@redveils asked, unprompted ...
"Oh come now, don't cause such a fuss and dance with me. I won't hear that you've forgotten how. I don't think that's even possible, it's in our very blood to know the art of song and dance.", she waits with a smile; clawed hand outstretched to the former queen. "Humor me, if only for one song."
the whimsicality of the homelands felt long lost in the streets of fabletown. the mundane had long overtaken what little magic this world had and replaced it with towers of concrete and plastic wires. it was so unlike what she and every other fable grew up with. nature could seen at every turn in the form of forests, plains, gardens, and farms — sparkling springs and magical plants were plentiful if you knew where to look. snow didn’t know she missed these parts of home so badly until the whirlwind of her life had landed her on the farm. things were simpler here, as simple as the days before the empire’s attack. they still bartered for their goods, gave to their neighbors for neighbor’s sake. something was still missing, but it was more than she had seen in centuries.
it was not until an autumn festival was announced that she felt the potential to be truly immersed in the ways of old. despite yearning for a chance to go and embrace the festivities, snow hesitated. if she went, she would have to bring her litter of toddlers. wolven toddlers who haven’t yet learned how to control their sharp little teeth and sharp little claws. one mistake and the townsfolk would be their dinner! though it saddened her to miss this opportunity, she accepted that this was just one of the many sacrifices she would have to make.
the event was practically erased from memory by the time red riding hood came to tell her the news. she had opened the door to the fable excitedly holding the crudely drawn poster up, urging snow to come with her for the festivities. she tried to tell her no, it wasn’t possible with the children and the sour taste the townsfolk had towards her; red did not yet know of the rebellion from just a few years ago, so she did not blame her for her naiveté. somehow, though, the newcomer managed to reassure her enough that she found herself pulled by the arm into the fairgrounds.
snow watched as most of her children scattered in all directions towards the food, games, and dancing. only little winter stayed behind, holding her hand as she wandered the stalls alongside red... who also insisted on holding onto her. that one was always overly friendly with her. she didn’t mind so much nowadays as touch was something she was forced to become accustomed to when raising a litter of wolf children. they ventured through the vendor’s stalls, being offered cobs of corn and dried meats until they reached the town center where the animal fables merrily danced with one another. boy blue was amongst the band members, playing his trumpet proudly. the sight of him in his element brought a smile to her face.
“ oh snow, isn’t this just marvelous? “ the softness of red’s voice would have been drowned out by the band if she had not leaned right into her ear.
snow spoke louder in response, “ i have to admit, it is incredible that you managed to pull this off. i haven’t been to one of these since i was a little girl. ”
red gasped, “ since you were a little girl? but you’re royalty! you must have been the star of these festivals in your kingdom! “
“ was. i was royalty. and no, we never went to these once i married into the throne. we were stuck at stuffy banquets while you all got to enjoy yourselves. “ she joked, then turned her gaze to the dancers. she spotted some of her children among the crowd, following their own made up rhythms while the pigs and lambs cheered them on. blossom was thrashing around more than she was dancing, but the baby birds made a game out of it by hanging onto her fur. even winter found her place among the band, shyly hitting a drum alongside a hopping rabbit who urged her on. it was sweet seeing everybody get along so well.
“ we should join them! in dance, i mean — with each other, perhaps? “ once their eyes met, her words wavered with the slightest hint of bashfulness.
“ no, that’s quite alright. you’re free to join the others if you’d like, though. don’t worry about me. “ snow waved her off with a polite shake of the head.
" oh come now, don't cause such a fuss and dance with me. i won't hear that you've forgotten how. i don't think that's even possible, it's in our very blood to know the art of song and dance. " red waited with a smile; clawed hand outstretched to the former queen. " humor me, if only for one song. "
