always feels a little like dancing); to see Alyosha by the spring, though, she shuts the little gate to her patch, and she goes to him as though he is a dear friend and not a stranger. "Oh, will you dance with me?" she says, taking his hand and kissing him with friendship. "My name is Kyllikki; will you dance?"

[tinylittleonion]

Yes, I will dance, Kyllikki -- how did you know? *all laughter and ardent, familiar sincerity, clasping her hand and kissing her cheeks without blushing, as though she were a sister, a beloved sister* I wanted nothing more than to dance to with a woman, a beautiful woman, and you came to me. Like an angel you came to me. My name is Alexei, Lyosha. Please, let's dance.

[false_kyllikki]

"But you are beautiful, as well--as beautiful as the king of the sun when he came to me--" She catches his hands and spins with him, letting their steps take them whirling; she goes barefoot in the heat, and her feet splash through a little eddy where wine and water mingle. Kyllikki laughs without remembering anything at all of her husband or anything at all of shame.

[tinylittleonion]

And you shine, devushka, you shine in the sun -- in the sun's eyes, you shine! How happy it makes me. *full of freedom -- it's easier to dance in trousers and bare sleeves than a cassock, that's true, but that alone can't account for this freedom, this ease, for this moving like he's moved this way all his life -- he spin her close and into his arms, and laughing spins her away again, and it's as though he's done this life -- he admires her feet, didn't Pushkin write verses to feet?*

[false_kyllikki]

He did, but Kyllikki does not know them, does not know how to read (or care to); she cries out with glee and surprise when he spins her close, trilling a laugh when he spins her away. "Oh, let me sing to you, please; I could not be happy if I didn't sing now--" And without waiting for him to speak she is singing, sweet-voiced (laughing) a song about generous maidens and how they are loved by all.

[tinylittleonion]

*and oh! cradles her hands in his hands, still dancing and spinning, and sings but sings in breathless harmony, about a traveling peddler with a box full of chintz and brocade and the lady to whom he gives a kiss for free -- he is grateful, grateful, and in his smile he's grateful*

[false_kyllikki]

She gives him a quick kiss, for free, and ducks her head, red-faced more from the pleasure of the dance than from the kiss. It is impossible that it should mean anything scandalous.

[tinylittleonion]

*impossible -- his cheeks flush to match hers, but still he feels he is blessed, that there is nothing he could do that wouldn't have that blessing -- and all my sweetie took was a turquoise ring --*

[false_kyllikki]

And then she just curls against his shoulder, as though he is a dear cousin who has indulged her silliness. "Thank you, Alexei, Yosha," she tells him, ringingly sincere. "You are good to me, to dance with me and make me laugh--"

[tinylittleonion]

I wanted to dance! I wanted you to laugh ... you don't know how light and glad my heart is, and you, you made it sing. My dear, generous devushka. *smiling and kissing the top of her head, so free in his affection it doesn't occur to him to be shy* Dear, generous Kyllikki.

[false_kyllikki]

She giggles, poking his chest with all four fingers. "You will make me a maiden in a song!"

[tinylittleonion]

But why shouldn't I? You're like a song yourself, Kyllikki, a gay, shining song ... Like a lily among thorns / is my darling among the maidens. Go on, look at me and laugh -- it only makes you dearer to me.

[false_kyllikki]

She does look at him and laugh, but only tucks her head against his shoulder. "Am I your darling?" Kyllikki asks, nothing of coyness in it.

[tinylittleonion]

Perhaps you are -- perhaps. Will you be my darling? *from his smile he isn't serious, but his joy is earnest, and so is the way he adores her, the way he catches her fingers and cradles them with kisses*

[false_kyllikki]

"I will, if you like--if it pleases you ..." She kisses his fingers in turn, sweetly, her eyes cast down.