shelley_winters | (no subject)

(no subject)

Shelley stares hard at the floor after Mesaana walks away, ignoring the proximity of other guests and the way they look at her, hopeful or fearful or condescending. How dare that women even speak to her after- but the Forsaken all have that supreme arrogance, Ishamael more than any. Her expression tightens bitterly. After this, she is never taking any wager from him ever again.

She turns to pick up her wine for lack of anything else to do, and catches a woman's eye, who curtsies, and makes her way closer.

"My lady," she greets.

Shelley stares back warily before nodding politely. How is she supposed to address this woman? Saying 'my lady' back would sound silly, but she doesn't know who this is.

"Your dress looks wonderful, if I may say so," the older woman continues, apparently unconcerned by her silence. "I am Mohra Terail. Might I know your name?"

Shelley pauses. Well... why not?

"Thank you, Lady Mohra. I am Selae Arata Pilaera," she lies smoothly, and with no small amount of satisfaction.

The woman smiles widely at this evident acceptance of her company, and moves closer.

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Shelley swallows, and inwardly glares at him. But that was the term of the wager, and she can hardly refuse in front of this woman without causing a fuss.

"You may," she says finally, extending a small hand with the same cool hauteur he encouraged her to show other guests.

"Will you excuse us, Lady Mohra?"

The steadiness of her bow was a credit to her control before a deep breath.

"Yes, of course, my lady, Lord Ishamael."

With perhaps a touch of undue haste, Mohra slid off into the crowd.

Taking her hand, Ishamael led her out to the dance floor. A soft smile as he waited for a moment for the music to begin.

"Thank you, Lady Shelley."

"I hardly had a choice," she mutters, while poorly feigning unconcern.

Shelley places her hand on his shoulder as the music starts with a small sigh, and doesn't look at him. At times like this, it helps that her eyeline is just below his neck.

Ishamael tilted his head as the music began to play. His hand rested gently on her hip, his thumb sliding over the embroidery as he spoke softly.

"Did something happen that I should know about, Lady Shelley?"

Shelley shifts irritably, and keeps looking straight ahead, letting him lead the dance - which is necessary in any case, as she is not entirely familiar with these steps.

"Depends."

She borrowed one of Mesaana's aliases? She spoke to Mesaana? She danced with Graendal?

A small smile as he glanced over her shoulder. That stunt with Mesaana's alias was truly hysterical. He had been watching from afar for long enough to see.

"For the record, I think your use of the alias of Selae Arata Pilaera was both exceptionally clever and outrageously funny. To see the look on Mesaana's face when she learned of it..."

"Yes, she'll probably fail to kill me again," mutters Shelley, glancing at the floor to check she is following his steps correctly.

"I just hope it confuses people."

That woman may have been terrified by Ishamael's appearance, but Shelley knows how gossip spreads.

Ishamael nodded calmly. Yes, she was right. There would be a great deal of confusion as networks began to try to find information and failed miserably on almost every front.

"No, Mesaana will do no such thing."

A pause as the couple turned gracefully. There was a pleasure to dancing.

"And yes, I imagine that confusion will reign."

"Good."

It's just a pity that these people are all so backstabbing and suspicious of one another that it doesn't affect him in the least.

Then the girl frowns.

"Hang on, you mean, she is going to kill me? Oh, fantastic."

Ishamael brought his head close to hers. His voice low and intense. He would not let them hurt her, and if they did, then so help them.

"No, she is not."

Shelley rolls her eyes, not hunching her shoulders at his increased proximity with an effort.

"She'd really want to, though," she says, with grim satisfaction.

A chuckle as he commented quietly. A glance over to several of the other men. There were fewer people on the dance floor, because this dance was more demanding..

"The dance requires a spin.... Here."

Gently, he spun her, slowly so she would not lose her balance and fall. That would be a socially embarassing situation.

Despite the care he takes, Shelley almost trips on her long skirts as they swirl with her. She grabs at his hand and glares surreptitiously at the end, managing to steady herself.

A soft smile as he caught her and they returned to a normal dance steps. It felt good to have her with him. He would keep her safe.

"Honestly, Lady Shelley, I can live with Mesaana's chagrin."

Shelley shrugs. So can she, if it comes to it, which is precisely why she picked that name to use.

It's not much, considering all Mesaana did to her, but it feels good to have done something she would hate.

In the low light, the crimson and black of their robes almost blended together across the bright white stone. The watching eyes only gave Ishamael a bit more pleasure. Let them watch. Let them talk. They could do nothing against him and only stew in their frustrations.

He had his own plans and they would not be disturbed by anyone. Let them try.

Towards the end of the piece, they pass a tall, beautiful woman dressed all in white and silver, who watches them with a sweet, amused smile playing around her mouth. As the music slows for a transition into something different, she approaches the pair with a gentle nod.

"Ishamael. I do apologise for the interruption."

A cool glance over to her. Now, what did Lanfear want? She was surely after something. Turning, he released Shelley and faced Lanfear, standing close to the little redhead.

"What is it, Lanfear?"

Lanfear notes the continued proximity as she continues. Even in front of one of the Chosen.

"I realise this is a social occasion, but you and I do have a few matters to discuss. It makes little sense to wait for a later date when we are both here."

She turns a socially acceptable polite smile to the child with red hair as she continues. "We should not be long, provided we can agree on most points. Perhaps the duration of a dance?"

Her eyes flicker meaningfully to the wary but fascinated Darkfriends nearby.

Ishamael thought for a moment before raising his head. Shelley was quietly closed-mouthed at his side. A quick glance and a nod to her that advised caution. What would Lanfear need to discuss with him that the others did not need to hear?

"I am sure we can manage."

She almost smiles. Any other Chosen would walk away from their partner now, or send them away, but not Ishamael. Such consideration.

"The local governers in Emar Dal seems likely to cause... problems. I know we have mutual interests there."

Ishamael nodded. That was a matter that needed discussion. While this did not exonerate her intentions, it certainly added a touch of legitimacy.

"Indeed."

Turning to Shelley, he nodded calmly. He would keep an eye on her, certainly.

"You must excuse me, my lady."

Shelley almost rolls her eyes and points out that she hardly cares.

"Of course," she says instead, nodding politely to Lanfear, and stepping aside to stand near the table, out of the way of the dance floor.

Ishamael nodded calmly and took Lanfear by the hand. As the music began to play, he placed his hand on her waist. Now, he would see what Lanfear was up to.

"So what about these governors?"