An angel's share, and one for the 'Verse.

[Alndys]

It'd been some time since Aldiel had last spoken to [member="Danger Arceneau"] - time tended to fly when one was busy, and Aldiel was nothing if not a little busy whenever he wanted to be, and especially when he didn't. Silk Holdings was massive enough that it didn't hinge upon his involvement, his job was more to ensure that the company kept moving in the proper directions. He was less a pilot and more a shepard guiding a stampede. That was how he preferred it; making big decisions rather than having to micromanage and police every little thing the megacorp did. Let the board, department heads and trustees worry about every little case of internal corruption and disappearing freight; how did other CEOs live like that?

Danger, included. That woman's company was her life, her legacy and legend rolled into one. And as legacies went, the Arceneau Trade Company wasn't a bad one by any means. But it was exhausting just thinking about the sort of work that must go into it.

In any case, it was quitting time. He was still new to the practice, but Codi had been drilling into his head the virtues of a solid starting and stopping point for a day's labors for years - it was a thing he was working on. Affairs in order, the slender Lorrdian adjusted his tie and tucked his hat under his arm, gathering what he needed from his office. In the end? Not much. Best to travel light. Wasn't like he was going anywhere for a huge length of time. Although his gut did whisper that he should expect company. Now that was interesting.

Slight alterations. Aldiel dabbed on a bit of cologne as he stepped out of the office, gave a polite nod to his secretaries, and made for his shuttle home with a little less speed than he might otherwise. If he was to have company, it was best to give them a chance to call or show up before he'd left the premises, right? He even used the public hallways and elevators, just in case.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Aldiel D'Lessio"]

Her momma used to say that 'the future ain't carved in stone, only your epitaph'. She also said that 'you could take a horse to water, but a jackass takes his whiskey straight up.'

The memory would frost a smile across Danger's lips, her fingers slightly tapping a small beat along her desk. She spent the past fifteen minutes staring down at her holo array and comm, mulling about choices and venues and forks in the road.

Ever since she was little, her daddy and she would play Dejarik. They would sit in his office, where he had an analog checkered board made of Japor Ivory wood and Byrlewood. Each creature delicately carved with exquisite detail. It wasn't just about the game. It was about the lesson behind it. It went beyond the tactic and the strategy.

The game was familiar to her, so much that she continued to play in correspondence Dejarik games. It was done under a different alias, where none would know it was she, but these were slow paced games that could span months, even years. There was just something comfortably simple in that.

For some reason, Aldiel D'Lessio made her think of Dejarik. Of the correspondence. Of simply... being.

She had his direct comm. Honestly, it would be so easy to call him. Easy to collect on that offer. It was just strange for her to do so when it had no purpose in business. Meeting for the simple pleasure was a rarity to her. Odd, how the matron of Trade would feel as skittish as a teenager at that prospect.

"Ain't gonna do you any good just frettin' here like a gorram greenhorn." she'd mutter to herself, bringing the cigarillo she'd lit earlier up to her lips. Taking a deep drag to steel her nerves, she gave it a go before she changed her mind.

With deft fingers, the direct comm frequency for the CEO of Silk Holdings would be keyed in.

 

[Alndys]

Gut hunches sometimes paid off. It was a good thing to have faith in one's self, faith in the future - It was important to have faith, in general. When Aldiel's comm buzzed from a secure and not immediately familiar line, his gut told him who was on the other end. He was smiling before he even picked up.

After all, [member="Danger Arceneau"] was an exceptional woman. Whatever she wanted from him was bound to be interesting - And if it was just his company she was after, then that was simply the highest sort of compliment. Aldiel didn't imagine that there were many so rare or valued a currency as the queen of trade's personal time or confidence. Gorgeous and talented, accomplished and eminently capable, and wealthy besides? A compliment, indeed.

"Danger! What a wonderful surprise." Aldiel greeted cordially, shifting his handheld comm to his shoulder while he climbed into his speeder. "How can I help you?"

