If his attempts at conveying his request were anything to go off of, then the immense weight of them that stood on his shoulders certainly spoke for how tense they felt. It made them feel heavy and uneven as he awkwardly made a fool of himself just trying to speak coherently. His shoulders struggled with the weight of his own hesitation too, yet when Selene turned to look at him even after the words left his throat it felt nearly unbearable in the moment of silence. If he had a heart it would be thumping against his chest as the madness that enveloped him raged on with no answer.
Perhaps he had misread the situation he thought he was in, what ‘they’ possibly could be. There were risks such as disgusted stares, social decline, retaliation, and so much more. But it was worth it if the intention was pure, right? Maybe Selene was simply a kind human who fell for the fantasy of him? They had danced in her home and if he hadn’t been dreaming they had kissed right? That wasn’t just a spur of the moment decision, he wouldn't have... Well... He just needs to wait now, and it was killing him.
His mind raced with all sorts of responses and scenarios that could come of this. There were positive ones along with the negatives ones that followed close behind, with every scenario branched even more worries and concerns from them. For example he wasn’t a monster made of cabbage but he knew he could afford the luxury of MTT’s Dance Hall as he stored enough human folding green to just be able to afford the meals. The club itself was an odd amalgamation of humans and monsters mixing under the same roof. The owner of the establishment was a Bo named ‘Mettaton’.
He had never met him in person but from what information he had gathered on him when business was booming it turned out he was a fellow monster, and this was a monster owned business that was smack dab on the dividing line between the human and monster living space. This is where a branching scenario kicked in for him, what if Selene didn’t want to go dance at a club like that? Ugh, the silence that felt like it was dragging on was putting him behind the eightball with every passing second. Grillby truly felt out of his element, he was too dizzy with a dame to the point he had leapt over his bar to catch up to her to then be found smack dab in this very situation.
The weight on his shoulder practically evaporated into flames and smoke at the sound of her positive response and seeing her smile. Blinking as if to hear Selene better or if just to clarify to himself what exactly was said, he opened his mouth before shutting it once more to let her speak. To be fair he was too gobsmacked to be spitting right now anyway, in the end it was better for her to gab away the silence that was dissipating. Grillby took a moment or so to compose himself, no need to act a fool when he felt so dizzy and light with delight. Truly it felt like he was about to be dry-gulched or even wake up from this dream, there was so much going on in the span of a few minutes, or was it seconds now? It was hard to put his finger on the exact timeframe that this was happening in, but nonetheless he cleared his throat for his silence was dragging on and the lady had asked him questions.
“At the MTT’s Dance Hall for the Where, and I suppose for the How, I shall meet you at the entrance as it would be for the best for both of us to meet there. I would be much closer, where you may need to have a car take you.” He did ponder that for a moment but he knew Selene would be able to handle that on her own as she was after all a very capable woman. “As for the When, perhaps if you are not busy, tomorrow? I understand it is short notice but I...” His voice caught in his throat as he didn’t have a good enough reason to suddenly be demanding the time to be so soon, mere hours from this current moment. His only thought on the matter was due to the smallest of worries that she wouldn’t have as much of an interest in him as he does in her if he waited. There was a clear spark between them, and one he truly felt if nurtured could develop into an inferno that would sweep this city by storm. “I would really like to take you dancing tomorrow, if your schedule allows... Selene.”
Selene felt her heart melt a little more for the flamster in that moment, the way Grillby hesitated when asking her to go out so soon as if he were afraid she might not agree to his wonderful plan for the date he was offering her, and how he said her name with such care and hope it made her knees a little weak. Letting go of his hand with one of hers she reached up to cup his cheek to make sure Grillby could see without a shadow of a doubet how much she truly wanted to spend the next evening, and any others, with him. “Grillby darling, I would love nothing more than to go dancing with you tomorrow. If you wished I would go with you tonight, if I were wearing the right shoes and you didn’t need your rest. So tomorrow it is.” She stroked his cheek with her thumb before trailing her hand down his arm to hold both his hands in both of hers. “MTT’s Dance Hall sounds fabulous dear, I've never been myself but I've heard such wonderful things! I’ll be sure to meet you there out front tomorrow night for our marvelous date. Just look for the emerald green car” Bringing both of his large warm hands up she gently placed a kiss on each one. “Till tomorrow my dear Grillby, I wish you a good night and hope you get your rest.” It was only then that she finally took those last few steps back to the door of Grillby’s place and stepped out into the still summer night air. As the sturdy door closed behind her with a solid thud that she allowed herself the girlish giggle of delight that had bubbled up within her and pressed her hand to her cheeks to find them still warm just from Grillby’s touch. Letting out a happy little sign she stepped out into the alley proper then onto the dark streets to hail a cab to whisk her away through the night and back to her home.
