Closed RP: And We Danced

[wh0-kill3d-m3.livejournal.com]

Saturday night.

Laura Palmer waited at the front door of the castle, dressed to the nines in a dark red dancing dress, pacing restlessly in two-inch high heels. Now all she needed was a partner.

She had a sinking feeling she might be about to be stood up. She had coerced Alan Grant into asking her to go dancing - more specifically, to "get her feet stepped on" - but he couldn't have been less enthusiastic about the idea...

Comments

[dinosaurman.livejournal.com]

"The brooms I've heard about. Nemo told me that he went flying on one," Grant said.

When the Knight Bus appeared in front of them, he was floored by the bright purple color, which was sure to be a headache in the making.

He reached into his pocket. "How much for two to Aberdeen?" he asked the conductor.

[wh0-kill3d-m3.livejournal.com]

Laura giggled at the mental image of a fish on a broomstick.

"Aw, you must be some'a them new-type students, right? Stan Steerpike." The conductor offered Grant a hand to shake. "Eight sickles each for Aberdeen. Another two and we throw in hot chocolate. Headed for a night on the town, eh?"

They handed Steerpike their fares and boarded, looking around in amazement at the beds and brass fittings.

[dinosaurman.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, something like that," Grant said distractedly. He was still boggled by the sheer gaudiness of the bus. He turned to Laura. "Would you like a hot chocolate?"

He ducked to avoid hitting his head on one of the dangling chandeliers. "Every time I think I've become used to what I see here, something new always comes along."

[wh0-kill3d-m3.livejournal.com]

"What?-oh. No, I don't think so. This is - wow." She sat down on a bed.

The driver yelled, "Allez-houp!" and the bus warp-sped away from Hogwarts.

[dinosaurman.livejournal.com]

It only took a few minutes to arrive in Aberdeen, but to Grant it was one of the most sickening rides he'd ever been on. "We are never doing that again," he moaned as he wondered where in Scotland the driver had left his stomach.

[wh0-kill3d-m3.livejournal.com]

Laura pulled herself back upright; repelling G-forces had sent her sprawling backwards onto the bed. She checked her watch. "On the other hand, we're in Aberdeen 10 minutes after we left Hogwarts. Not bad."

They disembarked, and Laura flinched a bit at the noise and lights of a Muggle city. "Wow. I'd forgotten what it's like."

She checked a street sign and pulled a few sheets of paper from her purse. "Think you're willing to risk a regular taxi after that?"

[dinosaurman.livejournal.com]

"Ten minutes of my life that I'm never going to get back."

He noticed her discomfort and put a hand on her shoulder. "Are you going to be all right?" he asked.

"After that, I think anything short of a roller coaster is going to be better."

[wh0-kill3d-m3.livejournal.com]

She covered his hand with hers and smiled. "Yeah. It's just...strange. My first time in a Muggle city since I've been back. I'll readjust. Probably quicker than is good for me, really."

"Okay then." She put out a hand and hailed a taxi, gave the driver an address, and in five minutes they were at a swing dance club. They went in and were greeted by the sounds of the Brian Setzer Orchestra.

"I think we can get away with a simple two-step to this, if you're willing to give it a try?"

[dinosaurman.livejournal.com]

"All right," he said. "But I've got to warn you, you're not the first person to try to get me to dance. If past performance is any indication, this is not going to end well."

[wh0-kill3d-m3.livejournal.com]

She smiled. "Guys always say that. When are you ever going to learn that the dancing is not the point of the exercise?"

Then she took his hand and led him onto the dance floor.

[dinosaurman.livejournal.com]

"Is there something endearing about public humiliation that I'm missing?"

He let himself be led, resisting the urge to pull back. About a third of the way on the floor he stopped. "Less chance of getting noticed on the edge," he said.

[wh0-kill3d-m3.livejournal.com]

"Okay. And try not to think of it as public humiliation." She took one of his hands and placed it on her waist, then placed his other hand on her shoulder. "Think of it as a socially acceptable excuse for close bodily contact, with musical accompaniment."

[dinosaurman.livejournal.com]

"And if it stopped there, that would be fine. But there's moving involved, and that's where it gets complicated."

He was beginning to recognize that he was losing the battle. "Aren't I supposed to be holding one of your hands, though?" he asked, taking her right hand.

[wh0-kill3d-m3.livejournal.com]

"I seem to recall you moving pretty well the other day," she said with a giggle.

"Yeah, there's hand-holding involved. You want to lead, I hope?"

[dinosaurman.livejournal.com]

"There's a lot that's different from the other day!" he protested.

"It's not really leading if you're telling me what to do, is it?"

[wh0-kill3d-m3.livejournal.com]

She laughed and leaned her forehead against his shoulder. "Alan. I haven't written you off as hopeless yet, but you're making it very hard. Work with me here?"