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.

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[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.

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

A man could only take so much.

He could only take so much.

His eyes darkened as Rainier reached for his spoon, and when the spoon brushed his lips? He locked eyes with Surreal and imagined it was her skin he was tasting again.

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

Her stomach tightened, a shiver running down her spine. Her eyes held his, then flicked to his lips, then back to his eyes.

Then she took a second bite.

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

He took another bite as well.

Just a hint of teeth scraped metal.

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

Her fingers tightened on her spoon, and she reached to sample the berries.

She popped one into her mouth, tongue darting out to lick the juice off her index finger.

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

The back of his jaw locked.

Rainier lifted up another spoonful of the dessert, and offered it to Surreal.

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

She leaned forward with a smile, slowly tasting, then taking the custard off the spoon.

"It's good."

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

"Of that I have no doubt."

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

Her smile was slow, warm, curving first her lips then making it to her eyes.

"You have no idea, sugar."

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

If she wanted to push, then he could play. At least here, in this way.

"Do I want one?"

[birthrightgreen.livejournal.com]

"All knowledge is worth having," she said for the second time that night, though the phrase was a bit different when she wasn't talking about museums.

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

He raised an eyebrow. Another smile.

"Have you forgotten what I teach?"