He went on a whim to this place of cobblestones and bells. There was an energy, a liveliness to this world that didn't seem to be present anywhere else, though he couldn't see where it came from; it looked just as mundane as any other place. After hours of fruitless scans of the town square, he set his nose to work, zeroing in on the strongest scent of longing and despondency.
She was dancing, then, as she usually was; all color and energy and so alive, deftly avoiding the glittering coin at her feet. She would twirl and sway, her hair and silks shifting and fluttering like great patterned wings, until the sky was dark and the streets were empty. Gathering her meager earnings, she disappeared into the night smelling of disappointment.
For weeks he returned, the intoxicating smell of her desperation clouding his head, and something in his chest would tighten. Sometimes he would bring coin for her, but more often he would keep in his position, watching from some roof down the way - every day, he watched her dance, and every day, he watched her sorrow grow.
Zexion shifted from his seat, leaning back and melting into the shadows behind, and glanced over his shoulder as his boots hit the stony street.
"Enjoy the show?"
He didn't jump, or for that matter show any surprise that normally should have been there; his eyes narrowed minutely, and met her gaze, unflinching.
The gypsy didn't push off from against the wall of the tavern, keeping her eyes on his, her smile playful and knowing. For a moment they stayed like that, until she canted her head. "You come here often, don't you? I see you watching me sometimes."
He paused, then, softly: "You dance well."
She grinned. "I try."
It hit him in a wave: that same sadness, the dejection, hopelessness wafting from her like perfume. Zexion allowed himself a small smirk.
Suddenly, she had her back to the wall and the scent in the air was confusion, undertones of fear; one of his hands held her by the stomach, the other grazing up her arm, across her shoulder. Gently, he pressed his head against her breast, and there it was. All of her fear, her sadness, all her longing, desire, need, all of it swirling and twirling and beating in her heart against her skin.
His smirk widened, and he was back where he was, looking for all the world as if he hadn't even moved. "I look forward to seeing you again."
She took a moment to regain her breath. "Y-yeah." Uncertainty laced her tone. She wasted no time leaving, save to look over her shoulder at the spot where he had been.
