[h1][center][color=6ecff6]Kazumin[/color] & [color=E77298]Anastasia[/color][/center][/h1]

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[color=E77298]“No way would I do that!”[/color]Anastasia exclaimed and took Kazumin’s hands with a giggle, [color=E77298]“You’re my new friend!”[/color]She took the initiative and led him enthusiastically to the dance floor. She paused to comment on the previous statement as it had been lingering in her mind, [color=E77298]“Oh, and you’re telling me about that liquor! They put out this stupid wine and stopped bringing out the good stuff a few years ago.  I’m convinced they’re hiding it from me somewhere after what I did at my brother’s birthday party. ”[/color]

She pointed suddenly at the woman near the attendant near the wine and spoke intensely, [color=E77298]“See that broad? …She’s to blame. Her name’s Helga. She hides the whisky from me. “[/color] The woman made a face and glanced around her area. Helga finally gestured to herself, perplexed. Anastasia narrowed her eyes at her, whispering to him, [color=E77298]“Look at her playing dumb. The fiend!”[/color] She stuck her tongue out at Helga whose eyes widened in further confusion.

He let out a relieved sigh as his nerves were somewhat shot at the moment and didn’t need another woman crying on him. Being told that she considered him a friend brought a grin back to his previously dejected face.”[color=00aeef] I’ve made one new friend tonight at least.[/color]” His chuckle cut short upon being pulled onto the dance floor; now it was his turn being pulled along and it was just the thing needed to keep from feeling sorry for himself. As there was nothing he can do about Crystal for now so there was no point in fretting over it.

What Anastasia said next left him looking appalled before turning his gaze to this Helga she pointed out to.”[color=00aeef] The absolute audacity of that woman. Booze is meant to be shared, not coveted.[/color]” Shaking his head in distaste at how the dastardly Helga went so far as to hide her whiskey even while her whispered comments brought a smirk to his lips.” [color=00aeef]A fiend indeed. I know a horrid hag that takes whatever vodka or scotch I’m lucky to get my hands on and pour them down the sink in front of me.[/color]” He whispered back after leaning close with his attention kept on Helga, his eyes lowered suspiciously.”[color=00aeef] I bet the fiend and hag are in cahoots and actively work to ruin fun for others.[/color]”  The cowlicked blonde finished whispering with a nod only to start snickering. 

Anastasia gasped. [color=E77298]”Vodka! Scotch! Oh my God! She sounds like an absolute villain. Where did you find such a horrible hag? ”[/color]She questioned as she began to lead him into dancing.

[color=E77298]”You think there is a legion of liquor coveting fiends right under our noses in Caesonia?”[/color] She then nodded firmly as if she had convinced herself by her own question, [color=E77298]”Yes, yes there must be. Despicable! “[/color] However aghast she may have sounded, the corners of her lips had twitched as she struggled to keep a serious face.  [color=E77298]” We should start an army of…. blondes to counter theirs!”[/color] She poked his cowlick. [color=E77298]”For we are superior and the only ones who can save the kingdom!”[/color] 

“ [color=00aeef]The hag is my etiquette teacher, unfortunately. As if torturing me with that deadly stick I mess up wasn’t enough.[/color]” Were he not covered up in this stuffy suit she and any other would see the myriad of bruises covering his flesh even now, the fresher ones still stinging raw. Turning his attention back to his dance partner; listening to her tell of a possible conspiracy of vile liquor fiends to which he followed up with a quick motion of his feet having the two spin on the spot.” [color=00aeef]My gods! You could be onto something there.[/color]” He exclaimed after doing so while trying to keep a serious expression of his own though hardly did any better than his dance partner. 

 The small grin widened upon having his cowlick flicked where it bounced with fervor from his agreeing nods.[color=00aeef]” Indeed. An army is needed to defeat such a dastardly cult. And I already know a fellow blonde drinker to recruit.[/color]” Continuing to whirl around with his fellow blonde ally, eventually motioning in Thea’s direction after spotting her.”[color=00aeef] Truly, we blondes need to unite lest the kingdom become dry and devoid of joy.[/color]”

Kazu prepared himself to continue, but finally broke and started laughing even as they kept whirling about.” [color=00aeef]Haaah… sorry about that but I couldn’t hold it in any longer.[/color]” Exhaling a huff through his nose trying to catch his breath, thankful for the dance otherwise he might have broken into a proper fit of laughter. 

