Goin' to the Chapel! (open: partygoers)

Jin beamed a bright smile at Mara as they finished up the dance. The singer paused to talk before the next one and he reached out to draw his companion up next to him while they both faced the stage.

With the dancing that had started Jin wondered what the band would pick. Apparently it would be another by the same person they covered before. He was prepared for another fast paced dance but the sound of the music from the violin was definitely -not- a swing.

"Would you care to tango, Mia Gattina?"

Stepping away from Mara but still holding her hand, Jin then pulled her close, letting her turn into his arm until her back was pressed tight up against him. He ran his cheek slowly and gently from the tip of her shoulder up her neck, tilting it slightly to the side as he came to rest cheek to cheek with her. With the next strong beat of the music, Jin pushed her away and regarding her intently as they came back together for the tango's close embrace.

Vaughn was not at all surprised that Therese agreed with the other fashionable women that he knew. Apparently the price for looking good was almost never too high. He did agree that a good pair of shoes would last you a long time though.

"Yes, and there are some things you can be cheap with but, in my opinion, shoes are not one of them. It leads to suffering and misery and that is not worth what you saved by buying something ill fitting and out of cheap materials."

He watched the two cats finish their dance as the music ended. Vaughn smiled at her and silently agreed that they were good.

When the violin started playing on the next song, He pushed his drink away and stood.

"Shall we go and give them more competition?"

They might not be any match for the unnatural grace that the couple on the floor was displaying but at least he was prepared to try. Vaughn felt confident that he'd at least not embarrass either of them on the floor. He was a dancer's son after all and she started teaching him at a very early age. Of course, after his father died Vaughn was sent elsewhere for lessons among the other performers in the Kumpania but he still went to them because dance was important to his mother.

((OOCL: splitting our posts into two parts so it flows..don't kill us for double replying ))

For one reason or another Thérèse was quite pleased that Vaughn understood the shoe issue. Perhaps not agree, perhaps he didn't understand 100% but at least he had the right idea.

The violin in the first song and the opening violin in this one had captured her imagination just a bit. Thérèse had every intention of seeing if she could duplicate these sounds. A bit of research on the internet and she should be able to dig up more information of the original artist.

She grinned slowly very pleased he would ask if she wanted to dance. Yes, of course she did. She'd been dying too.

"Oui. I think we should."Â?

At least from these few opening bars she should be able to manage in this dress. While long the skirt was full and would allow a good range of motion rather than hamper her.

Standing as well she offered her hand to follow him out to the floor.

He was silently singing the lead singer's praises for his choice of song tempo.

Vaughn took Therese's hand and gently drew them both toward the front of the table. He gave her a small private smile before walking a slow deliberate circle around her. His body brushed her's as he moved and Vaughn used his hip pushing against Therese's to spin her just slightly along with him so that she was facing away from the stage. He then continued his circle until he was behind her.

Grasping her shoulders gently but firmly, He spun her around to face him again. Vaughn held one hand palm up and waited for Therese to place her's in his and then he wrapped his other arm around her back and pulled her tightly against his chest. Watching her intently, Vaughn stepped them backwards the few feet towards the dance floor.

Mara was disappointed when the swing ended but her spirits were soon restored when it became apparent that her partner wasn't quite ready to leave the floor. This particular dance might have caused her to shy away with another man but Jin had Amir's approval as Mara's escort and in Mara's mind that made him as trustworthy as her creator. So she leaned into the racy dance hold and schooled her features into something a little more appropriate than a bright smile. Her eyes still sparkled with mischief as she executed a square-pattern step around Jin, small feet kicking up behind her. It would have been more appropriate to be in heels rather than ballet flats tonight, but she rose up onto her toes to give the moves the proper flair.

"Un piacere, mio gatto," she responded in kind, one cat to another, pulling her hand away for just a moment to playfully tweak Jin's fuzzy white ear.

