Roaring 20's!

[Elizabeth Constance]

As he repeated her name when it was spoken, his accent made it sound so elegant. It made her smile and it was almost as if she was entranced. His skin was flawless like honey and she caught herself starting to stare but not because he was odd but the exact opposite, he was incredibly handsome.

Turning her attention back the dancers as she took a drink from her glass. She was lucky to be talking to him and he clearly didn't know of her history in this city due to her exes but honestly it was refreshing to not have anyone judge her. She did have admit that he won in the genetic lottery but was it a fluke on his genetics or was that allurist charms at play. Either way, it worked. Her eyes drifted back to him as he began to answer her question because she didn't want him to think that she was rude. Canting her head only slightly as he stated that he was confused. A soft chuckle slipped passed her lips as the question was presented with a small nod. "Well I am a workaholic for starters and though that I should have a night off to reconnect with the community." A slight shake of her head at the second question that was presented to her. "No...there is no husband or boyfriend or even a lover. I sadly have been a free agent for quite sometime. How about you? Is there anyone that attempts to keep you warm at night?"

The grin on his face was brilliant and captivating. He was confident and that to her was sexy because it showed a persons true personality as it was hard to feign confidence. If they weren't a confident person but tried, there were tells in their face and how their shoulders set and yet here he was a perfect image of confidence and it turned her own. Running a hand over her dress to keep her distracted but then the thought hit her. Finishing her drink and setting the empty glass on the counter. She stepped forward just enough to turn towards him and put her hand out to him in an offer. "Care for a dance?"

[Henry Craven]

The young Allurist was still rather ignorant when it came to their kind. The politics, the culture, the physicalities, and most certainly their individual reputations. Henry had, in fact, never seen so many immortals gathered in one place before and wondered how many more were hidden in the shadows, shunning the glare of modernity and revelry. With that being said, how many felt comfortable and familiar in their 1920s get-up tonight? Such a thought was dazzling to him, far more so than the whiskey that chilled in his hand. He gave it a passing glance, admired the firelight encapsulated in the floating cubes of ice as he gave the tumbler a swirl, and then easily returned his focus to Elizabeth. She was a feast for the eyes. The only trouble he had was deciding where to start, where to linger, where to allow his gaze to stray for a few seconds too long to be considered polite, and where to fix his sights at last.

“I am so fortunate that you chose to come out this evening, then,” Henry replied to her mention of being a workaholic. “It would be… a great tragedy for us all if you would stay hidden away.”

Henry casually drew the whiskey from his tumbler as Elizabeth confessed she was single; the act concealed his grin neatly, allowing him to ready a sinfully sweet smile as he returned to her.

“Not yet,” he said.

His jade eyes roamed over her from head to toe to emphasise an unspoken meaning to his words. Of course, the truth was multi-faceted, raw umber shades beneath the scarlet promise of seduction, but the illusion could spare them, hold them, just for one night. Elizabeth shifted in her seat, her slender fingers brushing down the length of her thighs and snaring ribs of fabric and sequins. Henry watched her intently as she then emptied her glass, tipped her chin to her shoulder, and was suddenly on her feet. A step or two away from the bar and she had turned back to him, offering her hand. Henry’s gaze swept over her wrist out of habit before he smiled into her eyes and accepted the gesture.

“You’re stealing all the best moves,” he told her as he looped his arm around hers, leading them toward the dancefloor. “You’re going to allow me to lead, at least.”

Truthfully, the moves featured in swing dancing weren’t credited for in his repertoire, but Henry was confident that they could move along with the rhythm of the music regardless. Becoming a Vampire had not stripped him of the feeling when the heart and soul of the music permeated him to the core, encouraging his limbs to take up energy and flow in sync. The flappers and the gentlemen jived and cascaded, pushing about the floor around them in maddening circles. Henry grinned at Elizabeth as he found them a spot among the dancers, their bodies then quickly closing together like a book as he took up her both hands. The same burnished light that warmed the edges of their entwined fingers made her eyes sparkle.

“Well then, let’s dance, Elizabeth.”

