Private Tales South for the Winter

[Paetr]

"I do suppose there was a flaw in my logic," he said.

It was an admission he rarely made. However, it was something whispered behind his back frequently.

He drank the rest of his wine. Paetr decided it was certainly best warm. By the time it was cold it was decided old and cheap wine hidden by spices. Rather delicious warm, slightly bitter and unappealing cold.

He took Seryn's hand and drew her back closer to his orbit. As he led her towards the ice rink, the flat palm stretching across the small of her back was a rather familiar gesture that would reveal their comfort in touch.

"We could make a special moment out of anything and... Oh they have shoes you have to put on!"

 

[Seryn Lusce]

Seryn dazzled the attendant of the ice skating rink with a smile, telling him which fit of skates she required. She moved to a nearby seat so go through the process of donning the skates and tying the laces securely.

"Have you done this before, Paetr?" She had only begun to learn since residing in the Winter Court, and was wobbly at best, but if she kept to small distances then she would not topple over her own feet as much.

What if he were a true prodigy at the winter sport? Perhaps he could keep Seryn for falling over the ice and hurting herself. He could teach her to improve!

"Come on now, my sweet. Join me!" She grinned, standing and testing her balance on the snow.

 

[Paetr]

"I have not!" Paetr declared.

He tied on his boots and stepped out onto the ice. He found his centre of balance and watched those on the ice. They kept one foot pointed forwards and pushed off with the other.

"I'm sure I will pick it up quickly," he said as he pushed off.

Paetr swore as he wobbled and then lost his footing. He skidded to a halt beside Seryn, backside on the ice.

 

[Seryn Lusce]

Seryn's gloved hands went to cover her mouth to stifle the squeal of surprise as she watched Paetr loose his footing and fell onto his backside. It was comical how he slid her way and came to a stop, and the Duannan could not help the laughter that pealed out from behind her gloves. Her eyes narrowed with amusement, happy to see her partake in an activity she enjoyed.

"Oh, Paetr!" She got down on one knee and took both his hands, grinning like a child. "Here, let me help you. Hold my hand and I will do my best to teach you."

The Night Court Lord was much taller than her, but Seryn had a good sense of balance to her. Signe had often told her she had great core strength, but Seryn preferred to watch her sisters dance than taking part herself. Once Paetr got back upright, Seryn gripped his hand and smiled up at him. "Bend your knees a little. Do not keep your legs straight and stiff, that will only hinder your movements." She instructed and started to move slowly.

 

[Paetr]

"Perhaps these shoes are the wrong size," Paetr replied with a small huff.

He took the offered hand. He placed his other on the ice. The cold from it wouldn't affect him anyway.

Paetr might have made more of a fuss, but that smile of hers held his attention. Perhaps for Seryn he could suffer a little embarrassment if it made her happy.

"Bend your knees a little. Do not keep your legs straight and stiff, that will only hinder your movements." She instructed

"That sounds a lot like how to start leaning a blade!" he replied.

"Ah!" he went as he started to wobble. Placing both blades down he was able to just keep going in a straight line beside her.

"How do you stop??"

 

[Seryn Lusce]

"You will need to turn your feet inwards, to a point!"

Seryn moved to skate before him, her actions taking her to go backwards, but it was the easiest way for him to mimic her movements and for her to see how his progress went. She smiled the entire time. Her cheeks did not tired from it either, for the Lusce female had reason to be so happy.

"Then you will simply just start moving again!"

 

[Paetr]

Paetr pushed his toes inwards. He had to stop himself from falling over forwards, giving an undignified wave of his arms.

The fae lord, a powerful Duanann and last in a line of powerful creatures slowed to a stop. Seryn slipped through his fingers.

He looked down at the boots that had clearly betrayed him. He slowly turned his right foot out to try and push off, wobbling after her.

 

[Seryn Lusce]

Seryn looked giddy watching him take those tentative steps, watched as he got the hang of it before she slid closer to take his hands and pull him with her. All around the ice, Seryn guided him at a slow pace until he got a better feel of his movements. It also gave her time to study his face, to realise that she had indeed fallen in love with this male that provided so much of what she had been missing out on.

"You truly are remarkable, Paetr. Nothing can stop you from mastering it." And she smiled, so proud of her intended.

 

[Paetr]

"You truly are remarkable, Paetr. Nothing can stop you from mastering it." And she smiled, so proud of her intended.

"Ah of course I will master this!" Paetr said.

With her observation his confidence was restored in full. He could take on any challenge.

"But I think I would like to leave the ice now..."

They headed for the edge of the ice. Walking on the grass was more difficult and he found a rock to sit upon as he removed his skates.

"Now... would you like a dance?"

 

[Seryn Lusce]

She knew he would not take long on the ice before moving onto the next thing. Seryn had gotten used to his whirlwind, especially when they had first met and had stolen her for a moment of privacy.

But dancing with Paetr was always her favourite thing to look forward to. It was when she could be the closest to him without partaking in passionate throes of passion. Seryn could look up at him, study him, and feel his strength as he took lead.

Following him to the edge, she gracefully climbed onto the grass and leaned beside him to remove her skates. Her cheeks were flushed, as they so often were when in his presence. "I always would dance with you Paetr. That is how you, after all, won my heart over."

 

[Paetr]

"With just a dance?" he mused.

He put his boots back on, stood up and held out his hand for her.

"Are you saying that another with a better step might have stolen your heart from me?"

Paetr laughed as he helped Seryn to her feet. He hooked his arm through hers and pulled her close.

"So where have they laid out the dance floor or should I just follow the music?"

 

[Seryn Lusce]

"Well, of course, there was the moment you first spoke to me..." She smiled, enjoying the feel of being closely against him again, as if this was the course of most natural. "I will forever be in my brother's debt for introducing me to you... his most cherished friend."

Seryn had thought of that night plenty of times. Saang could have introduced any of their other sisters, but chose Seryn because she was the most loveliest of them all.

"I do not think there is any dancing per se, my Paetr... but perhaps the music players could be persuaded into song. You are a guest of the Night Court, surely they could gift you one song?" They way they looked at each other made it obvious they meant something to one another. Seryn could barely keep herself from looking away, but she was entranced by the male before her. His taller frame always felt like shelter, comfort of home.