- N - = Nicky's part
- J - = my part
Chapter 032 - Unexpected kiss!
- N -
Riley stumbled to his feet, a little embarrassed. This wasn't like him at all – all this fumbling, tripping… being generally less-than-impeccable wasn't something he was used to.
He was a maestro at the waltz – he'd grown up with slow dances after all – but this? This was too fast, too sudden, too… too emotional all at once.
Amethyst had gasped as he fell – maybe just as surprised to see his lapse of grace as he was.
"Heh, no. If you can't dance, how there would be a chance that I -being slightly drunk- could?"
His chest fell, feeling slightly discouraged. As much as this made him feel, well, awkward, he would've enjoyed Amethyst by his side… He would've enjoyed that more than anything.
Just as he was about to lead them both off the dance floor, the girl with cleats spun by them both, sending his new partner a gentle encouraging wink. It seemed to fill her up with confidence as she declared:
"I'll do my best. C'mon, just do what music tells us to!"
Riley smiled, holding her hand. Together, they attempted to join the dance –
Only for Amethyst to fall bodily into his chest. She seemed fixated to stare at the gold chain he wore, perhaps a little embarrassed to look him in the eye. Despite himself, he found a smile on his face.
With gentle fingers, he took her chin and lifted it gingerly to face him. His deep blue eyes found her purple ones, wide and brimming with stars under the dance floor lights.
"You don't have to worry about being embarrassed around me, Amethyst." He whispered. "Come on, let's try this again."
This was nothing like a waltz – it was liberal, wild, maddening, even. Still, they weren't going nearly as fast as his previous partners, especially since he had to keep an eye out for how dizzy poor Amy was getting now that the wine was taking its toll on her. It was – dare he say it? – comfortable. For the first time ever, he'd joined a set dance instead of just watching it – and he was enjoying himself.
They danced together, not spinning madly by the waist like the other couples, but with her tight against him, their arms in the old waltzing position he was familiar with. He closed his eyes and smelled the wine that floated off her. With a smile, he rested his chin on the top of her head, feeling just how perfect the world was.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
There was a certain sort of satisfaction to see Roark was the person she'd end the dance with – it was so perfect. Serena let him twirl her around the floor, excitement building in her shoulder blades as his hands touched them.
"I-I think I'm getting too enthusiastic at this, am I? I just... want to improve for tomorrow's Dance, because I want it to be very special..."
"No, no," Serena laughed, "this is perfect. I'm having the time of my life."
As they continued to spin, she wondered whether Roark knew about the full moon. He'd never been able to stay human for a full night before… it would take the slightest provocation for him to transform…
She opened her mouth, perhaps to tell him, but hesitated as she saw his expression. He was planning something, thinking, and she didn't want to spoil the moment. Not when they both were so happy, when everything was just so perfect…
She spun back, the momentum knocking her off slightly – and bringing her lips into Roark's.
A bright flush of red dashed across her face, turning into extreme pleasure as it dissipated down her spine. Roark was quick to pull away, probably from embarrassment.
"Uh... I'm sorry..."
Serena stared in amazement, then smiled deviously.
"Don't be." She said, cupping the back of his russet-red hair in her hand. She tilted her head and leaned in close to his gentle face, bringing her lips to his once again. It felt like everything she could ever ask for, her body alive with tiny fireworks of glee. She arched her back, leaning in, her fingers ran themselves through his hair in a gentle sort of abandon she never had before.
And, for a moment, nothing else existed but the two of them.
The sound of clapping alerted her to the end of the dance and, reluctantly, she pulled away. Everyone was standing still now, the large crowd applauding the band. Stephanie Brown and Rodent took a deep bow along with the rest of the band – before bounding off the stage and pushing through the crowd to Amy and Riley.
"Guys! Guys! Guys!" Stephanie was nearly bursting, "They want me to play for the Miner's Dance tomorrow night! They liked it!"
She picked up Rodent and tossed him into the air, the Raticate protesting loudly in the air before she caught him squarely in her arms. "This is going to be perfect, Miss Amy! Do you have any song requests? I already convinced them to do another round like this tomorrow night!"
Riley seized the opportunity – maybe he could finally get a dance tomorrow night that he was good at!