She hadn't expected Jin to be such an adept dancer so she was, indeed, finding his company pleasurable. She had expected to make uncomfortable, strained conversation with people she hardly knew tonight. Discovering Pakpao here had been good for her and the surprise of Jin's company made it much better. On the dance floor Mara forgot about any onlookers. Here it was really just two people and a song and that was the most fun of all.

Pak seemed rather taken with her date and Mara, with her endless curiosity, resolved to pay her friend a discreet visit soon. She wondered how 'complicated' would work out tonight but it seemed to be going well so far. For her own part, she wound her arms around Jin once completing her own little demonstration and closed the distance between them, poised to once more follow his lead. It was a much easier thing to do in this particular dance than in the swing where both partners moved out and back so frequently and improvisation ruled. Granted the argentine was all about improvisation itself but the amount of contact between the dancers made it quite simple to read each others' intentions.

This had not been what she had been anticipating when they'd thought to wait for something slow. But she wholeheartedly approved. It only took a few beats for her to find her way into the character of the dance.

Without a word she placed her hand in his her other arm wrapping around his shoulders. As he stepped back she leaned into him. She had no balance of her own right then she was totally dependent on him not to drop her as he stepped back pulling her forward just the tips of her toes dragging along the floor. Without missing a step as he paused Thérèse stood on her own. There wasn't even room for daylight between them.

Then he stepped forward and she back. His right leg where her left had been. Thérèse was quite pleased that not only did Vaughn appear to be a good dancer for a reserved as he seemed, he didn't shy away from the dance. He met it head on and with no hesitation, so she did the same gliding backwards and he moved forward, her cheek against his.

For a be he didn't move and she, despite the long dress, swiveled her hips as her feet half pivoted half stepped in place but in a very deliberate manner before she again yielded to his lead.

Artemis laughed. What an interesting offer. Most women required jewelry.

"What would you do if I decided to take you up on that offer?" Looking a bit thoughtful for moment, he added, "Hmm. Probably shouldn't ask what constitutes breaking, huh?"

Still chuckling, he stepped back as the next song began. Listening, he recognized the rhythm. As the lyrics began to sink in, Artemis couldn't help but grin. Clearly the lead singer had a bit of a twisted side to him. They definitely needed to have this band play at an Evenhet party. Still smiling, he returned his attention to his date.

"This next dance is a bit slower and um...shoe appropriate. If you would like to retrieve yours.

He waited as Pak went to fetch her shoes. The tango was quite intricate and intense. An instructor had once told him that the tango was a conversation between lovers. Some lovers told jokes, while others 'argued' through the entire dance. If Pak was still angry at him, he could be in trouble.

When she returned, he took her hand his and slowly placed her other hand on his shoulder. Then very deliberately he place his free arm around her wait, pulling her close. As he stepped back and to the side, beginning the basic 8-step of the tango, he brought them nearer to the other couple. Close enough to hear them speaking Italian. The Roman wasn't sure he should be amused or offended. He shook his head and laughed before speaking to Pak.

"I feel like I should say something to you in Chinese. Moo Goo Gai Pan?"

Having completed the 8-step sequence, he began it again. This time, before completing the second half, he walked around in a circle allowing her to pivot on one foot. Afterwards, he completed the sequence and began again. The man could lead, but a lot of the flare from the lifts, turns, and other embellishments came from the woman. A lot would depend on Pak's mood and knowledge. Uncertain of how familar she was with the tango, he leaned close to her ear and whispered.

"The tango is all about the tension and the passion. So, pretend you are both madly in love with me and really pissed off. Just don't kick anything vital"

Leaning back, he grinned at her. And the dance continued.

Jin held back the urge to ask Artemis if he was hungry. Button mushrooms and chicken slices indeed! Paying attention to the Roman and his talk of overly sauced American Chinese food would take away from the intimate nature of the dance. Perhaps he would seek verbal revenge with mention of Fettucinni Alfredo after the song had ended.

