Title: Interludes
Rating: PG
Summary: Ashura and Fai celebrate a special day together.
Author's Notes: A series of short reflective moments between various characters.
"Fai." Ashura appeared in the doorway to his room, holding a candle in an elegant sconce. Fai raised his head from the book he was reading - it was so large that he had to prop it open with both hands in his lap, and it blocked out much of the view of the room - and looked up at his king. "Come with me."
Fai put the book aside with some reluctance, slipped out of the chair and hurried over to Ashura's side. "What... is it?" he asked hesitantly.
"I have something I want to show you," Ashura said with a small smile. He raised his arm and draped his cloak over Fai's shoulders, a habitual gesture that never failed to make Fai feel protected and safe - and with one hand on his back, guided Fai off through the castle hallways.
Fai trailed along in silence, curiosity bubbling up in his mind as to what they were going to see. Ashura had shown him many things since coming to live in this country, both inside the castle and - when the weather was good, wrapped up in many coats and heavy wool-lined boots - down in the valley as well.
However, Ashura led him down the familiar hallways towards the kitchens, and stopped before a small dining chamber which he had seen many times before. "What is it?" he asked again, curiosity and confusion growing.
Ashura only smiled at him again, and pulled open the heavy oaken door. Golden candlelight flooded through the portal, and a chorus of voices chanted from within "Happy Birthday, Lord Fai!"
Fai stood paralyzed, clutching at Ashura's sleeve. The normally plain room was hung with glittering streamers, and the low table where he usually ate had been covered with a fine white cloth. Silver dishes had been set up there, and a small round maple cake sat on a raised platform. Tiny candles glinted in a circle around it, and a handful of small paper-wrapped parcels sat off to the side.
Unable to speak, Fai looked up at Ashura for guidance. Seeing his confusion Ashura answered, "It is a custom in this country, Fai, to celebrate the date of one's birth. Since we don't know for sure what yours is, I thought it would be appropriate to celebrate the day you came to live here one year ago, instead."
"For me?" Fai looked back at the festive vista, completely overwhelmed. "You'd... want to celebrate... me?" Why would anyone want to celebrate him - the cursed child, the child of misfortune, who'd killed his mother and father and brother and his whole world?
"Of course." The pressure on Fai's upper back increased gently, as Ashura ushered him into the chamber and towards the glittering lights. "Now, come on and let's serve the cake."
~to be continued...