Henry moved his left foot backward in a smooth motion, sliding across the slick floor. At the very same time, he released her right hand, his body twisting in the same direction as to swing away from her. The trumpeters volleyed as he reeled her toward him, unable to give her up. She fell into him; his strong arms wrapping her tight, her perfume encircling his senses. They paused, toe to toe, and he pulled her hips in close. The texture of their clothing felt like razors to the skin, still his fingertips pressured the meat of her upper thighs. Threatening to brush his lips against hers, they alighted to dance again as the beat kicked in; shimmying left, and then right, before their bodies were knitted together once again. Henry crossed his arms around her, protecting her, before casting her out this time. He pushed her away as though she were too terrible to keep, yet too wonderful to be near. Still, he held on to her left hand with his right, catching her as their arms pulled taut and spinning her out and away - a glittering black diamond on the dancefloor.

[Elizabeth Constance]

Lizzie had to admit that even with the ritual in place, it was good to see all members of their community gathered at the party that walked different paths of this life, come together and act civilly towards each other. It gave her hope that it was truly possible that they could all work together towards the greater good. However she had to remind herself that this was a party and even if networking could be possible, she was willing to ignore the politics and even enjoy the evening that was presented to her and the beautiful man that was at her side. Tonight she would continue to do as she hoped and not work.

There was a spark in her soul as he said that he was glad that she had decided to join the party. She hadn't thought that anyone would feel that it was a tragedy should she have remained hidden. In fact she knew that many probably wouldn't have wanted to see her face though she had hoped that with all the time that had passed and her extended stay out of the city for business had granted her the chance for redemption. The man at her side though didn't seem to know of her past but this was just a single night of freedom from her personal prison. A brow perked as he had answered her question with two simple words and there was a small twinge of hope that if tonight would go well, they could exchange numbers to see each other once again. Taking note as his took his time to graze over her body, it gave the silent answer to the hope she not spoken aloud, though she had to wonder if she accidentally sent it to him mentally.

Standing before him now with her question presented, he didn't waste time to accept but he made her smile as he acknowledged that she keeps stealing the best moves. It was clear that she hadn't had the company of another in sometime that she had simply forgot that at times there was a certain way that most things take place. She was acting in the matter of a man chasing a woman and hadn't given him the opportunity to persue her. Nodding her head towards him before her eyes met his once again. "I do apologize, Henry, I did not want to waste an opportunity." As his took her arm into his, she smiled up at him. "Of course, I am not entirely without manners."

As he guided her to the dance floor, her eyes gazed upon the dancers that had already taken to the dance floor. Lizzie would admit that she had never danced to swing before as she had only ever attended royal parties where the waltz or some thing more stiff and stuffy were accustomed. This would be a fun attempt and prayed that she would not step on his toes. As a spot was found, her eyes left the dancers and met his. The butterflies began to flutter once again as their bodies closed the space between them and their fingers entwined. Those brilliant jade orbs looked upon her and for a split second, she thought that he could see into her soul to see her completely. A sweet smile on her face and a slight single nod as he spoke, their dance began.

He started to lead and in her mistake, as his foot went back, her foot went forward as in the old traditional dances that she was used to but recovered as he released her right hand and twisted away from her. Her eyes lit up as the music rang through her ears and he pulled her to him. Twisting toward him, her free hand grabbed his arm as she fell into him. He embraced her tightly ensuring that she was safe even if she lost her footing. Her eyes looked up at him as they paused and he held her close. Biting at her lower lip as his fingertips placed their pressure to her thighs before he pulled her hips to him. His own hips teased as they brushed up against her but the music caught them both and she knew the steps now as she was a quick learner...and she cheated by using her mind to look up a video to fast-forward through. Shimming her hips as she moved in the opposite direction of him before she pressed to him. A genuine giggles escaped her as he spun her out away from him. Her eyes glittered back at him as the spin was complete and their arms were outstretched but he had to be using his allurist charms as she couldn't be away from him for to long as there was a slight pull on her arm and she twirled back to him. Sequins sparkled in the lights with each move as if she was a disco ball. Her body pressed against his and her right hand pressed against his chest, she spoke softly. "Tell me....what are you thinking about? I promise not to pry."

