174 Summerfell II (2/2)
A slow song to end this night of festive energy – the allure of that was hard to miss.
The farming couples danced together, connected to their lovers by hand, shoulder, or waist, swaying to the mellow pace of the song. Several knights tried to find Jeanne, but instead found her teaching a few Lupi how to dance slowly and properly in the way a lady should.
Old Thane and Ivo, bereft of their loved ones, simply sat together on the grass, watching others' happiness with smiles just as Li did.
The high strung Feli and harpies, hearing this slower song, simply fell asleep, curled up away from the crowd. The only Feli that actively tried dancing were the two with Azhar. But the Lupi were curious, and they reached out to the humans.
Both knight and single male adventurers were eager to teach the Lupi how to dance, and soon, natural pairings formed. Adventurers that were couples danced together, and Li noticed Launcelot taking turns dancing with each of his party members.
”It's good to see you again,” said Li.
”You are impossible to sneak up on.” Sylvie's form materialized behind Li, as if shaping up from the shadows themselves.
”I'm a good listener.” Li stood up and patted grass from himself. He looked down to Sylvie, and she looked bashfully away.
”And here-here is my request. Will you dance with me?” said Sylvie quietly. ”I know how you feel about me, and I am not expecting anything out of this. It is just that I have always wondered what it was like to dance with a man, and you, I am most comfortable with.”
Li reached out and took one of Sylvie's hands. ”Of course, but I have to confess I'm no dancer myself.”
”Ah, finally something you are not good at. It will be interesting to be the teacher for once.” Sylvie put her other hand over Li's.
”Well, don't get used to it,” said Li jokingly as he led her to the fading light of the bonfire.
And amidst the slow dancing crowd, of men and women young and old, of beastwomen, of adventurers, knights, farmers, and all walks of life possible, Li and Sylvie blended in, joining in the slow and swaying dance.
Li was not as clumsy as he thought he would be, the reflexes of his new body making him a fast learner, and he easily fell into pace with Sylvie, and she smiled wistfully as their hands interlocked, letting herself enjoy the moment, indulging in a slice of what could have been in some reality where things were different.
A small taste of sweetness to let the bitterness of rejection pass just a little bit easier, and in a way, it was the same for Li as well.
A taste of the life he could enjoy simply and humbly as a man before taking deep strides into the path he had committed himself as not merely man, but as divinity, as guardian, as protector.