Sybil was standing at a table where refreshments and a bowl of punch were served. She picked up a brimming glass to bring back to her spot. She was looking around, admiring the general splendor, when she bumped hard into someone, her full glass emptying onto the person's shirt.
"I'm sorry!" she exclaimed, grabbing her handkerchief and trying to dab out the mess she had made. She glanced up, stopping as she recognized the face.
The stranger's face broke into a grin. "Remember me? I scared you nearly to death?" His Irish accent was unmistakable.
She thrust her hands into his, forgetting about the sticky mess on his shirt and the fact that she barely knew him. They had started at a random point in the song. She tried not to smile too broadly as he held her.
"This time we meet, it's I who have to apologize." She said, pointing to his shirt.
"No need. The way I see it, our apologies cancel each other out. I scared you, you spilled a drink on me, we're equal."
"Is that so? I think spilling a drink is less of a crime then scaring someone into a trough."
He considered. "So I'll apologize twice, you apologize once."
"No, because mine cancels out, you see."
"Fine, fine, I apologize."
He was a wondeful dancer, sure and strong.
"Perhaps you also ought to apologize for withholding your name,"
He slapped his forehead. "Have I forgotten again? I am sorry. It's Branson. Tom Branson."
--from chapter 4 of “If Sybil Was a Servant” by gretchie
60 Days of Bransons-Fanfic Moments
Day 58