Back at Selene’s abode Sebastian met her at the door awaiting her arrival despite the lateness of the hour, as was his want to do in making sure his charge arrived home safely. Still safe and sound as she had been at the speakeasy, she practically floated in through the front door while she handed over her coat, hat, and purse with a wistful sign before turning to her trusted steward. “Thank you very much Sebastian as always! Tomorrow could you please call up to Father’s and ask that the green Rolls Royce be brought around tomorrow night? I have a date at MTT’s Dance Hall and I want to make an impression on the other attendees. In the morning after breakfast I plan to take Lucy with me out shopping in preparation if she likes, and you too of course, so we’ll need to call a cab for then as well.” Sebastian nodded and said he would make the preparations in the morning. Thanking him once more before wishing her wonderful steward goodnight Selene ascended the stairs to her room to fall into a blissful slumber.
The next day came warm and gentle through her curtains as they fluttered in the sweet morning breeze. Such things would usually be ignored in favor of burrowing further into the comfort of her blankets for just a little more sleep, but that was not to be today. Selene even went so far as to come down dressed to breakfast surprising everyone except Sebastian, but she couldn’t help it. As soon as consciousness came to her, so did the memory that she had a date with a certain fine flame and she was awash in the thrill and excitement of what waited tonight. With a sumptuous breakfast had, Selene asked Lucy if she would be up for accompanying her out shopping today, and met with delighted acceptance. With coats and hats donned the two lovely ladies and the stalwart steward piled into the cab when it arrived and made their way downtown to the shopping district.
The first stop was the shoe store, Selene had many fine shoes to be sure, and several comfortable one that served her well at work, but she hadn’t owned a pair of dancing shoes in a little over 8 years and if Grillby was as enthusiastic about cutting a rug as she thought he might be, it was best if she made sure her feet were prepared. Lucy proved to be just what the doctor ordered, for as sure as Selene always was in her impeccable sense of style, when she found herself so wrapped up in wanting everything to be just right for tonight, a second opinion was exactly what she needed. After getting confirmation of what Selene planned to wear tonight, the emerald green dress with it’s gold beaded accents and drop waist, Lucy was able to help her pick out a gorgeous little pair of heeled gold leather dancing shoes. Selene even went so far as to buy dancing shoes in silver, black, and white as well just to have a pair for every occasion, thought it was likely she was getting ahead of herself but it was hard to not think of all the dances she might go to Grillby in the future if that night went well. Though thoroughly engrossed in the decision making process, it didn’t go unnoticed by her employer how Lucy’s eyes lingered on a darling pair of navy heels with delicate broguing over the toes. This was how Selene found herself going home with the purchase of seven new pairs of shoes, four for her, one for Lucy much to her delight, one for Sebastian because she couldn’t not get get him a pair even when he tired to argue it was necessary, and one for William as he shouldn’t be left out. As the many shoes were being packed away much to the chagrin of the driver of their hailed cab. While this was going on under Sebastian's supervision, Selene and Lucy popped in next door to the flower shop to pick the last thing for the night before they all headed back home.
Once home after all the shoes had been dispersed to their new owners and lunch had been eaten, the next few hours for Lucy and Selene were spent on hair and make up to get both looking just so. With her hair pinned up within an inch of its life so as to not fall apart as she danced, her face delicately painted with a splash a rubby for her lips, and her glittering green dress hugging her curves along with her gold dancing shoes, she was finally ready to step out for the night. Cloaked in her silver fur trimmed cocoon coat at the door and purse in hand holding her gift and money, Selene stepped out to the awaiting emerald green Rolls Royce and it’s driver. Getting lost in thought as the city flew by her window it wasn’t long before the car rolled to a stop and the back door to the car was opened to reveal the MTT Dance Hall all aglow with glittering lights, and under them all near the entrance stood Grillby waiting out front just for her as he said he would. Smiling Selene took the driver's hand and stepped out of the car to stroll over to her dapper date as the eyes of those who waited to get inside followed her. Standing before him ready for their date she couldn’t help the blush that rose in her cheeks as if she were a school girl once more standing before the first boy she liked. “Hello Grillby darling! You look wonderful tonight dear! I brought you a little something…” From out of her small bag she pulled out a small silver vase pin that held a purple rose. Standing up on tiptoes she pins the flower to his lapel and smiled at how lovely it looked with his red tie bathed in his blue glow. “There, dashing as ever! Shall we go in?”
