After their captain, Will with Gallica left to seek the formula in Louis' grand gauntlet runner during the Soirée. The remaining members were left to cover Will's absence, in all honesty they all are tensed. Hulkenberg trying to act normal by enjoying the food, Heismay always on-guard as if someone is about to strike.
While Strohl....well? She doesn't know what to do herself, instead follows Hulkenberg around and prays that Will doesn't get caught.
"You don't want a bite, Strohl?" she asked, with bite-sized cake as an offering, "uh no... It's fine." Strohl waved her hand awkwardly at Hulkenberg's offer.
"No appetite, lass?" Heismay walk towards them, looking at Strohl, she shook her head, " 'tis quite delicious if not so nervous..." said Hulkenberg.
The three of them sighed in an agreement but not so loudly that any Soirée attendees could hear.
Strohl carefully studies the spacious venue, the designs are grand and the colours complement each other make it pleasing to see, the artisanship here must be well-known in Brielhaven. There's no doubt this venue has held so many parties before.
Strohl then noticed an ensemble of musicians in the corner of the venue. Playing like a mini orchestra for the attendees to enjoy –which Strohl just realised, some of them are dancing away following the rhythm. Strohl subconsciously walks towards the crowd, she feels nostalgic ....how long has it been since she last attended a party? She doesn't quite remember the exact—
"May I have this dance?" Strohl froze, she heard this question because it's loud. This voice. No, it can't be– Strohl turned her head towards the voice, without a doubt, Louis Guiabern standing Infront of her, offering her hand. Strohl jolted, no way in hell is she going to dance with someone she truly hates and worse, someone who's responsible for the destruction of her village.
Strohl almost snarked and kept it to herself, she's in dangerous territory since the moment she was invited.
Strohl noticed Hulkenberg and Heismay looking nervous at her, as if saying: "humour her, for our captain's sake". Strohl sighed, realising she's under the attendees' gaze, most of 'em are Louis' supporters. If she rejected their Countess, she might get beaten.
Annoyingly extended her hand towards Louis' gloved hand, trying not to grip her hand so hard that it might come out as a threat.
Louis let out an amused hum when the silver haired clemar accepted her hand, she then raised her free hand towards the musicians to play a different piece of music.
As the new music starts playing, Louis starts to guide Strohl towards the center—slow and smooth… beginning the dance. The two clemar women catch themselves a massive audience but they only wanted to see Louis dance, Strohl is just a nobody compared to that woman.
"My dancing rhythm is quite rusty, Lady Louis. Since I stopped practicing a long time ago." Strohl as she twirled under the woman's arm. "No matter, Strohl, if I recall? I will lead you." Strohl hated that, hated to be led by this woman of all people, but she had no choice. Louis stands behind Strohl's back, slides her hand from Strohl's wrist to her shoulders, then forces her to turn around facing Louis. This sends shivers down her spine but has no time to acknowledge it.
They continued to sway, following the rhythm with their hands clasped together, what is leading if not one holds the other one's hand? Strohl doesn't know what Louis' motive is when she softly placed her hand under Strohl's chin while the other hand placed on her hip. Unamused, Strohl spins away as a rejection to her, but the dance is not over yet. Louis holds her wrist just in time, thus Strohl spins back towards her, then Louis shifts her weight and sinks Strohl into a dip, an imitation of falling.
This "flirtation" is not likeable by the clemar woman under her.
They continued to twirl after twirl, side steps to side steps, holding hands in one, the other placed on each other's shoulder or below it.
This feels weirdly intimate in a way, none of them say anything especially Strohl, since she's only following. Any questions could potentially turn worse. "Stay calm," she thought to herself, even if this moment could damage her pride among her teammates.
Strohl brings one foot up to her toes so it's easier for Louis to spin her in place. Louis' gaze never once took off of her since this dance started, cold...and yet.. bit of excitement…? Strohl couldn't deduct it, she doesn't want to either. This feels like a kind of sick joke, doesn't it?
Strohl lied when her dancing skills were rusty. She can breakdance and is able to stand on 2 feet. She is still a girl after all, but if she can handle Swordplay then dancing is no problem, that is the basic knowledge for any nobles.
But Louis doesn't know that, but she's quite impressed, "Impressive...despite it all, you managed to keep up." Strohl feels frustrated, getting compliment from Louis is the last thing she wants. "Shut up and concentrate on your steps, I’ll trip you over," She retorts but Louis gives her a small grin, "That won't happen," she laughs softly, "Enchanting, you are. Even more than you are now." ??? What the hell?
Those words made Strohl's cheeks appear small pink hues that can only be noticed in close range. Louis suddenly bends towards Strohl’s left hand to her lips—kissing it, only for a brief moment since Strohl yanks it away immediately. Louis quickly grabbed it, not letting Strohl escape. The silver haired clemar swears she can feel the audience’s shocked expressions.
The music intensifies, so does their movements. They slightly increased the speed, their moves filled with such tension, mesmerising the large audience. The music entered the lower pitch segment, slowly bringing up the tension for the two dancing clemars. Little do they know these two are enemies.
The said clemars briefly separated themselves from each other, circling around like hunter and prey, locking their gaze on one another. In sync, they bring their arms forward to hook each other's behinds to get close. But too close it mushes their chest together and faces could accidentally kiss. Both of them heard the audience gasping at the sensual sight.
Louis' calm expression never ceased, however, it struck Strohl with embarrassment, making her stumble on her feet. Fortunately, Louis already caught her, sinking her again into the dip, half deep this time.
Their dance becomes more elegant as seconds passes, the music reaching its crescendo. Strangers would say they both complement one another even if being at each other's necks with swords. Strohl silently gritted her teeth, God knows she wants this to be over soon, she can feel her blood boiling.
The music hits its climax, Strohl with all her strength takes control and pulls Louis into their final dip of their elegant dance. Then Loud cheers and applause echoed across the soirée, swallowing the two clemar’s heavy breaths.
Louis grins as she helps herself back on her two feet, casually shifting her grip to Strohl's hand.
When Louis opens her mouth to say something, Strohl pushes away her hand and scurries away towards the door, trying to hide her red face. “Strohl…!!” Hulkenberg calls out, running after her with Heismay.
Louis watches her leave, her hand reaches out, only to let her be.