Dance With The Devil - Chapter Three
Chapter Three - Compass Strokes
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Before anyone is confused by this. Parmalent member Clair Dowars is that horrible woman who tried to prove M did a bad job at MI6 during Skyfall.
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M had gotten a invitation for parmalent member Clair Dowars yearly mascarade ball. The woman had quiet the influence so this was one of the top events in Londons high society ever since she had taken office. Everyone at MI6 knew M spited these kind of events almost as much as she spited the woman who host it. However the relation between the government administration and the head of MI6 was one of mistrust and incomprehention as of late. This was the best public display of a piece offer as they would likely get.
They probably owed that favour to Mallory.
M had picked up two agents in training plus James Bond to accompany her to the event. James was with her for several reasons. To be a representable companion, a personal body guard and most of all to give him anything to do at all. He seemed even more restless than usual to her lately.
So here the two of them where. Wearing expensive desses, Ms arm hooked into James'. Her other hand gripping her mask-stick. James wore a simple black mask that barely covered his eyes and the bridge of his nose this evening. And a custom made suit. Slowly they moved forward on the crowded red carped that led toward the main entrance of the grand palais. A red carpet. James had to suppress a grin at the look on Ms face. They had to stop every now and then to smile at the cameras of tabloid press. James tried to imagine M waving delicately into one of these cameras like the women next to them did. Maybe this evening wouldn't be so bad after all if he kept entertaining himself with silly thoughts.
That certainly was an better option than his brain running havoc with unwelcome thoughts of a certain blond man. He really had been loosing it lately, caged into this city with nothing to do to to ease his mind. After their latest encounter James didn't even felt completely comfortable at public places anymore. The mans possible presence nagged at his mind constantly. He shouldn't be so fet up about it. Their last encounter, or call it what you want, lay two weeks in the past but then again it was his job to be aware of possible dangers. Especially tonight. He would just focus on M. And M only.
Once they got inside, got greeted by their stoicly smiling host and made their way into the main room of the event, the ball room, they found themself a quiet place at the side line and went to observing the other guests. James wouldn't have minded a dance but in regard of M he didn't push it.
She really did not like these kind of events. It was almost comical to see her this unconfortable. Of course not many other people would notice it, would be able to tell it apart from her usual stern face but James knew her well enough. He bet she would much rather be at work or even at the ministry, defending their work, right now. Sometimes he wondered if the whole matter of M misery was that she couldn't dance. Maybe he should start a bet once they were back at MI6. Q branch surely was able to dig out some compromising footage, either to prove or refute his theory. Ah, way to get himself degraded. Hey, noone could blame him for being this bored.
He leaned down to M with a smile “We should at least pretend to enjoy this evening.” That earned him a sceptical look but eventually there was a small smile of Ms face. “Right Mr. Bond. Its inevitable. Lets get in touch with these people, i can't get enought from. Charming as they all are.”
So they moved toward a bigger group of people who seemed least shallow and least annoying. M spend the next few hours talking and listening to what everyone had to say about Englands economy, its international relations, quite generally its predicted future. Bond droped in a contribution here and there but mainly focused on scanning their surroundings. Not leaving her side.
It was way into the evening when James first layed his eyes onto a about couple his age. They were gracefully dancing on the nearby center of the room. He couldn't tell when they had entered. Then again keeping track of everyone who was coming and going wasn't easy in here. The security of this place was a disaster in James opinion. Sure they got lots of security guards standing around. Of course maintaining low profile, in order not to disturb the quests but the place itself and the bustle of people sure had to trouble those responsible. James decided to keep an eye on the dancing pair. Nothing seemed out of order about them but since his instinct made him overthink the places security standards upon seeing them there might be a reason to be careful. His instinct rarely failed him.
