[h1][center][color=5486ae]John[/color] [img]https://imgur.com/oHbL5Rk.png[/img] [color=F4BC5E]Layla[/color][/center][/h1][hr]

[color=silver]John did not have to enjoy the plain glass of water plainly alone for too long. He could see a couple of servants making their ways around the room with a bowl, and people were getting a slip of paper from it. Unfortunately, and perhaps because he didn’t look important enough appearance-wise, the servant casually ignored him and handed the bowl to a…more lavishly dressed older gentleman, apparently a duke in Caesonia as well, standing next to him. All of which made the doctor perch his lips and shrug his shoulders. After all, it was revealed to be for a dance, something he was fine with staying out cause he never was a good dancer.  

However, the duke too wasn't a big fan of this ordeal either. 

[color=gray]”Bah, humbug…I thought this was for some gift draws.”[/color] He muttered, and swung his head both ways, stopping as he noticed the doctor looking at him. [color=gray]”Here. You look lively, you can dance right young man?”[/color] It wasn’t a question though, [color=gray]”Take it.”[/color] as the duke drilled that slip of paper onto the doctor’s hand and quickly walked away. 

[color=5486ae]”Wait, wha-”[/color] John couldn’t protest, as the duke was already out of sight. [color=5486ae][i]’Oh man…out of all the occasions to have to do this.’[/i][/color] He thought, hoping his partner tonight was someone he knows, like Lady Mina, Lady Charlotte or…hell even Thea works. But no…

When his number was called, he approached the front of the room to find out that his partner, out of everyone, was one of the Alidasht’s Shehzadis instead. Her tanned beauty, her more revealing dresses, lavish jewelry and most importantly her steely gaze told him enough where the doctor stood in this hierarchy. She knew where she stood, and she was proud of it.

With some initial flusters, the Varian royal physician presented Layla with the same traditional bow she had known and expected all her life, but the posture was slightly off, especially the shaking hands from the unnatural pose. 

[color=5486ae]”Your Royal Highness, peace be upon you.”[/color] John spoke, allowing a moment between them before standing up, but his pose led to him losing balance. He would have sprawled out to the floor, and potentially caused yet another Lorenzo situation, if he hadn’t quickly supported himself with his hand. As he stood up, he gave her another bow, but not as deep as the last one, with his hands crossed above his stomach. [color=5486ae]”I sincerely apologize, I have not practiced enough.”[/color] 

Layla sat at one of the tables with wine, water, and food brought to her. She was surrounded by guards and a few curious admirers, none of which she paid attention to. Zilal had uncurled from her and onto the table instead. She stroked his head gently as she watched the proceedings. Her ears still rang and she had glared in the Duke’s direction. Layla gritted her teeth. Dinner with these [i]vermin[/i] would be the highlight of her week. That clumsy imbecile and his sickly-vampire daughter would not be left off easy. 

She sighed as she watched people mill about with bowls and numbers. Eyebrows raised, she watched a nervous maid come toward her. The poor thing kept glancing at her snake as if it might attack her. She rolled her eyes and made sure the brat noticed. The woman flushed and averted her gaze and with shaky hands, handed the bowl to Layla. She stared down at the woman as she took her slip of paper. Unfortunately, she matched with one of these imbeciles for a dance. How ridiculous. What if she didn’t want to? Slowly she stood up and flipped her hair over her shoulder and didn’t notice it hit the same maid in the face. She continued forward and found a lowly looking man? Was this a joke? The music began playing rather loud and drowned out the ringing. 

Layla looked down at the short man with raised eyebrows. Was he noble? Had this been pre-planned to match her with a non-noble looking vermin? She decided to smile instead with amusement. The poor bastard was fumbling and looked ready to take flight at the first provocation. She couldn’t help but smirk at his attempt to mirror the Alidasht customary bow and had been close to complimenting him, when the bastard nearly fell and took her down with him. Layla let out a hiss akin to her snake’s. She heard Zilal in the background mirroring her and knew the snake was likely staring him down as well. He tried again and this time was more fluent in his movements. She sighed as she flipped her hair and waited for the man to get his act together. She listened to him and replied with a sniff nod. Clearly these people weren’t spending their time well. Was being clumsy a norm here? 

