Dance of a different kind:
"It is my esteemed pleasure to introduce to you, Secretary General Permanent of Kaliningrad Oblast." The crowd erupted in applause and congratulations as the spotlight shifted through the room and shone on the woman in question. Kaliningrad squinted and took a small step back at the immediate introduction. From the haze of lighting, Russia stepped forward. Dressed in mess military attire, medallions, medals and tassels adorned his black and red uniform, complete with his formal military hat. With a smile and silence he extended one hand. Lithuania released his hold of the woman and took a step back. Kaliningrad turned to glance at the Lithuanian who had his head lower in the presence of Russia. She frowned and looked back to Russia, not withholding her displeasure. And as the voices lowered to hushed whispers, Russia took another half-step forward, his hand extending a bit further. In a soft voice akin to him, which carried the undertones of a command more than a question, he spoke.
"Dance with me." Without awaiting her response, he grabbed her hand and with an effortless twirl pulled her into the center of the dance floor just as the strings and percussions instruments of Dmitri Shostakovich's Jazz Suite started. Kaliningrad gripped Russia's forearm for balance, and though she had been used to the Viennese waltz, fell into rhythm with the two-step and wide movements of the Russian Waltz. They both said nothing as the light airy sound of flutes combined with the high pitched twinkle of harps filled the room. Russia pulled back, extending their arms before pulling her back in, a bit closer to him this time. Grey blue eyes met purple ones as they repeated this movement of pulling apart then coming back together. With the thump of the tuba, clinging of symbols, and blare of strings, the larger nation spun the woman around. And as he did so, Kaliningrad quickly scanned the sea of faces in the adoring crown, looking for who she hoped was there. When she came back to him, their hands fell into place. His on her waist, one of hers on his shoulder the other holding up her dress as their steps became gradually smaller. The crowd once again erupted in approving cheers and applause; to this the Russian nation smiled more, holding the gaze of his dance partner. If his goal was to intimidate, Kaliningrad was not going to be swayed. So, she stared back which earned her a barely audible chuckle. From her peripheral she caught glimpses of others joining them on the dance floor as the waltz reached its high point. Her eyes shifted for just a moment, but enough to be caught off guard when Russia spun her again. This time, it ended with her back to him, arms twirled together in front of her. She stiffened a bit and they halted their movements momentairly. Kaliningrad titled her head to the side just as Russia bent his down. The visor of his hat shielded parts of her face, and brushed against her forehead. He strengthened his hold on her hands as Kaliningrad attempted to open the space between them. She inhaled sharply and the green crisp smell of pine and vodka flooded her senses as Russia pulled her back to him. The smell combined with the high-pitched music, made her suddenly feel faint. Among it all came the warm sensation of breath near her ear and her body reacted immediately but discreetly to pull away.
"Who knew the Secretary General of Kaliningrad was such a good dancer, da? Always surprises with you," said a whisper in her ear.
As a means to be enigmatic to the surrounding crowd and hopefully annoying to her dancer partner, she replied with grace, "Gilbert taught me to dance."
At this, Russia, spun her back out then to himself so that they were face to face. The sudden movement made Kaliningrad a bit dizzy and by the smirk on Russia's face, she imagined he did it on purpose.
"Is that so? Well, I will have to thank him for that one day, da" Russia replied just as the final note to the waltz concluded with a dramatic finish.
This story is taking on a mind of its own. Who am I to objected, huh? I'll just go with the flow! If you want, you are welcomed to listen to Dmitri Shostakovich's Waltz No.2 will reading this (I did while writing it). It adds a bit more dimension to the moment.
Ciao for now
-CeCe ^_^