Chapter 21
The Festival
There was no celebration, no cries of victory...
Our enemy was gone, but we felt nothing on the matter, we had nothing left to feel.
We tended our wounded, and we buried our dead - the bodies that we could retrieve anyway. The rest- though they received a grave and a service - we could only give to Notch in spirit.
Someone suggested we reclaim our lost home, but no one really feels we should. Our once peaceful and happy village now holds too much grief for us to bear.
Mt. Incendia is lost to us a well, nothing could still remain standing after the battle. Already the mines fill with spawns and other dark creatures. Besides...it was the Lost One who had helped build that magnificent city, and it is where his brother struck him down. We could not live in such a place.
The city council has decided that we will settle here, in the valley between the two graves. To the northwest will be Mt. Incendia, and to the southeast our lost home. We will settle here, so hopefully we never forget what could have become of us, what could have become of the world.
I look at Notch's creation; there is a scar in the beauty now, a subtle sadness in the wind. Even our home has been changed due to these events.
No one has seen the First, I believe he has retreated to his home to grieve. I pray for him, that he may join us here. It must be so lonely now, hiding away in his home - hidden by the ancient wood. I can't imagine what he's going through, what is he doing now?
Holding a funeral for one I suppose...
"Are you sure you're not uncomfortable?"
"Alex, they're awesome," Lukas laughed, "They're very comfortable."
"I meant I didn't want you to feel forced into wearing them,"
"You didn't force us to wear anything. But thank you for checking."
Long story short, Alex had a lot of tunics, "Okay, so I have more than one that might fit," she said as she trotted down the stairs with a stack of at least ten tunics, "I didn't know what color you might like so~." she placed them on the couch, "Have at them."
Course while Jesse was picking through the assorted colors, Lukas and Petra finally came downstairs. Lukas ended up joining him in the living room, curious on the clothing because 'oooh something for the journal!'."
"How about this one?" he suggested helpfully, pulling one out of the stack, "You like green don't you?"
Jesse took it, "Yeah, but Alex is already wearing green I don't think we should do doubles do you?" he pulled out a different one, "How about yellow?"
"Yellow isn't your color."
Jesse laughed, "Alright Mr. Fashionista, "
Lukas elbowed him, but his smile showed he took no offense to the statement.
Petra joined them in the living room and rested her arms on the back of the couch, "There are so many colors, I don't know how you're going to be able to pick just one."
"Why don't you guys join me," Jesse suggested. "We could all wear one."
"There is an idea!" Alex laughed from the kitchen.
"Oh we couldn't." Lukas pressed, "We're not the same size as you Jesse,"
"They're adjustable." Alex smiled.
"Well in that case," Petra reached into the pile.
"Are you sure it's alright?" Lukas asked.
"Yeah! We'll be a colorful and crazy group at the festival! You'll blend right in, no one will be able to tell you're from out of town!" the woman laughed. "We'll look like one big dysfunctional family."
Jessed ended up settling for a Prussian blue tunic with long sleeves and a silver sash, loving how cool and soft the sleeves felt on his arms.
Lukas decided on a rich royal purple, with a honey gold wide waist belt. And despite Petra teasing him a little, she and Jesse both confirmed that he rocked the color.
Petra herself decided to sport a burnt orange tunic accented by a bronze belt. With her red hair, Lukas said she looked like a walking inferno.
Minus the yellow- unless gold was counted - the entire party resembled a rainbow.
On the subject of rainbows, the town itself was a rainbow of lights, banners, streamers, and people. The humble village that Jesse had first seen weeks ago had turned into a plethora of color and life, turned into a dream.
At the edge of town where all the farmer's - now harvested- fields were packed to the brim with caravans and gypsy wagons. The party was already in full swing, people were dancing, playing music, telling tale and shooting off fireworks. Children ran between all the wagons, waving streamers and hand held sparklers.
Steve had to park the wagon at the edge of town, because there was no getting in. There had to be a few thousand people, minimum.
