A night on the town

[Theo Chulainn]

Acra smiled. Today was a special day. The recent tests for State alchemists had been and gone. Due to server scolding on his hands he had to give this round a miss. But His dearest friend had passed. The small blonde girl had been so happy round the office and everyone had been congratulating her he only managed to get in a hug and a well done in her ear. So he lifted his phone and opened a new message. ‘Put on something nice I’all be round in half an hour xx Acra’ And sent it to his princess. Next he rang his fathers central office and requested a limo and driver for the night to head over now. Also for the driver to stop on the way at the best florist in town and pick up a big beautiful bouquet of Tiger lilies and a congratulations card for him to fill out.

After that chore had been done he quickly changed into some smart but casual clothing and tidied up his hair a little. Hearing the buzz of his doorbell he made sure he had his phone wallet and such before heading down. Ah Wallace was his driver today. He did Enjoy the mans ramblings sometimes as he settled back in the plush chair of the limo all ready with fine champagne the tiger lilies looked glorious and beautiful. He smiled as he wrote in the card. This night would be wonderful for Shula. A perfect gift as a congratulations for her great achievement. Taking the step to her dream.

After 10 minuets they pulled up outside Shula’s house. He was on time and smiled picking up the card and flowers he let Wallace open the door and strode up to the cosy house’s front door ringing the bell. Wondering what sight would await him.

[Shula Brighton]

Shula hadn't really planned anything special for that night, even though she was practically a humming bird with happiness. She'd done it. She'd passed the state exams and been promoted to major and was now part of the specialized branch of the military for alchemists, just like her brother, grandfather and great-grandfather before her. Shula honestly didn't think she could get any happier and when she got home she knew she had to call her family. Even if her mother would moan about it and her mother's parents would like her even less, she still wanted to update them on how she was doing, and the promotion was kind of a big deal.

The hugs and affections were wonderful, and shen she'd gotten the text from Acra to meet him after work and wear something nice, she was more than a little curious. She was only going to call in for some Xingese and get a movie, or maybe go out to a pub for sandwiches and drinks with some of the girls from the secretarial pool... But wear something nice? She shrugged, carrying on with her work until she got home, digging through her small closet. Nice? What kind of nice?

The nice thing about having a father who made clothes was that you at least got a little insight about what looked good together. Shula smiled, dressing quickly and waiting downstairs until Acra rang the bell and answered wearing a knee-length black skirt that moved with her movements and a sunset-red bodysuit underneath, darker red thread embroidering all over it and trailing down the sleeves the belled out. She wasn't super dressy, but she did look presentable at least. She blinked, looking at Acra and then at the rather posh car. She smiled softly up at him.

"Wow... So... What's the plan of action?"

[Theo Chulainn]

Acra watched as the door swung open revealing Shula. He clenched his jaw to stop it from dropping. He decided there and then he would talk Spade into enforcing a rule that would make shula wear a skirt like this everyday. The way it moved with her like water and the sleeves followed the skirts example. He gulped and smiled. “When I said to wear something nice…I didn’t expect you to turn nice into radiant.” He said taking her hand and kissing it softly. “Congratulations Shula.” He smiled and held out the flowers and card to her.

She asked what was on the agenda for tonight and him smiled more. Not his charming smile or cheeky mischievous one that appeared when he teased her. But a truly genuine one that rarely appeared. “Well I taught this is a night for you. My gift to you as a well done and a celebration for you reaching the first step of your goal.” He rambled slightly as he lead her to the limo. Though a limo it was a small one which was made for the pleasure of 3 or 4 people at a push. But mainly perfect for 2. Wallace held open the door and bowed. “Greetings miss.” the man said in a posh typical butler voice. “My name is Wallace Harman. I will be your driver tonight. Master Acra told me you weren’t so fond of his driving so I will be sure to keep your journey safe and comfortable.” He politely said teasing Acra watching the young man blush a squirm.

Acra coughed disliking being on the end of the teasing tongue of his butler since childhood. He coughed and helped Shula into the limo and let her sit down in the comfortable plush seats. He sat beside her and smiled. “So what is tickling your taste buds tonight?” He asked while pouring her a glass of champagne.

[Shula Brighton]

Shocked wasn't quite the right word to describe the feeling. Acra had done all this and gone to all this trouble... just to congratulate her? She blushed darkly as her hand was lifted and pressed to Acra's lips.. that was the second time he'd kissed her hand, and it had caught her off guard both times. "Heh... Hardly radiant, but... Thank you, Acra... " she murmured as he lead her to the car. Her eyes traveled up to the man holding the car's door and bowing. ....Acra had his own butler? What was he, secretly some Creten prince?

