see that girl, watch that scene

[gameofsocks]

slow dancing ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ a meme → COMMENT WITH YOUR CHARACTER'S NAME, FANDOM, AND PREFERENCE. → PICK A CHARACTER YOU WANT TO TAG AND GO FOR IT. → PLAY NICE; NO WANK, FLAMES, OR GENERAL HUMBUGGERY. ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ the deal FORMAL OR INFORMAL, WITH MUSIC OR WITHOUT, YOU COULD BE AT A GLAMOUROUS GALA WHILE A SINGER CROONS SOFTLY OR IN THE SILENCE OF YOUR OWN LIVING ROOM. WHEREVER YOU ARE, YOU HAVE THE URGE TO DANCE. DID YOU ASK YOUR PARTNER OR DID THEY ASK YOU? HAVE YOU GOT TWO LEFT FEET OR IS THE VIENNESE WALTZ YOUR JAM? IT COULD BE AWKWARD, IT COULD BE ROMANTIC. EITHER WAY IT'S CUTE AS HELL.

stolen from the @ crypt.

Comments

[fightingale]

( The blush is delightful, she decides, even as she tsks quietly as if considering the offer. Cassandra's arm is already around her, she has already stepped closer just as much as Cassandra tugged her, and yet she tsks. Such is the contrariness of a bard, or perhaps it is simply Leliana's way. Being simple and straightforward is something she has almost forgotten how to do, even when her contrariness is transparent. )

Perhaps. ( Well can she imagine the scandalised whispers that will come of this, but she cannot imagine that she and Cassandra could stand up with anyone without scandalising someone, heroes and veterans, Right and Left Hand. ) If I were inclined to being difficult then I could make this quite challenging for you, Cassandra.

( If, with the clear implication being that she is the very opposite, thank you. As the music and the couples on the floor step into the dance her voice turns a little gentler, less teasing;) Are you familiar with this one?

[stabsbooks]

[ Cassandra raises an eyebrow at the teasing, taken off guard at the idea that Leliana might resist her, even in jest. It is unexpected, and she cannot quite decide whether she might find that sort of game intriguing or distasteful.

All in all, she's somewhat relieved when Lelaina drops her teasing tone, saving Cassandra the difficulty of finding a suitable reply. Her fingers curl a little closer around Leliana's waist as her voice gentles, a soft smile tugging at her lips as she recognizes the notes. ]

It has been a long time. Years.

[ Now she hesitates, drawing back just enough to meet Leliana's eyes. Cassandra may not care what any of these pompous nobles think of her, but Leliana's reputation is everything. ]

I do not wish to humiliate you. I - am not certain I will remember the steps.

[fightingale]

( The hesitation is not lost on her, and Leliana keeps her hand steady between Cassandra's shoulder blades, pressing very lightly - equal parts reassurance and intended to stop her from pulling back further, if she got it into her head that was the thing to do. )

You could not humiliate me.

( Her smile is gentler, now, a quiet thing rarely allowed out in public, but for Cassandra there is no hesitation. If the Duke of Somewhere Insignificant decides to make comments, Leliana can plan five steps in advance how to make him dearly regret such a choice. )

It is the partner and not the steps that make a good dance, no? We can dance our own dance.

[stabsbooks]

I could.

[ She murmurs it, not really seeking an answer, and though she attempts to adopt Leliana's same teasing tone - I could make this challenging for you - there is a thread of truth behind the words. It would be all too easy for Cassandra to humiliate Leliana, just by being herself.

But Leliana's quiet smile, meant only for her, sparks something warm in her chest, and she smiles back, warm and full. ]

Yes.

Yes, I would like that.

[fightingale]

( A brief moment of rare, generally lost contrariness-- ) Could not.

( There, now. Cassandra's smile makes her feel better, somehow. A little lighter, where she is used to more and more weight dragging at her shoulders, pulling her out of shape and distorting her. She takes the first step, then, a small and idle thing, not near the dramatic and particular steps of the dance beginning to unfold, just enough to have them moving.

It is a long time since she has danced for pleasure, and since she has stood up with someone she is so--
that she is so fond of. Relaxing into it is a relief and very, very strange. )

I don't think I mentioned how beautiful you look this evening. ( In between the moments of clear disgust, which were actually rather endearing, when they weren't ill-timed. )

[stabsbooks]

[ It is strange, to step out of turn, to dance as they will and ignore the dozens of couples around them, all mirroring each other's movements. Strange, but with Leliana leading the way, gazing at Cassandra softly, it is easy to block the rest of them out. She is, against all odds, actually enjoying herself, and she relaxes in turn, the steps coming a little more easily to her.

Until Leliana speaks. Cassandra's cheeks go pink with alarming speed, and she shakes her head firmly, the smooth movements of her feet becoming stuttered and awkward. She has to concentrate with all her might just to keep herself from tripping on nothing and sending them both sprawling to the ground. ]

You do not need to - to say such things. I know what I am.

[ She says it matter-of-factly, without a trace of self-pity or any expectation that Leliana will contradict her. She is an ox in a dress, a blunt, brash thing playing poorly at civility and grace, and she knows it. She has been hearing such things her whole life, after all. ]

You are the beautiful one.