No Dance: Conversation w/ Harrison Davis ~ongoing~
Standing in the lavishly adorned ballroom, Corin knew he was very much out of place. The lavish setting and the symphony of chatter and music enveloped him like a swirling vortex of grandeur; a kind of elegance he was far from accustomed to. Corin cast a furtive glance around, his eyes darting from one finely dressed guest to another, each seemingly more confident and poised than the last.
It was strange. In a way he felt so foreign, so out of place, yet he held his head higher and his chest more firm. There was a contagious sort of uniformity, and he almost felt at ease among strangers knowing they each had to put in as much effort to please each other as he did.
In a world so full of pretense, no matter the nation, Corin had grown accustomed to navigation of many sorts. From raging seas, to uncharted lands, and ballroom pleasantries alike, a network of this caliber was a welcomed challenge to his cartographical prowess as well as his usually reserved demeanor.
Corin’s fingers toyed with the hem of his sleeve and gloves, ensuring their coverage yet again as he stared through the crowd.
The matchbox that sat in his pocket seemed to burn his thigh, his hands longing to slide across the cool metal of the frame.
He refrained.
Such a nervous tick was surely noticeable among the ton, and Corin, being title-less, needed to appear as self-assured and noble as any other eligible bachelor present.
[color= #d4af37] “That girl,” [/color] Harrison nodded toward a small brunette in the corner of the room. [color= #d4af37] “Do you find her lovely?” [/color] He asked, a small smirk at the edge of his cheeks.
Just as Corin opened his mouth to respond, a young blonde swooped in, linking arms with the brunette Harrison had pointed out.
Belle Rose Fleur
Corin had not imagined the girl to stray so far from France. In fact, he had rather hoped he would not see her again for as long as he lived. His quick departure from France, was, in part, due to her existence within its borders.
Corin had formed a foul taste in his mouth in regards to Belle. Their distain dated back to their childhood years in academy. Corin knew Belle to be cruel, manipulative, and lacking the decorum of a lady of renown.
In fact, many people often compared Arista, his lost love, to Belle in their time at school. Arista was fiery, rebellious, and often way too curious for her own good. In many ways, they were extremely similar.
Corin often laughed as others compared the two. He found the similarities coincidental, and the insinuation they were the same disrespectful as he valued Arista greatly. If they were to be the same, he thought, Arista was superior in every aspect.
Corin could not help the look of disgust that crossed his features as Belle waltzed into view. Her curled blonde hair perfectly placed along her light blue dress.
Corin hated how beautiful she always looked. He hated how similar to his love she truly was.
[color= #0E6251] “No.” [/color] Corin said, flatly. [color= #0E6251] “Anyone in relation with Belle Rose Fleur is quite the opposite of lovely I am sure.” [/color] Corin finished his statement, spotting another young girl standing alone.
[color= #0E6251] “That one, there. Do you know of her family? She is quite beautiful.” [/color] Corin stated, looking her over. The girl seemed perfectly suited to motherhood and the roles of a wife. Her features were gentle, her eyes kind, and she held herself with a subtle kind of frailty that attracted him. She did not appear too difficult to maintain, and that was something Corin very much desired in a wife.
However, as he looked upon her, her hands softly wrapped around her untouched glass of champagne, he felt his stomach flutter slightly. A strange sort of sensation he had not felt in some time.
Yes, Corin was more than equip for navigating coastlines and mountain ranges, even social pleasantries did not sway his confidence, yet, it was the path to a woman’s heart he was most unfamiliar with. A path he had fallen onto once by coincidence. One he did not dare walk again. However, the necessity for such a journey was not lost to him.
Corin shoved down any unease or attraction he felt, filling his mind with duty and purpose alone, and turned to Harrison for further instruction.
If she were of decent parentage, perhaps she would be the first woman of interest tonight.
mentioned :
Harrison (@Kristi)
Maisie (@Littlefeets)
Belle (@Kristi)