» In the End

He isn't alone for long. Someone approaches out of the crowd: earth tones and feathers, eyes like the sea under a summer day. The boy looks young. Seiji watches him approach with quiet curiosity, and then with burgeoning amusement. Something gentle and bright blooms in Seiji's dark eyes; he answers the bow with a generous nod. He knows what it means, he thinks, though he's intrigued the boy doesn't speak. Shy, perhaps? Or the music is too loud? But Seiji doesn't mind. He falls into place at the boy's side, one eye craning only briefly toward the feathers crowning his spine. But now is not the time. If he could, Seiji would probably say something reassuring. If he knows anything, he knows how to dance. He begins with graceful steps, following the boy's studious lead. A kind of graceful laughter bubbling through his expression. He doesn't touch the boy, though; he flinches very subtly when they do connect. Not disgust, but something else. Something learned, though bone-deep in his being. He hasn't a habit of touching his dance partners. He hasn't a habit of dancing with friendly young gentlemen, though. He tells himself this is like a game. It doesn't need to be perfect. Though he still keeps himself to himself. He is not a creature for physical contact when it isn't necessary. Something drags his attention away, though, and gradually, the steps of his dancing slow. His head comes up; he blinks at the creature now emerging from the blue light. A stag? White flames bobbing at the tines of its antlers. Seij's body falls perfectly still, full of the knowing he looks upon a god, or something like it. He seems far away then, his body present but his mind retreating within. Reflected in his eyes are the shape of those antlers. His ears cupped forward. He remains still a moment when she's done talking. The sensation of something monumental occurring. You ought to be happy for them, he thinks, but frustration rises in him like a drowning tide. He wants to approach the great deer and demand of her she return what he lost, but he can't even speak to make such a demand. And he doesn't want to destroy the happiness of those he's come to know, those familiar faces mingling in the crowd. They aren't responsible. He won't ruin their party. He has a surplus of energy burning in him, though. He wants to run. He wants .... to do something. One dark eye shifts toward the boy at his side (if indeed the boy hasn't wandered off). And if he is still there, Seiji's long neck snakes out to nudge a little too hard at his neck, a little playfully. And now he'll dart away, beginning a different, livelier dance. He finds he hopes the boy follows, though Seiji himself is probably too old for such games. Would probably be reprimanded if he were back home. He doesn't care. He'll find a new partner if the boy is gone; he'll find something to with his body until he can begin searching again.

img by Tildae @ flickr

@Vynter