honestly, I half feel like I just met and danced with a fae
Every year, the local home-school population gets together for a few dances: the Spring Fling and the Fall Ball. These are for kids 13+ and alumni under 21. Once you hit 21, you can't go for risk of someone smuggling alcohol or smth
This year, a guy from my graduation class and a friend of his put on the Snow Ball, for alumni of college age, and the current generation of homeschoolers.
I never got my senior dance, because The Plague. I never got my alumni dance because of A Creep. I was determined to go to this one.
I expected to spend it alone, found I knew several people, many I didn't know wanted to talk to me, and then, on the dancefloor, I met The Fae.
Guy is dancing like he's done it all his life, giving girls the waltz of their lives, nothing like the basic box step happening everywhere else. Long hair, a messy beard, and a feathered cap all put me in mind of a mountain man of some sort, and the vest and shirt sell the look further.
He asks me to dance. I say yes, because I'm not dumb, and I ain't pretty either, and getting asked is rare. As usual, I ask for my partner's name: "Is there a name to go with the moves?"
He smiles. "Guess it."
I've heard this story before. "Rumplestiltskin," I try, and he laughs. He doesn't answer me though.
When I try again, all I get is "I'll tell you at the end."
The night continues. I hang out with my gal pals, dance with a few guys who ask, or groups who are short one member.
Rumplestiltskin asks me to dance several times more, and responds when I, or others, call him by the name I guessed.
The man adds flare to every dance, has rizz to the roof. I'm no skilled dancer, but we managed, and I think I did quite well when, at the end, he asked me for the final waltz. His tip to me was to just meet his eyes and dance, so I did.
He sang along to nearly every song, staring me down the whole time.
The song ends, the dance finishes. I ask for his name. He tells me that the night isn't truly over, just the dancing.
By now, his name has already been betrayed by his friend, who brought him, but this is a game. I must pay it to the end, and so I do. The night finally ends as cleanup begins.
He approaches, offers his hand for a shake and thanks me for the fun. He then finally gives his name, throwing an arm around my shoulders, easy as you please as he does so. We say our goodbyes amidst light laughter and some small exchange of wit and chatter.
I drive home, feeling as though I've bee to a fae court, surrounded by a double dozen glittering ladies and a strange fellow who posses charm, wit, and a taste for mischief, as well as secrecy.
I'm tired. It's like 1 am, but if someone told me I danced with a visiting fae, I think I'd accept it. It's just that sort of night.
Le d茅but de l'hiver est 脿 nos portes, la neige tombe 脿 nouveau, les temp茅ratures baissent et les jours raccourcissent.
Comme les rayons du soleil ne tombent que de mani猫re oblique sur la terre, l'hiver est la saison la plus froide de l'ann茅e. Les jours sont 茅galement plus courts en hiver. Quand commence donc officiellement l'hiver ? Le 22 d茅cembre 2023