Shula smiled nervously at the butler, quietly thanking him as she slipped into the car, the shock still sitting on her. The inside of the car was more than nice, and as Acra handed her a small glass of champagne she couldn't help but look over the beautiful flowers over and over again. Tiger lilies were her favourite, but how did he know that? She looked down at the glass in her hands, smiling softly, watching the bubbles rise to the top. "Acra... This is all amazing. It's got to be the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me... Thank you." She smiled up to Acra as he took his seat next to her, the smile warm, soft and genuinely appreciative of the grand gesture.

As he asked what food she was in the mood for, her playful nature immediately wanted to answer with pizza. They were dressed nicely, in a limo, having champagne with flowers... arriving at a pizzaria like this would be amazingly funny, but probably miles from what Acra had had in mind for the evening. "I... really don't know, actually. I was really only going to order in and watch some movies tonight, but... Someplace you like. I still don't know the restaurants that well." She smiled warmly, putting her trust in Acra for this. As much as the evening was meant for her, she was enjoying ti already because of him.

[Theo Chulainn]

He smiled to her at her comment. “Well that skirt looks wonderful on you. Maybe I should bribe Spade to make it mandatory uniform for you.” He said playfully smiles pouring his own champagne. He wasn’t teasing just making a playful comment. He sipped at his champagne and sighed enjoying the taste. “It’s nothing…you deserve it. You passed the test and put up with me for some time now.” He chuckled and sat back. “It’s a shame we couldn’t be celebrating together though…” He mumbled looking down at his hand’s that were still wrapped in sterile white bandages. He had pushed himself to hard when they trained with Fox and the result was a server scolding on his hands. His doctor…and also elder brother had forcibly made him hand in a sick note.

She was unsure what to have so he tapped his chin thinking. “Hmm well what kind of food do you like most other then sweets?” He asked. He hummed thinking. “I know a few restaurants with dance floors too if that interests you?” Knowing that the Fire dancer alchemist had a passion for dancing. Hence her name but still he caught her once in the training room in headquarters and he had been amazed. He could of stood there and watched for hours. Sure his mother had forced him to learn ballroom though sadly much to her disappointment, Acra had been born with two left feet and was rather unsuccessful at filling her dream of seeing her son be a ballroom dancer. He has escorted the daughters of his fathers close business partners to things like ballet but none of the dancers he ever seen had dazzled him as much as Shula had.

[Shula Brighton]

The idea of wearing the skirt uniform crossed her mind; she had one, actually, though it was regulation length and not meant for dancing in. Or running. Or lifting your leg over your head. Or, well, doing anything practical that she would be doing on a regular basis. But a skirt like this that had room and moved with her... Shula smirked inwardly, wondering how funny it would be to alter a spare uniform skirt into a really short. She really was thinking of the foods she liked and the places she liked to get food at, but they really all were just sandwich places where she went for lunch if she didn't bring her own. [color=green]"I like spicy things best... Xingese, but everybody likes that I think..."{/color] Shula's ears perked when Acrra mentioned restaurants that had a dancing floor. She did love dancing, and this skirt was one she'd gotten from a dance catalog that would emphasize movement while dancing.... Her smile brightened incredibly. "Somewhere that I can dance at sounds perfect, Acra!"

Shula took a sip of the champagne, enjoying the soft flavor and all the little bubbles. She didn't usually care for champagne, but this really was quite good. Her fingers traced the glass lightly. "You really didn't have to go to all this trouble just for me... I'll have to think of something nice to do for you when you pass your exam." She smiled softly, glancing down at Acra's bandaged hands. He'd been working so hard to improve like she had, knew everything he needed to. He'd just burnt his hands like that... And then an idea hit her, and inwardly she grinned. It's perfect! I'll just have to ask his butler for a little help and to keep it a secret..

[Theo Chulainn]

He smiled warmly watching her smile widen after Dance floors could be accessed. She looked so happy he couldn’t help but have it rub off onto him. Pressing the button that would allow him to talk to Wallace he gave a small clearing of his throat. “Wallace can you take us to The red lantern please?” He asked politely. After a minuet he got a response. “Yes Master Acra right away.” With that the line went quiet and Acra sat back.