Giving Mara his full attention once more, Jin travelled with the basic step forward. He never took his eyes off her's but let his peripheral vision take note of the movement of her footwork. He took one step back and then on the next lunge he paused with his left leg extended behind him and slid Mara onto the right one. Letting her use it as a perch, Jin lowered her into a dip. He lifted her up and set her down again in front of him. He stood still for a few beats to let her have some fun with the lead role.

Pak's expression was very clearly a dare. No, he probably didn't want to know what constituted breaking. Besides which, she was a very pricey purchase.

The suggestion of shoes was well received, especially as her toes were suddenly cold. Pak -hated- the cold. Rather than trotting and hopping she put them on before returning to the dance floor. Studiously ignoring the odd looks she got from one or two people who had seen put the shoes back on.

She really wasn't much of a dancer, oh she wasn't terrible she had danced before, but in the grand scheme of things she wasn't an expert. Although, while she wouldn't admit it, she had watched several seasons of Dancing With The Stars. About the only thing that really got her was the ability to recognize what dance with what music. The whole tango thing was worry some. At least with the swing/jive thing she could hang on for the ride to a certain extent. This could get awkward fast.

And then Artemis started speaking Chinese Carry Out. Pak blinked, totally confused and came very close to rambling on in Siamese at him.

"I would rather have the Peeking Duck."Â?

Taking a deep breath she decided the best she could do was fake it.

His advice brought a wry smile.

"You might want to define vital."Â?

By the time she'd finished those few words her expression was a study in sweet, innocent, and perfectly harmless. All joking, or threats, aside she did do her best to follow his lead but only occasionally felt comftorable enough with the dance to add any kind of flash. She was sure only Bruno would like it.

Mara followed Jin's lead and ignored the friendly jibe from Artemis. This was a tango, after all, and she would not be deterred from dancing it properly. Molded to Jin, she danced along with his basic step and then slid like liquid silk into a smooth dip, her back arched and one arm and leg extended gracefully, giving her the appearance of being in possession of much more height than her actual 5'4". As Jin lifted her up once more she remained loose, leaning back, allowing her hips to touch his first before slowly rolling herself up against him.

He stayed poised and Mara took advantage of the opportunity, fixing her cat's-eyed green stare upon him, unwavering, her ballet-shoe-clad feet sliding easily on the floor as she played with the feel of the tango. Keeping the contact close Mara kicked one foot up around Jin's leg then pivoted with it so she had her back to him, still against him. Then, executing a complicated spin she managed to dance two turns around and over his foot, twining one of her legs with his on every half-turn.

She wound up pressed against him once more, her back to his front, her head turned so that their cheeks touched and their lips nearly brushed. She hooked her leg around his extended one and took his offered hand; he stood straight. She kicked her bent leg slightly, freeing it from his as he gave a small push with his hand. Mara, with that small toss, turned around in mid-air, arms settling around Jin's neck as he caught her, and linked her leg back around his as she slid down his body. He bent as she descended so that she never stood straight; she raised one leg in an arabesque while the toes of the other stayed on the ground and glided out behind her. They held the pose momentarily and then Jin stood once more, pulling Mara back up from her backwards dip.

This time Mara's smile was back but it was sultry and soft, as the mood of the dance demanded... and as her own mood reflected. There was nothing like this to relax you, really, and her body language quite clearly conveyed her enjoyment to her partner without the need for words.

((ooc: permission to move Jin))

Vaughn was certain he was going to some sort of hell for reveling in the feel of Therese pressed against him. In all his years of dancing in the Kumpania he had never enjoyed it this much. The two of them might not be as agile as some of the people on the floor but he really wasn't dancing for them, nor even noticed they were there, except as obstacles not to dance over.

