high_seas | Masquerade Ball - Totally not an ambush

Oh, that voice. She would know it anywhere, if only for the fact that it far-too-often caused her to physically react when pitched just so - a little frisson up her spine, butterflies in her belly, or even an uncharacteristic weakness in her knees. Such reactions should have been warning signs that she was growing far too attached to the speaker, but it was much too late for any warnings to be heeded at this point.

Tilting her head, Elissa turned to Haytham as her lips quirked into a teasing smirk. "Are you offering to show them how it is done?" she asked.

"I should be able to manage something more respectable than this lot has been capible of."

A statement dryly said but with no biting edge, in the end it was only a small jest. There were some fine dancers here and while fully trained in the art of dance, he was by no means a master of it. Still when the music began to play he held out a hand to sweep the extraordinary lady into a Waltz.

"You found a..."

The small ship on her head was given a look as the craft almost looked ready to unfurl its sails and drift out to sea.

"...interesting hat."

He had been told of it but to see the thing in person! Haytham leaned closer so that his words, a mere whisper, might still be heard by her.

"Doesn't it draw too much attention?"

Strangely enough, this dance was so much like one from home that Elissa was at ease with the steps. She followed Haytham's lead without faltering, mouth curving into a smile at his whispered question. Perhaps she danced a little closer to him than was strictly respectable, but no one could fault her when her partner cut such a dashing figure in his Naval uniform.

"Only of the best sort," she murmured in amused reply. "Several men were convinced it was portraying their actual ship - though they were each from a different vessel. There are whispers that I might be an admiral's daughter or even a Navy captain in disguise despite my apparent youth."

"I trust you will be careful? Even that sort of attention could prove dangerous."

Perhaps even more so than the threat of arrest. There were many Naval men here, many were drinking and while most were behaving themselves as a proper gentleman should there was always the chance the drink would eventually go to their head. It could certainly go to hers.

"I'll not be here the entire time."

The style of dance called for him to step a few paces away, a moment in which the hushed conversation ended, before they were rejoined for a slow spin across the dance floor.

"There is some business in town I must see to, but we've a few hours until then."

Conveniently Waltzing behind one of the pillars supporting the upper balcony the brief hidden moment was seized to pull her close enough for his lips to lightly brush against her cheek.

"You do look stunning. It's little wonder you have become the belle of the Ball."

How could she not smile at that compliment and his little detour behind the pillar? "I have had many compliments tonight, but your's is the only one that truly matters," Elissa whispered in response. "Tis a pity you are so busy. I should like to try a tango with you, if possible. Do you know it?"

Through the slits of her silvery mask, her grey eyes were twinkling as Haytham led her through another graceful circle. The skirts of Elissa's costume were far more suited to a sweeping dance like the waltz than to something like the tango.

One of the odd quirks of being pulled to this world from such an early era, things commonplace to others are new and unheard of to you. So it was with this 'Tango' of hers. Haytham was from 1755 while the dance would not originate for another 138 years.
He had to shake his head and plead his lack of understanding.

"No, I am afraid I have not heard of it. Is it a dance from your world?"

"No, but such dances are on tonight's list. Twas one of the dances I learned for the ball," she confessed while giving his shoulder a little squeeze.

"Will you let me teach it to you in the future? It would be very entertaining, I'm certain." Elissa turned her head as she tried not to grin. "Tis almost like courting on the dance floor."

"Aren't all dances?"

After all here she was, in his arms, such a touch would be unseemly in any other context. He had no idea the kind of emotion or passion that would go into a dance like a tango. Something he was bound to fail epically at.

"Why not?"

He could walk into this small trap with a light smile.

"Might be fun, as you say."

Elissa was all too familiar with Haytham's reserved nature in public, but she had hopes he might emerge from that shell a bit during such lessons. As they slowly whirled past another couple, she took a split-second to take note of the sapphire necklace worn by the female of the dancing pair and she mentally added it to her 'List of Things to Take'.

"When this dance is over, will you believe me when I say that I need some air? Or will it seem a flimsy excuse to find a dark alcove with you?"

The look towards the woman's necklace was telling, but the soon-to-be-committed crime was overlooked. As needless as it was he saw no real reason to prevent the theft.

"I might prove gullible enough to accept the excuse as truth."

And as the music came to a graceful close she would have the chance to put her persuasive skills to the test.

When the dance ended, Elissa swayed toward Haytham as her step faltered and she shakily exhaled. "Oh! It suddenly seems rather warm in here," she offered with a unrepentant smile. "I almost feel unable to breathe." One hand was pressed to her waist. He would know very well that her corset wasn't laced too tightly as he was the one who did the lacing at the inn, but that didn't stop her from playing the damsel in distress.

Lowering her voice to a whisper, she added, "Perhaps a breath of cooler air would help?"

Haytham played his part as a perfect gentleman, reaching out to catch his dance partner before the poor dear swooned, but not without a sly grin. It was not the most discrete show of playacting but it worked well enough for the crowd who were more interested in their own party activities than the new couple.

"Of course, if you will allow me to escort you?"

The air outside was warm but held that certain crispness that wind carried over the ocean was known for, the smell of the surf, salt, and what few flowers had seen fit to bloom around the Navy's chosen dance hall.

Elissa closed her eyes for a moment as Haytham led her outside, letting the wind cool her skin. It really was nice to escape the swirling party for a few moments, especially with such fine company.