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Aldiel D'Lessio"]

His voice poured thick like sassafras syrup and just as sweet. The man could prompt a woman to smile regardless of the situation, so when one curved across her lips, she wasn't at all surprised. His use of her first name came out as natural as if having a conversation over tea. Truth be told, she didn't mind it much.

Progress? Perhaps.

How to start this? She'd muse at his query, knowing she couldn't stay silent for long. Her fingers would tap another quick beat upon her table, then she finally said," Mistah D'lessio," she sang, her voice mellow but just as cordial."I hope you are doing well." One keen on hearing the nuances of the barest treble on her voice would discern that this was rather new territory for her. It was easier with Judah and Makai. This was something new.

"I was in the neighborhood," that's putting it lightly, she was in orbit. "And I was wonderin' if you have a chance for dinner tonight?"

 

[Alndys]

Oh, she was slightly nervous - but in spite of that, listening to her was like being the sole audience to a ballad. Something beautiful and thought-provoking, classy and perhaps a bit out of its time, but timeless to those who appreciated quality. And Aldiel was absolutely a man who could appreciate quality. Even the slight tremble of nerves in her voice was charming, though he had no desire to set her ill at-ease.

"For you? Absolutely." Aldiel promised. This wasn't business in any sense of the term, and as such, he dropped some of the thick wall of professionalism that colored his every tone and gesture. Aldiel, as a person and a CEO, was warm and polite, generally caring and took a measure of pride in bring easy-going - but the man that he was wasn't defined by his job, and Danger (he hoped) wasn't calling to have dinner with his station.

Shuffling his comm onto his other shoulder, Aldiel checked the time and hummed quietly. Best to fill the silence, to set her at ease by keeping the tone of their meeting light and the pressure off of her. He knew what it was to have the weight of the world on your shoulders, and sometimes the best remedy was to let somebody else take the lead. Besides, man and all that. "Tell you what. I know the perfect place - Faybrien and Family, this place in the west sector." He decided. It was a short distance from the star port, after all. Classy, upscale. Perfect. And d discreet - they'd be left alone, and that was the most important thing.

Aldiel's ever-knowing smile was nearly audible in his voice. "Why don't we take an hour to get ready, and I'll pick you up at the starport." He 'suggested'. After all, he wasn't about to go out in his work clothes. These shoes were not made to dance in, and a woman like Danger was worth taking a shower and gussying up for.

He considered suggesting that she take a bit of time practicing his first name, but decided against it. There was no reason to push the matter, and as long as she didn't mind him using hers - And she didn't seem to mind at all - then there was no issue. She'd open up on her own, or not at all.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Aldiel D'Lessio"]

That smile would broaden. Every word that Aldiel spoke would relax her just a bit more. Maybe this wasn't such a bad idea. It certainly brought her out of her comfort zone, but her daddy was of the opinion that one would fester if they only stood still. Arceneau Trade would have never grown to the degree and breadth it had now were it for fear of stepping out of comfort zones.

Then again, that was business. This was something else.

His suggestion was more than amicable, and it would give her time to prep. More like finish her glass of whiskey and maybe run the numbers a bit on the new ventures she was expanding with PharmaTech. No, wait no. She wasn't here for business or to work. Firmly pushing that from her mind, Danger would say, "I reckon you got yourself a well laid plan there, Mistah D'lessio." honey would drawl, and the warmth in her voice along with her appreciation would shine through.

"One hour it be."

 

[Alndys]

After a bit of confirmation and uninteresting details, the call came to an end and it was time to get ready. And that meant becoming a hurricane of activity. Aldiel took no small measure of pride in his appearance, after all. After a quick shower, he trimmed his goatee and set to work. A fashionable suit, custom-tailored. Sunglasses, just because they looked good with the suit. And who could forget the hat? Stylish, good-looking, ready to impress. There was a fine line to walk, being fashionable and masculine, and Aldiel had consultants and years of experience at being both, if only because it was fun as hell. In his opinion, anyway.

