No Dance: Conversation w/ Harrison Davis ~ongoing~
Corin listened intently as Harrison spoke, keen on maintaining eye contact and attentiveness during his first official interaction with his new friend.
Time seemed to move slower under the soft light of the balcony candle posts. A meeting sparked through chance encounter, and a mutual interest in Ilyas Keats, seemed to turn into a deep connection. A strange sort of camaraderie took root through laughter and quick-witted commentary.
Their bond, fresh and unburdened by history, held the promise of new adventures and unwritten chapters, a testament to the beauty of how the unlikeliest of friendships could blossom from a chance meeting in a bustling ballroom.
[color= #d4af37] “It would do the nation well, to take trips and travel out more, visit the world beyond us…” [/color] Harrison stated, discussing the mundaneness of English life and the homogeneity of its courtiers. The discussion of travels intrigued Corin. He had not taken Lord Davis as a well traveled man. In fact, he had assumed most of England had not been outside of the bubble high society had sheltered them with.
[color= #0E6251] “Are you quite traveled then, Lo-Harrison?” [/color] Corin’s face turned downcast at his continued mistake. He could feel the heat rise to his cheeks out of embarrassment, and shook his head clear of such pretenses as he continued. [color= #0E6251] “Forgive me. The lack of a titled address will take some time to familiarize myself with as I am not accustomed to first names.” [/color] Corin admitted.
Along his travels it was rare he was to speak to anyone outside of the business industry. As he spoke, his vocabulary and speech had to maintain the strict formalities of each region; his words holding honorifics in every language he switched over to. It was a difficult habit to break.
Harrison continued to speak, freeing Corin of the discomfort of his own words.
[color= #d4af37] “Yet, there’s a certain charm in the predictability of it all, don’t you think? A sort of reassuring familiarity…” [/color] Harrison’s pensive thoughts drew his eyes to the darkness of the night outside, and Corin allowed his gaze to follow, attempting to glance briefly toward the stars above.
‘A dance with the heavens…’ He thought to himself, a small reflection of a past life flickering with the light of the stars before him.
Corin pulled himself from the memory, re-dedicating himself to his conversation.
[color= #d4af37] “…Where have you been all my life?…” [/color] Harrison asked, elucidating on their lost time and interwoven destinies.
To be certain, Corin had felt the tug as well, upon their meeting. It was rare Corin was ever set at ease in the presence of anyone, let alone a Lord, yet Harrison had a sort of familiarity and comfort to him that Corin could not explain. It truly was as if the universe had conspired to construct their friendship.
[color= #0E6251] “I am sure we have more than enough time to make up for what was lost, my friend. I truly understand your lament of our kindred spirits. It is as if we had been wandering separate paths, guided by invisible hands, only to converge at the perfect intersection of time and place. So, do not fret too much on what could have been, as I am certain that all happens in time, as divinity allows. And we were destined to befriend each other at this very moment. Perhaps, a moment when we needed it most, as I have found not only friendship, but a profound sense of belonging in your company at a time where I, myself, need it most. It seems you might need a new companion as well.” [/color] Corin offered a subtle laugh, his eyes moving back toward the ballroom, lingering on Ilyas.
There was an inexplicable feeling of loss as he glanced at his friend. It felt as though the pages of their shared story had slowly yellowed with age, and the chapters that once bound them together had become distant memories, fading like the waning moon that lit the balcony beneath his feet.
Perhaps Harrison felt it too. Although, the longing from the past in Corin’s chest rivaled that of his absent friend. There grew a deeper pain that demanded fresh connection to cure it.
Maybe that is why their newfound camaraderie felt so comforting and deep-rooted.
They were both looking to fill a hole left by others.
Harrison offered to continue their time back inside the ballroom where he might introduce Corin to ladies of import.
Despite his reluctance to rejoin the fray, Corin was grateful for the assistance.
[color= #0E6251] “Yes, let us continue our conversation in stride, Harrison.” [/color] Corin solidified the name on his tongue, a permanent marker defining his new friendship.
Corin inhaled the crisp night air, preparing himself for a return to the stuffy, perfumed scent of the ton. Each breath carried the weight of moonlit roses and the distant melody of crickets, a soothing contrast to the orchestrated elegance within the ballroom.
With newfound resolve, Corin straightened his attire and steeled his nerves with a swig of his flask. Armed with the rejuvenating power of the night air to carry him through the dance of pretenses once more, he followed Harrison back inside.
mentioned:
Harrison (@Kristi)
Ilyas (@Madilfill)