[ OPEN ] One time love, take care how you use it

[ombranera]

WHO: Zevran Arainai, Isabela, their audience
WHAT: Zevran and Company heat up a cold night with some steamy songs from up North.
WHEN: Current
WHERE: Tavern
NOTES: Bawdy songs, salacious dancing, coin being tossed- adult language and content.

It was cold, they were bored and a little tipsy, and Zevran had run through as many stories of the fifth blight that he could stand for the night, Isabela had run through as many suckers as she could get in her game of cards as would be lured in by her laugh and her bosom. Comfortably buzzed and not wishing to become maudlin Zevran began to pick out the notes to a rather saucy Antivan song- one he recited recently for Alistair. By the time he'd gone through the first verse with just the Lute Isabela was chortling. "You wouldn't actually-"

"Oh, mia Bella, I would. I truly would." Never one to step down from such a challenge, his plucking went from idle to strong with purpose, which only had Isabela throwing her head back and cackling.

Giggling, in her own way, warm and rich and turning a few heads. The atmosphere wasn't dire or dour but it could use a little spice. A little heat. Whether it was the sudden sharp strum that brought him back to the beginning or Isabela elbowing him in the ribs to actually start singing that got more heads, he couldn't say. by the time he hit the refrain and had nudged her enough to get her standing on the table, writhing along with the music? They certainly had the attention of most if not all of the tavern. When he hit the second call and response- half the women in attendance replied, egged on by Isabela on the table still- leaping onto another in time with the music.

As he had quite a few such pieces in his repertoire, they had all night to fill with song and dance and bawdy intent.

[ ooc: tag around and have a party, everyone's game! ]

Comments

[ombranera]

"As you wish." His smirk is absolutely wicked but his hand gentle as it combs through her hair, a faint distraction from how he was unlacing his shirt. His vest he'd long since removed in the interest of movement- the shirt follows easily. To peel it off he rolls back up onto his knees and makes a show of it, a few flashes of skin here, a teasing glimpse of the tattooed skin below before he whips it off and tosses it back amongst his things. Isabela won't take it.

Most likely.

She'll probably sell it.

[serannas]

Ellana watches with a sort of detached interest. He's handsome, to be sure, and his very presence commands her attention, but with so much happening lately, the dark cloud will take a bit of time to blow away to allow clear skies again. Despite that, she keeps smiling for him, because there's no need to bring anyone down with her. She would never want that.

Once his shirt is off, her eyes travel down his body, but instead of a whoop or a cheer, she simply says, "I didn't know you had tattoos there too."

[ombranera]

"I have tattoos all over, Mia Bella." He drops back down to his knees, facing her properly- and the coil of ink curving past his ribs and under the waistband of his trousers is all the more visible up close. He winks, slow and saucy. "All. Over."

[serannas]

It's hard to stay steeped in one's worries when Zevran is near. Ellana exhales a short laugh as her eyes take in the sight of him, bronzed and beautiful.

"You look to be having the best time. I'm glad." She knows Merrick is his student, and wonders if Zevran's been having any trouble with him since she and Korrin tried to help him in the Mire and saw what they weren't supposed to see. But she can't ask. Now that she's inadvertently invaded Merrick's privacy, she can't continue forward and do it more. She has to just leave him be.

"And this place could do with some cheering up." Her included.

[ombranera]

"Perhaps I might teach you some of the dances as well as the songs on the lute, yes?" He reaches out again, curling his fingers in hers for a moment. There was a lull between songs, he could be affectionate without undue notice. "Is there anything I might do to bring you to smile, Ellana? You have been so somber as of late; it saddens me to know the world is leaving you blue."

[serannas]

"I could try," she answers with a little hesitation. It's just that the way he's dancing is so new and different, that she isn't sure she could capture the spirit of it.

His concern causes tears to spring to her eyes unbidden, but she's quick to smile, hoping that pretending to be fine will force them back. She doesn't want to drop her low feelings onto him, but at the same time, she's felt she's had no one she can talk to or confide in. Others might wonder why she doesn't confide in her clan, but she feels so set apart from them for various reasons. Gavin, who she used to confide in, is no longer her confidante. They had a falling out in the Fallow Mire, and though they made up, she knows things have changed forever. And there is Merrick, who she now knows was leaving presents for her, ignoring her very existence. She knows Beleth would rather her twin be the other mage here than Ellana, Cyril can never be serious, and Pel has an air of authority about her that has never allowed Ellana to feel at ease with her. But she's made friends here; surely she can talk to one of them? Her mind immediately goes to Felix, and she can't bear the thought of burdening him with her troubles when he's so ill and may slip away any day.

She swallows the lump in her throat. "Maybe you could teach me a dance, and we could talk. But I-- I wouldn't wish to speak here. And I don't want to take you away... maybe when you're free, we could meet?"

