The crowd is shifting around me, becoming restless as the creature does not appear. The Queen sits as serenely as ever, dignified and proud, but I glimpse a shadow of anxiety as it passes over her beautiful face. The noises gain in volume as the curtain twitches, and a beautiful faerre steps out, his pelt adorned with cherry blossom.
I feel a sudden pity towards that defiant, lone figure, small and lost in the huge wary of curtain. He looks up, and I am caught in his red glare. I feel, in that moment, as if a feather could have knocked me over. It is him, I know it. I would settle for no-one else but Naire. As he stutters out excuses, I cringe and long to help him, to show that someone is listening to him. But somehow, I know he wouldn't accept, nor need for that matter, my pity. I struggle with how to persuade him - after all, these things could not be done by bribing or force, not that I wanted to, at all - when he finishes his short speech. I follow his progress off the stage with surprise. He hasn't laid down any terms...
I gulp nervously, wiping my hands on my dress. Now is my chance. The crowd are chatting and gasping like large, colourful birds. I sneak down to the little room, just off the stage. It is dark, and slightly musty. It reminds me of large, safe ships, and for a moment I am comforted. But I can see something rising, moving, shuffling towards me...
It is Naire. He is defiantly looking at me, willing me to jeer. I don't.
Carefully, slowly, I kneel down and look him in his eye.
'Greetings, Naire. I am Swift.'
I sit down on the soft hay, skirts spread over my legs, and begin to sketch him. I draw his small figure, then outline his intricate designs, taking care to outline each delicate blossom. I draw a single bright tear, just about to fall from his cheek. Aware of his stare, I tilt the pad so that he can see it. I paint long, gentle shafts of sunlight falling on his fur through the window. I look up, and smile at him.
I take off my watch and show him.
'It is a watch - it tells you what time it is. Look.'
I press the swallows eye and a small chirruping sound is heard.
'It tells you the time, and when you should be somewhere. It might help you.' I smile gently.
I take a deep breath, lay the
drawing and my watch down in front of him, and ask my question.
'Naire, will you come home with me?'
[Phew, such a long block of text! I hope it's good enough ^_^
Good luck, everyone! <33
-Banjo x][/color][/size]
I don't know why I sound so cheerful!)
