Dreadlords Dance for all that we've been through

[Leander Urahil]

Houri, may I have this dance. Yes Leander, I would love to have this dance, she filled in for him as she slid her hand into his.

Leander had a penchant for going after the ladies with attitude, didn’t he? Just his luck, he supposed, to like the domineering type. Felix and Amoux had wonderfully respectful, and noticeably silent, wives. For the love of Kress he really hoped his father wouldn’t screw him for another time for shits and giggles to give him a wife that thought she would be in charge and clip his balls.

As far as he knew, the only requirement Lyon Urahil had was making sure all his children married blondes. Had to keep their future generations as towheads.

“Right.” Leander said and clear his throat, putting on a smile and fixing the hard glint in his pale eyes. He bowed to her respectfully just then before taking her hand and began to lead her out to the dance floor. Placed in a spot where Leander was certain that none of the peasant kids would bump into them with their incompetence, he waited for a moment, waiting for the right beat to start for beginning.

“You’re right, if you’re curious.” A hand was on the small of Houri’s back, his other holding gently onto her hand. “Or partially right. I have heard of the word please, I just don’t like using it.” With that, their dance began.

Houri

 

[Rowley Stone]

"They are around. If you know where to look you can see some of the glares, but they'll be more mad at me tomorrow rather than you."

Even as he said it, he caught a quick glance from one girl as he and Livia performed a quick turn. It really did not matter to him. Just as he messed with many of the girls at the Academy, plenty of those girls had their eyes set on more than just Rowley. It was all just a game.

"Oh, I won't worry about Leander. We get along for the most part. I think he understands me and I him. That being, he thinks I'm full of shit and I think he has a really large stick up his ass."

Rowley did not consider that a bad thing though, he was full of shit and there was nothing wrong with being a sour puss, especially if Rowley could always count on that.

"Instict...I just know what I want and do it. You're the one keeping up with me. Others are dragged."

Livia Quinnick

 

[Trix]

Trix paused in her serving when she noted the dour tone and glanced across at her cousin. He seemed to have curled in on himself at the thought of the future as though he would much prefer to stay here. She supposed there was some comfort to remaining in what a establishment that you had known your whole life, but there had always been an itching clawing need in her to get out of these walls. It was why she had taken so many missions and why she still did. Sitting still didn't suit her.

"Fuck that," she retorted and passed the next student their cup. A group of initiates was beginning to dance in a large group all their bodies pressed together and uncaring of who watched or saw them let loose. Her lips twitched. "The whole point of this stinking revolution was to have a choice. Including you. Surely Jiya would throw her weight behind you if you wanted to pick your own path."

 

[Houri]

Dancing with Silas had been like wildfire; free and unashamed. She hadn't felt the need to hold herself back, be proper, or really think about him. Their souls had just aligned on the floor and become one. Dancing with Leander was the opposite. As he swept them off it felt as though she were sailing through a harsh storm where it was a battle to survive. The man clearly had a point to prove to someone and believed her to be the way to make it. Some... girl, it seemed. At least if the quick glances towards Livia were any indication.

She tired to hide the quirk of her lips.

"I didn't realise you had a thing for Livia," she mused out loud before he stopped to dip her low. Her back arched gracefully, hand coming up and over her head to hold the pose for the beat of a horn, and then she was up in his arms once more, her hand pressed against his chest. "Doesn't your family only approve of blondes?"

 

[Silas Artesto]

Silas gave a smirk at the clumsy but flattering compliment. It was higher praise from Zinnia than it would have been from anybody else. After all, how often did you hear Zin telling boys how good they looked? No, he took it in stride, and when she grew more bold, wrapping her arms more intimately around him, he decided to take their dance to the next level.

"You should see me when I go out on actual dates." Silas laughed softly as he slid his hand to the small of her back, his other sliding up her back as he began to step forward, tilting her backward in a low dip, holding her up from the back. and winking. "But hey, keep this up, and maybe you will." He pulls her up and uses the momentum to bring her snugly into his arms, before turning them both around in a dramatic spin.

