Claymore and Dagger (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"But tha' was the whole point of gettin' you t'dress up an' come t'Ashelin's party," Sam teased. "Besides, it'd be strange if I only danced with my family an' not you." The Ghis were most certainly a family of ball dancers, each with impeccable form and their own preferred style. Sam liked a simple waltz, but his knowledge of dancing had served to make him oddly graceful for such a broad and tall man.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Over my dead body, Ghis." Fiona answered as he teased her about getting dressed up to dance. "I came to keep Will out of trouble. The rascal will have the wrath of Leon upon him if he's not careful."

Glancing towards the floor, she saw Will dancing with Lucy, both of them smiling and laughing in the way that only teenagers could. No doubt Leon was watching them with the dark brooding gaze that they had all come to expect from him when it came to his dear Lucy.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Dazu'll keep Leon in line. An' 'e'll help Leon if Will gets Lucy in trouble," Sam assured her. Dazu was always the easygoing father, never trying to direct Lucy too much and keeping Leon from being overprotective. But the flip-side was that Dazu was a force to be reckoned with that even Leon couldn't match when anything happened to Lucy. The wild African warrior came out, one that perhaps only family members like Ruben and Kreston knew after freeing him from the more ruthless among the Erygonians in the war.

 

[heartofcourage]

"She's a lucky little girl." Fiona said as she glanced at Sam. "As are you to have such a large and loving family. I'm very envious, Ghis."

 

[KieranSoares]

"They've apparently adopted you, so y'don't 'ave t'be too envious," Sam told her with a chuckle, leaning over to kiss her cheek. "An' you know yer always welcome 'ere."

 

[heartofcourage]

"And you're welcome at my home as well." Fiona said as he leaned over and kissed her cheek gently. "There are far less people there. You might enjoy the solitude."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Maybe, but people might talk, seein' General Ghis visitin' a certain house in town all th' time," Sam told her, but he was only teasing. He'd gladly visit her anytime she liked.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You mean, I'll be the subject of gossip?" Fiona asked with a laugh. "It wouldn't be the first time that's happened and it won't be the last."

 

[KieranSoares]

"A' least it'd be fun gossip, though my Ma migh' not like it." Sam then glanced out at the dance floor. "... Come on, dance with me," he insisted softly with a grin.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Sam, I'll only embarrass you." Fiona insisted as Sam asked her to dance. "I'm truly terrible at it. I might trip you on your face."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I promise I won't let that happen," Sam assured her with a charming smile. "It'd be a shame for ya t'have dressed up an' not get t'show off."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I don't ever show off." Fiona said as Sam aimed that charming smile in her direction. "I swear I'll beat you senseless if I make a fool of myself."

She gentle placed her hand in his own, letting him lead the way onto the floor.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'll risk it," Sam chuckled, leading her out to dance as a new song began. Fiona had only ever danced a few times with her grandfather, but never truly learned. Still, Sam was an excellent leader and he guided her in a basic step that still felt graceful.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Everyone's watching." Fiona murmured as Sam started to teach her a simple dance. "I don't like so much attention."

He could feel her heart racing as she clumsily tried to follow his lead. Fiona might have looked graceful and lithe, but she was anything but on the dance floor.

 

[KieranSoares]

"They're not watching, love," Sam promised her softly. "Nobody but you an' me." His voice was soothing, deep and encouraging as he drew her in a little closer to let her focus on him alone. "You're doing jus' fine."

 

[heartofcourage]

Her cub blue eyes turned towards his warm green gaze and she knew that he was trying to soothe her. When he pulled her in closer she could almost believe that it was her the two of them on that floor, hidden away from the world. It wasn't a horrible thought.

"You're sure?" Fiona asked softly, so unsure of herself in the moment.

 

[KieranSoares]

Where Fiona faltered and lost her confidence, Sam stepped in and offered his own. "Absolutely," he said without any hesitation, his voice barely above a whisper. "Jus' us." His powerful arms solid around her and his every step sure and perfect and guiding her by example.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona leaned into him, taking strength from the way that he held and reassured her. It this wasn't love, she wasn't certain what it was. She loved Sam. He gave her something that she couldn't give herself: hope for a good future.

Soon, she was simply letting him guide them both, following as best as she could in his strong embrace.

 

[KieranSoares]

Off in their usual seats, Brogan and Julia were watching over the party for the moment, and Brogan took Julia's hand, silently directing her gaze to Sam and Fiona. It was as if the two had forgotten about the rest of the world, and Fiona had placed her trust in Sam to teach her.

"I don' think I've ever seen Sam look tha' relaxed," Brogan murmured with a smile.

 

[heartofcourage]

"The poor girl looks terrified, love." Julia commented as she squeezed her husband's hand tightly in her own. "I think Sam just needed someone in his life that he could protect. He's cared for his brother and this family for so long."

 

[KieranSoares]

"An' who better than th' lass who's always sure she doesn' need protectin'?" Brogan chuckled before leaning over to kiss Julia's cheek. "Let's jus' hope 'e doesn' decide t'talk 'imself out of love again."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I've never seen him look at someone the way that he looks at her. I don't think he'll talk himself out of anything." Julia said, smiling as her husband leaned over and kissed her cheek gently. "And if he does, I'll box his ears until he's ready to listen to common sense."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Thank th' gods we didn't 'ave this trouble with Rho. 'E ran off and fell in love right away. 'Course that comes with its own troubles an' mischief."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm starting to think that Rho might not be the one to take this throne." Julia said softly, looking at her husband with her soft green gaze. "After talking with Naiya, I don't believe that he will actually go through with it. He loves her too much to throw it all away by taking an office that might make her uncomfortable."

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan sighed, sitting back in his seat. "I know yer right... but I don' want t'believe it... I don' know what I'll do if Rho doesn' take over." All of their other children had long since been ruled out either by their own preference or because Brogan didn't believe they'd be happy in the position. And with his health, he wasn't certain he could even consider their two youngest, as it'd be far too long before they were fit to take over.