Catarina (catdevigri) wrote in no_true_pair, @ 2011-11-26 14:41:00 |
|
|||
Entry tags: | ! 2011 fall eight characters round, author: catdevigri, fandom: suikoden iii, pairing: sarah/sasarai |
Improvised Ceremony (Suikoden III, Sasarai/Sarah)
Title: Improvised Ceremony
Author: catdevigri
Fandom: Suikoden III
Pairing/characters: Sasarai/Sarah, (Sarah/Luc)
Rating: G
Warnings: none
Word count: 1,045
Prompt/challenge you're answering: Sasarai makes holiday plans, and they include Sarah
Author's comment: Loosely related to the my longer Sasarai/Sarah fics "Porcelain Doll/Mirror Image" and "Lingering Curiosity"
"I'm so happy that you decided to come," Sasarai beamed, hopped up from the table, and rushed around the room to usher his guest to her seat.
He certainly had his twin beat for attentiveness. Sarah felt her face warm and cursed how easily her pallor displayed even the smallest trace of heated feelings rising within her. She moved quickly to avoid his friendly touch. Even the soft brush of his fingers along her shoulder would be too much- more than she was prepared to handle. "When you said it would be just you and me that made up my mind," she explained.
"Well, you seemed uncomfortable at the last big party I saw you at," Sasarai pulled out the chair opposite his and gave it a gentle push inward as she sat down, nearly settling her long, thick skirts around her.
"I'm not used to being around so many people... Especially in a situation where they might actually want to pay attention to me. I'd rather just blend into the walls."
"Believe it or not," Sasarai resumed the position he had held prior to Sarah's arrival, "I don't feel at ease at those celebrations myself. I've just gone through enough of them to outgrow some of my shyness."
She wasn't sure if he were exaggerating, but Sasarai's words were encouragement enough to convince Sarah to look up from her hands in her lap, past the elegant tea setting on the table, and up into his round, green eyes. "It's hard to think of you as shy. Although I'm sure some of what you exude is just the necessary politician's bravado, you strike me as the gregarious type anyway."
"Hmm? You think?" Sasarai cocked his head to the side in a near-perfect imitation of one of his messenger birds. He seemed to have an endless number of tiny, charming mannerisms. It was possible that he was aware that he was funny, but Sarah doubted he recognized the full extent of his appeal- certainly not this talkative, friendly man who called himself shy. "When I was a little boy it was quite stifling, to tell you the truth. I was a sheltered child, and once I was suddenly expected to...debut in public, so to speak, I found myself wanting to slip away and hide from the commotion of the big events. I couldn't talk to anyone my age- I didn't know how, and usually we had nothing in common anyway. But adults who didn't know me would talk down to me... I suppose I was born with an innately chatty nature, so I adapted, but deep down, I still feel the urge to leave the parties as early as possible and go hole up in my room with a cup of tea and a good book."
At least he could properly judge how talkative he was. There was a moment of pause and Sarah guessed he realized how much he was saying. It wasn't strictly polite to go on and on about oneself, but there was so much about herself that Sarah would prefer not to say or straight out couldn't say because of her situation with Luc that Sasarai's chattering didn't bothering her. Master Luc didn't have half as much to say about himself. It would be uncharacteristic for him to suddenly launch into a lengthy discussion and self-analysis of his past and his traits, but a portion of Sasarai's openness wouldn't have hurt.
"In- in any case," the bishop stammered, suddenly all too aware of his awkward behavior, "Thank you again for accepting my sudden invitation. I know that this is a busy time of year for most of us."
It would probably seem strange to say that she didn't have any other plans, although it was true. Master Luc had no desire to engage with any Harmonian celebrations beyond the actions he was called on to engage in as bishop of Campanella. But she was busy, even if it had nothing to do with the holidays. "Yes, that's right."
"So, um, I hope you like almonds on your teacakes," Sasarai said in an apologetic tone. He lifted a dappled blue and white cloth off a plate, uncovering a small stack of early spring teacakes, decorated with thin almond slices and white flowers of frosting. "There are almond ones and walnut ones, but I didn't know what you liked and the almond type seems so much more refreshing and spring-like, so I went with them..."
"Almonds are fine." Did all this stammering and qualifying and re-qualifying of statements mean that he was trying to impress her? She already liked him, but she wasn't about to fall in love with him (even if part of her wished she would...).
"Oh, good. I'm glad." He scanned the items spread across the table, deciding what to move or ask about next. "I've always thought a tea party- even if it's just for two- seems appropriate for St. Orial's Day."
"...As far as I know, it's not traditional though," Sarah's brow furrowed slightly as she pondered the possibility in a gap in her studies. She didn't remember many details regarding Harmonia's extensive pantheon of saints and their associated celebrations from her childhood, so she had been forced to read up on them before returning here alongside Master Luc to present the right image of easy understanding. St. Orial was associated with the desert-like regions of the southwest.
"No," Sasarai smiled, much to her relief, "Not at all! But it always seemed fitting enough to me. What you're meant to do when you commemorate St. Orial, after all, is pour water, right?"
"Orial of the Waters," Sarah agreed. This part was obvious enough.
"Well, making and serving tea involves pouring plenty of water," Sasarai spread his hands wide over the tea set arrayed between them, "And I doubt the holy lady herself would have any objection to that."
This kind of light touch regarding religious material wasn't what Sarah had expected from him, but it made her feel a little safer loosening up in his presence. "I don't imagine so."
"And with just the two of us, we can just use the table in my room. It's very cozy."
"Yes."
"Now," Sasarai picked up the teapot, "Please, allow me."