bakerstreet | May I have this dance?

May I have this dance?

Dancing Meme👑

Dancing well takes serious skill and talent, but just about anyone can shake their hips or tap their feet to a beat. No matter your competency in cutting the rug, there's some pleasure to be found in letting loose and moving your body to the music. Not to mention... sometimes it's fun to get all dressed up! (And if not, then perhaps in seeing a partner all dressed up?)

So, let your cares go and let's dance!

Prompts

1. prom
It's the biggest social event of the year - provided you're still in high school! Do you have the guts to ask your crush to the dance, or are you more the shy wallflower type? How about a platonic date with your bestie?

2. ballroom
Ah, the formal gala: it's prom for adults! Dress in your finest and get yourself a partner for a tango or a waltz. It's for charity, after all.

3. alone
Do a little jig in the kitchen, or enjoy a living room slowdance with a significant other to the dulcet tones of your smart speaker.

4. club
You're hitting the clubs and you're ready to grind! What better place to meet new people who know how to have fun?

5. competition
You take dance very seriously. Like, competition-level seriously. Practice with a partner, or face off against a rival.

6. traditional
Let me show you the dance of my people, from the village-wide revelry of a summertime bon odori to the sensual swing of the hula.

7. adult
Some dances are For Adult Eyes Only. And yes, poles and laps may be involved.

8. wildcard
Anything goes!

[ Get Memes! ]

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[ He's an idol so he's pretty good at dancing! ]

[May they have this dance~?]

[Account is still a WIP, but I couldn't resist! 2, 3, and 5 are the most fitting ones, but I'm totally open to 4, 6, and the total wildcard option as well.

24-year-old version also available at

recolorized.]

[ The fact I love this series and Baxter sm. Anyway, I could probably age Aira up a tad for 2 or 3 if you're interested in Baxter attracting the attention of a curious idol. There's also the option of Baxter catching Aira out practicing his steps in a park or something if that's more interesting for you! ]

[ No seven. ]

[ not feeling 7 ]

[ naturally. ]

So these are the kinds of dances people do in the west.

(Very different from the traditional and more ritualistic dances he's accustomed to given his history,)

How exciting.

Mm.

[ she stands beside tsurumaru, watching the others dance before them. ]

It's only exciting for you because you haven't danced that way before. Are you?

((m/m for shipping))

[ Ballroom dancing? Create a scandal in the Bright Queen's court by them dancing together? ]

((Oh yes! Please that sounds amazing, i love this idea so much))

It was a grand occasion. Everything silver, white, and soft blue glowing from within like a crystal. The music was beautiful and the crowd in good spirits. It was the sort of celebration that spoke of wealth, power, and a genuine love. Yes, there was politics going on. There always were in empires but under it all was a current of affection for the Bright Queen who they were gathered to celebrate.

Caleb was not here for her. He was here for her son. He could see Essek engaged in a quiet conversation from the corner of his eye. When it ended Caleb finished the last of his drink, gathered all the courage he had found in his travels and walked towards his friend. Jester sent him on his way with a pat to his butt and a soft 'go get him!' of encouragement.

Yet, it still took Caleb a moment to find his voice when he did reach Essek. He cleared his throat and held out a hand, bowing slightly. "Herr Thelyss, would you do me the honor of joining me for a dance?"

Too many words. Caleb felt like he was stumbling over his tongue and he could barely hear the music over the furious pounding of his heart. Hopefully his palm wouldn't be too sweaty and his hand wouldn't shake. Hopefully he wouldn't break his own heart when Eseek rejected him. He had no idea if the other man danced or not but the idea of even briefly holding Essek in his arms was too tempting to ignore.

Just once dance, he told himself, and then he would be content.

Often, Essek finds these kinds of events rather droll. They were good for cementing political relationships and finding out intrigue, perhaps slipping in an ear worm for someone to think about until they decide it was their idea, but he didn't find social events all that engaging when he rather be in his study going over research and working on his spell creations.

Usually at least.