"Look at them all," Lukas said.
"There are a lot," Jesse agreed.
"And they're all here for the party," Petra grinned.
Steve hopped off the wagon and unhitched the horses, Alex jumped off, followed by Lukas then Petra. As Jesse was getting off he noticed Alex taking Gaea's reigns, "Where are you going?"
"I ran into Bach this morning at one of the shops while you kids were browsing," She explained, "He bet me that I couldn't win the obstacle race at the track-"
Steve snorted, mumbling something what sounded close to 'he should know better'.
"-Anyway, I'm taking her to the stables before the race so she's ready. I'll meet you guys at the shops in the center square...Did you hear that Steve?"
"Ye~ah," he waved from the other side of Titan.
Alex rolled her eyes, winked at the teens, then departed.
Satisfied that the wagon would be fine Steve took a step back, "Alright, let's hit the town!"
The inner part of the city was even more crowded than the outer fields. Shops lined every available space, save for the open areas in the various and grand squares. The was at least one dance going on in each and every one of them. There were banners of buildings, cast over the streets, ribbons, yards and yard of fabrics. Children and artists painted on cobblestone. Musicians played on corners and singers and locals sang along.
Cheers and roars came from the race tracks, and Jesse looked up just in time to see two riders race by each other, each carrying seven foot long javelins.
"Did you see that!" Petra pointed.
Steve looked over, "Jousting," he said.
"Steve!" a swarm of children surround the man faster than flies to fruit, all shouting various things and trying to get his attention.
Jesse took a step back from the swarm laughing, he bumped into Lukas. "Well isn't he popular," the blond stated.
Steve was kneeling down, trying to take time for each one till they were satisfied. Jesse noticed how good he was with them. He was like a natural father...
One girl in a purple tunic with black hair tugged on Steve's sleeve.
"Stevey!"
"Yes Kasumi?" he asked.
"You and Alex have to catch the legacy play!"
"I will, I catch it every year,"
"But I made some of the costumes this year," Kasumi said, "You don't forget to look for the creeper costume okay?"
"I will."
"Thanks Stevey!"
"Hey Jesse," Lukas said, pulling him from the scene, he had to raise his voice to be heard over the din, "Look at that," He pointed over to a stand where a man and woman shaped glass sculptures, in various shapes colors and styles. The woman was blowing into a tube the hot liquid glass slowly expanding into a very hot bubble.
"Glass blowing,"
They both jumped, "Alex!" Lukas gasped.
She grinned, "Sorry didn't mean to scare you."
"No, no, just startled."
"The Legacy Play is starting soon do any of you want to see it?"
Jesse's grinned, "Yeah!" he looked to Petra, who was still watching the jousting, "Petra!"
She looked over.
"Wanna catch the play!"
"Yeah!" she worked her way over, weaving through the people. "I'm game."
"Well grab Steve, and we'll head," Alex grinned as she began walking.
Jesse turned around, seeing the swarm of kids still around Steve. He was giving small fireworks to them. Jesse started to make his way over-
A kid crashed into his legs and they both tumbled to the ground.
"Oh my goodness I am so sorry!" A woman helped him up, pulling the child up as well, "Renaldo, what did I tell you about running without looking where you are going?"
"It's okay," Jesse assured.
"I'm sorry," the little boy mumbled, he looked to what Jesse assumed now was the mother, "Can I please go see the dancers now?"
The woman sighed, "Yes, just be careful."
The kid squealed and raced off.
"I really am sorry," she said to Jesse.
"It's fine, it really is," He glanced around, discovering that he could no longer see Steve in the throng of people...or Alex...or his friends apparently.
"You look so much like them,"
Jesse returned his gaze to the woman, "I'm sorry what?"
"You're parents," she smiled, "You look a lot like them."
Jesse was thrown for a loop; "You know my parents?" he didn't even know about his parents.
"Jesse!" Steve came in from behind, grabbing his shoulders and looking a little out of breath, "I've been looking for you."
