[h1][center][color=firebrick]Violet[/color] & [color=f26522]Roman[/color][/center][/h1]
 
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Violet felt his rough hands reach for hers. They felt so small in his with the coarse feeling of his skin rubbing against her smooth unworked hands. Something about how they felt sent a shiver down her spine, as she eyed his scarring and markings  that trailed up his arm as if telling a story that she so desperately wanted to read. She was not expecting to fall so hard and fast for a person, no one had ever caught her eye before this. Yet, his rough exterior and soft nature, the look in his eyes as he watched her..it all added up to a very deep connection between them. It was scary.

[color=firebrick]“Don't look too hard then, you may end up running away.”[/color] she said softly. He was right, there was a lot of pain and anger built into her. Years of being toted away from others in worry she may be injured, watching her sister recieve all the praise and attention due to her fragility….her sister…Violets eyes widened as her expression turned to one of utter shock. [color=firebrick]” This whole time i’ve been so distracted..I forgot about crystal.”[/color] She said slightly panicked. Though that moment only lasted for a short time as she looked at Roman. She really had been putting so much of her life aside for crystal, to dote over her and care for her that much of the time she forgot about herself. She shook her head knowing she was going to hear an earful from her and likely her parents. [color=firebrick]” Truthfully..”[/color] she dropped her gaze [color=firebrick]” I am going to be a bit selfish and leave her to fume, which I expect she is doing." [/color] She twisted her fingers in his grasp moving them along his rough skin as she felt the butterflies in pit of her stomach flutter around. [color=firebrick]” I am not very good at dancing” [/color] she said nervously [color=firebrick]”I pretend I hate it, but the truth is I really do enjoy it. I could never pass my dancing lessons, so I slowly just gave up[/color] 

[color=f26522]“We all have our problems, the things that keep us up at night.”[/color] He didn't notice that he reached for his crystal pendant, the slight teal glow shone faintly in the night air. [color=f26522]“Mines a sad story, a few of them actually. Those are stories for a different day though.”[/color] Roman looked up towards the stars for a moment and returned to staring into her eyes with a hint of sorrow behind his smile. [color=f26522]“Someday I might tell you.”[/color] gently rubbed the palm of her hands. [color=f26522]“You have a remarkable ability to pull me into the moment and push through some of my walls. I've only ever met one other person who could do that, she does it through more stubborn will than anything. But what are mothers for than to make sure their children are okay.”[/color] he hoped she didn't feel put off by that comment but he assumed he would figure that out.

When she mentioned crystal he frowned for a moment as the tinge of guilt came back to him, [color=f26522]“I suppose I should thank her for guiding me to you even if it was a joke. If you don't mind, what sort of things does your sister like? I might be able to make her something.”[/color] Roman began thinking of a few ways he could do so and ideas, [i]“it would have to be a trinket or jewelry, she's too weak for weapons or armor, no muscle mass for either. Could be a trinket, she doesn't look the type to stand out, she's kind of adorable like that.”[/i] eventually pulling away from his thoughts he looked back up to Violet when she mentioned dancing. 

[color=f26522]“I actually enjoy dancing. It's kind of like fighting but slower and with a rhythm. That rhythm also reminds me of forging or masonry with every hammer strike. All you have to do is follow my lead and don't worry about stepping on me. I'll be sure to catch you.”[/color] his warm smile returned. Glancing back towards the party he could see the band was getting ready for the next dance. [color=f26522]“Looks like they are going to start soon.”[/color]

Violet felt him rubbing her hand, it took all the restraint in the world to reach for me. Her mind drifted into inappropriate thoughts for a lady to have. She pictured his arms wrapping around her, swallowing her into an embrace. His large,wide and strong arms enveloping her as she would melt into him. 

Pulling out of her thoughts, she was grateful for the brisk night hair keeping her from turning red. She offered him a smile at his comments about her being similar to his mother. She supposed that there were worse things she could be compared too. However, the idea that she had the ability to make him as comfortable as he made her continued to keep the soft smile on her face.[color=firebrick] “ A Tiara” [/color]she joked letting out a soft laugh[color=firebrick] “ she wants so badly to be a princess, I am sure that would be fitting.”[/color]she paused as nerves began to grow[color=firebrick] “ oh..I hear the music.” [/color]she took her hand back slowly before turning to watch the dance floor as various couples began to set up for their dances. 

Violet's heart skipped a beat as she felt the nerves building up in the pit of her belly. Her normally pale face seemed to get a shade lighter as she bit her lip nervously.[color=firebrick] “ You know we could just not..dance.”[/color] she said reluctantly. Her body language said everything, but the thing that made her the most nervous was being so close to Roman. The idea of having his hands on her body sent sparks of nervousness all over her. She looked over at him[color=firebrick] “ I suppose we should go?”[/color] her voice was a bit shaky. She wasn’t sure why she was being so vulnerable around him, normally her tough exterior was up and strong but after spending the last hour or so speaking with him she seemed to have dropped it completely. 

[color=f26522]“Hmm a tiara and a bookmark maybe.”[/color] he spoke quietly while he was thinking about the designs he could use, his eyes searching through the crowd inside for the small girl. At least he had the hight advantage to see over most of the people gathered. This advantage gave him just the right line of sight to pick up Crystal talking to Callum. He did enjoy Callum’s advice, he is a smart, intelligent man with a lot of book smarts. At least enough for him to know to keep his head down in a bar fight. Roman smiled slightly remembering how the two met in that bar, his smile grew slightly as he could see Crystal give the prince a peck on the cheek something that caught even more stares and whispers from the other attendees.

