An Evening Made for Rash Decisions

Writers: Bree, Eimi
Date Posted: 29th November 2006

Characters: Miralani, Kiomo
Description: Miralani and Kiomo share a dance, and a little teasing banter.
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 13, day 29 of Turn 3

"Has your Hallmaster left you neglected, Miralani?" Kiomo asked with a pitting shake of his head. "I hope there is no trouble between the two of you."

Miralani laughed delightedly. "I told him it would be unseemly to dance _every_ dance with me. He has to do his duty by the other important ladies here, after all."

He gave her a look of wide-eyed innocence. "Does that mean you are free to do your duty with the important men here?" It probably wasn't right to flirt so outrageously, but the fact that she was obviously taken gave him some measure of safety. Besides, sometimes it was just fun.

"If only I could _find_ any of them!" Miralani shook her head, but her eyes were glinting mischief at him. "You don't think all of the important men are avoiding me, do you?"

He shrugged a shoulder nonchalantly. "No, I wasn't avoiding you. I was just dancing with other ladies."

Miralani laughed again. "Well, that's _certainly_ a relief. Though I'm very hurt that you didn't think to dance with me."

"And just why do you think I've shown up here at your side if not to ask you for a dance?" He offered her his arm. "I have to take the chance while your future husband is otherwise occupied."

Sliding her hand onto his arm, she smiled. "Well, I certainly hope you're as charming a dancer as you are a conversationalist." She lowered her voice conspiratorially. "I don't mind admitting I've had my feet stepped on a few times this evening."

"Madam, I am the son of a Lord Holder. Do you think he would have stood for me trodding on potential bride's feet or making a fool of myself out on the dance floor?" he asked cockily. "I am an _excellent_ dancer."

"How exciting." Miralani turned and slid one hand onto his shoulder, offering him her other hand. "I haven't had an excellent dance partner all evening long."

"The Hallmaster's dancing doesn't particularly excite you?" he asked as he took her offered hand while his other slipped to the small of her back.

"Mmmm... his assets lie in more tangible items." A wicked smile curved her lips. "I don't think he's had much practice in dancing for enjoyment."

Kiomo's eyebrows raised in curiosity. "Have you?"

"Of course I have. I was _very_ happily married." She ruthlessly suppressed the pang of grief that always accompanied thoughts of her lost husband. She would never find another man who would love her like Chavan had. He'd loved everything about her, including her ambition and cunning. Maybe even especially that. "That is a rarity." Most women in her position had arranged marriages that never quite satisfied their needs. "I hope you can find that again."

"I doubt I will," she replied lightly. "But I was lucky enough to find it once. And it certainly gave me appreciation for fine dancing."

"And how would you rate my dancing, so far?" He spun her under his arm easily and moved right into a twirl. She had challenged him to prove his skills and he was not going to disappoint.

Miralani smiled as he spun her back to face him. "Delightful," she declared, moving a little closer than was strictly necessary for the dance. "And this isn't even my best dance," Kiomo grinned cockily. Dancing was something he _knew_ he did very well.

"Goodness." Miralani smiled and resisted the urge to brush against him as they turned again. "I think I may die of jealousy if one of the other ladies is treated to your best dance instead of me." Flirting with Kiomo when the wine had obviously gone to her head was a terrible idea, but she hadn't been able to resist.

"Unfortunately it must be so. You have a dance partner waiting for you.
And I have one too." He turned her once more under his arm. Let her think on that! "Don't do anything rash," he whispered teasingly in her ear as she moved close once more. "Oh, but it's an evening made for rash decisions," she replied, giving him her prettiest pout. "I suppose you leave me no choice but to be rash with my... waiting dance partner." "I think that would be the best decision. I'm sure he'd be _more_ than happy to... save you from yourself." He wondered, not for the first time, if poor Master Daynar really know what he was getting himself into. She had to be something special to wrap that man around her finger so.

Miralani laughed wickedly. "I'm sure he'd like to try. Whether or not he's capable... well, I suppose we'll see soon enough." She found the idea of Daynar trying to force her to do _anything_ she didn't want to laughable, but she doubted Daynar was aware of that yet.

"You will keep me posted, won't you?" Kiomo liked political gossip as much as the next Lord Holder's offspring. "Of course." Her voice dropped to a low murmur. "Every scintillating detail you can handle."

"I can handle a lot," he warned her with a challenging grin.

"You really think so?" She followed as he spun her around gracefully again before sliding her hand back to his shoulder. "I suppose we'll find out, won't we?" He raised his eyebrows in curious surprise. Did she really think he was that easily shocked? After being raised in Hold politics and spending time in the Weyr, very little surprised him. "Well, I hope Master Daynar didn't have other plans for the evening." "If he does, he'll change them," Miralani replied lightly. The song came to an end and she smiled at Kiomo. "That was a lovely dance, my lord."

"Thank you, lady," Kiomo said, releasing her with a polite bow. "You are a wonderful dancer." And an even better politician.

Last updated on the December 1st 2006

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An Evening Made for Rash Decisions