09-23-2013, 04:13 AM
Jon took a sip of his drink and saw Jaxen's eyes narrow at his demand. Truthfully, it hadn't been so much a demand as a challenge, and a strange one at that -- not only was Kallisti's hardly a dance club, but the whole notion of couples dancing was indeed somewhat archaic, even back in the United States where traditions tended to gasp their dying breaths a little while longer than elsewhere in the world.
Additionally, Oriena hardly seemed the type to entertain the notion of being swept across a ballroom floor, but that just made the challenge all that much more interesting. As the judge in this round, she could also put a stop to the whole thing if Jaxen balked.
Yes, certainly an odd and possibly quite silly demand. But, of course, Jon had drunk a lot, and so he found the notion of them dancing together to be quite amusing -- if Jaxen could pull it off. What could he say to get her to accept? Yes, a very complex challenge, requiring boldness and cunning. Was there boldness behind those eyes -- undoubtedly swimming with the power of the Great Spirit -- or was the smug arrogance just a flimsy facade?
Jon saw a semblance of a smile flash across Jaxen's face as he looked to Oriena, and suddenly the man rose and wordlessly plucked her from her chair.
Brilliant. Now that was a display of true confidence. After all the subtle flirtation and posturing the two had displayed toward each other like deaf people playing chess in the dark, Jaxen had finally made a move. And just because Jon had pushed him into it didn't detract from the fact Jaxen was clearly unafraid to put himself out there and risk being shot down.
Jon took another slow sip of his vodka. He really hoped Oriena didn't just shoot him down on the spot. If Jaxen was any good, she'd enjoy the experience.
Additionally, Oriena hardly seemed the type to entertain the notion of being swept across a ballroom floor, but that just made the challenge all that much more interesting. As the judge in this round, she could also put a stop to the whole thing if Jaxen balked.
Yes, certainly an odd and possibly quite silly demand. But, of course, Jon had drunk a lot, and so he found the notion of them dancing together to be quite amusing -- if Jaxen could pull it off. What could he say to get her to accept? Yes, a very complex challenge, requiring boldness and cunning. Was there boldness behind those eyes -- undoubtedly swimming with the power of the Great Spirit -- or was the smug arrogance just a flimsy facade?
Jon saw a semblance of a smile flash across Jaxen's face as he looked to Oriena, and suddenly the man rose and wordlessly plucked her from her chair.
Brilliant. Now that was a display of true confidence. After all the subtle flirtation and posturing the two had displayed toward each other like deaf people playing chess in the dark, Jaxen had finally made a move. And just because Jon had pushed him into it didn't detract from the fact Jaxen was clearly unafraid to put himself out there and risk being shot down.
Jon took another slow sip of his vodka. He really hoped Oriena didn't just shoot him down on the spot. If Jaxen was any good, she'd enjoy the experience.