An+Invitation+to+a+Celebration

"So..." Lairesul casually fell into step beside the red-haired arcanist as she walked through the halls of the arcane university. Above them, great skylights were open to bathe them in sunlight. The floor was solid white with swirls of blue marble, poured with a perfect smooth surface. Wisps of light hung in the air and other students were busily entering and exiting the doors to magical classrooms around them. Lorwyn turned in surprise, snapping her book closed, and grinned at him, "Res!" He smiled with charming grace and offered her his arm as he escorted her down the hall, continuing, "Will I see you at the festival at the temple tonight?" "Festival?" Lorwyn paused her steps and tilted her head. The pale-blonde sorcerer raised an eyebrow, "The one they have monthly... at the temple of Hanalil... during the full moon? ...dancing? ...flirting?...frivolity? ...it's tonight." "Oh!" Lorwyn nodded, "I've never been... I don't know how to dance." Stunned, the suave elf stared at her blankly for a moment, his words faltering, "Y-you've never been? ...but you're the high priestess's daughter... and... a noblewoman who... you've never been to //any// dances?" The young arcanist smiled and shook her head, hugging her book to her chest, "I told you before that I don't get out much."

He nodded, biting his lip for a second in thought before smiling at her, "Come on... I'll teach you." He slipped an arm around her, leading them off to go down the spiraling staircase of one of the towers. "But..." Lorwyn glanced back over her shoulder, "We have... classes." "This one is more important," he nodded to her. The young red-haired elf laughed and followed him willingly down the stairs.

"In here," he touched a door with scribed runes of gold on the wall, using magic to unlock it. A soft musical chime played as the door opened to his command. He stepped into the dim room beyond, and extended his hand back to her, "Coming?" Lorwyn didn't even glance back to the stairs as she took his hand and followed him into the room. He slid the door closed behind them, touching magical runes on the other side of the wall as again a magical chime played. Their eyes quickly adjusted to the warm rosy light coming from the windows draped in long translucent red silk. Musical instruments were hung on one of the walls, and the wide open wooden floor was perfect for dancing. "All of the classrooms are pretty guarded from the others, but this room is especially sealed off for noise so that the bards don't interfere with the other classes... and they don't have a class today... they should be in the upper hall practicing for their upcoming concert." She blinked up at him, "How do you know all of this?" She gazed around the quiet classroom. It was small and welcoming. Instead of books, there were many sections of parchments assembled on the shelves. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">The blue eyed sorcerer smiled, stepping closer, "Let's just say that I like to look around... know what my options are." He winked at her. He didn't bother mentioning that Seldana also had a sister who he happened to know who was a bardess.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Let's start with something easy," he opened a box that released golden glittering dust, drawing music notes in the air as it played a slow and romantic melody. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Lorwyn's cheeks blushed a light pink as he placed his hand on her back and pulled her closer to him. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Step as I step... you just have to follow my lead, staying close," he smiled as she looked down at their feet and he lifted her chin so that her eyes met his. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Butterflies fluttered in her chest and stomach and her heart beat wildly. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">He smiled, looking into her gold eyes, "Look at me, relax, and just feel the music." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">His blue eyes were so easy to get lost in... and she started to relax.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">He led her slowly, encouraging her as they moved around the room, "Good, now try to step //with// me... as I step, you step... together now." He swept her around the room with grace and charm for over an hour until they were both nearly out of breath. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"So..." he dipped her down and leaned in, supporting her back, and looked into her eyes, his lips hovering so close to hers, "You'll be at the celebration at the temple tonight?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">She bit the center of her lower lip, letting it slide slowly back into place, full and red, and nodded her head twice.