Dance #4 with Adeline DeLaney ~ongoing~
Adeline extended her hand, their fingers interlacing as Orpheus pulled her to the dance floor with the other couples. Without missing a beat, Orpheus synced their movements to the rhythm of the soft strings that hummed throughout the ballroom. Their chords seemed to reverberate off of the walls, echoing in a taunting reminder of all that Orpheus still longed for, all that he had lost, and all that was yet to be.
Orpheus found a peace in Adeline’s presence again, a gentle sort of nurturing spirit that soothed his tormented and aching heart. For a moment, he felt himself pulled from the darkness, placed back into his own mind, and given the space to finally breathe again.
[color= #E7D27C] “Please tell me, are you alright? Is there anything I can do to make this night better for you?” [/color] Adeline’s voice came as a gentle melody, a medicine for Orpheus’ tired ears to perceive.
Orpheus no longer had to force his smile, although still pained, the grin on his face spread naturally, as smoothly as Adeline’s voice had entered his mind.
[color= #BC0057] “You already have…” [/color] Orpheus breathed, smiling as he twirled her around.
Suddenly the music picked up its rhythm, the somber pull of string replaced by an excited sequence of quick notes in succession, forcing the pace of the dance to quicken.
[color= #BC0057] “Just dance with me!” [/color] Orpheus laughed, pulling her along faster and faster as they danced in time to the music.
As they swirled in a silent blur, nearly bouncing as they moved across the floor, Orpheus’ hands tightened around Adeline to help her keep the pace.
The scene reminded Orpheus of their younger years, a much smaller Adeline sitting in the tree outside of her house. Orpheus had thought how strange it was to have a small room in a tree, yet he had met Adeline there frequently once he found her alone. She would sit and cry in the small room for so long that one day Orpheus had finally had enough. At the young age of 13, Orpheus pulled Adeline from her spot in the trees, forcing her feet back to the ground, connecting her back to the world around her. Orpheus held her tight, having her stand on his own feet, gently humming and swaying, using the basic steps of rhythm and dance to lull her from her cries. They were so small back then. It seemed like a lifetime ago.
He had pulled her from the heavens and given her a place to stand. Now, he couldn’t help but cherish the feeling of freedom that came with being in her arms tonight, a testament to their enduring friendship and the shared nostalgia that danced in every step they took together.
As the song slowed back down again, a small pause between beats was all that was needed for the space in sound to be filled with a deep growl. Orpheus’ brows furrowed as he looked to Adeline, looked down to her stomach, then back up.
[color= #BC0057] “You didn’t eat, did you?” [/color] He asked, his hands falling from hers. Adeline often preoccupied her mind with the thoughts of others, not too dissimilar to many other ladies of the ton, except her care for others opinions seemed to reach far beyond the norm. It was days like these that Adeline might often forget to eat, and her brother being as absent as he often was, did nothing to disuade her terrible habits.
[color= #BC0057] “Come on.” [/color] Orpheus sighed, a gentle smile on his face to comfort her as he took her hand again and led her off the dance floor. Without a word or hesitation, because he knew she might refuse him, Orpheus led Adeline to the snack table.
[color= #BC0057] “Let us see if there is anything worthy of my diamond.” [/color] Orpheus smiled, looking through the table to see if there was anything Adeline might enjoy.
[color= #BC0057] “Here. You like strawberries. Try these.” [/color] He handed her a small plate of fruits and gently pulled her behind him. Standing as wide as he could, Orpheus used his body and the wall beside them to shield Adeline from public view for just a moment. Enough time for her to eat without being watched, without being judged, and without worrying about being watched or judged.
[color= #BC0057] “You will surely fall on empty mind and fainted feet if you do not soothe your angry stomach. Just a few bites. For me.” [/color] Orpheus offered a reassuring smile, taking a bite of a macaron himself so she might feel more at ease with someone else eating too. Despite the gnawing ache in his own stomach from the alcohol, Orpheus had not eaten much either. Perhaps a snack would be a welcomed break for them both.
mentioned:
Adeline (@sunflowerjm)
Atlas