Repeating the basic eight step of the tango, he delighted in how statuesque Therese looked and how fluidly she moved through the dance with him. Being the wolf that he was, Vaughn found himself closing his eyes for the briefest of moments and slowly drawing in the delicate feminine scent of the woman pressed so temptingly against him. Knowing that it might now be forever marked in his memory and would return on lonely nights to haunt him, he felt a small shiver run through him. Vaughn pulled back as they traveled into the next pattern that had him advancing purposefully and stepping Therese backwards along the dance floor. He regarded his companion with all the passion that he possessed. Vaughn felt no shame in it, the dance called for such intimacy and would gracefully explain away his indiscretion. It might be the only moment he ever had to reveal his emotions and he seized it with a reckless abandon that was quite unlike his normal cautious behavior.

((OOC: Yes, obviously permission to move Therese. Hard to dance any other way. ))

It was just a dance, she reminded herself. Conveniently over looking the fact that it was a very passionate and suggestive dance. They were just playing parts, it was perfectly innocent. She was going to keep to that theory.

But it was so easy to melt into his lead, into the give and take. To dance this well it was impossible not to focus intently on him, as if he was the only man...person, better to think of him as a person... in the world.

The dance wasn't perfect, after all they had never danced together before and there was a learning curve for any couple. But there did seem to be some chemistry there, chemistry that she tried, unsuccessfully, not to think about.

Her breath caught as passion in his dancing echoed in his eyes. It surprised her and would undoubtedly haunt her later. Ignoring the fact that he was both married and the alpha and that is was undoubtedly highly inappropriate, Thérèse's eyes smoldered. She refused to break eye contact and if possible threw herself even further into the dance. Each movement sharp, defined, and laced with what she was feeling just at that moment.

But, it was just a dance, perfectly innocent... wasn't it?

Sorcha sat down on the pew and ran her hand across it. Looking at Amir, she sent.

[The bench?]

Wrinkling her nose, she sniffed delicately and tested the resulting information. There was nothing out of the ordinary. Whatever Amir was smelling it had to be faint because she didn't detect it over the smell of the cleaner that had been used recently to dust and polish the pew.

That didn't make any sense. She was sure his senses were amazing in his present form but Amir had been tracking whatever this odor was from across the room. It couldn't possibly be too slight for her to even notice. He had said it was tangy and sharp.

Sorcha pressed her lips tightly together to keep the smile hidden. Gazing out over the crowd of dancers, She idly watched her creator and his seductive partner move across the floor with fluid ease.

Turning her pale eyes back to Amir once her mirth was subdued, She said.

[All I smell is the Lemon Pledge that they've cleaned the wood with.]

"Poor guy, no wonder that had him running around in every direction. There's wood all over the place."

Marcus sat on the pew next to her, his eyes twinkling with the amusement that Sorcha was trying desperately not to show.

"Hush, Marc, He's trying and I -am- trying not to embarrass him."

The apparition nodded his consent to her wishes. Crossing his arms over his chest, Marcus looked around the room instead.

"Jin seems to be enjoying himself."

Sorcha took a sip of the wine that she still had in her hand.

"Yes, he does."

Marcus made some noncommental sound of acknowledgment. It didn't tell her whether he approved of Jin's dancing or was unhappy about it for some reason.

She sighed at the unhelpful sound.

"Does it really matter, Marcus?"

Her ghostly companion turned his full attention to her. Her breath still caught after all these years at the piercing nature of his gaze. He held her eyes with his own for a moment that seemed to last forever and then his regard shifted lower...to the canine just in front of her.

"It might to him."

Oh? Oh... Sorcha looked up as Mara, clinging to Jin, slid down him. Well then that's not good. Right, bloody hell. She stood up and sent to Amir.

[Perhaps we should take a look around the grounds. I don't think we're suited to socializing but we are both very capable of snooping.]

Amir tucked his tail comically between his legs as Sorcha confirmed what he had suddenly suspected, the gesture clearly indicating that he was all right with levity.

[Anyone would have made that mistake,] he insisted lamely. He had his pride, but even Amir could see the humor in the situation. He was, however, as he'd observed he might be, embarrassed to have yanked poor Sorcha all over the place in his hunt for the wild Lemon Pledge Monster. [It smells different from here.]