"Oh good, cause I got lost,"
The female smiled, "I'm afraid my child crashed into yours."
Both Jesse and Steve went wide eyed, "Child?" the both echoed.
"You look so much alike," she smiled.
"Oh he's not mine," Steve laughed.
"Really?!" she seemed genuinely shocked, "I could have sworn-"
"It's okay," Steve smiled, he handled it gracefully.
"I am sorry!" now she was embarrassed.
"Well, what can I say," Steve said, wrapping an arm around Jesse, "I tend to hang with younger copies of myself. We like to throw people off."
She laughed still embarrassed, "But of course," she pointed toward the square, "I better go get my um little one. Enjoy the festival." then she quickly retreated.
Jesse was still at a loss for words, "Ummm..."
"Where are the others," Steve said, thankfully pushing the thought of the conversation away.
"They went to the play in the arena, I went to get you but I crashed into her kid and well...you caught the last bit."
Steve turned him around, "Arena is that way," he tilted his head, "Judging by the music I think the show is already go, we'll have to catch the next one."
"How long is it?"
"Not very. We'll stroll through the shops and catch the next one. Sound like a plan?"
"Sounds good." Jesse said, though his mind wandered back to the woman and her words.
Steve guided him up to the top part of the amphitheater seats, the rest having thoroughly been filled. Despite being in the back however, they had a pretty good view of the stage and the sound traveled well. The stage was dimly lit and there was nothing on it, but the music was increasing, it would start soon.
"How many times do they do this?" Jesse asked.
"Five or six times tonight," Steve said.
"So what's it about?"
"You see in a sec, it's about to start," he gestured to the seat next to him, inviting Jesse to join him.
A village elder got up on the arena's nearby podium, the theater fell into a hushed silence as the music reached peak volume. The man raised his arms, deep voice echoing across the theater as the tale began.
Jesse's face flushed, "Umm, Steve?"
He looked casually over, "Hmm? Oh!" then his eyes widened, "Old tongue!"
"Yeah, I don't understand," Jesse laughed softly. He looked around the amphitheater; the villagers were all listening attentively. "Does everyone here speak it?"
"Yes, but don't worry. I'll translate what's going on for you. Lucky for us both it's a narration not a speaking play."
A single man entered the stage, stepping in time to the music as the narrator continued. As the actor moved through his dance, various props and animals were lifted or placed on the stage. Slowly his surroundings became more colorful as the stage was filled.
"That's Notch," Steve explained as the narrator continued on, "He's creating the world."
Suddenly 'Notch' looked around in confusion. He scratched his beard, checking carefully over each plant and each creature. But his expression stated something was clearly missing from all of his handiwork.
The narrator laughed, and stated a single phrase, "Primo Homine, the Imomortalem," Cheers and shouts rose up from the audience.
Steve grinned, "I probably don't have to translate this bit."
"The Immortal?" Jesse grinned back.
"Bingo."
Notch beamed, as if hearing the call of the crowd. He snapped his fingers, and another actor appeared on the stage, strong and youthful.
"There's the first human," Steve whispered, humored.
The First raced excitedly around the stage, admiring everything as it was all new to him. Notch chased him around the platform, attempting to slow him down and explain everything.
"I wonder if the first human was really like that." Jesse mused.
"I think...he would have still been figuring out how to walk. Probably fell on his face a few times..." Steve answered thoughtfully.
"What's going on now?" Jesse watched as Notch - having caught the First's attention said a few words and departed.
"He has given him his blessing and the wish to live his life," the adult whispered, "And now he is exploring."
The First traversed everywhere on the set, occasionally putting something together or discovering a shiny object. At one point he stuck his head behind the curtain, off the stage, inspecting a mysterious shape in the shadows. Moments later however he was comically chased across the stage by an adorable child in a creeper costume. Jesse wondered if it was the one Kasumi made as the audience laughed.
Jesse heard Steve laugh, "I feel you buddy..."
