Tarantism - The urge to overcome melancholy by dancing.
There was one thing she knew for certain in her life: Tiny would always be travelling with her all over Thedas, he would be having her back, every step of the way. There would be times that they would be parting ways, either for safety reasons, or for business, but she knew it, their paths would once again meet.
She found comfort in the thought, clung to it whenever the journey was harsh. When there was no gold, no food, no shelter, she always looked to him to ground her. And he always did. But it was time for things to change.
Because people change. They grow. They fall in love. Just as she did. It was different with her, she didn’t suddenly abandon the party, just to be with Mairwen. It was true, they needed their privacy from time to time, but the human was part of the group, not a splitting factor. Tiny’s lover was no traveller though, and the choice was clear. Thus, Tiny left the road. What once started as a business visit brought him to the ground.
Perhaps it was really time. Noria wasn’t that young woman that fled from her clan with no street smarts anymore. She understood the world now a bit better, she didn’t need anyone to hold her hand. Perhaps it was time.
That didn’t make her feel any better and she was starting to hate her selfish thoughts. She rolled the cider in its glass and took a long sip. He was happy. That had to be all that mattered to her. She’d hate to see him go, but that didn’t mean he didn’t have to.
“Hey, love.” Her thoughts got interrupted by Mairwen, who plopped down in the seat next to her. “You’ve been sitting alone too long.”
“Were you talking with Tiny?” A question that needed no answer. She could see them talk. “What were you talking about?”
A shrug, and a dismissive answer. “Nothing important. Just small talk.” Noria looked at her. There were lies meant to protect, and lies meant to hurt. That one was the former and she knew that she needed not pry. “Say, they play some nice songs. Care to dance with me?” Noria cocked a brow.
“Dance?” Mairwen got back on her feet and gave her her hand.“Dance.” She took it.“Alright.” They moved to the dancefloor and Mairwen led her steps. She took it slow, her feet careful, but soon Noria followed her lead effortlessly.
They glided among the couples like birds. There was none of that stepping on each others toes, or any different clumsiness.“Didn’t know you knew how to ballroom dance.” Noria commented.“I can say the same about you.”“Well, there are still things that you don’t know about me.”“And there are things that you don’t know about me.” Mairwen replied with a playful smirk and drew a snigger from her.
Fancy costumes and fancy decorations were good and all, but Mairwen was the most beautiful in there. Giggling with every twirl Noria led her into, just to be pulled back in her arms, it made her heart swell. And when the song came to an end, she dipped her down, her hair falling back. She pulled her back up and pressed her lips against hers, eyes falling shut when Mairwen cupped her cheeks.
It was time. Because people change. They grow. They fall in love. Just as he did. Just as she did.
She pressed her forehead against hers and lingered close. A loose tear rolled down her cheek, but didn’t go far before Mairwen took it with her thumb. She sighed and hid her face in the crook of her neck, only to be embraced.
“I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.” A promise. Mairwen never made promises, but that one she would keep. Noria knew it. They lingered till the next song ended, and once the orchestra perked up, Noria pulled back and kissed her again, her lips curling up into a smile.
“Then let’s dance till our feet give out.” Mairwen laughed in response and took to following the steps. She couldn’t be luckier. She didn’t need more than the woman in front of her. She wanted the same for Tiny, always, and now he had it. It was grounds for celebration.
