bakerstreet | Dance with me

( Origin companions or fellow Tavs are especially welcome to this~ Open for it to be platonic dance lessons or something more. )

[It's an important thing, she thinks, for them to take their wins, regardless of size, when they can get them. As such, on days and evenings that are particularly gruelling or unkind, she'd prefer to encourage a more emotionally-constructive environment. Not just for herself, but for the others.

Somber is, to her quiet observation, quite likely often locked into his thoughts, though she's never made too much effort to pry excessively. Little prods and points to questions here and there. His information, however, is his to keep if he should wish to and Nepione is well aware that sometimes people need their secrets.

This evening is not an especially unique one. In fact, it's pretty well mundane by her standards. A refreshing change of course in the face of other things they've had to come up against. So when she finds him when he's not being addressed by comrades or busy with much more than his own inner contemplation, she waits with relative patience, hands folded together, long tail flicking this way and that.]

Ah, there you are.

[As if she hasn't just been watching him periodically whilst the day's come to its close.]

Feel like humouring me for a little? You can say 'no,' but just be aware that if you do, I might have to annoy you into submission.

[ Normally, Somber would wander off on his own with his lute once he has the time for himself, but for once, he welcomes the quiet evening after their battle earlier today. It was a bloody and hilariously explosive encounter, so it probably satisfied that part of him to make it easier to be relaxed tonight. Open, even.

It also helps that he's surrounded by very capable people that can, will(?), and by all accounts, should kill him if he loses himself. What happened with Alfria won't happen again.

Tonight is one of the few successes where the compulsions are not only quieted, but he also isn't suffering some massive headache as a result. He doesn't know if that's with the tadpole's help or simply through sheer will, but he's grateful and terrified for it all the same. ~~Maybe it's the friends he's made along the way.~~

He's simply relaxed by his tent when Nepione approaches him and offers a smile reflecting that reflects that. ]

You don't have to annoy me to get me to submit. [ D'oh, he can't help it with those kinds of one liners. He'll even add a teasing wink for her before standing up to meet her properly. ]

What is it?

[What a way to put it.

Her weight shifts between her feet. A tip of her head later and she realises that she wasn't prepared for the remark. She rarely truly is, it seems, regardless of who such a thing might come from. Maybe she's just a good old dash of repressed cleric. At least, there's probably a tome out there that would describe those like her precisely as that.

Offering up her shoulders in a gentle shrug, she realises she's having second thoughts. What benefit does it provide him to get lost in a moment? Distraction, perhaps? Maybe it's more selfish for her, in an attempt to understand something that maybe others wouldn't even bother with. Maybe some ill-placed sentiment of 'I can fix him,' which is ridiculous in retrospect.

It'll be worth contemplating the details over later.]

Well. [She thinks for a beat more, wishing improvisation was more her forte. Better to just be honest. Nepione is a terrible liar most of the time.] I'm sure you've done a little dancing here and there, no? In your travels. I thought you might show me something you've learned along the way.

[Smooth. Real smooth. It doesn't quite come out the way she'd like it to, but at least it's out.]

[ Honestly, props to her for being an ace at repression because Somber could learn a thing or two. Urges side, he's earned the ire of many with his jeers and ridicule. (They usually are walking gonks that end up dead anyway, so who cares?) For his travel buddies, this translates to teasing at various levels, sometimes more gentle than others, depending on how he sees them. He's pegged Nepione to be in that category especially given her reaction just now. Maybe he'll push it someday, just to see her blush. (As for fixing him, he even comes with a toolbox. It's just locked with a set of instructions that nobody can understand and the tools themselves are likely sentient assholes.)

The half-drow can only recall a little about himself when he first woke on the nautiloid ship, with most things gradually coming back to him in the form of muscle memory, including the instruments he's learned and dancing also. ]

You're asking me to dance? [ Welp, he's going to hold his hand out to her now. In front of the others, even. They may or may not be paying attention. ]

I can't do it without a partner.

