The Dance

[zhilbar]

Zhilbar got His outfit together, looking forward to the coming evening. Now, to get His date...

Comments

[zhilbar.livejournal.com]

"Fodor's Travel Guides, honestly." He grinned, shining black shoe gently sliding up her calf. "I knew that I wished to take you to tango, and I had had many pleasant experiences in this part of Spain; the rest seemed to fall perfectly into place." A sip of wine, and considering another shrimp; "Mmm. Complements the food beautifully."

[mistressnaoko.livejournal.com]

Naoko laughed quietly.

"Rarely come here anymore. Spain used to be a hotbed... and I definately miss this," she took a sip of the wine and sighed contentedly. "There are many places like this in Spain if you know where to look," she winked again, "And I used to spend the whole night away dancing. Thank you love," she took another sip of the wine to hide the sudden influx of memories.

[zhilbar.livejournal.com]

And now she's caught Him by surprise, leaning forward with fingers intertwined. "Oho? Whenabouts were you here? Admittedly, I had a tough time of getting served in these parts during the Inquisition, or the Siege of Paris for that matter, but overall it's been rather fun. And I doubt you lacked for dancing partners.." He broadly winks back, just as the ahi arrived. "Ah, wonderful!"

..He sneaks His second shrimp first anyway.

[mistressnaoko.livejournal.com]

Nonchalantly, she put her glass back on the table and prepared another cracker of foie gras, popping it quickly into her mouth before replying and before the waiter had placed the seared ahi on their table.

"When I was a wee teen, about 15 or so. It was really fun coming out here and watching things just unroll. Of course I can't tell you WHY I was here now, can I? Celeste would skin me," she grinned more than a little mischivieously.

[zhilbar.livejournal.com]

"On, no, we can't have that. Your skin is too smooth and pretty!" Zhilbar assumed an excessively woebegone look, then grinned and turned to ahi. With scallops! And scallions! But we're trying a scallop or two now. And then some ahi. And then some wine! But the last shrimp is saved for Naoko-chan the lovely.

"Mm! Dee-lish, wouldn't you say, dear heart?"

[mistressnaoko.livejournal.com]

She laughed again, and it had been sometime since she laughed as often as she did today, minus the exception of her siblings' company. The shrimp lay there, and his intent look told her that she should take it before it went to waste, which she did, smiling as the waiter took their plates away.

"Very. I wonder if I should ask them for their recipe..." Just then the music began, and some started dancing... but it was not their turn just yet.

[zhilbar.livejournal.com]

"Ooh, there might be a chance of a beautiful chef cooking this up for a certain person sometime in the future?" And if so, can this certain Naoko-chef be wearing nothing but an apron?

Oh look, dancing has begun. "You know, darling, I was wondering..."

[mistressnaoko.livejournal.com]

"Hmm?" Naoko tore her eyes away from the dancers. There was an eager gleam in her eye that didn't quite match the rest of her face; she was struggling to conceal just how much she wanted to dance.

"Yes, dearest heart?"

[zhilbar.livejournal.com]

Which was a pretty fair match for the devilish gleam in His.

"One of the reasons I picked tonight was that there's a local dance competition in a little bit. We don't have to compete, but..." Le WINK.

[mistressnaoko.livejournal.com]

She grinned, putting her chin on her hands.

"It would be fun now, wouldn't it?" She winked. The couples took the floor for the warm-ups now, while the fish lay between them forlornly.

[zhilbar.livejournal.com]

"I take it you're interested, then? Perhaps we should get a 'doggy bag' and take to the floor, then.." He snaps His fingers for a waiter, offering His hand to that darling lass He loved so.

[mistressnaoko.livejournal.com]

With a devillish smile, Naoko took his hand, sliding out of her seat with a practiced grace and charm that attracted every eye around. Whispering a few words to the judges who nodded their assent, she and Zhilbar took the floor, practising a few ballroom dance steps. Their lower bodies danced quite close to each other, even as her upper body "shied" away from his. It was highly formalized and nothing like the improvised tango these people were used to dancing. Of course, when the competition began it would be another matter, and she winked at him, hoping he got the message.

