How Green Becomes Wood

"Because you've never been asked," Daizi replied, allowing herself to be as playful with Ciara as she was with most people in your life, "but I fear I'll be bit if I did."

Dark sighed, seeing no way out of this spiral, so he took the risk and asked, "Ciara, would you care to dance? With either of us?"
 
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Ciara was about to answer Daizi when Dark asked his question. She blinked at him owlishly, caught by surprise. She'd braced herself for the question from Daizi, but not from him. "I... suppose I would," she said cautiously. "Are you asking me to?"
 
"Only if you would like to," Dark said, holding out one hand, "Whoever you would feel more comfortable with." Daizi stood beside him warm and free-spirited, whereas he was a quiet former teacher.
 
Ciara hesitated, looking from Daizi to Dark. For her, the choice was obvious, but she hoped she wouldn't hurt Daizi's feelings. Cautiously, she gave Dark her hand as she stood. "Very well. Shall I sign a waiver in advance for any damage done to your feet? Or will that be a settlement afterward?"
 
Not the least bit offended, Daizi took the opportunity to seek out her baby, whom she guessed was getting tired and about ready to be brought home for the night.

Dark held her hand firmly but not tightly as he led her to the dance floor, "I do not believe that is something you need worry about." He assured her calmly, placing his hand on her upper back rather than on her waist, presuming it would make her more comfortable but still supported her entirely and properly lead her.
 
Ciara cleared her throat uncomfortably but let Dark lead her and move her as he willed. It was something she was not used to. It took a lot of trust to follow someone. A lot of trust in the other person... and in herself. She moved stiffly and awkwardly, but as Dark did not push her, gradually, she relaxed just a little and moved with a bit more grace. Not a lot of grace as she had no idea what she was doing, but it gradually looked a bit less like a marching step.
 
"Look at me, not at your feet," Dark very gently encouraged her, "It is counterintuitive, but it makes it easier." Because she was so stiff and unsure, he didn't try anything fancy, not trying to unnerve her by twirling her or anything more intense than what they were doing. Still, he led her through more steps than just swaying back and forth because he hoped he would manage to make it at least a little enjoyable for her.
 
"I suppose this is not the most outrageous thing I have ever done," Ciara said, struggling to follow Dark's direction not to look at her feet. She was not certain what to look at. Looking at his face meant craning her neck awkwardly at this close range, and staring at his chest seemed awkward at best. She settled for alternating between face and neck.
 
"What is the most outrageous thing you have ever done?" Dark asked, not noticing how awkward it was for her to look up at him because he was so used to being taller than everyone and looking mostly at the tops of heads.
 
A tiny smile quirked at the corner of Ciara's mouth. "Do you really expect me to answer that?" she asked, amused, and very nearly teasing. She followed his steps, picking up the rhythm surprisingly quickly, and the steps themselves she was enjoying. She just had to not think about how people might be watching her. She appreciated that there was no twirling or any other nonsense going on.
 
Ciara looked him up and down as best as she could in their current close quarters in all his decked-out, black and red, lace-infused glory. "No," she said so dryly she almost sounded like Xander, "I cannot believe how anyone could ever come to such a conclusion."

~~

Alec made his way over to Daizi and called to her to let her know who was approaching before putting a hand on her arm. "Am I seeing things, or is Ba dancing with Aunt Ciara? Did you know they were dancing?"
 
"I know," Dark replied with the tiniest flicker of a smirk, "I do not understand it either. Then again, I imagine whatever your most outrageous escapade was... Well." He shrugged, amused by shade of his son he saw in her and then dared to cautiously twirl her.

~~

"He is dancing with her," Daizi nodded, swaying with Ivy in her arms, "It was my idea, primarily. I thought it was only right she dance with somebody tonight. Although I'm realizing now, I should've sent you. I bet it would've taken less persuading."
 
Ciara was taken a little off guard by the twirl, but after a brief stutter, she went with it willingly enough. Dark had proven himself to her at this point. When she was facing him once more, she said, "My most outrageous escapade was... well, I suppose I would tell you, but the boys like you, and I would not wish for your wife to be a widow." She was straight-faced as she said it, but there was a hint of a twinkle in her eye and just the tiniest hints that she was teasing him.

~~

"I don't know how you did it, but it is a marvelous sight to see!" He paused and added, "And kind of hilarious considering how much shorter she is. Ba is being very kind to her. Oh! They twirled!"
 
"Ah," Dark said, "I appreciate the warning. I would offer to trade you and tell you the most outrageous thing I have done, but..." a number of potential answers to that question flashed through his mind, none of which seemed like something Ciara would be comfortable hearing about, "I think I work better with an air of mystery."

~~

"I think she just wants us to be happy on our 'special day,'" Daizi said, grinning, "Is she so much shorter? It's hard for me to tell heights sometimes, I know she is shorter than I am, but that does not mean much."
 
Ciara glanced at him, her eyes showing her amusement at his answer. Of all the potential answers, that was what he went with? She let it go, guessing he did not want to discomfort her. "Indeed, and what an air you have," she remarked. "I think the song is coming to an end, though, so I suppose I will allow you to keep your mystery."

~~

Alec considered it. "A little on the shorter side of average, which, compared to Ba, is short. She has a very good view of his chest and maybe some of his shoulders. Good thing she's not as short as Peter!"
 
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