Dance, Dance

[Ruby Rayne]

Ruby was immensely pleased to be able to attend the Black Ball and had worn one of her finest black gowns. It was such a dreadful color to have to wear but at least everyone was wearing it except for a woman she had seen wearing white. Ruby had been bored during the solemn memorial and the social had been entirely too quiet for her tastes. She was aware that it was supposed to be a ball in commemoration of lives lost but that did not mean that everyone had to act like they were dead themselves! Of course, she had acted appropriately, well aware of Mrs. Pendergasts ever watchful eyes.

She had danced a dance or two and had decided to stand aside for the moment. Fanning herself with her fan, Ruby watched as her fellow Roses got up to their individual 'adventures' of the night. At the very least, it was much better than being back at the finishing school. Quite done her break, Ruby fiddled with her dance card, already forgetting whom she had promised a dance to. She had his name but she forgot which body the name belonged to!

  

[Wilhelm Echelon]

Will hadn't really been planning on going to this ball, as he was in the middle of trying to move all of his things from his father's house to his new flat in Hogsmeade, but early that day he'd had a minor falling out with his father, and since the new place wasn't properly habitable yet, his choices were either stay at home and talk with his father, pretending he wasn't mad, or to go out; the choice was easy. Especially since the theme of the ball was just black.

Easy as the wardrobe might have been for him--while Will was typically more colorful than the average gentlemen, of course about a third of his wardrobe consisted of black suits--he wasn't sure that he liked the color for all of them women. It made everyone seem so... dull, drab. Will was about ten minutes from jinxing some color into this place, if he didn't find something to distract himself.

Luckily, a pretty young woman with a fan caught his eye, so Wilhelm decided to go and investigate what she was up to, instead of getting himself into needless trouble.

"You look rather lost," he said as he approached, flashing her a charming smile. "Anything I can help you with, milady?"

  

[Ruby Rayne]

Well then, it seemed that Mister Whatever wasn't around to claim the dance he had asked for. Well, he had been rather unattractive anyway. She would have been a bit more put out if the man had been handsome so it didn't bother her any.

She was soon rather grateful for the fact when a quite handsome young man came and spoke to her. She would much rather enjoy looking at her company than constantly wondering if they were as aware of all their aesthetic flaws as she was. The quarter veela saw no trouble in being her usual, charming self. "It seems I have been snubbed and am empty a spot on my dance card," she replied, wondering how he might decide to 'help' with that.

  

[Wilhelm Echelon]

Will raised an eyebrow at her statement. "A snubbed dance for a pretty young lady is quite a capital offense," he remarked. It wasn't far from the truth; unless there was a significant lack of able-bodied gentlemen at a ball, it was quite remarkable for a girl to be made to sit out a dance, especially a young, (presumably) eligible girl like the one before him. If there really were a blank space on her card, it was a monstrous oversight, on behalf of any of the men in the room who had eyes, and also on her end. Why hadn't she given that dance away, he wondered? Or perhaps she had, and something had happened to the man in question; he'd lost track of time and gone out for air, maybe, or had to leave suddenly, or had suffered a severe allergic reaction to the punch and was currently slowly dying of asphyxiation in the bathroom.

Well, his loss was Wilhelm's game, the young man decided. "I couldn't possibly allow you to sit out the round if you wish to join," he told her with a charming smile and a slight bow. "May I have this dance?"

  

[Ruby Rayne]

"It most certainly is." she had to agree, after all, the chance to dance with her should have been a blessing. Not that she would voice as much out loud. She wasn't stupid, she knew men couldn't handle women who knew their worth.

Ruby smiled as the man did as she had been expecting hoping he would do. "It would be my delight, Mister..?" She trailed off, obviously seeking a name.

  

[Wilhelm Echelon]

"Echelon," Will answered as he took her hand and began moving them towards the dance floor. They were just going to talk more while they were dancing, so why waste time getting there?

"Mr. Wilhelm Echelon," he continued, properly introducing himself. He might have been tempted to add a title, if he'd been inclined towards work, but he'd found keeping an occupation altogether more trouble than it was worth. "And you must be--don't tell me, I want to guess. I want to see if I can think of any name lovely enough for you," he said with a sly smile. Yes, he was flirting, but it was the harmless sort, not likely to lead anywhere, so he didn't feel guilty for it; besides, Mai had no notion that he intended to propose at the end of the month, and she would certainly never hear from this girl at the ball.

"Venus Cassandra," he guessed with a smile. "Or Daphne Helena Rose, maybe."

  

[Ruby Rayne]

Echelon? Ruby had heard something about them. Blondes, the majority of them but also pretty wealthy. This man didn't dither with getting her to the dance floor like most would which was either a bad or good reflection on her. For now, she would take the good option since he didn't seem to be in any real hurry to be rid of her.

Ruby filed the name away into her memory. Not like she would remember it if he proved lackluster but he seemed to be promising so far. If not as a suitor then perhaps an acquaintance to flirt with when their paths crossed, if they were to meet again.

Ruby smiled and shook her head at the guesses. "Incorrect, Mister Echelon. Would you like to keep guessing?"

  

[Wilhelm Echelon]

He'd earned a smile from her, but not a laugh. Disappointing. That meant he could probably do better. The only question was whether he ought to ask for more guesses, or not. Perhaps another tactic would be easier, but he could also probably do better on the name guessing.

With an exaggerated sigh as though he were the most trouble-besot man in the world. Wilhelm said, "Well, perhaps--but only if you'll give me a hint or two. Or perhaps--I know, perhaps we shall play the question game and we'll see if I can whittle it down," he said, flashing her a grin. As they reached the dance floor, the music began, and Wilhelm took his position, with one of her hands in his and his other hand resting in the small of her back, just above her bustle. He could feel the ribs of her corset through the fabric of her dress, which told him his hand was in the right place. As the music swelled he began to move; he was an excellent dancer and lead strongly, which tended to make it easy for his partners to follow. Generally speaking, when Will was dancing, both he and his partner looked good; it made him an excellent partner for any debutante who wanted to catch the eye of a single man, even if Wilhelm wasn't the one they were after.

"Is your namesake a goddess?" he asked, without waiting for her to consent to his little game. "Or are you just divine of your own accord?"

  

[Ruby Rayne]

Ruby was glad to find herself so well entertained. This question game of his suited her quite well. After all, there was nothing more boring than to merely stare at her dance partner while dancing. Which was also why one of her standards for a possible suitor included them being intelligent.

"Hm, no, not that I know of so I suppose I am merely divine of my own accord," she answered, the smallest bit cheeky. "I named for a jewel. That is only one of three hints I will give."