(no subject)
December 21
Characters: Wolfram, Yuuri, Gisela
Rating: PG
“I want to teach you to dance,” Wolfram said abruptly over breakfast, pinning Yuuri with a gaze that suggested he cooperate.
“Erm, all right,” Yuuri agreed, and glanced over to Conrad. “Is it much different from Earth dance? Because, you know, I can dance, a little.”
“Well, Earth dance is pretty varied,” Conrad replied. “I’ll assume you mean popular dance, in which case, no. It’s a bit like Irish dance from what I remember.”
Yuuri slumped. He’d been hoping to get out of it by showing Wolfram that he knew how to dance just fine. This thought, however, lead to thoughts of Wolfram dirty dancing, which lead to Yuuri trying to hide a blush over the thought.
Wolfram dragged him into a room with hardwood floors and mirrors. He nodded to Gisela, who was holding what looked to Yuuri to be something vaguely like a violin. Gisela started playing something upbeat, but kept her volume down so that Yuuri could hear Wolfram’s instructions as he clasped Yuuri’s hands.
They had to start out simply, Wolfram explained, though it turned out Wolfram’s idea of simple was pretty damn complex. The dance consisted largely of jumps and kicks and Yuuri was tired after about an hour, though he reminded himself that this would be good exercise for baseball.
Yuuri had to admit that Wolfram was a good teacher, though. He wasn’t all that patient with Yuuri, but he was quite good at explaining things, which meant that Wolfram didn’t have much opportunity to get irritated.
After the second hour, Yuuri was ready to fall over. Wolfram was more used to this, but even he looked rather tired. Wolfram pronounced, “well, you’ll do for now,” and dragged him off for a nap.
December 22 - Midwinter in Shinmakoku
Characters: Lots
Rating: PG
“You’ve been showing us so many of your traditions, but now we want to share with you one of ours,” Conrad said. “Today is midwinter, and I hope you don’t mind that we’ve made up a few celebrations.”
Yuuri shook his head. “I’d love to learn about the traditions here,” he said beaming.
“I hoped you’d say that,” Conrad said. “The events will start at sundown- I suggest you take a nap before then. You’re going to need it. This is a bit like your New Years and it will involve staying up all night.”
Yuuri blinked at him. “But I’m not tired.”
“At least lie down and rest for a little while,” Conrad said, pushing him towards his room. “Everyone else will likely be doing the same.”
Sure enough, Wolfram was already in his room, and Yuuri climbed onto the bed next to him. Wolfram smacked his lips slightly in his sleep and gravitated towards the center of warmth, rolling over into Yuuri’s arms. Despite his words of not being able to sleep, Yuuri quickly fell into a light doze.
He was awoken a little bit before what his internal clock identified as “dinnertime” by Wolfram poking him in the ribs and telling him to get up and eat, handing him a roll with meat stuffed into it. Yuuri obeyed, and then Wolfram excused himself to get ready in his own room. Conrad appeared with a velvet, rather warm-looking cloak, which he draped over his mock school uniform and fastened with an opal clasp. He followed Conrad down to the foyer were a rather interesting procession was gathering.
Shinmakoku people didn’t often wear overly bright colors, but right now Yuuri thought they were trying to blind him. “This is the festival of the sun,” Conrad said from his right hand. The man had foregone his usual tan military garb for a forest green outfit, complete with a cloak similar to Yuuri’s. He also spotted Gisela wearing a forest green dress of velvet that matched her eyes. Anissina was dressed in her usual fuscia, though she had something that looked both warmer and fancier.
“On the longest night of the year, we stay up all night,” Conrad explained, taking his arm and pressing him forward. “And you have to lead the procession to the town square. I’ll explain further as we walk.” Yuuri obeyed, stepping outside where his breath showed up as mist in the dim lights shining through the castle windows.
They moved slowly and carefully down from the castle, Conrad continuing to explain as they went. “We want to make sure that summer wins its battle over winter, and to do this, we must please the sun so that it comes up again. It is said that the sun loves dance, so this is how we choose to please her.” Yuuri nodded, to show that he was listening. “There’s a ceremony before the dancing - and don’t worry, you don’t have to dance all night. It’s said that only one couple has to be dancing at one time, though there are prizes to anyone who is able to dance all night without taking a break.”
