poemtry and prose

Stick hopped down from her chair. A few fae gathered around Stick in admiration, shaking her tiny hand in praise. The band lead whisked the chair away as the band broke out into another set of songs. While most of the older fae still sat at their tables listening to the music, enjoying a night of partying, some of the younger fae took to the floor and started dancing to the music of The Fabulous, Gobble Ratchet and Clanking Chains Band.

The music died down once more. "Whew-ie," The Fabulous, Gobble Ratchet and Clanking Chains Band lead called out to everyone, "you faeries sure know how to party. You guys keep dancing like this, we can play all night long. However, we think a small break is in order. So go back to your tables, grab a goblet, fill it with Elderberry, and watch as we continue to entertain you."

People scattered off the floor, heading back to their seats. Cassie picked Stick up and placed her on her shoulder. Then she and Hazel wandered back over to their seat.

"Boy, am I ever thirsty," Stick said, grabbing the thimble and downing the rest of her wine in one big gulp.

Cassie nodded, "Me too. I have not danced like that in ages. I wish that tonight would never end. It has been a long time since I have had this much fun."

Hazel smiled, his eyes still showing a glint of sadness behind them. Cassie noticed how silent he had been. She dragged her chair over to him and sat down. Playfully, she bumped into him, "Hey! You! You have hardly said anything all night. What is on your mind?"

He leaned into her, "What? I can barely hear you over the music?"

Cassie looked up, The Fabulous, Gobble Ratchet and Clanking Chains Band started playing some strange stringy tune. It sounded as if it had come from the Middle East. The hand drum strummed a strange 3/5ish beat. Standing on the dance floor were 3 faeries. They wore bright red turbans, gold and silver pins decorated with bells clasped the turbans tightly. Two of the women wore half-top choli shirts, with only one long sleeve extending past their fingers. The third dancer wore no shirts. Her small perky breasts bare, save for small circular hoops hooked thru each nipple. Small bell charms dangled as the dancer shimmied her torso. All three dancers’ bottoms covered in similar costumes. Layered skirts, a black gauzy see-through skirt sat on top of a deep, blood red skirt that twirled around their bodies when they spun. Underneath the skirts, the topless dancer wore black harem pants made of a soft and velvety material. The other two wore similar harem pants but instead of being black, theirs was red.

They wore paint on their faces. Black lines and swirls wove in and out in patterns on their cheeks and foreheads. Tiny gemstones decorated the space between their eye brows, where their third eye sat. Thick rings sat upon their fingers, sometimes reaching up to the first knuckle. Short and long necklaces dangled from their necks. Cassie thought the whole ensemble looked rather heavy for their bodies to handle.

Leather belts with spike studs hung loose around their waists. Tiny gemstones were glued to where their bellybuttons should have been. Cassie felt it odd that the human-sized faeries did not have any belly buttons. She wondered how children faeries got born. Were they made, appearing out of nowhere? Or brought to their parents by some stork? Perhaps they were hatched coming from eggs lain in nests made from fabric and wood? She made a mental note to herself to ask Hazel or an Elder before she departed from this world.

Cassie turned her attention back to Hazel, whom she caught staring at her from the corner of her eye. Again she leaned in close, "I said," she started, "You look lost in thought. You have not said much all night. What is on your mind?"

He nodded and shrugged, "I did not think I was acting anything out of the ordinary. I am sorry. Yeah, I have been thinking about our trip and route. But honestly, I am enjoying just being here with you. And watching."

Cassie put her hand on his shoulder. She opened her mouth and started to speak but was suddently wisked away from her seat. One of the dancers pulled her from the chair and out onto the dance floor. Cassie attempted to pull away as she protested but it was no use. They had her out on the floor and they were moving her body to their moves.

Hazel moved out of his chair and wandered over to a corner of the room. His eyes followed Cassie across the floor. He could tell she wanted him to come rescue her once again but he made no attempt to do so this time. He was amused and wanted to see her suffer it out. Everyone started to cheer and laugh as Cassie struggled to mimic their moves and dance. Her face turned bright red but as embarrassed as she felt, she was laughing and having a good time. And that made Hazel happy.

When the dance was over, Cassie skipped back over to him, "So much for my knight in shining armour. How come you did not attempt to rescue me this time."

"First time is free, but any subsequent rescues are going to cost ya," he smirked. "Besides, who said you needed to be rescued. You looked like you were having a great time out there. Not bad for a first attempt at that dance."

Cassie's eyes sparkled. "Oh, really? Do you think you can do any better? I would love to see you try and dance like that!"

They broke out laughing. "Yeah, well, you just be glad I do not wear dresses or skirts. Hairy legs, after all, you know. Not the sexiest thing."

The Fabulous, Gobble Ratchet and Clanking Chains Band struck up once more. However, they slowed down the pace this time, the pipes carrying the audience into a waltz. Couples filtered onto the dance floor. Even the Elders Atim and Bridget stood up and wandered onto the dance floor.

Hazel looked at the floor and then over to Cassie. He stood in front of her and then bowed, "Would milady care to join me in a dance?"

She extended her hand, "Why sire, you honor me. Of course I would love to dance with you."

He took her hand and led her out onto the dance floor. She put her arms around his neck and he lightly wrapped his around her waist. They smiled at their youthful awkwardness, trying rather to enjoy the night. Atim winked at them as he spun Bridget into a dip. The young couple smiled back at the Elders. Cassie stepped forward, closing the gap between her and Hazel. She paused. And then she stepped closer still. Cassie was not certain whether or not Hazel took no notice of her small actions or he welcomed the closeness. Then she took the ultimate risk.

She moved her body as close to his as she could. She was not looking at Hazel, instead she turned her head to the right. She placed her head on his chest. The leather was warm, from having been warmed all night long with Hazel's body heat. It was not cold as she expected it to be. Through the layers of clothes, she could her his heartbeat. It was strong and steady, beating a bit faster than she would normally imagined. She smiled, hoping that his elevated heart rate was due to the fact that she pressed her face into his chest. Closing her eyes, Cassie hoped that the night could go on forever. She felt safe, hugged by his arms, standing so close to him. There was no place on her world, his world or any other imagined worlds she wanted to be.