In which I show that I have no idea how to dance, and the Lord Architect gets slightly jealous.



You say, "We haven't even gotten to dining beyond tea. And dancing? Perish the
thought!"

Motes of light around the caldera pulse brightly as a soft voice echoes, "Come
now, Portius. Any gentleman of Hallifax ought to know how to dance."

You say, "Then I fear that I bring shame upon the class."

Motes of light around the caldera pulse brightly as a soft voice echoes, "There
is no shame in ignorance, unless it is deliberately prolonged."

You say, "True. I suppose at any rate I shall have to learn if I am to break my
bachelordom."

Motes of gentle, clear light blink into life, gradually coalescing into the form
of Isune.

Isune's eyes twinkle enchantingly.

You kneel and raise your hands and then sink low to the ground before Isune,
dealing obeisance.

Isune, the Aesthete smiles impishly and says, "We shall have to fix that, shall
we not, Portius?"

You say, "If it can be fixed, Lady. Where does one begin?"

Isune, the Aesthete snaps Her fingers, eyes alight as Her wings unfurl with
majestic light.

All at once, a sweeping aria lifts through the vicinity, carrying a marvelous
waltz on its breeze.

You say, "Oh, my."

With an impish smile as She curtseys, Isune, the Aesthete says to you, "Now,
Portius. Begin by bowing."

You bow respectfully to Isune.

Isune, the Aesthete smiles and says, "It is polite to ask a lady if she wishes
to dance with you."

You say to Isune, "Lady, would you give me the ultimate honor of a dance?"

Gently taking your hand, Isune, the Aesthete says, "It would be an honour,
Portius of Mine."

You flash Isune a joyous smile.

Isune, the Aesthete guides your hand about Her waist, taking the other in Her
own hand as She gazes upon you with a curious smile.

You say, "Oh, my. This seems almost sacriligeous."

Isune, the Aesthete laughingly says, "Would it ease your mind to know that I
have danced at the ball with many before you?"

You say, "I think so, Lady."

Isune's eyes sparkle with amusement.

You say, "How does one proceed?"

Isune, the Aesthete smiles impishly and says, "The gentleman is expected to
lead, so unfortunately this places a great bit of strain upon you, I am afraid."

You say, "Well, I suppose I shall have to rise to the occasion and trust in Your
divine grace to keep things from falling apart."

Portius takes a tentative step back, gamely trying and failing
to be in time with the music.

In a matter-of-fact tone, Isune, the Aesthete says, "The key to the waltz, dear,
is keeping to the beat. You step along to the music."

You say, "Yes. Right. Ah, like this, then?"

Portius takes another step, this time somewhat closer to keeping time.

Inclining Her head vaguely to the left, Isune, the Aesthete says, "The gentleman
starts with the left, the lady to the right. Step left, bring your right foot by
your left, and then step to the left once more. You then reverse this, doing so
with your right."

Comfortably, Isune, the Aesthete says, "Do this until you have found the beat of
the music."

You nod your head emphatically.

Portius takes a slow step to the left, and then another.

The heartaching song of a violin rings out, rich in its exquisite melancholy.

You say, "I believe that is somewhat better?"

Isune, the Aesthete smiles slightly, nodding as She follows you with almost
intimidating grace in Her movements.

A brief thrill of electricity runs down your spine as you feel a cool gaze
settle upon you.

You shudder violently as a chill ripples down your spine.

Portius takes another step, tensing slightly.

You say, "I have the strongest feeling, my Lady, that I am being watched.
Perhaps merely performance anxiety?"

Her voice soothing, disregarding your anxiety, Isune, the Aesthete says, "One,
two, and three. The waltz is organized in pairs of threes, for each phrase is
actually six beats."

You say, "Ah, mathematical. This I can understand."

Isune's eyes twinkle enchantingly.

A ripple of energy passes through your body, causing your muscles to seize for
the briefest moment as a cold, male voice whispers, "You will watch the
placement of your hands very carefully, mortal, if you wish to keep them."

You say, "Oh, of course. She is far too perfect for me to dream of any
impropriety, Lord."

Isune, the Aesthete laughs, a melodic and lilting sound.


A static crackle echoes in your ears as you feel the heavy gaze lift from you.

Amused, Her face tilted skyward, Isune, the Aesthete says, "Perhaps You wish to
show Portius how a gentleman is expected to waltz, then, Lord Architect?"

You say, "I would take no offense to Your cutting in."