Shortly before the hour he'd promised, Aldiel arrived at the starport - Better early than late. No chauffeur tonight, no security retinue; the fewer reminders there were of work for them both, the better off they'd both be. Besides, security was only ever a button press away. The Lorrdian slid out of his speeder and adjusted his tie, savoring the click-clack sound of dress shoes on hard floor. There were so many ways to communicate something, and that sound had always spoken to him of importance, of journeys and a the veneer of control known to all men and women who thought forward. It was a sound of progress.

Besides, it was easy to like things when you were excited, and he absolutely was. How many people got to spend an evening with a woman like [member="Danger Arceneau"] on their arm? How many people could say she'd dressed up for them? And he couldn't wait to have his mental image of her in finery put to shame by the real thing. He was - like many men - an emphatic fan of women, of the smooth grace of their motions to their silken voices, their carefully trussed hair and confidently worn heels.

And especially, the way his name rolled off her tongue like molasses dripping from a spoon - slowly, thick with her accent and only barely hiding her mood. She was sweet on the ear and heaven for the eyes, an intoxicating combination.

A couple of minutes early, Aldiel arrived at the place where Danger's shuttle would be dropping her off from orbit, his mind filled with split-leg dresses and friendly drawls spilling from painted lips.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

The shuttle would gracefully set its landing struts on the docking pad. The low whine of engines would wane, and then a slight hiss of the loading ramp would follow.

[member="Aldiel D'Lessio"] would time his arrival perfectly, arriving just a few minutes early. A shuttle attendant would be the first to step out, ensuring the clearing and then turning in step to gesture for Danger to continue.

She would appear at the hatch, revealing the delicate green slink of her dress and the soft waves of her hair. It would feather the sides of her face, falling in a sweep just to mid back, silver threading through the burnished Corseca red.

Danger lingered there for a few moments at the shuttle hatchway, her eyes adjusting to the change of the light as she seemingly took a casual look around. Most women have no sense of timing; they are either all stop or all go. Danger, however, seemingly always hesitated when she entered a room. It was like a Guildhouse Companion taking a brief pause as she would slip off her glove -- as though she had not yet quite made up her mind to whether she would -- or if she wouldn't.

Granted, this presently had to do more with a bit of nerves than any kind of natural allure. It was a new venture for her. Spending time with a man for the simple luxury of their company.

Green eyes lined in kohl would glance up, latching upon the brown of Aldiel. A smile would frost her lips. Before long, that slow swaying gait would bring the Queen of Trade down the ramp and towards the direction of D'lessio.

One can tell alot about a woman by the way she walks. Some women's heels hit the floor as if they're hammering nails. Some skitter like apologetic mice. Danger's walk was smooth and easy roll of her hips; it gave the impression she had all the time in the 'verse; but that her time did not come cheap.

"Mistah D'lessio," one would expect that smokey Southern Systems drawl. The one that was more of a whisper that a man didn't so much hear as much as inhale. For one keen on subtle detail, they'd be able to detect just the faintest quiver of nervousness.

"I must say, you are a sight for sore eyes in the flesh." the smile would broaden, taking in the suit, the fedora, and the snazzy shoes. He looked good. Real good. Handsome in fact.

 

[Alndys]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

She was beauty given flesh, a spectre of a woman gliding down from her chariot with the world at her fingertips. The smooth beat of her heels and swing of her hips demanded his attention, arrested the beat of his heart and leashed it to her whims, and she didn't even know. It was all he could do to slowly exhale as she approached, a normally automatic function that had been forgotten under the roll of smooth skin and green fabric, the bounce of red curls. "And you, Danger, are a vision of beauty." Aldiel replied with a smile, offering the woman his arm as she came close. If nothing else, it seemed his voice worked properly. Thank the Force for small miracles.

That small twinge of apprehension was still audible in her voice, and for once, it set him a little more at ease. Danger might appear to be some conjured elemental of feminine wiles, but she was only human - and no more entirely sure of herself than he was of himself.

