Merrion/Ari/Drake/Open
"There you are!" Ari exclaimed, turning her smile on Drake and letting it widen just a bit - all right, that one was definitely flirtatious - as she looked him over. He seemed a bit irate - probably because of the formalwear - but otherwise well. The bruise was gone from his cheekbone, which was a relief. He didn't seem to be limping. "I am glad to see you are not the worse for wear after this afternoon," she told him. "And fortunately for you, you are - temporarily - excused from dancing with me, though don't think I'm letting you off entirely."
The orchestra started up a slow waltz - about as simple as simple could be - and she turned back to Merri. "I think your wish came true," she told him teasingly. "Can you waltz?"