Flutter

Flutter: Vingt

"The ball?"

"Yes, at the conference."

"Where I'm going to be paraded around like a prize trophy."

"You're looking at it all wrong. This ball where the most striking of decorations cover the walls, and grounds. The most tastiest delicacies are bestowed upon your tongue, And best of all, the ball where you get to dance."

"To dance?"

"To dance!" Baline said, stomping his foot and clapping his hands. "Don't tell me that you, of all people, do not dance?"

"I don't really dance."

"Partially. But, these conferences require the most elegant of dances. You shall waltz like you never waltzed before."

"I've never waltzed before, so that works out perfectly."

"Never waltzed? How can you have not?"

"Well, I mean, there's no need for those kind of fancy steps in Wicks."

"These dances are not just frivolities. They are quite fun, if I say so myself."

"I doubt."

"Come. Take my hand." Said Blaine.

Nora grasped his hand, unsure to what was about to take place. As soon as her hand touched his own, Blaine pulled Nora towards her. He lifted their arms in the air as he kept his other hand on the small of her back. 

"Just follow my lead. And a one, two, a one to three."

All of a sudden, Blaine began humming a lively tune and launched them both into a spirited dance. Nora was thrown about and she found herself stumbling and stepping awkwardly. Blaine continued on his merry way.

"Blaine!" Nora cried, while Blaine spun them around. "I don't know what I'm doing at all."

"Just feel the dance. Let it guide you." He replied, eyes closed and humming even louder.

Nora scowled, but quieted and tried to follow Blaine's movements. He slowed down some, and allowed her to watch his feet. It took many minutes, but Nora began to move in time, though still fumbling.

"I'm getting it!" Nora remarked, more at ease.

"Indeed you air. Sometimes you can't just put your toes in the water. You must take the plunge."

Nora shook her head, laughing at all of Blaine's parable. They continued on. Blaine was a very good dance,  managing to aid her, and stay lively as well. Nora could not help her giggles, and squeals of pleasure as she was whipped to and fro. 

Eventually, Blaine's humming began to falter and Nora looked at him questionably. He bent his head to whisper in her ear.

"Do not look up, but the big bad wolf has decided to grace us with his presence. I think our time together has come to an end."

Blaine slowed to a stop and stepped away from her.

 Blaine bowed deeply.

"Thank you for the dance, miss."

Nora returned his bow with a curtsy of her own.

"It is I who should thank you, kind sir." 

She sensed Quinton's gaze on her and turned to look through the glass doors. He stood there, brooding and Nora knew that she had better remove herself from Blaine. 

"This was wonderful, Blaine. When Tifa returns, tell her I said goodnight."

"Will do. Sweet dreams."

Nora smiled and left Blaine behind her, entering the estate. She looked straightforward,  past Quinton, not sparing him a glance.

She heard his intake of breath, and heard his footfall behind her. He caught up to her in mere seconds, grabbed her upper arm and tugged her around to face him.

"Do not presume that you can just ignore me." He said, towering over her.

Nora said nothing and simply stared into his eyes. She did not want to spark Quinton to ire and had no intention of arguing.

"Nora Jean Thompson, with nothing to say? This is quite the phenomenon." 

Nora turned her eyes away from him and looked past him, to the outside. Blaine had disappeared.

"Look at me." He whispered harshly, grasping her chin and forcing her gaze upon him. "Looking for your precious Blaine, are we?" 

"And what if I was?" Nora replied. She instantly regretted her slip of the tongue.

"And what if you were?" 

Quinton took his hand, and touched her head, running his hand gently over her hair and down to the nape of her neck. He smiled softly. Nora nearly fell for his show of kindness, until she felt his grip tighten and her head being trust forward. Quinton's lips fell on her's harshly - taking and not giving. She pushed her hands against his chest, but he gave her no respite. Eventually, Nora stood there limp, allowing him to kiss her lips, and down her neck, no longer resisting.

"Soon, my pet." Quitnon muttered against her neck. "Soon."

Without any further word, Quinton walked around her and out of the room, back to whatever cave he had come from.