#uldah

uldahn sunset

Arms moved, up in the air. Smooth motions, hands reaching, twirling, the flow sliding all the way down the lithe body. Through the long red hair, rippling the dress, making the skirt flick. The one dancing was seemingly off in their own little world, every roll of their androgynous self keeping time with the currently soft beats floating in the air through the sound system.

All around the figure were other dancers, each of them involved in their own twists, turns, and swirls. Enough room around the central figure not to touch, close enough that the movements all blended to make a whole.

Nobody dared enter that space, the distance between the other dancers and that redheaded figure. Some were captivated by them and merely watched, mesmerized, others chose to pull themselves close enough to contribute to the rhythmic swaying.

Everyone here knew, or learned quite quickly that the glitter soaked representation of sensuality was taken. A person with whom their heart had been given to and accepted by the striking figure of masculinity that currently was doing their job flipping liquor bottles into the air to catch, gliding around the striking feminine figure who shared the features of gold eyes and dark hair with wisps of green in it, both of them sliding drink after drink to patrons waiting at the bar. All it took for anyone to realize was when there was a lull at the bar, and the more masculine of the figures would lope out to that sacred veil of space between the central dancer and the others, and put a hand at their hip or snuggle up behind them, or even just take one of their hands and give them a twirl.

FFXIV Write 2024 Prompt#4 : Reticent

As Marti walked around the pub, his eyes hit each corner critically. The details of respective spaces were poured over. A bit of greenery right here added a more forest-like ambiance, a specific bench there kept with Far Eastern traditions. Colours bright, hues muted, representing various areas of the star. Every floor, every area, every bit of decor. Once he was satisfied with it all, he let out a whoop of delight. It was ready! Visually. He still had the menu to pin down and to find a few workers, but that would come in time.

It had yet to have a Grande Opening, but he’d done it. Worked so hard, so long, so many jobs prior and so much scrimping and saving. The Lucky Lion’s Paw Pub was a thing. His idea wasn’t for it to be an ordinary stomp-your-feet-and-raise-your-tankard bar or tavern, rather something slightly more sophisticated. Comfortable yet classy, less inclined to have that rowdier sort of clientele. A vision he’d been slowly accumulating into a reality. A smaller selection of snacks and drinks would be on offer, specific and catered to those cultures lightly represented in the tapestry of rooms.

Being his usual, jovial self, he’d already invited a few people he knew and some he had only recently met to that Grande Opening, whenever that would be. Something about a winning smile and the ever present hint of mischief in his bright green eyes set the majority at ease. Ever far from being reticent, he had a knack for getting others to talk about themselves. That appeared to be his secret as to what made him a fantastic bartender. That trait was as comfortable as a well worn pair of shoes, and proffered this pub as the next logical step in the Great And Exciting Life of Martiallais (Marti, Mart-Y, Mart, Hey You, Poor Sod) Lisle. He would be owner, host, and bartender all in one. Paid for by that selfsame hard work and dedication to the myriad places of business he’d worked at prior.