meme #004 | slow-dancing ( think outside the boxstep )

[the]

slow dancing ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ a meme → COMMENT WITH YOUR CHARACTER'S NAME, FANDOM, AND PREFERENCE. → PICK A CHARACTER YOU WANT TO TAG AND GO FOR IT. → PLAY NICE; NO WANK, FLAMES, OR GENERAL HUMBUGGERY. ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ the deal FORMAL OR INFORMAL, WITH MUSIC OR WITHOUT, YOU COULD BE AT A GLAMOUROUS GALA WHILE A SINGER CROONS SOFTLY OR IN THE SILENCE OF YOUR OWN LIVING ROOM. WHEREVER YOU ARE, YOU HAVE THE URGE TO DANCE. DID YOU ASK YOUR PARTNER OR DID THEY ASK YOU? HAVE YOU GOT TWO LEFT FEET OR IS THE VIENNESE WALTZ YOUR JAM? IT COULD BE AWKWARD, IT COULD BE ROMANTIC. EITHER WAY IT'S CUTE AS HELL.

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[bello]

"Oh, but I think you are the most perfect size," he murmurs and relaxes his own guiding hold on her, giving a nod with the lightest of grins on his faces now. It's odd to see Darcy looking so formal, her hair different, her face, her dress. But it's not a bad different. Not at all.

She's getting the hang of it though, and Ezio has to guide her less and less. It makes him a little proud as he slowly brings her back, a little further into the dancing gowns and suits. Not too far in, but just so she can see how they fit into the puzzle of the people keeping to themselves, their units of two, spins timed slowly, as if moving as one body. "You have it, see?"

[totallyknowscpr]

She can't help but laugh as she replies, "You're just saying that so I won't step on your toes again." But she takes the compliment anyways, smiling back up at him. Even with how fidgety she was about being here, being like this, in his arms, it feels natural.

Though it still stops her breath a little as he moves them into the circle of dancers, their steps bringing them easily into the flow and twirl of the larger dance. She relaxes, though, when they don't collide with anyone, don't step on anyone's dress or shoes, and instead fit fluidly. "Who knew you were such a good dancer." It's not that strange, now that she thinks about it, with the fluidity of his normal movements, that it would translate to an ease on the floor.

[bello]

"You would step on my toes on purpose? How unkind." She seems astonished with how they move, her eyes trailing about the room. It is slightly unbelievable, but Ezio finds comfort in this. He normally isn't one for big, formal parties, but he can't say he hasn't been to a few with his father.

Ezio gives her a shrug at the comment. "I had good teachers--my father was an affluent man and he couldn't have sons who could not hold their own with the noblewomen, don't you think?" His steps flow easily, whether it's the timing, or how his hips and legs seem to merely move on their own to precise beats, he doesn't know. He's been fluid all his life, flexible, adept. Dancing just feels right.

[totallyknowscpr]

When the closest thing to a ball you've been to is your senior prom, and when that took place at the community college gymnasium, a grand masquerade ball is pretty impressive.

"Lucky for me you're not a bad teacher then." Finally she is fully caught in the motion and rhythm of the dance, of the swirl of bodies around them, and feels confident enough to stop watching the room and watch Ezio. She does pick things up easily, but there's something about dancing with Ezio that is now effortless. Even with his face behind a mask, she knows the motions of his body well enough to anticipate what he'll do, even with her hand only on his shoulder.

[bello]

"I am nothing without a good student, bella."

He decides to surprise her with the next move, keeping the steady pattern before leaning in slowly, bringing her down as well over his arm in a small loop. Not quite waltz material, but the swing is exhilarating as he moves back into the more reserved steps, a grin picking up at his lips as he hums softly with the music.

[totallyknowscpr]

She wasn't expecting the dip at all, and lets out a small surprised squeak at it, before recovering with a laugh, unable to swat at him and keep her hands in their positions, so he'll get away with that one. It's also a surprise to hear him hum along with the music for once, and it brings a smile to her lips.

"We'll have to do this more often - it's fun."

[bello]

"Much more fun than any sort of party I've attended," he responds, pressing in close now, their dance intimate despite the formality of it all. He closes his eyes, cautious with his steps around her as he remains fairly close to lean in a press a kiss her lips. The only part visible of her face. It's soft, almost chaste in a way, before he pulls back. "I would certainly do this more often with you." A laugh before he adds, "So long as you remember not to step on my feet."

[totallyknowscpr]

"Definitely more fun than anything I've been to."

