*slips and bounds through the forest on swift little feet, heading for his patron Lady's dwelling place*
*reaches the outer grounds and pauses, balancing lightly on a slender twig, head cocked to the side in a manner reminiscent of a small bird* *listens for a while, bright eyes darting about*
*hops soundlessly to the grass below and scurries into a moonlit clearing surrounded by snow-dusted coniferous shrubs*
*takes his cap from his head and executes a sweeping bow in the house's direction*
*replaces his cap, puts his flute to his lips, and starts to play*
*fleetingly wonders if she'll be pleased to hear, given that a) he's away from his island, and b) he's supposed to be sleeping through the winter*
*reaches the outer grounds and pauses, balancing lightly on a slender twig, head cocked to the side in a manner reminiscent of a small bird* *listens for a while, bright eyes darting about*
*hops soundlessly to the grass below and scurries into a moonlit clearing surrounded by snow-dusted coniferous shrubs*
*takes his cap from his head and executes a sweeping bow in the house's direction*
*replaces his cap, puts his flute to his lips, and starts to play*
*fleetingly wonders if she'll be pleased to hear, given that a) he's away from his island, and b) he's supposed to be sleeping through the winter*