[FIN] Tango the Night Away

[Tori Honoo]

She closed her eyes a split second as her body relaxed a little, then met his eyes with a brighter, truer smile as she slid to her feet. "...Maybe you'll have to find out...sometime," she repeated with a wink. Her indecision on her own thoughts of trust still lingered, but the notion went again unresolved. Never say never, she mused silently, heavily. "For now, lets just keep making the most of it as we can , hm?"  

[BlackFireKitsune]

His smile widened a bit as she stood, and his arm moved from her shoulders to her waist as he took her hand with his. "I definitely wouldn't mind finding out," he said with a hint of a dare in his voice. He led her to the dance floor this time, stepping into another tango immediately, rather than any generic club dancing. It wasn't often at all that he found a dance partner who knew more refined, classic moves, and he had every intention to make the most of it while it lasted - as well as make a mental note to call her and ask for another dance sometime, if she felt so inclined.


As the night wore on, Dove's growing discomfort was noted, decisions to leave were made, and Abel moved with the brunette to the door. He wasn't sure what was up, but he hoped it was nothing serious. "You should probably head on home, huh?" He mused, a thumb in one pocket and his other hand on the small of her back as he escorted her to the door, a mild curiosity in his expression as he chanced a sidelong glance at her face. "Want me to walk you home?"  

[Tori Honoo]

She claimed her bag at the check near the door, trying not to frown at the sting in her sides. She wa fine, really, but their dancing had offered a ple opportunity for twists and dips, and unwilling to miss out on this chance, she danced the night away with Abel. It hurt, and she was sore, but she wouldn't regret it.

As she stepped into the night air, she took a moment to gain her bearings, welcoming the calm quiet of the streets. However, with Abel's offer, she nodded. "I really should...and that..." She looked around the streets, her hand absently brushing along her side, a soft look of discomfort on her face. "That would be really great, Abel." walking around at nighttime was a bit frightening after what had happened... And his company was more than welcome.  

[BlackFireKitsune]

"Alright," he replied with a smile as he stepped down to the sidewalk, then started walking beside her. She looked a little uneasy, but he couldn't really blame her; she had mentioned Team Rocket to him when they met before, so the criminals were obviously a worry of hers. Rather than bother her for confirmation on a subject that probably wasn't appropriate to bring up while they walked down streets at night all alone, he chose to just assume his thought was correct for the time being and instead turned to smile down at her, "So how far is your place from here?"  

[Tori Honoo]

She walked close to his side, glad for the company and quiet feeling of protection his presence provided. At least she wouldn't be glancing over her shoulder every few seconds.

His question drew a small, grateful smile across her lips. "It's not too terribly far..." she told him, though her cheeks were pink. "I walked over myself, but it was still light, then..."

She rubbed her side with her fingertips, as she looked to him. "So where did you learn to dance like that? You move really well." And that was clearly a characteristic she thought highly of.  

[BlackFireKitsune]

Her close proximity prompted him to drape an arm loosely across her shoulders, his hand curved around her upper arm, and he offered an easy smile. "Alright. I don't mind walking." It was a nice night, and besides, walking was good exercise. He'd walked to the club too, from his own apartment, so he didn't mind walking a little more.

Her question elicited a breath of a laugh from him, and a wry grin. "My mom's idea when I was a kid. All of us got signed up for all kinds of dance and music lessons when we were little. She signed me up for singing and ballroom lessons, and dad taught me guitar and how to shoot, to 'offset all that girly crap'," he quoted with a chuckle. "Took most of those lessons for quite a few years. I'm pretty sure mom only wanted me to learn to sing and dance so I could indulge her on her birthday every year," Abel elaborated with another chuckle, though when it faded, he glanced down at her again with a smile. "What about you? Not often I find someone with such beautiful dance moves."  

[Tori Honoo]

She leaned into him a little as he curled his arm around her shoulders, and looped an arm around his middle in return, to better even out their walking and make it less awkward for the man to guide her along the walk, though really, she led the way. She hummed a little. "Good." She turned a smile up at him. "It's not a bad walk at all." And it was better with the company, even as she glanced around once more.

She listened to his explanation as they walked, laughing softly along with his chuckle. "You're kind of a triple threat, hm? Singing, dancing, strumming..." She matched his smile. "I'm sure your mother enjoyed every minute of it."

His question was met with a look to her feet before her eyes lifted back to the road ahead of them, her cheeks a soft pink at his compliment. "My family was very social, in our society, so," A shrug. "My brother and I were kind of forced into it--Dancing, I mean. I loved it though, even back when I wasn't very good at it." She smiled lightly. "It's amazing to feel so free in something with such controlled movements..." she mused, absently rubbing his side with her thumb. "My brother decided to learn music, and he's incredible. I took a few voice lessons, but," she shook her head, laughing embarrassedly, "music was really his thing, and he's a lot more outgoing with his songs than I am, so..."  

