#support: lilina

[of-ostia]

[ OSTIA ] - An Ostian court dance where the leading partner wields a ceremonial sword as a part of the routine. This dance, meant to resemble a knight with his lady, is getting some attention from the students of Fódlan.

Hector had initially picked up the sword just to feel the heft of it, to feel its balance in his too-soft gloves and feel just a little more in his element. When the attendant had pointedly asked him to either use it in a dance or return it, please, he's reluctant to give it up. Hector casts a glance around for an excuse to hang onto the sword, which is when he sees Lilina.

He'd been curt with her when they'd first met. Usually that kind of misstep wouldn't even register, let alone bother him. But something about the sight of her, all dolled up and watching the dance floor, made Hector want to draw her into the excitement. To clear any smoke between them. To put a smile on her face.

"Lilina!" He nods her over, giving the sword a twirl. "Let me teach you a dance from home. It's a fun one."

[laslow]

Doorways: Decorating each doorway is a sprig of fresh mistletoe. Rumor has it that it’s a Chalphy tradition for two people to share a kiss if they are caught under it together. You wouldn’t deny the tradition of your hosts, would you?

"Um... Excuse me, sir?" Lilina is shy in her approach despite her initial boldness in initiating the kisses she has given out tonight. Perhaps she finds him at least a little attractive, and the other problem of not having any other excuse than he is just standing there to give a kiss.

What would her father say? Or do, for that matter?

"Forgive me for what I am about to do," she whispers, looking up at neither him nor the mistletoe that hung above them. Saints. She promptly lifts herself to her toes to plant a kiss to his cheek, then escapes, not caring for which direction she takes, as long as she is gone from the premise.

Baldr's Bounty!

If his latest fifteen minute stint of standing guard underneath the mistletoe results in nothing but rolled eyes and soft rejections, he'll swear it off for the rest of the evening. Promise!

Laslow leans a shoulder against the cool stone wall, ankles crossed, expression relaxed. Perks up once the girl approaches him, shy voice still managing to catch his ears despite the chatter rising all around them.

Oh, Naga. Did he offend her earlier? Laslow darts a frantic look to her hands, finding them blessedly empty of wine or tea or water--or even worse, piping hot chocolate.

She still doesn't meet his gaze. He straightens, wary as she rocks forward on the tips of her toes--

It's over before he takes his next inhale. Blood rushes to his face. His fingers gently brush over the place her lips just touched, his skin still tingling from the kiss.

He watches her disappear, far too shocked to even think of pursuing. Later, he'll regret his frozen state, wish he'd caught her by the wrist and asked her to dance with him.

For now, he grins like a fool, hand dropping away from his face. He slips into the crowd, hoping he'll find the mystery girl, if only to ask her name.