Playing With Fire

Writers: AL, Kaysea
Date Posted: 17th October 2008

Characters: J'gen, Irlani, Gyta
Description: Irlani teachers J'gen a new dance.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 12, day 18 of Turn 4

"Hello J'gen." Irlani had already dropped of Ravyan, so when J'gen
came home, it was just her and Gyta. "How was your day today.

"Not too bad. We finally released one of the browns back into the
wings, he's been there for over two months with a badly scored wing
but we released him to full duties. So overall I suppose we could
upgrade the day to quite good, actually." He held out his arms for
Gyta, and the girl ran straight into his embrace, he lifted her and
kiss her cheek softly. "And how has your day been?" he asked both of
them, looking from one to the other.

"Very good, I would say." Irlani moved a bit closer, smiling as she
watched father and daughter. It was a lovely picture, and Irlani
wished she could paint so that she could capture it forever. "We
learned a new dance today."

"Oh?" he wasn't sure whether he liked where this conversation was
headed, it had taken all he could give to learn the first dance she
had taught him. "A new one, huh?" he gave her a pained expression,
"Does this mean I have more lessons coming up?"

Irlani couldn't hold back her laugh. "Yes, it does, but first, have
you been practising the waltz I taught you?"

"Well...." he gave her a sly smile, "If you'd like to join us in the
cavern for the evening meal, I can show you afterwards just how much I
have been practising." he replied. "Had Gyta improved since your last
lesson?" he asked, curiously.

"Yes she has, quite a bit." Irlani held her hand out for the child to
take. "And I would love to join you two for a meal. Be careful not to
eat too much, though. You'll get a pain in your side while dancing."

***

"Well..." J'gen smiled across at Irlani, "If you think your food may
have settled by now, would you care to dance?" he asked. He had
watched as a few couples had started dancing to the slower tunes the
harpers had begun with. He reached across the table, and took Irlani's
hand.

"I feel honoured to have the first dance with so fine a rider."
Irlani's eyes laughed silently as she stood, her hand in his and
allowed him to lead her to the area that was clear for those who
wished to imbibe. She drew into his embrace. "Show me what you've
got, bronzerider."

He took her in his arms, and began to guide her around the floor. He
hadn't missed the admiring glances Irlani attracted from the men
around the dancing square, and felt his chest expand with pride as he
waltzed her around the floor. "Have I improved?" he asked, with a
smile.

"Yes you have. I'm impressed." Irlani followed him easily, taking
note that he didn't step upon her toes or mash her foot. "You've
gotten quite a bit more graceful. I'm glad to see that you've been
doing your homework."

"Gyta and I wanted to show you that we appreciated your showing us."
He smiled happily. Her words had made him feel good about the
candlemarks he and Gyta had worked on their dancing. "I guess I am
ready to learn more from you - if you will teach me?" He also didn't
mind that the dancing gave him a legitimate excuse to hold Irlani in
his arms - one she couldn't grow suspicious of.

"Can't get enough hm? Bitten by the dancing bug?" Irlani's soft
laughed made her body tremble gently as they swayed together to the
music. "Well, I'll be sure to show you another dance tonight then.
Perhaps I should ask the harper to play another song that will be more
suited...or would you prefer to do the lessons in the privacy of your
weyr?"

"If you think I wouldn't make a mess in front of the Weyr, I guess you
could show me a simple step or two?" It wasn't so much the dancing he
couldn't get enough of, he laughed softly to himself. "I've seen the
quick dance they do to faster numbers, but I'd like to stay with the
slow dancing for now, atleast until I find my feet, so to speak." to
say nothing of keeping Irlani close to him. "The waltz was easy
enough, so if there's another like it?" he asked, his eye not leaving
hers.

"Well, there are quite a few dances. One that's done at weddings is
called the 'Coupling Dance'." The two came to a stop as the song
wound down and the harpers prepared to play another. "Would you like
to learn that one?"

"If it's easy - sure." he nodded, loathe to let her go. "What do I do?"

"Well, draw me closer." Irlani moved forward, leaving little space
between them. "And of course, this sort of dance takes on different
forms depending upon where it is being done. In holds, it's more
structered. However, among the traders, it takes on a wilder and even
more sensual tone."

"Oh?" Sensual? He liked the sound of that. A smile slipped across his
lips, and his eye twinkled in amusement. "This might be more fun than
I anticipated." he said with a deep chuckle.

"You might find it enjoyable." Irlani pressed up against him, drawing
as close as she could and still be able to move. "Though, to be
honest, the Trader's version...I wouldn't do that one in public."

"Then you have to promise to teach me that one - up in my quarters." he
said.

"We'll have to move the furniture." Irlani took his hand. "This
one...well, it's quite a bit more complicated than the waltz. For now,
we'll keep things very simple. Step forward and back on my lead. One,
two, three, four..."

He followed her instruction carefully, this time his eye not leaving her
gaze, flicking from one eye to the other. "He found himself slipping
into the comfortable companionship she offered, but deep inside he was
aching for more.

The harpers, upon seeing the dance had already begun without them,
launched into a song with a sultry, undulating beat. For a few steps,
Irlani stayed with J'gen until she felt he had the basic moves. Then
she pulled back, hand still hanging onto his and began to dance around
and in time to each of his steps, hips keep in time with the beat.
"In this dance, the man and woman are chasing one another, though I
suppose I'll do the chasing for now."

"They are?" he couldn't hide the smile he felt curling his lips. His
eye never left the movement of her hips - so inviting. He could feel
his pulse quicken as he watched her, his own steps echoing hers.

Irlani moved out, then back in. She guided slowly, gently, twirling
away then back again, going under then out. "Don't try to get too
fancy just yet, cocky bronzerider. There's more to this dance than
meets the eye."

"So I see." his voice held his amusement, as his eyes fastened on her.
"It's a little more intricate than you first let on. Are you sure we
shouldn't be practising this where we have more privacy?" he asked,
trying hard to wipe the smile from his face.

"If we were doing the Trader version, most definitely." Irlani laughed
guiding him so that she could twist under and around. "But I suppose
this is enough for now. I don't want your blood to run too hot."

"You don't?" he asked, lifting an eyebrow cockily, the smirk on his
face full of innuendo.

"You really are a cocky boy aren't you." Irlani came to a stop, but
her hand continued to hold onto his. "Be careful, don't want you to
get burned."

He laughed aloud at her words, he hadn't had such fun banter with a
woman in a long time. He was truly enjoying his evening out, despite
the whistles and calls from the riders surrounding the dancing square,
he had enjoyed dancing with Irlani - holding her in his arms, watching
her dance around him. "And if I want to be burned?" he asked, his
voice deepening with emotion, he flicked his wrist and pulled her back
into his embrace.

"Well then," Irlani's voice was a soft purr as she fell into him, then
brought the dance to a stop. "Perhaps we'll have to play with a bit of
fire."

Last updated on the October 18th 2008

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Playing With Fire