snatch and sway, the northwick way
dance #1 : Albina Northwick (@Jass) ~ongoing~
Orpheus looked on Albina fondly as they danced in unison, moving as smoothly as the fabrics of her dress that swayed with them at each turn. He had to admit, she was a fair dancer. It seemed most women of the ton merely followed in step, but Albina seemed to move independently yet entirely in sync with his own motions. It was as if they had rehearsed the dance numerous times before, yet it was indeed their first.
As Albina questioned his relief at her sudden pull to the dance floor, Orpheus wondered how much he should share with her. The fact that Azucena was now a lady, or rather, that she had always been a lady, complicated their relationship greatly. It also meant he could not speak as freely about her as he once might have.
[color= #BC0057] “Simply a conversation with a friend turned dull. I am most relieved to be sparking up a new topic with you, here, instead. You are far more lovely company, to be sure.” [/color] Orpheus smiled, the whitens of his teeth glinting in the light of the overhead chandeliers.
At her compliment, Orpheus gazed down at his suit as if he had forgotten what he was wearing.
[color= #BC0057] “You flatter me.” [/color] Orpheus chuckled. [color= #BC0057] “However, the coffers of the Duke do tend to bode well for my taste in fashion.” [/color] In fact, the suit had been so egregiously expensive, the Duke had been quite upset with him. Orpheus was the type to meticulously prep every aspect of his outfit down to the size and shape of the buttons and the cut of the collar. He quite enjoyed crafting his own outfits, and often arrived at the tailors with a hand drawn sketch of precisely the suit he needed.
This one, in particular, was laced with gold.
Tonight, he opted for a soft golden undershirt, a matching light gold tie, and gold buttons down the coat. His tailcoat was black to match Corin’s all black suit, giving them a sense of togetherness in their outfit choice, much to the displeasure of the Duke. The Langston family colors were white and gold, yet instead of opting for a typical white undershirt and gold patterned coat, Orpheus thought Corin’s introduction to society should be marked by the backing of the Duke, symbolically, of course, through the combined family color schemes.
Orpheus refocused as Albina finished her rather witty sentiment regarding her distaste of the men of the ton.
[color= #BC0057] “You do not find rakes and dirty, old widowers with wandering hands to be favorable, Miss Northwick?” [/color] Orpheus feigned a shocked expression. [color= #BC0057] “I must say, I am not sure there is much left the season might offer you if that is the case.” [/color] Orpheus laughed, grasping her hand more firmly, instead of hovering, as they danced. Had he known Albina would be full of such quips, he might have invited her to tea alongside Adeline as they gossiped prior to the season.
[color= #BC0057] “My namesake does set quite the high standard, does he not? Although, I like to believe we are one and the same. Perhaps, if you believe in such notions, as my mother did, a reborn version of an old tale.” [/color] Orpheus gave Albina a wink. He was always quite fond of the myth he was named after. Although, the ending never sat quite right with him. Perhaps, he often thought, if Orpheus had been real, he had been sent back to Earth to try his luck in love again.
[color= #BC0057] “I must admit, in the previous season my eyes had wandered elsewhere. I had not given proper care to…” [/color]
As he spoke, Albina’s eyes drifted to the floor. Orpheus smirked, his hand slowly gracing the bottom of her chin.
He tilted her chin up, giving her a smile as he cocked his head to the side to meet her gaze.
[color= #BC0057] “Who was in front of me.” [/color] Orpheus’ eyes glinted with a teasing sort of flirtation. These were the interactions he had longed for since the previous season.
He stood there for a moment, letting his eyes gaze into hers, falling slightly out of step with the crowd.
[color= #BC0057] “Luckily, the heavens have granted me more time. Perhaps we shall see more of one another this season.” [/color] Orpheus smiled softly, pulling his gaze back toward the dance, and leading Albina back into step again.