The Holiday Ball ((Gathering Post))

[prophetepiphany]

All in all, the holiday ball comes together beautifully. There's a huge Christmas tree that Laura has nothing to do with - the village has a way of making things appear, and honestly, she's glad she didn't have to decorate it. There is a group of tables on one side of the large ballroom, decorated with deep red and gold and servers waiting around

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OTA

[stormborndragon]

Daenerys was utterly fascinated by the entire affair. As excited as she'd been to attend, she was a little overwhelmed by how the room and everyone in it glittered, the music and dancing that ranged from exuberant and joyful to slow and soft. Even though she'd overcome the meekness of her youth, she found she was most comfortable sitting and watching, quietly sipping from a glass of delightfully bubbly wine. She didn't really know how to dance--certainly not like that--and she wasn't certain her dress would've allowed her enough freedom of movement even if she did, but it was all right. Just being there was an experience she'd never had before.

[beardless_dwarf]

A short but stout man took a seat next to her, a glass of some sort of punch in hand. He was dressed a touch fancier than usual, with a clean red silk shirt, but it still had a low v-cut exposing his chest. He didn't care for the fashions here. At least not for the men. The dress the woman he'd sat next to was stunning. Which was why he'd sat next to her.

He lifted her glass to her with a charming smile, "Hello. Not much of a dancer are you?"

[stormborndragon]

Daenerys smiled and gave the man a quick, curious once over; she would've been surprised to hear him called a dwarf, as the term meant something different in her world, and he looked more like a stocky, albeit short man than a stunted and deformed imp.

"I'm afraid I never learned how," she admitted with a sheepish but warm grin. "And even if I had, the style of dance here is nothing like what I'm used to seeing. But still, I like watching."

[beardless_dwarf]

He turned his head to watch the dancing, sipping idly at his drink, "It's different from what I'm used to seeing too. Mostly it's the music... very strange. But, I think I like it."

And how close everyone was dancing was different, and a couple looking like they were practically have sex on the dance floor. Now that was his kind of dancing.

[stormborndragon]

"Are you not one for dancing either, then?" she asked, turning her attention from the dancers to the man. "Or are you simply bereft of a partner?"

[beardless_dwarf]

"Oh, I love to dance. Mainly because I love to be the center of attention." he grinned, "So, it's the latter."

[stormborndragon]

Daenerys laughed softly. "Oh? And why not? With all the lovely young women here? And men," she amended with a tip of her shoulder, since not all of the couples dancing were, ah, 'traditional' so to speak.

[beardless_dwarf]

"Why do you think I sat next to you?" he winked, then laughed too, "I was trying to get a dance from one of those lovely young women."

[stormborndragon]

"Oh." Daenerys blushed and ducked her head, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Oh, well, all right. Your toes may not thank you by the time the dance is done, but I will do my best not knock you down."

[beardless_dwarf]

He laughed, holding out an arm out to her after he stood, "Don't worry, I'm made of sturdier stuff. I don't mind a few smashed toes."

[stormborndragon]

"You've not seen the heels on these shoes," Daenerys teased lightly, taking the offered arm. "On capable feet--which aren't mine, thank the Seven for small mercies--they could kill a man."

[beardless_dwarf]

He started to walk her toward the center of the room where everyone was dancing, eying said shoes, "Then we shall have to keep them far from any potential shoe killing assassins. And take it slow with the dancing, of course."

[stormborndragon]

"Both wise courses of action," Daenerys replied with a laugh, her attention on the other couples and how they were dancing; she hoped she might manage to refrain from looking utterly foolish.

[beardless_dwarf]

Once they were out on the dance floor, he turned around taking one of her hands in his and putting his other on her waist. She was taller than him, so it looked slightly awkward, but Varric himself didn't look the least bit awkward. He looked completely confident in himself and was smiling up at her as they slowly started to sway.

"My name is Varric, by the way."

[stormborndragon]

Given how petite she was, Daenerys was used to being dwarfed by the men surrounding her, so it was a little odd to find she was taller than a grown man. Really, she didn't mind; it was almost amusing.

She laid her hand on his shoulder, and let him lead the dance. "It's a pleasure, Varric. I'm Daenerys."

[beardless_dwarf]

"Lovely name, for a lovely lady." he winked, guiding her to move just a bit more as the danced.