Jeanne Fránçaix (fleur_de_glorie) wrote in marinasylum, @ 2010-11-06 18:05:00 |
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Entry tags: | jeanne francaix, ribbons almark |
[ Log ] back-dated
Who: Jeanne Fránçaix, Ribbons Almark
When: Late evening, Day 85
Where: Sector 3, Club
Warnings: Drinking and Dancing!
The day had been long, hectic, and just a little strange. Jeanne is trying her best to end tonight on a good note, which means a few drinks, and some company. Fortunately, Ribbons had not been too busy to answer her call and agree to meet her, but he had taken his time getting to the club.
Not that Jeanne minded. It let her get a head start on some martinis. She adjusted her collar a bit. It was starting to get warm, as she had layered up for the colder weather, opting for a pair of denim shorts over warm grey stockings, thigh-high brown boots, an olive top over a matching tank-top, and a yellow beanie that's resting on the counter. She was still done up from the spa event, so her hair was full of bounce, and her makeup was more pronounced than usual -- including her dark red lipstick.
It had been a long day indeed -- tea with Ashura, dance class then surprise fitting at Josak's boutique. He had barely gotten home when he got Jeanne's call and not wanting to keep a lady waiting, he freshened up and threw on something that would be considered simple by Ribbons' standards: a fit white v-neck long-sleeved shirt, dark blue jeans and a grey jacket with black pinstripes; and around his neck (something that he threw on on a whim) a thin velvet choker meant to look like a collar.
Upon entering the club, his 'date' was quite easy to spot. With a pleased smile, he made a beeline for the counter and not missing a beat, "Good evening Jeanne. I hope I had not kept you waiting."
Straightening up, she spun around on the stool and shook her head. The combination of actions didn't unbalance her, but she was definitely aware of how many drinks she has had already. It might be time to switch to something a little lighter for a while...
"I don't mind waiting a bit, Ribbons." Jeanne smiled easily. "I'm glad you could make it."
That's when she noticed the collar, and it would be a lie to say her eyes did not linger for a long moment. Nor could she keep the observation to herself. "That's an interesting accessory, there," she says as she points.
"Oh this?" He brings his fingers to his neck, though his eyes never left Jeanne. "Just something I threw of a fancy~" And his gaze lingered on her lips, before looking back up at her eyes. It was a interesting change from what he was used to seeing on her, never mind the wardrobe. "I must say, you are looking quite lovely tonight."
He took a moment to order his drink -- a black martini -- as he settled on the stool beside hers. "I am quite glad we are able to see each other sooner. Tomorrow will be a busy day for the opening of Josak's boutique." ... not to mention the meeting he is to have with the other Innovades.
It's not hard to make her blush, with the combination of factors in play, but she doesn't avert her eyes at all. "You can thank the girls at the spa. Some of them really know how to work the tools of the trade," she said with a wink, reaching up to fluff her curls. She then watches with approval as the robot filled his drink order, as that might be just the thing to loosen him up for dancing.
"A toast!" Jeanne picks up her blood-orange martini. "To, um..." She had an idea a second ago.
With his drink now in hand, he gently touched his glass to hers. He knew what to toast to. "To great lively evenings and to great company." He then took a slow sip, humming pensively for a moment as of judging the drink. He did not find anything to complain about.
"Do pardon me if I may be so bold Jeanne -- but I really don't think you need so much work done you," said with a wink, as he took a sip.
"I'll drink to that!" Smiling wide as their glasses collide, she takes a sip of the drink to distract herself from her initial response to his compliment. "Mm, you can be as bold as you'd like. It's not like you to hold back, is it?"
Her foot is tapping against the stool to the beat of the track that had been playing since he stepped in. Someone was eager to get going. "Say... how much experience do you have with this kind of music?" She points upward at the ceiling. "If I need to, I can pick out something a little less... peppy."
To the remark, he gives out a little laugh. "You are quite right~ though if I didn't then you might think I'm only flattering you, hm?" He takes another sip, and closed his eyes briefly, savoring his drink.