As the music continued on the actor began to walk less with child-like wonder and more like an experienced man. The First was growing wiser as his time progressed.
Jesse watched as the player eventually came to a stop, looking sadly around before heavily sighing.
"Steve?"
"He's lonely," Steve said softly.
Notch entered the stage once more, placing an encouraging hand on his creation's shoulder.
"He's going to make mortals now isn't he?"
"Yep."
More actors clamored onto the stage, all dressed like villagers. The First looked thrilled to see them, immediately setting out to teach his new friends everything he had learned so far in life. The group departed happily off stage and the narrator finished his story and Steve stopped translating.
The audience cheered.
Jesse was grinning, he leaned back in his seat, the stone cool on his back, "That was good."
"Even though you didn't understand the language?"
"Yeah!"
"Of course," Steve chuckled, "Let's wait a minute for the crowds to thin down; I don't want to climb over people."
Jesse looked around, watching as actors reset the stage and people began to leave, "I have a question."
"Yeah?"
"Did they ever do another play on another part of the First's life?"
"Such as?"
Jesse shrugged, "I dunno um..." he glanced at Steve, "Did he ever have kids."
The adult's eyebrows shot up, "Not in any history book that I'm aware off."
"Well, he could I dunno," Jesse blushed a little, "He could have probably got around?"
Steve burst into laughter.
Jesse smiled awkwardly, then deciding to go for the question eating at his mind -"Did you have any kids?"
Steve stopped laughing and stared, a little surprised.
Jesse immediately regretted his statement, "I'm sorry, I just heard you guys in the kitchen-"
"In the kitchen? Earlier tonight?" he asked.
"Yeah, Alex mentioned something about a house full of laughter," he mumbled out, "I didn't catch it all, I'm sorry, I thought you guys might have had a..." he trailed off.
Steve finally spoke after a long tedious moment of silence. "We did once,"
Jesse's eyes went wide, he was stunned. "What?"
Steve looked off, "Alex doesn't like to talk about it - it hurts her too much. But..." he sighed, closing his eyes, as if trying to push away the memory, "We had a child once. I guess you can say it's one of my 'What ifs' .But um, we lost..." he trailed off.
Jesse covered his mouth, "I'm sorry, I never should have-"
Steve reached across, "It's not your fault," He rested his hand on Jesse's shoulder, "It's painful but...we take that pain, and we help people with it. We meet people who are on the verge of losing everything, and we help them save what we ourselves couldn't..."
"I'm so sorry,"
"It's okay, it was a really long time ago," Steve smiled softly, "But I'd like to think, my child would have ended up a lot like someone such as you and that gives me peace."
Jesse smiled sadly, "If it's anything, I lost my parents when I was little. I don't even remember them. According to the people who dropped me at the orphanage, they were killed. But I'd like to think they would have been as cool as you."
"Well," Steve bumped heads with him, "Don't we just click together."
Jesse nodded, leaning into the gesture.
After a moment, Steve retreated and stood. "Well, we better go, the arena is pretty empty and I think I hear roaring at the races. Pretty sure Alex is kicking everyone's ass."
They didn't catch the rest of their party at the races but instead bumped into them just outside of Bach's blacksmith shop.
"Did you win?" Steve asked, brining up nothing of his and Jesse's discussion.
"Don't I always," Alex grinned cheekily.
"No?"
She jabbed her husband.
Steve backed away laughing, "Hey!"
"You should have seen her Jesse," Petra exclaimed, "Alex and Gaea hauled! Even though Gaea was the biggest horse there on the track and should have been slower she went through the obstacles way better than the others! Where were you, it was amazing!"
"I got separated and missed the first showing," Jesse said, "Steve eventually found me and we caught the next one."
"Did Kasumi talk with you?" Alex asked he husband.
"Yeah, remind me to compliment her sewing skills, loved the creeper costume-"
"Steve! Alex!" Bach called from far side of his shop, by the tavern, "Come here and show these pansies how to drink like men!"