James took his time to eye the couple more closely. She was some exqusite woman judging from the way she moved. Short, thick curls ending right abover her shoulders. He got a glimps on her blue eyes whenever their dance would turn her face toward him. Hey almost seemed cat-like, thanks to the shape of her mask. Ultimatly it was her companion that James focused on. He moved in what could be called a predatory stance. If possible his motions where even more fluid then hers, yet there was something tense about him. Like he was ready to jump. As inconspicuous as his exterior might be, expensive but plain suite and mask, plain brown hair that even looked tousled to a certain degree, something about him made James own predator stirr.
He excused himself from his discussion partners, found himself someone to have the dance with and slowly edged his way closer to his person of interest while spinning his dancing partner in lazy circles across the banquet floor.
When James finaly got close enough to study the guys features he started to doubt his own mental well-being. Again. It wasn't like he haven't had this paranoia before. Within the past two weeks, basicly everytime he had a glimpse at a tall, blond person in the streets of London. But all the time it turned out, that he had been mistaken as he took a second look. However James wouldn't have come up here on the dance floor if he hadn't suspect something to begin with and when he couldn't see the pair anywhere after his next spin all alarm bells went of.
He left his dance standing alone on the spot and charged back toward M. Generously M was M. Always wary, she instantly caught sight of his quick approach and concluded something was up. A quick nod toward the other 2 agents who had come here with them and M turned away to be escorted out of the room the very moment someone bumped into James shoulder.
He turned to stand face to face with the intruder. Shielding M off him. Silvas eyes were following M, who now seemingly moved toward the door behind James back. Good. She was getting further away every passing second. Silvas eyes then skipped over several positions of the room before finaly landing on James eyes.
“Hello, Mr. Bond.” “Mr. Silva.” James allowed himself a wry smile. Silvas look then droped a few inches, giving James the chance to observe the man in front him. He looked different like this. Less flamboyant obviously. While James tried to decide whether this attire seemed more or less dangerous as Silvas usual self, said mans gaze had found its way back onto James eyes and lingered in position.
When Silva next spoke his lips were graced by a smile James didn't like. “Looks like we got ourselfs a situation here. Now what to make out of this. I would like to leave that decision up to you. We can either proceed with each our tasks at hand. Or...” The smile reached Silvas eyes now. James knew that look well. He couln't help but remember the other mans hands on his thighs. “Or we let it go just for now and you save me this dance. Dont worry. Noone will be going after that dear Mother of yours, for as long as you decide to stay and won't try something stupid.” James was pretty sure he couldn't hide his suprise at that. Was Silva really offering to dance with him in order to stop his assault on M? Now there was a lot you could say about the man. Him lying to archieve his goals wasn't one of those things. Besides, Bond was more then sure this wouldn't be Silvas only plan to approach M. A nice plan it was to be honest. Right under the nose of Ms. We don't need the MI6. James could give Silva that much credit. He wondered if there was any chance that Silva did this to prove a point on Ms behalf, even after everything that happened. Be it as it may, cleary Silva wasn't the kind who got desperate enought to lie. So if he was offered a chance to distract his enemy some longer he was going to take it. Besides, James had done worse things for queen and country before.
James held out a hand “If you please Mr. Silva,” Silvas smile was face splitting when he took the hand. That bastard. Ever since that night at the club James was aware that he aswell had power over Silva. This thing didn't just work one way. But this was not the right place to pull certain triggers. So he simply let himseld being led onto the dancefloor.
They picked up the same slow dance they had been into with their other dancing partners before. On the outset James felt slightly uncomfortable at the intimacy of this but didn't let it show. Instead his usual confident smile graced his face and it also calmed his insides. For a while noone said anything. James hand rested on Silvas hip. Silvas hand lay on the small of James back. They circled each other in more then one way, each very aware of the other mans presence. Both of them ready to pounce if needed. In a twisted way, it was exhilarating. Both of them looked here and there and, god save him, flirted with each other. Silvas smile was radiant while James offered a coy smirk.
They did a pretty good job at acting as if nothing was out of ordenary. Not more or less ordenary as the public display of mens affection could be, anyway.
