Day 3 was singing or dancing but I did both because go big or go home ya know
Snufkin wasn't very fond of parties. He wasn't good with loudness, nor with company really.
It was all fine as long as they were small gatherings, confined to a handful of friends at most. Like the kind of get-togethers Moominmamma would organize in spring. They would all go down to the beach together and swim or fish or hunt for caves, and afterwards they would sit around a bonfire and watch the sky grow dark enough to count the stars, tracing mirage images of the constellations into the sand.
But this was more difficult. Snufkin didn't know if the entire valley had turned out for this event, or if that was just what it felt like to him because he wasn't used to crowds. He balanced his weight on one foot, then the other, nervously, hoping nobody would notice. Moomin was off to his side, talking to an overly-eager Fillyjonk, who had dressed up excessively for the event and insisted on making small talk with everybody while sipping her drink politely.
It was more of a casual affair really, the midsummer festival, but she didn't seem to know that. There were long wooden tables covered in colorful cloth and positively creaking under the weight of their contents: various snacks and beverages brought by the residents of the valley. Somebody had strung paper lanterns in the trees and there were children running around barefoot while their parents joked among themselves and broke out in raucous laughter.
Truthfully, Snufkin didn't stand out among them at all. He just felt like he did, self-conscious about the dirt on his trousers and the way the Fillyjonk giggled, holding one paw in front of her mouth as if it were a crime should anybody see her being too amused.
Moomin had greeted her courteously, listened to her complain about the lack of rain and the lack of sun and the lack of clouds, but even as well-mannered as he was the poor troll couldn't help making a face when she finally turned her back on them, already focused on some other victim to annoy with her chatter.
Snufkin laughed quietly. "She seemed... cultivated."
Moomin chuckled, just a little, before grabbing his hand. Snufkin let him, following as Moomin led him over to the nearest table, where some of their friends were sitting.
"Well, she is always like that. She thinks everything is a formal event. It's not though, really," Moomin confided. He knew of Snufkin's dislike of those kind of stuffy things.
Snufkin observed the array of food before him. Moominmamma had contributed too, providing pancakes with jam for the guests to enjoy, as well as raspberry juice. Moomin asked him if he would like some, but he reluctantly refused, feeling his stomach was too much in a knot to enjoy them.
Sniff did not seem to be suffering the same fate. He had already cleaned off several plates of various sizes and was busily working on the next one. Little My had him almost matched though, and she was not even half his size. Snufkin always marveled at how such a little Mymble could eat that much.
"Are you both enjoying yourself?" Too Ticky asked, one elbow on the table and Snufkin could see she wasn't entirely comfortable herself. He could relate to that. "I do believe the whole valley turned up and then some."
"The midsummer festival is about the most interesting thing that ever goes on around here," Little My commented between mouthfuls. "Something crazy always happens. Wouldn't miss it for the world."
"I think something crazy always happens because you make it so," Moomin sighed. Snufkin hadn't been there but even he had heard of the electric eel incident that had led to last year's event almost ending in disaster. "Do you have any big plans for this year?"
"Not really," She admitted. "But we'll see where the night takes me."
Snorkmaiden sighed pointedly. "It won't take us anywhere at this dreadful pace." She inclined her head vaguely towards the improvised dance floor, a thin layering of wooden planks laid out in the grass, but completely devoid of dancers. Which wasn't very surprising, considering there was no music either. "I'm afraid no musicians showed up yet."
"Why doesn't Snufkin play?" Sniff asked, apparently he wasn't too occupied with his food to still pay attention. "He's very good, isn't he?"
If Snufkin didn't feel like all eyes were on him before, he certainly did now.
"I- No, I don't-" He started, feeling the mortification of being put on the spot like this creep down the back of his throat already. It wasn't even like he had never played for an audience before, though significantly smaller than this one. That didn't mean the very thought didn't make him want to disappear.
"Oh, please Snufkin," Snorkmaiden's eyes practically lighted up at the suggestion. "I would love to dance to your music tonight."
Moomin turned to him too and Snufkin registered the excitement on his face with unease. "Won't you, Snufkin? I love it when you play for us."
