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 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."

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

She paused a moment then smiled and clinked her glass against his.

"To once or twice."

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

When she miled like that it was very hard for Rainir to ignore the need to serve, and protect.

"And the townhouse? Does it have everything you need?"

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

"I think so? Saetan saw that it was always well staffed and equipped. I suppose it's expected that I hire a maid, but honestly, that's just more trouble than it's worth. I can dress myself."

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

Rainier stilled an the image of her doing just that creeped into his mind.

"...good."

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

Surreal glanced at him through her lashes again, her lips curving in a purely feminine smile. Nothing might ever be going to happen between them, but that didn't mean she wanted him oblivious to her.

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

"So." Looking at Surreal, he repeated the only words he could find. "No maid."

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

"No. Saetan insisted on it at the Hall, but here..." She shrugged. "Well. I can do more as I please. And if I need help for a more formal function..." She tried to think. "No. I can't think of why I would. Do aristo women really not draw their own baths?"

Now she was just being wicked.

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

Rainier could breathe. He reminded himself of that fact, physically forcing himself to cool down. As long as he breathed, it eased. Because he wondered if taht pleased spark in Surreal's eyes would fade if he actually responded to her flirting. He didn't want that to happen.

Rainier smiled for her.

"I doubt they even know how the water gets there."

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

She snorted. "I'll never be one of them." It was almost a warning. That her mother was a Queen and her....the man who speared her a Warlord Prince didn't matter.

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

Rainier looked puzzled.

"Did I miss the part where I said you had to be?"