He listened to Shula offer to do him something and he shook his head. “Hey I don’t expect anything from you when I pass. You don’t have to do anything for me like that if you don’t want too…” giving his hands raise a bit as well making the motions one sometimes dose when trying to shoo away a dog when there allergic to it. He smiled softly lowering his hands. “Just a hug will be fine.”

[Shula Brighton]

Acra waved his bandaged hands lightly as though he were shooing off some small bug, indicating that the gesture was nothing. Nothing her butt. She didn't know where the limo came from, but she did know that renting cars wasn't cheap, nor were any of the nice things he'd done just to give her a pat on the back. Shula took another sip of her drink and smiled as the gentleman in the drivers seat turned the car at the corner, heading to the restaurant Acra and mentioned to him. A restaurant that had a spot to dance... Oh, Shula could hardly wait!

She looked again to his hands, still feeling a little bad that his hands were so burnt that his doctor had put his foot down on the matter and made Acra wait to do the test. Her idea would be perfect if she could just get an extra pair of his gloves to find out his hand's size, she could easily manage the rest. It would just be a case of getting the gloves and him not knowing His used ones were all burnt, and asking to take a pair of his fresh ones would let him know she was up to something. "Well... All the same. I'll think of something nice to do for you, though I don't think anything I can do and bring to the office will give you the same feeling as this is... I've never done anything like this before in my life, really... So I'll think of something awesome to do for you." Shula gave a small, determined nod, more to herself than anything as she took another sip.

[Theo Chulainn]

Acra smiled. He leaned back tempted to put his arm round her. “Well I done this all my life…I know it sounds selfish of me to say it. Seeing Im sure everyone wants to be in my place… I mean I like my life but…I was jealous of people who were middle or lower class… they had there families… They didn’t have to be a parade horse and suck up to the business partner of my father date there daughters who only wanted to talk to me cause I had money or talked about themselves…” He stopped rambling and sighed. “I just wanted to be at home with my brothers and parents… I never knew my father…” He added.

Sighing he looked to Shula. “Sorry that must of sounded terrible… Having everything I could need and want and I would throw it away… I must sound ungrateful…” He sighed taking one more sip of his champagne. He smiled to Shula. “I look fore ward to seeing you dance.”

[Shula Brighton]

Shula listened as ACra spoke, showing her something more than what she normally saw at the office... This wasn't the annoying, teasing, playful playboy that loved to pick on her and everyone else and throw office-supplies at. This was a layer closer to showing her who he really was, and truth be told... it was nice, though. Since meeting him and getting to know him, Acra had become her best friend here. Often had lunch with her, teased each other relentlessly, even harmless office pranks. But this... this was someone new. Shula smiled warmly, taking another small sip and looked down at Acra's hands once more.

"I've only had the same three people all my life. Because Papa lived in Resembool I didn't get to visit him often. I got to a few times, but... he and Mama couldn't agree on things, so she just stopped letting me go. I didn't really get to start seeing him until I moved to South City." It wasn't the same thing, so Shula could only try her best to understand his feelings, but... Shula leaned against her friend lightly. "I've only known the same three floors of our house and been around the same three people all my life... I've never seen any of the things you know, but...." Her hand moved under one of Acra's lifting it lightly so she could look at the bandaging absently.

"Our childhoods and the things we learn then help shape who we will become as adults, and then when we become adults, those experiences and settings change completely if we let them... But I think with the combined experiences from what you've learned and what you're learning from the life you've chosen, you'll become an even better person than anyone would have guessed."

[Theo Chulainn]

Acra blushed as she lent against him. Listening to her talk about her childhood and her father. He felt a pang of pain in his chest when she said about being locked away. What would of happened if he and Shula never met? He couldn’t picture her not in his life now. Ever since rescuing her from a horrid fate he had gained the bestest friend he had ever had. From there playful fights and bickering to there lunch and study sessions. “I’m glad…that you came out.” He smiled softly wrapping and arm round her. Stroking her hair softly.

He softly took his hand from her’s taking a tiger lily from the bunch. He slowly tied it into her hair and moved back a little to admire his work. “There an elegant princess if I ever saw one.” Smiling he lent forward kissing her forehead softly. Pulling her close and linked there hands together not minding the slight soreness he got from the contact. He laced his fingers with hers. Just enjoying the warmth of another being against him.