He sighed and his eyes followed Sorcha's toward the dance floor. In the back of his head he noted the music. Tango. Very nice. One of Mara's favorites. She was, in fact, dancing it with Jin. Amir felt a momentary little spike of jealousy which quickly dissipated. He'd asked Jin to accompany Mara here. He wanted Mara to be seen with someone else.

If that someone else turned out to enjoy her company, well, all the better for it. Mai had warned Amir that he was a target now. It would do Mara no good to be near him and all the good in the world to have acquaintances, friends, in other people. Jin was infinitely trustworthy, a Nightsman like Mara, and a good Clanmate.

Yup. All that was true, but he still had a flashback of standing up at Vesper and letting Mara slide down his front - just... like... that... Gah. Down, Fritz. Amir reminded himself that Mara was not his, no matter what odd urges they both seemed to have suffered from lately.

[Yes, I'm ashamed to have to agree with you. I can't smell anything in here aside from the Lemon Pledge Monster,] Amir sent to Sorcha. [Maybe outside we'll at least run into something interesting. You're sure you don't want to dance? You may not think you're good at socializing but you've attracted plenty of attention from several would-be dancers.]

In his job as guardian, Amir had taken care to note anyone nearby and several of those not-so-nearby. Judging by the looks of interest Sorcha would have no trouble finding a dance partner if that was what she wanted.

Artemis's expression changed briefly to one of mild shock. Define vital? He thought it was fairly obvious himself. The grin that was spreading across his features grew into quiet laughter. He had certainly walked into that one. Still laughing, he made a small show of moving their dance a little further away from the other couple. Just in case his date decided to emasculate him further.

"Vital would be anything that one or both of us might have use of in the future."

He also knew her response was likely to be one he wasn't expecting. Still, after that one, he had to give a little of it back. Schooling his facial expression to something a little more dance tango appropriate. Artemis moved them around the floor with practiced ease. He wasn't too concerned with flare or stunts. The passion in this dance didn't really require all the extra. A quick glance at the other couple indicated that perhaps they were equally wrapped up in their own dance. Maybe Jin had found himself someone special. Good for him. Artemis thought his friend deserved to be happy.

Focusing once again on his own date, he wondered if she was enjoying herself. She seemed to be, but still.

"Are you having a good time? If you like I can teach you more of the tango some other time."

[of course they could.]

Sorcha helpfully agreed but the defenses cracked at the very adorable look of canine embarrassement. She just couldn't help it; she smiled. Sorcha did at least stop herself from reaching out and hugging him like she would have done with Gwyn after he had done something he was certain she wouldn't like.

Instead, she placed a comforting hand on his shoulder and nodded.

[No doubt getting some fresh air might be a good thing.]

She couldn't imagine what it would be like to have a nose full of the strong polish scent. Normally Sorcha found it oddly comforting. It reminded her of the Convent and all the wood that was lovingly cared for by the nuns.

She stood and then looked towards where Marcus was sitting in confusion when Amir said something about dance partners. Could he see the Roman?

Marcus shook his head and regarded her with amusement. He nodded towards a group of gentlemen not far away and another man near the tables of food. Sorcha blushed and considered the possibility for a moment before deciding against it.

[No, I don't think I feel like dancing tonight besides most men find me way too tall.]

Gliding through the crowd, Sorcha led them outside.

((OOC: outness for Amir, Sorcha and various ghosts))

Pak blushed faintly. It was an unusual thing for her to do. Typically Pak his behind her subterfuge so well that only one, maybe two, people could guess what she was thinking. But she felt a bit more open around Artemis and had unconsciously let that particular gift of hers drop.

She recovered fast enough and was able to retort.

"I'm glad you've been planning ahead."Â?

It had been say that or take out his knees. And since she was enjoying the dancing so far the whole knees things seemed counter productive. Still she was a little surprised at her own boldness, but she didn't take it back.