Silva even went so far as to test the waters of smalltalk. Dwelled on innocent topics as the tasteless room decoration or amused himself with the attendance of certain important guests. The latter created a concerned look on James face. “Don't worry James.” Silva chuckled “What interest would I have in aimlessly attacking random people. You really should know be better by now.”
He even managed to humor James with a couple of dark and dirty stories about some of said quests. Obviously the man dug his fingers into everything with his bloody PC. ”Oh I am only doing my job. Can't help that I gather information about this and that along the way. I told you it is much more fun that that dull work of yours. Just say a words and we are out of here. The offer still holds.” “No, thanks a lot.” James took a mental note that there was need for a police raid in some of these peoples houses. To James shame Silva almost lured him into conversation when he went on about Francis Bacon and his early works. Well almost. He certainly wouldnt entertain Silva by talking to him more then necessary.
The musicians had long started another tune and James started to relax a little when Silva next spoke up. Instantly James knew they had left the territory of casual small talk behind. Silva leaned in a little, his voice dropping lower.
“Remember that day on the island James? You can't be aware of it but you actually did a good job on foiling the bad guys agenda back then. You know, I wanted to be caughed. Please. Don't trouble youself with the why. Anyway what option did you leave me? For a moment I thought that tiny sender of yours really ruined the entity of my plan. You really could've put it away at some saver place but now that it droped what to make of this situation. Hmm? I thought about ignoring it for a moment. Play pretend i didn't hear it. But James you know how it goes. Plans can be put aside if the situation calls for it. Better options present themself. And wouldn't it be dull to let them pass.”
James felt heat crawling up his neck. Whether it came from his rising anger, about the fact that Silva played lemme share my secrets, or the way Silva murmured these words into his personal space he could not say. Better not ponder on that thought. Instead he answered in the same low manner, only for the two of them to hear “What makes you so confident about this new plan of yours. If you had Ms downfall planed for so long why overthrow everything now? So you say you willingly changed you plans back then but cleary also tonight didn't went very well. If I am counting right that is two out of two ever since your attack struck the MI6. So many compromise. Are you sure you still get what you want. What tells you I'm not gonna snap your neck right here in front of everyone as soon as i get word about Ms save retention.”
All he got in return was a low chuckle.
The grip on the small of Bonds back got tighter. “Im hurt James, here I thought we were past the point of death threats. Aren't we, hm? But you got me. Its true. Not just the plan that changed. There is a new priority of goals to achieve. And don't worry. It seems like everything is well on the way. Rest asured that nothing will change the outcome of the events for M. Our Mother, that you still hold on to so dearly. She will not survive the end of this. This I promise dear James”
James got pulled closer. Their bodies touched chest to chest. He could feel Silvas slow, warm breath on his lips. James barely had enough time to close his mouth into a frowning line before Silvas mouth pressed down on his in a firm kiss. Despite everything James had been trained for his head started to spin. He was caught in a momentum of too many thoughts, yet no thoughts at all. Their little power play in the anonymity of a dark dancefloor had been one thing but here they where in the broad light. With probably a lot of bystanders, security and maybe even some agents watching. Ever since M got escorted out of the room Silva and him must have been the center of everyones attention, who was involved in what was going on. And maybe he was enjoing this moment of being not in control more then he could allow himself to admit. He gave Silva a half-hearted shove.
“Thank you for the dance dear Mr. Bond” A bow, the hint of a smirk and once again Silva turned to leave and James just couldn't find the will inside himself to pursue just then.
After a short moment of gathering himself he sprinted after Silva. Rounding the next few heavy double-doors and narrow hallway corners. Silva was already out of sight, the route of his escape untrackable. Blame the size of this old building if you please. The only thing that greeted James in the adjoining rooms were the confused looks on the faces of some scattered party quests. His heart pounded.
Sure someone else would catch Silva on his way out. That's what James Bond told himself.
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A/N: Compass Strokes is a lovely peaceful song by Wim Mertens. It certainly would make a nice song for a slow dance. Mainly i liked the title of that song for this chapter because this evening sure drew James toward Silva, like a compass needle draws north.