"If I faced the wind, I could almost imagine this was Highever, though the breeze from the Waking Sea has a slightly different scent. And... then there's the moon. It is still odd to me that there is only one moon in this sky."

The peaceful moment did afford him the chance to look up at the stars and breath in the evening breeze... Though he was getting tired of the smell of salty sea air it was nice to smell flowers again and to feel ground beneath your feet that didn't heave with every swell of the waves.

"I would find it odd if there were more than one."

But, silently he admitted it might be an interesting thing to see... if that ever proved possible.

"This place is so different than what we have both become accustomed to at home."

"It is, but I have come to greatly appreciate some of those differences," she said while threading her fingers through his as she spoke. Elissa turned her head to look at him through the mask that covered the upper half of her face. "Haytham, I..."

It was tempting to confess to him that she'd read his private journal, but she feared it would only anger him and now was not the time. Still, she understood him better now - and knew he felt more for her than he had yet to express. Knowing Haytham, he might never truly put his feelings into words, but she was still warmed by knowing he did care for her.

Elissa looked into his eyes and spoke his name but the near confession was misunderstood. Instead of searching herself for the courage to admit what she had read he believed this a quiet moment like the one she had hinted about inside... a chance to steal a small moment of affection from a beautiful companion.

But the moment was interrupted by the creaking of the door behind them and the squeaking of not yet worn in new dress shoes. Haytham stepped away before the secret rendezvous could be entirely uncovered though the man had to have seen hos close they were standing or even how their fingers had been entwined.

"My lady are you feeling well?"

The Navy man spoke with a deep voice, one used to command... and one quite familiar to Haytham. Even with a mask covering the majority of his face the Templar kept his back to the man. It had been dark on that night and there had been a good distance of sea between them but it was best not to risk being recognized. He had after all killed the man's Commanding Officer during that one profitable but less than subtle smuggling mission he and Ban had once attempted together.

"Forgiveness Ma'am, but you looked ill before. If you need some looking after I could send for a Doctor?"

"How kind of you to ask," Elissa said with a warm smile that completely masked her irritation at the interruption as she turned to face the officer. She pressed her hand to her waist once again as she had inside and laughed with apparent embarrassment. "The air has done me good. You know how it can be at the best parties - a little too much champagne, a few too many rich treats, and then too much dancing. I fear I got a bit too warm."

She took a half step toward the interloper. "This is very forward of me, but... Do you dance, sir?"

The Officer looked between her to her companion perhaps finding it odd that the other man had said nothing, but at her offer he did step forward and hold out a hand.

"Aye, Ms. I do a little. It would be a great pleasure to dance with you."

Again Haytham was given a good hard look.

"If you are feeling up to it Ma'am."

In truth, Elissa wanted to do nothing more than stay with Haytham, but it was difficult to miss the looks he was receiving from the Navy man. Had he done something to draw suspicion? If so, luring the enemy away to dance might be his best protection.

"Thank you for the dance and your aid, ser," she called to the silent Haytham even as she took the officer's hand. "I am feeling much better and would be delighted to dance with you," was said to the true Navy man. The words were accompanied by a winning smile.

Haytham bowed as one does when dismissed by a lady and casually made his escape to a more shadowed corner of the terrace. This too might have seemed odd if he hadn't looked back up at the sky upon reaching the rail. Perhaps the man was just an enthusiast of astronomy and wished a better look at the stars? It was not uncommon for one whose overly ambitious flirtations were denied to seek solace from the heavens.
Still...

"Curious one that."

The Officer watched Haytham walk away, trying his hardest to place this strange feeling, before looking back at Elissa and giving her a smile.

"If he gives you anymore trouble you come see ole Murray. I'll see him off for you."

Elissa's laughter drifted back to Haytham as she continued to charm the officer and slowly draw him away. "He was no trouble, sir. However, if I see him again, I shall give him a rather large hint about how things will go in the future."

"You said your name was Murray?" could just be heard before the pair was back inside the door.

Unseen of course given his back was still to them but how quickly a smirk formed as Elissa made mention of her hint. Yes, he could imagine how that would go.

"Aye, Ma'am. Murray Clayworth. I'm in charge of the docks, making sure they run well and we keep smuggles out of town. Been in charge since the Commander was murdered."

Murray was quick to pat her hand as he lead... or was lead by Elissa, back into the ballroom.

"Sorry Ma'am I shouldn't have made mention of that on a nice evening like tonight."

Edited 2014-05-06 02:24 (UTC)

"Murdered! What a terrible thing," Elissa agreed in a sympathetic tone as she returned to her role as a respectable citizen. "You are very brave and dutiful, Commander. Indeed, I thank you for all that you do to keep us safe. I am certain that I shall rest much easier now that I have met you."

Surely just one dance with this man would be enough to distract him from Haytham.

"Oh, aye, Ma'am nice of you to say."

The conversation alone was enough to distract him, a beautiful lady interesting in his line of work? Not many people really paid attention to the kinds of hardships men of his station had to deal with. The few compliments almost made it all seem worthwhile and the dance that followed was icing on the cake.

But even if he had remembered that strange man on the balcony and chanced to look back after him, Haytham would not be there to be found. He had slipped seamlessly back into the crowd as soon as it was possible to do so.

Masquerade Ball - Totally not an ambush

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