Rhae was shocked as he emerged from the guest palace annex, surprised to find Kaisan waiting for him. The usual pattern involved a servant escorting him to their destination, where Kaisan would already be socializing. To see him outside the door, ready to depart together, was a pleasant experience. Kaisan fidgeted in a light grey linen suit with teal accents. It was a semi-formal outfit that suited a tournament viewer and was light enough for the folk dance afterwards. The teal satin blouse under the grey dress jacket contrasted with his cotton-pink hair.
"I think we're a little more in sync than I previously believed," Rhae joked as he approached his partner in waiting, pointing to his grey tweed vest overlaying his teal linen shirt. Kaisan's eyes looked up and down with a slight smirk.
"Attractive couples usually are," he teased, reaching out and intertwining their fingers. "Now, let's go watch some sparks fly!"
The warm evening summer sun cast a warm, golden aura over the tournament stadium as they approached the line for entry. After confirmation, they went to a VIP section where Kaisan's cousins waited. Among the cheering crowd, the two settled into their seats, sipping drinks brought by their dedicated servant.
They threw greetings at the excited family members as knights prepared for the jousting competition, the air filled with anticipation and excitement. The stadium felt like it heated up as the crowd piled into any open spots, calling for alcohol to prime them up for the excitement ahead.
As Rhae adjusted his position in his seat, his eyes scanned the armoured knights below, gazing at the area set up for his fife in confirmation. Beside him, Kaisan leaned forward while savouring his wine. His gaze focused on the royal seats at the north end of the tournament grounds nervously.
"This show tonight should be the entertainment tonight," Rhae remarked, scoffing at the knightages he recognized from inferior fifes. The line judges called out, hushing the crowd. Kaisan took another sip from his glass and leaned his head against Rhae's shoulder with a slight nod.
"Indeed. These knights don't seem to be the most formidable competitors," Kaisan observed as his eyes darted to the participants preparing below.
The crowd's cheers swelled as the knight marshal raised his flag to start the joust. The thunder of hooves echoed through the grounds as the first pair of knights charged toward each other, the title in the middle swaying from the reverberation. Rhae and Kaisan watched with bated breath as the lances clashed with resounding impact, the tips of the lances shattering for both sides upon the meeting. The knights hovered in the air momentarily, both thrown from their steeds, crashing heavily to the ground. Neither rider had hit the gridded grand guard as the sand from the list field dusted the area as they struggled to their feet.
"Look at that lack of precision," Rhae commented, eyes tracking the swift exchanges. "The most incredible shit show I've personally witnessed. How are they supposed to pull off eight passes when all they do is cause reruns?"
Kaisan laughed in surprise, tilting his head to look up at Rhae's colourful critique, glancing up at him with amusement. He wondered if the knights had assigned their apprentices in their place. The crowd erupted in cheers at the dramatic start, filled with intensity.
"They seem evenly matched," Kaisan remarked in a deadpan tone.
"Your jests hold truth," Rhae joked back. Kaisan looked over at his cousins, who were mocking and ridiculing the poor jousters who were unlucky enough to perform first and gave a small chuckle. "They will probably call a mercy pass for both of them now."
"Everyone seems to be getting drunk quite fast this evening," Kaisan murmured out loud as he looked around at the merry crowd. Rhae also looked around and smiled in agreement.
"It's the atmosphere," he replied, looking down at Kaisan. "I don't mind joining all the festivities. It's not often I overindulge in alcohol."
"I've seen my fair share of overindulgences this week," Kaisan responded jokingly. Rhae and Kaisan exchanged glances, sharing the thrill of the competition unfolding before them, caught up in the drunken crowd. They leaned closer to each other, feeling the excitement of the moment as they shared a sweet, wine-flavoured kiss as the audience cheered for more talented knights that took on the fight.
As the jousting continued, Rhae and Kaisan cheered along with the crowd, their spirits lifted by the spectacle before them. Rhae would give strong, solid claps for those he cheered for while Kaisan stood on his feet with his cousins, shouting until he was hoarse. When the final pass determined the victor, Rhae and Kaisan joined the thunderous applause, their hands clapping in rhythm with the crowd.
As the evening progressed, Rhae and Kaisan were immersed in the vibrant atmosphere of clashing lances and determined knights. As the sun began to set, it cast a vibrant golden hue across the arena, contrasting dark shadows and silhouettes of orange and yellow, creating a dramatic action scene between the competing knights for the goal. The varying skill levels were intriguing, as some knights charged recklessly with their lances either missing or shattering. At the same time, some displayed hard-won skill with their strength and precision, hitting the gridded grand guard perfectly.
Rhae has his attention evenly divided between the competition and Kaisan, who was entirely absorbed in the festivities - occasionally muttering critiques or praises under his breath. Every so often, Rhae would rub Kai's back in a soothing manner or cheer him on to mirror his enthusiasm - though he was more amused by the quirks of his partner.
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One of the most exciting matches of the night, a seasoned knight with unparalleled height and build thundered down the tilt - you couldn't help but pity his much smaller opponent. As the less bulky knight braced for impact, he panicked at the last moment and swung his lance off to the side as a mercy pass. The two passed by without incident, and the more petite knight rode back to the knight marshal. A switch happened and brought out someone of similar size - who seemed all too excited about the new arrangement.