________________________________________
Before anyone is confused by this. Parmalent member Clair Dowars is that horrible woman who tried to prove M did a bad job at MI6 during Skyfall.
________________________________________
M had gotten a invitation for parmalent member Clair Dowars yearly mascarade ball. The woman had quiet the influence so this was one of the top events in Londons high society ever since she had taken office. Everyone at MI6 knew M spited these kind of events almost as much as she spited the woman who host it. However the relation between the government administration and the head of MI6 was one of mistrust and incomprehention as of late. This was the best public display of a piece offer as they would likely get.
They probably owed that favour to Mallory.
M had picked up two agents in training plus James Bond to accompany her to the event. James was with her for several reasons. To be a representable companion, a personal body guard and most of all to give him anything to do at all. He seemed even more restless than usual to her lately.
So here the two of them where. Wearing expensive desses, Ms arm hooked into James'. Her other hand gripping her mask-stick. James wore a simple black mask that barely covered his eyes and the bridge of his nose this evening. And a custom made suit. Slowly they moved forward on the crowded red carped that led toward the main entrance of the grand palais. A red carpet. James had to suppress a grin at the look on Ms face. They had to stop every now and then to smile at the cameras of tabloid press. James tried to imagine M waving delicately into one of these cameras like the women next to them did. Maybe this evening wouldn't be so bad after all if he kept entertaining himself with silly thoughts.
That certainly was an better option than his brain running havoc with unwelcome thoughts of a certain blond man. He really had been loosing it lately, caged into this city with nothing to do to to ease his mind. After their latest encounter James didn't even felt completely comfortable at public places anymore. The mans possible presence nagged at his mind constantly. He shouldn't be so fet up about it. Their last encounter, or call it what you want, lay two weeks in the past but then again it was his job to be aware of possible dangers. Especially tonight. He would just focus on M. And M only.
Once they got inside, got greeted by their stoicly smiling host and made their way into the main room of the event, the ball room, they found themself a quiet place at the side line and went to observing the other guests. James wouldn't have minded a dance but in regard of M he didn't push it.
She really did not like these kind of events. It was almost comical to see her this unconfortable. Of course not many other people would notice it, would be able to tell it apart from her usual stern face but James knew her well enough. He bet she would much rather be at work or even at the ministry, defending their work, right now. Sometimes he wondered if the whole matter of M misery was that she couldn't dance. Maybe he should start a bet once they were back at MI6. Q branch surely was able to dig out some compromising footage, either to prove or refute his theory. Ah, way to get himself degraded. Hey, noone could blame him for being this bored.
He leaned down to M with a smile “We should at least pretend to enjoy this evening.” That earned him a sceptical look but eventually there was a small smile of Ms face. “Right Mr. Bond. Its inevitable. Lets get in touch with these people, i can't get enought from. Charming as they all are.”
So they moved toward a bigger group of people who seemed least shallow and least annoying. M spend the next few hours talking and listening to what everyone had to say about Englands economy, its international relations, quite generally its predicted future. Bond droped in a contribution here and there but mainly focused on scanning their surroundings. Not leaving her side.
It was way into the evening when James first layed his eyes onto a about couple his age. They were gracefully dancing on the nearby center of the room. He couldn't tell when they had entered. Then again keeping track of everyone who was coming and going wasn't easy in here. The security of this place was a disaster in James opinion. Sure they got lots of security guards standing around. Of course maintaining low profile, in order not to disturb the quests but the place itself and the bustle of people sure had to trouble those responsible. James decided to keep an eye on the dancing pair. Nothing seemed out of order about them but since his instinct made him overthink the places security standards upon seeing them there might be a reason to be careful. His instinct rarely failed him.