"Is he talking you or me?" Alex asked Steve.
"You obviously, he can waste me, you know that," Steve said.
"C-mere!"
"I think he's wasted already hun."
"Steve! Alex!"
"We're coming!" Steve called, he looked to the trio, and "This will only take a sec to talk him down. You guys can hang here, or watch go check things out, we'll find you either way."
"Think we'll sit for a moment and watch the dance," Petra said.
"STEVE!"
"Coming! Good Notch Bach!" Steve smiled at them, "Be right back."
Lukas smiled at Jesse as Alex and Steve headed for the tavern, "Did Steve have to translate for you? Alex had to for us," he sat down on a nearby stone bench.
Jesse and Petra joined him, "Yeah, we did. What did you guys think of it?"
"Funny," Petra stated simply.
"Fasinating," Lukas waved his journal, "I got a lot of stuff so far!"
Jesse had hardly settled down on the bench when a young girl his age raced up. She was blonde, curvy and very lovely. Her long hair went down to her waist a flower crown atop her head that matched her red dress. "Saltare cum me!"
Jesse was stunned, "What?"
The young woman tugged excitably on Jesse's arm, speaking rapidly in her native tongue, "Saltare cum me?"
Jesse laughed awkwardly from his seat, looking towards Petra or Lukas for assistance, "I'm sorry I don't understand."
"Saltare cume me!" she repeated happily for the third time.
"Guys?"
Petra looked at Lukas; Jesse could tell by the look on her face she personally found Jesse's situation hilarious, "Have at her Lukas."
Lukas leaned forward on the bench, "We don't understand you. Do you speak English?"
The female didn't seem to acknowledge the question. "Scio! Quamquam tu es bella! Saltare cum me!" the lady gestured to the square where multiple pairs of young adults were gathering around the maypole, prepared to dance.
Petra leaned in, whispering in Jesse's ear, "I think she is asking you to dance."
Jesse blushed a little, "Dance with you? Is that what you want?"
She grinned brightly, "Dance! Placet fac!"
"Um, I don't know - how, I have two left feet, and - guys help!"
"Dance with her Jesse," Petra teased.
"Alex!" Lukas called to the tavern.
The female heard them and broke away from the drinking rabble, where Bach had pulled Steve into a drunk arm wrestle, "Yes?"
"This young lady wants to dance with Jesse. We're trying to tell her he can't, but we can't understand her very well, we're having communication problems.
Alex glanced at the female, then towards the square, "Yeah, you are definitely gonna want to pass on that one sweet heart."
"I'm trying," Jesse stressed, "But, why do you think I should?"
"That out there... is a courting dance."
"C-courting?!"
"Yeah! Future life mate, marriage, that sort of thing." she explained.
Jessed turned scarlet and Petra burst into laughter.
"He can't," Lukas tried to tell the blonde girl once more through giggles of his own.
"Non intelligitis?"
"Ah," Alex clicked her tongue, "She only speaks the old tongue, her family are traditionalists. Hang on." she reached across, gently taking hold of the hand that held Jesse's to get her attention.
Alex pointed at Jesse, "Capta est."
The girl looked a little hurt, "Capta est?" Matrimonium? She pointed at Petra sitting next to Jesse, "Matrimonium?" she repeated.
"Well," Alex said slowly, she seemed to hesitate, as if she wasn't sure how to answer.
The female didn't catch the hesitation and instead raised an eyebrow. She slowly pointed to Lukas on the other side of Jesse, "...Matrimonium?"
Alex paused again, but this time a funny expression crossed her face her eyebrows shot up and the curves of her mouth wiggled, threatening to smile. She looked like she might laugh, "Ita," she finally said.
"Oh!" the youth looked surprised, but she recovered. She smiled politely at Jesse and then proceeded to kiss both sides of his cheeks. "Beatitudinem et beneficia semper!" She stated happily, before running back into the crowds.
Jesse rubbed one of his cheeks and Alex snorted into her hand, "What did you tell her?"