"Could they do Mr Beveridge's Maggot?" He asked.
Stephanie abruptly stopped hopping on the balls of her feet. Riley could almost hear the sound of a needle scratching vinyl.
"Say what?"
"It's a… urm…" He pulled at his collar. "A regency dance, the kind in Old Sinnoh. I think they still do them in Rota?" Stephanie stared at him quizzically, Rodent had his head tilted curiously to a side. "I… I grew up on those." He tried to explain.
"That sounds… stuffy." Stephanie said frankly, but shrugged. "But what the hey, I'll go ask them. Wait here."
The sound of runningshoes whirring to life, and she was gone as quick as she came.
"That girl's going to smack her face against something eventually." Serena padded over to join them, her hand still holding tight to Roark's. "She runs too fast."
The waiters had begun moving tables back, as diners resumed their seats, almost none of them mentioning how incredibly wild their last fifteen minutes had been.
Riley seemed perturbed. "Do I really sound stuffy?" He stiffly asked no one in particular, his voice incredulous. "I'm old fashioned, yes, but… stuffy?"
- J -
The blush on her face was unbearable, her eyes almost teary. Amethyst looked up as Riley took her for her chin: those blue, precious eyes fixated on her purple ones... and his gentle mouth was featuring a warm smile. But why was he smiling? What was he thinking about?
"You don't have to worry about being embarrassed around me, Amethyst. Come on, let's try this again."
"I-I'm not embarrassed!" Amethyst lied.
But it was too obvious that she was ashamed. Damn, the embarrassment was too big to handle... The drunkenness didn't quite help, either...
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Roark's embarrassment was beyond belief as well. At least at that moment. He had just kissed who was probably the most dominant woman in Sinnoh. How would his death be? Ass kicking? A punch in the face? A kick in the...? Ugh...
"Don't be."
The miner flickered. Just two words? Wasn't she even upset? However, Roark didn't have time to think. Serena pulled her lips against his... suddenly, just like that.
"S-Se-" Was all Roark could say before getting lost in the marvelous sensation the kiss gave to him.
He felt the woman's fingers caressing his red hair with a passion he didn't know she had. Excitement went through his body as he fervently replied to Serena's kiss. Maybe it was indeed what he was looking for, after all...
...and, like that, everything ended. The stopping of the music and the clapping from the crowd made Roark flinch and look around. He felt Serena holding loose on him, but didn't pay much attention. Would have anyone seen them kissing? The ginger wondered.
"Uh, wait, Serena." Roark suddenly said, grabbing the pink-haired woman by her arm. "I have to ask you something."
The Joy was looking at the cheerful Stephanie and Rodent, who were making their way throughout the crowd to go back with Amethyst and Riley.
"Well, you see," Roark muttered. "I was wondering if... if you'd want to go to the Dance with me."
Why was his voice sounding so stupid? Ugh.
"I-It's okay if you don't want to, really." He hastened to add, just in case. "Just, please... don't tell anyone... Last thing I want is Stephanie bothering you about that, hehe."
Roark blushed and gulped. He wondered (again) when he'd become the woman of the relationship... The miner expected Stephanie (& Co.) to come back with them in brief, so he really wished Serena would give him an answer as soon as possible.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Amethyst hadn't even noticed the dance had ended. After a few gentle, slow spins, Riley had decided let her lean over his chest. The tiny woman's head had been gracefully landed on Riley's chest, while his chin had been resting on the top of her head.
"This is, like... heaven." Amethyst was thinking, unaware of the stopping of the dance.
"Guys! Guys! Guys! They want me to play for the Miner's Dance tomorrow night! They liked it!"
The screams made the purple-eyed woman go back to reality. Just, what the...? Oh yeah, Stephanie Brown and Rodent had just arrived with them. Riley was still holding her (maybe to help her not to fall?). Amethyst flickered, the drunkenness didn't let her hear perfectly, but oh well.
"This is going to be perfect, Miss Amy! Do you have any song requests? I already convinced them to do another round like this tomorrow night!"
"Th-that's so cool, Ms. Brown!" Amethyst exclaimed, clapping (again). "I knew you could do it! As for the s-"
"Could they do Mr Beveridge's Maggot?"
