The Professor|| Sylus

Traditions

As the evening went on, Mei continued to enjoy her snacks, each bite a small moment of comfort and joy. Sylus watched her with an amused glint in his eyes, noticing how she bit into every treat with the kind of focus that reminded him of a kitten exploring something new. It was a rare sight to see her so carefree, and for a moment, he allowed himself to relax in the simplicity of it all.

Then, something in the distance caught Mei's attention. The sound of rhythmic drums, flutes, and soft singing filled the air as they approached a gathering of people. Mei's eyes sparkled with curiosity, her attention drawn to a group of women dressed in beautiful traditional attire, performing a graceful dance on an open stage under the glow of lanterns.

Without saying a word, she made her way toward the performance, captivated by the fluidity of the dancers' movements. The women moved in perfect harmony, their hands weaving delicate patterns in the air, each step elegant and precise. The shimmering fabrics of their kimonos swayed gracefully with every motion, creating a mesmerizing display of color and light.

Mei stood still, entranced by the sight, her body naturally drawn into the rhythm of the music. Sylus stayed back, watching her from a distance, his sharp eyes softening as he saw how absorbed she was in the moment. For the first time in what felt like ages, Mei seemed at peace, her troubles momentarily forgotten in the beauty of the traditional dance.

Sylus stepped closer, leaning down slightly so his voice could reach her over the music. "Beautiful, isn't it?" he asked, his tone gentle.

Mei nodded, her gaze never leaving the dancers. "It's so calming... and the way they move, it's like they're telling a story without words," she said softly, her voice filled with awe.

Sylus looked at her for a moment, taking in the way her expression had softened, the sadness from earlier in the day briefly replaced by wonder. "They are," he agreed quietly. "In these kinds of performances, every movement has meaning—it's a tradition passed down for generations."

Mei turned to look at him, a small smile on her face. "It's amazing how something so simple can bring so much peace," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Sylus didn't respond, but the way his eyes lingered on her spoke volumes. It wasn't just the dance that was bringing her peace. Moments like this, when the world felt distant and they could just exist in the quiet of the night, were rare. And Sylus, for all his sharp edges, couldn't help but feel a sense of calm seeing her like this.

As the dance continued, they stood side by side, the gentle cadence of the music wrapping around them like a soft blanket. For now, amidst the lanterns and the graceful dancers, time seemed to slow, and for the first time in a while, they were both simply present in the moment.

The dance on stage shifted dramatically as a pair—a boy and girl—moved gracefully in a courtship-like performance, their steps intimate and elegant. Mei and Sylus watched quietly, captivated by the performance for several minutes, when suddenly, out of nowhere, they were pulled aside by festival staff near the performance area.

"Congratulations!" one of the festival workers beamed, her enthusiasm almost overwhelming. "You two have been chosen to participate in the event itself!"

Sylus remained calm, but Mei was stunned, her eyes widening in shock. "P-participate?" she repeated in confusion, her voice wavering.

Before she could process what was happening, the staff began dragging them toward a nearby tent. One of them chimed in excitedly, "Yes! We saw you two wandering around the festival, and you looked so cute together! Like the perfect couple!"

Mei's face flushed a deep shade of red, her protest caught in her throat. "C-couple? No, we're not—" she tried to explain, but they cut her off by handing her traditional festival clothes to wear. She could no longer see Sylus, having been dragged into a separate room.

Mei stared at the beautiful clothes in front of her, her mind racing. *What am I going to do?* she thought, feeling overwhelmed as she changed into the outfit. When she emerged, the sight in the mirror surprised her—she looked stunning in the traditional attire, but she could hardly focus on that. The festival worker who helped her change rushed her out of the tent, trying to calm her nerves. "Don't worry, just follow our lead, and you'll do great!"

When she was ushered out onto the stage, she finally spotted Sylus—he was already dressed in his own traditional attire, and he looked breathtaking. His presence radiated confidence, like he was born to wear such garments, and to Mei, he seemed almost godlike. The sight of him left her momentarily speechless.

The crowd had gathered once again, cheering and clapping in anticipation. As the drums began to beat loudly, the festival girls around Mei urged her to follow their movements. She glanced nervously at Sylus, who simply smiled at her, completely at ease.

Her cheeks warmed with a blush, but she tried her best to mimic the steps. To her surprise, Sylus moved effortlessly with the rhythm. There was no hesitation in his movements each step, each turn was flawless. Sylus wasn't just participating—he was excelling, as if he'd done this a hundred times before.

Mei whispered in awe as they danced closer, "You're good..." Sylus gave her a wink, his smile playful yet composed. "It's easy to follow once you've heard the drumbeats enough times."

As if to prove his point, the drums picked up again, and Sylus resumed the traditional dance with such grace that Mei couldn't help but giggle at how natural he made it seem. The tension in her body began to melt away as she watched him.

"See?" he said, glancing at her. "It's not that hard. Come on, try it with me." Feeling encouraged, Mei took a deep breath, stepped in sync with Sylus, and tried to follow the rhythm. The crowd cheered as the two danced together, and Mei's earlier worries seemed to fade. Her heart, which had been pounding in anxiety moments before, now thumped with excitement and joy. With Sylus leading her through the steps, she found herself enjoying the moment, laughing and moving without care.

As the dance progressed, Sylus spun her gently, their movements in sync with the beating drums and the festival atmosphere around them. For that brief time, the weight of the world slipped away, and all that remained was the sound of the music, the rhythm of their dance, and the comfort of Sylus's presence beside her.

As the music began to fade, Sylus made a bold move, pulling Mei into his arms and lifting her effortlessly off the ground. He twirled her around, their gazes locking in a moment of quiet intensity. For that brief, suspended instant, it truly felt as if they were a couple lost in their own world. Mei's heart raced as the warmth of his touch and the softness in his eyes made everything else disappear.

When the dance finally came to an end, the crowd erupted in loud cheers and claps, celebrating their performance. Mei and Sylus, catching their breath, exchanged a glance before bowing gracefully to the audience. Sylus took her hand and guided her back toward the tent where they had changed earlier, both of them still riding the excitement of the moment.

"See? The ball paid off for your skills," Sylus teased as they walked back, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.

Mei chuckled, feeling a sense of relief and happiness. "That was fun," she admitted, her voice filled with genuine delight. They laughed together, a light-hearted moment after the intensity of the day.

The festival staff who had earlier pulled them into the event greeted them with applause. "Great job! You two were amazing!" one of them said, handing them a free coupon as a prize. "This is for you to share! And here are your clothes back."

After changing into their regular attire once more, Sylus and Mei emerged from the tent and stepped back into the cool night air. The energy of the festival still buzzed around them, but now there was a quiet calm between the two as they strolled away from the crowds. Mei walked beside Sylus, feeling more at ease than she had in days.

The snow from earlier had started to fall more steadily, blanketing the ground in a soft, white layer. As they walked through the peaceful streets, illuminated by the glow of festival lanterns, the weight of the world seemed just a little lighter for Mei.