They both lined up for the rerun and as the flag dropped, they thundered towards each other. The replacement knight seemed confident against the giant knight he was competing against. As they neared the center, both braced for impact and confidently swung. The larger knight was caught off by a swift feint that knocked him sideways - but by sheer strength, he held on to his horse and righted himself, dropping his lance in the process. The crowd erupted into enthusiastic applause at the unaccepted loss of the large knight. Kaisan, swept up by the sheer thrill of it all, bounced to his feet as he roared his cheer for the underdog.
The fights continued as the sun finally set behind the arena, and flames lit up the venue. Many cheers echoed into the night sky, and some of the audience winced at the occasional mishaps from their favourite competitors. Tension was high among the spectators here to watch their family's representative knights. Rhae was no exception, his face making subtle changes depending on the outcome of his own entrants. His hand that held Kaisan's waist would occasionally tighten in suspense. Kai would give a slight chuckle each time, his shoulders rolling with each laugh. Only after a much stressful match dragged on for all eight passes did Rhae finally sigh and stretch.
"Shall we work off the wine with some food and dance?" Rhae asked, turning to Kaisan with an uncharacteristically toothy smile.
"Let's hurry. I'm starving," Kaisan agreed eagerly, eyes bright with anticipation. As they prepared to leave their seats and join the festivities on the tournament grounds, Kaisan gave one final look at the imperial stands before following Rhae out to the dance area set up outside the arena to invite those who wished to break for the jousting tournament that will continue until dark. The night air felt alive, heavy with humidity but still carrying the fresh chill of the evening breeze.
The dancing area and family-style banquet were arranged in the training area to the side of the arena. A dusty cleared ground made it match the moniker of a folk dance—though it was much more luxurious than commoners would hold—since this was thrown for noble guests staying at the palace. After all, they had an image to uphold. It was a humid enough night to hold an open-air event, and the atmosphere of the cheering from the tournament was well-heard from the dance grounds.
Rhae and Kaisan walked towards the food service table, arms warped around each other's waists. It was quite an open and possessive gesture. Nobles were not the type to be openly affectionate, and same-sex couples were lovers or paramours who were invited to less formal events. It was only the fourth day of festivities, yet everyone had already adapted to seeing this paring attached at the hip. The crowd had also heavily succumbed to the effects of alcohol, succumbing to judgment and memory impairment.
Kaisan grabbed a platter for himself and Rhae to share and started piling small snack items to pair with the wine bottle Rhae had swiped from the table. After retrieving sufficient sustenance, they retreated to the darkest corner of the area for some private snack time. They both looked at each other on the way to the table and burst into laughter. They sat across from each other, placing the platter in between.
"I think I'm losing my voice," Kaisan laughed, his voice breaking mid-sentence. Rhae chuckled at the perfect timing of the crack.
"Are we going to dance again?" Rhae asked with a subtle smile, picking up a grape and holding it out for Kai.
"Always," Kaisan responded, his eyes lighting up as he leaned forward and snatched the grap from Rhae's fingers with his mouth, licking his lips as he leaned backwards. Rhae paused as he stared at Kai's lips, biting his own as his thoughts wandered. Noticing his reaction, Kaisan smirked, leaned forward again and opened his mouth. Rhae biked a few times before stifling a laugh, picking up a few more grapes to feed to his lover.
"Then let's," Rhae smiled, a rare moment flashing his teeth. He stood up and held out his hand. Kaisan, who took it, pursed his lips to stop himself from laughing. Rhae, slipping his other arm around Kai's waist, guided them both to the dance area under the canopy of the starry sky. Joining in the lively atmosphere was effortless as people swung around under the adored twinkling lights that floated above- a whimsical ambiance surrounding them both.
Rhae, clad in his elegant tweed vest and teal linen shirt, spun Kaisan onto the dance floor amidst the swirling crowd. Kaisan's eyes sparkled with delight and affection as he moved gracefully in his light grey linen suit, the teal accents catching the soft glow of the lanterns overhead. The music, played by skilled minstrels in the corner, filled the air with lively melodies that beckoned everyone to participate in the revelry.
They moved together in perfect synchrony, their steps guided by the rhythm of the music and the unspoken connection between them. Rhae's hand rested lightly on Kaisan's waist, while Kaisan's fingers were intertwined with Rhae's, their bodies moving effortlessly in time with each other and the dance.
Around them, other couples whirled and spun, their laughter mingling with the melody. The night seemed to blur into a magical haze as Rhae and Kaisan lost themselves in the joyous celebration. They exchanged smiles and gentle whispers, their hearts beating in harmony with the enchanting melody surrounding them.
As the dance reached its crescendo, Rhae dipped Kaisan low, eliciting a delighted laugh from his partner. Their eyes met with an intensity that spoke volumes, a silent exchange of love and gratitude for their shared moments. Their bond deepened with every in-sync step; their eyes met in a moment of understanding and affection. In that fleeting instant, amidst the warmth of the summer night and the echoes of applause from the onlookers, Rhae pressed a tender kiss to Kaisan's lips.
The world around them faded into the background as they savoured the sweetness of the kiss, their souls entwined in their own dance. The crowd cheered, their applause blending seamlessly with the music, celebrating the dance and the bond between Rhae and Kaisan that had blossomed throughout the day.
Rhae and Kaisan held each other close as the dance drew close, their hearts overflowing with joy and contentment. They knew that this day, with its jousting tournaments and enchanting folk dances, would forever be etched in their memories as a moment of pure magic and love. As they walked hand in hand into the night, guided by the soft glow of lanterns and the echoes of laughter, they made their way toward the stables that had long been abandoned for the night.