[ Yes, he can but. Shh. ]

Edited (I'm stupid) 2023-10-16 21:42 (UTC)

Yes?

[Why it comes out as a question is honestly beyond her. Like she's trying to squeak out a response and just barely manages to get it out. His implied invitation is an expected one. He absolutely can dance perfectly fine on his own, especially if he's teaching her a step, but it occurs to her that if it's a dance meant for two people then there's likely a respective part for each.

Perhaps he means to teach her the other half.

Clearing her throat, she issues a quiet laugh, trying not to look as uncertain as she actually feels. Who knows how successful that is. She sometimes fears that everything about her comes through the eyes. Hope, disappointment, joy, and every shade of grey in between.]

I don't know that I would make much of one. These kinds of things really aren't what I'm best at.

[But she decides the worst thing that can happen as she places her hand in his is that she makes herself look like a fool. Their companions have seen plenty of those moments already. It is very likely that by this point she is simply known as the silly fool of their little troupe.]

Don't worry. Considering everything we've been through, the worst thing is that we'd step onto each other's toes. [ In somewhat of an exaggerated movement, mostly for laughs, he'll lead them both to a little clearing. It's just away from the campfire where disaster can easily fester but close enough for them to still be visible to the others in case...another disaster happens. And it won't. ]

We can start with basics and work our way up. [ Somber can't recall how he learned his skills as a performer, so it's a little awkward even for him to provide verbal direction. He's just going to have to show and help her follow. The first of it involves simple steps, with Somber counting "one, two, three" to help them along. Their hands are still connected throughout the process as he counts, helping them rotate without actually hitting anything else. ]

Ever done a twirl before? [ He asks this as he continues to guide her through the three steps. Figures it'd be nice to give her the heads up. ]

One of us has claws on their feet. [...Or maybe both of them do? She's never looked at a drow's feet before, but she has to assume it's like anyone else who is still marginally humanoid and not... her.] It's possible I'd do more damage to you than vice versa.

[Leaving aside the unspoken subject in the proverbial room. She knows he has... things going on with him. Things she doesn't know the details of, but that there are things. It wouldn't take much for him to have a repeat of the pretty bard that once inhabited their camp. To say she doesn't think about that frequently enough would be false.

Despite all of that floating about her head, Nepione watches him, trying to follow along as much as she can. She's a little clumsy, not the most graceful, and—in her opinion—ill-suited for elegant things like dance. But maybe she makes up for that with her stunning amount of commitment. She always tries her best.]

Hm? [She begins, so focused on steps that it takes her a moment to realise what he's asked.] Oh, no. No, no. I don't really dance. That is, I haven't. I do a great job of being very laughable already. I think if I tried to seriously dance, everyone might roll over in their tears and we'd never get anything done.

[ Death by tiefling claws wouldn't be the worst way to go, he think. Fitting, even. He really liked Alfira and maybe if he didn't have this side of him...

Just as he almost loses himself to that nightmarish road, he narrowly steps on a stone that surely would've thrown him off balance if he didn't catch himself on time. He wouldn't put it past the cleric to notice his brief moment of being distracted. She's a lot more perceptive than she seems. ]

Don't sell yourself short. Once you get the movements down, you'll never forget them. [ He's mostly proof of that. He doesn't know who his previous partner was for him to have learn this, but he's focusing entirely on his current partner now. Really, for her to even ask him to dance at all despite everything is welcoming. ]

Ready? [ Or not, he's going to do it. ] I'll raise my arm and that's when you'll twirl. One, two... [ MAKE A PERFORMANCE CHECK OR SMT?? ]

[It is impressive that he can catch himself in such a way that he makes it seem like he never lost his footing to begin with. At least in her opinion. Nepione has never had that kind of ability. Generally, if she's going to fall, she most certainly does, and everyone else around her likely becomes aware of it as well.]

I prefer to think of it as being realistic. You'll see what I mean, I'm sure.

