unknownballad | ❝ Snowflakes swirl down gently ❞

❝ Snowflakes swirl down gently ❞

{ in the deep blue haze beyond the window }
choose a character • leave a starter/prompt • link images or videos

November/December/January holiday post. Here are some ideas:

snow: first snow of the season/ever, making snowpeople, forts, or snow angels, snowball fights, snowed in
warm: hot drinks, warm blankets, crackling fires, busting out the winter coats and socks, baking in a cozy kitchen
holidays: decorating, picking out a tree, preparing the big holiday meal, exchanging gifts
activities: shopping, cooking, sledding, ice skating, cuddling with someone special
new year: par-tay!, toast, countdown, midnight kiss

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Such a subtle smile tugs up the corners of his mouth. Only for a second before it's gone and he looks back at his guests.

"More of the host's attention than any guest, to start." Those pale eyes turn back, lingering on Hai's lips before meeting his gaze again. "A menu available to no other." He's never let a vampire feed from him before. He's heard stories about how their bite feels. He's also heard stories about what Fae blood can do to a vampire. A risk for them both, to be sure.

"The option to dance with me, should you fancy that."

Hai turns his head to look out at the sea of guests when they get a mention from the Fae. He watches as some take advantage of the crowd of people and try to speak with every last person they can, and as others pair off or form small, intimate groups and disappear into dark corners. He averts his gaze and turns his attention back to Iseul once more. People can't hide from the vampire's sharp eyes so easily, after all. Darkness is where they're at their best. So he gives them their privacy. He has more important things to focus on anyway.

"I like the sound of that already." More of Iseul's time than anyone else here. It only makes sense, of course. Even when others filter out and Iseul no longer has to play host to his guests, Hai gets his time. Whereas all of the other guests will go home once the ball comes to an end, Hai is home.

As Iseul continues, everything else seems to stop. A menu available to no other. Those simple words make the rest of the grand event seem to lose their focus. It's like every sense has grabbed onto Iseul and refuses to let go, leaving no room for anything else. All at the mere idea of getting to taste the beautiful creature. Hai lifts one hand and lightly strokes the side of Iseul's neck with the back of his index finger. "You would allow me to do that?" It isn't just about the blood but the intimacy behind it. Sharing in something that's important to both of them, even if for different reasons. The risks it means they're both willing to take. It's about the blood but it isn't just about the blood.

Hai lets his hand fall from Iseul's neck and gives his head a quick, almost imperceptible shake to let the rest of the world back in, bringing it all back into focus. "I would love to dance with you."

Sorry for the folks getting in on dark nooks and crannies. Iseul doesn't mind as long as nothing in his home is damaged. He doesn't wear the weight of human prudishness. And, honestly, some of the monsters he invites to these things just have that effect on others. As long as his home is relatively clean and intact by the end, that's what matters to him.

One thing Hai will have noticed in their long acquaintance is that Iseul seldom allows others to touch him. Especially in public. In private is a completely different story, but that's Iseul's personal business. Perhaps, he hopes, soon it will also be Hai's personal business. So that he doesn't move away or even bat an eye when Hai touches him — that he, in fact, tilts his head away to allow more surface for Hai's touch — speaks volumes of Iseul's regard for him.

All to quickly that cool touch is gone. All too quickly the din of his party encroaches on Iseul's focus. Well, if he must continue to play host (and he must), at least he can take some enjoyment from the ball, as well. He offers a hand to Hai, to lead them over to the designated area for dancing.

Though he's a creature who was once human and therefore has human ideas still itching at the back of his mind from time to time, those enjoying the ball and each other in their own way in that dark corner get no judgment from Hai. But he will avert his gaze in respect of their privacy. Though they clearly don't want for much privacy, given their choice of location, they don't need the vampire watching them.

Over their long acquaintance together, Hai has noticed that Iseul seems to prefer remaining untouched. So Hai's expectation was for Iseul to move away, to wordlessly remind him that now is not the time nor the place. But instead, the Fae tilts his head, he exposes more of his neck for the vampire. Oh how he longs to bite into that warm flesh, feel Iseul's blood pool on his tongue... Another time.

Hai glances toward where others are dancing and places his hand in Iseul's. Why host a ball if you can't take some enjoyment in it? If you can do nothing more than become a slave to your guests? Besides, all of the guests needs have been seen to. Hai is sure they currently want for nothing. There is only one guest now who requires the attention of the host, though his position as guest is questionable at best, what with this also being his home.

"I would love to dance with you."

Another time. Iseul, unlike some of his guests, prefers privacy for his intimate affairs. Is not sharing his blood with a vampire an intimate affair? He has no personal experience with it, but he's heard from vampire and those feeding them alike. It sounds very much like an intimate affair.

They can discuss Hai's nebulous position as somewhere between guest and host at this ball some other time. If Hai would like to. Going forward, it will be less unclear what his role is. Tonight, though he isn't a guest in this house, he is a guest for this event. And, as host, Hai is the only quest now in need of Iseul attentions. Attentions he's happy to provide.

A few take note as they walk by. Those who do, do not stare for long. It's unusual for Iseul to dance at his own festivities, but it isn't unheard of. So, yes, their walk to join those dancing garners attention. Attention Iseul blatantly ignores. Unless his duties as a host become required, his focus is on Hai and none other.

"May I lead or do you prefer to?"

Some vampires see feeding as nothing more than exactly what it is: their next meal. Some see it as no more or less intimate than sitting down at the dinner table. Others, however, see it as intimate act that it truly is. Hai is among that second group. To him, it is an incredibly intimate affair. So much so that he prefers those he feeds from to be those he's already been intimate with. Oh there have been times when he's given himself over to his baser instincts, when the monster's taken hold and he's taken anyone, willing or otherwise. Then, it's not so intimate. Then it's a monster and his prey.

With Iseul, however, it will be intimate. With Iseul, the sharing of blood will be a private moment between only the two of them. He will neither himself nor Iseul on display during what is often a rather vulnerable moment.

Though Hai can feel some of the eyes turning toward them (or rather, toward Iseul), he pays them little mind. He has eyes only for his Fae companion. The one who is joining him and only him on the dance floor tonight.

"I would be honoured if you would lead."

Iseul will be pleased to learn that Hai is among those vampires who find the feeding intimate. It is his hope that sharing his blood with Hai will be a special thing between them, a way to strengthen their bond. A way to become closer.

“It will be my honor,” he replies as he pulls Hai into position. Of course Iseul knows how to dance. Given his age and his necessary appearances when the Fae hold court. So he’s in no unfamiliar territory in leading Hai in their dance.

Even this feels intimate. Not because he dances so rarely, not even because dislikes being touched. Because it’s a moment to become closer to Hai. It’s a moment to show the world that Hai is his chosen one. It’s a moment to show Hai that he is Iseul’s chosen one.

That's Hai's hope as well, that partaking of Iseul's blood is something that can be special between them. He hopes it can be something that will bring them ever closer. It's more than hunger that drives him, it's more than a curiosity about Fae blood. It's Iseul. He wants to share in that intimate moment with Iseul. He wants that connection. He wants that sort of trust that comes with someone allowing a vampire to feed from them, a vampire they can only hope won't take things too far. He wants closeness. He wants connection.

Hai is no stranger to dance and easily falls into step with Iseul. This is hardly the first event he's attended (both in life and in death) to include such activities. This isn't even the first event of Iseul's, though during such balls, he tends to be a little too wrapped up in the host to think much about making it to the dance floor with the other guests. There was none but the host himself who Hai would've danced with anyway.

"You dance beautifully." This does indeed feel intimate but also like an announcement to the other party goers that they're together. Iseul has chosen him. Not just to dance, but to be with. His chosen one. But this also feels like a moment just between the two of them. This dance, this moment, it's theirs and no one elses.

It's so strange how he can be aware of everyone around him and yet nothing but Hai at the same time. Have they eve been this close before now? Can the vampire feel the warmth and life of him through the small space between them? Can he feel Iseul's blood racing — the only sign of nervousness to be detected. Or, perhaps it's some other feeling, one that isn't so unheard of when one's so close to an attractive partner.

"It is a necessity at Court. It is the only place I have danced in recent memory."

They've never been this close before. Oh they've been close, but not like this. Not before now. Hai would've remembered. He would've remembered the warmth of Iseul seeping into his own icy skin. Or the feel of his racing blood, the sound of it especially loud. Oh he's familiar with the sound of Iseul's beating heart and the rush of blood through his veins, but he's never heard it like this before. He would've remembered. Everyone else may be dancing to the lovely music, but Hai is dancing to the sounds of Iseul.

"Perhaps we should dance here more. Beyond just tonight. I wouldn't want my own skills to get rusty, or for yours to go to waste by only using them at Court."

The way he sighs implies it is such a waste at Court. Mostly for him because he doesn't care enough to be more of a presence there. He's no noble. And his lack of interest in Fae machinations keeps him barely count among the gentry. Mostly, they look at him as see a dresser, a servant, but one with powerful patrons. He's tolerated at Court the same way he tolerates it.

"I would be honored to dance more regularly with you." That sigh was not for Hai or his suggestion.

"I must admit, though we have been acquainted for some long time, I am not well-educated on vampire society and politics. I wonder if they are tedious as those of the Fae."

"The honour would be all mine." The closeness, moving together as one like they are, he would do this every night. Every night for eternity? A long time though they've been acquainted, it's a little too soon for talk of eternity just yet, perhaps. But as long as the Fae will have him. As long as he wants to be with Iseul. For however long they want to be together, he wants to dance with Iseul.

"As far as I'm aware, vampire society and politics aren't exactly things we do. Or perhaps I'm simply out of the loop. Truthfully, most of us didn't know each other in life, so we don't try to congregate after. Especially with many of us having come to be completely at random, so to speak, it would be difficult to maintain." It would be difficult to keep track of vampires new and old and bring them into the fold.

That's a realistic assessment of time and companionship. It's how most long-lived creatures should view it. No grand over-promising of forever when forever is, in fact, a reality for them. Even after centuries, after millennia, who can predict what the future will hold? Or how one's heart my change?

"Mm, that does make sense to me," he muses with a slow nod. The Fae are very different from vampires. They are born into an existing societal structure. They are introduced to others and known to each other. They have to know one another to maintain the proper social hierarchy. But vampires? They are made, as far as Iseul knows. What are the criteria? How does a vampire chose its progeny? Are their rules that govern it? Well, based on what Hai has said, probably not.

"Is it too personal for me to ask how you were chosen?"

The Fae are very different from vampires. The Fae live only as they are and can build a society around that idea. They know what they will be when they are born. It makes things different, easier to build a society around. It's much different for Hai's kind. Creatures who can be created anywhere. And while they could put some time and effort into finding and bringing together many of their number, it's as Hai said, it would be difficult to maintain. Besides, most just want to be left alone and to be allowed to govern themselves. Hai is one of those.

"It isn't too personal." For Iseul. Were anyone else to ask, he would politely refuse to provide an answer. People don't deserve to know the ins and outs of his life just because they thought to ask. Iseul is not one of those people, however. "I wouldn't say I was chosen. It's more that I was a convenient meal for a desperate creature. I was a mistake made by a starving vampire."

Something hot flashes through Iseul's eyes. A mistake? How dare Hai characterize his history and being in such a way! If not for this careless, starving vampire, they wouldn't be here dancing together. They would not have shared long nights over the chessboard trying to best each other. They would not have played their games and made each and every move that brought them to this very moment.

"Fate makes no mistakes."

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❝ Snowflakes swirl down gently ❞

I figured! no worries <3

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