(no subject)

[shelley_winters]

The dances are slow, the music subtle and strangely hypnotic. Barely dressed dancers flow elegantly through complex dance steps, alone and with one another, while guests dance in pairs, resplendent in rich costumes, but no match for grace.

To escape the world I gotta enjoy this simple dance

Hand in hand, face to face, those not talking or watching each other by the sides are dancing. But eyes flicker a little too keenly, a little too aware despite the abundance of expensive wine being passed about by blank-faced, statuesque ornamental slaves. This is business, for most, elaborately disguised as pleasure.

And it seemed that everything was on my side

(blood on my side)

The Forsaken create little clearings in the crowd as respectful and fearful Darkfriends keep a careful distance between themselves and their Masters and Mistresses, and it remains that way as Graendal leads Shelley by the hand to the centre of the floor.

Look who took you under
With seven inches in
Blood is on the dance floor
Blood is on the knife

Comments

[arewehuman.livejournal.com]

The soft sounds of Graendal's slippers sliding across the floor were barely audible over the chamber music. Shadows played across the surface of her dress as she smiled at Shelley. Ishamael's little doll was quite pretty in her red dress. Slowly, her beringed fingers enclosed around Shelley's tiny hand.

"You know the steps do you not, Lady Shelley?"

The shadow of a tight curl cut its way across Graendal's pretty face. A jagged line of dark across the powdered surface of her cheek that slowly encroached on the bright white of her teeth as she smiled. The translucent crimson of her gown cast the area around in shifting red light.

The tempo picked up.

[shelley_winters]

The girl nods up at the Forsaken - don't show any fear, don't - with a small tilt of her head as Graendal takes her hand. Delicately and with a creditable appearance of unconcern, she reaches up to place her hand on the other woman's shoulder.

She feels very small, and very helpless alone in this glittering crowd.

"I think so, yes."

[arewehuman.livejournal.com]

Step.

A woman whispered softly to a man as she danced. The low light shimmered across the satin of her gown. The tips of his canine teeth shone as the man smiled. It had all gone so very well. A fitting conquest, indeed.

Step.

Graendal's long nails slid across the embroidery at Shelley's waist, catching slightly in the threads. Tiny hexagons spun and whirled across Shelley's stomach as the light reflected off of the gems on her rings. Graendal leaned in closely to Shelley. The gown lightened at the light feeling of Shelley's warm flesh brushing against her breasts. The friction of the two cloths pulling at each other was a subtle pleasure.

Turn.

"I was quite surprised to see you this evening, Lady Shelley."

[shelley_winters]

Shelley is not conscious of the tension in her body, but even if she were, it's hardly a change from how she is most of the time. Graendal's closeness is near-suffocating, but all she can do is keep dancing.

Step.

"Were you?" she asks, unsure how else to respond.

[arewehuman.livejournal.com]

A light laugh from Graendal as she smiled sweetly. What could be learned from this girl about Ishamael was invaluable. Her dress swirled about her softly as she danced. The lightest touch of her index finger on Shelley's thumb.

Step.

"Oh, of course, you see Ishamael is so very protective of you."

[shelley_winters]

You mean, he keeps me locked up, she thinks bitterly, but only lowers her eyes a little, conscious of the black mark circling her finger, and what it represents.

(Thus is our treaty written)
-- you could cause me a great deal of problems if you spoke out of line with the other Chosen present --
(Thus is agreement made)

"I do not go out very much, it is true."

[arewehuman.livejournal.com]

A sweet smile for a moment. Now, that presented opportunites, if Ishamael had made a mistake and not coached the girl properly. She might as well attempt the direct approach.

Step.

"Well, he certainly is very fond of you."

Turn.

"I must confess that I am curious. How did you become the beloved of the Shadow's Champion?"

[shelley_winters]

Shelley flinches, looking away at the floor, and deliberately biting her tongue. Say nothing. Nothing until you can think. God, no.

She is slowly turning a dull red. If this wasn't punishment before, it is now. No, calm down. She knew this is what people would assume when she first lost the game, she knew.

"I..."

[arewehuman.livejournal.com]

A firm nod. Why would she not answer? Had she not been trained properly? Smiling as if to indicate how sweet the blush was, Graendal turned to avoid another couple as they danced in the center.

"Well, go on."

[shelley_winters]

I am not! I am not his beloved!

No. No, it is better by far just to let her go on thinking it. Hopefully Graendal will take this all for shyness.

"He never did say," she manages faintly.

[arewehuman.livejournal.com]

Graendal's face was all sweetness. That had not worked particularly well, and her options were exhausted. While she highly doubted that Ishamael's little toy was susceptible to such things, she had plenty to offer and it could pay off well if she happened to be.

Step.

Leaning forward, she brushed Shelley's cheek lightly before whispering something to her softly.

Step.

"If, however, you are finding his attentions... insufficient, then..."

Turn.

The implications of her statement are left hanging in the soft music. The light glinted off Graendal's red-gold curls as she smiled brightly.

[shelley_winters]

The girl frowns, confused, as she turns with the older woman before her eyebrows shoot suddenly upwards, and she blushes even pinker. For several reasons.

She shoots a helpless look in the direction Ishamael had vanished, before shaking her head slightly, and still not looking up.

They're all as mad as each other.

[arewehuman.livejournal.com]

A light laugh as the two turned. That had proven very useful indeed. His little lady looked for Ishamael when flustered... That was certainly worth noting.

"I think it is sweet that you two are so devoted to each other."

[shelley_winters]

Shelley grits her teeth behind a hopefully-bashful looking shrug, eyes still modestly lowered.

She hates this. Will she have to put up with this from everyone she speaks to? Possibly not, if she keeps to the edge and doesn't meet any eyes.

Oh, dear.

[arewehuman.livejournal.com]

As the final note held on, the dominant resolved to the tonic in the corea and the song was at an end. Graendal released Shelley's waist but held her hand for a moment longer.

"It was a lovely dance. Thank you, Lady Shelley."

Kissing Shelley gently on the cheek, Graendal relinquished her hands and sauntered off into the crowd.