Lately getting back into playing The Arcana and of course, redoing my Apprentice Esme!

The Arcana © Nix Hydra

Esme © me

Nadia calls the apprentice up to her quarters to teach her how to dance in preparation for the Masquerade.

Esme had been called up to the Countess’ rooms midmorning.  This was hardly a strange turn of events, given the planning for the masquerade and its varying outcomes of justice.  She expected it to be another day of running over information and hoping for some new insight or to further deliberate decorations and outfits for the occasion.  

However, when she knocked and entered the room, Nadia’s request was hardly what she expected.

“Now, my dear Esme, I recall you saying you do not remember much of the masquerade.  And perhaps even if you did, you might not have noticed how the leader of Vesuvia is required to begin the evening with a proper dance in front of all their citizens.” She scowled.  “In the past, our dearly departed Count Lucio and I would have that honor.  However, in his passing, this tradition has been upended.  It is my courtiers’ recommendation that I continue it.  And that leads us to you.”

Esme listened intently, her eyebrows raising as the conversation led back to herself.

Now as Nadia spoke, she wore a soft smile and took Esme’s hand in her own. “I would be honored, Esme, if you would share the first dance of the masquerade with me.  I know that the evening may have somewhat… ulterior motives, but some of the niceties must still be followed, and dancing with you… well, it might quell some of the uneasiness in my stomach.”

The apprentice was rather focused on how soft Nadia’s hand was, the warmth it radiated through her, and how the fluttering of her heart hastened in pace.

“I would be completely honored.  But I…”  Esme blushed. “I’m afraid I don’t really know how to dance.”

Nadia looked completely taken aback.  

“Well then, you shall have to learn.”  

She immediately struck up a proper pose, her back straight and elegant, as she took Esme into her arms.  From what she’d seen, Esme attempted to mimic a dancer’s stature and gently took one of Nadia’s hands, resting her other on the Countess’ shoulder.  

This close, there was no way Nadia could not notice how much Esme was blushing or how she shivered when she felt Nadia’s hand on her waist.  

Focus on the dance, she urged herself, but that was far easier said than done.

“All of the dances follow the same basic rules,” Nadia explained as she began to lead Esme in a series of steps.  “Just make sure you and your partner know who’s leading, who’s deciding the direction, and then follow suit.”

“I think it’s safe to say you’re leading here,” Esme laughed as she stumbled.

“We have all day to practice, never fear.”

Esme smiled back at Nadia before looking away, both intimidated and enthralled as she met eyes with the Countess.  She never expected she’d end up here, but she also could never complain, wrapped in Nadia’s arms.

All of a sudden, Nadia released her grip and twirled Esme out.  Despite her clumsiness, she managed to spin without falling or looking too terribly awkward, and returned to Nadia’s safety.

“Well done,” she said with a light laugh.  “You’re doing quite well.”

“I have a good teacher,” Esme replied.

There they went again, making eye contact.  How could she look away, when Nadia’s soft gaze kept pulling her in?  

Esme thought back to the night on the bridge outside the palace, and how she’d foolishly and timidly turned away from Nadia’s unspoken proposition.  But now, together, their dance a mere sway… maybe she could make up for her embarrassment?

Taking her hand from Nadia’s shoulder, Esme found herself running her fingers up to the Countess’ neck.  Nadia allowed the apprentice to take the lead now, and obliged as Esme stood on tip toes to reach her lips, a careful testing kiss at first, followed by another, surer this time.  

Esme The Apprentice

Face claim: Neelam Johal Gill

I will be answering to them tomorrow since it’s night-time in here where I live and I have to hit the hay ‘cuz work. Oh the joy.

see you tomorrow my lovely little things.