[But she's willing to play along. If it gives him a distraction, something to take his mind away from some of the more serious things going on, then good. Even he deserves a breath of respite from time to time, though she imagines there are others who would not agree. For understandable reasons, of course.

With her free hand, she gestures, a pointed forefinger upwards, mimicking the motions of one turning.]

You mean like this, right?

[She's still doing it even as he's counting down.

Performance Check—13

She'll be better at this than she thinks, but it's not masterful by any means. At least, however, she's not going to be stepping on his feet just yet. It could be a sight better, but amidst the somewhat mechanical and clearly overthought motions on Nepione's part, it's a success.]

[ No one looks dignified when fallen prone, but at least it appears cute when it happens to some more than others. It's like, watching a fluffy kitten tangled up in yarn. You want to help but not without looking on in amusement first, which is what Somber has definitely been guilty of whenever he lends Nepione a helping hand.

The snerk he lets out as he watches her turn. He almost wants to reset the counter just to see if she spins herself dizzy. But ultimately, she pulls it off to which Somber offers her a quiet clap. (A loud clap would attract everyone's attention without a doubt. Unless, that's what she wants...!) ]

Nice one. [ And nobody got knocked over or anything! ]

Alright, let's the whole thing again but I won't be counting this time. [ The bard bows, as if to start this off as the "real thing" and holds his hand out. Looks like another performance check is coming up. ]

[She's not about to call it anything particularly showboat worthy, but she has at least the sense not to... spin and spin and spin (shockingly). That said, Somber claps and she plays the rest of the role well enough. Slipping one foot behind the other, she bends into an awkward dramatic bow. He even looks better bowing than she does.

That's what Volo would do, isn't it? He seems full of an amount of pomp and birdlike display that she can emulate somewhat passably.]

Ah, yes. We've discovered my brand new talent.

[Nepione doesn't seem to be serious about that in the slightest. Righting herself, she shakes her head with a smile, though it drops just a touch when he makes mention of repetition. Sans counting.]

I really prefer it when you count. Not that I don't have the ability to do so myself. It's just easier when you do. Surely you'll reconsider.

[ Somber pauses, thinking about all the possible hilarious outcomes but shakes them off. ] Not going to lie, I almost don't want to just to see what would happen. But alright. I'll do the counting until you feel comfortable to go without.

And once you learn to do this along with the appropriate song, you'll be the most popular cleric amongst the other Selunites yet.

[ He says that with a flourish of his hands, as if trying to conjure that image with magic if he knew how, and holds his hand out for her to take again. ]

[Her relief is palpable. Or perhaps it's simply that sometimes, those feelings come in so quickly that she can't always adequately subdue them. Either way, the features in her face relax from a faint worry into something... not quite as worried.

She doubts there's a time when she's not worried about something.]

I'm sorry, did you say song? Not something I have to sing, hopefully. Because like everything else that's some kind of performing art, that's going to be a pass.

[Something something this is likely part of why so many of her 'spells,' if we want to call them such, don't work as intended.

Either way, she's not sure she can picture it. Taking his offered hand, she's dreadfully focused on positioning. She may have asked him to dance for the sake of providing him distraction, but she's taking this just as seriously.]

I think I can live without the popularity, honestly. There aren't many positive things many would say about a tiefling.

I can't remember what I was known for, but I doubt looking the way I do gives much of a good first impression. [ Being half-drow, that is. He's not enough of one or the other to belong or feel true kinship with either of them. Not to mention the little ache in him that wants him to know that he never would have "belonged" even if he only had one heritage. ]

At least you're cute.

[ The image of her spinning while playing air-lute and singing non-sensical lyrics would be a sight to behold. He purses his lips to keep the chuckles down but one does manage to escape him. ] I don't mean for you to sing earlier but now I want to know what it'd take to get you to do both. Two wine bottles, maybe?

[ He's going to start moving again, see if he can distract her with conversation well enough that he doesn't have to count. ]

[He doesn't have to explain for her to understand. She's not a drow either, not even a little, so to say she understands is unfair to him. Tieflings, despite their very difficult hardships, still have a significantly easier life. In the moments that pass, she looks to him both apologetically and with a great deal of sympathy. He deserves better.