Anastasia’s expression had fallen slightly and briefly in reaction to his first statement. She was uncertain if that little tidbit about him getting hit with a stick was part of the charade or not. Anastasia could only hope. She then shook her head as if shaking away a bad memory. His joyful joking had allowed her to easily put the smile back on and forget about it.

 It was a pleasant surprise to see him point out Lady Thea, someone she ran into often at the parties she sought out. If they knew each other, then she felt very secure in her selection of a new friend tonight.  Anastasia blew a kiss to the fellow blonde party girl, giggling. 

She could not hold the charade either, bursting into laughter as well a moment after he did. [color=E77298]” That’s okay. I suppose we should introduce ourselves anyway. My name is Anastasia. Annnd you?”[/color] 

Still in the midst of recovering from laughing when he saw the way she blew a kiss to Thea leaving him wondering what silly and amusing crackpot theories the three of them could come up with together while sharing drinks.” [color=00aeef]Mhm, It is high time we properly introduced ourselves.[/color]” Once more shifting to have the two twirl around as he received her name.”[color=00aeef] And I’m Kazumin. I am most grateful and delighted to meet you, Lady Anastasia and thankful for the laugh you have given me.[/color]” Shaking his head along with an amused chortle.” [color=00aeef]Normally I’m the one making others laugh as it's rare for me to be the one needing cheering.[/color]” Though he knew that if anyone truly needed cheering up it was Lady Crystal, but for now such a task would have to go to someone else. Taking a deep breath first then dismissed the thought, not wishing to dwell on the depressing ordeal.” [color=00aeef]And I must ask, but do you know lady Thea, perhaps?[/color]” 

Anastasia was quite pleased to be twirled as she listened to Kazumin introduce himself, [color=E77298]”Oh wow! Great name. Kazumin. Kazoo in. Haha. Anytime for a laugh! ”[/color] She repeated his name in amusement. She considered the fact he had called her Lady Anastasia. It would be a lousy thing to lie about who she was to her new friend, so she decided that she had to tell him. She didn’t fault him for not identifying her as her own parents often acted as if she was not part of the royal lineup. Though, she felt reluctant as she was afraid he might treat her differently.  Perhaps she better get in another fun twirl in case. [color=E77298]” Yes. I know her. She’s a sweetheart!  I see her often since the same people always turn up at these things every time… Can you twirl me? Please!”[/color] In case of reluctance, she pulled out her puppy dogs eyes for the second time tonight. 

The way she said Kazoo in had him raising a brow curiously.”[color=00aeef] Well that’s certainly a first. Kazoo..well if you want to call me that then feel free though it's only fair I get to call you by nickname too.”[/color] pursing his lips with a mock expression of deep thought as he peered at her face.”[color=00aeef] I want to say Ana, but that’s too obvious…I’d say you look more like a… Ani.”[/color] Kazu said with a smug little grin.”[color=00aeef]She does give off that sweetheart vibe. I do hope she is doing well after that..”[/color] Trailing off having decided not to say anymore as he did not want to risk ruining this pleasant mood. Thankfully Ani had carried on with a  request to twirl her while hitting him with those adorable puppy dog eyes only to give a cheeky scoff in return.”[color=00aeef] Good try, but every one of my sisters pulled that trick on me all the time back home so I am immune to your powers of cuteness… though I will twirl you…if you twirl me too![/color]” And with that he lifted her right arm up high with her hand held above her head and with a small flick of his wrist twirled her around on the spot. 

Anastasia smiled wide, excited about the nickname he bestowed her. She could recall someone calling her Annie before and she had always thought it was cute and straight to the point. As lovely as the name Anastasia was, it was often a mouthful. [color=E77298]“Ani sounds so cute!”[/color]She practically squealed. Her expression fell immediately when he started to tell her that her cuteness had failed. [i]No twirl??[/i]She thought in terror, only to find that all was right in the world and she indeed was receiving a twirl. 