Yuuri nodded again, as they entered the square. It was odd to sense the whole palace procession following him. There were numerous townspeople already gathered there, and what looked like an impromptu dance contest had already begun, with enthusiastic fiddlers and drummers that clearly weren’t professional but looked like they were having a lot of fun. The dancers were doing moves that were quite complex and reminded Yuuri of some of the American swing dances he’d seen on TV.
“Bravo,” he applauded when they finished, barely looking winded. Ranges of emotions from embarrassed to pleased to smug ran over their faces at having his praise. He tugged Conrad towards him and murmured a suggestion that perhaps the best dancers here deserved a prize of the monetary sort as well, and Conrad nodded, promising to get on it later. “By the way…” he questioned. “Why is everyone wearing such bright colors? It’s unusual, though quite nice for a chance.”
“I agree fully,” Anissina said, giving him what she probably thought to be a friendly pat on the back, though it really amounted to a stinging slap. “People around here are so dreary.”
“A-aa,” Yuuri said nervously, resisting the urge to rub at his shoulder where she’d hit him.
“Well, on the longest day of the year when you’re welcoming back the summer, it makes sense to wear the colors of the flowers and grass and sun rather than those of ice and snow and dark winter skies.”
“Hmmm, makes sense,” Yuuri agreed. “Now what happens?”
“We wait a few minutes until it’s getting close to sunset. Then the ceremony takes place and the dancing begins.”
Yuuri nodded, and watched the dancers, who were doing a more stately dance now, that looked more like the waltzes he was familiar with.
“A foreign dance to us, and fairly new. The one Wolfram taught you is native to our country.”
Oh, so that’s why Wolfram had taught him to dance. It was all clear now.
“Oh, it’s starting,” Conrad said, and led Yuuri to the center of the square where a firepit was located, with a pile of wood ready to be lit in the center.
Yuuri was quite surprised to see Greta, dressed in a white dress trimmed with gold and white wings. He thought she looked rather like an angel, though the halo behind her head resembled the sun, and he quickly deduced that she was supposed to be the sun.
“A young girl is always chosen to be the sun,” Conrad explained. “She escorts the young man chosen to be summer, while the man chosen to be winter has no escort, and is always older than summer.” On cue, Greta turned around, and tugged Wolfram out from around a corner, her small hand wrapped around two of his fingers. In her other hand, she carried a blazing, cream-colored candle.
Yuuri’s fiancé was gorgeous, in a light cotton tunic and shorts that almost looked like they were made from clouds. It was trimmed in flower patterns around the collar, with bright greens on the sleeves and bottom and was belted with a cranberry sash. An evergreen wreath perched in his hair as a crown. Yuuri wondered how he wasn’t freezing, but perhaps he was using his fire magic to keep himself warm. Greta escorted him to the center of the open ring that was marked off on the opposite side of the firepit from where Yuuri was standing. Greta then scampered over to stand right in front of the firepit.
Gwendal followed him out, clearly dressed as the Shinmakoku version of Old Man Winter. There was no white beard, but his hair had been frosted silver and he wore a silver circlet with metal icicles that dipped from the crown around his head except on his face. His clothes were a midnight blue and gray pattern somewhat resembling storm clouds, and the robes were long and trimmed with snowy white cotton balls.
Gwendal marched in and stood across from Wolfram, and then both drew their swords. “The sword dance is ceremonial,” Conrad explained softly into his ear. “It’s all choreographed, so they’re not really fighting.” Nevertheless, it looked impressive to Yuuri, who watched with enjoyment.
Finally, after a flurry of clashes of steel on steel, Gwendal was disarmed, and Wolfram pointed his sword at his brother’s throat. “And I win again until midsummer,” he said. “Winter, begone.” He sheathed his sword, and Gwendal stood and proceeded out of the ring.
Greta turned around and held a stick to the candle, and then proceeded to touch the burning stick to the fire that was built in the pit. Something had been added to it, because it caught almost instantly with a cheerful crackle. At that moment, the sun sunk over the horizon, and Yuuri marveled at the timing.
Wolfram walked around the fire and held his hand out to Yuuri, murmuring, “The ruler and the sun king always take the first dance. That’s why I taught you to dance. And I wanted to be the sun king this year so you wouldn’t dance with another, though I did it two years ago as well.”
