A chuckle spilled from Elion’s lips, his drink sloshing tankard as his bare feet carried him through the crowded aisle and toward the slew of dancing figures and music. He could barely hear himself think over the chorus of laughter and song that filled the market and for the first time in months, his smile came with ease. No longer did he have to feign the emotion. He felt weightless and though he was sure the warm buzz of his drink helped, Eli knew it was more than that. There was a sense of camaraderie here. A connection felt so deeply he felt goosebumps prickle along his skin as he drew closer.
He took a swig of his ale and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, before dragging it along his dirt stained tunic. He’d traded one of the stable hands for it. Sure he could have bought something similar in the market, but he wanted the clothing he wore tonight to feel-- worn. Comfortable. And there was no one there to judge. He could do as he pleased and he planned to do just that for as long as he was allowed.
Feeling the rhythm of the drums, he down the last of his drink and slipped into the circle of dancers. Hands clasped those next to him and they began to swirl. Left. Right. To and fro. The beat picked up as did his pace and before Eli knew it, he was lost to it. Laughing and singing, completely oblivious to anyone other than those within the circle. And even then, their faces-- young and old, pretty and homely, began to blur as the circle broke and they switched from partner to partner. It wasn’t until his gaze caught that of someone familiar, his hand having hooked her hip mere seconds before, that he bothered to take a moment and just-- exhale.
“Fancy meeting you here, m’lady,” he said as they twirled, “I expected you’d take your leave of me tonight and yet-- here you are,” And as radiant as ever. Of which, he didn’t say aloud. He could argue many things about their ‘arrangement’ but he could never dispute that. Willow was-- exquisite, perhaps even more so as her cloak and simple dress fluttered around her. “To what do I owe the honor?” @prxncess-willow