Then I trust you won't mind a bit of improvisation. And I hope you left them looking much worse, in that case. What a disgraceful lack of manners ill-fitting of their station.
[ Given that he's just joined the guard, he's disappointed, but he knows that just like in his home world, not everyone took a knight's ideals to heart.
The music is slow enough that they could stick to the basics of the footwork, which they're doing well in, but that wouldn't be much fun. The fact that she's keeping up, coupled with serving a few jerks their just desserts, and the padding of his ego, forms a favorable impression.
With the next step forward and towards her that he takes, Percival dips her— slow enough that the gesture matches the pace of the song, but also impressively low. ]
That's all life, pal. If you can't improvise, you may as well start figuring out the quickest way to die.
[ She groans a bit, as if she's annoyed. It's all in good fun, though. There's no way he's going to get a fast one on her if he's friends with one of the knights. For now, she finds it interesting how they move together. He gives a step, she takes one. She overcompensates by sliding a leg between his to steady herself, but it's not until he dips her that she realizes it was like they were telegraphing moves. A hand hooks his neck, tightly and snuggly. ]
You sound offended, don't tell me I'm grinding against a knight...
Hmm. Well put. Sage advice for dancing and in the battlefield, I suppose.
[ Percival doesn't initially think much of their dance— he is a born and bred noble, after all, and ballroom dancing was a crucial part of his education. Perhaps it's when she says the word "grinding" that he realizes just how close they've gotten, evident by the gradual color and slow warming of his face. He keeps his composure, however, frowning just a bit as he guides her back to a stand, palm lightly pressed against the middle of her back. ]
Indeed. I'm a knight, and have been for far longer than our time in El Nysa. Do you have a problem with knights?
Then we are not so different. Regardless of the world I happen to be in or the uniform I wear, my commitment is to the people, not to a ruler.
[ He is who would fight against his own brother, the king, over a difference in morals.
Percival looks at her curiously now as they continue, easing up on his lead and more amenable to letting their feet improvise and take them where they may. Less structured footwork. ]
Tell me, do you have to face that sort of treatment from the Royal Guard often?
Nice to know. Can't say I fully trust you — plenty of guys say that.
[ But, she gives a lighthearted shrug. It was back and forth — something that at least let her get a feel for people. Allies, friends, enemies... there was a thin line and Aranea tries to walk it carefully. ]
Not really. I'm in Wyver — they're a bit more relaxed there. But, let's be real... Mercenary work isn't the most honorable work. Too many people doubting the kind of shit you do for cash — judging you for charging. Royal Guard or not, we've never seen eye to eye.
I don't need your trust. Not unless you're someone in need of my protection, which, given what you've told me, I find doubtful.
[ But he can appreciate a skeptic, being one himself, and he knows that talk is cheap.
This is a strange conversation to have while dancing, but in his eyes, gaining knowledge as to what sort of peers he was surrounded by made this sort of frivolity worth going through. He slows down their pace, opting for less showiness than before. ]
Hm. Of course, they see mercenaries as competition most of the time. Worse yet, you aren't bound by the same rules as someone tied to the crown.
[ Not that he'd hesitate to live by his own rules, but he's at least fine working within the confines of the guard for now. ]
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no subject
[ Given that he's just joined the guard, he's disappointed, but he knows that just like in his home world, not everyone took a knight's ideals to heart.
The music is slow enough that they could stick to the basics of the footwork, which they're doing well in, but that wouldn't be much fun. The fact that she's keeping up, coupled with serving a few jerks their just desserts, and the padding of his ego, forms a favorable impression.
With the next step forward and towards her that he takes, Percival dips her— slow enough that the gesture matches the pace of the song, but also impressively low. ]
no subject
[ She groans a bit, as if she's annoyed. It's all in good fun, though. There's no way he's going to get a fast one on her if he's friends with one of the knights. For now, she finds it interesting how they move together. He gives a step, she takes one. She overcompensates by sliding a leg between his to steady herself, but it's not until he dips her that she realizes it was like they were telegraphing moves. A hand hooks his neck, tightly and snuggly. ]
You sound offended, don't tell me I'm grinding against a knight...
no subject
[ Percival doesn't initially think much of their dance— he is a born and bred noble, after all, and ballroom dancing was a crucial part of his education. Perhaps it's when she says the word "grinding" that he realizes just how close they've gotten, evident by the gradual color and slow warming of his face. He keeps his composure, however, frowning just a bit as he guides her back to a stand, palm lightly pressed against the middle of her back. ]
Indeed. I'm a knight, and have been for far longer than our time in El Nysa. Do you have a problem with knights?
no subject
Only ones that follow orders more than they follow morals.
no subject
[ He is who would fight against his own brother, the king, over a difference in morals.
Percival looks at her curiously now as they continue, easing up on his lead and more amenable to letting their feet improvise and take them where they may. Less structured footwork. ]
Tell me, do you have to face that sort of treatment from the Royal Guard often?
no subject
[ But, she gives a lighthearted shrug. It was back and forth — something that at least let her get a feel for people. Allies, friends, enemies... there was a thin line and Aranea tries to walk it carefully. ]
Not really. I'm in Wyver — they're a bit more relaxed there. But, let's be real... Mercenary work isn't the most honorable work. Too many people doubting the kind of shit you do for cash — judging you for charging. Royal Guard or not, we've never seen eye to eye.
no subject
[ But he can appreciate a skeptic, being one himself, and he knows that talk is cheap.
This is a strange conversation to have while dancing, but in his eyes, gaining knowledge as to what sort of peers he was surrounded by made this sort of frivolity worth going through. He slows down their pace, opting for less showiness than before. ]
Hm. Of course, they see mercenaries as competition most of the time. Worse yet, you aren't bound by the same rules as someone tied to the crown.
[ Not that he'd hesitate to live by his own rules, but he's at least fine working within the confines of the guard for now. ]