"Not much, I'm afraid, but I am always open to learning -- it's partly the reason why we're here, no? For you to teach me?" Well, perhaps it was not what they agreed on, but he took his liberties in comprehension. The beat was infectious and he did understand as to why Hiling liked dancing there in the first place. A little too loud for his tastes, but as long as he and Jeanne were able to converse properly he was not out to chop some heads.
Jeanne gave a hum of approval, watching him as he drank. "You do always seem to know what to say, Ribbons." There's some teasing in her tone, but she'll leave it up to him to interpret how she meant that as she finishes off her drink.
"I'll just have to do my best to teach you," she remarked, sliding off the seat and reaching out a hand for his. "Come on!" Yeah, screw social dancing etiquette, she wanted to move!
He gave her a mock two-fingered salute, "It is something I do take pride in, mademoiselle~" His drink was not quite finished as she hopped off her stool, and he felt compelled to finish what he usually would consume in three more sips, as he held a finger up as a signal for her to wait just a second. He briefly closed his eyes as the alcohol rush went straight to his brain.
In moments, he was taking Jeanne's hand as he stepped off his seat, "Alright then!" And he will gladly follow her lead...
She waited patiently, but the instant he was done his hand was now her property and she led him to the floor. Having free reign meant she didn't have to share him, or the floor, and she couldn't ask for much more -- not without seeming greedy.
Jeanne wastes little time, gesturing as she lets go of his hand and walks around him in a wide arc. "There's no real set way to do this, so just... watch me, and try to feel for yourself what's comfortable?" Tapping her feet in a little side-to-side stride, hands behind her back, she begins to sway. The club's acoustics don't leave much room for lyrics, but even if she could hear them, Jeanne was not paying attention to the words as she moved; purely focused on the rhythm and Ribbon's response...
Once on the dance floor with the lights and the music and the space to move in, he recalled what he had been 'taught' by Kitty and Josak's encouragement at GIR's forced dance party. And oh he was not one to stay put. "Of course, Jeanne~" He started to move his feet side to side, swaying naturally as he goes, almost like a mirror to Jeanne's own movements.
Following the beat however, he followed her directive as he took two steps back watching her appreciatively as he does. And what else was there to follow but the stepping of her feet (and legs), the flow of her hips and finally at her face, equally observing for her own response to his looking at her...
It was a shame that she hadn't caught sight of him there on that day -- but there were an awful lot present, and she can always make it up to him herself now. The motion carried her closer, her arms bent at the elbow and tucked up close to her chest as her eyes slipped closed for long moments. If she had any less sense of balance or grace, she might have collided with him by now, but she was surprisingly steady in her movements. Jeanne was determined to be far more careful of his boundaries than she had been while at his dance class ... for now, that is.
He didn't move from his spot, letting her come closer. The only thing preventing him from bumping into her was trained coordination -- that he was moving with her and within her space and not against her. His own arms were just slightly bent at the elbows but he kept them low. He watched her with a pleased smile, his head grooving just so along with the beat, as he quite likes what he sees. He might have wanted some conversation as offered by the intimacy and closeness of ballroom dancing, but trying to read her body language (and perhaps even trying to 'follow her lead') in this music was a different yet pleasing kind of challenge.
Indeed, there would be little time for any actual conversing like this. Her lips were parted, but not to talk beyond mouthing the lyrics to herself as they danced.
The song shifted to something new, so did her gestures. Her arms rose up above her head, her eyes lingering on him now and again; to watch him, when she wasn't watching the floor and the space between them. She didn't know the song, but it didn't matter -- it would lead her just the same, and the music would help her do all the talking that needed to be done.
The red lipstick was doing its trick -- he cannot bring himself to ignore how they moved. She wasn't speaking, but he eventually felt compelled to listen to the song's lyrics, closing his eyes for a few moments and opening them once more...
... and playing along with the beat, he brought his left hand up to hover by her waist -- not quite touching. He liked how she moved on her own after all~
If she noticed the way he was watching her, she made no move to show it. But the truth was that she enjoyed it, because she felt like she was always the one staring at him, or catching him in the corner of her eye, and it wasn't fair. Jeanne wanted to be looked at, too; to be noticed and not just complimented. Perhaps the notion was a childish plea for attention, but she would make it clear with her movements that she was anything but a child.