[color=f26522]“I don't think you have to worry about Crystal seeing as how she just kissed Prince Callum on the cheek. It is always fun to see him flustered like that.”[/color] looking back at Violet with the same smile she had given him since they first met, his posture relaxed not at all like his statuesque posture he had earlier in the evening. [color=f26522]“Violet you should never turn down a good time you never know when you will have the opportunity again. So smile, laugh, relax and have some fun. I'll protect you, I won't let you fall. If you have to, just place your feet on mine and I'll dance for both of us. As long as I'm dancing with you in my arms I'm sure we will have our fun.”[/color]

Violet smiled at his ideas, the creativity he showed was inspiring her own thoughts [color=firebrick]“ oh! What about a special quill holder and ink jar.. I know that is likely small for the things you normally make but I think she would get alot of use out of it.” [/color]Violet smiled, but it slowly faded when he mentioned Crystal and Prince Callum. Of Course she caught herself a prince. [color=firebrick]“ I would say I'm surprised, but I'm not.”[/color] she said shrugging.[color=firebrick] “ Crystal always was our parents favorite for a reason, she’s been so set on snagging a prince even her books are starting to go that direction. That and she seems to have a strange infinity for coffee.” [/color]

She saw him relax as he turned to look at her , his words making her laugh lightly at the idea of her small feet gliding around the dance floor. She too seemed to relax[color=firebrick] “ As long as you promise.” [/color] she smiled and started to head towards the dance floor. 

Roman followed slowly behind her scanning the crowd for a moment then back to her, his soft smile ever present. Her words about Crystal didn't seem too happy,[color=f26522] “I'm not going to stand here and pretend to know the relationship between you and your sister, but you should be happy that she is happy. Don't let these things stick to you, it will only sour and bring negative thoughts. Our time here on this realm is fleeting, some pass on early and all you're left with is… negative emotions towards them.”[/color] his thoughts drifted to some of his family and friends he has lost through his life.

His smile faded for a brief moment before returning in stride, [color=f26522]“so enjoy the moment, be happy for them, even if you're not or you could care less. No one lives forever, the gods will call us all home eventually.”[/color] he had led them to the edge of the dance floor as everyone seemed to be getting ready. [color=f26522]“So I don't know about you Lady Violet Damien, but I will be enjoying every moment I have with you to the best of my ability no matter how long that might be.”[/color]

She sighed, here she was killing the mood with her petty issues with her sister. Deciding to not spoil her night she decided to ignore his attempt at trying to settle her mind. He was right, he didn’t understand..no one ever did. 

Reaching the edge of the dance floor, she turned to him [color=firebrick]”shall we?” [/color] she said gesturing towards the dance floor as the other couples flooded

Roman politely led her out onto the floor with confidence just like he had with Mayet. Turning to face her with a small bow and taking her hand with his left hand and carefully wrapping his right arm up under her left placing his hand on her upper back to begin the waltz. [color=f26522]“Remember this one is slow, just follow my lead and it's ok if you step on me.”[/color]

Violet followed along with him, curtseying as he bowed. She felt his arm around her , pulling her in and her other hand fit well into his. A cringed expression passed over her face as he mentioned stepping on him. Thankfully her shoes had nothing pointed on them, but she wouldn’t be surprised if the first few steps caused her to stumble. [color=firebrick]“Okay”[/color] she said nervously, the butterflies fluttering as she looked at him, their bodies so close together. 

The music started slow and seemed to stay that way for a while. Roman kept his grip on her hand and back but was careful not to be too tight with her in his grasp. The two were very close now, closer than they had been all night. He liked that she didn't tighten up her collar as much as it had been before and he could see her scars better now, [color=f26522]“do you know the area around the castle well? I have not been here for some time. Do you have any favorite spots in this city to hide away at?”[/color] he thought he might as well continue with their conversations instead of silently focusing on just the dance. 

[color=f26522]“Oh and what perfume are you wearing? It smells delightful.”[/color] he couldn't quite make out the aroma that seemed to follow her and her alone as they danced. Even he was wearing a subtle mountain jasmine perfume, going as far to keep a few of the delicate flowers tucked in his clothes while they slowly danced to the song lost in each other's company.


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The dance slowly came to an end and Roman could help but smile at his new friend. He was surprised they grew so close in only a matter of hours but he was happy and that's all he wanted. This summer was definitely going to be a fun one. 

[color=f26522]“Lady Violet, it was certainly a wonderful night made even greater still by your beautiful presence. I think I will talk to your father tomorrow to let the events of the night settle.[/color]” His smile never faded as he spoke to her trying not to get lost in her eyes.

Roman Reached into his right jacket pocket and pulled out a small cluster of Mountain Jasmine he had kept there and handed it to her, [color=f26522]“it seems that the festivities are dieing down for tonight. I do hope you have a fabulous evening. I do hope to see you again tomorrow… I just hope you like me when I don't have to be formal.[/color]” he chuckled at his last statement. With a smile he slowly let go of her hands stopping for a moment with a smile, he didn't want to go but his anxiety with this place was starting to get to him. 

Roman only hesitated for a moment before pulling away entirely and heading back towards the wall and into them away from the crowd of lingering nobles. Picking up a few handfuls of what was left for bread and meat from the food table as he passed. With the letter in his pocket he knew he had to get some food down for the drinking that came next.

[@Tpartywithzombi]