The Dance

Jet looked extremely embarrassed at her statement. He quickly muttered something incoherent under his breath and his blush became as red as red can be. Virginia gave him a look; she hadn't heard a word that he said. "What was that Jet? Can you repeat it? I didn't hear your answer the first time."

"I said 'I can't dance'," Jet whispered in her ear, after looking to make sure no one was paying the least bit of attention to the duo, "It isn't high on the priority listings of a Drifter. Your old man didn't cover that in my lessons and I know nobody who has ever been able to teach me. Well, the fact that you three are the first people I can remotely tolerate might have something to do with it." He turned away so he wouldn't be able to see her face. Jet didn't want to have to see her giving him one of her dreaded looks.

"Well then…we'll just have to teach you then. Dancing is a part of my education as a princess of Adlehyde so Mom, Aunt Victoria, and your mom too, they all helped me as a child to learn. Well, they all worked together trying to teach Emily, Jessica, and myself. After all, dancing is quite fun once you get the hang of it. I can give you a lesson right here on the dance floor. We have all we need," Virginia said.

So without warning, she pulled the youth onto the center of the dance floor and began to show him the basics of dancing. Jet's blush increased tenfold; if that was even possible. Not only was he the center of attention, but he was dancing with Virginia and he knew Jessica and Gallows would never let him live it down. He'd hoped that excuse would get him off the hook. For she would know that he was useless to her in such a scenario. However, she didn't care how many times he accidentally stepped on her foot; or complained that he didn't really want to do this in the middle of the hall. She continued on.

Virginia explained, "You have to get over your shyness somehow. If dancing with me in middle of the grand ballroom will do it, then I don't know what will. There isn't an event in all of Doria that will have more people in attendance than the return of the missing prince and also the High Priestess's only son."

Jet gave her a look. "But that's the reason I don't want to do it here. People are staring at me. I don't like it when they look at me. If you're so adamant about teaching me to dance, why not get some music and practice when there's nobody else around to see something I'm not really that good at. I look like a total moron. Even Gallows is doing better than I." He turned to indicate the big Baskar and Laura; who were cutting it near the right. Well, most of their looseness had to do with being really drunk then.

"I only wanted you," she replied, "That's why I refused the advances of those guys who asked me earlier. The only person in the world I feel right dancing with was you. Anyone else would make me feel as if I'd betrayed my own emotions. I love you, and nothing in the world can change how I feel inside."

Jet felt his heart burst inside his chest. She didn't care about any embarrassment to herself; just as long as she was true to her feelings. He had to comment her bravery. The youth might be able to handle himself running through ancient ruins with deadly traps with ease, but he didn't have any courage in the feelings department. Virginia, on the other hand, could be brave with either her feelings or in a ruin with many dangers. He still had a lot to learn; perhaps a lifetime would be just what he needed to do so.

S...S

"Your sister and Jessica's brother look really beautiful out there. Ok, so he's a little clumsy. But I can tell he's trying. From what I've heard about him from the others on the team, he would normally do a half assed job simply to keep her from continuing, and she'd go on anyway," Lyla told Vincent as they danced. He'd asked her early on and she was happy to oblige him. They were closer every single day.

Vincent added, "I'm happy for her. I mean, she follows her heart no matter what. He was a boy with pain that isn't even experienced in two lifetimes. Because of that, he was always pushing away from her and everybody else. However, she stuck by her emotions and continued to help him through those tough times. If she'd simply deserted him, he might very well be dead now; knowing he was not cared for by anyone else. Well, that would have been his own fault but still. He might owe her his very existence."

Jessica suddenly came up behind the two and patted each of their shoulders. "I agree with the both of you. Jet needed somebody to love him; no matter what he said. He was lucky the person who he fell for had tolerance with the hard to deal with. Cuz we all know my brother was extremely hard to deal with. I mean, he's only started to open up to her today, and they've been together for months as of now."

"I should have known you'd be coming 'round soon," Lyla giggled, "After all, we all know that you have the biggest mouth out of the team and would look to help comment on the two star crossed lovers and their blossoming romance. But where in the world did Laura get to?" They scanned the room and eventually found both her and Gallows passed out on the dance floor from their alcohol. A few priests and priestesses began to take the two away towards the medical facilities. They'd need some rest and a few of Victoria's hangover draughts stat. Lyla sighed. "I should have known that; she'll never change."

"Well we all know that. So let's go back to dancing. Jessica, I'm sure you'll find somebody to dance with you. Laura's in good hands and won't have any problems and we don't have to worry about her until the morning. Then we can give her a nice speech about how stupid it is to get drunks…again," Vincent stated. Then, he took Lyla's hand and led her back onto the dance floor; leaving Jessica behind.

The priestess thought, 'But I don't want to dance with these guys. Crap! I should have brought Alfred with me when I had the chance. He'd probably enjoy this. Although I think I'm pushing it with the outsiders. Well, actually when you think about it, Vincent and Jet are of our blood, and Lyla and Gallows are from Baskar. So that only leaves two outsiders. And I had the support of the princess for them all.'

S...S

As the night leaned to a close, Jet led Virginia onto a balcony that overlooked the sleepy little town. He smiled for what seemed like the first time in ages. This was a world where he didn't have to fear. Nobody had given him any real attention because of his horrid dancing. They were all curious as to find out about the High Priestesses son. He could blame his mom and sister for that little mess. But even though he was dancing with the princess of their race, and he vowed to ask her about that later, they let him be. Probably didn't want to ignite Virginia's wrath; if they'd heard about what she was capable of.

Virginia held him closer as she looked at the trees around her. "All this beauty here, and we have the Guardian of Life to thank for it. He preserved this area as his home shrine so it was protected from the Yggdrasil accident. That's why Florina has her garden in this place too. It's been the perfect night."

Jet sighed; he felt his instincts trying to take over again. So the young man began to move his face towards hers. Virginia took the hint immediately; she was the one more versed in romance after all. Their lips locked and their hands intertwined. For the first time, they kissed freely without any interruption.

Teefa's Last Words...

Yup, Teefa delivers when it comes to romance. It's my best genre. Virginia gets Jet into another uncomfortable and embarrassing position, and it all turns out for the best. Well, it's almost over now. One more chapter to pull it all together. Well, some fun with Jessica's team; we haven't been on track with them since they met the Maxwell Gang.