Dance #2 : Lady Belle Rose (@Kristi) ~ongoing~
Orpheus felt Belle pull away slightly, but did not force her closeness this time. Moving through the steps with a subtle difference in space was hardly a challenge of note for him.
However, in the midst of this delicate choreography, there was a strange allure in the challenge of trying to win her over, to transform annoyance into intrigue. The dance became a subtle battle of wit and charm, a testament to the unpredictable nature of interactions, where even annoyance can be a curious precursor to something more…
“Perhaps you have a liking for women insulting you, more should do that often as it seems to get your attention. And then perhaps you shall fall in love with another woman who sees how infuriating you are and calls you that to yourself and then she shall be duchess and you will not have the time to bother me anymore.” Belle spoke in a hushed tone as to not alarm others around them, yet the whisper added a sense of intimacy to her words.
Orpheus could not help but laugh in response. Perhaps she was right.
He was often drawn to those who were not, in any sense, drawn to him.
“Hardly, little flower.” Orpheus smirked. “It seems only you garner my attention with your words.” Orpheus emphasized his attention to her, attempting to focus his gaze. “And why put effort into making a Duchess when I can take one with me. Such simplicity in keeping your name exactly as it were now, no?” Orpheus jested, hinting at a coupling.
Orpheus had never truly been romantically interested in Belle, that was never the reason for his visits, although he had never ruled it out on his end. He was more often curious about her. From the tales Josephine seemed to spin, she was a far cry from a proper daughter of a Duke. Orpheus had always been curious about women with such defiance in a world where defiance could cost them greatly.
As Belle spoke of his drinking and the implication he would somehow be more infuriating as he drank, he smiled.
“I am often told I am quite pleasant both sober and intoxicated. So, perhaps, little flower, your emotions betray you. Confusing infuriation with infatuation is often a simple mix up, I am sure.” Orpheus held back a laugh, using his time with her to push her as far as he could. It was not often he held her attention, let alone time to themselves where the expressions of her displeasure had to be confined to a minimum. Orpheus wanted to savor it.
“And why do you think I desire escape? Is it because you do?” Belle’s words were slightly harsh in their delivery, taking Orpheus aback. A slow twist reformed in his stomach, causing him to become slightly nauseous again. ‘Yes…’ he thought to himself.
“Is that why you drank so much today? You were escaping? From what?…It has to be a lover. You got rejected?” Belle fired question after question in a furious curiosity that left Orpheus nearly speechless. He was unaware how to process her sudden interest in him and his behaviors as she had hardly questioning him much before. Perhaps she was beginning to loosen her distain for him. Orpheus let out a soft sigh, trying to fight the tension in his body from her words.
“Slow…” Orpheus laughed, glancing around the ballroom to see if anyone had heard her. “You inquire about much, Lady Belle.” Orpheus paused.
“And to answer your questions…’there is much in society to escape’, little flower.” Orpheus’ words, although whispered, reverberated with truthful intensity. Using Belle’s own phrasing to brush off her questions, the way she had done his own, seemed a poetic kind of irony he very much enjoyed.
The music came to a close, and the surrounding couples ended their dance with respectful bowing departure. Orpheus caught sight of Aurelia at the refreshments table. Unwilling to venture back into the crowd near her, he turned his attentions back to Belle.
“However…” Orpheus’ gaze slowly met hers. “If you wish me to respond properly…the same rules apply as the first. A simple dance for a question answered. So…shall we tempt a second round, Lady Belle?” Orpheus asked, a brow raised, as a smirk spread across his features. Surely, a second dance in a row would garner significant attention, yet Orpheus was far more concerned with the unwanted attention of the women he was so desperately avoiding than whispers related to his time with Belle.
If this were the only controversial encounter others would speak of this evening, he will have considered himself fortunate.
mentioned :
Belle (@Kristi)
Aurelia (@benitz786)
Azucena (kinda lol @raviola)