Chapter 10: The Dance
Greed's meeting had been brisk. Straightforward. General Raven's party was the perfect opportunity to stretch their muscles of mischief and deal an opportunistic blow against the organized military of Amestris. Not that Greed could be bothered with engaging in the conspiracy - more so he'd heard that they were auctioning off one of the biggest rubies left in the world. And what could be more suitable as a venue for the imperial Greed - than the finest costume ball that the city had seen in years.
Idril had spent half the day sulking in misery as she accompanied Martel in trying on a selection of dresses. The snake chimera settled on a tight green number that could turn every head in the room without fail - painting a few quick scale designs on her neck to pass as her 'costume'. While the white-haired girl opted to go for a simpler and plain blue dress, decidedly passing with the idea that she'd be capable of representing the season of Winter. In fact, almost all of the chimeras had gone the extra mile to find dashing or beautiful costumes. It helped that most had the exaggerated features of their fused animals, which made the act all the more believable.
Before Idril could even process the afternoon, the Devil's Nest crew had already made their entrance into General Raven's party and were mingling with the other guests until the signal went out to release mayhem.
"Where's Greed? He was supposed to give us the signal to start." Martel hissed under her breath to Idril as a gentleman strut up to the snake chimera and asked for a dance. The blonde shot Idril an expression of exasperation as she accepted the offer before being whisked away onto the ballroom.
Idril tucked a few strands of hair behind her hair, sighing under her breath as she tried to catch her bearings. Surrounded by Amestrian officials - some of whom may be aware of the chimera project or even responsible for it. She needed answers, and General Raven's study might have them. But first she needed to find it.
The Wolfstone Castle proved to be an estate of impressive wealth and luxury, a fact that spurred gossip and glee from the wealthy socialites that funneled into the manor. Banners of royal blue, embellished with the symbol of the lion - an Amestrian trademark that echoed through the decor. Regardless, an attempt had certainly been made to mix a series of striking orange and black embellishments throughout the halls. Pumpkins, gravestones and cobwebs were strewn about the ballroom and a majority of the guests had arrived wearing a surprising variety of costumes. The first night of a three day celebration for the dead.
She attempted to leave the ballroom and quietly wander the halls of the manor, but patrolling guards had requested that she return to the ballroom. "Ridiculous." Idril murmured to herself as she lingered on the edge of the party, trying to bide her time before the chimeras became the greatest distraction known to man - and she could flee to search the estate while the guards shuffled to deal with the issue.
"You always look so serious, snowflake. The least I can do is let you savor a dance with yours truly." A familiar voice to her left caught her off-guard and she turned to protest Greed's insistence, but instead was met with a determined hand that guided her to the dancefloor amongst the other waltzing guests.
The dance had already begun. Idril, despite her typical reserved demeanor, had been anticipating relishing in the musical selections of the evening and admiring the dancers as they spun across the floor. However, she didn't anticipate the committed attitude of a certain avaricious homunculus, nor his sudden zeal in inviting her to dance. A curious ring of blue floated against Greed's eyes, creating a peculiar haze that suggested that his entire ensemble was simply an elaborate costume. The dashing aeneous, white, scarlet and raven hues of his regalia were enough to convince any historian that his traditional Aerugo attire was accurate. And while his hair remained unchanged, it was easy to see that he had chosen to dress as the famous leader of Aerugo, Prince Claudio.
A lift of his arm and adjustment of his wrist guided Idril into a graceful spin, the skirt of her simple robes twisting against her legs and then flaring out as he pulled back with another fluid turn. His hand repositioned on the small of her back, lips breaking into a classic and disarming smile, "What is it, snowflake? For someone with an arsenal of words, you're oddly lacking in retorts this evening."
Idril canted her head to the side as she was returned to Greed's company, stepping forward in attempt to sway control of the dance. Her heels clicked against the stone floor and her dainty hand slid back onto the homunculus's shoulder as they waltzed amongst the crowd of dancers. A suppressed grin and soft snicker were given as a reply, fingers brushing a few locks of his jet hair back, "Am I not allowed to simply enjoy a dance, Greed? You act as if I am enamoured with the sound of my own voice, and not the orchestra." She managed to briefly gain dominance of the tempo, but was elegantly repositioned with the slightest shift of Greed's feet - clearly exposing the difference in experience.
