Danyel wasn't happy with his twin's evasiveness last Wednesday, but he's decided to do his best to ignore it and enjoy the festival. Hopefully, Dayel will talk to him eventually...
“May we have some nuts?” His twin turned to their oldest brother. “They smell delicious.”
“Try to eat them while they’re warm.” Leiwell took a fresh cone from Map’s waiting hand. “You two have a tendency to pick at your food.”
“I doubt they’ll be able to eat much,” Map grumbled. “They never do.” She fixed a critical eye on her oldest. “Like you.”
“All the more reason to savor what you can.” Unruffled by his mother’s remarks, Leiwell handed the cone to Danyel.
He winked at Dayel when he did.
His gestures are similar to Damian’s. Dayel had never noticed this before.
He’d never observed Damian and Leiwell in such proximity to each other.
Not that he was sure if Damian had ever been here.
Or maybe he still was?
Either way, it was a disturbing thought.
“Better to fill up on what we have to offer.” Leiwell nodded slightly in the direction of the other booths.
Dayel was inclined to agree. He glanced at the nearest stall.
Meggie had outdone herself. An array of cookies, cakes, and custard tarts were arranged on every available bit of space in her booth. The smell wafted out, mingling enticingly with the nuts.
Meggie smiled at the twins, sneaking a shy, sidelong glance at Leiwell. Her attention kept drifting back to her own wares, to linger upon them with a covetous, loving greed.
No doubt she’d happily finish off anything she didn’t sell.
Nearby was Mel and Juno’s stall. Neither Jupitre nor Thomas appeared to be helping them.
Danyel let out a shuddering sigh of relief, not bothering to hide his satisfaction not to see his least favorite villagers.
Dayel wasn’t sure if he should be relaxing his guard so soon. Thomas had a habit of popping wherever the twins went.
Not that he could spot the bigger boy in this crowd.
“It’s overwhelming, isn’t it?” Leiwell caught Dayel’s eye and held it with his own. “All these people in a place which used to be ours.”
Dayel nodded, before he could consider hiding his feeling.
This crowd kept catching him off guard, leaving him exposed. Too many unknown people were here. Too many individuals to anticipate.
It was hard enough dealing with those he knew and loved.
“This will get better.” Leiwell offered Dayel an encouraging little smile. “Don’t fight the crowd. Move with it. Try to absorb.”
Once more, Dayel found himself nodding.
“Dayel, come on!” Danyel seized his twin’s hand with his free one. The other carried a cone filled with nuts. “Thank you, Leiwell.”
“Have fun.” Leiwell smiled at both of his younger brothers, before turning to speak with someone who’d come up to the booth.
Danyel started to dart through the crowd, moving from space to space.
Less sure footed, Dayel followed him. Usually, he was the one who was lighter on his feet.
All these people truly made him feel off balance.
Danyel glanced over his shoulder at his brother, a wrinkle of concern popping out in his smooth brow.
Dayel tried to smile in a reassuring Leiwell fashion. Heck, maybe even a toothy Damian fashion.
It was no good. Smiling on command was simply not one of Dayel’s strong points.
To be continued in Part 3 on Wednesday; August 24, 2017.
Dayel: We're lingering along with this post. A swift conclusion to this festival should be eminent.
ReplyDeleteDanyel: Let's look around a little more first, please? I'm really curious about what Juno and Mel have at their booth.
Dayel: (long suffering sigh)
I look forward to reading more!
ReplyDeleteAww, thanks! (blushes) I appreciate you stopping by to read about poor Dayel's discomfort. Makes me want to torture him more...:)
Delete(The twins both glower at me.) :)