The chestnut-head stared at Riley. 'Mr Beveridge's Maggot'? She'd definitely heard of it before... Maybe Platina Berlitz talked about it to her someday? While Amethyst tried to remember, the conversation ended.
"That sounds… stuffy. But what the hey, I'll go ask them. Wait here."
"Oh, my." Amethyst said, looking at the young girl get lost amongst the crowd.
It was then when Roark and Serena got back with them.
"Oh, that girls never stops." The ginger said, sounding a lot like Serena.
Roark tried to hide the fact that they were holding hands. As much as he didn't want anyone to know (at least for now), he couldn't resist but let his fingers get interlaced with Serena's.
Despite her drunkenness, Amethyst noticed that, but she was too dizzy to talk about it...
"Do I really sound stuffy? I'm old fashioned, yes, but… stuffy?"
"Hahaha!" Roark laughed. "Well, well, my friend, you're indeed old-fashioned and some of your manners are indeed stuffy, but I don't think it's a bad thing. Some ladies like it!"
He was so euphoric about his kiss with Serena that he had even forgotten about Riley's hostility towards him... The miner winked at Amethyst after saying the last words.
The chestnut-head didn't notice, but didn't certainly need it either.
"Riley! Y-You're not st-stu...!" Amethyst exclaimed, not knowing how to talk. "You... you ARE perfect this way!"
She covered her mouth with her hands, not believing what she'd said. The purple-eyed trainer mumbled some intelligible things before turning to their table.
"Haha, okay... Let's go back to have lunch!" Roark exclaimed. "Some of your dishes might be quite cold already!"
He looked at Stephanie and her rat.
"Although we can always ask Rodent for help, now can't we?" The ginger added.
As soon as they got back to their table, he noticed Amethyst's empty plate.
"Oh whoa, Amethyst, you already finished your meal!" He exclaimed. "You are SURE fast!"
"Hehe, yeah..." Amethyst muttered, blushing.
She wasn't sure anymore why she was blushing... The group took seat again and got back to eat.
- N -
"Well, you see, I was wondering if... if you'd want to go to the Dance with me. I-It's okay if you don't want to, really."
It took a moment, maybe two, before Serena realised exactly what the question meant.
"I… I-I…" She stammered before breaking out into a genuine toothy grin – which were rare, coming from Serena . The words tripped off her tongue, marring her speech. Her brow furrowed of all times for her to get nervous!
With an annoyed groan, she shrugged, and bodily brought Roark's face to her's again, locking her lips with him for one more brief kiss. It lasted for a second, maybe two, but she gasped for air as she pulled away.
"Yes!" She grinned again. "Yes, I'd love to!"
As they gathered around the table, Riley thought about just how 'stuffy' he'd been since he'd been to Oreburgh – he hadn't, he realised, talked to Roark decently since, well, since the morning he discovered the cave.
And, considering how friendly Roark was being – the boy was naturally sociable, it helped him connect with the miners he worked with – it didn't seem quite fair.
"Hahaha! Well, well, my friend, you're indeed old-fashioned and some of your manners are indeed stuffy, but I don't think it's a bad thing. Some ladies like it!"
Riley was one to keep his distance from most people – he was never sure how to predict them. He'd spent the better part of his childhood in etiquette classes, people who talked to him spoke lines they'd rehearsed, people moved according to the clockwork custom they'd been taught was right.
It didn't work that way in reality. People were unpredictable, unstable; it frightened him, honestly. Spending his time on Iron Island was the perfect excuse to get away from it all, that uncertainly that surrounded his every encounter with another person.
He was all about control, and Amethyst? She upset everything, the way his heart just couldn't beat regularly with her about, the way he'd want to bend over backwards to spend time with her, even though it ruined the training timetable he'd planned in his mind for Diamond. He loved it – it was the only acceptable break from tradition he quite enjoyed.
And now, here she was:
"Riley! Y-You're not st-stu...! You... you ARE perfect this way!"
He looked at her outburst, startled, before smiling gently. With a bare hand, he picked up her tiny delicate porcelain hand and squeezed it warmly.
"Thank you, Amethyst," He murmured, "I've often wondered what it'd be like if I'd change – just to lose myself, be wild, for one night. I don't know if I'd like it."
