AU for _deadlydance_, set immediately after "The Price"

[birthrightgreen]

She wasn't nervous. She had nothing to be nervous about. It wasn't like it was a romantic evening. They'd just worked so hard on the case, working to catch the rabid witch who'd been slaughtering innocent males. And they had, with Jaenelle's help. Now Jaenelle and Daemon were back on their honeymoon and she...

She was here in Amdarh, back how she had been, nursing the bruises Falonar had left. So, why, exactly was she changing her dress? The one she had on was perfectly acceptable. She was going out dancing with a friend. She could use a friend right now. What she couldn't use was a male thinking he was just going to sweep in and carry her off.

Not that he was probably thinking that, but she was suspicious.

He was a male, and years of seeing them abused by her own sex still hadn't made her trust them as a gender. Then again, she didn't trust most people.

With a growl at herself, she finally settled on a black dress with enough slink to impress and a enough swirl to make a statement on the dance floor, no matter how elegant and formal. Hair pinned half up, the rest left down. If people stared at her ears, so be it.

She was ready. It was going to be fun. She kept repeating that. Fun. With a friend.

Just a friend. He wasn't expecting anything. He wouldn't be that foolish.

She just wished she knew what he wanted.

Comments

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

She fiddled with her wine glass. "Even if I wanted to go every night?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_deadlydance_/]

Especially.

"Even if you want to go every night."

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

"You might get sick of me rather quicker than that." Especially if she kept snarling at him when he was trying to be nice.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_deadlydance_/]

Something in his eyes warmed slightly, and Rainier tilted his glass slightly towards Surreal.

"I assure you, I will not grow tired of the Lady's company."

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

Her smile was a touch rueful. "All right."

Time would tell.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_deadlydance_/]

His own smile was a touch encouraging.

"All right."

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

She flushed a little, nodded.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_deadlydance_/]

There was a look of concern.

"Is something wrong with your dinner?"

Because if so, he intended to fix it.

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

She glanced up, meeting his eyes with a slow smile.

"Nothing's wrong with my dinner."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_deadlydance_/]

He managed to keep is voice fairly firm.

"Good."

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

"It is." Her smile was warm, before she dropped her gaze back to her wine.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_deadlydance_/]

He focused in on the quiet, and watched her.

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

She finished up her steak, smiling slightly, then sat back, fingers playing over her wine glass.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_deadlydance_/]

Rainier kept his eyes on hers as he summoned himself a new glass of wine.

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

"Dessert?" She tilted her head just a touch, inquiringly.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_deadlydance_/]

He nodded slowly.

"Why don't you order this time."

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

She called in a menu, looking over it, then ordered an assortment of small creme brulees--a chocolate, vanilla, berries, and pumpkin.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_deadlydance_/]

There was a new, appreciative look in his eyes.

"I should ask you to order more often."

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

She smiled slightly. "It's something I'm familiar with."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_deadlydance_/]

There was a moment of surprise, if not a look of one. That was before Rainier remembered to just what depth Surreal valued her independance. It was not something he should have forgotten, after three full days of hunting through the city with her. But sitting here, dining with Surreal, some of the edges had eased.


"So I see."

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

She shrugged slightly, smiled wryly. Guessing what a man might like was a useful skill in more than the bedroom. It had served her well for too long to let it slide.

"I'm glad you like the choice."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_deadlydance_/]

He nodded, honest.

"I do."

Would truthful admiration go wrong?

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

She smiled at him, pleased.

"Good."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_deadlydance_/]

The afternoon was further away than Rainier had intended.

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

Surreal smiled at the waitress as she brought the creme brulee out, handing them each a spoon.

A quirk of her eyebrow at Rainier in invitation, and she scooped up some of the chocolate, closing her eyes with a sigh of delight as she tasted it.