Here's another sappy chapter for you guys. I liked writing this one as well. It's just really... cute.
If there's anything that confuses you, tell me and I'll fix it.
Please review!
It was passed midnight by the time the two arrived at the hotel, and Lupin wanted to party. He asked the marksman if he wanted to go to the Haze nightclub with him, and he refused. The thief insisted, tugging on his blazer like a little puppy wanting to play. He didn't budge. Lupin shrugged and took one of the card keys that was lying on the cherry wood desk that was provided in the room and headed out. Jigen was left all alone and he sat on the leather chair. He removed his hat and messed up his hair, and looked up at the ceiling. He wanted to do something, but he was unsure of what to do. He closed his eyes for a bit and took a few deep breaths. His eyes fluttered and he got up, and he removed his blazer and tie, hanging it in the closet. He rolled up his sleeves and unbuttoned the first few buttons close to his neck. Jigen grabbed his hat and decided to take a stroll downstairs at the Crystals shops. He felt very relaxed without Lupin around him. He took the stairs and passed by The Pods cafe he ate with his partner and Valora just the other day and smiled. As soon as he reached at the bottom of the stairs, he glanced to his left and saw tall and thick ice poles at one exit. He didn't see this until now, mostly because he never got the chance to actually explore the place yet. He casually walked over and observed the ice poles, reaching out for it with his bony hands. The marksmen thought it was fake at first, but it really was ice. He pushed his hat a bit to look at the colorful lights that beamed on it, and he thought it was lovely. He lowered his head and noticed a familiar woman staring at the ice too on another side. He realized it was Valora and he approached her. She stopped looking at the popsicle looking poles and was a little surprised to see Jigen as he walked towards her.
"No need to be scared. I just saw you here," he told her calmly, smiling at her.
She had her arms crossed and she smiled back at him, replying, "I can see that."
She brushed some of her bangs out of her face and looked at one side for a bit, before looking back at him. The marksman noticed that she didn't have her gelled hair like the first time he saw her, but just a short layered cut that covered a bit of her eye.
"What brings you here?" she asked, rubbing her arm.
"Oh, nothing," he paused, "just looking around. The Crystals is really beautiful. I have to say, Vegas hasn't brought me down yet."
She nodded, saying, "Ah, yes. Although it's known to be Sin City, it really is pretty here. I really like it here..."
They both stared at the ice poles for a few minutes, until she asked another question.
"So, you're here at the Crystals. Do you have a room here at the Aria as well?"
Jigen tipped his hat and nodded, putting his hands in his pocket.
"Yeah, Lupin and I are staying here for the time being. You got a room too, miss?"
Valora replied with a soft yes and beamed at him.
"Perhaps we can chat a bit more in my room? I have some tea, coffee, and wine if you like," she offered.
Jigen raised an eyebrow and thought about it for a while and followed the dancer to her room. He felt a little uncomfortable, having second thoughts about this. But it shouldn't matter. They were just going to have a casual talk and that's it. He went into the room and saw that it wasn't all too different. She had a few upgrades here and there but that was it. He took off his shoes as soon as he got in, but she told him not to. He ignored her. Valora shook her head and asked him what he wanted to drink, and he shrugged.
"Hmmm... oh, I seem to have whiskey here that my friend brought over a week ago. There's plenty left and I don't really drink hard liquor. Would you like some?"
Whiskey wasn't so bad once you got used to it. He lifted his hat from his head, which meant that he didn't mind. She fixed a glass for him and set the bottle on the dining table she had. He offered himself a seat at the table as she prepared tea for herself, later sitting beside him. Jigen felt rather uneasy about this, realizing how close they were, but he decided to forget it.
"So, miss," he said. She looked at him as she stirred the contents of her tea and waited what else he was going to say.
"Why's the rumba your favorite dance?" he asked her. He watched her mouth turn into a sweet smile as she sipped her tea before speaking.
"It's a really passionate dance. Even for dancers who aren't in a relationship. It's a bit difficult to explain but whenever I dance it, I feel like I can't stop. It's my way of expressing of what I want in a relationship. I want it to last long and forever. It's just... how I want to be loved."
Jigen swirled his glass a bit, watching the ice go around in a circle. He looked at one wall for a long time and then back at Valora. He bit his tongue for a bit, thinking if he should say something. He finally had an idea and scratched the back of his neck nervously.
"Well then, miss. Is there by any chance you could teach me a few moves? I've always wanted to try ballroom dancing before but, um, I never did."
She covered her mouth and giggled, getting up from her chair. Jigen tilted his head to one side and had no idea what she was trying to express, until she extended a hand to him.
"Wait. I didn't mean now, you know," he chuckled softly.
Valora laughed and he grumbled, pulling his hat over his eyes and took her hand. He got up and was pulled into her room, seeing that she had a sliding door out to a balcony. He could see the moon shining over the buildings, and the bright lights of the other casinos peeking through the surrounding buildings. He uncomfortably stood there as she took his left hand, placing it on her shoulder blade and held her other hand with his right. The marksman didn't know how to react and looked into her dark hazel eyes. He began to feel his body sway from left to right, along with the woman in his arms.
"It's alright. Just rock a bit. Feel the change of weight on your feet," she cooed.
He gulped as he listened to her instructions. It wasn't until she forced him to take a step back.
"There you go. That's the first step to a basic rumba," she said softly.
They kept doing this for a while until they began dancing in a sort of circle. Jigen smiled at Valora and she smiled back. He stopped for a bit and chuckled, tugging on his hat playfully. He licked his dry lips and asked her something that surprised her.
"So, how do dips go, exactly?" he questioned her. The dancer gave a cheerful laugh and swept her bangs away from her face again.
"They come in a variety of ways. You can be really close or you can just cradle her. Whatever you want to do, Jigen," she replied.
Jigen didn't have to think of what to say and asked if they could try a closer dip (whatever that meant) and she nodded. The marksman felt one of her legs rub up the outside of his thigh and she wrapped it around his hip. As she did this, he literally felt the hairs on his body stand up and he shuddered. Then, she took his hands and placed them on her back, giving her support.
"When I lean back, you squat a little, okay?" she told him.
Slowly, he did what he was told and she arched her back and her body moved towards him, her arms stretching. Her belly was close to his face and he could smell the lavender scented fabric as they dipped under the moonlight. He watched her point her leg into the sky for a few minutes and slowly regained her posture with him. He only stared at her and laughed softly later on, and she joined along him.
"Well then, uh, that was a very nice experience," he stated. He felt a little knot begin to form in his stomach as he slowly faced her. Her hazel eyes were staring directly at him and she leaned against the railing of the balcony.
"You know, Jigen, I don't think you would be a very bad dance partner," she stuck her tongue out at him.
He grinned at her and pulled her into his arms, laughing.
"Hey, what do you mean by that? Very bad dance partner, huh?"
They laughed together until they realized that they were closer than before. Her chest was against his as well as their hips and they stared into each other's eyes. They both pulled away at the same time, turning away from each other. Both could feel the blood rushing to their cheeks and laughed softly in embarrassment.
"Well then, Valora. Thanks for the invite," he told her, beginning to head out of her room. She followed him and took his wrist, right before he opened the door. He looked at her and she had a smile much wider than before.
"Huh, what is it?" he asked her in confusion.
"That was the first time you called me by my name," she told him in a happy and relaxed tone.
He adjusted his hat and gave a small smirk, feeling her grip on his wrist loosen as he opened the door. Jigen left her room without saying good night, but no need.
"Valora..." he whispered to himself, walking in an elevator and watched the doors close.