[color=E77298]”Whee!”[/color]She spun around, her pink dress billowing out and fanning around her. Right after she completed her exciting twirl, she began to attempt to twirl him. There was a technical issue as he was quite a bit taller than her. Nonetheless, she got on her tippy toes to lift his hand as high as she could and gave a weak flick of her wrist to twirl him back. Once the mission was complete, a mischievous grin formed. [color=E77298]”... Wanna do that again?”[/color]

Pleased to see that she enjoyed the nickname he bestowed upon her and to the point of getting a happy squeal followed by her stating it to be cute.”[color=00aeef]  I’m honored to see you so thrilled for the name I have beseeched upon you after putting all my brain power into it.[/color]” He responded with a playful wink then moved to twirl her about which got a childlike whee out of the high-spirited lady. Now it was his turn to get a twirl and as expected proved difficult due to the height difference and to make it easier he willingly bent his knees then gave a bit of push of his legs to get that extra bit of force to make up for Ani’s slight lacking of strength. In doing so, it allowed him to twirl about in place albeit a tad awkwardly though Kazu did not care as he spun about with a joyful whee of his own. 

After a few spins the laughing blonde came to a stop; paying the onlookers judging glances no mind. All that mattered was that they were having fun and enjoying themselves.” [color=00aeef] About time we guys got the chance to twirl for once.[/color]” For a moment the room was spinning, likely thanks to the wine and several turns he just did but it seemed they weren’t done with twirling quite yet as he saw that mischievous grin Ani was sporting.” [color=00aeef] Again? Well I don’t mind…you do seem to have something in mind.[/color]” Eyeing her suspiciously for a moment then gave a shrug of his shoulders.”[color=00aeef]  But you seem trustworthy so go ahead, twirl me.[/color]” 

 [color=E77298]” Everyone deserves the chance to twirl.”[/color]Anastasia agreed. She reached her arm up to twirl him then paused. She took both his hands instead and let her body fall back a bit as she started to move her feet to pull them in a circle so they could both spin at the same time. Guests around them were grimacing and moving out of the way of the spinning duo. The music had already stopped at this point and people were confused. She was able to keep it going for an impressive amount of time.

But eventually, she did get so dizzy that she let go and stumbled back, practically falling back onto the floor. She laid her head back against the shiny ball floor, giggling despite feeling quite nauseous.  [color=E77298]” That was fun!”[/color] The ceiling was spinning above her and she could not bring herself to budge. Anastasia wondered if it was okay for her to just lounge here for a few minutes.

“ [color=00aeef] That I wholeheartedly agree with.[/color]” Kazu agreed in return as he waited expectantly to be twirled. Anastasia, however, had a different idea in mind and soon found both hands grabbed then watched as she leaned back until their hands were pulled taut between the two. Next thing he knew he was spinning along in a wide circle with her, the action forcing those nearby to quickly move out of the way of the giggling pair.

Everything was a dizzying blur and all his qualms that occurred today were forgotten. Right now, the only thing he thought about was enjoying this moment with his newest friend.

And without warning, Ani had let go of his hands causing the two of them to fall back leaving the two of them sprawled on their backs. He didn’t even notice landing or the faint dull ache in his back for the thrilling laughter overtook every sensation until he was lying there panting.

Gazing up at the ceiling as the last of his laughter died down only to find the room much more quiet than expected. Blinking, he realized the music stopped.” [color=00aeef] Hah..looks like the dance is…or has been over?[/color]” Uncertain of how long exactly as they were too busy spinning. Using his arms to push and prop himself up to aim a wide grin at Ani.”[color=00aeef]  Man, that was a blast! I had a lot of fun. Thank you for the dance, Ani….really, I appreciate it so much.[/color]”

Anastasia smiled and waved from her spot on the floor, dazed, [color=E77298]”Of course! Keep a smile on your face, Kazoo! See you later at the educational study group!”[/color]