What A Time You'll Have |Grandisle, Firegem Isles

[Kender Bard]

"Then have a wonderful evening," Delilah bid him. "I'll not be far in case you need help getting away from a particularly persistent man or woman."

"Do I get another dance, Majesty?" Timothy asked hopefully.

"I think you had enough for now," she told him. "Off you go." She gave Crawford another pleasant smile that stretched for a few moments--as though she was more reluctant to leave him alone than she had indicated--but she turned away and began to seek out a partner.

[Darastrix]

Do I come across as that poor at handling myself here? he wondered. Although, considering that these games were unlike anything he'd ever participated in, he supposed he couldn't blame her if that were the assumption.

I should ask her. He wanted to ask her. She was a pleasant companion and seemed to be one of the few he could trust to not drag him into something. But...Delilah. He didn't want to start a dance with this one and end up associating her with his Delilah...who, by her own admission, had never been his in the first place.

He'd pick a different partner, for now. Preferably one close to his own age who'd be less eager to play silly games. Thus resolved, he glanced around the ballroom, hoping to find such a woman.

[Kender Bard]

A little bit of hunting revealed such a woman. She did not react with overly intense enthusiasm to Crawford's presence, but she was polite, if a little softspoken and shy. Her name was Zizi Glimmer.

"I saw the queen showing you our dances," she admitted to him. "An adequate teacher, though not the best dancer on the island. I hope you don't find the dances difficult."

[Darastrix]

"They are rather different from the dances I know, but I think I'll be able to pick them up," Crawford replied. Good. Not a "shark." Extending his hand, he added, "If you are not otherwise engaged, would you care to be the first to test me?"

[Kender Bard]

Zizi's eyes widened and she look puzzled a moment before she smiled and took his hand. "I-I'd be honored. Thank you so much, lordship. I'll dance a little slower if you like, so you can get your footing."

[Darastrix]

"I'd appreciate it," Crawford said as he started to lead Zizi out on the floor. "And I'm not opposed to be corrected."

[Kender Bard]

Zizi agreed to give her assistance where she could, and did actually pause long enough to point out an error or something that needed work. She was at ease with dealing with a novice dancer, however, and didn't seem to mind the missteps and mistakes. "That was pleasant," she told Crawford at the end of the song, smiling. "With enough practice, I think you'll be sweeping women off their feet in no time. Speaking of..." She flicked her eyes over to where a few women of varying ages were watching them, clearly hoping to get the chance to ask for the next dance. "Evidently I'm not the only lady here who minds your inexperience in favor of your presence."

[Darastrix]

"Mm." Crawford glanced toward them briefly as well. He didn't know whether women asked men for dances on Grandisle as a rule, but he decided it was best to err on the side of caution and assume that they did. So the question was, approach one of them or head off to find a partner in another direction?

"I believe my dance card will be very full tonight," he commented. "Which is fortunate, as I do like to dance. And it was a pleasure dancing with you." He bowed to Zizi. "Perhaps, if our paths cross again, I'll be a better partner. Please, excuse me."

He'd just meet the women head-on, he decided. If he began walking away, they might think him timid or afraid and start forming little such groups around him in every direction. Crawford moved with purpose toward one of the women who, again, looked a bit closer to his own age. "I see you are without a partner at present. Would you give me the pleasure of dancing the next with me?"

[Kender Bard]

The woman gave Crawford her very best sultry look and purred, "I would be charmed to do so, Lord Crawford." Casting the other women who had waited with her a triumphant look, she took his hand and walked off to dance.

---

Crawford's popularity couldn't be put into question--he was relentlessly pursued by women of all ages who wanted a chance to dance with him or even just linger and chat a little over a drink or a bite to eat. Delilah did not approach him again--she had her own sea of men to contend with, a parallel to Crawford's dilemma.

A couple of people did try to draw him into their 'games' but they were easily rebuffed. There was a whisper going around the room that a carefully worded request by Delilah had caused Volcana to be ejected from the premises and nobody wished to catch themselves in the queen's annoyance.

Of course not all advances were political ones. The woman who was currently dancing with Crawford, a woman a little younger than Crawford but not by much, had spent most of the time flirting with him in various ways before she suddenly asked, "Are you finding your quarters in the palace to your liking?"

[Darastrix]

Crawford hadn't minded the flirting, and in fact had even participated a bit over the course of the evening, though he was careful to make no promise to anyone, real or implied. "Very much so," he replied. "Your queen has been a most gracious hostess, and my accommodations are quite comfortable."

[Kender Bard]

"Though a change in scenery is always pleasant," the woman went on. "And most of the great houses rival the palace in luxury. If you find yourself wanting for new beauty to gaze upon, then I am quite certain we could find room for you in House Tamati."

[Darastrix]

"A generous offer," Crawford acknowledged, "But I've not even stayed two nights in the palace, and I don't particularly enjoy moving from one residence to another during a trip."

[Kender Bard]

"As you wish," the woman answered. "The offer will be on the table for as long as you are here on Grandisle."

She curtsied to him politely at the song's end and left the matter at that, walking off to find some new prey or company. For the first time in the night, really, there were not girls waiting or hoping to catch Crawford's eye for a dance.

[Darastrix]

The parade of women had been so constant through the night, Crawford was surprised at the lull. He decided not to question his momentary good fortune and enjoy the respite. Overall, it had been a good evening, but he welcomed the chance to catch his breath, bot literally and figuratively.

He made his way to the refreshment tables for a cool drink and stood facing the room as he sipped it slowly. If he'd been so sought after just for being a foreign noble, Delilah must have been as well. Her rank was greater than his, and as an unwed ruler.... Forces, even if she enjoyed social functions, they had to be a trial as well. Crawford let his gaze wander the room, looking to see whether the queen had gotten a break from her admirers as well.

[Kender Bard]

Delilah was dancing away with another man, though she seemed to be enjoying herself, grinning and throwing herself into her dancing with an enthusiastic passion. When her partner leaned over and mouthed something in her ear, her grin faded to a shadow of itself but she just pat his cheek and concluded the dance a little early. Immediately another man stepped forward, taking her hands up. Delilah grimaced and pulled back, informing the suitors around her that if she didn't get a rest she would simply die of exhaustion.

She took the opportunity she made for herself and hastened over to the refreshment table as well after spotting Crawford there. Taking her own glass, she drained half of its contents quickly and came over to stand by him. "Well!" she exclaimed. "Tonight certainly has been busy for us both. Every time I looked over at you, you were on the arm of someone. I'm surprised your feet haven't fallen off."