Music

Manon Blackbeak tried not to bare her iron teeth as she took a whiff of the large man currently bowing in front of Dorian. It was a local lord she had no interest in meeting or remembering his name. His scent was a mixture of tobacco, alcohol and what she assumed was the worst perfume in history while his wares were laughable at best, despite being an apparent show of opulence. She was a few feet back, close to the wall as a number of people similar to him approached their King, who was smiling and thanking them for coming up to him.

A woman in a too-tight corset underneath her dress stepped forward. The daughter of the lord no doubt. They had the same posture and her smell was no better. Manon commended Dorian for having the self-control to maintain a placid face as he kissed the woman's hand.

Looking away, the witch focused on the theater curtains ahead. The show would be starting soon and she couldn't wait, if only to have the attention somewhere else. She was wearing a simple dark green dress this time, though she supposed it looked as expensive as it was, with long sleeves and high collared. If an enemy got close, she would be able to behead them with no trouble at all, especially with the knives she hid all over her body. As yet another patron went to greet Dorian, Manon reminded herself of why she was there in the first place.

She had accepted to court. Foolish and illogical as it was, she had said yes after some persistent insistence-and a few hours in bed-from not just Dorian, but, shockingly, Asterin. The rest of the Thirteen weren't much to have opinions on the matter, but Sorell had given her a long look that could mean something in the future.

Whatever her Third's qualms were, they had to wait.

"Your Majesty, how nice to see you here," a female voice purred, bringing the witch's attention back to her lover. An older human woman was bowing low, with three other attractive females trailing her. Manon observed them closely, noting the kohl in their eyes, the provocative dresses, the matching brands.

Courtesans.

"Lady Clarisse," Dorian greeted, but his tone was brusque, like he didn't expect her there.

Clarisse smiled as her gaze slid to Manon and stayed there. The witch met the clinical look right back, noting how the woman sized her up. "Lovely. You would have made it far in my house," a shrug, "or in any house, really."

Dorian was on the Blackbeak before she could step forward, discreetly holding her back by grabbing unto her arm. Manon still growled. "You are lucky we are where we are, whore."

Clarisse seemed completely unperturbed. "I'm just stating a fact, girl. A shame I didn't find you when you were younger."

"Manon-"

But she was livid. "It would not be such a shame to rid your body of a head."

Though the girls behind the lady recoiled in fear, the woman was defiant as she raised her chin. "The show is about to start. Your Majesty…witch." The way she said the word, like an insult, made Manon think of many violent things, mainly exsanguination, perhaps disembowelment. But the woman walked away quickly, swallowed up by the darkness as the five-minute marker was announced.

Dorian let out a breath in relief. "I'm sorry about that. I didn't know she would be here."

Controlling her fury, Manon faced those blue eyes. "I could kill her for you, if you want."

Though he glanced around nervously to make sure no one overheard, Dorian still gave her a little smile. "There are many things in a kingdom that I wished weren't as they were, but such…baggage is necessary."

If she were Queen, Manon would outlaw this type of practice immediately-the witch was so surprised at the thought she flinched back. Dorian raised an eyebrow, but she didn't let him speak. "Where do we sit?"

His eyes were questioning, but he didn't insist as he went for her hand. "This way. I got us a private spot."

The Blackbeak let him link their fingers together, let him parade her for the few that were looking, if only because she was curious to see their reactions, to gauge their feelings on the matter. She hoped the simpleminded-harlot Clarisse was looking just so she could bare her iron teeth while the King danced around her finger. But no one important turned to them and the growing darkness hid their forms.

They arrived at the seating area when the performance was starting, and Manon noticed how strategic this positioning was. To the side instead of the middle, in a small box that was halfway hidden but still provided a perfect view of the stage. As they sat, Dorian's guards took their positions and Manon knew her Second and Third were around as well, out of sight, but close by.

"I think you'll like this. It's my favorite piece," Dorian muttered as the conductor bowed and the crowd clapped.

