Moonstruck: Would you kindly? Danse Avec Moi
Summary: I believe it is in my nature to dance by virtue of the beat of my heart, the pulse of my blood and the music in my mind.
Welcome to my early celebration of Halloween! I've made a thing that will probably conclude in December if I can keep myself on top of it... I've also created a poll on my profile where you can vote for fandoms/pairings you would like to see for Halloween! So vote and pm me suggestions to add to it! :)
The notes plucked from the violin in the corner by a sole musician filled the room, giving the party-goers a gentle but soft backdrop to listen to as they chatted away into the night, having already listened to a more... youthful approach to the genre earlier.
A woman laughed just as she slipped a grape past her lips. Oh, how ironic it would be if she choked on it while gazing at a man across the room, while wordlessly listening to her husband talk about his expanding business venture. One that was carefully chosen as to not try and rival the most prominent man in the room.
Jacques Schnee.
One would have to be fairly foolish to try and tread into the raging waters of the Dust industry. Certainly no one here was that unscrewed in the head, even after over-indulging in the free alcoholic beverages.
He wasn't. But then, he had no business in such trades. His was a craft. One didn't just hand it off to a bunch of lowlifes and expect even mediocre results like most of the trash in the rather glittering ballroom. Evidently, the young heiress thought much the same as him, her gaze wandered as she stood by her father, hands clasped in front of her. Her eyes narrowed just enough whenever someone even whispered about how the faunus were treated, wondering where the money for this event was really going. The charity name branded across the walls? Or lining the insides of that egotistical man's pockets?
Yet they had spent the money to come here, they danced among each other in more than just a tangle of arms and legs, they were just as much too blame as their benefactor. It was amusing, to say the least.
But Weiss stayed still, compliant for now... but up in her room she would rage at their idiocy, talk down on the people raised to the same tier as her. Just... not quite worthy of their positions as her. Trash.
And she was a hypocrite unless she passed the test, if she was as pliable as she was made to be.
~ o ~
"How is the heiress, doing tonight? Sticking close to learn from the best of the best? Am I right?"
The words certainly did nothing to hurt her father's ego, as he was beaming at the guest who had spoken, glancing at her and back to the man before continuing to speak with Ironwood. In other words: she was to make pleasant conversation with the man, find what stroked his ego and combat his compliment with one of her own. It wasn't a game she really wanted to play right now, but the longer she waited to respond the harder her father gripped her wrist.
"I'm doing well. Have you been enjoying the party?" His grip loosened and she allowed herself to step away to break her father's hold on her. It's not like he would ever actually leave a bruise, - especially so openly - but she would rather talk without his guidance. "I don't believe we've met before. How did you afford to donate so much as to get a front row seat?"
The man smiled. "I didn't think you would recognize me from the performance. I'm actually just visiting Atlas and wanted to see you sing in person. I had heard talk of how talented you were but couldn't believe it without seeing it with my own eyes." Brazen flattery, something that didn't escape her father's notice.
Jacques stepped back to her side, lowering his voice to a whisper, "That's Vert Monwez, he's a genius in the physics industry, specializing in astrophysics. People say he's going to make space travel possible. You should ask if he would like to dance." But he's at least twenty years my senior, if not more. She couldn't believe he was trying to suggest she should flatter the man into thinking his courting was working. Besides, if she danced with one guest soon everyone would want a turn. But... that was probably the point. Jacques wanted to see just how many people were interested in his daughter and if they were in a position that he could take advantage of. She had just thought it would be longer before he started this particular scheme.
He could at least wait until she graduated from her chosen academy, anyway.
"But I-" Her father gave her a pointed look and she swallowed the words don't want to silently.
Before she could offer however the gentleman extended his hand. "Can I have the first dance?" She wasn't sure if he had just heard their exchange or if this had been his plan from the start, but she reluctantly took his hand, allowing him to drag her out to the middle of the room. Her eyes roamed around the people that parted for them, making room even as they spoke, but gradually fell silent to watch if she was as good a dancer as a singer. She didn't like it. She hadn't signed up for this, all she wanted was an excuse to leave, but so far she had found none. Everyone was waiting, and the violinist had started up a more traditional ballroom song.
Damn it.
She settled her hands in the appropriate places, wanting to barf when he set a hand on her waist. Then the music started, and she started to match him step for step, practically gliding over the floor. She hated it, seeing the roving gazes at Jacques apparent approval for people to start approaching his daughter now.
They made it three loops around the small circle they were given until his toe brushed against her ankle and she adjusted away from the potential disaster, letting go of his arm but keeping a hold of his hand she executed a little twirl perfectly; all while finally putting some distance between the two of them. She took a few steps to the side, getting ready for a more outward spin that he would have to actually contribute to if he wanted to keep up with her. Her fingers slid across his open palm as soon as she let gravity start to pull on her, though. He had kept a good enough hold on her before, so she wasn't prepared when she went crashing to the floor.
For a second she didn't move, feeling her face burn brighter than the sun as a few gasps had come up from the crowd. It wasn't her fault, though. She was the one that had gotten stuck with an incompetent dance partner and forced to do this with everyone watching. Her brother was probably snickering at her.
Weiss bit back a sigh, pushing herself up from the floor, not even looking at Vert as she began to walk away. She could hear him start up an apology, but she blocked it out from her mind, preferring to just make a bee line to the nearest door where she could find some peace and quiet in her room.
And then the inevitable happened.
"If you're still willing I'm a much better dancer than he is."
How nice.
The men were already trying to one up each other. But even with her father's disapproving gaze on her she shook her head, stepping past the man and others like him. Granted, a few seemed to realize now was not the time to ask, but far more failed to have any sort of observational skill.
"Would you care to dance with me, instead?" A bit more polite, but the hungry gaze in the young blue-haired boy's eyes was enough to turn her off.
"How about I show you a proper quadrille?" Fancy talk for a man that had a pot belly, sweat pouring down his brow, probably couldn't even balance well enough to do anything other than stand. As if she would want any of their grubby slimy hands on her anyways.
"Would you kindly, dance with me, my lady?"
Weiss stopped in her tracks, turning to meet a pair of golden eyes, his lips twitching as if trying to hold back a laugh as she extended her hand to him. "Yes." His fingers grasped back at hers, pulling her toward him as the crowd began to part again, people muttering to each other as they started out with simple swaying. As if he were trying to ease her back into the mood.
Well, she supposed she could give him a chance as long as he didn't drop her like the last one did. She slid her one hand up to place on his shoulder, indicating that she was ready for the real thing. Soon enough she was surrounded in a cascade of white and brown, their hair flying freely around them as he immediately started spinning.
It was disorienting, but he smiled at her and she smiled back. "I've been waiting to see you again, my dear."
Her brow furrowed. "Have we met before?"
A giggle slipped from his lips. "It was a long time ago, you were young; too young to remember little ol' Tyrian."