Ari ♫ ♪ ♬ (gracenotes) wrote in emillion, |
Ari hadn’t seen Aspel enter the room -- for once in her life, she had been early to this party (like a member of the technical staff checking the props and the scenery for flaws, ensuring a smooth suspension of disbelief then the lights came up), and to her eyes, it was proceeding smoothly enough. Vivi was a master director, and by and large, people saw what they wanted to see -- perfection from the acting cast was not required, though they were performing more than well enough. As for her, all that was required of the maid of honor at this occasion was energy and cheerfulness, two qualities which she had in excess. She laughed, danced, ate, drank her sparkling cider (Vivi never missed a thing), and chattered at everyone who approached her about any topic that came to mind. It didn’t even feel like acting, particularly, except that Miles was ‘Basil.’ But really, what difference did it make? So she flitted from one group to the next until at last the familiar figure appeared in her periphery; she made her way over, stopping to greet familiar faces here and there, until finally she was at the other woman’s side. “Trouble you for a dance?” she said by way of greeting. The entire party seemed an exercise in the peculiar. Between Audrey’s marriage to a man Aspel had never seen her interact with - or for that fact even mention - and the rather elaborate gathering Vivi had created it seemed…. Perhaps not best to ask questions in this specific time. With that, Aspel had assured herself a pleasant presence amongst the crowd, drinking, talking, and joking easily with anyone who chose to engage her this eve. Though, with the approach of the bard, nothing but a smile would appear before Aspel leaned in, stealing a kiss if Ari would so allow before pulling back with her own devilish smirk. "Ah, but what trouble do you propose?" The kiss was welcomed with a smile; when Aspel pulled back, the smile remained. Aspel seemed to be in a good mood, which boded well for the rest of the afternoon, one way or another. “The trouble,” Ari said, plucking the flute of champagne from Aspel’s hand, “is that you will have to put this down in favor of holding on to me, instead. I know, I know,” she added before Aspel could say anything, “it is a terrible difficulty. I will try to make it up to you.” Her expression said she knew this to be a joke -- Aspel seemed as fond of dancing with her as the bard herself was, and the current music was slow enough that there might even be breath enough for conversation. Ari held out her hand palm down, wiggled her fingers slightly to encourage Aspel to take it. “Come now, indulge me. We look far too good to be wallflowers.” Aspel’s mouth had opened in rebuttal, even if the look across her face was nothing but amused. However, Ari had chimed in before she could manage any words of her own. A low chuckle emerged regardless of her attempts otherwise, but it was not one that the smith would be bothered by in the least. With that, a hand reached out, accepting Ari’s and pulling it up - just a bit - to brush a kiss across the bard’s knuckles before turning them towards the dance floor. “I suspect I shall simply need to handle this accordingly.” “I deserve no less,” Ari said cheerily. She stepped into position with practiced ease and the dance began. For a few moments, she allowed herself to simply enjoy the easy, graceful movement across the floor. This was, as always, the one interest she shared with the proper young ladies she was determined not to emulate; the orchestra had a good, full sound, and it was early enough in the day that many people preferred chatting to dancing, meaning there was plenty of room for those who did choose to take the floor. Those few moments done with, she spoke once again. “Are you enjoying yourself so far?” she asked. “Vivi always throws a lovely party. I haven’t been able to catch her yet, but then, she’s primary among today’s supporting cast, almost as popular as the guests of honor.” She would have to find her later and tell her just how well this had come off. Really, Audrey had the best co-conspirators imaginable in her endeavor. |