"Um," Alex sat down on the bench, "I said you were taken and uh-"
"Why did she end up pointing at Petra, then me?" Lukas asked.
"She asked if he was married. She thought it was Petra, but before I could come up with an excuse she thought it was you Lukas ..." Alex blushed, "I said yes, and she then gave you many blessings and a hope of a happy marriage."
Petra who had barely recovered from the courting statement earlier, doubled back over. Lukas turned scarlet, all the way up to his ears. He buried his face into his hands, "Oh sweet Notch!"
"A-Alex! Jesse sputtered out, his own face flooding with an intense heat, "Oh Notch why?!"
The adult shrugged meekly, "Sorry hun! She didn't give me much time to explain. She just assumed so I rolled with it."
Steve rejoined the group then, just a little flush in the cheeks. "What did I miss?"
Petra was still laughing, but she managed to get some words out, "Lukas...and - oh boy...Pfft! Lukas and Jesse are married now!"
Steve mimicked hurt, "And I wasn't invited?! I thought we were close!"
"We eloped." Jesse said an impish grin as his lips as he tried to roll with it, "He just couldn't wait to- Ow!"
Lukas elbowed him, "Stop it! You're making it worse!"
Jesse laughed elbowing him gently back.
Alex had Lukas covered though, she pointed to a dance past the maypole where a group of tightly knit pairs spun gracefully around, "I think that's the married couples dance over there, that's the one you should be in. But Lukas is going to have to lead Jesse, because I'm afraid you're too short."
Petra burst into laughter, again, clutching her sides. Even Lukas had to laugh as Jesse blushed horribly.
"Height has nothing to do with it," he stammered out, "Besides," he got up walking to Steve and grabbing hold of the males arm, "If anyone should be dancing the married dance it should be you two!"
Petra and Lukas cheered in agreement.
"Woah there kiddo!" Steve tried to free his arm, "You do not want to see that awkward display let me tell you."
"No I really think I do," Jesse teased.
"Nooooo, I think you -"
"Come on honey," Alex smiled sticking out her hand, "Dance with me?"
Steve stared at his wife's wiggling fingers, then he smiled at her, eyes glittering, "Like I can say no to you," he took her hand and pulled her up, "Especially since it's been awhile."
"Just don't drop me," Alex whispered.
Jesse grabbed Petra and Lukas pulling them up, "We are not missing this guys!" he said as they took off after the couple.
The trio ran around the courting dance, all the dancers preparing to begin. The girl from earlier spotted Jesse and waved. Jesse waved back, albeit a difficult motion since he was still hand locked with his friends.
The female giggled, elbowing one of her friends, she pointed at the group, " Matrimonium!" she shouted in delight.
The entire dance troupe looked over, " Matrimonium!" they cheered, some winking brazenly, others clapping in encouragement, "Matrimonium!" they cheered again.
Petra laughed, and Lukas smiled. Jesse just shook his head and tried not to blush, giving them both a squeeze with his hand as they headed towards the married couples dance.
They sat down on a nearby bench, "Does anyone see them?" Lukas asked.
Petra found them first, "There," she pointed.
Most of the older couples had stepped out, joining the musicians in song with a clap of their hands. Some of them were even singing, varying between old tongue and English. The band had picked up the pace playing new song:
One day I looked up, and there you were.
Like a simple question, looking for an answer.
The husband and wife were in the center of the pack of people, starting out slow as they waited for chorus
I think I know why the dog howls at the moon,
I think I know why the dog howls at the moon.
The younger couples, Steve and Alex included, began an intricate set of twists and turns under each other's arms.
I sing dela, dela ngyanya dela when I'm with you,
Dela, sondela mama sondela, I burn for you.
I've been waiting for you all my life hoping for a miracle,
I've been waiting day and night, day and night.
I've been waiting for you all my life waiting for redemption,
I've been waiting day and night, I burn for you.
"Rusty my ass," Lukas laughed, "Look how good they are." he cheered as Steve and Alex twirled past their bench.