If her voice was like smoke, a smooth and enticing substance to steal away his thoughts and curl about his senses like a snake, than her proximity was wildfire itself. As Aldiel led Danger to his transport, he couldn't help but be lost in the aroma of her - perfume, shampoo, who knew what else - burning into the front of his mind, demanding his attention rest on her and nowhere else. "I hope the trip was pleasant enough." Aldiel offered with a warm smile - he had to say something, of course. Silence was abhorrent.

As they reached his transport, Aldiel held the door for his date, then made his way to his side, slipping into the vehicle with an easy grace. The computer would take them where they needed to go. "Have to say, Danger - I am glad you decided to take me up on my offer." Aldiel began, his voice a rolling, smooth purr not unlike a jungle cat's growl. "Having only seen you through holocomm, if I'd known what I was getting into - I would have been much more insistent, much sooner."

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Aldiel D'Lessio"]

"Thank you right kindly," she'd say in appreciation, their amble taking them to his transport. "It went well."

It was a natural inclination to take his arm, her own snaking through to hook his. He was a gentleman in his walk, allowing her smooth gait to set the pace. It was a boon, for it allowed her a little bit of control to take this slowly, to consider what to do or say. Aldiel would make it easy to relax around him, and the auburn maned woman would only deepen her smile.

By the time they stepped inside, Danger had reclaimed a bit of her confidence back. His compliments only prompted a slight chuckle, amusement slowly growing in her emerald eyes. Oh he was a charmer.

"Keep giving me compliments like that Mistah D'Lessio, it would be hard pressed to deny any invitation." she would joke, the banter something she was more used to. This she could do. This wasn't too far from what she normally did. That soothed her a bit. All one had to do was talk. Simple conversation.

"How have you've been?"

 

[Alndys]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

She seemed to enjoy warning him about things that were - from his viewpoint - pretty much desirable. It might be her way of telling him to reign it in, but Aldiel had an idea that it was more a quirk of her accent, a pattern of speech that remained after years of inter-cultural living. Light knew he had such quirks of his own.

"Then I'll have to keep making them." Aldiel replied with a smirk, raising his eyebrow as he sped them off into the Drogheda night. "Just like having you sweet on me, I can only imagine how many things might be more enjoyable with your company."

She asked a question, and Aldiel took a moment to consider his answer while scratching his goatee. "I'd say I'm doing fairly well, all said." He decided, before glancing her way and offering - of all things - a slightly sheepish smile. "At the risk of being one of those boorish men who talk about their work too much, I've got a couple projects in the works that I'm excited to see to fruition." Aldiel explained more naturally. Even driving, he spoke with his hands; gesturing and waving, his fingers dancing over the controls.

"Aside from work - well." Aldiel gave Danger a knowing smile. "I don't think I'm the only one here who knows what it is to be busy and buried with one's labors." He leaned back in his seat and pushed the brim of his hat up, focusing his eyes forward again. "Tell me, Danger - How does a woman of your stature find time to relax? What passes for leisure to you... Besides charming hapless Lorrdians, of course."

 

[Danger Arceneau]

It was easy to see that [member="Aldiel D'Lessio"] was more than just a CEO; he had managed to achieve a sort of carefree attitude that Danger certainly envied. A proper work life balance. It was hard for her to do so, even if this particular situation was inching towards eventually having a balance in her life. Things were normally all about Arceneau Trade and its daily dealings. While she had achieved what she wanted from the start, it also put her into a position of spotlight. She was good at what she did. She was good at connecting people.

It also meant that she had little to none private time for her own.

That was one of the very reasons why Danger was never public with any intimate relationships she might have indulged throughout her years. Discretion was always key. Most would likely believe that this dinner date with Aldiel had to do with some joint venture, when in actuality it was a step towards progress. Progress on her life. Might be a little late, but it was better than never.

Maybe with age one just gets to cutting the bantha poodoo and doing what needs to get done.

It didn't stop the fluttering nervousness in her belly, but the confidant and carefree manner of D'lessio certainly made it easier. He was a sight to behold, not just because of his debonair attitude and his well dressed form. It was in how animated he became, not brash, but -- eloquent. One might even say mesmerizing.