"I don't believe I've been successful in witnessing your enjoyment yet. Only your unrivaled ability to ruin a perfectly good conversation." His voice as soft as silk but as sharp as a knife, his gorgeous amaranthine eyes pierced through the hazy blue illusion, meeting the chimera's gaze with the remnants of that trademark smirk. The music quickened in pace, violins and flutes emitting a more vibrant and opulent tune that signaled for change of mood in the waltz. Greed showed not an ounce of hesitation as he pulled the noblewoman along, stabling the pair in a suitable rhythm. He saw the woman's lips part to utter a response, but he slyly added a remark to momentarily silence the girl. "What are you enamored with, my lady?"
Greed's dancing partner was about to speak, only to be jostled as the two were pushed by a drunken guest. A heavily inebriated man wearing a tousled suit murmured a nearly unintelligible apology as he interrupted their dance, barely able to sustain a grip on the bottle of ale in his hand. The drunkard stumbled away from the dance floor, allowing Idril to calmly replace her hand on the sin's shoulder and slip her other back into his palm as they gradually regained their momentum. It all felt so strange and peculiar, dancing with a something she knew wasn't human. And yet his hand was warm in hers and she couldn't protest an odd sensation of safety. After several moments of concentrated dancing, she slipped out a reply with a healthy abundance of shrewdness. "I blame my countless vices for the result of that meeting, Greed. My keen sense of observation, wit and perspective."
Another shift in the music forced the chimera to pause, hesitating in their stride as the song transferred to a slower and intimate pace. A fair number of the casual dancers considered the switch as a signal to end their waltz, which indicated to Idril that it was time to separate. She moved to step away, but was genuinely surprised when he followed along with the action - not allowing the split to made. Meeting his gaze with an expression of astonishment, which persisted as he gingerly moved her other hand to perch on his shoulder as well. He dropped his hands to her waist, creating a soothing sway as he leisurely shepherded her into the bulk of the crowd - away from judgements.
"You didn't answer my question." Greed inquired again, head tilting down to allow his gaze to bore into the girl's countenance and scan her expressions carefully.
Idril's form had gone rigid during the transition, but she settled into an astute pose and matched Greed's motions. The aerugonian had been effectively frazzled by the creature's brazen decision, though she was quick to find her bearings. "Music," She finally breathed, arms extending and bending to rest more comfortably on Greed's tall frame. "One of many joyous aspects that I greatly adore."
"It's almost as if you are not accustomed to a dance partner with more skill than yourself." The purple eyed individual commented slyly. He slipped his right hand from her waist and pushed it outwards to grab the skirt of her robes, adjusting it in a timely fashion as another couple swayed behind Idril. With a subtle tug, he pulled the fabric away from the trampling feet of the dancers - though his reach had craned himself forward and he took the opportunity to lean in beside the girl's ear. "And not in just dancing, mind you."
Idril rarely let her emotions slip through, yet it was becoming apparent that Greed had a special knack of pressing all the right buttons to provoke a reaction. Her head turned to the side, averting her gaze and pretending to be concerned with observing the guests lining the sidelines of the ballroom. She whispered a reply before moving her hand to adjust the collar of his chemise, "Yes, well. I can only maintain excellence in the important matters of life." She felt his torso purr as he laughed softly at her remark and it only served to remind that a headstrong attitude was a mutual trait.
The orchestra drew to a close, an applause ringing out in the ballroom as the dancers and guests turned to direct their gratitude and enthusiasm in the direction of the band. Finally separating, the pair joined in on the ovation, shooting clever looks and wry smiles before the crowd began to officially disperse. Greed turned to the chimera, reaching a hand to capture her own and then bow formally, "It isn't always a pleasure, Idril. But it's lovely to know that you have your vices."
Idril curtsied, the action was being copied by all the noblewomen as they thanked their dance partners. "And to you, Greed. You're one third bad intentions, one third pure charm, and one eighth impulse. What's left, I'll credit, must be brains."
"Everyone! It's time to announce the winner of the raffle!" General Raven's voice rang out in the ballroom, the flood of guests pooling forward to swarm around the host.
Greed opened his mouth to utter another snarky reply, but paused as he watched Idril curtly exit the vicinity of the ballroom and prepare for the assault on the General's manor.