[Shula Brighton]

Leaning against Acra was warm and oddly comfortable, emotionally and physically. Having him for a friend really had helped her transition much easier, and even though she'd told Hild that if asked she would relocate to anywhere she was needed, Shula was hoping she wouldn't have to leave anytime soon. But at least she was fairly certain that even if a mission sent her far and away he'd still be her friend and waiting for her to come back. "I'm glad I left and came out too, Acra. I never had any friends growing up, so... I'm very lucky to have a friend like you."

One of the beautiful lilies was put into her hair, and Shula felt her cheeks flush slightly. He left doing that to her... making her feel like a princess from the stories Aaron used to read to her when she was little. She smiled as their fingers laced, hugging her friend back warmly. "Only for a night... but it beats being a pumpkin forever." Shula laughed, hugging Acra again. "We're gonna have a great time tonight, and be great alchemists together!"

[Theo Chulainn]

He listened to her cutely say about having no friends. He frowned slightly and hugged her tighter. “Then I’ll always be here.” He whispered softly giving her head a soft nuzzle to the top of her head. He had a lot of friends growing up. But he was sure once he had hit fifteen. They hadn’t been his friend for him. Sucking up only for the future prospects he could offer. Not for him and what he could offer. They all liked him until his name was mentioned then that was it. It was about money and not him. “My one true friend.” He said softly.

Acra gave a soft warm chuckle at her blush. She looked so cute and beautiful there snuggled against him he had to smile. “No a pumpkin forever would be bad…though I don’t think tonight’s the only night for you princess….be sure to drop your glass slipper. And it will trigger a whole new adventure.” He said recalling the story of Cinderella. He hugged her tight . “Lot’s of fun for now and the future.” Holding her close he gave a happy noise part of him wishing the destination was never reached.

[Shula Brighton]

Shula was squeezed and nuzzled again, causing the tiny alchemist to let out a small, happy squeak, happily hugging back against him. Shula really was so happy right now, knowing her best friend and she were going to do something fun to celebrate her promotion. She'd let her family known when she was on lunch break that afternoon, but the reactions, as expected, were mixed. Her grandfather promised he'd save his lecture about her new responsibilities and duties when she was off work and free; her mother began crying in frustration; her papa promised he'd send something to congratulate her and they would do something nice when she came calling again; and her bother never answered his text, but she was sure he would get to it eventually. She was just going to spend the night in with some cheap take out and a rented movie by herself on the sofa. Looks like you've saved me twice, now, Acra...

Smile never faltering, Shula laughed a little. "My slipper, huh? I'll see what I manage to forget to be found with." She swallowed the last sip of her drink and glanced out the window, eyes lighting as she looked at the restaurant they were heading to. It was beautiful, even from the outside. From here she could see the menu posted in the window next to the door, and could hardly wait to see the inside or hear the music. "Oh, Acra... It looks beautiful! Are you sure it'll be okay for us to go here for dinner?"

[Theo Chulainn]

Smiling softly Acra gave her hand a kiss. “I’ll look out for it then my princess.” He smiled when she gave a gasp of surprise. With the happy squeak and nuzzling he couldn’t help but smile more pulling her closer. “Looks like we have arrived.” The limo rolled to a stop. And Acra could hear Wallace get out of the drivers door and open the door beside him. “We have arrive Master Acra.” The man said in such a proper voice. Acra nodded giving Shula a soft squeeze before letting go. Missing the warmth. He carefully stepped out and offered the girl his hand to help guide her out.

Once Shula was on the pavement beside him. He took her arm and walked her towards the fancy looking restaurant. With a fountain in front of the doors to walk around. Filled with koi fish. Upon entering the restaurant it was easy to tell it was an expensive one. A Large ball room like dance floor filled the centre of the large room with it’s own band playing classic ball room music. The tables were placed tidily around the edge of the dance floor and up some stairs to balconies that one could look over the rails to watch. Near the entrance was a elegant bar. He smiled to Shula before heading to the stool where an employee stood waiting to send people to tables or to the waiting area by the bar. “A table for two please?” He asked before looking to Shula. “Anywhere special you want to sit?” He asked her.

[Shula Brighton]

Someone had turned part of a palace into a restaurant. That was the only explanation Shula could come up with to explain the grandeur of the establishment. The beautiful fountain full of fish she'd never seen in person before, the wide, polished floor where there were people with instruments and a place to dance, the balconies the ringed the top... It was all amazingly beautiful; more beautiful than she had ever seen. Shula looked at how the musicians were dressed, and then the waitstaff, and suddenly felt very out of place and a little under dressed... Shula's hands clutched around her friend's arm a little tighter, feeling oddly intimidated and out of place, quietly telling him that she didn't have a preference for where they sat.