The hand wasn't ignored, though, as her arm came down to cross its path in mid-air. While she did not touch him either, it influenced her movements. Partners they were, in this, and it was only fair that if he had a wish of her that she would comply. If her hair was any longer, she might have tossed it with the whip of her neck, and a roll of her shoulders.
With all the years he had spent in human company, it was almost quite easy for him to figure what a girl is saying in a non-verbal fashion. They may not be dancing the salsa nor the tango, but her expressions and movements spoke volumes of what she wanted -- of what she wanted from him. And perhaps he might just be very willing to indulge her.
Besides, he had her permission -- be as bold as he likes, for one. His hand then came to rest on the curve of her waist as he found a place to move along with her and to avoid stepping on her feet. Ah, but there was no pressure -- his hand was just there. Up to Jeanne to decide if she thinks he is leading her or...
Despite wanting this, Jeanne felt self-conscious about his hand where he had placed it. But though she reached out to take that hand off of her, it wasn't just to remove it, but to use it. Just like he had done earlier in the day, during his class, she bought the hand up and twirled beneath it, but this time she stopped when her back was against his side.
Her movements were slow, rolling, but it wasn't mean in an overtly sensual way. As soon as she stopped, she pulled his arm down and gave his side a bump with her hips, a laugh bubbling forth from her lips as she looked back to him. She was not just distracting herself tonight; she was genuinely having a good time.
Well well~ she was surprising him every minute it would seem. He chuckled at the twirl and at her playful bump, flash of a rare genuine smile on his face -- or was it just the strobe lights playing tricks? Damn them flickering...
It didn't matter if his hands were not on her hips, but at the least the contact was still there. He took a moment to lean in her direction, his own body following her own flow, intent on 'whispering' in her right ear -- how were they going to hear each other in the midst of pounding beats after all?
"You seem to be enjoying this~"
The lighting did prove to be more distraction than anything... even if it let her focus on what glimpses she could catch amongst the colors, rather than being so caught up in every detail that steady light could provide her with. "It's hard not to," she began, head turned once more so he could hear her, "when you're so good..."
She probably meant "good at this", but that isn't what came out. Jeanne paid it no heed as they moved, her steps moving her to his backside as her hands came back up to her head and tangled into her hair. Oh, that this night could go on a while, because she had no intention of stopping anytime soon...
He allowed himself to laugh, "Is that so~?" And he just swayed along with her -- it wasn't hard to enjoy the casual dancing with her like this. It felt nice not to have to be too conscious of 'polite' distances. As long as he didn't move in a way that would be considered too forward, and (heaven forbid) rude.
If he had any stiffness left to his movements, they would be gone by now, as the music, the beat, the lights and most of all Jeanne's enjoyment served to sweep away any tension. He would then find himself also closing his eyes by moments, a tilt of his head at times, savoring the new track that started playing. His 'dancing' was just best described as relaxed while still being able to hit the beat at the right times.
It was good that he was relaxing; she would feel bad if she found that she was the only one whose day was winding down. Her movements became more fluid, and less pronounced, as the new song's smooth sounds echoed through the air. Jeanne's arms stretched out as she swayed and rolled her body, only coming in idle contact with his from time to time. The touches were casual, tentative, as if she was afraid of pushing him away with some untoward gesture or another.
Thoughts began to form again -- was he really having a good time? Was this appropriate? Should she... try something different? These concerns brought about some hesitation, and she turned around to tap him on the shoulder after the song wound down. "I think I could use a drink!" It should probably be water, but right now she wasn't worried about staying hydrated, but rather just staying in the mood.
There was no doubt he enjoyed the dance as much as she did -- and never did he mind the contact the movements afforded them. He returned the touches -- fleeting, hesitant, as if waiting for a signal, waiting for the right moment...
... and perhaps the right moment came at the end of the song. He has wanted to dance some more, but Jeanne's suggestion perhaps wasn't a bad idea after all. "I'll join you then -- what will you be having then?"
She gave a hum that would not be audible over the thrum of the music. "I dunno. Surprise me!" Perhaps there was a little coyness in that smile. "I like sweet things," she called behind her, already heading back to their earlier seats with a pronounced difference in her step; a confidence she rarely exuded.
He gave her a look as if to challenge that statement. "Alright -- a sweet little surprise then~" A margarita didn't even cross his mind as it was just too plain for Jeanne. He hummed as he called on a bot, who shortly came with two similar drinks. He then walked over to Jeanne, handing over a strawberry daiquiri --
"I certainly hope you don't mind something fruity?"
Jeanne took the drink gingerly, and sipped a tiny bit. "Not at all," she said with a smile. "It's just the thing to cool my head." Only that wasn't exactly its intent. It was chill, but not distractingly cold, and it is doing the trick of keeping her pleasant buzz going.
"How are you doing?" It's more of a general statement; he's already said that he was enjoying the dancing, but his time has also been at least as busy as hers, if not more so, and she wants to know if he's feeling well.
Ribbons drank not to get intoxicated, but just to be social. But in this case, it was partaking in pleasant company. He took a long sip before answering. "It had been quite the busy day, but I would consider it quite normal actually." Little tip of his glass. "And it means I am doing quite well, thank you. And yourself?"
He had also meant to ask about Saya -- but perhaps now was not the time...
"Looks like you find a way to lead an exciting life, even in a place like this." Jeanne liked that, and she laughed a little before she took another sip. "I think that's good, though! Keeps you from going stir-crazy."
When it came to talk of herself, she pinched her shoulders and looked at the lit-up bottles lined up behind the bar. "Mm, I'm okay. I'm keeping myself busy, too -- and fit!" Smiling, she put a hand on her hip. "Models have to stay in shape, after all!" But she couldn't maintain her pose for too long before breaking into a giggling fit once more.
"But I'm not so worried about that right now." Especially not with his earlier compliments, which she never takes for anything but genuine, no matter how she may respond. After some time spent sipping at her drink, she leaves it behind, going for his arm once more. "Come on, let's dance some more! I've just got so much energy!"
He then let himself be pulled into the dance floor once more~ Ribbons was silently grateful for him being built for harsher environments, as he really wondered where the girl got her vivacity, and how in Veda he was going to keep up!
But all days, along with pleasant times have to come to an end. He was admittedly quite tired and just a tad tipsy, but he was not one to leave a lady -- inebriated or whatnot -- go home on her own. He then offered his arm with a gentle smile. "I shall be walking you home, Jeanne."
The world was almost literally spinning, but she didn't think she was done yet! She pouted, right up until the moment she took hold of his arm and then she noticed that maybe she was having a little too much fun. "Awww, okay. Anything you say, Ribbons~" Jeanne was hanging all too easily on him, and his words, but she also knew that, "Can't have Saya wondering where I am all night!"
A chill breeze hit her when they stepped outside. Even though she had put her green cover back on -- it was earlier removed so she didn't sweat quite so much into it -- she kept close to him as they walked to her front step.
"Ah, no, that certainly would not be wise. Better to not make her worry." Said with a light tone. Always the gentleman,, Ribbons would drape his jacket over Jeanne's shoulders along the way, all the while keeping himself steady so as his lady would not suddenly topple over. He was quite glad he had only stuck to two alcoholic beverages.
"How are you two doing by the way?" Must keep talking, lest one of them suddenly fell asleep.
Jeanne giggled. "You're so thoughtful..." She admired it; probably more than she should, but she literally doesn't know any better. "We're doing great! We still need to decorate her room, but I think things are going... well." There's some hesitance, since she can't say the same for the situation with her 'sister', Diva.
Ribbons honestly did not know how to respond to such a compliment, and so will just content himself with a smile that might just be described as sheepish, and reaching his other hand over to give Jeanne's hand a pat. "That is good to hear~" He had wanted to ask about the dress, but he politely refrains from prodding, giving the air of taking the pause as due to her being tipsy.
He takes a turn for the jovial. "And so you have moved out of the shelter! Would there be a house-warming anytime soon?"
"Yep!" She's positively beaming; not just at his inquiry, but also at his touch. "Found a nice multi-level apartment... kind of like your place, but not as much room." A laugh. "Don't want to have to clean all that by ourselves, and I kind of took over the guest bedroom as a massive closet of sorts," said with a little embarrassment. "I, uh, don't think we had any plans for something like that..."
Then she looks ahead. "Mm, I think it's not too far, now, actually," sounding a little sleepy, she leans more heavily on him. "We're not going too far out of your way, are we?"
"Oh, not at all, don't you worry." He didn't mind the leaning for one bit and it shows. He then spots an apartment that may resemble the one he and Hiling occupies. "Would it be that one?"
"You know, when I think about it, we have another bedroom on the top floor. None of us really use it, so we have set it aside for guests." Little hand-pat, "Oh but you must have a house-warming! You and Saya are wonderful girls, I'm sure there are people like me who would wish to celebrate with you."
She has to squint a bit, but then she nods with enthusiasm. There are several like it all in a line, but only one has any lights on at all. "That's the one!" Then she laughs. "I guess that's not such a bad idea then... but I've never thrown any kind of party like that before. Could be just the thing Saya and I need, though..."
Then she falls silent, because she hadn't meant to say that at all. "Mm, you know, don't mind that. We're doing okay." It was half-hearted, and she shrank into herself as they kept on walking, her steps slowing down as they got nearer to the front door.
"Hm." It was a sound that was half acknowledgment and half non-commitment to ignoring that statement in the long run, "A party is always a good pick-me-up, albeit tiring. I volunteer for preparations, of course~" He then waited until they were by the door before he spoke again, looking directly at Jeanne's face. "If there is anything troubling you or Saya, you will let me know?"
Jeanne let go of his arm, not meeting his look at first. "You know I would...," or so she thought he should. Turning, she gripped the sides of the coat he loaned her, slowly sliding it off her own shoulders, and then around his. "Ribbons, I--" Being so close, she could feel his warmth in contrast to the chill evening air. Her eyes regarded him with a soft sadness, but she shook it away as she leaned up and in...
At the back of his mind, it was perhaps expected -- he was used to charming, luring people in to get what he wants; accustomed to their responses for he had calculated them well in advance, little bits of human wants and desires that he had freely exchanged. And yet there she was, one who came forward out of her own accord it seemed to him, and her move and the look in her eyes might have just taken him by surprise.
He knew what she wanted, but alas it was not something he had the heart to return. He firmly -- but gently -- held her shoulders in return, and affording his vantage point, tilted his head up to place a kiss between her brows. I'm sorry, Jeanne...
She made a surprised sound at the kiss on her forehead, but the disappointment was momentary, as she stammered out an apology. "I-I'm sorry. I just--" Way to go, Jeanne! Her hand came up to her cheek, and she gave a weak, insincere laugh. "Must be the drinks talking there, haha~"
Letting go of his coat with the other hand, she turned and unlocked the front door. "I had a really nice time," was said quietly, but it was obvious by the smile on her face as she turned back to him that she meant it. "I'll see you around... right?"
Ribbons expressed sincere amusement -- trained to save face not just for himself, but for the other person. "No harm done, hm?" He gives her shoulders a squeeze before letting go, a finger fleetingly brushing her cheek affectionately, before getting his jacket back on.
"And I had a wonderful time, Jeanne." A bit of a bow with his hands behind his back. "I shall be seeing you, yes." And before turning on his heel, "I bid you good night, my dear."
She was glad that he didn't, at the moment at least, seem repulsed by her advances. Jeanne definitely had to think on her behavior before they talked next time. "Good," she said with one final bow of her head. "Good night, Ribbons." And with that, she headed inside, where a hot cup of coffee and some serious introspection awaited her. Her only hope was that Saya wasn't awake to see her sulk...