It was enough that she wasn't too startled by the personal question. What did she do on her free time? A singular image of a dejarik table bloomed in her mind.

That was easy.

"Dejarik." she admitted, perhaps with a bit of sheepishness one would barely be able to discern. The slight widening of her eyes and the smile that frosted her lips, however, said that it was a genuine article.

"I enjoy playing Dejarik."

 

[Alndys]

"Dejarik." Aldiel echoed thoughtfully, sounding mildly surprised by the answer. Sure, it was a fairly popular game of skill, but in his mind, Dejarik was the sort of game that spacers used to waste time with in hyperspace, not the sort of thing a gorgeous CEO might play. But then, everyone had a few strange habits, didn't they? His lips turned up in a small smile. "See, Danger, now you've made a mistake." Aldiel pointed out with a playful grin, a slight showing of white teeth. "Because, at some point, I'm going to ask you to teach me how to play, and you'll be stuck with me for yet another evening. The only game I know how to play is Sabacc." The slender Lorrdian pointed out, sounding confident on the side of sly. "You'll be stuck with my company for yet another night, because you added another reason to the hundreds I already have to want to spend time with you."

They pulled up to the upscale restaurant at that point - he'd picked a place deliberately close to the Starport, after all, and Aldiel swept gracefully out of the speeder to help Danger out of her seat. Hold the door, be the proper gentleman; traditionalism wasn't generally one of Aldiel's virtues, but he had a hunch that Danger appreciated those features from men, and he did want to be the sort of man she appreciated. Moreover, having her on his arm was a thrill, showing her off was a thrill, and helping her out of the speeder accomplished both of those. The place he'd chosen was discrete, but clearly upscale, perfect for a pair of high profile CEOs. A valet droid beeped forward to park the speeder for them, as Aldiel guided Danger into the building and explained to the Twi'lek maitre'd that he had a reservation: D'lessio, party of two.

Faybrien and Family's interior was the right mix of lively and reserved. There were no raucous brawls or arguments in the spacious interior, just the quiet murmur of several doubtlessly important conversations by any of the pairs and small groups of folk there, most of them dressed as businesssentients of varying success and prestige - expensive suits and fabulous dresses were the norm. Booths and balconies of various degrees of privacy seemed scattered at random along the walls and floor, revealing that the building itself - Perhaps even the business, too - was old enough to have been spared the efficient pseudo-grid layout that was so popular throughout the Galaxy. Places like Faybrian's didn't reach max capacity, and needn't even worry about that sort of cost saving. The main feature of the restaurant appeared, however, to be the old wooden stage in view of every seat, upon which two women in gorgeous evening dresses crooned soulfully to the audience, accompanied by a live band. The relaxed, slightly jazzy, soft music seemed to set the tone of the place (And deliberately so) - subdued, professional, and luxurious.

Aldiel and [member="Danger Arceneau"] were shown to a balcony that overlooked the stage and the people below, though mainly because the curtain that prevented it from fading into the wall was drawn back at Aldiel's request. As he sank into his seat, Aldiel set his hat aside and produced a cigarette case, offering one to Danger along with a light. "You seem like the sort of woman who prefers whiskey to wine, Danger - If you don't mind my saying." He explained warmly, lighting his own cigarette after hers, if she was having one. "There's a directness about you that doesn't take away from your mystery - It just makes you more enticing."

A waiter arrived with a bottle of Whyren's Reserve, and set it between the two along with a pair of chilled glasses - no ice required. Aldiel opened the bottle itself, poured for them both. "Would you believe that I'd never touched alcohol before taking command of Silk?" He asked with a smile. "Now I find myself something of an enthusiastic layman, learning new things all the time. One of my favorite things about whiskey is that, no matter how strong it comes on, or how striking it's profile is, the real wealth gained from a good whiskey is in appreciating the subtleties." Aldiel explained, his eyes playful as he lifted the glass to his lips. "How the bouquet presents an early sample, how the aftertaste lingers on your tongue once you've swallowed, the hint of it's depths left on your lips for hours to come." He lifted his glass slightly to consider the amber fluid, then gave Danger a grin. "Every sense tells me that this is a quality experience, before I even take a sip - Now THAT'S a good product."

