A Party

[Lynesse {Celia/Jazzy} 398]

The first song slowly drew out to an end as Thomas unraveled and spun Lynesse, a hearty grin still plastered onto his face. Lynesse smiled back at Thomas as she allowed herself to be pulled back to him, entering his embrace.

 

"Well, that was quite entertaining. We didn't really make that many mistakes..." she said looking down to Thomas' right big toe with an embarassed expression on her face.

 

"You should go dance with someone else, m'love. It's only right to dance with the lady of honor, your niece. I'll be my table waiting if you need me, dear." she continued, with a nod of approval.

[Cracker 4570]

Entering the dance floor had flooded Siegmund of old memories. His upbringing revolved becoming a loyal soldier for his elder brother Siegfried, the heir of title Lord Carrion. Yet his father advised against sending him off as a ward or page; the impact of foreign influence could sway the young Siegmund's mind away from obedience to the House. The mother Carrion decided instead to teach him one courtly affair; dancing. Much of his prepubescent years were spent performing dance over dance in rapid succession to hone the physical stamina needed for warfare, an intensive, safe way of honing the young boy into the soldier he needed to be. He despised it at first, but the enormous pressure his mother placed upon him buckled the boy into submission.

 

His dancing skill had since then been subjugated to simple folk dances to appease brothers-in-arms, but as Siegmund clasped his hand upon Lorin's back, muscle memory of appeasing his mother with elaborate dance began to resurface. He began their dance with a slow swaying waltz, gliding across the floor. Making his way to the musicians themselves, he blurts out

 

"Double time!"

 

The lute players answer his command as they begin to play their instruments at a heightened pace. Siegmund's waltz quickly morphed into a mechanic folk dance of twirls and turns. His face remained rigid with concentration as his feet dashed across the floor effortlessly. However, watching Lorin keep along to his intense dancing had a delighted effect on Lord Carrion; a smile soon broke upon his face as he relished the thought of her watching his every step to keep to his intrinsic dance pattern. He made sure to not outshine Lorin, but certainly test her dancing capabilities.

[Urahra 5777]

"Double--whoah!" 

 

The slow, lilting waltz suddenly picks up tempo, changing into a lively folk song. Lorin nearly stumbles, almost colliding into Carrion as the steps to the dance abruptly changed. Disoriented, Lorin began trying to match her steps to Carrion's. It takes her a moment to orient herself and several times, she nearly trips over his feet or her own. Lorin stared down at Carrion's feet, trying to mimic his steps. Finally managing to pick up the step, she glances back up at him, letting out a breathless little laugh. "It's not fair to surprise me like that!" she calls over the lively strumming of the lutes and the beat of drums. She glances back down at his feet again, slightly amazed. Carrion danced as though he'd been born dancing - as though he'd first started dancing in his mother's womb. Lorin was forced to make a real effort just to keep pace with him.

 

The lively music fills the air of the dance hall with energy and joy - the sawing of the fiddle electrifying the subdued atmosphere of the party. All around them, the previously waltzing couples were swirling and stomping the floor. The women's dresses spun in a blur of color. Lorin let a spirited laugh, the sound as clear and high as a bell. With just two words, Carrion had somehow changed the entire atmosphere of the party.

 

As the musicians finished off the song, many of the couples on the dance floor paused to applaud them, some hooting with glee. Lorin giggles breathlessly, coming to a clumsy halt and nearly collapsing against her dance partner. She beams up at Carrion, face bright with joy. "You didn't tell me you could dance like that, you old dog!" she grins, giving him a light shove. "Keeping secrets like that -- not fair!"

 

Some music to set the mood:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hi9Ju_qz1Hk

[Coaster 2086]

He opened his eyes, having felt all the eyes trained on him, the unwelcome stares. He reveled in the cowardice of the nobles, too fearful to approach him. In turn he stared down each man or woman who presumed to look at him, feeling a hint of joviality when they set their eyes elsewhere, blushing. All except for one man, Peter Chivay, who was approaching him with a grace unhampered by his speed. Their eyes met, and both men gave the slightest of nods to one another - a sign of mutual respect rather then friendship.

Under the watchful eyes of the White Rose sentries and Augustus' own men, they spoke in tones audible to only each other. Augustus kept his face hidden of all emotion, nodding in agreement occasionally, shaking his head no at times, and mumbling a muffled word through his blood red bandanna. Only once the conversation was reaching an end did Augustus allow himself to observe the environment again. Uthor Silverblade and his wife, doting on one another, the Hightowers arguing among themselves, and finally, Lord Carrion and a girl he did not recognize but vaguely remembered - dancing happily. Her name escaped him, but she had been present when he had taken Siegmund Carrion's eye for public drunkenness. He turned abruptly at the sound of Lord Chivay's voice, who was offering him a hand - an end to the talks, the reach of an agreement. He took the hand firmly, and shook briefly.

He politely but bluntly refused to stay longer, making mention of his advanced age, and various physical conditions. He no longer had any reason to stay.He turned without a word and made for the exit, intent on leaving; his guards followed him like two shadows, wraiths skulking in the wood.

[Cracker 4570]

"Where would fun be if I told all of my secrets, Lorin? You have much to learn of me" whispered Siegmund, nudging Lorin playfully in return. His breath seemed short and fatigued, but his words had come out much stronger than his traditional murmurs and grunts.

 

Siegmund's expression was calm and almost peaceful despite the throng of people cheering the pair on. He still felt incredibly out of place, but the sheer energy of dancing had turned Lord Carrion from somber to serene. The entire festivity had seemed one vivid blur of excitement, and Lord Carrion could only stare blankly at the overwhelming energy in the crowd. After a quick bow to the applauding crowd of nobility, Siegmund took Lorin's hand. He planted a soft kiss upon it before raising it thick into the air.

 

"To Lady of Honor, Lorin Chivay!"

[Urahra 5777]

Lorin laughs as he lifts her arm into the air, giddy with breathlessness and electrified by the fervent music. She blushes, giggling wildly. Lowering her hand, she fiddles with her hair. A few stray strands had escaped, free floating around her flushed face. She hugs Siegmund's arm, beaming up at him. "Another dance!" she demands, the high color of her cheeks off setting the cobalt blue of her eyes. She gently tugs on his arm like an eager child. "Come on, please?" She lets out another giddy laugh, eyes wide and bright with joy. "You have to!"

[dandan1350 479]

Moved to the Great Library. It shall be sorted into appropriate category shortly.