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

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

Rainier just smiled. That was all. Just smiled.

"Wait until we've danced a few more times, and then you can let me know for sure."

Guiding Surreal through the entrance to the dance hall, Rainier navigated the usual distractions with obvious practice. He took the oportunity to brush against thus unexplored skin as he took her wrap. His voice was low.

"You should never have to worry about keeping up with anyone, I imagine."

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

She met the smile with one of her own. "I'll keep that in mind."

Her breath caught slightly at the seemingly innocent touch, the tenor of his voice. He shouldn't be able to just...do that.

"Not in a long, long time, no."

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

"Let's be content to keep up with each other then?"

Rainier had not realised there was silence until the music began again, swelling behind them. A new look of pleasure was there, as he lead Surreal to the edge of the dance floor. Twenty or so other couples were already there, dancing in a sea of color. Surreal stood alone, in her black.

And then it seemed to Rainier, she just stood alone. He extended one hand to her, determined to offer what he could.

It was a waltz.

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

She watched him for a long minute, then nodded, half wary almost. Layers and undertones here that she wasn't sure what she was agreeing to, but she took his hand and let him lead her out.

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

It was obvious that he loved the waltz, Rainier was aware of that. Even he could feel a renewed lightness in his steps, the opportunity to not break contact with our partner even once for the entire dance something to be enjoyed. His cheek brushed Surreal's as he pulled her close.

"It's just a dance," he soothed. "Let it be just a dance."

Sometimes that was all it needed to be.

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

She knew the waltz, the ultimate dance of seduction, as well as she knew every other tool. The way to turn, the way to look, the arch of her arm in just a way, so that a dance wasn't just a dance.

But she let that slide away, under his words. Smiling up at him, she relaxed and just danced.

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

Something caught in Rainier's throat. But he swallowed, and pushed it away. With ease he guided them to the furthest edge od the floor, the space allowing for the broadest steps, and most sweeping turns.

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

She chuckled happily, turns being her favorite thing, and where she felt she excelled.

"So how did you become such an accomplished dancer?"

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

"That..." Rainier swept up Surreal in another turn. "Would be telling."

If they came out the other side of it that much closer, it wasn't for him to say.

"Though I will say I didn't really learn anything until I began teaching the Coven."

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

She chuckled. "I can see how that would be an educational experience."

A slightly arched eyebrow at the closeness, but she didn't protest.

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

"The whole lot of them came to a universal decision that it was up to them to teach me a thing or two," Rainier admitted with a smile. "And that was besides the lessons I accepted I needed on my own."

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

She laughed. "What did they want to teach you? And what had you already set yourself to learn?"

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

"My lessons were with Lucivar."

Rainier left it at that.

"As for the Coven? For one thing just how little my snarl would get me, until I put some teeth into it."

Perhaps he should explain a bit more?

"They didn't scare easily."

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

Lessons with Lucivar told her more than enough, and she slid her eyes over him more assessingly.

She smiled slightly. "The still don't. Did you put...teeth into it?"

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

"They all still dance with me."

It was an answer of sorts.

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

Not a straight one, the look she gave him said.

"They also seem very fond."

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

His smile was the most genuine yet.

"I know that I'm very fond of them."

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

"They're easy to be fond of." Her voice was sincere, if a bit disgruntled. She wasn't used to being...fond of so many people.

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

"And now who's snarling," Rainier teased, easing her to a stop as the music ended. "Even if it is a little one?"

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

She flashed him a look before she realized she was being teased, then smiled, rueful and apologetic. "They're a bit much when you're used to being on your own."

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

Rainier rolled his shoulders, quietly easing into a quadrille the as the orchestra played the first few bars. The couple closest to them came to stand next to them, respectful of the distance they sensed he desired.

"I'll share a secret with you," he murmered as the steps lead him to bruh by Surreal. "They can be a bit much, even when you're not."

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

Surreal laughed, a happy, relaxed sound. "Say it isn't so," she teased lightly as she brushed back past him.

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

"I like your laugh."

Rainier whispered it the next time their shoulders touched, and open, even honesty there. Nothing more, and nothing less.

"I don't need to say that for it to be true." There was a certain grin this time. "And you and I both know they prefer it that way."

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

She flushed, smiling a little. She didn't think anyone had ever given her such a simple compliment. "Thank you."

The next turn, she grinned at him again, face a little flushed from the exertion of the dance. "That's how they like things, I think."

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

"It is," he agreed. "And what they like, is what is." And something he was bound to, proud to be a part of.

The steps were natural, so Rainier could focus on watching her dance.

"How long will you be in town?"