for Kurt

[tooktheblack]

Jon was the first to admit that he did not always understand the culture of the island and since it had changed from the sultry, balmy environment he'd just gotten used to into something like a tight-packed city, he understood it even less. The clothes box wouldn't provide anything but strange clothing that was nothing like the modern garb of the

Comments

[highf]

"It's always a working process, believe me," Kurt replied easily. There weren't very many people on the island who he felt comfortable enough to strike immediate conversation with, but of his various friends, Jon had to have been near the top of the list. Ever earnest, and never judging, Kurt felt free to be entirely himself around the other man, and his further willingness to try just about anything only had Kurt endeared further in turn. If only, he occasionally thought to himself, people in Lima were half as open-minded. If only they could treat everything unfamiliar as simply a chance to learn more, rather than to get lost in their fear. He crossed his legs easily where he sat on the couch, pushing his book aside and patting the empty seat next to him.

"And as far as I've noticed, you learn remarkably fast. So, tell me. What's the question that needs explained?"

[tooktheblack]

"Why do these people persist in going door to door and singing? I thought since it had to do with music, you might know the answer."

Kurt was, by far, the most accomplished musician that Jon had ever met and had the distinction of the only musician he'd ever liked. There was a bastard from the Westerlands, boy by the name of Hill, but Jon had never liked him much.

"Is that something they do in Ohio?"

[highf]

Stunned for a second, Kurt broke into a light laugh, pleased that he was apparently the go-to reference on all things musical, and doubly glad that Jon was taking an interest at all. Not all of the people who landed on the island were interested in learning outside their trade or their past experience, beyond what it took to acclimate- and caroling was certainly not on the list of practices that were at all necessary to weave oneself more fully into island life. (Or Victorian life, for that matter

[tooktheblack]

"Christmas? No. I guess that's the festival this whole place seems dressed up for, though."

It was a foreign concept in Westeros to celebrate a season, much less winter, when seasons could last for years at the time. Festivals back home were more in relation to tourneys or new kings being crowned, things that were more cyclical.