Today was a special occasion, one that he was very glad to be at, because for this event the Mighty Nein would be in attendance and Essek found himself looking forward to whatever antics happened in their wake. But more so he was looking forward to seeing Caleb Widogast in all his finery, longing from afar as he wishes to dance with the man but thinking neither could ask. Well, he knows he cannot ask, that would be scandal above all else and his mother would have his head.

Essek was sipping wine, dressed in a beautiful gown of purples and silvers, mind barely on the conversation before him as his eyes scan the crowd for a shock of red hair and freckled skin. When he finds it, he wasn't expecting for it to be the man approaching him.

He can already feel his heart flutter in a way no one has ever invoked.

The request was even more shocking. He.. really hadn't though Caleb would ask, but he finds himself already stepping down from his float as he bows his head in return. "It would be my genuine pleasure to join you for a dance, Caleb Widogast," his accent lilts affectionately against the name as he takes the man's hand in his own. Already he heard the faintest gasp from someone nearby, but he didn't pay it any mind.

The moment Essek's eyes on him the rest of the room vanishes. It is noise in the background, barely noticeable. The people are like ghosts on the edges of his perception. There is only Essek and his hand soft and delicate against his own.

Caleb feels so clumsy leading him onto the dance floor. He cannot float like Essek. His steps must be so heavy in comparison even though he was trained for such things. A spy, the best kind of spy, needed to master many talents to be useful to the Empire.

The crowd seems to part of them as if by magic. The whispers spread like wildfire. The Shadowhand and the human mage. Dancing? Who did the human think he was? What did the Shadowhand gain from dancing with him? Was this a ploy of some sort on either of their parts?

Caleb heard none of it. He lays his other hand lightly on Essek's hip, a bit stiff and formal in his posture as he leads him into the first steps of the dance.

He opens his mouth to say something but cannot think of any words. What a fool he is. Caleb closes his mouth and ducks his head, embarrassed.

Essek's hand feels warm the second it's in Caleb's hand, keenly aware of the touch and warmth of the man. Every step they took to the dancefloor felt like stepping into a dream, the room fading away slowly from around him, vanishing as the whispers and looks left his notice.

Normally he would never dream of ignoring what was being said about him, he would focus and gather information, but to get to dance with the handsome flame wizard? Essek couldn't help but be enchanted by this moment.

Placing his hand on the man's shoulder, he is keenly aware of the weight of every point of contact the two have as he follows Caleb's lead effortlessly. Even with his feet on the ground, Essek was unerring in his grace, almost floating across the dancefloor with his partner.

He cannot help but smile when he sees Caleb fail for words, finding it charming as he ducks his head to catch those eyes.

"You dance beautifully."

They had trained him well at the Academy. A spy needed many skills so he had learned to dance. He had not done so in a long time but this might be his only chance. Caleb had learned with the Nein to seize these moments and regret the consequences later.

Oh, and there would be consequences. Hopefully he has not ruined Essek's career outright. He believes Essek is smart enough to turn this to his favor.

"You are beautiful," he says sincerely when he meets Essek's eyes.

He is. Under the soft glowing lights of the ballroom Essek seems like a glittering star. A fallen star that Caleb has somehow lucked his way into having this moment with.

"I hope that is not too forward."

Even if this could ruin Essek's career, Caleb was right, he would turn this into his favor if need be. Though he also was quite skilled at not caring what other people thought, to not let idle gossip ruin anything he set out to accomplish. So he did not fear dancing with Caleb, because this was far more important than his reputation.

"Not at all," perhaps it was forward by standard, but to hear Caleb's regard for him as such was flattering and welcome.

Especially when his partner was like a flame flickering beautifully in a dark room, all eyes were on them. He was handsome like this, fire burning so brightly that all could not help but stare, to be attracted even if it was dangerous --

Essek was no different, like a moth to that flame.

"Your regard is quite welcome, Caleb Widogast, I hope mine is as well," his smile is enigmatic, but hopefully telling that the regard was mutual.