Of course, Yuuri thought, with his usual bemusement at Wolfram’s jealous streak. “All right,” he said a bit nervously.
“We jump over the bonfire to start,” Wolfram said, a bit mischievously. “Don’t catch on fire now. This ensures fertility for people as well as the earth in the coming year.”
Yuuri flushed and mumbled, “I’m not sure you need the help.” Wolfram just smiled, tugging Yuuri over as they jumped together over the fire (which had clearly been built well down in the ground for just this reason.
Music started up, clearly more professional this time, and Wolfram began the steps, followed half a beat later by the slightly nervous and stumbling Yuuri. He caught up quickly, though, and found that he was comfortable with the steps, thanks to Wolfram. He was pretty sure people like those who were dancing earlier wouldn’t be all that impressed, but he was pretty impressed with himself.
The music changed into a different tune rather quickly, and the rest of the dancers began to dance.
“Those are the ones that are going to dance all night,” Wolfram said, nudging Yuuri and pointing to a group that was split off from the others, presumably so the people keeping track would know who gave up and who didn’t.
“There’s food over there,” Wolfram said, and pointed to where several tables of food and drink had appeared while he had been occupied in the ceremony and the dance, presumably brought by servants. Wolfram urged him over, and they grabbed some small snacks, devouring them quickly before Wolfram dragged Yuuri back to the dance for another half hour or so. At that point, Yuuri sought out Greta, telling her how good a job she’d done. She beamed at the praise and hugged Yuuri’s leg.
Yuuri fluffed her hair and then sent her off to resume her dance with another little girl from the palace. They were really adorable, he reflected, and then paused, wondering if he was imagining her growing up and getting a girlfriend, and then wondering if it mattered. Well, as long as the girl would treat her right…
The hours dissolved together as Yuuri grew more and more tired. Wolfram kept pinching him not entirely gently to keep him awake and then shoving sugary things in his mouth to help prevent him from falling asleep.
By the end of the night, Yuuri was exhausted, was pretty sure he had at least four blisters on each foot, and was feeling slightly sick from all the goodies. But he couldn’t help but feel joyous when the sun came up and the crowd of dancers let out an excited cheer.
Characters: Wolfram, Yuuri, Gisela
Rating: PG
“I want to teach you to dance,” Wolfram said abruptly over breakfast, pinning Yuuri with a gaze that suggested he cooperate.
“Erm, all right,” Yuuri agreed, and glanced over to Conrad. “Is it much different from Earth dance? Because, you know, I can dance, a little.”
“Well, Earth dance is pretty varied,” Conrad replied. “I’ll assume you mean popular dance, in which case, no. It’s a bit like Irish dance from what I remember.”
Yuuri slumped. He’d been hoping to get out of it by showing Wolfram that he knew how to dance just fine. This thought, however, lead to thoughts of Wolfram dirty dancing, which lead to Yuuri trying to hide a blush over the thought.
Wolfram dragged him into a room with hardwood floors and mirrors. He nodded to Gisela, who was holding what looked to Yuuri to be something vaguely like a violin. Gisela started playing something upbeat, but kept her volume down so that Yuuri could hear Wolfram’s instructions as he clasped Yuuri’s hands.
They had to start out simply, Wolfram explained, though it turned out Wolfram’s idea of simple was pretty damn complex. The dance consisted largely of jumps and kicks and Yuuri was tired after about an hour, though he reminded himself that this would be good exercise for baseball.
Yuuri had to admit that Wolfram was a good teacher, though. He wasn’t all that patient with Yuuri, but he was quite good at explaining things, which meant that Wolfram didn’t have much opportunity to get irritated.
After the second hour, Yuuri was ready to fall over. Wolfram was more used to this, but even he looked rather tired. Wolfram pronounced, “well, you’ll do for now,” and dragged him off for a nap.
December 22 - Midwinter in Shinmakoku
Characters: Lots
Rating: PG
“You’ve been showing us so many of your traditions, but now we want to share with you one of ours,” Conrad said. “Today is midwinter, and I hope you don’t mind that we’ve made up a few celebrations.”
Yuuri shook his head. “I’d love to learn about the traditions here,” he said beaming.
“I hoped you’d say that,” Conrad said. “The events will start at sundown- I suggest you take a nap before then. You’re going to need it. This is a bit like your New Years and it will involve staying up all night.”
