[center][h1][color=D2691E]Farim[/color] & [color=E77298]Anastasia[/color][/h1][/center]

[h2][center][color=E77298]Forest Dancing[/color] & [color=D2691E]Spirit Sightings[/color] Part 1[/center][/h2]

Time: Nighttime
Location: Lover’s Lake

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Farim nodded along as Anastasia spoke. He was truly flattered that she was thinking about him throughout the day, and a noticeable blush would appear on his cheeks. As she spoke about reconciling with her brother he couldn’t help but give her a reassuring hug. [color=D2691E]”I hope he hears you out and that you face no more family troubles. It can be tough when family fights.”[/color] She had smiled in turn.

If As the music swelled, and the offer for Anastasia’s dance was given, Farim smiled and nodded. [color=D2691E]”Annie, I don’t need something like music to convince me to have a dance with you.”[/color] His hands moved to hold hers and if she would move with him, he’d move them to an open space in the clearing. [color=D2691E]”What sort of dance would you fancy tonight?”[/color]

Anastasia took his hands and squeezed them, [color=E77298] “I fancy the fun kind of dance! Where we spin and tap our barefoot feet in the grass like fairies in the woods!”[/color] She exclaimed and excitedly added, [color=E77298] “Then after let’s go drink that weird stuff they’re giving out.”[/color]

Farim took a moment to imagine the steps she spoke of, and nodded. He reached down to remove his footwear and placed them to the side. With a dramatic spin on his barefoot and a slight skip he held a hand out to offer a physical connection while they would begin to frolick. [color=D2691E]”Then let us dance like the fairies of eld and enjoy the … stuff as you say.”[/color] He wasn’t entirely sure what her next movements would be, but he would follow her lead all the same.

Anastasia grinned, her eyes shining with excitement, she started guiding Farim into a whimsical dance that seemed somehow  both effortless and as if she had probably made it up on the spot, [color=E77298]“I’d love to be a fairy. I think you’d make a pretty one! Do you like fairy tales? I haven’t read many but the idea of them are fun… I prefer to make my own stories rather than read them.” [/color]

As the two began their dance, the echoing drums thrummed throughout the clearing. The intricate and careful movements of Roman and Mina caught Farim’s attention for a moment before he switched back to Anastasia. [color=D2691E]”I think the pretty fairy here would be you, Princess. As for stories…”[/color] He pondered as his steps moved to match her levels of whimsy. He seemed to plan his steps carefully, and measured himself to always be within arms reach of his dance partner

[color=D2691E]”I read many books. I find their stories, messages, and lesson very intriguing. But you are right, Annie. The best stories are the ones we make ourselves.”[/color] He slid behind her and wrapped his arms around her in a flirtful maneuver. Farim’s eyes met with the woman’s, holding a clear desire for Anastasia as the dance would take a brief pause.

Anastasia smiled faintly upon the compliment, listening with intrigue as she twirled herself around. She soon found herself in his arms and they wrapped around her. She glanced over her shoulder and smiled as their eyes met, [color=E77298] “I’ve never been much of a reader. It always gave me a gnarly headache!”[/color] She informed him softly, [color=E77298] “Maybe you can read me your favorite one sometime… But do tell me Farim…”[/color] 

She rotated her body around and wrapped her arms around his neck, [color=E77298] “What kind of story do you want to write for yourself?”[/color]

It was a question Farim had never been asked. His expression was a mix of mild befuddlement and being impressed by the thought provoking inquiry. But nonetheless it was one he felt ready to answer.

[color=D2691E]”My life has traversed the many typical genres we know about. The mystery of my upbringing and the thrill and knowing each day in the dunes could have been my last. The history of my country is one that fills my life to this day. The horror of my family's darker secrets are ones that still give me the occasional chill. The friends I have made and the stories I can tell of my journeys are a mixture of comedy, tragedy, and in some cases something straight out of a fantasy. I’ve experienced many things, Princess. But the one that still eludes me is the tale of a good romance. One that captivates the heart and refuses to let go. But I realize such things do not come easily. However that is the story I would like to write, with the hands of the one who I hopefully will be calling my partner.”[/color]

He smiled and gently rubbed the back of her palms. He was sure there would likely be some implications behind his words - so he took care not to have an imposing stance over the woman as they both stood amidst a field of dancers and revelers. But it was here in this natural field, with the two covered in each others touch, gaze, and presence that the pen or Farim’s heart began to subconsciously write its own tales. [color=D2691E]”What of your story, Annie? Which chapter will you begin to write next?”[/color]

Anastasia had started off smiling, enjoying hearing the range of action in Farim’s life, but it soon was replaced by a look of surprise and vulnerability. The touch, though subtle, was an unexpected gesture that seemed to bypass the walls she had built around her heart for just a moment. The rhythmic pulse of the distant laughter and singing formed a distant backdrop to a silent pause in their conversation. She met Farim's eyes, searching for something desperately that she did not dare define to herself. Her focus narrowed, the world shrinking to the connection shared between their hands.

[color=E77298]“Romance,”[/color] she repeated softly, almost to herself, as if testing the weight of the word. The concept felt foreign; a territory unexplored and intimidating. Unconsciously, she reciprocated the touch by gently rubbing his hands in hers. [color=E77298] “I …  I don’t know what my future holds. I’ve always improvised in the moment I suppose.”[/color] 

A shift in her anxiety manifested as a sudden upturn of her lips. [color=E77298] “How about those mysterious drinks? Should we try them?”[/color] She suggested.

Farim in turn, felt the slowed response, the weight of what she wanted to say almost manifested around them. His eyes could only look at her lips as the words slowly spilled from them. It was as if his own desires were made real in that very moment, and the sensation of her hands within his caused a rhythmic heartbeat that Anastasia could faintly feel against her back as his heart raced. 

[color=D2691E]”Sometimes, following the heart is all we can do.”[/color] Was all he could offer in retort in the moment, and as she offered the idea of drinks, Farim took the lead and moved them both by the area where they served the mysterious elixirs. He took a cup in his hand and placed another in hers. The mixture seemed odd, and perhaps a tad smelly, but the man wrapped his arm around hers so his drink came back and touched his lips. [color=D2691E]”Let us follow our hearts together, Annie.”[/color] He said as he began to drink from his cup.
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