[center][color=#008b8b][h2]Fionn MacKerracher[/h2][/color][/center]
[hr][@PigeonOfAstora][@Raineh Daze]
[hr]
Fionn shook his head as Lein began to turn. [color=#008b8b][i]"Jah, Frau Lein,"[/i][/color] he said after a moment with an entirely straight face. [color=#008b8b]"But not right here, that might look scandalous. There's a little alcove off from the entrance where I can [i]attend to your needs[/i] without too many stares."[/color] His jokes at Lein's expense might seem a bit mean-spirited, but given how uncomfortable Fanilly had looked from Fionn's glances over, the Hundi deserved it in his mind.

Besides, at least Tyaethe might enjoy the jokes. It wouldn't be surprising if she liked being at the ball about as much as he did, so getting to bring [i]some[/i] sort of enjoyment to it would be a worthy cause.

[color=#008b8b]"If you'll follow me, [i]my lady."[/i][/color]

Sticking to the edges of the great hall, Fionn moved at a quick pace to lead Lein to the entrance, back through the passage, and over to a small secluded corner of the hall leading back to the kitchen. Hoping that no servants would walk by and glance too closely—or that none of the other guests in attendance had similar ideas about finding a secluded space—he quickly set about the task of loosening Lein's laces. [color=#008b8b]"So, is this what you get up to when you aren't training with the rest of us?"[/color] he asked as he worked, undoing the decorative knot so that he could actually pull the stays loose.

[color=#008b8b]"Hadn't figured you for the sort, really, but if you intend to stick with this, what you [i]ought[/i] to do is get Fleuri to dance with you. Appeal to his courtly senses, see if the Flower of the North still has it in him to act like a [i]normal[/i] noble gentleman at these events."[/color] Hopefully Lein wouldn't take such testing [i]too[/i] far, otherwise Fionn might end up with some explaining to do all his own.

Rather than yank the stays apart once he got the lacing free, he decided to be careful, loosening them individually—both to avoid damaging what was likely an expensive garment and to keep everything nice and even. [color=#008b8b]"Alright. Able to breathe a little better, now, or do you need them looser?"[/color]