[zhilbar.livejournal.com]

Dropping a few Krugerrands on the table in passing, He smiled wickedly and flowed out to the floor with the charming lass. Taking her in His arms, He first sought closeness but followed her body's lead afterward, upper limbs forming a proper 'frame' while He looked at her, puzzled.. then caught her wink and relaxed into the stylized dance with a smile.

Their feet moved smoothly, easily through the steps, hopefully lulling any prospective competition to their abilities at the contest's style.. after all, who mastered two forms in this day and age?

[mistressnaoko.livejournal.com]

She flashed a quick smile at him before her face settled into the serious but sultry look required for the competition. As the moved easily through the steps, she let her body take over and shut down her mind. She could hear the steps of the other dancers, once so sure, now not so anymore as this pair took the stage. Her senses were also acutely aware of the Dragon-God next to her, reeling from the divine presence. It was not an unpleasant whirl.

[zhilbar.livejournal.com]

Eyes flashing merrily, His face wore the look of a rogue; not quite competition-standard, but not so much off they'd be bothered. Steps gradually shifting from a staccato rhythmn to a smooth, nigh-noiseless flow, it almost felt as if the other dancers began to orbit them, responding to the sheer presence of the pair as Naoko-chan leaned her upper body in closer, feet flickering and presaging the elegant movements they made.

[mistressnaoko.livejournal.com]

For the most part, it sounded like an exhibition match rather than a competition. People were watching them rather than dancing, and it took the gong of the grandfather clock to remind them that they were here for a competition and not to watch others.

Naoko's eyes snapped open as the clock chimed, and she smiled at him. It would begin soon.

[zhilbar.livejournal.com]

His mouth close to her ear, He smiled and whispered. "Ready to knock 'em dead, love?"

[mistressnaoko.livejournal.com]

She smiled and nodded, watching as the first couple took to the stage. Because they were such late entries, they had been put to the back, and there were about 5 couples in front of them. Still, it wouldn't take too long.

"They're good. She holds her partner well," she commented, admiring the natural style of a dancer who dances for joy.

[zhilbar.livejournal.com]

"They are, aren't they?" He smiles, hand slowly trailing up and down her side as His arm was about her waist. "He leads fluidly, as well.. they move like one person."

And then He kisses her ear. Because she's got a really tasty ear!

[mistressnaoko.livejournal.com]

She giggled at the sensation, but her eyes never left the couple.

"They're almost lovers, but not quite. So innocent..." she muttered, her arms holding his around her waist as the couple did a final turn and bowed. She clapped long and loud, admiring them.

[zhilbar.livejournal.com]

"You know, I've never really missed My innocence to any great degree. Have you found yourself pining for it, darling?" Zhilbar would clap, but that would mean He'd have to quit holding Naoko-chan! A fearsome predicament, indeed... to be solved by whistling in a pleasant tone.

[mistressnaoko.livejournal.com]

She grinned and leant back into him, putting her head on his shoulder even while she was still looking forward.

"Not really, dearest. It's just innocence is something to be preserved, if possible, rather than desecrated," she smiled.

[zhilbar.livejournal.com]

And He gently stroked her hair with His off hand. "For others, yes. It's for each one of us to choose if and how to desecrate our own, after all.."

[mistressnaoko.livejournal.com]

She couldn't help laughing quietly.

"That's true, love," she watched as the second couple took the floor. "Ah... this is interesting. They're going formal. I wonder if either one of them's a teacher..."

She put her hands over his, hugging him closer.

[zhilbar.livejournal.com]

Grinning, He looked them over with a critical eye and a barely perceptible shrug; probably the only person who would notice was Naoko-chan, and that was due to the physical contact! "Do you think there's anything from them you could learn?"

And he kisses her cheek, right next to the mouth; He's REALLy enjoying her company.