[color=F4BC5E]”What is your name?”[/color] Layla quizzed, glancing around at the other dancers, then back at him. [color=F4BC5E]”And what is your title?”[/color] She placed her hands on his shoulders which amused her. She was taller than him.

John felt a little less stiff as soon as the toes were dipped, without them getting shredded, yet. [color=5486ae]”I am John. Dr. John Harling Williamson.”[/color] He said, as he took her other hand and locked eyes with her. [color=5486ae]”I’m a royal physician in the Varian court.”[/color] 

[color=F4BC5E]”A Doctor, huh?”[/color] Layla replied as fell into step with him gracefully. Her movements were agile and quick, much like a predator stalking its prey. It was evident that dancing was not a stranger to her. She stared down at him and was less venomous in speaking. Like a hawk she watched his movements and mannerisms picking them apart one by one in her brain. [color=F4BC5E]”I don’t think you know my name yet, which is a pity. I’m Shehzadi Layla.”[/color]

[color=5486ae]”I am honored to be your dance partner tonight.”[/color] John nodded his head slowly, trying his best to match her movement, but it seemed pretty clear he was pretty stiff and hadn’t really danced much. However, he did know his limits, so he let the Shehzadi take the lead, making few but complementary movements, allowing her to essentially wrap around him whenever she liked. [color=5486ae]”I hope I am not tarnishing your elegant steps, your highness.”[/color] 

[color=F4BC5E]”I’d be honored too.”[/color] Layla replied with a smirk crossing her face. Her voice was honest but teasing. She remained graceful and spun him like top and then caught him again. Amusement showed in her eyes and face though she was torn between scowling. As she assessed him, Layla let out the tiniest smile. [color=F4BC5E]”Dancing is more fun when you allow yourself to be light and free. Ignore anyone or anything else going around you. All that counts is the time and space between you and your partner. And you’re not, actually, I’ve seen worse.”[/color] She grimaced at the memory and wiped it away as if shooing a fly. Her hand returned to its place on his shoulder. [color=F4BC5E]”As a Varian physician, are you required to come to all these boring events?”[/color] She scanned the room and then looked down at him again. [color=F4BC5E]”Your King and Queen - are they near King Edin? Point them out to me.”[/color] 

[color=5486ae]”Thank you, and yes you are certainly right.”[/color] John had no objections. By allowing himself to be light, like any servant and physician, he continued to mirror her important movements, content with letting her have him at her will, like a snake entwined around a mythological staff. He briefly looked away for a bit and quickly spotted the Varian rulers with his keen eyes for details, then proactively took one step towards their direction. [color=5486ae]”They’re over there.”[/color] He said, as they continued. [color=5486ae]”And no, I’m not royalty, but they insisted. They said it would be like a vacation, but with our nobles, they probably think some old sod wouldn’t be able to take it. So here I am, a young upstart sod instead.”[/color] He was clearly joking, referring to himself a little self-deprecatingly. 

Layla smirked in approval. She followed his gaze and assessed them. They were as pale and stuffy looking as the others which made her cringe. When he spoke, her expression became stony and the Shehzadi remained quiet in reflection. The ringing in her ears returned and she bit her tongue to not scowl. Then, the arrogant smirk returned. [color=F4BC5E]”Lovely.”[/color] She rolled her eyes and turned to face the music. The waltz music was beginning to end and she wondered if there would be a second dance. Gross. She eyed John once more and noticed his stuffy suit and dropped her hands from his shoulders. [color=F4BC5E]”It was nice meeting you, Dr. John.”[/color] Layla performed the Alidasht customary bow and had a ghost of a smile upon her face. 

[color=5486ae]”Thank you, Shehzadi Layla. I hope to see you again.”[/color] John bowed with his hands once again crossed on his stomach. As both emerged from their bow, John gave Layla a wave and a bright smile before they broke eye contact and retreated back into the crowds. [/color]