"I don't mind you hugging me, Zin." He mutters, dismissing her apology as they continue in a much more snug routine. He didn't hold back now, letting her fall against him, pulling her more confidently and stepping without the buffer that let her stumble. She was slowly coming out of that shell, and he wanted to see more. The little that had been revealed so far, Silas was liking quite a bit. "Do what feels right. I want you to have fun, that's the point."

 

[Leander Urahil]

Ugh. Were all brunettes this annoying? Once again, Leander wished for a nice, quiet little Obanese woman. A blonde Obanese woman. He kept a smile on his face although his eyes tilted down into a mild glower at Houri’s words. He’d keep a lid on his annoyance. For now.

“I have a thing for anyone.” Leander said with a shrug. “You don’t need to feel jealous about Livia. You can have your turn with me, too.” That was if she would stop fighting him for control already. He didn’t feel like he was the one making any mistakes but repeatedly Houri ended up adding her own flair to things or doing moves her way when clearly it should be his way. “I see that the Luana stubbornness hasn’t diminished in their future. How I fear for your future nanny— your children will be absolute stubborn mules.”

Houri

 

[Odessa Urahil]

We should take a look at that...

Odessa yanked her wrist away from Ivan, but didn't let it disturb their dancing. "We should not." She made an attempt to mend any uncomfortable feelings he may have had after her sudden shift in mood with an almost equally uncomfortable smile. "It's nothing."

She assumed his clumsy apelike movements were due to his lack of etiquette and dancing skills, rather than any actual concern for her so she continued and took the lead from him until he could steady himself again. Or until she decided to return the role- which she would not for quite a while.

She looked between other couples dancing. Leander seemed to be spending his time schmoozing with any living creature with pretty hair. It was a shame him and Natasha hadn't worked out. Or him and Lumen. He could deny it all he wanted, but Odessa still had money on that coupling.

Then there was Oraya there to chaperone...or find her next victim late fiancé. She hadn't noticed the youngest Urahil dancing with Ivan it appeared, but Odessa waved a few fingers in her direction.

"Is everything okay with you and my brother? He seemed extra pissy today..."

Ivan Skender

 

[Livia Quinnick]

Livia arched a brow at him, pleasantly surprised by his words regarding the male Urahil. What vexed her about Leander was welcomed by Rowley, and his reasoning held true when she gave it some thought. Her face displayed her partial agreement, humming in thought as her eyes focused past his head. "I guess predictability is a blessing in some regard." There were those in her life that she was glad to know the comforts of their behaviour, especially that of her family.

Keep up she did, not realising that her concentration was not all there like it had been in her previous dance. It showed in her stiffened shoulders and her brows furrowing and remaining that way after the conversation lulled on her part. At least she was not being dragged. Livia did her best to maintain the graceful sweep in time with him, making sure her dress flowed in a flattering manner so that they were both the picture of serenity on the dance floor. "Sounds like a compliment my mother would say in hopes I would do some trick to keep things lively. You know there is sufficient time later on in this dance for a lift if we want to test your skills." She grinned.

Rowley Stone

 

[Oraya Urahil]

Erudite-gaze studied each of their small tells closely without it looking like she was observing anything noteworthy at all. A brief, warm smile flickered across her lips. She only hoped her younger twins would find something like this one day. Though, knowing Felix, he would ruin any chance at happiness they each deserved.

"If you two ever need a small getaway," she knew most dreadlords were not afforded this opportunity but in the new regime perhaps there was more space for things frowned-upon previously to be encouraged now. "I can recommend a new service some good friends of mine are starting up in Vel Odren. It's a ship, mostly the wealthy, board. But it's a ship of luxury bound to stop at small islands and ports. All about the experience of travel versus getting to a particular destination. I believe they are calling it a cruise."

She handed off some punch to some thirsty-looking students and turned back to the curious couple.

"Anyway, all expenses would be paid. They offered me a few free spots to give away in hopes of high reviews by word-of-mouth. Think on it and be sure to let me know."

Her expression turned more stoic. "And Lord Krixus. My deepest condolences for your father. I heard recently of his passing. How are you holding up?"

 

[Kristen Pirian]

A delightful surprise! Kristen certainly did not expect such an offer to be extended, thinking only that their conversation over the punch bowl would be small talk, acquainting talk. This?