Manon rarely listened to music. The handful of times she had were on the dirty streets of small towns, where she would hunt down Chrocans in the night and stayed indoors throughout the day. There was a time when a young woman came to town carrying a worn violin. She was poor and thin, but her gray eyes were fierce and her posture erect as she placed a worn hat on the ground and began to play.

It was the first time Manon had stopped to truly listen.

The first night she did not go out to hunt.

The music began and Manon instantly focused on the sounds, recognizing the specific chords from the violins, the sound of what she assumed were trumpets. She watched in strange fascination as the composer's hands moved and how the musicians responded, to the point where she recognized the rhythm and was able to follow it. Never within her long lifetime had she heard music like this. She didn't even imagine it could sound this way.

It was…moving.

The two hours was done before she realized what had happened and too soon and too quickly were the orchestra packing up. "Hey, we can go now," Dorian said with a humorous tone. "Or we can keep staring while they leave, that works too."

Manon blinked as she turned to the King who looked a step away from bursting out into laughter. The theater was half empty already and she had been stuck in the same position, staring as the curtains were closed. For a moment, she wasn't sure of what to say. "I didn't know-" she began, but cut herself off as she stood up.

Dorian seemed disappointed that she didn't continue. "What? Did you like it?"

It was his favorite piece, she remembered. While making sure his guards couldn't hear, she leaned over. "I'd never heard an orchestra before."

The princeling stopped in his tracks, blinking like the sun was hitting his eyes. "What?"

The way he said it made her falter and Manon made a show to look away. "It was enjoyable," she told him before moving ahead, past the guards.

He followed after her, but didn't say anything as they left through the back of the theater, to avoid his subjects. It wasn't until they were in his carriage that Dorian spoke up. "Was that really your first time?"

Moonlight filtered in as the carriage began to move. "I had heard instruments before, but never together like that or so many at a time."

Dorian let out a dry laugh, looking like he won a bet as he leaned back against the side of the carriage. Nodding, with that stupid grin still on his face, he moved back to face her. "So you liked it?"

She didn't understand the inflection in his voice, didn't bother to figure it out. "I suppose I did, yes."

The wide smile he gave her was heart-stopping as he took her hand in his. "That's great-this is great," he rambled, "I was worried you wouldn't like it-or find it boring or-maybe I should show you my piano…" he trailed off as he met their eyes. "Would you like to go again with me?"

The witch's eyebrows drew together, but not because of the question. Why was he so excited? And what was a piano? "If we are both free-"

The kiss was unexpected, but not entirely unwelcome and when they parted Manon just watched as he kept that same grin. "Great, that's great. Perfect. We can go next week-or the week after, whichever, but next week they're playing my second favorite piece."

She nodded slowly, amused at his reaction, but still puzzled. "That's fine."

Dorian went for her face, meeting their lips again. She could feel the smile on his lips this time. "Yes, yes, let's do this again!"

It was absurd that she wanted to laugh with him.

This was a date, just to clear it up. I just didn't feel like the word would fit within the ToG series and less of all with these two. Still, I feel like Dorian and Manon would enjoy music, especially since their lives were filled with so much darkness. Perhaps I will make a future fic in which Dorian tries to teach Manon how to play the piano.

Fandomsareforever15 – Then my mission was done ;]

MarijaV – We will definitely see more of them as a family in the future.

Johys potterhead – I think Manon/Dorian would be really good parents, too! Especially because of their backgrounds.

HighbornCrab – I hope I satisfied your curiosity ;]

Crescentclaw – Really great review! This type of response is what makes me smile! I hope you liked this chapter!

AwkwardNerdyGirl – I think I enjoyed writing the fluff a little too much, haha. We will definitely see more of this in the future. Nice review!

B – I agree 100% that they would even each other out. I hope you keep enjoying these one-shots.

Thank you to everyone that reviewed, faved and followed! As always, a pleasure to read everyone's words! I hope I get a similar response this time around.