Welcome to Gaia! ::

They stood at the edge of the empty ballroom, neither looking at the other. Emma fidgeted uncomfortably with the sleeve of her dress, trying to pretend that it was the most interesting thing in the world.

He was standing right next to her. She could feel the chill of his aura that surrounded the specter wherever he went. It did not frighten her as much as it used to. But there was still a hint of fear in her eyes when she finally looked up at Hrothbert of Bainbridge-

And found that he was looking just as awkward as she was, toying with his cufflinks in much the same way she had been.

"Do you dance?"

The words were strangely said, almost as if he had been rehearsing them in his head.

"Not often, sir. The gods did not see fit to grant me that talent." she replied with a slight pause. "Perhaps..."

"Yes?" He now looked at her with interest.

"There are none present. We could...try."

"You are forgetting one small detail." He passed his hand through the nearby wall. "It is difficult to dance if one cannot touch."

A strange urge coursed through Emma; a sharp pang of desire...the desire to touch him, to feel the warmth of his skin against hers, to feel a beating heart in his chest.

No such luck.

No, no. He was not a creature to be loved or desired. He was damned forever to powerlessness and servitude...but she was not so sure she believe that it was right anymore.

"Even so, indulge me." The elf looked up at him through her lashes, shoving her strange thoughts to the back of her mind.

"As you wish." he replied, looking at her warily as he extended his hand. She mimicked the action of taking it, arranging her fingers around his spectral ones so it looked as if they were touching.

The former sorcerer brushed her hand with a chaste and chilly kiss, bowing as she did so. Emma dropped a curtsy in return, and they walked towards the center of the ballroom.

Sometimes the universe decides to play along. This was one of those rare occasions. Music filled the chamber, and lyrics that any child would know in this modern age.

Of course, neither knew the music, but they went along with it anyway. Never quite touching, ghost and enchantress took up the waltz position, her hand hovering just above where his shoulder would be and his hand centimeters away from her hip. They began the slow movements of the dance, Emma moving about the floor with an awkwardness she was not accustomed to.

Tale as old as time
True as it can be
Barely even friends
Then somebody bends
Unexpectedly

He's nothing like the stories said...they never mentioned he could dance.

She's barely afraid anymore...she knows who-what I am, what I've done.

Do I care anymore? Whoever he was back then, he's changed. There's kindness in his eyes.

Bainbridge, there may be hope for you yet.

Just a little change
Small to say the least
Both a little scared
Neither one prepared
Beauty and the Beast

Despite the occasional brush of ectoplasm to living flesh, they were now making their way about the ballroom with some success, not quite noticing the music.

Ever just the same
Ever a surprise
Ever as before
And ever just as sure
As the sun will rise

Again, that strange spike of need rose within Emma. She wanted him freed, she wanted him beside her, she wanted to know his scent, the feel of his hair, the taste of his lips-

What's happening to me?

Tale as old as time
Tune as old as song
Bittersweet and strange
Finding you can change
Learning you were wrong

He's not a monster anymore...was he ever? But who is he?

Look at her...doesn't she know it's hopeless? Eternity is not to be taken so lightly?

Perhaps I could break the curse...no, those are idle fantasies.

Could she?


Certain as the sun
Rising in the east
Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the Beast


The song wound to a close and the dancers realized that they had spent the entirety of it staring into each other's eyes. Emma flushed a brilliant shade of maroon, dropping a quick curtsy and fleeing the room. "Pleasure talking to you, sir!" she cried as she hurried away.

The former (and future) sorcerer was left standing there, insubstantial hands tucked in equally ethereal pockets as he wondered.

Can I just say, it's adorable and cheesy.

D'awwww, this side of Emma is hardly shown, its too cute to be cheesy, it's pushing to romantic cheesy, but it's still great. wink

Keep up the good work.

So adorable! :3

YES!
Oh God, yes.