"A generous offer, Oraya!" Not only did she have that picnic to look forward to, but if the timing of this so-called "cruise" was feasible, then the near future looked exciting indeed. And, for once, it would be nice to engage in some maritime activity that wasn't some grim affair (thinking, of course, of the Battle of the Blades and the Canal campaign). "Mayhap circumstance will conspire to allow for such an excursion sooner rather than later."

Kristen's expression, much like Oraya's, turned solemn and respectful when her opportunity came to give her condolences for the passing of Alistair's father Amadeus. Kristen remained quiet, let Alistair answer, and cherished the fact that her own father Neil by the grace of the gods was still alive and well—it was terrible that Alistair should lose his so early in his life.

Alistair Krixus Oraya Urahil

 

[Rowley Stone]

Rowley just smiled back at her. Already tired of the conversation about Leander, but he would keep his mouth shut. The guy wasn't as bad as most people seemed to think, end of discussion.

What he was far more focused on was the tension he could feel in his partner. Stiff shoulders and slower movements were beginning to affect the dance. She was offering a lift, but that did not seem to fit with her current dancing.

Instead, he slowed their movements, just enough to allow her to relax. The dance was faster, but Rowley was careful to decrease the speed enough to still fit the dance, and only look different and unique, which worked because of their early ostentatious movements.

It was a momentary lull that served as an opposite to contrast the rest of their dance.

"I would take that as a compliment, but you don't seem like the type to like your mother."

Livia Quinnick

 

[Alistair Krixus]

The first thing Alistair thought of when he heard of the cruise with Kristen so close was the Canal incident, but quickly reminded himself that this was not a mission and meant as a gift.

"Thank you for your generosity, Lady Oraya. If our schedules match then we will certainly consider." That was the most polite way he could put it, considering Kristen was still at the Academy, and Alistair could be called away for a mission or business at any moment.

This would have been the end to the conversation in Alistair's mind, but then came the question that always made him stiffen as the smile dropped from his face.

"Thank you, Lady Oraya...It has been difficult, but I would say my busy schedule has been my friend."

The schedule that had overtaken Alistair after his graduation was enough that would make any normal man snap. Thankfully, he was a Dreadlord, and hard work was the norm. And, his hard work at been paying off recently as his family's finances were getting back on track.

Kristen Pirian Oraya Urahil

 

[Livia Quinnick]

"No, I do not." Livia confirmed. She would not burden Rowley's ears with her woes, even if at present all the terrible memories of that ill fated night came back to haunt her. Her heart was no longer in the dance, but the dance training she had drilled into her since a young girl allowed her to keep up with him and maintain the illusion she was an excellent dancer in the ballroom. "I thought I could distract myself enough to... forget what I saw tonight. It dredged up old memories... and I should do better in doing so."

The next combination of repeated steps allowed Livia to relax herself, matching his movements as they were before having to accommodate to her lack of focus. "I should have had more to drink." She winced as a way of apology in her lapse of composure. Quinnick took a deep breath and offered a small smile to Rowley, "Perhaps with a little buzz I would be more at ease and not feel like... an imposter." Livia certainly would not socialise like she had tonight on any other given day.


Rowley Stone

 

[Evangeline]

Evangeline grimaced. That was a hell of a question.
"Therein lies the problem, proctor. I don't know," she chewed her lip in thought, hesitation gripping her. "Anyone from an outsider, to another proctor, to one of the initiates could have done this. And clearly the guards did not catch the act."

She examined the door.
"I'm not certain. The lock is undamaged...either Joel left this unlocked, or...perhaps the culprit came from within?" she folded her arms across her chest and switched from her lip to her thumb nail. "That does narrow the suspects somewhat, at least of individuals I know."

Salak

 

[Salak]

"Then I'll look where the guards are not, as you suggest. Evangeline."
Salak did not notice his dropping formality.
"I'll check the initiates dorms first, Double duty that way. Narrows lists of subjects and secures the safety of anyone not at the Dance."
He set off, his cane tapping furiously on the slabbed stone of the Academy exterior.
"Be careful, if they can move through objects they could be hiding anywhere, walls, cieling, the very earth below you. This was an ambush, they'll avoid a direct confrontation if you find them. "
With that he trusted her to do her good work. Proctor Evangeline was held in high regard by all. Now he was beginning to see why.

