Pre-Dance 2: with Ambrose Ramsbury
As Phoebe left the dance floor, a familiar sense of unease began to settle within her as her eyes went in every direction, looking at all that was around her. Suddenly occurring to her rapidly increasing heart rate that she was once again in this dazzling ballroom filled with many guests, which seemed to grow larger and more imposing by the minute. It felt suffocating as her racing heart was beating a frantic rhythm in her chest, and panic slid into the unfocused corners of her mind. The noise around her grew louder, amplifying her anxiety as it drowned out any attempt to find her own calming thoughts.
Her breath grew shallow and her palms clammy as she tried to steady herself and find a focus on something, anything. Could she find that quiet(ish) corner again? She needed it to regain her composure. Looking for that corner was hard to concentrate on with the laughter, chatter, and elegant movements of the dancers. Phoebe’s shoulders slumped and her gaze cast to the floor as she struggled to regain her composure.
Peering downward, she only saw a pair of larger medium-high boots in murky deep blue boots as she was suddenly jolted. Instinctively, she reached out to steady herself from falling to the floor, she clutched the sleeve of the jacket who had bumped into her. She was grateful for the help, in return, to steady her too.
As the man released his hold on her, Phoebe straightened herself and tentatively accepted the kiss on her hand he had offered her, attempting to appreciate his display of courtesy. Hear his apologetic tone and seeing what seemed to be a sincere expression, she gave a humble smile and replied, “Thank you, sir. No harm done, I assure you. I do appreciate your swift assistance.” Her eyes lingered on the man for a moment, then quickly downward again, focusing back on his shoes. It was now she noticed the finishing on the stitching, much like her father’s work. These seemed to be his work. “Excuse me, sir,” Phoebe began, not lifting her head. “I noticed the exquisite craftsmanship of the boots you’re wearing. Did you by any chance purchase them recently?”