"You won't." Serena answered automatically, as if she'd seen first-hand just how terrifying being 'wild' and losing control was firsthand. "Trust me," She quickly explained, "control's a pretty nice thing to have."
Stephanie had returned, the group going back to their meal at the table like they'd done before.
Rodent was mysteriously full as he clambered up to sit at the table – the Reynardine had lost an economy-sized wheel of cheese from their cellar sometime during the dance – but ate whatever Stephanie shovelled in front of him anyway.
His trainer took a sip of the drink she'd been given, and proceeded to turn a brilliant shade of pale green. Sniffing it, and then gagging visibly, she pushed the glass of chocolate milk gingerly away from her. The rest of her meal was spent eyeing the chocolate milk like she would a cancerous tumour – a mix of suspicion, disgust and undying hatred.
She narrowed her gaze at the offending drink.
Riley hadn't noticed, although Serena certainly had. The Joy made it a point to stock up on more chocolate milk. Just in case.
"Oh whoa, Amethyst, you already finished your meal! You are SURE fast!"
As if on that signal, Serena began to pack her things, preparing to leave when Amy did.
"Which reminds me," The pink-haired woman lifted her head, "Riley, if you're going back to the tailors, could you take my dress with you? I'm taking Amy back to the apartment after this; she needs to sleep that alcohol off." It wasn't a request – Brown knew she hadn't asked Amy about it – but more of a matter-of-fact decision she'd come up with on her own. She wondered whether Serena was just as forceful with Roark.
Riley accepted the dress bag she handed him, folding it gently into his lap. He said nothing, but looked at Roark from time to time, as if trying to make up his mind. Eventually, he cleared his throat and asked:
"Roark," he began hoarsely, "is it possible I could speak with you tonight? I've been meaning to ask you something, but I've never really figured out how to go about doing it."
Stephanie stopped rubbing her steak over her tongue and looked up at the Aura guardian. The man wasn't looking Roark in the eye, instead, he was looking intently at Serena's dress peeking out from under the bag. In careful pink thread, the name
SERENA
had been sewn under a hem. He'd found a loose, long strand of hair and was rolling it between his thumb and index finger – it was like no human hair Stephanie'd ever seen before – red tapering to a black tip, as curling and coarse as animal fur.
She saw Serena eyeing the cobalt-haired man, her eyes steely and unfriendly – finally, Riley was talking to Roark… and not even having the balls to look him in the eye as he did.
They finished their food in an awkward sort of silence that made Stephanie shift uncomfortably. Even Rodent sensed it; he kept his ears plastered to his head until the group paid for the bill (Riley footed it easily) and meandered to the mouth of the Reynardine.
"I'll be going back to the tailor's." Riley turned to Brown and repeated. "Are you coming, Miss Brown?"
"Naah," She shook her head, "I found some trainers in the atrium – they'd be great great great for giving Rodent a little more practice before tonight!"
Riley chuckled. "Well, then," He turned to the miner. "I'll see you at dinner, Roark? We can talk in the kitchen."
Serena turned a concerned face to the redheaded man, as if asking "Are you sure you want to do this?" with her glance. Regardless of the answer, she leaned over and pecked him quickly on the cheek before returning to Amy and steering her by the shoulders to the escalator and the ground floor back to their apartment.
"C'mon Amy," She began, "I've got something to tell you."
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
She waited until the two women had climbed the six floors to the apartment door, until she'd shoved the key into its lock, turned it, and let them both inside.
She set the bushy-brown-haired woman down onto the sofa, while she took a big comfy chair that, from the looks of it, she'd spent a lot of time in.
"Amy, I wasn't going to say this in front of Stephanie," She leaned forward, in a conspiratorial whisper. "Roark asked me to the dance!"
With a smile of triumph on her long features, she leaned back out again.
"I said 'yes'!" She was grinning with delight, but forced her face to sombre seriousness again. This was important. "You'll have to keep it a secret, though." She began.
This was it – the moment whether or not she could trust Amy with whatever she would tell her next:
"But that's not exactly what I meant to tell you," She whispered. "First – how good are you at keeping secrets? I mean, keeping secrets from Riley and Brown?"