It's definitely more fun to take part than to just observe (not that she has anything against observing; just being close enough to watch is better than she's had in the past), and she can't help but bounce a little on the balls of her feet as they get close to the fire.
He goes first, and she beams as he leaps over the flames, then giggles when he leaps back again. It seems easy enough, so she doesn't hesitate before she takes a leap. She's light and agile on her feet, and despite being short she manages it quite handily, not at all in danger of getting burnt. She lands with a laugh, then steps out of the way so that the others can join in.
Their leaping and twirling and dancing is lively and energetic, and though she still doesn't understand a lot of the words being spoken and sung around her, the general mood is infectious. This is a celebration, and it's lovely. When she gets the opportunity to, she leaps over the flames again, twisting as she lands to twirl into some of the dances - she's been watching the steps, and many of them are repetitive enough that she can pick them up; she did, after all, take part in the White Heron Cup for the Black Eagles, and she'd won! Dancing is something she can do well enough! - blending in well enough.
She catches Claude's eye as she blends into the group and smiles brightly.
The only thing that could make this better, she thinks, would be if Seteth were here to enjoy the celebration as well - but it's a miracle that she's able to enjoy it herself, and she's grateful for it.
It's been a long five years. But here, in this place, with these people - maybe the next year will be better.
Right now, it feels possible for her to believe that it might actually be.]
no subject
It's definitely more fun to take part than to just observe (not that she has anything against observing; just being close enough to watch is better than she's had in the past), and she can't help but bounce a little on the balls of her feet as they get close to the fire.
He goes first, and she beams as he leaps over the flames, then giggles when he leaps back again. It seems easy enough, so she doesn't hesitate before she takes a leap. She's light and agile on her feet, and despite being short she manages it quite handily, not at all in danger of getting burnt. She lands with a laugh, then steps out of the way so that the others can join in.
Their leaping and twirling and dancing is lively and energetic, and though she still doesn't understand a lot of the words being spoken and sung around her, the general mood is infectious. This is a celebration, and it's lovely. When she gets the opportunity to, she leaps over the flames again, twisting as she lands to twirl into some of the dances - she's been watching the steps, and many of them are repetitive enough that she can pick them up; she did, after all, take part in the White Heron Cup for the Black Eagles, and she'd won! Dancing is something she can do well enough! - blending in well enough.
She catches Claude's eye as she blends into the group and smiles brightly.
The only thing that could make this better, she thinks, would be if Seteth were here to enjoy the celebration as well - but it's a miracle that she's able to enjoy it herself, and she's grateful for it.
It's been a long five years. But here, in this place, with these people - maybe the next year will be better.
Right now, it feels possible for her to believe that it might actually be.]