"I swear, I don't drink often - but I try to appreciate it when I do." Aldiel added, just a little sheepish.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Aldiel D'Lessio"]

If Danger didn't know any better, she'd have thought that Aldiel was trying to seduce her. He went full out, no stops. The scene, the ambiance, the way that he managed to pick up on Danger's habits and natural inclinations. It was as if he read her every move, anticipated every desire.

She didn't know how to process that.

Plucking a slender white vice from the offered case, Danger perked a brow and would give the end a gentle tap. "I wouldn't mind playing a game of either," she'd finally say, in regards to Dejairk and Sabaac. "Perhaps we can trade tips the next time we meet."

An incline for a light, and the flash of a flame. Cheeks sunk in with her deep drag, and the spicy blue white smoke would fill her lungs. This was more like it. If she had frayed nerves earlier, Alidel was giving her all that she needed to soothe them over.

"My daddy always said you can tell the quality of a man dependent on his liquor of choice." a warm smile with a little less nervousness would shine on over to the man ."And if it makes you feel better, I reckon most of the corporate types aint the sort to be heavy in drink or in vice until they start pouring over books." It was her attempt at a light hearted joke, banter.

Certainly a good note to start the evening with.

 

[Alndys]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

That joke won a quiet little laugh from him in reply, the sort of polite chuckle that was neither dishonest, nor entirely invested. "To be honest, I've wondered about a few of my bookeepers." He mused thoughtfully, swirling his glass for a moment. "I've never met a group of people so dedicated to making my hair go grey, by doing exactly what I've asked of them - they must be dipping into a stash, somewhere." After a small and almost delicate sample from the glass of (even by his standards, expensive) whiskey, Aldiel set it aside to savor the aftertaste and enjoy his cigarette with the fullness of his attention.

"Truth be told, I'm not very good at Sabaac, either." It was best to admit that up front, though if he was embarassed at all by that fact it did not show. "It may surprise you, Danger, but I'm mildly superstitious - and it's my fervent belief that games of chance have it out for me." His eyebrows raised slightly, his tone implying the confiding of a secret and not a silly little belief that he had bad luck - it was Aldiel's way of trying to make a joke at his own expense or, at the very least, assuring his date that he didn't take himself too seriously. "I imagine that you'd have my shoes after about ten minutes of play. I'm afraid I'm terribly fond of them, even though I'm sure they'd be going to a good home."

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Aldiel D'Lessio"]


Now that was an interesting bit of information. Danger raised a brow. "Superstitious? How much?" her wrist would rotate her glass, while the other would use her thumb to flick ashes over the balcony. One hip would lean against the railing, moving into a more relaxed pose as they would sink into that which she was far more familiar with.

Did he do this on purpose? Was she that easily read now? Those were a few questions she didn't quite know the answer to. Questions she wasn't sure if she wanted to really dig into finding those answers. It was far more tempting to let them sink to the side, instead of fretting and picking over at them for secondary meanings.

A low chuckle would rumble out of her, two fingers bringing the vice to her lips. She took another deep drag, chest rising as she let the smoke linger. A wry grin drew across her lips.

"I imagine it would be a right shame to deny a man such dapper shoes." she'd say, a bit of warm mirth in her verdant eyes. "Doubt I'd them as much justice as you do."

 

[Alndys]

Who could miss the slight rise of her breasts, the entrancing flash of pine eyes darting to his with a flawless marriage of knowing and playful? It was as though she were saying with each deliberate, graceful motion that she knew he was watching - that she saw his eyes furtively dip to the swell of her hip, the line of inviting leg revealed by her dress. An ever-so-faint impression of rouge left around the filter of her cigarette, a kiss for her sins. She felt his attention, knew that she set his heart race with each little motion and those damnably disarming, knowing glances.