She notices the steps becoming less complicated, their close proximity limiting their motion as he moves them to the side, off the floor and further into their own world. The soft kiss brushed against her lips makes her smile, shifting the mask slightly and lean up to him, grateful for the added height the heels give her.

"As long as you set a good lead, I won't step on your feet."

Out of the stream of dancers, she feels better about sliding her hand from his shoulder to cup his neck, stroking softly.

[bello]

He leans into the hand a bit, a smile on his lips as he guides her slowly, as if the steps require such motions, towards the open doors that lead outside. It's a cool night, late enough that the grass is slightly dewy and the air is filled with crickets and night birds and rustling. The music on the dance floor tapers outside, becomes soft, still able to be followed, merely dulled down.

His own hand slides from hers, brushes her chin beneath the mask that hides the rest of her face. He tilts his head curiously, half-hates how it hides her beautiful nose and brow, half-loves how it seems to give her an air of mystery that she didn't quite have before.

"Out here it is much better."

[totallyknowscpr]

Outside is a relief; even if it's nowhere near the heat of a club, the room the ball is being held in is still getting to the point of uncomfortable warmth, and Darcy welcomes the fresh breeze, taking a deep breath that shudders slightly on the exhale as Ezio brushes fingers along her chin. It is harder to read his expressions with the mask hiding his face, but she knows that tilt of his head, has seen the curious expression that accompanies it enough times to see it now, and her mouth quirks up.

"Out here, I can do this."

Completely abandoning the steps and form of the waltz, she wraps both arms around Ezio's neck and steps closer, swaying slightly. Awkward prom slow dance sway is a god. But there's something much more beautiful about this moment, a way in the swishing of her gown, of the mystery of the masks, of the fact that it's Ezio, that makes it so much better than any dance she's had before.

[bello]

Ezio chuckles, but hardly at the dance. It stems from a good feeling inside, one that makes him wrap an arm around her fully, press close and taking care to stay as near to her as possible because there is nothing better in this moment than the feeling of her pressed against him, the comfort of her softness.

"Oh? Is this how you dance?" he murmurs, seeing the spark in her eyes even from behind the mask. The familiar look of her lips shifting into a smile. She's precious to him, and just the thought of that makes him press a warm kiss to the side of her neck.

[totallyknowscpr]

"Back home, this is all the rage. All the dancing is either this or grinding. Totally classy." She laughs as she's pressed to him, soft and slow for a change, a sigh escaping her as his lips travel softly across her neck. The moments when they can be warm and affectionate, when they can melt into each other rather than the fire that tends to consume her when she's around him. It's a comfort, being in his arms, and she basks in it.

[bello]

"Grinding...?" Ezio's head tilts curiously and for a moment he looks down at her wondering what on Earth that could possibly mean. The confusion slowly fades, however, and he shifts to press his head to the top of hers, moving slowly with her, occasionally leading her through the grass to travel slightly.

One of his hands trails to the layers of fabric on her and he laughs softly. "Did you pick this out yourself?"

[totallyknowscpr]

She laughs slightly, loving his head tilt, as well as at the question. "Remind me to show you some time later. I think you'll like it. But not right now; we've got a mood going, and it'd be sad to ruin it." She quiets to hum softly, matching the strains of music they can still hear through the open doors.

The trail of his hand over her waist makes her look down, even before he's posed the question. "Sort of - the shopkeepers helped with the style. They said it was all the rage. "

[bello]

"If all the rage means... good. Then yes, it is very good. Lovely." He smiles lightly, swings her a bit in the moonlight. She is so very different here, outwardly. She looks demure, like porcelain or glass or something fragile with her soft, pale skin and her bright eyes with their light touch of make up and her supple lips that make him lick his own out of habit.

He then smiles at her gently, releases her hand for a brief moment to squirm out of his jacket, letting it fall into the grass before pulling her into his arms again. It's too many layers, too much constriction. He only wants to hold her and hold her close to his heart.

[totallyknowscpr]

She laughs as he swings her, light and happy. It's nice to dress up every now and then; even if she isn't sold on skirts, full gowns for a special occasion, for dancing with ezio under the moonlight are nice.

"That's not very nice to the jacket," she teases, as he pulls her close. It's nice in his arms, held close to him, and her own tighten around him, hold him close to her. She relaxes from looking up at him to rest her head on his chest, letting the sound of his heartbeat lead their steps.

[bello]

"The jacket was annoying," he murmurs back to her, giving her a slow raise of the brow followed by a good-natured chuckle. "And I prefer holding you like this. Without so many things in the way.

