bakerstreet | May I leave my friends behind

[ why make mom embarrass herself ]

( info. tldr; your 1920's italian galpal with as many secrets as a questionable politician, is also a famed actress and society flower in paris. )

[Just pray this isn't a minuet, waltz is the best he can do.]

[ Help. ]

[He says that but is already coming out to join the other on the dance floor, he's not about to leave someone hanging like that when they went out of their way.]

[Already, Libra offers his hand; He's got some experience thanks to a few of the Sinners who are well-versed in the art of dance.]

[Apparently he's a very good dancer]

[ There is someone who has marked Marius as prey; you could only avoid dancing with Lethica for so long before she is going to come out and ask in return. ]

Everything is fine. In fact, everything is going unusually well for them. ~~Especially considering the party's rotten luck and social disorders!~~ Admittedly, he was on his toes at first. Fearing that their ruse would crack in an instant under the slightest hint of pressure. While he wouldn't say his worry was unfounded, he could not possibly foresee the sheer fury of Adele's aptitude as a socialite. She may be small, but she is undoubtedly the hostess and mastermind of this event.

The party is soon separated, all the better to ensure no slip-ups. He is whisked this way and that. Conversations happen, of which he is cordial and perhaps even learns a thing or two about the other lords and ladies of Druskenvald. The whole atmosphere is glittering and resplendent!

He is asked to dance by this person and that. He tries to keep track at first! That proves to be a folly. So many gowns and dresses flitting about, so many handsome individuals with their glittering costumes alighting the dance floor. He doesn't have time to dwell on his thoughts. There is a cascade of heartbeats in this room and Marius is handling himself quite well. So much noise, it is impossible to focus on one thing.

Until he looks up to find Lethica in front of him.

Suddenly the cacophony of heartbeats drowns out until all he can focus on is one.

Hers.

Edited 2024-06-15 12:07 (UTC)

Lethica knew that there was a part of Marius that did not want to be near her; she was sure that it was likely because of the time that she had confronted him and the fact that he had been so unsettled. But, they were traveling companions and he could not escape her-- she was not a shy violet to hide in the corner, she held herself like a Cleric of Shar, her head held proudly and her mask almost like the scales of a snake.

She had been uncertain of if she would rather a different costume from the one Henri actually created, but she decided there was no help for it but to own it; so she was not an enchanting Lunar moth, but rather a snake that slithered and swayed.

What was it that Marius had been warned about with the cards? Temptation? Well in this moment, it would appear that Lethica was exactly that, temptation; with a neckline slightly plunging and fabric that clung to every curve-- in her hand she held a ruby apple.

"Are you enjoying the masquerade, Marius?" her voice was soft and husky, the sort of voice that held a heart beat within it.

Temptation thy name is Lethica Nightborne. No one can argue with Henri's work where her costume is concerned. The scales catch the light cascading around them with her every movement; drawing attention to the natural curves of her body. If he spares a glance toward the plunging bust of her dress it is fleeting. Almost as if he doesn't trust himself to let his gaze linger for too long. He can't afford to build up a burning desire right here and now.

The instinct to run is palpable. However, Lethica has successfully managed to gravitate towards him without him being able to notice and drift away. She has cornered her prey, so to speak. His eyes do dart off to in Briggsy's direction briefly and there is the sense that the paladin is weighing his options before he finally offers her a smile that has a shade of nervousness to it. Not the obvious kind. He's actually doing a fairly good job of locking down his emotions and thoughts. Lethica would only notice due to how well they know each other, most likely.

"Yes. I've been learning a lot about the lords, ladies, and everything in between." He keeps his voice low and good-natured. The bold colors of the dragon costume bring out the color of his eyes and even his paleness is less noticeable.

There is a moment where he becomes aware of the fact that they are standing, staring at each other, and not doing much else while others flit about them on the ball floor. From beneath his own mask, his eyes flit to hers as he lifts his hand towards her. Against his better judgment, he dares to ask.

"May I have this dance, Lethica?"

It wasn't that she precisely intended to be temptation; but there was a bit of frustration that he would not allow himself within proximity of her. She had seen where he had held himself apart at the etiquette lessons and, she who did not ache so readily, did. Though the outfit did grant her a modicrum of confidence which she utilize as she stood there, touching the fan lightly to the lips of her mask.

There was a signal to that, unintentional as it was.

She considered his offer to dance, leading him with baited breath for just a moment. Before finally she offered a gloved hand, the cool black silk of it somehow hide the very warmth of her pulse though it could not cover up the subtle 'thump thump' of her heart pumping in time with the music.

"I would not offer you temptation-- therefore, only if you are sure, I would be more than happy to allow you this dance."

But hadn't Briggsy said to Marius that it was clear that Lethica was that temptation?

If he picks up on the slight change in her heartbeat, he doesn't show any outward sign of it. He's done a remarkably good job at not showing his current turbulent state of mind and not all of that can be attributed to the dragon mask adorning his face. There is so much at stake this evening, that they cannot afford so much as a slip of the tongue.

However, surely there is time for a dance? One stolen moment for the two of them. A dance can't hurt.

With her permission, it is as if the air around him is suddenly a lot less heavy. For someone who claims he was usually a guard at these kinds of parties, Marius Renathyr is remarkably smooth in the way he transitions the two of them so that they are no longer simply facing each other. He clears his throat briefly as his arms settle in the proper place to lead her through the dance.

If there are a few jealous murmurs from the crowd around them, it is probably because the two of them, especially with those gorgeous costumes, cut quite a swath through the dance floor.

"I have never been more sure."

The way that he had filled out her dance card with his very precise name; marking him as the first one there. She found herself utterly charmed by this Dragon before her, Dragon and Snake-- they did make quite the handsome pair, didn't they?

She had placed her hand lightly within his and then she was rewarded by the sway of his body, the sweetness of the moment that belonged to the two of them. They were certainly very close to getting their heart's desire, weren't they? But still it felt like a false sense of security that they were being dragged into-- the calm before the proverbial storm.

Right now though, she couldn't think of anything but those eyes hidden behind the mask.

To him, this is a moment perfectly preserved in time. He is uncertain as to what awaits him should he drink from the chalice. Will he remain as he is now - aged the same as the day he was struck by this foul curse? Or will he age to befit his long length of service to the crown?

Not knowing the answer, he grips Lethica that much closer through their dance. Strictly speaking, Marius is the paragon of chastity. His hand is in the correct spot and never seems to waver. There is strength in the way his arm wraps around and cushions her from any fall or folly. More than once, he guides the two of them away from a fumbling couple who would have crashed into them if not for the subtle way the vampire in the ballroom seems to almost glide across the room.

Right here and now, Lethica knows that she does not have to worry about anything; after all Marius had saved her from a near unfortunate trip due to the train of her own scorpion gown; she had not requested it but somehow it fit and she'd forgive Henri (for now). And as Marius took her through the steps, she felt an odd sort of trust that bordered on something deeper.

Something that she did not want to name, because to do that felt like folly-- like a self-fufilling prophecy. Best not to say such when they still had yet to access their relics.

"You dance masterfully, Marius. Though I am not surprised in the slightest, I can imagine that this was apart of your courtly training, yes?"

"Yes, it was." They're still moving masterfully about the dance floor, keeping perfect pace with the others who are dancing alongside them beautifully. One, two, three - twirl. Five, six, seven, dip. There is a virtual crescendo of heartbeats around them. Some of them are quite strange and have unusual rhythms to their heartbeat. None of them matter, to be frank. Background noise that he is easily able to tune out.

"Although, that was a very long time ago. I still needed the dancing lessons to refresh my memory." No doubt Marius's transformation into a vampire aided him in his agility a bit. Helping to smooth everything out. "Even if my duty was always to guard my king, I was still required to learn the skills necessary for social occasions."

A pause as he moves to twirl her around, taking care to make sure she doesn't collide with anyone else.

"You don't appear to have two left feet either. Perhaps you have had occasion to celebrate these sort of festivities in your past? Even if you cannot recall."

Edited 2024-07-18 00:23 (UTC)

This is far more effusive than Lethica was used to when it came to Marius.

She was used to him being quite terse on some occasions, but right now hew as acting as if he had consumed bubbly sparkling bloodwine and was fueled by such courage it was given-- and it took a bit of skill with which to navigate that with the grace that he called her on about. In fact, she swayed with the music and with his expertise on the dance floor; she would bask in the knowledge and utilize it to the best of advantage.

"I do not recall what sort of life I had before this, but I do enjoy music and it appears that the people of Druskenvald do as well, though I do not think that I ever danced with such a dress as this before.. it feels whimsical to believe that perhaps I would've known."

"Henri has the gift of seeing the heart's desire through perhaps a single or multiple pricks of his sewing needle. Although I have no doubt you would have looked amazing as a lunar moth - there can be no denying the results are stunning."