[Henry Craven]

The second they’d started dancing, the majority of Henry’s apprehension had melted in the joint swell of music and pleasure. She felt right in his arms, and he was caught up in hers; the steps flowing between them like sighs slipping against a silk pillow. His breaths, short and swift, sometimes brushed her hair, sometimes caressed the nape of her neck, and sometimes stroked her cheek as they continued to encircle one another. He saw the thrill glitter in her eyes like starlight, and her lips curled in an appealing crescent as she giggled. He was getting a different view of her now; the picture of this fanciful, refined Elizabeth was taking on form and three-dimension. After the tiniest stumble of footing in the beginning, she had recovered like a professional and they kept pace and flow; cutting through the dancefloor as a pair of mute swans engaged in their elegant courtship ritual.

The lively cadence of the jazz music faded into insignificance behind the sound of her voice. Jade orbs lifted to her eyes as he smiled; this wicked, teasing grin that merely winked at the true thoughts throbbing in his head. He was desperate to dance away from the truth, shroud it with something less sinister and less lewd so that she might not scurry away from him as if he were the beast to her beauty. However, she then told him that she wouldn’t pry on his thoughts and Henry’s brow grew heavy with both confusion and concern. Suddenly, ignorance wasn’t so much a blessing as it was a curse. What Henry didn’t know about his Kindred would surely come to his ruin, so perhaps the truth - even in part - could save him.

“I was just thinking,” he murmured, before twisting her about within his grip. “You’re not like anyone I’ve ever met, Elizabeth.”

They stood, front to back and yet cheek to cheek, his cool breath glazing her right shoulder as their bodies rocked casually to the beat. As his fingers were entwined with hers, he could marvel the weight and temper of her hand and how it might be composed of some supernatural matter unknown to him for its combined weightlessness and marble-softness. The most noticeable part however, was likely the least obvious, and that her hands were not smouldering in his cooler grip like many mortals’ tended to be. Henry idly and tenderly massaged her fingers within his own as they continued their slow-dance.

“You are an incredible dancer,” he added. “Do you practice at work, hmm? When no one is watching. Or, when you think no one is watching. I admit, it’s hard to take my eyes off you.”

[Elizabeth Constance]

The world easily melted away with each move they made across the dance floor. Forgetting those around them and any attentions that might have made their way towards them as they danced. For once in her life, she had no reservations and finally let herself be free in the presence of this stranger that she was slowly growing fond of. The breaths upon her hair with the caresses that followed to her neck and cheeks only made her body feel like it was melting slowly like a well designed Jell-O mold. He was gentle and suave but she was sure that there was a side of him that was dark as she found in most of her kind. That wouldn't make her shy away though as it wouldn't be the first time she had entertained someone that had two sides of them. It was common to see a very Jekyll/Hyde situation with their kind.

Each new twist and turn exhilarated her and the giggles of delight continued to erupt from her. Brilliant blue orbs met those gorgeous Jade orbs before her and the breath she had worked up from dancing caught in her throat like a large lump. The wicked grin upon his lips made her want to peak at his thoughts but she had said that she wouldn't pry and she planned to keep to that promise. She was aware of the voices in her head but she knew how to keep them at a dull murmur and know how to keep certain thoughts away. She was learning his voice so she would block out any sounds that resembled his voice or accent to keep her promise to him. Twirling away once more before she was pulled back to him, her back to his chest. Her hands rested upon his as the music changed to a slower song. She began to sway with him as it gave them a small break to get to know each other.

She couldn't deny that his words were like silk in her ears. Smiling as he said that she was like no other and he wasn't wrong. Yes she had occasionally acted like the others by attacking when she is attacked or threatening those that put her family at risk but most of the time, she led much of her life like a human. She cared for her kind but also that of the human race, her businesses and her compassion showed it. She couldn't even feed off of them as she didn't have fangs but that was a tale she would express with only a select few but it was at her own hand. "Well if we were all the same, life would be quite boring. Would it not?"

A light sigh escaped her as her eyes closed, his breath on her shoulder teased her as they rocked and swayed to the tantalizing music. His hands were slightly rough as if he had gone without moisturizer a few days or maybe he worked with is hands and took great care of them except for the few stubborn bits. Lizzie kept their fingers entwined but her thumb did rub over the top of his hand as she smiled. He was seductive but this was work all of his own as she had been affected by many Allurist powers before and this was entirely different. A light chuckle slipped from her lips as his words continued to flow. "Thank you, though I do have to admit that I did a quick search on the internet when I stumbled a moment ago. Though I do like to dance but I am by far a professional." She turned her head up to look back at him and smiled. "Thank you though I could not do it all on my own, you are quite the dancer yourself." She placed a soft kiss to his cheek. "Thank you for indulging me. You are handsome and strong, thank you for catching me earlier and not letting me fall in front of everyone." She quickly stopped as she realized she was talking too much which was a curse of hers. Smiling softly as she leaned into him as they swayed, she revealed in the moment with her eyes closed to drown out the world so that it was just them.