He interrupts her thoughts with his weigh-in. Cute—]

No. [Nepione heads that off very quickly, as if she's utterly unwilling to accept that assessment.

Ignoring the endearing chuckle that escapes him, she follows his movements, more distracted by their exchange of words than what they're actually doing.] Probably more than that. It's not happening, Somber.

[Not willingly, anyway.]

Let someone more worthy of that role have that. I like staying where I feel I belong.

[ Somber just smiles away that look of concern from her. It's appreciated, but not needed...and undeserved, after everything he's done. ]

Alright, alright. Then tell me more about this place where you feel like you belong.

[ Most of their merry band of oddballs are exactly that, odd. And it looks like talking is a good distraction for her after all, so he's going to pull her into a full on waltz - see, no counting needed! ]

And am I invited to that club?

[She's thankful that he is simply inclined to play along and humour her. Some have been known to intentionally attempt to get under her skin. Most of all when they stumble onto something that she clearly may not be fully comfortable with.

His question is a somewhat unexpected one. Certainly not one she has an immediate answer for. As a result, she's quiet for longer than she'd like, only scarcely registering that dancing may not be as hard as she's thought it to be. Maybe it's because she's not the one leading.

... Maybe it's because it's different when she's cooperating instead of fighting against it?]

I'm about to disappoint you, but I haven't found it yet. Once I do, however... Well. I think you're being too hard on yourself. You could fit in anywhere just by being yourself. It isn't the where that matters. It's who you surround yourself with. So...

[Gently, tenderly, reassuring she squeezes his hand.]

You will find your place with those your thoughts and hearts align. That is where you belong.

[ Somber could introduce a new move entirely just to see how much Nepione can follow when she isn't overthinking, but he doesn't. The movements register to him as comfortable, which is the best his memory serves him for now.

Speaking of which, though her words mean to comfort there's an apparent look of apprehension on his face. It's not that she's yet to find a place for her that bothers him - he did partially mean it as a joke, but the sincerity of her answer gets to him. He doesn't deserve that level of sympathy from anyone. He blinks away the feeling, undoing the few seconds of doe-eyed vulnerability and replacing it with his usual, easygoing smile. ]

I guess the first step is to figure out what it means to "be myself". [ For better or for worse. He knows he can count on some of their companions to take him out if need be, but he doesn't say this.

You know what, he's going to try a new move after all. He'll at least give her a very quick verbal cue. ]

Look.

[ (It's probably not the best verbal cue.) Right |as they hit the third step, he's going to slowly lower her to the ground to go for a dip, keeping a light but alert arm to support her in case she slips. ]

[She has to wonder how many times, if any, that she has worn a similar expression, thinking that perhaps she has been given something she's not deserved. It feels like a very human sentiment to experience, being quick to undervalue one's self or perceive one's self as expendable or insignificant. They are not thoughts that she is personally proud of. Better to keep them to herself.

And better not to let someone like Somber drown in them. Proverbially, she seems inclined to let him have her hand. If he should ever find himself in an imperfect darkness he cannot extract himself from.]

Self-discovery is a very good start. Very sound.

[She could probably say more, offer some kind of verbose pep talk that she has no business giving, but would be all too eager to give regardless. What he does and what he continues with, however, provides adequate distraction. At first she isn't even certain what she should be looking at. Transparent confusion flutters into the soft glow of her eyes until he makes it evident.

Oh. Someone is getting fancy, it seems. Maybe he really does mean to embarrass her. Truthfully, it's a wonder she doesn't just make the biggest spectacle. She's a small, slender creature, sometimes appearing impressively delicate when she's not donning clerical armour.]

Somber— [It takes her a moment to gather herself, using her hold on him to keep a relatively stable footing.] —are you testing me? I feel like this might be a little more elegant than I'm accustomed to. Something more befitting pompous galas.