Lethica looks stunning in her costume. The lights seem to catch on every glittering scale and everything is soft and supple to the touch. Not that his hands ever go wandering. He keeps pace beautifully. As if something out of a fairy tale. Or perhaps he is making up for the folly of the fact that everything could come tumbling down around their farce at any moment.

"You never hesitate, despite the fact that you cannot fully recall your past. It is something that I deeply admire about you." His voice is far too soft for nearby dancers to pick up on. These words, much like this gallant dance, are meant for Lethica and Lethica only.

There was much that lingered just beyond the shadows of the mask that she wore. It was a gorgeous mask that was in keeping with her costume, Henri was astute with that, as well as so many things-- including the very nature of that which she wore. Reflexively, her grip tightens upon Marius' shoulders, and she's looking to the left as she starts to speak; it may be because she is watching for inadvertent dancers, even though she trusts Marius implicitly.

"We all fight for something.." but likewise there was a sense of hidden there underneath the surface. Still waters ran deep and as she glided within those arms, she was never more mindful of that-- of possessing Shar's own bell, of what it meant for her. "The travels with everyone has been difficult but, because of those difficulties I feel like we have all bonded in an inexplicable way.. there is still much yet that we do not know about each other."

[ Before hittin' 'em with one of these. ]

[Poor guy has two left feet and, outside of his appearance, has the rizz of a parsnip.]

[After attending more than a handful of dances, this isn't too much of a problem for him.]

Well.. the last one we had was pretty fun, so I thought you wouldn't mind a repeat -?

[ She gives him a teasing smile. ]

Or would you rather wallflower the rest of the night?

It was.

[Tatsuya gave a little nod of affirmation, before exhaling through his nose in a sound akin to a soft but far from exasperated sigh.]

--Alright, you win.

[With that voluntary surrender, Tatsuya offers her his hand while holding the other behind his back as he bows very slightly.]

[ She chuckled at the surrender, taking his hand in hers. ]

Come on, it'll be fun! And at least I'd rather dance with you than some weird pervert. And you'd..rather dance with me than some total stranger, right...?

[With her hand in his, Tatsuya's leading the two of them out onto the dance floor, careful not to bump into anyone on their way--But despite his earlier comment, there's a faint smile on his lips.]

If given the choice, yes--I would prefer to dance with you, Rebecca.

Haha, knew it!

[ she rests her hand in his firmly, following his lead as she glanced around - don't pay attention to anyone looking in their direction, instead returning her attention to watch him with a smile. ]

I am curious though, do you have a favorite way to dance? Waltz, tango, etcetera?

[If he's going to dance, it won't be a slow, languid thing--It's going to be heated and fast-paced.]

[The Virtuadoll looks positively ecstatic.]

[But, alright. Sarah is game and willing.]

[And he says it like that's an answer to the question.]

[After a while of thinking and agonizing, Rimuru finally shrugs then offers a lopsided grin.]

I'll try to be a good dance partner, then.

[Tessa doesn't look bothered, but more flustered than anything.]

[He can probably wing it if it's something casual like house, but he might be screwed if it's anything ballroom-dance related.]

[ she's mute but if she could talk it would be the most excited yes. ]

[He isn't that good at dancing, but he would like to learn!]

May I leave my friends behind

Ahh, I don't think I'd be that good at it...

Shame that I didn't wear my knee-length dress tonight. Should we give this one the cut, instead?

This is my moment to show off, then, isn't it?

Are you sure?

I think Chixia would be a better choice, are you sure about this?

If you're sure.

Ser Marius Renathyr | Edge of Midnight (S2 compliant) | ota

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Taking a LOT of liberties in assuming the entire masquerade doesn't go up in fames in hour one

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Huh... ? I wasn't expecting you to ask~? C'mon, then~ ♪

[A lengthy bug-eyed stare.]

A-ah...I'm. I, ah...are you sure?

If that's what you want.

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Hm... I suppose it wouldn't hurt. Try to keep up.

!! Really? This is my favorite song, let's go!

Didn't think you were the dancing type

I don't know how to dance.

Huh? With me? ...Well, I guess I DID throw this party, so it'd be weird if I didn't....

Me? --There are better people to ask if you wish for a dance partner, are there not?

What kind of dance?

I was about to ask you the same question! Shall we?

/just nods enthusiastically

If you're willing to teach me...

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