Isune, the Aesthete smiles impishly and says to you, "It would depend on the
manner of cutting in. He would have to do so in an orderly and polite fashion."

You say, "Oh? There are circumstances where a gentleman is supposed to take
offense to things?"

Isune's eyes sparkle with amusement.

A cool voice, crackling with energy, says, "He will learn best by doing, dear
Isune, though I thank you for the opportunity to dance with a master such as
Yourself."


Laughter on Her lips, Isune, the Aesthete says, "Such flattery, Architect."

You say, "You truly are excellent at this, Lady. Far better than I, for what
little that is worth coming from me."

Gently, Isune, the Aesthete says to you, "You need not grip My hand so tightly,
dear. Fear will come if it may, but cutting off one's circulation is never
conductive to dancing."

You say, "Oh, of course. My apologies, my Lady."

Portius loosens his grip.

You say, "But is this all there is to it? The careful stepping and trying not to
fall?"

With a flicker of amusement, Isune, the Aesthete says, "The lady is expected to
hold her hand light as a bird in her partner's palm, for she does not provide
resistance for her partner. The gentleman places his hand upon the small of the
lady's back to guide her to follow him about the ballroom."

You say, "Ah! We are to travel, then."

Eyes sparkling, Isune, the Aesthete says, "Naturally."

A cool voice, crackling with energy, says, "The small of the back, mind you. No
lower."

Isune, the Aesthete laughs gently as you leads Her about the Fulcrux, nodding
with approval as you executes the maneuvers with steadily growing skill.

You say, "Of course, Lord. I leave that to higher minds."

You say, "Those with lightning fast minds, in fact."

To Herself, with a slight grin, Isune, the Aesthete says, "And even those minds,
I believe, are up to another Higher Power's discretion."

Portius giggles slightly.

You say, "Does the music ever change its pace, Lady?"

You say, "I believe I can manage to avoid falling over myself now."

Glancing up slightly, Isune, the Aesthete says, "Perhaps so. But I will leave
that to other teachers, for you have managed enough, with two frightening
overseers watching by."

Isune waves a hand in a languid gesture, and the music hushes, the violin
ringing out in the darkness before ceasing.

You say, "Ah, yes. How does one disengage with suitable decorum?"

You bow respectfully to Isune.

Isune curtseys gracefully before you.

You say, "My thanks, Lady. You are a wonderful dancer."

Isune gives a trillingly melodic laugh.

Isune, the Aesthete smiles impishly and says, "And you are quite impressive
under pressure, My dear librarian."

Isune, the Aesthete says, "Perhaps the Lady Irillia can assist you in learning
further, with music that changes like the wind itself. I understand such is her
forte."

You say, "Lady, if I made too many mistakes either of two Divine could see to my
chastisement. I was motivated."

Isune's eyes twinkle enchantingly.

You say, "Hm. Now I really do need her to arrange a ball."

Isune, the Aesthete smiles and says, "I have no doubt that between Irillia and
Zyphora both, they shall make some scheme to get you wed. I wish you luck in it,
Portius. Such can be difficult to survive."

Isune leans close to you and gently lays a kiss upon your forehead.

Isune, the Aesthete says, "You please Me well."

You say, "I thank You, Lady. I am sure I shall manage it."

Isune's eyes sparkle with amusement.

Isune's form shatters into a flock of colourful birds, their tiny forms tracing
circles in the air before darting away.

Tut tut. Threatening citizens, murdering citizens. I daresay that the god of law is constantly breaking the laws!

The lord bureaucrat is operating by a higher order of laws, besides nothing in the books about a god killing mortals.

Still, we've terribly amusing Divine

Ah, dancing, the crucible in which relationships are forged and hearts are occasionally broken.

Portius is so adorable. :wub: Isune is perfect as always, and Zvoltz is hilarious. :D

Is it just me or does Lord Z come across as almost a little jealous (and (over)protective)? =p Not that I mind in the slightest, I find his and Isunes interactions interesting and more often than not amusing :)

I for one was a bit disappointed that Zvoltz opted out of dancing with Isune! But it was great fun all around. :)

For any of the dance-inclined, I leave this before I go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ODOmJPj7tc&feature=related

The dancers compete in the slow waltz, tango, Viennese waltz, slow foxtrot, and quickstep. It's really quite lovely to watch, particularly when you can see so clearly the differences between each form.

He was just concerned that Portius' first attempt would show him up.

:quickexit: