Aubrey Summers (demipointe) wrote in reduxpitch, @ 2016-03-31 20:09:00 |
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Entry tags: | !thread, character: axel king, retired character: ashleigh spinnet |
Who: Ashleigh Spinnet and Axel King
What: Ashleigh is taking Axel swing dancing — where ‘swing dancing’ is not code for sex.
When: Thursday 31st March, evening.
Where: The Upper Room, Old St Michael’s Church Hall, Camden
Rating: PG
It was hard to believe it was a little over a week since Ashleigh had talked to Axel about nightclubs. At the time, her usual routine of swing dancing followed by sex had seemed like the perfect cure for her sense of unfocused irritation. The urgency had passed now, leaving Ashleigh with nothing but misgivings about her plan to take Axel to the social. First, and most trivial, was the question of whether or not Ashleigh could manage to teach Axel anything. She didn't think of herself as a natural instructor and since this wasn't a class there would be no one else there to teach him. As it happened, she needn't have worried. She might not be patient, but she could explain clearly and demonstrate easily - and Axel, as promised, was a quick study. It wasn't long at all before she'd taught him a basic routine so they could join the rest of the dancers.
Her second concern, that they would encounter someone with whom she'd previously gone home, was less easily put to rest. Simon had been Ashleigh's last dance partner, only four months ago, and it was clear from the way he kept glancing over that he hadn't forgotten. Ashleigh fervently hoped he would limit himself to glances because she had absolutely no idea what would happen if she was forced to make conversation while Axel was right there. Possibly nothing, if she trusted him to know his own mind. He'd implied it wouldn't be a problem, Ashleigh just wasn't sure if she believed it.
The rest of her misgivings were vague and unformed, making themselves felt every time Axel splayed his fingers on her waist or pulled her in against his chest. "So far so good," she said as she released his hand at the end of a song. They'd agreed it was time for a break, so she led him closer to the wall where they wouldn't be in the way. Between teaching and dancing, they hadn't had time for much more than small talk. "Did you see Aisling today?" Ashleigh steadied herself with a hand on Axel's forearm as she adjusted a loose strap on her shoe. Satisfied it wasn't going to unbuckle itself, she smoothed down her dress.