She looked all around at the restaurant. When Acra had said it was a restaurant she could dance in, Shula had thought it was probably like a nicer version of the pubs she'd been to that had a dance floor; in South City she loved going there with Shirlee and Jessica, but this... This was NOTHING like that. This was half a ballroom... Shula could only follow carefully as she and Acra were escorted to their table, the waiter pulling out the chair for Shula to sit. She glanced around uncertainly, watching a few couples dance to the beautiful music, her fingers playing with a strand of her hair a little nervously. "Acra this place.... I've never seen anything like it. It's beautiful... This all really is amazing."

[Theo Chulainn]

They had been sat near the floor. So all they had to do was take two steps and Shula could dance her heart out. He smiled as some waitresses brought them some sweet wine to drink. “Well this is the only place that serve Xing and has a dance floor.” He smiled. Sensing her slight nervousness he reached foreword to take her hand giving it a friendly squeeze. “I’m glad you like it though. I take you to more places like this if you like?” He asked. He sipped at his wine gave an appreciative hum.

“So…do you want to eat first or dance?” He asked. “Tonight everything goes according to what you want. My dear princess.” He gave her a soft smile. Not attempting to be charming or trying to flirt with her. Just giving her a night she would enjoy most of all. Tonight Shula would return home after having a night of her life. Feeling what it would be like to be a princess.

[Shula Brighton]

The wine that was brought was sweet, and Shula was glad that when dressed up she at least passed for eighteen. She reached for the glass, swirling it a few times gently before taking the first small sip. The body was warm and sweet, and somewhat fruity. It wasn't the same as what she was used to, but it was quite nice. It was warm going down her throat, and had an almost instant calming effect on her. She wasn't sure why she'd suddenly felt so skittish, but maybe it was just that this was all so overwhelming.

She looked over the menu, dazzled. This place served so many kinds of foods, and all of them sounded so nice, so varied. And everything they did tonight... was up to her? Shula smiled lightly as Acra gave her hand a comforting squeeze, then looked back to the beautiful couples dancing. She wasn't sure she knew how to dance to classical, but... "Maybe... order, and then dance until the food gets here?" She blushed faintly then let out a soft laugh. "Though I'm not sure I'll be any good... I only know my fire dancing and ballet."

[Theo Chulainn]

Ordering and dancing till the food was cooked sounded like a good plan to him. He nodded. “Alright.” He smiled looking at his menu thinking. He’d been here a few times before. With his mother mostly. She liked coming here when she visited him. He looked over the menu deciding he have his regular meal. “Well I’ll have the spiced duck on a bed of rice.” He smiled. “Anything that’s caught your eye?” Leaning a little foreword he took a sip of his wine and watched her. Softly smiling she looked especially beautiful tonight and the way her eyes were bright with joy and wonder. It was enchanting him.

He looked out to the dancers on the floor. “I’m not the best dancer… Though I was rather clumsy when I was a kid…” He watched men elegantly twirl there wives or girlfriends. “My mother wanted me to do ball dancing when I was younger. I tried for her to make her happy but after I broke the foot of my partner I got banned from class.” He gave a embarrassed grin. “Though I guess with my fight training I’m a lot more graceful… I think…I was a good ice skater after all....” He murmured and blushed slightly. “Though I’m sure they can change what there playing if you want to dance something else…” He was rambling. But his mouth wouldn’t stop. He quickly gulped some wine to shut his mouth up and occupy it with something else. He was never normally like this. Normally he was a Charming prince who was well mannered and controlled. Why was tonight so different…. Was the champagne in the limo stronger then normal. He busied himself in the menu to try and take the embarrassed heat off his face.

[Shula Brighton]

Shula blinked, a little surprised. Not about Acra's mother wanting him to learn dancing... that kind of made sense. He was from an important family, and important people went to important functions with other important people and danced with them. No, what she was surprised about was the awkward look on Acra's face, how nervous and embarrassed he was now... It was so strange and unlike him at all! Shula held back a giggle, but couldn't repress her smile, curious as to what was going through the man's head. She took another sip of her wine, looking at his face and body language, trying to read him and figure him out.

"I think I'll go with the Drachman chicken... I've never had it, but chicken that's stuffed with a butter sauce sounds beyond amazing" There was a perk, she supposed, to being sick and not being able to gain weight; she could eat whatever she wanted not gain anything from it. It didn't help that alchemy was pretty demanding on your body and burned calories like mad, but hopefully the weight-gain supplements would help soon.