Evangeline

 

[Houri]

Houri made sure she was holding his hand extra tightly as lightning shot down her fingers. Not enough to leave a lasting injury, but enough to remind her dance partner exactly who he was dancing with. The grin on her face might have been more terrifying though - just a flash - before they spun apart once more.

"I would watch what you say about me and mine," Houri purred against his ear. To the crowd it no doubt looked as though she were nuzzling into his neck for this more intimate section of the song. "I haven't attended as many of your Revolution Manners lessons as the rest of you. I find myself forgetting often the new rules about when we can and can't hurt our fellow initiates," her fingers trailed up his spine to brush against the nape of his neck with just the barest hint of her nails. Houri pulled back just enough to give him another smile as storms rolled across her eyes.

"Don't play with what you can't handle, Leander."

 

[Rowley Stone]

Rowley was content to let Livia spill out all of her problems, while he just enjoyed the dance, maybe he would have another dance when this was all over. Liv seemed to be going through some shit, but that really wasn't his problem. It might be if her dancing got any worse, but that was a later Rowley problem.

He had to agree with her on the drinks. You could never have enough drinks, well until you passed out, then the really fun stuff started happening.

"Livia, you are obviously going through shit. I won't pretend to understand, nor will I try to but I can tell you one thing...Everyone in this place is an imposter some are just better at hiding it...Well, except me."

Livia Quinnick

 

[Zinnia]

Ever so briefly as Silas dipped Zinnia she felt a moment of panic. She'd heard the horror story of Kristen Pirian being dropped on her head by some dropout boy at the last dance, and for a split second she thought she might be the next to join the roster of girls humiliated at an initiates' ball.

Instead, she saw Silas wink and pull her back up into a spin that sent her heart racing at such a pace that she felt the whole room fall away from the two of them. Comfort was giving way to safety. She met Silas' embrace instinctively this time. Her steps, too, fell in time with his, feeling much more in sync with him as their dance continued. Their movements, in and of themselves, were a conversation more intimate than words could express.

"Th-this feels right...and...I am having fun...maybe more than I ever have..." she whispered back, having buried herself in his arms, her head tucked beneath his chin. This was it: letting go. This was what she wanted when she finally began leaving her room again. To feel normal. To feel like she could be around other people, to be close with them.

"But hey, keep this up, and maybe you will."

His previous words rung in her head for a moment. She looked up at him, a blush still creeping over her cheeks but her eyes full of intensity and resolve.
"M-maybe I'd like that."

 

[Evangeline]

Evangeline nodded. If there was one thing Evangeline embodied, it was being observant. Besides - her concern was not for herself, but for the initiates.

"You as well," she returned, tucking her own cane into her belt. "Good hunting, Salak."

And in an instant, Evangeline vanished, a trail of dust left in her wake.

 

[Leander Urahil]

The lightening hurt. Leander was strong but not because he couldn’t feel pain. He could easily work through it, her sparks just a mere warning like a small dog barking at him. She pulled away and smiled with threats in her eyes. He started laughing. Did she truly think she could frighten him? With magic of all things?

Did she not realize her position? He wondered if there was something wrong with her. There had to be. He was in the position of power, able to take her magic away. So what if she was trained in hand to hand combat? Leander had one hand holding onto hers and a hand on the small of her back. He was taller, stronger, faster, heavier. More than anyone else, he relied on magic so much less because his ability debilitated him. He’d only have to worry about moving fast enough to keep her from kneeing him in the groin.

He was sure overpowering Houri would be easier than dancing with her. His gaze looked over, seeing her cousin and her brother. He wondered what Maseno would do if Leander were to put Houri in her place. Did it even matter? He’d be nothing for Leander to face anyways with his injuries. Houri’s hands were so small in his, her swan neck so incredibly fragile. His pale eyes were calm while the storm raged on in hers.