[ombranera]

"Tomorrow." The offer is immediate; there is nothing he would like more than to enjoy her company, to teach her these dances. It would be something new and every step has a story- she does so enjoy his stories- something of home for him, something for her to learn and immerse herself in rather than what is weighing her down. He cannot stand to see so lovely a woman beside herself- and he cannot think of what it is that would pin her normally buoyant spirit so low.

"Instead of lute lessons, we shall dance; and you might tell me what troubles you so. Perhaps that might make it a lighter burden to bear, yes?"

[serannas]

Agreeing to his plan comes easily, with a quick nod of her head. These thoughts are so jumbled up together and weighing her down, and she doesn't know what to do with them. She hasn't felt this low in years.

"Yes, please. Thank you, Zevran. You are a true friend."

[ombranera]

His hand rests against her cheek for a moment, feeling her skin, feeling her smile. "You are welcome, Ellana. Always."

Sentiment may not be his coin in trade- but he can listen to those that carry it easily enough.

fast forward?

[serannas]

She leaves him to his revelry for the evening, calling it an early night. The next day she finds him and spreads out her arms to display herself.

"Here I am, ready to be the student once more."

Ker-timeskip!

[ombranera]

"And such a lovely student you are, Ellana." Zevran smiles easily, not near as hungover as he had been a month ago. "Which would you rather attempt first? The Antivan or the Rivaini?"

[serannas]

"How can you even ask that? The Antivan one, of course!" Ellana knows Zevran enough to know that her choice would be both a nice compliment and most likely something he's an expert at, because he is a man of many skills. A dance from his homeland must come as easily as breathing.

[ombranera]

"Ah, excellent choice. For this the posture is quite stiff and upright- it is best if I show, you, yes?" He steps around to stand behind her, one hand resting lightly on her hip, the other on her shoulder. "Imagine a hook in your just pulling upward and outward- your spine is straight, your shoulders back, your chin up."

[serannas]

Ellana does as he instructs, ending with her chin lifted.

"Like this?" It's nice to have his hands on her again. She's been lacking in physical affection lately, and that plus her moping has left her feeling like quite the nobody that no one would touch with a six foot staff.

[ombranera]

The hand on her hip slips up to rest along her ribs, feeling out her posture for a moment before he steps away to check. "Perfect. You are to stand tall, like a queen, like Mythal- proud and powerful."

[serannas]

"Like Mythal?" she asks, arching her back just a little more. Mythal felt approachable and kind in Ellana's eyes, yet at the same time, she could see her standing like this, gliding effortlessly.

"And then what do I do?"

[ombranera]

"Your arms-" He positions them gently, the basic position of the slightly bent elbow, one high over her head, one low, swept off to the side as though holding a skirt. "This dance renders your body an instrument- and it is ever improvised. So long as our shoulders back and your elbows are bent, you may snap or clap as you please to keep your rhythm going."

[serannas]

"Oh, yes. I remember you doing that. But this makes the dance sound easier than it looks." Still frozen in place, she continues. "What now?"

[ombranera]

"Now we step with the heel- this is why the fashion in lower Antiva is to wear hard leather sole'd boots, it makes for better sound with the dancing." Zevran stepped off to one side so she might watch him bring his heel down hard once, the sound cracking even on the hard ground. "Thusly."

[serannas]

Ellana smirks, pleased she chooses to wear boots everyday instead of go barefoot. She brings her heel down as he does and lets out a hum.

"It's good of you to take the time to do this. I know you must be busy with training others in weaponry and other rogue skills."

[ombranera]

"What good is it to fight and to train if we do not remember what it is we fight to save?" He gives another stamp, adding a clap for her to emulate. "And what better way to remind myself than to share one of my favorite pastimes with someone that will adore it as much as I?"

[serannas]

She copies his movements, finding them to be easy so far. The sharp, hard movements are different than the carefree, flowy way she would dance around the fires at camp whenever the Dalish had an occasion to celebrate. But she likes different. She likes learning.

"Is it really one of your favorites? You must be talented in so many things."

[ombranera]

"Dance? Dance is as close to lovemaking as you can be while fully dressed. It is a seduction that goes beyond all language and culture. Everyone can understand it, everyone can engage in it, and everyone can enjoy it." Another step, a half turn and a second, harder stomp. "It is music and life. What is not to love?"

[serannas]

"Ah, in that case, lovemaking must be your favorite activity," she says, and even though her tone is teasing she may very well be serious about that.

She steps, turns, and stomps her foot. Then, calling over her shoulder, "Is this dance used to seduce people?"

[ombranera]

"But of course." He crackles with laughter, turning now so she might see how it is done- another stomp and clap, the rippling of his fingers in a sharp series of snaps. "All dance is used for seduction, Ellana. This is- a little more forward than most save the Tango."