"I used to love watching ice skaters on T.V. Always thought it was so beautiful, like flying... I'm sure you're not that bad, though; I trust you not to break my ankles." Shula smiled brightly, still wondering what had gotten Acra so suddenly fidgety and rambling.

[Theo Chulainn]

“Yes that is a good dish. A very good choice.” He said softly. His embarrassment gone slightly now. Still a light ting of pink on his cheeks for his rambling. “I had that once when me and mother came here. It was very well cooked.” He called a waiter over to place the order and for a bottle of spring water. As much as he liked the taste of wine he didn’t want to be drunk.

Her comment on ice skating had him perk his ears. After failing at ballroom dancing he tried figure skating for his mother thinking he could at least take the skills to ice hockey. Though at the start he was a little un keen. He soon had found it rather enjoyable. Especially when he had pretty female partners. “Yeah I took it up to please mother…and taught I could use it to play ice hockey. But it actually was rather enjoyable.” He smiled to her slowly standing. “Maybe I could take you to a rink and teach you to skate.” He smiled offering his hand. “Shall we dance then?” He asked her bowing slightly looking very much prince like.

[Shula Brighton]

Any moment now, her alarm clock would start beeping progressively louder from wherever she'd hidden it in her room the night before, screaming at her to go find it before it got to being too obnoxious (depending on which clock she set). Right now, the moment was amazing... At a beautiful restaurant with her best friend who kept calling her and treating he rlike a princess. Acra stood up and held his hand out to her, asking her to dance. That alarm clock was due to go off any second now, or worse, a stack of paperwork into her inbox to remind her that she was still at work and still only a sergeant.

Shula stood up, taking Acra's hand as he guided her out to the polished dancing floor, waiting for the current song to end. She applauded politely with the other dancers, praising the musicians for creating their beautiful art. It started up quietly at first and then became clearer; an old style of Viennese waltz. Shula smiled nervously, letting out a long breath, and waited for Acra to ask her to join him, taking a cue from the other ladies and curtsying with them toward her charming young prince. So... I guess we just grab each other and kinda do what they do in a weird boxy circle thing?"

[Theo Chulainn]

Acra also bowed to her taking her hand kissing her knuckles softly. “May I have this dance?” He asked her softly lacing his fingers with her as she asked how to dance. “I’ll show you... and I promise not to stand on your feet.” He said softly gently lifting her hand up wrapping his arm round her petite waist. “Just put your hand on my shoulder.” Once Shula had placed her hand on his shoulder, he stepped back bringing her with him. Careful to avoid her feet he started to imitate the people who were also waltzing around the floor. Though he clearly wasn’t born with a dancer’s grace, as he every now and then stumbled on his own feet. He didn’t stand on Shula’s tiny feet once.

As the pace picked up he released her waist twirling her gently marvelling how the skirt whirled with her like water. She looked amazing compared to the other girls who were primped up and caked in makeup. He couldn’t help but smiled. As he whirled her again, getting more confident with his dance steps. He dipped her slightly and smiled down at her.

[Aurelius Schwartz]

bump =3

[Shula Brighton]

One, two, three, one, two, three... Shula closed her eyes for a moment as Acra moved her hand to his shoulder and took the other before taking the first backwards step, pulling her gently to follow his lead. If nothing else Shula was very glad that this gliding step seemed simple, and that dance had always been something she'd picked up on quickly. Instead of staying stationary, the step took them in elegant circles, moving with the other couples, causing the fabric of her skirt to rise and fall with her movements. Keeping up at first was a little difficult, especially considering their height differences, and Shula could tell Avra was struggling to not trip on her. It was really kind of sweet.

Getting the hang of it, Shula's movements became more fluid and natural, spinning out gracefully as Acra extended his arm. The fabric of the skirt raised high on her thighs as it lifted then clung to her only to bloom out again like a large black flower. It had become quite easy to ignore the beautiful couples around them, even if the women dancing were dressed elegantly or prettier than she herself could ever hope (or afford) to be. Really all that mattered right now as that her best friend was dancing with her, and she was having the time of her life. As she came into Acra again, his hand moved to her back to support her as she was dipped, which she moved with well enough, even if she hadn't been fully expecting it. Her cheeks flushed pink with happiness. "Acra... This is amazing. Thank you.."

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