Yuuri blinked at him. “But I’m not tired.”
“At least lie down and rest for a little while,” Conrad said, pushing him towards his room. “Everyone else will likely be doing the same.”
Sure enough, Wolfram was already in his room, and Yuuri climbed onto the bed next to him. Wolfram smacked his lips slightly in his sleep and gravitated towards the center of warmth, rolling over into Yuuri’s arms. Despite his words of not being able to sleep, Yuuri quickly fell into a light doze.
He was awoken a little bit before what his internal clock identified as “dinnertime” by Wolfram poking him in the ribs and telling him to get up and eat, handing him a roll with meat stuffed into it. Yuuri obeyed, and then Wolfram excused himself to get ready in his own room. Conrad appeared with a velvet, rather warm-looking cloak, which he draped over his mock school uniform and fastened with an opal clasp. He followed Conrad down to the foyer were a rather interesting procession was gathering.
Shinmakoku people didn’t often wear overly bright colors, but right now Yuuri thought they were trying to blind him. “This is the festival of the sun,” Conrad said from his right hand. The man had foregone his usual tan military garb for a forest green outfit, complete with a cloak similar to Yuuri’s. He also spotted Gisela wearing a forest green dress of velvet that matched her eyes. Anissina was dressed in her usual fuscia, though she had something that looked both warmer and fancier.
“On the longest night of the year, we stay up all night,” Conrad explained, taking his arm and pressing him forward. “And you have to lead the procession to the town square. I’ll explain further as we walk.” Yuuri obeyed, stepping outside where his breath showed up as mist in the dim lights shining through the castle windows.
They moved slowly and carefully down from the castle, Conrad continuing to explain as they went. “We want to make sure that summer wins its battle over winter, and to do this, we must please the sun so that it comes up again. It is said that the sun loves dance, so this is how we choose to please her.” Yuuri nodded, to show that he was listening. “There’s a ceremony before the dancing - and don’t worry, you don’t have to dance all night. It’s said that only one couple has to be dancing at one time, though there are prizes to anyone who is able to dance all night without taking a break.”
Yuuri nodded again, as they entered the square. It was odd to sense the whole palace procession following him. There were numerous townspeople already gathered there, and what looked like an impromptu dance contest had already begun, with enthusiastic fiddlers and drummers that clearly weren’t professional but looked like they were having a lot of fun. The dancers were doing moves that were quite complex and reminded Yuuri of some of the American swing dances he’d seen on TV.
“Bravo,” he applauded when they finished, barely looking winded. Ranges of emotions from embarrassed to pleased to smug ran over their faces at having his praise. He tugged Conrad towards him and murmured a suggestion that perhaps the best dancers here deserved a prize of the monetary sort as well, and Conrad nodded, promising to get on it later. “By the way…” he questioned. “Why is everyone wearing such bright colors? It’s unusual, though quite nice for a chance.”
“I agree fully,” Anissina said, giving him what she probably thought to be a friendly pat on the back, though it really amounted to a stinging slap. “People around here are so dreary.”
“A-aa,” Yuuri said nervously, resisting the urge to rub at his shoulder where she’d hit him.
“Well, on the longest day of the year when you’re welcoming back the summer, it makes sense to wear the colors of the flowers and grass and sun rather than those of ice and snow and dark winter skies.”
“Hmmm, makes sense,” Yuuri agreed. “Now what happens?”
“We wait a few minutes until it’s getting close to sunset. Then the ceremony takes place and the dancing begins.”
Yuuri nodded, and watched the dancers, who were doing a more stately dance now, that looked more like the waltzes he was familiar with.
“A foreign dance to us, and fairly new. The one Wolfram taught you is native to our country.”
Oh, so that’s why Wolfram had taught him to dance. It was all clear now.
“Oh, it’s starting,” Conrad said, and led Yuuri to the center of the square where a firepit was located, with a pile of wood ready to be lit in the center.
Yuuri was quite surprised to see Greta, dressed in a white dress trimmed with gold and white wings. He thought she looked rather like an angel, though the halo behind her head resembled the sun, and he quickly deduced that she was supposed to be the sun.