James took his time to eye the couple more closely. She was some exqusite woman judging from the way she moved. Short, thick curls ending right abover her shoulders. He got a glimps on her blue eyes whenever their dance would turn her face toward him. Hey almost seemed cat-like, thanks to the shape of her mask. Ultimatly it was her companion that James focused on. He moved in what could be called a predatory stance. If possible his motions where even more fluid then hers, yet there was something tense about him. Like he was ready to jump. As inconspicuous as his exterior might be, expensive but plain suite and mask, plain brown hair that even looked tousled to a certain degree, something about him made James own predator stirr.
He excused himself from his discussion partners, found himself someone to have the dance with and slowly edged his way closer to his person of interest while spinning his dancing partner in lazy circles across the banquet floor.
When James finaly got close enough to study the guys features he started to doubt his own mental well-being. Again. It wasn't like he haven't had this paranoia before. Within the past two weeks, basicly everytime he had a glimpse at a tall, blond person in the streets of London. But all the time it turned out, that he had been mistaken as he took a second look. However James wouldn't have come up here on the dance floor if he hadn't suspect something to begin with and when he couldn't see the pair anywhere after his next spin all alarm bells went of.
He left his dance standing alone on the spot and charged back toward M. Generously M was M. Always wary, she instantly caught sight of his quick approach and concluded something was up. A quick nod toward the other 2 agents who had come here with them and M turned away to be escorted out of the room the very moment someone bumped into James shoulder.
He turned to stand face to face with the intruder. Shielding M off him. Silvas eyes were following M, who now seemingly moved toward the door behind James back. Good. She was getting further away every passing second. Silvas eyes then skipped over several positions of the room before finaly landing on James eyes.
“Hello, Mr. Bond.” “Mr. Silva.” James allowed himself a wry smile. Silvas look then droped a few inches, giving James the chance to observe the man in front him. He looked different like this. Less flamboyant obviously. While James tried to decide whether this attire seemed more or less dangerous as Silvas usual self, said mans gaze had found its way back onto James eyes and lingered in position.
When Silva next spoke his lips were graced by a smile James didn't like. “Looks like we got ourselfs a situation here. Now what to make out of this. I would like to leave that decision up to you. We can either proceed with each our tasks at hand. Or...” The smile reached Silvas eyes now. James knew that look well. He couln't help but remember the other mans hands on his thighs. “Or we let it go just for now and you save me this dance. Dont worry. Noone will be going after that dear Mother of yours, for as long as you decide to stay and won't try something stupid.” James was pretty sure he couldn't hide his suprise at that. Was Silva really offering to dance with him in order to stop his assault on M? Now there was a lot you could say about the man. Him lying to archieve his goals wasn't one of those things. Besides, Bond was more then sure this wouldn't be Silvas only plan to approach M. A nice plan it was to be honest. Right under the nose of Ms. We don't need the MI6. James could give Silva that much credit. He wondered if there was any chance that Silva did this to prove a point on Ms behalf, even after everything that happened. Be it as it may, cleary Silva wasn't the kind who got desperate enought to lie. So if he was offered a chance to distract his enemy some longer he was going to take it. Besides, James had done worse things for queen and country before.
James held out a hand “If you please Mr. Silva,” Silvas smile was face splitting when he took the hand. That bastard. Ever since that night at the club James was aware that he aswell had power over Silva. This thing didn't just work one way. But this was not the right place to pull certain triggers. So he simply let himseld being led onto the dancefloor.
They picked up the same slow dance they had been into with their other dancing partners before. On the outset James felt slightly uncomfortable at the intimacy of this but didn't let it show. Instead his usual confident smile graced his face and it also calmed his insides. For a while noone said anything. James hand rested on Silvas hip. Silvas hand lay on the small of James back. They circled each other in more then one way, each very aware of the other mans presence. Both of them ready to pounce if needed. In a twisted way, it was exhilarating. Both of them looked here and there and, god save him, flirted with each other. Silvas smile was radiant while James offered a coy smirk.
They did a pretty good job at acting as if nothing was out of ordenary. Not more or less ordenary as the public display of mens affection could be, anyway.
