[ REST ] for the shorter muse to lean forward and press their forehead against the tall one’s chest/shoulder while they stand in front of each other. (but like- dancing) - for percy from eloise you knoww [ @catharsy // a meme i can’t be bothered to find // accepting i s’pose ]
so, yes, coming out as a debutante had been a frankly EXHAUSTING process. she’d had a feeling it would be when she had gone with her parents to see the debutantes in the years prior to her own coming out, and the endless parade of suitors calling, opera attendances, soirees and salons and balls was enough to make a person think they have a screw loose. her only saving grace has been a certain polish prince, who is just as done with this whole affair as she appeared to be.
they said misery loves company, and while she had apparently surprised him first with her... well, everything, first her AMERICAN-NESS ( how he had not heard of her family’s story yet, she had no idea, since it felt like it was the talk of the ton ), and then her brashness, and then her intellect, and then her interest in his research, they had found a comfortable rhythm at these parties. they’d stay off to the side, complain about the whole thing to themselves, and he would smirk at her as she inevitably got swept onto the floor by some gentleman that she was not allowed to pass up under the watchful gaze of her parents, who were all too interested in her sudden friendship with PRINCE PERCIVAL.
to escape not only their watchful gaze, but that of the entirety of london, miss conway had escaped to one of the balcony’s through an open door, flung open to try and keep the ballroom a comfortable temperature for all attendees. she’d been leaning against the railing when a throat cleared behind her, and before she could lash out with a witty insult about ladies deserving some sort of privacy ------- oh. it was PERCY. “ thank goodness. if it wasn’t you, i was about to say something that would get me in a great deal of trouble if reported to my father. ”
their conversation is easy, light, almost casual now that they’ve broken away from the party, and the stares, and the oppressive heat of too many bodies in a small space. the light spilling out refracts off of eloise’s jewelry and dress beading, which is more evident as she turns when a new song begins to play. thank goodness. she’s not sure if she can last another turn on the dance floor. that is, until she looks at percy, who has his hand outstretched.
she takes it, and they make their own dance floor outside, away from all the guests but still very much a part of it. as they move, it is not the strict affair that the members of the ton are used to. eloise matches her steps to his in perfect time, arms moving just as they are supposed to. SHE FINDS HERSELF LAUGHING DESPITE IT ALL, finding a child-like joy in the dance that is for them, and them alone. when the music finishes, she is DIZZY and BREATHLESS, feeling all together like one of those glasses of champagne she’s seen floating around as refreshments at tonight’s gathering. unconsciously, she steps forward towards him before she’s even curtseyed, and leans her forehead against his chest, closing her eyes as she catches her breath and comes down from the adrenaline high of... being herself.
she doesn’t even realize what she’s done until she’s already done it -- within seconds that seem to stretch on for too long, she’s taking steps back, hair slightly mussed, necklace slightly askew, cheeks flushed from the embarrassment, the sudden dance, and.... nothing more, at least, for those not ELOISE CONWAY. she curtseys then, as her instructors drilled into her, eyes cast downward. “ thank you for the dance, your grace. i must admit... it was a lovely change of pace. ”