[Henry Craven]

It was when she revealed her secret dance lessons that Henry grew even more concerned. Elizabeth was giving him the distinct impression that she had access to this invisible plane of existence, one where she could effortlessly read his intentions and learn dance moves from the internet. Still, he was at least able to disguise his unease in the way he moved, smiled, and purred an agreement into her ear. Indeed, it would be boring if they were all the same. Henry had been a charmer long before he’d been turned into a Vampire, and as with all Kindred, his magnetism and seduction had only been heightened to magical proportions. Now he had a certain presence; hypnotic like a car crash and as inexorable as humming along to Christmas jingles - even in July. It was difficult for most Humans to resist these preternatural tendrils that provoked false reveries of seduction, and without really trying, it seemed that he could make other Vampires warp and stretch, curling around his fingers like warm toffee.

“Think nothing of it,” he said.

She was twirled once more in his arms to face him and they continued to sway as the music slowed to a romantic tempo. Elizabeth seemed to relax into him and he watched as she closed her eyes and her head tilted toward his shoulder. Henry could only encourage her. Her lips had left a sweet tingle on his cheek, burning through his defences to where he couldn’t contain the cheery smile on his face. But, like the crush of a falling wall, it suddenly occurred to him that she might have other abilities up her sleeve beyond the terror that came from being able to read his mind, exposing his flattery for the surface-level fancy that it had been. Maybe Elizabeth was charming him, too. Though, surely not for the same reason. She was an intelligent one, prudent enough to be aware of her situation and adapt. Her reputation must have been important to her on some level too, to not risk wading onto the dancefloor like an ice-skating giraffe. But if all that were true, why continue to praise him and lure him to her in the first place.

It was then that Henry’s perfect facade cracked. The muscles in his arms flexed and his shoulders stiffened. His discomfort made his movements less graceful as a result to where he fell out of sync with the music. It might not have been all that obvious to onlookers, but it was as substantial as a splitting faultline to him. The more he focused on how his appearances had slipped, the more he obsessed on it. Before long, there was nothing else on his mind - nothing but him, Elizabeth, and this mounting feeling of uncomfortable want. Heat visibly rose to Henry’s cheeks and he tenderly ran his fingers along Elizabeth’s waist as if to summon all of their focus on it - that smooth glide of stroking skin, instead of his clumsiness.

“We could dance all night, if you’d like,” Henry whispered into her ear. “Or we can find something else to do. Somewhere else.”

[Elizabeth Constance]

He seemed as if it was no big deal that she had thanked him for catching her but she was fully aware that others would let her fall. He was kind and gracious, a pleasant surprise than what she was used to. So many manipulated her in the past and yet, she didn't get that feeling from him; though she would admit that at times, she was a poor judge of character as she always wanted to see the best in people. It was one of her better qualities though also one of her greater faults. She didn't want to believe that everyone was terrible or had hidden agendas.

Her eyes closed gently as she swayed with him, letting the music guide them to an exotic world. It was like there was an invisible bubble around them, like there was nothing in the world that could tear them apart or hurt them and yet it was all a dream. Her mind was beginning to wander and for a few moments, she wasn't sure what was real or not any longer. It was his words that drew her back to reality in response to thanking him. Lizzie felt as if she was floating on air.

Smiling as he left her go only for another yet final twirl. Her eyes lit up brightly as she came back to him. Her left arm wrapped around him and her right rested on his shoulder. The more they swayed to the beautifully melodic tune, she let a soft sigh escape her and her head slowly moved to rest upon his right shoulder. She was completely lost in the moment and a smile graced her lips as his fingers danced around her waist. Her mind wandered but not how it normally would, this was a focus only on him and for once, she didn't care about work.

It had seemed that time seemed to stop as if they had been dancing for an eternity even though it had only been minutes. The words he spoke now, reignited the butterflies in her stomach. Lifting her head to look him in the eyes, she smiled and gave a simple nod. "Dancing with you is glorious but yes, let us leave. I would like to get to know you better."