[BlackFireKitsune]

When she reciprocated, he smiled and gave her a light squeeze, though her comment made him grin. "I know, I'm armed and dangerous," he teased with a light laugh, "but yeah, she wanted us all to be able to play and sing for her on her birthday."

He listened with polite interest as she explained her own situation, including things he hadn't asked her about, though he smiled and nodded in agreement as they walked. "Yeah, I really enjoy dancing. So if you ever need a dance partner..." He gave her a suggestive smile as he trailed off. Reverting back to the topic of music, he nodded again and focused ahead of them once more. "I know what you mean, though; my little brother plays the electric guitar and he's way better at it than I am. Can sing pretty well too, though he doesn't dance," Abel said with another chuckle.  

[Tori Honoo]

She bit back a smile at the light squeeze, enjoying the affection more than she would care to admit. It had been a long while since she had been treated this way, and even though there was nothing between them--aside from a tension she couldn't place just yet-- she found herself pleased and willing to stay close for now.

"Mm, armed and dangerous..." she parroted softly, her voice almost a purr. "Good to know." The look she gave him clearly showed she still felt a little dangerous herself, and the feeling was quickly resurfacing.

His unfinished statement was met with a genuine smile, and she slid a hand through her hair to push it from her face. "Oh, I'll set you to speed dial, if you're offering another dance," she laughed, turning her face up to him again. The information about his brother was met with a softer smile, and and she looked ahead again. "Well, you played beautifully, so he must be very talented."

Within a few more minutes, the two would find themselves in a nicer area of town, walking along a section of boutiques and townhomes and high end hotels, the park just in site beyond a few smaller cafes with the beach just beyond the wall at the far side of the park. With a slightly apologetic tone, she spoke up, rubbing his side absently again. "Almost there, I promise."  

[BlackFireKitsune]

Her look and her tone were not lost on him, and an intrigued smile slowly spread across his face in consequence. Given her previous soreness at the end of their dancing, he chose not to comment on it - for now, at least. "Maybe I am offering another dance," he countered with a smile and a sidelong glance, and finishing in suggestive tones, "if you're in need of a partner."

"Yeah, he's really talented, but he's also a little punk," Abel said with a laugh. "Hopefully he'll grow out of it soon, but," the blonde shrugged.

Given her profession, the change in scenery didn't surprise him a whole lot as it might for someone else, but at her words he merely smiled and consciously ran his thumb along her shoulder. "No worries, I don't mind the walk."  

[Tori Honoo]

His counter to her comment went without verbal response, and instead was given a smile and teasingly lofty look.

"A punk, huh? With a big brother like you to look up to?" She laughed softly. "I'm sure he'll grow out of it in no time."

After a bit, she went from rubbing his side to gently scratching it, her eyes falling to her feet for a moment before lifting up as they approached a tall, chic building. With a soft sigh, she slowed a little, and looked up to her companion, before appraising the building once more. "Well... here it is."  

[BlackFireKitsune]

Another laugh. "Yeah, but he's still living with our parents in Sinnoh," Abel explained, "and I only go back to visit every once in a while, so," a shrug.

When they stopped in front of a specific building and Dove announced their arrival, he scanned it briefly. Yep, not too surprised. "Nice place," he commented, "though I'm guessing you don't have the whole building to yourself." He paused to look down at her, and a smile slowly formed in his expression that was half amused, half intrigued. "You sound as if you don't want to go in or something."  

[Tori Honoo]

"Ah, well... that makes sense..." she gave at his shrug, letting the subject fall away into the soft silence of the night around them.

"It's private enough that sometimes I think I do," she replied, in response to his assumption. "Kind of lonely, sometimes..." She watched the smile spread across his face, wary of the amusement, pleased with the intrigue. However, all things considered, she opted for, "It's just been such a good night... in a soft voice, her face turning away demurely. "I'd hate for it to end so soon..." Her fingers stilled at his side, matching the stillness around them.  

[BlackFireKitsune]

Lonely, huh? Oh, she was practically begging. "Nope, none of that," he said suddenly, and just as suddenly turned to pull her into a half-turn step before dipping her and holding her there, a wry smile on his face. "I never knew anybody who felt 'dangerous' like you've been saying all night, to keep poking and edging around the bush. If you don't want it to end, then say so," he said, a smile still playing on his lips as he continued the dip he held her in. "If you want something, you gotta ask for it."  

[Tori Honoo]

She gasped in surprise at both his words and action as he pulled her around and dipped her again, her arms immediately moving to wrap around his neck as he held her.

After a moment to let his words sink in, she laughed, then smiled wickedly.

"May I have this dance?"