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_/]

"The menu should be different at this hour, so that should add to the enjoyment one can have in choosing their own dinner." He walked silently for a moment, considering what he knew about his home. "No, I think it is abnormally cool this evening. Though we have always had the breeze. A nice, friendly reminder when you have dressed incorrectly."

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

She grinned and teased, "I'm not quite sure how to control my excitement."

She lifted her face to the breeze as they walked. "It's nice. Fresh. It was always hot in Draega."

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

"I noticed that as well." They had reached the dining house, and Rainier paused to hold open the door. "I always wondered if it was the land's way of expressing its anger."

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

She waited for him inside, then until the maitre'd had seated them, then looked at him curiously. "You've been to Terrielle?"

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

"I'm Second Circle, Surreal." She knew that, didn't she? Even after everything, it was a place he still stood. "In the times that Jaenelle needed a quieter task accomplished, something less visisble, it was easier for the lower courts to fill that service." There was a wry smile. "The First Circle is a noticable lot. And the truth of the matter was they were less expendable."

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

She nodded, no surprise ovre his place in the Court. "I didn't realize she sent people to Terreille besides..." Besides her and Daemon, but she wasn't bringing that up. Daemon had been through enough with the boyos and the looks they still gave him. The bruises she'd come back with, and Falonar's subsequent temper tantrum hadn't helped. "I didn't realize she'd had other agents working in the other Realms. I should have."

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

"Occasionally."

It was all he would say.

But Rainier couldn't hide his smile when Surreal was presented with her menu. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. He had arranged for all of them.

So that she could choose.

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

She watched him for a minute, then nodded. She wouldn't press for his secrets, so long as he let her keep hers.

Her eyes widened at the menu and she gave a laugh, shaking her head.

"I think I'll stick to dinner, but thank you."

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

He picked up his own menu.

"I just wanted to make sure you knew the option was there."

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

"I appreciate it."

And she did.

She watched him carefully, from beneath lowered lashes, trying to figure him out. Place him somewhere.

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

Rainier considered ordering a bottle of wine, but decided to see what Surreal ordered first. Instead he just asked his question.

"Perhaps we could see each other again sometime," he said over the menu. "Sometime next week? We could just dance again. Or just walk. Or just have lunch?"

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

She considered the question carefully. All the same reasons she'd said yes to his dancing invitation still applied. A friend would be nice to have.

That she had a physical reaction when he touched her a certain way was just....human reaction.

She smiled. "I'd like that."

When the waitress came over, Surreal ordered the steak, cooked medium rare, and yams.

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

"I would like it as well."

Rainier ordered a steak for himself, medium, as well as a selection of local vegtables.

"Are there other things you would like to do in the city?"

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

"I've heard there are some nice museums..." She smiled slightly. "And my wardrobe could use some updating. It's a bit behind the times after being in Askavi for a while."

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

He nodded in understanding. "Then I would be pleased to escort you both sightseeing, and shopping. On seperate days, of course."

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

"All right," she said with a smile, that might have been the slightest bit shy.

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

"Is there a type of museum that you prefer?" He managed to keep his eyes on Surreal even as they placed bread, and oil between them. "Art? History? Amd there is always the theater."

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

"I like them all. All knowledge is worth having." But her smile brightened at the mention of the theater. "I love the theater."

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

"Well then this is my chance to hopefully please you, and inform you I keep a box at the playhouse here."

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

She smiled, bright and definitely pleased. "It's a nice luxury to have."

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

Rainier drifted some bread through the small plate of oil and herbs.

"I can't deny I'm happy here."

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

"That's good to hear." She glanced around the restaurant, remembering a bit of the last few weeks and wondering if any of the people here were still whispering, speculating. If she'd be or been forgiven. "I hope I'll be content."

She'd never really hoped for happiness.

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

Something flashed in Rainier's eyes.

"Content is not a bad place to be. That is where most of us have to start."

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

"I've managed it once or twice." Her smile was quick, but real. Not as forced as maybe it felt.

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

He considered that for a moment, the raised his glass in a small toast.

"To once or twice."