Ellere Valahan led them to a relatively open area, away from the crowd as she could. “‘Tis a bit more eyes upon us than our last dance in the garden at the gala, hm?”
Ruran Vas followed until they reached an empty place on the floor. He reached to take her hands. “T-truly. That was the last time I danced, as well…”
“Oh, not so. I seem to remember a time at the cabin as well,” she hummed, guiding his hand to her waist and lacing her fingers with the other. “We shall go slow, do not worry.”
“Ah–y-yes, you are right,” he nodded, thinking. He moved along with her, finding the rhythm of the music. “That seems so long ago…”
“I suppose it does, doesn’t it…?” Ellere gave another thoughtful hum, “In a good way, I hope? We have come… a long way. 'Tis a rare thing among friendships.”
Ruran hummed. “Y-yes, indeed. A long way…” He allowed the music and dancing to take the forefront for now, moving with the swelling and rolling of the orchestra.
Ellere followed along with the dance and music, quieting as well and simply enjoying the moment. She twirled under his hand with far more control and grace than she did in the cabin so long ago. "Each time you deny you are not good at this, I shall have to disagree from now on.“
"You have given me practice,” he murmured. “And I…find that I enjoy it.” A few more turns, and he continued, “Have you thought of your own moniker for the night?”
Ellere smiled at that, relieved to know he was comfortable enough to find enjoyment, despite the crowd. “Hm? You mean besides the one our most broody friend bestowed upon me? Admittedly, I have been distracted in finding a proper one for you.”
“For me..? Mm, in truth I have been trying to think of one for myself, but… I have always been terrible at such things.” As he stepped, he turned–and saw Renaud. His brows lifted. “Ah–it seems he found a dance partner.”
“I am sure Madame Nosey is most relieved,” she glanced over her shoulder as they turned, laughing. Giving a thought smile Ruran’s way, “Let us see. A proper charade needs an overly dramatic and alluring flair. A knight from a far off land, perhaps? A hero who is seeking reprieve among strangers for the eve.”
“Th-that is quite dramatic, yes… Not that I disapprove. A reprieve among strangers, hm? Not too far off. Were I few drinks under, perhaps I would even play the part.”
“Perhaps being a hero is too much sometimes, and our dear protagonist sought the city upon the ocean where no one would know him,” she continued, “As he is a humble and noble sort, seeks not the glory. Aha, I know. Our knight shall be Ser Lightheart.”
Ruran blinked. “I…I quite like that, actually. The alias and story both. Y-you are quite good at this.” The stone, which had been tucked discreetly away for the night, glimmered beneath the fabric; it approved too.
“I merely read far too many books,” she chuckled, slowed her steps as the music changed, something more reminiscent of the time in the garden. “I would say it is merely because I know you so well, but that cannot be so, can it? After all, Ser Lightheart, we’ve only just met tonight, hm?”
With the music slower, he could allow his movements to relax. He gave her a small look. “Of course,” he quietly agreed, allowing himself to play along. “And you? Who might you be?”
Ellere had a thoughtful look in her eye, a pause to formulate something, no doubt, then she finally answered, “How rude of me to not introduce myself earlier. I am Lady Astrea of Sharlayan. I am here against my father’s wishes as he would see me wed to a man I have never met.”
“Oh? I–must agree with your decision. Marriage–love–is not something to be forced.” He swayed with the music. The backstories and nicknames were silly–he liked the good-natured fun. “But to come so far..?”
“Quite! That is what I tried to say, ser knight!” she clicked her tongue, falling into character perhaps too easily, even as they danced. “I set eyes upon you and knew you would be a man who understood. And I had to away myself to a place his influence would not reach. It is not so bad, the south.”
“'Tis true,” he agreed. The sheepish man had a more difficult time fitting into his role, despite it being so close to his true self. But he tried. As the music picked up, he put his hand at her back to lead her into a more lively dance. “A-and I do understand, truly. I am…glad you found me. Both of our roads have been long. To think we would meet here…”
Ellere fell into step with the new music with him, “I quite enjoy your company as well, Ser Lightheart. I am most glad to have found you this night. Where I come from, we are quite fond of the ties of fate. No doubt we were meant to meet, you and I.”
Ruran swept them into a circle, the two changing sides and back again. “All things for a purpose,” he agreed. Though it was an act, he could not help but think of the roots behind it. His eyes softened. “Perhaps we will meet again–but how will I know you?”
“I have the utmost faith, ser knight, that we shall meet again as we have tonight,” she smiled, giving another spin, “As you say, all things for a reason. Call me a romantic, my dear, but it will be terribly hard to forget a light that shines as bright as you.”
“Nor shall I forget you, Lady Astrea of Sharlayan,” he murmured. There was a flicker of mirth in his eyes–perhaps a smile was hidden behind the mask? The clock was nearing midnight, yet Ruran had completely forgotten about the time.
Ellere gave him another smile, but she was aware of the time, she had made a promise, after all. “You asked for but one dance, and here I have stolen so many from you. Time has a way of slipping–” she glanced to the side, something mischievous in her eyes before she gave a gasp, “Ser Lightheart! I believe I see my father just there, in the crowd! He must have found me, even so far away.”
Ruran blinked, glancing away–momentarily convinced, in his naivete. He soon caught on–especially with the announcement. He ceased his dancing, keeping hold of one hand and tugging her toward the exit. “Ah–come, with me–we shall slip out and lose him in the crowd.”
Keeping hold on his hand as they hurried out through the crowd, she placed a hand on her chest once they were outside, “Thank you, my dear. You most certainly are my hero, I should not like to think of what he would have done if I had been found.”
“Of course, my lady. What sort of hero would I be, to leave you in distress?” His head canted. What would his character do? He held a thoughtful air, and then he lifted the back of her hand to his lips–rather, his mask–but the intention was there.
Ellere laughed again, the bottom of her mask perhaps hiding a bit of color at the motion. “Thank you again, my good knight. For the dance, for the eve… I shall treasure the memory.” She let the persona slip, just a bit, “It was good to feel like myself again.”
“I am glad.” His words were soft and genuine. “You deserve it, truly. And I…I quite enjoyed myself as well.” He gave her hand a small squeeze. “Shall we…ah, head back, then..?”
She returned the squeeze, bowing her head down the road in the direction of her home, “Yes, I shall not oppose your company for the walk home.”