"You don't have to if you don't want to," Too Ticky quickly provided and for that Snufkin was more than a little thankful, even if it was lost in the enthusiasm of his other friends.
"Of course not," Moomin agreed, but it was plain to see that he would be dissapointed if he didn't. "But you're such a good musician."
"And a singer too," Little My suddenly piped up, and Snufkin threw her a glance that was equal parts annoyance and desperation. "Do you remember, Snufkin?"
Their commotion had made several other guests turn their attention towards them and various mumbles had broken out among the crowd.
"Is Snufkin going to play music? I want to hear."
"I don't think I've ever heard him play before, how exciting."
"Oh, I wonder if he's really as good at it as they say."
Snufkin could feel his face heat up unpleasantly. He didn't mind playing, for Moomin or for their friends, or sometimes even for strangers. But this was just too much. He pushed his hands into his pockets, where the mouth organ was, but could only bring himself to curl a fist around. Then he turned around and ran.
Moomin caughtt up with him almost immediately, the distanced sounds of the party a vague buzz hanging heavily in the hot air. Snufkin stopped, and his friend stopped too, putting his paws on his knees to catch his breathe.
"I'm sorry," He said, because he didn't know what else to say. This was the second time Snufkin ruined a party for Moomin by being like this and he hated it.
"It's fine," Moomin was standing next to him in a heartbeat. "I wasn't having that much fun anyway."
"Weren't you?"
With a shrug, Moomin grabbed his hand again. "Not really. Snorkmaiden was right, parties are rather boring without music."
Snufkin nodded. "I'm sorry I didn't play tonight."
"Don't be," Moomin squeezed lightly. "Though I am rather surprised."
"Oh?"
"That I could have known you for so many years and still learn new things about you. It's quite enthrancing."
"Little My shouldn't have said that." He muttered, looking away while the now familiar warmth graces his cheeks again. "I only really did that when I was a child."
"Singing?" Moomin inquired.
"Sometimes," He said. "My father liked songs."
"Can you sing for me?"
Snufkin hesitated, then nodded again. If it's just Moomin it should be fine, and he has to make up for what he did. "What would you like to hear?"
"You decide," His friend let go, taking a step back.
After a moment deliberation, Snufkin closed his eyes. The song he chose is one he has heard a lot, very long ago. The Joxter sang it to him sometimes, about birds and linen shirts and sleeping on the grass when the dew is still fresh. He remembered being so eager to learn all the words by heart.
The notes were easy, he imagined the finger placements that go along with it if he were to play it on his mouth organ, but instead they're just coming out of his mouth instead. His voice didn't carry, soft and delicate.
It was a short song and when he was done he waited another moment. He felt silly, but then Moomin was beaming at him, as if awestruck by his performance.
"Snufkin," He said in astonishment. "Little My was right. You have a beautiful voice."
"She didn't say that exactly," Snufkin answered with some embarrassment, but he was rather pleased by the possitive reaction. He was spared from having to comment further though, when suddenly the distant noise swelled into actual music. It seemed those musicians arrived at last.
"It sounds like Snorkmaiden will get her concert after all," He said instead. "You should go back, I wouldn't want to be the one to keep you from dancing tonight."
"You don't have to be," Moomin answered, holding out one paw and Snufkin couldn't help but laugh a bit at the other's dignified manner, back bent and perfectly posed. "I think together we could manage."
He laughed and bowed back. "How civilized of you, dear Moomintroll. You are clearly a creature of culture."
"Very cultivated," Moomin joked, though he did a good job at keeping his face straight. "May I have this dance, kind sir?"
"Most certainly."
They each took a few steps back, waiting for the music to pick up in rhythm. Snufkin hadn't really danced before, not like this anyway, but he had seen it often enough to get the general idea. The steps were easy, and so was the twirling. Somewhere along the way his hat flies off and comes to rest in the grass but neither cared. When Moomin lay one paw in his, braced an arm against his waist, and they spun until there was no more air in their lungs, Snufkin found he didn't care at all if he belonged at the party anymore.
He belonged with Moomin.
