The ball. Those words were like a wash of cold water over him, though he didn’t expect Damien to really understand the horror of the words. How could he? Dextral’s social affairs were something that he held very close and he prided himself on keeping everyone personal about him very close to chest. For Damien to know how much the idea of dancing around with some girl in view of everyone possible bothered him, Dex would have actually had to let the boy in – something that hadn’t happened in a very long time. Still, the dark-haired boy did his best now to let it reflect on his face how much the idea of such a frivolous dance bothered him. Instead, he did his best to stand up tall and address his companion as if not a thing in the world bothered him.
“No, I’m afraid that I haven’t found someone for the evening. Though, I imagine that won’t be true forever.” He supposed, if worst came to it, he could always invite Damien’s sister to dance with him. She had seemed eager to chat with him before – though he figured that was less about him and more from the fact that the girl seemed to easily cling onto anyone that crossed her path. Surely, she wouldn’t turn down an invitation, provided that he extended it with some semblance of sincerity – however much it was faked. That would quell the demand that he actually participates in such outlandish festivities, at least for a bit.
“And yourself? Surely, you’ve found someone eager to be on your arm.” His eyes darted down to the limb in question and Dex wanted to kick himself for his racing thoughts. It was such a lovely arm, of course someone would cling onto it. Though, he imagined it would be someone from Auradon, a foolish girl drawn to Damien’s darker features, sure that he could be fixed with just a bit of love. How foolish they would be indeed. “Can you dance?” It was a passive question, though Dex waited for an answer.
His mother had always made sure that he knew what he was doing when it came to the more proper affairs, but he had never been certain others shared the same skills. “If not, you should probably learn. Quickly. It would be a shame to hear some vapid attendee commenting on your lack of dance skills.”
there was something minuscule that shifted in the other shadowborn’s face. small, barely there. if damien had not been looking at him so intently, perhaps he would not have seen it when he asked the question. but it was gone in the beat of his heart. it could be that he had believed he saw something that was not truly there. a rare occurrence for him, but he was human. which meant it was a possibility none the less.
“i imagine you won’t have any trouble finding someone worthy of hanging on your arm by the day it is needed,” he answered without much thought. the other man was handsome, there was no doubt in his mind that there was someone wishing to be near him. damien himself, had planned to get a worthy date. someone that would be worthwhile and more importantly, useful. those thoughts however had died quickly as time went on. all of his plans were swallowed by wanting to see the entire area burn. from castle to the last tree that rested upon their ground. it was an odd occurrence. his mind not being able to completely hold onto his anger or annoyance. so, practice, was he that he thought it was second nature.
perhaps auradon was more of a test than he believed it could be.
“i, can of course, dance,” a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. what sort of world would it be if he could not dance to society’s standards? the very thought was amusing. perhaps it was not so much the question that amused him, but the fact that dextral had asked. they were never the closest of friends, per say. not in what the definition would be. no, secrets were shared. no, dreams whispered in the night. simply conversations that he could with stand and know he was talking to an individual that was closer to the worth of his time. the other’s dark eyes seemed to hold just as many secrets as his own. at points it was fascinating. often, he found himself losing time when he looked to them.
“as for your other question,” he shifted his shoulders in something like a shrug. a nonchalance he rarely sported in such a true form. normally, it was feigned but, in the moment, it was truth. “i find myself not interested in having a companion for the night.” damien paused for a moment, thinking on if he should share more. in the face of those dark eyes, he found himself willing. “the two that would be the most useful is the son, and the son’s closest young woman friend.” his eyes moved for those that seemed to transfix him for a moment as he looked toward the window that showed the night sky. “of course, i have suspicions that they may be more transfixed with each other rather than others and while that could be entertaining… consider me, not in the mood.”
a thought, quick like lightning occurred to him. something akin to teasing shifted into his face. if they were friends, it most certainly would be ridicule in the gentlest of forms. something in him was seeking a semblance of normalcy. speaking with the other seemed to offer him that. “perhaps, i should just see to entertain myself with you. after all, you are one of the more worthwhile people there to speak to. our conversations always seem riveting.”