The Dance

[zhilbar]

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

Comments

[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.

[mistressnaoko.livejournal.com]

She quickly turned and kissed his lips, forgetting the competiton thoroughly. "Mmmm..."

[zhilbar.livejournal.com]

He's hardly about to have issue with that! Kissing back, eagerly and lustily, His arm tightened around her, drawing His beloved closer.. "Ymmm!"

And they step forward as the line grows one shorter.

[mistressnaoko.livejournal.com]

The next couple lasted very shortly. He twisted his ankle almost immediately, and had to be carried out. His partner was vehement over it, and she smiled.

"Now that would have been a dance to watch," she said into the kiss, "Passion and anger... what a combination!" and went back to kissing him.

[zhilbar.livejournal.com]

"Two more to go, darling.." He grinned His mischevious smile, teasing her lips.. and lightly nipping at her neck. "I do hope we can last!"

[mistressnaoko.livejournal.com]

She grinned. The unfamiliar steps of the next pair caught her attention, and she whipped her head around to see why.

They were dancing the Finnish tango. Their step and dance were about missing their homeland, and looking at the blond hair of the girl, she guessed that the girl must have been at least part Finnish.

"Never thought I see such dances in a place like this," she muttered softly.

[zhilbar.livejournal.com]

He grins a little back. "Just goes to show you never can tell, eh?" He studied their movements, smiling a little at the touch of nostalgia in their dance.. Still, it lacked a true aching pathos, and for that He was glad. Conditions as they were, these two probably went back to the old country for the holidays every year.. and their dance reflected that. As they finished and stepped down, He clapped as loudly as any, smiling broadly to the couple.

And then came the final pair before they could take the stage, and within a matter of moments it was plain that these two blew away all that came before.

Every step, every line, every angle pure and perfect, a cool serenity to their faces and movement, their technique textbook perfect in every way. All could see that this was the team to beat, if it was at all possible..

And Zhilbar grinned at His lovely Naoko-chan again.

[mistressnaoko.livejournal.com]

She nodded, but there was something missing in their dance that she thought the others had missed.

"Technique is never a subsitute for passion, isn't it, love?" She said as the couple executed a perfectly timed headsnap. The smile on her lips, though pleasant, was positively mischievious. "Ballroom dancing is a little stale, don't you think, dearest heart?"

[zhilbar.livejournal.com]

"Depends on the hows and whyfores.. but I think this can be done better. Shall we show them how it's done?"

He hugged a little tighter.