Silva even went so far as to test the waters of smalltalk. Dwelled on innocent topics as the tasteless room decoration or amused himself with the attendance of certain important guests. The latter created a concerned look on James face. “Don't worry James.” Silva chuckled “What interest would I have in aimlessly attacking random people. You really should know be better by now.”
He even managed to humor James with a couple of dark and dirty stories about some of said quests. Obviously the man dug his fingers into everything with his bloody PC. ”Oh I am only doing my job. Can't help that I gather information about this and that along the way. I told you it is much more fun that that dull work of yours. Just say a words and we are out of here. The offer still holds.” “No, thanks a lot.” James took a mental note that there was need for a police raid in some of these peoples houses. To James shame Silva almost lured him into conversation when he went on about Francis Bacon and his early works. Well almost. He certainly wouldnt entertain Silva by talking to him more then necessary.
The musicians had long started another tune and James started to relax a little when Silva next spoke up. Instantly James knew they had left the territory of casual small talk behind. Silva leaned in a little, his voice dropping lower.
“Remember that day on the island James? You can't be aware of it but you actually did a good job on foiling the bad guys agenda back then. You know, I wanted to be caughed. Please. Don't trouble youself with the why. Anyway what option did you leave me? For a moment I thought that tiny sender of yours really ruined the entity of my plan. You really could've put it away at some saver place but now that it droped what to make of this situation. Hmm? I thought about ignoring it for a moment. Play pretend i didn't hear it. But James you know how it goes. Plans can be put aside if the situation calls for it. Better options present themself. And wouldn't it be dull to let them pass.”
James felt heat crawling up his neck. Whether it came from his rising anger, about the fact that Silva played lemme share my secrets, or the way Silva murmured these words into his personal space he could not say. Better not ponder on that thought. Instead he answered in the same low manner, only for the two of them to hear “What makes you so confident about this new plan of yours. If you had Ms downfall planed for so long why overthrow everything now? So you say you willingly changed you plans back then but cleary also tonight didn't went very well. If I am counting right that is two out of two ever since your attack struck the MI6. So many compromise. Are you sure you still get what you want. What tells you I'm not gonna snap your neck right here in front of everyone as soon as i get word about Ms save retention.”
All he got in return was a low chuckle.
The grip on the small of Bonds back got tighter. “Im hurt James, here I thought we were past the point of death threats. Aren't we, hm? But you got me. Its true. Not just the plan that changed. There is a new priority of goals to achieve. And don't worry. It seems like everything is well on the way. Rest asured that nothing will change the outcome of the events for M. Our Mother, that you still hold on to so dearly. She will not survive the end of this. This I promise dear James”
James got pulled closer. Their bodies touched chest to chest. He could feel Silvas slow, warm breath on his lips. James barely had enough time to close his mouth into a frowning line before Silvas mouth pressed down on his in a firm kiss. Despite everything James had been trained for his head started to spin. He was caught in a momentum of too many thoughts, yet no thoughts at all. Their little power play in the anonymity of a dark dancefloor had been one thing but here they where in the broad light. With probably a lot of bystanders, security and maybe even some agents watching. Ever since M got escorted out of the room Silva and him must have been the center of everyones attention, who was involved in what was going on. And maybe he was enjoing this moment of being not in control more then he could allow himself to admit. He gave Silva a half-hearted shove.
“Thank you for the dance dear Mr. Bond” A bow, the hint of a smirk and once again Silva turned to leave and James just couldn't find the will inside himself to pursue just then.
After a short moment of gathering himself he sprinted after Silva. Rounding the next few heavy double-doors and narrow hallway corners. Silva was already out of sight, the route of his escape untrackable. Blame the size of this old building if you please. The only thing that greeted James in the adjoining rooms were the confused looks on the faces of some scattered party quests. His heart pounded.
Sure someone else would catch Silva on his way out. That's what James Bond told himself.
_________________________________________________________________
A/N: Compass Strokes is a lovely peaceful song by Wim Mertens. It certainly would make a nice song for a slow dance. Mainly i liked the title of that song for this chapter because this evening sure drew James toward Silva, like a compass needle draws north.