He lifts his head, takes in the peaceful scene around them as he holds her carefully, steps even more carefully, swaying his hips in a slow motion. This feeling, it's good, having warmth in his veins and care in his mind as he sees how comfortable she is against him. The sound of her dress swishing in the grass, Her hands soft in his palms. They all make the evening that much more soothing.

[totallyknowscpr]

"How about with nothing in the way?" It's simply teasing; the night is right in its calmness, and for now, she wants nothing more than to keep swaying like this, with him gently guiding them through the gardens, the lights that had been placed in the bushes twinkling enchantingly. With her head against his chest, her mask starts to press in uncomfortably, so she shifts back to look at him again.

He looks older, more mysterious, with half of his face hidden, but her eyes focus on his lips, lips that she knows so well. She rises up on her toes to press hers softly to them, a gentle, almost innocent kiss, to match the tone of the evening, even if it is out of touch with her comment.

[bello]

"Oh let us not get so crass, madonna. Did you not say that the mood was nice?" Her kiss is beautiful, it is the only way he can describe it, delivers an odd feeling of floating and when she parts he feels that it is done far too soon. When she begins to pull away, he holds her fast to his chest, feels the soft ruffles of her dress against him, wants to kiss her more but instead looks down at her.

There is something in him that surges in his belly whenever he looks at her. The urge to protect, the urge to surround and the urge to care for and love. He swallows it down, presses a kiss to her cheek gently and loosens his grip back to that of the soft swaying.

He hums low in his throat, pulling away so that their hands still hold, but just by finger tips before spinning her back into his chest.

[totallyknowscpr]

With the only other part of his face visible his eyes, the emotions she sees there hit harder, held tight to him. The wealth of emotions, of love, she sees in his eyes warms her, and she smiles, a soft smile just for him, hoping he'll see the same love and warmth reflected back at him.

She laughs, light and surprised, as he spins her, another rush of pride running through her that she doesn't miss the step, or worse, step on him. She takes the opportunity to hold a little tighter, to sway them a little more. "Good at normal waltzes and the awkward prom sway. Are there any dances you aren't good at?"

[bello]

"I wouldn't know," he laughs. "I'm mostly used to court dances." Her tightened grip is welcomed and his entire face softens as he gives her a squeeze before relaxing around her completely, letting their steps guide them around the shelter of the garden.

"We will just have to dance them all, won't we?" he suggests. The thought to him is interesting--dancing with Darcy. Above all it sends a thrill through his chest, particularly when his eyes meet hers. So warm, loving even...

He stops his steps, leans in and presses a gentle kiss to her mouth and pulls away, eyes turning to the ground.

[totallyknowscpr]

"Sounds like a plan to me. You should teach me those court dances too." It does sound good, learning to dance with Ezio, all the myriad of dances she can already think of. From the intimacy of a tango to the breathless energy of swing, nothing she can think of she doesn't want to try with him.

Watching his eyes turn to the ground, she tilts her head, one hand moving from around his shoulders to reach up and cup his face, fingers curling around the mask, looking up warmly at him. A moment, a pause to watch him, her eyes softening before she presses another kiss up to his mouth.

[bello]

As she presses lips to his, he reaches behind his own head, undoing the ribbon keeping it in place at the back of his head and removing the mask. The cool air that hits his temples, his eyes, his cheekbones, makes him smile as their lips meet fully.

One of his hands reaches up slowly to stroke her chin with care and as he pulls his mouth away, he looks her in the eyes, gaze unhindered by the mask now. "You will catch on fast to them, I am sure."

[totallyknowscpr]

"I'm sure too. I mean, look at how fast I picked up the waltz." There's a laugh, with no mention of how it's all due to Ezio's lead, and a teasing look in her eyes. She watches him, glad to see his entire face again, and her grin softens a bit under his gaze.

Her own hands go up to remove her mask, slipping it over her hair once she's got it undone enough. It's nicer out in the gardens without them, even if she did like the air of mystery it afforded. Even if her identity was still incredibly obvious, especially to Ezio.

[bello]

It all seems a little too perfect for him, makes him wonder just what sort of thing could come out and ruin it. But nothing seems to be doing so, especially when she takes off her own mask and reveals her face, soft in the moonlight and he moves to wrap around her tightly, stopping their slow dance to hold her close to him.

The words fall past his lips before he can catch them. "Thank you." It's soft, against her hair as he strokes it slowly.