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31_days2009-12-29 10:33 am
seta-suzume.livejournal.com) wrote in 31_days2009-12-29 10:33 am
[Dec. 29] [Final Fantasy XII] I Still Can Dance
Title: I Still Can Dance
Day/Theme: Dec. 29, 2009 "spend these nights counting stars"
Series: Final Fantasy XII
Character/Pairing: Basch/Vaan, Balthier
Rating: G
"Come on, Basch, let's dance together," Vaan pulled on Basch's rough, calloused hand. Basch sat solidly enough on the sand, and only when Vaan began to throw his weight into it, leaning back as far as he could, did Basch start to rise with the effort.
"Why not dance with Balthier?" Basch suggested, although he did stand up and carefully steady Vaan, keeping him from tumbling over. The beating of the drums was catchy enough to make him sway to its beat, but merely finding himself infected by the complex rhythm of drums and coconut maracas and bells and possibly a wooden xylophone was not enough to compel him to actually dance. He had liked to dance, back in the bygone days before his imprisonment. He and Vossler had often danced together. But now he felt awkward, unsure of his once familiar body. He was tired. He felt old.
"Balthier found some girls to dance with," Vaan grumbled, "Can you believe it? After all that stuff he'd said about 'male bonding?'"
Basch smiled as he grunted in agreement. He wasn't that surprised though. Balthier would never pick the company of men over than of women for very long.
"But I didn't want to dance with Balthier, anyway," Vaan protested, "He'd just make fun of me. You and I are a much better match."
"I don't know if I can still keep up with the music like I used to," he admitted in the face of Vaan's innocent insistence. He could say "no" to that gentle face, but only kindly. He was flattered that Vaan preferred his company, but he wasn't sure that Vaan's feelings alone were enough to move his worn form to dance again. He might not have that kind of unrestrained joy in him anymore. It would hurt to find out he could no longer sway and step like he'd used to. ...But, then again, it would do him no better to be held in thrall by the past. He held doubts and waited for Vaan's next words to give him direction.
"That doesn't matter, Basch," the blond youth insisted, "It's not about whether you're any good or not- I don't even care if you step on my feet- it's about having fun and letting go of your inhibitions."
How generous a statement! And, ultimately, how true. Basch could not deny the desire to move the Bangaa chants inspired in his feet, arms, and hips. "I forget sometimes. I may have lost sight of too much of the joy of life while I was caged." Vaan's face brightened in anticipation. He saw where this was headed- Basch wouldn't shoot him down after a comment like that. "I will dance with you, Vaan."
"Great!" Vaan cheered, hurrying a few steps ahead of him toward the whirl of dancers. They moved around the bonfire in a colorful array, not in any particular synchronicity with each other, but only with the music, a rainbow of energy shaded by the night.
Basch would dance well, though he could not dance for long. He spent the rest of the night lying beside Vaan on the sand, telling him Landsian tales of the stories.
Day/Theme: Dec. 29, 2009 "spend these nights counting stars"
Series: Final Fantasy XII
Character/Pairing: Basch/Vaan, Balthier
Rating: G
"Come on, Basch, let's dance together," Vaan pulled on Basch's rough, calloused hand. Basch sat solidly enough on the sand, and only when Vaan began to throw his weight into it, leaning back as far as he could, did Basch start to rise with the effort.
"Why not dance with Balthier?" Basch suggested, although he did stand up and carefully steady Vaan, keeping him from tumbling over. The beating of the drums was catchy enough to make him sway to its beat, but merely finding himself infected by the complex rhythm of drums and coconut maracas and bells and possibly a wooden xylophone was not enough to compel him to actually dance. He had liked to dance, back in the bygone days before his imprisonment. He and Vossler had often danced together. But now he felt awkward, unsure of his once familiar body. He was tired. He felt old.
"Balthier found some girls to dance with," Vaan grumbled, "Can you believe it? After all that stuff he'd said about 'male bonding?'"
Basch smiled as he grunted in agreement. He wasn't that surprised though. Balthier would never pick the company of men over than of women for very long.
"But I didn't want to dance with Balthier, anyway," Vaan protested, "He'd just make fun of me. You and I are a much better match."
"I don't know if I can still keep up with the music like I used to," he admitted in the face of Vaan's innocent insistence. He could say "no" to that gentle face, but only kindly. He was flattered that Vaan preferred his company, but he wasn't sure that Vaan's feelings alone were enough to move his worn form to dance again. He might not have that kind of unrestrained joy in him anymore. It would hurt to find out he could no longer sway and step like he'd used to. ...But, then again, it would do him no better to be held in thrall by the past. He held doubts and waited for Vaan's next words to give him direction.
"That doesn't matter, Basch," the blond youth insisted, "It's not about whether you're any good or not- I don't even care if you step on my feet- it's about having fun and letting go of your inhibitions."
How generous a statement! And, ultimately, how true. Basch could not deny the desire to move the Bangaa chants inspired in his feet, arms, and hips. "I forget sometimes. I may have lost sight of too much of the joy of life while I was caged." Vaan's face brightened in anticipation. He saw where this was headed- Basch wouldn't shoot him down after a comment like that. "I will dance with you, Vaan."
"Great!" Vaan cheered, hurrying a few steps ahead of him toward the whirl of dancers. They moved around the bonfire in a colorful array, not in any particular synchronicity with each other, but only with the music, a rainbow of energy shaded by the night.
Basch would dance well, though he could not dance for long. He spent the rest of the night lying beside Vaan on the sand, telling him Landsian tales of the stories.