Holier Than Thou

[Soran Nightblade]

"The anger you could deal with," Knight pondered. "But the breach of trust could cause trouble for longer than that. It could also have an impact on his resolve to see me through the fight. If your goal is to keep me at full strength, one way or another, your husband and Atul must agree to the plan.

"That said," he mused, "The temple would be a very good place to start. To a god, it is both a strength and a weakness. If you wish to get a man angry, strike him between the legs."

[Emora Deen]

Tenele smirked. "Then, I will tell them my plan," she agreed, nodding. "I do not want to betray my husbands trust, so I will tell him. If he doesn't agree... Then, we'll figure out something."

Tenele stood up slowly. "Now, that the business is over... Do you drink wine?"

[Soran Nightblade]

Knight's eyes followed her thoughtfully, trying to judge his welcome. "Quite well," he replied with an arrogant smile.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele smiled, going to their wine cabinet and pouring two glasses for them. She carried it back to him. "I want to enjoy your company before you have to go," Tenele told him softly as her fingers left the glass. Tenele took a seat next to him, crossing her long slender legs. Sadly, she hadn't the slightest idea what the two could discuss.

[Soran Nightblade]

Knight smiled and threw back about half his glass in an easy swallow. For a few minutes, he was content just to watch her while he drank. He wasn't much for small talk himself, so their quietness didn't bother him in the least.

"I hear you've taken an interest in the dance," he noted, breaking the silence like it had never been there at all.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele smiled sheepishly. "I asked Atul to teach me how to dance like the girls that entertain at the feast. I think they move beautifully... I thought Vlad might like it if I could dance like that." She finished her wine and set it on a small table between them. "Do you want another glass?"

[Soran Nightblade]

"I'll serve myself," he smiled as he went to the table with his glass, secretly pleased by her attention. He poured from the decanter and turned back to study her. "I could show you a few things," he offered with a grin. "Atul knows more of the dance than he cares to admit, and Vlad...well, he knows what he likes."

[Emora Deen]

Tenele's smile brightened. "You'd show me?" she asked him enthusiastically. She stood up quickly, clasping her hands in front of her. "Oh, I'd like that! Where do I start?" She shook her head. "Where are my manners, I'll let you finish your drink."

[Soran Nightblade]

Knight took a deep swallow of the wine and set the glass down on the stand. "No, we can start." His time with her was limited, and he didn't intend to spend it all drinking. He took her hand lightly in hers and positioned her arm above her head in an elegant arc. With calm hands, he positioned her other arm slightly out and across her middle. "Do you feel where your arms are now? You'll need to memorize it." He gestured to the standing mirror against the wall, where she was lined up with her reflection.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele nodded, smiling at Knight through the reflection of the mirror. "I think I've got it. I'm very fast at picking things up," she told him. "What next?" Her eyes flickered to his, the odd miss-matched color of them.

[Soran Nightblade]

"The arms stay smooth and steady during the dance. They represent your inner strength and calm. Your head and waist represent your spirit. You use your stomach and center line for control. Can you dip your hips in a circle without crouching or moving your arms?" He raised his own arms into position and demonstrated for her. The movement was oddly masculine coming from him, and he seemed fully aware of how good he looked doing it.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele swallowed as her eyes watched his hips move, and suddenly she forgot what she was trying to do. She shook it off, a flicker of embarrassment washing her face. Tenele began to imitate him. It took her a few tries before she could roll her hips without her arms moving with her. "Like this?" she asked, green eyes dancing between the mirror and his approval.

[Soran Nightblade]

"Yes," he smiled. "Try some footwork." He went on with her, guiding her to spin in a circle without losing the control of her arms and hips. After about an hour had passed, she knew several more steps and techniques for sweeping her arms out as the ladies had at dinner when they'd first arrived. Now and then he demonstrated a move alongside her, pleased with himself each time he noticed her distracted.

He stepped aside and enjoyed the rest of his wine while watching her practice in the mirror. "I believe you'll be able to wreak sufficient havoc with that," he approved.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele laughed, ending her dance with a pretty little twirl that really had nothing to do with what she'd learned. It sent her pale colored dress swishing around her legs. "That was fun, its been a while since I had so much fun," she told him. She went to the wine cabinet and refilled her glass, sipping it as she caught her breath.

She smiled at him before moving forward, standing on the tips of her toes, and planting a gentle kiss on his cheek. "Thank you." She hesitated for a moment before drawing back.

[Soran Nightblade]

He stilled under her touch, red and blue focused on her. When she drew back, he watched and then did the same, accepting her caution. "It has been a pleasure, my lady," he smiled. "I suspect your friends will be missed in their tasks if I delay them much longer."