“You think too highly of yourself.” He smiled. “Did you hit your head on your little vacation in the North? You must have if you’re forgetting who I am. Should I make you remember? I’ll make you unable to forget this time.” Without magic to prove his point his hand crushed Houri’s, smashing her slender fingers tight together in a vice-like grip. He continued squeezing as if sought to break her hand.

Leander loomed over Houri with a sick smile. The calm in his eyes remained. His voice was low when he spoke next.

“Embarrass yourself and your brother even more than you already have with your return to the Academy. Use your magic. Go ahead. I fucking dare you.”

Houri

 

[Livia Quinnick]

"But I have to be--" She stopped herself from finishing the thought. Perfect is what her family would ask of her, and she still fell back on that mindset. "I wish to be like you. True to themselves... if that is to be believed." She said instead. Livia was always too much inside her own head, worrying about her corrupted magic and surviving through the Academy.

She used to think she was the weakest, and since the Revolution came about, there was that false sense of security now that she could come out of this unscathed. Just like Joel, he looked unscathed.

"I just need to forget for a little while. That is why I am here dancing with you. You are my distraction..." Livia knew that Rowley would not mind her taking advantage of his generosity of his company. "I am just horrid at letting myself become distracted." Because any chance she dropped her defenses, something always surely happened to make her draw them back up. Rowley felt like the safest option, no need for details or attachments.

Rowley Stone

 

[Houri]

Now it was Houri's turn to laugh; a delighted, musical noise. A few people glanced their way as if they could some how discern what had been so funny to share in that sound of warmth. She wondered how many of them would cringe to know it was the threat of violence that gave her such wild joy. Fighting - killing - was almost as fun as dancing. At least, to Houri's mind. She forced the lead in the dance to spin him this time so that they faced the crowds on the edges of the dance floor and - specifically - Odessa.

"I already have," she mused, eyes dancing still with that barely leashed tempest. The barest of looks would have him looking up to the space above his sisters head and the chandelier that hovered there. He would have to strain to see what she meant, the subtle weaves of her magic that had cut the crystal dome from the ceiling and now held it aloft on threads of air that barely stirred the ribbons adorning the nearby columns.

If Leander used his magic to cancel out her own, Odessa would be crushed beneath it before her brother could take a step towards her. Houri's smile was nothing short of deadly even as he crushed her fingers in his hand. She'd had worse, far worse, in the Asylum.

"Now, can't we have a pleasant conversation?"

 

[Thraah]

"Wow Stash, tha-hat was abysmal."
Standing before Zaire, maybe the only person looking at him right now and wearing the ugliest pink dress he had ever seen and her muggy tasseled boots crowned with her absolute glass cutting smile was Thraah the fire flinging loudmouth.
She had in one hand a slice of cake and in the other a cup of punch which Zaire would well know held about as much punch as Vel Anir had free elf's.
"Hey, you wanna try again and let Blondie punch you back into yesterday? Then you might get a do-over."
She gave a most unattractive laugh through a fresh mouthful of cake.
Thraah was having the best time.

Zaire

 

[Zaire]

Zaire kept his head down. He looked at nothing but the floor. He couldn’t watch Leander and Houri dance together, another tall, blonde man that just seemed to suit her better, far better than he ever could. He didn’t look at Thraah as she spoke to him.

“Whatever.” He mumbled. “I don’t care.”

Thraah

 

[Thraah]

"Goob..." Thraah spoke through her obscene mouth full of carrot cake.
She pointed towards Leander and Houri with her cup.
"Caub thove thwo, WAOW!"
Crumbs cascaded onto the floor between them as she spoke, landing in Zaire's vision like tiny flecks of dirt kicked up by a passing horse. Thraah swallowed before continuing she really wanted him to hear the next part.
"Talk about a power couple. I mean, can you imagine what their GIANT offspring would be like?"
She gave a sharp whistle before sipping her drink, slurping loudly as she did so and returned to looking at Zaire. As only an inch or so shorter than Zaire she knew the difficulties of being below average height but it never hurt her the way it hurt him. Probably because when she wanted something or someone she did something about it.
Thraah chuckled to herself that someone who could so effect the mood of others was struggling with his own emotions.

Zaire