Another Dance
Shaxx and Efrideet have a lovely little moment for themselves! Inspired by @queenauryx. This was edited by my friend @therevolutionisbored. In my head I imagined the song in the story as It’s Been A Long, Long Time, by Harry James, so give it a listen if you’d like to get a better feel for the moment!
Shaxx tends to be the last one to leave the courtyard of the Tower. Being the Crucible Handler kept him busy—very busy –and Guardians, Traveler bless their hearts, were messy, rowdy individuals. He picks up metal scraps from dismantled gear, piles of tokens in the corner, and unclaimed gear. It all needs to be sorted and put away, prepared for the next day. Just as he was about to get to it, he hears a voice from above.
“Hey down there. I like your helmet.”
Shaxx looks up to a familiar face, or rather visor. A Hunter, her cloak laid evenly down her back, heavy enough to not catch the wind but light enough to not encumber her. Her helmet gives a stoic look but he knows her well enough to sense the smile behind the visor.
“Lady Efrideet! You’re a sight for sore eyes! Certainly, better than that old man!” Shaxx’s voice boomed, echoing across the empty courtyard.
“Mm, Iron Banner isn’t for another couple weeks. Figured I’d stop by and see how everyone’s getting on.” Efrideet jumps down and lands next to him. Not the quietest landing he’s seen her do, but she’s startled him with her presence more than once in the past. Not that he’d ever admit to it.
“You’re always welcome here Lady Efrideet. Perhaps you could teach some of these rookies how to aim. Laying down fire is one thing, wasting bullets is entirely another.”
She looks out to the City, and a moment of comfortable silence forms between them.
This is when Lady Efrideet has an idea. She silently walks over to Arcite, Shaxx keeping track of her out of the corner of his eye. She whispers something into the audio receptors of the frame, and it nods in agreement.
Music starts softly playing—a pre-Golden Age piece, not too slow but not too fast, and just the right kind of music to have a partner for.
Shaxx smiles behind his helmet, he’s heard this song before, some say it was played for lovers after one of the great wars of the past.
Efrideet walks to him, bends at the waist, and holds out her hand.
“May I have this dance, Lord Shaxx?”
“Why of course, Lady Efrideet.”
They start at a steady pace, arms-length apart and moving to the rhythm of the music. As the song slows down so do they, and Shaxx pulls her into his much larger frame. Her head rests against his chest, his arms surround her entire body. Her own arms are wrapped around his waist.
She is tiny compared to him, but neither mind, and they both silently sigh. They can feel the other relax, as tense muscles loosen and footsteps grow slower. Before long, the song has ended and they simply stand there, in Shaxx’s little corner of the Tower courtyard, embracing one another. For the first time in a long time, they feel peace. Neither can tell how long exactly they stand, simply holding one another.
Efrideet is the first to pull away. It is slow and reluctant, but she does anyway, craning her neck to look up at him.
“You’ve still got it, old-timer.”
Shaxx chuckles. “We’re both old-timers now.”
She has him at arms-length again, her hands on his sturdy hips. His hands rest on her shoulders gently, as he is sure not to put the full weight of his arms on her. She is not a small woman by any standard, but Shaxx is so tall and broad that resting her arms around his shoulders is impractical, as it would be for most Guardians.
They let go of one another. There is a feeling of satisfaction left over. They are both old—by conventional standards anyway –and neither hold any aching in their hearts from the lost contact. The feeling is sure to return once she leaves for her hidden colony again, and he returns to yelling at rookies to throw grenades.
For now, however, they have just danced for the first time in a long time, and they can look upon one another longingly, lovingly. They can remember their first dance, and look forward to their next. They can silently say they love one another, and leave it at that.
She steps closer and places a hand on the center of his armored chest.
“I’m heading to bed now. I’ll be sure to pass by again tomorrow. Good night, Lord Shaxx.”
At that, she walks away in the direction of the private quarters. Not even a glance back. But Lord Shaxx knows he is on her mind, just as she is on his. She will likely be until he finally falls asleep for the night, if he ever does.
He holds his hand over the spot she had placed her own just moments before.
“Goodnight, Lady Efrideet.”