Aldiel smiled and took a step closer, delicately setting his whiskey aside as the band transitioned gradually from classy background music to a more upbeat, brassier number. "I wouldn't say that I'm SUPERstitious." He replied with a faint smile, eyes focused on those emerald portals through which she watched the world. On the lips favoring disposable paper with what men would doubtlessly throw life and limb to taste. "...only a little stitious."

Unfortunately, money couldn't buy a man a better sense of humor.

Now closer, Aldiel offered Danger a hand and a sly smile, glad that he'd sprung for a favorite cologne instead of what his assistant had suggested - It felt more honest. "It may be some time before they come to ask after our meals, but I'm afraid you've stolen away my appetite, Danger." Aldiel admitted quietly, using the proximity he'd gained to his own advantage. "Perhaps it's the whiskey making me braver, or the way your beauty pushes all the lesser concerns from my mind, but - Would you favour me with a dance?"

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

 

[Danger Arceneau]

For a moment, Danger wasn't sure if she heard right. Her green kohn lined eyes would peer curiously at [member="Aldiel D'Lessio"], until it finally registered. That's when her shoulders began to shudder. It came out with a melodic ring, along with a gentle mammaquatia that would delight the eyes. Scarlet lips would curl into a smile, only to give a slight pause as the tall, handsome CEO would draw closer.

Surprise registered on her face -- the first emotion of the night Aldiel would clearly be able to discern. A dance? For a moment her back would stiffen. It wasn't in wariness nor alarm, as much as it was unexpected. He was bold, forward. It unsettled her as much as it intrigued her. Her fingers tightened around her glass. Just a touch. Just enough to show she wasn't put off by the request.

"A dance?" she would repeat softly, a perk of her brow. "Are you sure you want to ricks those dapper shoes of yours for such a feat?" she replied with a light-hearted joke, but it was used to consider the offer.

After all, what harm could a dance do?

 

[Alndys]

"If I can't dance with a lady for fear of my shoes getting scuffed, then my life has taken a few alarming bad turns." Aldiel replied with a teasing smile. Sure, his posture and expression were as casual as could be - but beneath the surface, Aldiel was frantically trying to interpret the signals that [member="Danger Arceneau"] was sending is way, attempting to interpret tone and pose, to turn silent cues into something he could evaluate and respond to. It wasn't unlike Sabaac, in that regard. He'd never been good with taking risks, if only because his sense of timing on WHEN to take those risks was sometimes woefully wrong.

But like Sabaac, life sometimes demanded that one step up and take a risk."I'm fairly confident that I couldn't care less about the shoes." Aldiel promised, closing the distance between them in a single, smooth step. "But if you'd prefer, I can kick them off for their own safety." He added with a smirk.

One hand fell gently on Danger's waist, the other helped her to hold her glass, his fingers wrapping around the crystal to lay beside hers. Aldiel kept his focus - somehow - on the flashing emerald of her eyes. Risk taken, and the next few seconds would show if she would allow him to lead her in a dance upon their private balcony... or if she'd slap the taste out if his mouth for being too forward. More likely, she'd just withdraw, but...

Hey. A dance with Danger was worth the risk, and what he lacked in timing he made up for in knowing how to dance.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Aldiel D'Lessio"]

"You do have a rather odd sense of humor, you know Mistah D'Lessio," Danger would murmur, amusement igniting in her green eyes. This was new to her. She rarely ever danced. Most of her time was spent in discussing business in various conference rooms while others would take to the floor. Social gatherings were intended as networking possibilities, and most of the time she spent it pouring drinks and ensuring all were having a good time.

Singling out Danger for a dance normally took precious time one could seal the deal over a world agreeing to an Arceneau Trade Station in their orbit.

As dances went, this one was fairly sedate. There were no breathless whirls, nothing that would leave her dizzy and spinning. It also gave her every opportunity to savor the moment. She was trying to do more things for herself, this would be one.

A thought came that she would have enjoyed to dance with Alric, but he wasn't the sort to. Her dancing was adequate; she was no ballroom dancer, but Colette Arceneau saw her fit to at least learn the basics.

With a half grin, Danger would murmur, "Well, off to a good start. No toes have fallen to their demise."