“A young girl is always chosen to be the sun,” Conrad explained. “She escorts the young man chosen to be summer, while the man chosen to be winter has no escort, and is always older than summer.” On cue, Greta turned around, and tugged Wolfram out from around a corner, her small hand wrapped around two of his fingers. In her other hand, she carried a blazing, cream-colored candle.
Yuuri’s fiancé was gorgeous, in a light cotton tunic and shorts that almost looked like they were made from clouds. It was trimmed in flower patterns around the collar, with bright greens on the sleeves and bottom and was belted with a cranberry sash. An evergreen wreath perched in his hair as a crown. Yuuri wondered how he wasn’t freezing, but perhaps he was using his fire magic to keep himself warm. Greta escorted him to the center of the open ring that was marked off on the opposite side of the firepit from where Yuuri was standing. Greta then scampered over to stand right in front of the firepit.
Gwendal followed him out, clearly dressed as the Shinmakoku version of Old Man Winter. There was no white beard, but his hair had been frosted silver and he wore a silver circlet with metal icicles that dipped from the crown around his head except on his face. His clothes were a midnight blue and gray pattern somewhat resembling storm clouds, and the robes were long and trimmed with snowy white cotton balls.
Gwendal marched in and stood across from Wolfram, and then both drew their swords. “The sword dance is ceremonial,” Conrad explained softly into his ear. “It’s all choreographed, so they’re not really fighting.” Nevertheless, it looked impressive to Yuuri, who watched with enjoyment.
Finally, after a flurry of clashes of steel on steel, Gwendal was disarmed, and Wolfram pointed his sword at his brother’s throat. “And I win again until midsummer,” he said. “Winter, begone.” He sheathed his sword, and Gwendal stood and proceeded out of the ring.
Greta turned around and held a stick to the candle, and then proceeded to touch the burning stick to the fire that was built in the pit. Something had been added to it, because it caught almost instantly with a cheerful crackle. At that moment, the sun sunk over the horizon, and Yuuri marveled at the timing.
Wolfram walked around the fire and held his hand out to Yuuri, murmuring, “The ruler and the sun king always take the first dance. That’s why I taught you to dance. And I wanted to be the sun king this year so you wouldn’t dance with another, though I did it two years ago as well.”
Of course, Yuuri thought, with his usual bemusement at Wolfram’s jealous streak. “All right,” he said a bit nervously.
“We jump over the bonfire to start,” Wolfram said, a bit mischievously. “Don’t catch on fire now. This ensures fertility for people as well as the earth in the coming year.”
Yuuri flushed and mumbled, “I’m not sure you need the help.” Wolfram just smiled, tugging Yuuri over as they jumped together over the fire (which had clearly been built well down in the ground for just this reason.
Music started up, clearly more professional this time, and Wolfram began the steps, followed half a beat later by the slightly nervous and stumbling Yuuri. He caught up quickly, though, and found that he was comfortable with the steps, thanks to Wolfram. He was pretty sure people like those who were dancing earlier wouldn’t be all that impressed, but he was pretty impressed with himself.
The music changed into a different tune rather quickly, and the rest of the dancers began to dance.
“Those are the ones that are going to dance all night,” Wolfram said, nudging Yuuri and pointing to a group that was split off from the others, presumably so the people keeping track would know who gave up and who didn’t.
“There’s food over there,” Wolfram said, and pointed to where several tables of food and drink had appeared while he had been occupied in the ceremony and the dance, presumably brought by servants. Wolfram urged him over, and they grabbed some small snacks, devouring them quickly before Wolfram dragged Yuuri back to the dance for another half hour or so. At that point, Yuuri sought out Greta, telling her how good a job she’d done. She beamed at the praise and hugged Yuuri’s leg.
Yuuri fluffed her hair and then sent her off to resume her dance with another little girl from the palace. They were really adorable, he reflected, and then paused, wondering if he was imagining her growing up and getting a girlfriend, and then wondering if it mattered. Well, as long as the girl would treat her right…
The hours dissolved together as Yuuri grew more and more tired. Wolfram kept pinching him not entirely gently to keep him awake and then shoving sugary things in his mouth to help prevent him from falling asleep.
By the end of the night, Yuuri was exhausted, was pretty sure he had at least four blisters on each foot, and was feeling slightly sick from all the goodies. But he couldn’t help but feel joyous when the sun came up and the crowd of dancers let out an excited cheer.