Jesse nodded, finding himself humming and clapping along as the song progressed. Various couples were all taking doing a special move, each a different level of skill. Some simply dabbed into the corner of their arms, others did elegant twist and dips in each other's arms.
"Do you think Steve and Alex will do anything," Petra asked.
Jesse shrugged, "Maybe he'll-"
"Throw her Steve!" someone from the crowd yelled.
Cheers erupted, "Yeah throw Alex! Catch her!"
"Maybe he'll do that," Jesse laughed.
Alex even though she was laughing, was shaking her head, going: No, no, no throwing!
Steve was nodding his head, grinning as he wiggle his eyebrows, Yes, yes, let's do it!
I sing dela, dela ngyanya dela when I'm with you,
Dela, sondela mama sondela, I burn for you.
Steve spun Alex once under his arm, then hoisting her up by the waist, threw her high up. Jesse watched as Alex spun three times gracefully in the air before landing back down into her husband's open arms. The audience cheered and laughed as Steve made a face of pain, grabbing his lower back. The laughter intensified as Alex playfully slapped his arm.
Jesse and his friends cheered, clapping as the song came to an end.
Steve spotted them, face a little flushed and lungs a little strained. He leaned down whispering something at Alex, whose eyes lit up and she nodded vigorously. They both smiled at the trio.
"They're up to something," Petra said.
"No really?" Lukas laughed.
Steve walked over to the singer, speaking into his ear. The man grinned broadly and nodded, passing on whatever message it was to his musicians. The single flute player started the tune-
There was a wave of cheers and throngs of people stood swarming onto the open market. Whatever was about to play next, it was a popular song.
The singer began to sing:
A single thread in a tapestry
Though its color brightly shines
Can never see its purpose
In the pattern of the grand design...
"Guys, " Lukas said, "I don't see Steve or Alex."
That's because the adults were right in front of them.
Steve reached, out, "Your turn to dance!"
"Wait we're not married though!" Lukas said.
"No problem!" Alex grabbed his hand, "It's a group dance."
And the stone that sits up on the very top
Of the mountain's mighty face
Does it think that it's more important?
Than the stones that forms the base...
Petra shoved the boys forward, laughing, "Come on you chickens, go dance!"
Jesse yelped as he stumbled up, unable to resist Petra's push and Steve's pull. "Lukas grab her!" he cried.
He and Lukas together managed to reach back and grab the female by either hand. Petra crying out in surprise as they pulled her up.
"Group means everyone Petra," Lukas laughed.
So how can you see what your life is worth?
Or where your value lies
Ohhhh, you can never see through the eyes of man
You must look at your life
Look at your life through heaven's eyes
"We don't know the moves!" Jesse said.
"There are none!" Steve laughed as he spun Jesse and Alex under his arms, "You just dance!" Then he had Alex and was waltzing off.
"We just dance?" Jesse asked.
"We just dance," Petra confirmed.
"Well then," Jesse took Lukas with is free hand, spinning is friends under his arms, "Dancing it is then!"
"I'm glad we did this guys," Lukas said, "We really need this, I don't know about you, but I'm having a blast."
"This place is amazing," Petra agreed, "I can't wait for tomorrow night to do it again!"
Jesse smiled as they lowered themselves to the ground then jumped up with the rest of the crowd cheering in delight. He stared at his friends, laughing as cheering as they danced... "Hey um guys?"
"Yeah?"
"I want to thank you,"
Petra and Lukas tilted their heads, "For what?" the former asked.
"For being patient," Jesse paused as he and Lukas went around Petra, before grabbing hands once again, "I haven't been exactly a good friend lately."
"Jesse don't be like that, you are an amazing friend," Lukas encouraged.
""Yeah, you're awesome dude," Petra agreed.
"Well, I - It's been hard lately, and I'll be honest," Jesse explained, "I was ready to give up in ever tying to get home."
They looked at each other, and then back at him.