Again she was grateful he was a good dancer. It was much easier to manage when you had a strong lead. Despite the best of intentions though she did step on his foot once. Stumbled, tried to correct it and stepped on the other one. Maybe she should have left the shoes under the table. Pak cringed, embarrassed, usually when she stepped on peoples feet it was because she meant it. Or at the very least they deserved it.

"Of course. I might need the lessons but if your feet hold out..."Â?

She was a little worried that he might be wishing for a better partner. One who didn't step on his feet and half threaten him. But she didn't want to dwell on it right then.

As the song came to an end, he turned and pointed to another on the list of practiced songs. Ash nodded and passed the info back to the others. The tango had been interesting. Jan personally wondered how many of those still on the dance floor were immortal. This day and age, how many people learned such things?

To be fair, he wasn't in his typical club setting and these were people used to socializing in a more upscale environment so perhaps more of them did learn proper ballroom dancing. It made more sense than assuming all of the ones not gyrating in some random fashion were crusty old vampires who remembered when these dances were fresh and forbidden.

He laughed to himself and definitely ruled out the drunk girl waving her arms languidly above her head as a potential ancient. An inner voice told him not to judge a book by its cover...who knows perhaps she was from ancient Egypt and that drunken arm waving was really some popular fad from the second century BC.

Tilting his head up to the ceiling for a moment, Jan waited as the music began behind him. It was slow and soft and he swayed slightly with it. Bringing the microphone close he drawled the opening lines of the song.

"Come to me run to me
do and be done with me
(cold cold cold)
Don't I exist for you
don't I still live for you
(cold cold cold)
Everything I present
giving with tenderness
wrapped in a ribbon of glass
Time it may take us but God only knows
how I've paid for those things in the past."

((OOC: Song is Cold by Annie Lennox ))

Jin found himself forgetting for the moment that he and Mara were here to socialize with the other people at the party. He was having a hard time remembering that she was Amir's daughter and that he was supposed to be escorting her to the event and nothing more.

He watched her as she moved around him, her leg twining with his. Her movements were hypnotic and Jin found himself enjoying the brief pause so that he could simply watch her dance. His breath caught in his chest as she clung to him and slowly slid down his body. He bent forward with her, bending his partner backwards in a dip.

Noting her soft smile, Jin leaned forward, touching his cheek to her's, his voice barely above a breath.

"I hope I have made a proper play thing for the beautiful feline."

Pulling away from her slightly, Jin gave her a languid smile of his own. Watching her with half closed eyes as the song came to an end.

"And that she will -perhaps- consent to play again some time."

Mara gave a slow blink when Jin's cheek touched hers and she heard his voice ever so faint in her ear. Right about then she realized she was dancing with someone she had barely just met and having a ridiculously good time at it. Impulsively she twined her arms around Jin's neck and rubbed her cheek against his, like a cat. As he pulled away she gave him an open, pretty smile.

"Most proper," she agreed softly, "and I think there is merit to mixing some pleasure with business."

Her eyes twinkled merrily behind their green contacts and she briefly wondered how Jin would enjoy the atmosphere at Shades'. Mara straightened, sliding her hands down Jin's back into a more formal hold, since the new song was a waltz. Another favorite; who didn't like a waltz?

Jin's words had seemed to imply that they should move off of the dance floor but the music had started and it did no good to stand there doing nothing, so until they settled on another course of action, well, she was going to milk the dance floor for all it was worth. They were here to socialize, after all, although Mara assumed that had meant 'with other people' and not with each other, as surprising an event as that had turned out to be. And a shame, too, because she was enjoying Jin's company and wouldn't have minded talking to him more.

The waltz seemed to be moving them further away from Pakpao and Artemis, but Mara suspected the two of them were doing just fine on their own, and if she and Jin were supposed to be social butterflies tonight they needed to visit a few more flowers.

It didn't seem like quite the odious task anymore.