"But I'm good now, and I'm ready to take on anything with you guys." he smiled, "I just want to thank you for having my back."
Petra smiled, "No problem Jesse."
"No problem at all." Lukas added.
Jesse smiled, "Cool."
"Cool Beans," they both said.
"Coolio!"
They laughed.
"Partner swap!" Someone yelled, and there was more cheering. Suddenly Jesse was pulled from his friends and dancing with a stranger.
"Guess we're moving!" Petra laughed as she swayed off with a woman.
"See you guys!" Lukas cheered as he was pulled along with a small child.
Jesse cracked up, happily accepting the hands of his new partner. Swap after swap it continued, at one point he was even dancing with his former admirer from the courting group. The girl giggled, blowing a kiss before twirling off in a whirl of flowers and golden hair to a new partner.
"Oh hey Kiddo!" Steve grinned as Jesse became his new partner.
"Hey!" Jesse beamed.
"Having fun?" he asked, playfully hoisting him up.
"Yeah!" Jesse smiled, "This is the most fun I've had in a long time, excluding the laser squids."
"Really? the older male laughed, "The squids?"
"Yeah, the squids."
The adults eyes sparkled, then, "Jesse?"
"Yeah?"
"I was thinking about our conversation."
Jesse felt his smiled drop, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to remind you of your child I just-"
"No not that, the other one." Steve pushed some sweat plastered hair out of his eyes, "I mean the one back in the Hallway."
"Oh...What about it?"
"Well I was thinking, after we find your door, and we will find it. I was thinking..." Steve shrugged, "You can always come back?"
Jesse's eyebrows shot up, "Do you mean-"
"Well, Olivia and Axel will know where you are, and if you really want to live here there is no stopping you once you find home. Heck it doesn't have to be a permanent home; it could be a vacation villa or something." Steve shrugged again, not quite looking Jesse directly in the eye, "I mean, Alex and I would love to have you around for visits. I think there is a really nice oak tree not far from my house. Do you like tree houses?"
Jesse was staring, "Do you mean that? I can stay here?"
Steve looked at him, "Of course, after you find your friends...You're an amazing person Jesse. Honestly I would miss you. Course," he coughed, "You don't have to-"
"Yes!" Jesse smiled eyes shining; he nodded vigorously, "Yes! I can bring Axel and Olivia here when I visit, and they can meet you and- Yes!"
Steve smiled, "Guess we better get looking then! Oh wait-" he laughed, "We've been doing that haven't we?"
Jesse could have hugged him then. But Alex swooped in, taking Jesse into her arms, "My turn!"" she cried, passing Petra on over to Steve. Jesse laughed and spun her around, finding himself the happiest he had been in a long time.
So how do you judge what a man is worth?
By what he builds or buys?
You can never see with your eyes on earth
Look through heaven's eyes
Look at your life, look at your life
Look at your life through heaven's eyes
Steve, Lukas and Petra eventually joined them and Jesse realized he now looked towards the future with a bright new outlook. Finally feeling as if things were going to be okay.
The group of five danced on into the night, dancing around the bonfires and through the fireworks. The firework exploded into a myriad of colors, sparkling like the stars ago. They went on and on, reflecting the happiness and joy radiating from the village below.
Next Time On MCSM: Immortal's Child
"There it is...the door to every world. The path to all of Notch's creations. We found it, we found the Immortal's Gate."
Disclaimer
Dela and it's lyrics belong to Savuka
Through Heaven's Eyes, belongs to DreamWorks Animation Studios and the creators behind the Prince of Egypt.
Kasumi belongs to CamronXTheGamer, thank you for letting me use your name and character hun!
Response Section:
At Lemonade Smash:
It means it's not his breakdown. Haha ;)
At CamronXTheGamer:
I guess we're gonna have to see what Jesse gets!
Author's Section:
If all of you are thinking, 'Wow, this looks kinda like the calm before the storm' well...
Consider this your weather forecast warning.
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Love you all see you soon!