justscribing | The City

[Alhaitham is sitting in his suit and boutonniere at one of the tables, looking up from his book at the sound of Tsuruno's voice carrying closer.

The book is closed and set upon the table. He's aware he won't be getting back to reading it anytime soon.] Tsuruno. Taking a break from serving food?

Yep! I figured I'd get scolded if Kaveh found out I just served food the whole time, so I'm being proactive!

[ Are you so proud of her? ]

You could point out he's being a hypocrite if he did. [Because Kaveh started and has not stopped fussing over the entire event since they got here.] Still, I would think that you would find events like this enjoyable.

Oh, I do. I just don't want to leave any potential customers waiting, you know?

[ the duality of customer service. ]

[He hums non-committally. One of many reasons Alhaitham here is not in customer service. Imagine having to worry about leaving people waiting. They can wait.]

Then is this a short break or a long one?

Depends! Do you want me to bug you for a short time or a long time?

Either way you'll have more to do with your free time, unless you were really intending on expending all of it with me. [A beat.] Did Robby not come with you?

No, he did. I'm making the rounds before I--

[ A pause. A blink.

... Why does it feel like she walked into a trap... ]

[That's because she did.]

What, before you dance with him?

... Or try to.

[ Wow. ]

[All right, that gets a chuckle out of him.] Which one of you is the bad dancer?

It's me. It's definitely me.

[ On the bright side, she gets an Alhaitham smile.

On the dark(?) side, it's at her expense. ]

[Alhaitham is a menace and a bully.]

Then you should practice quickly if you want to have any hope of impressing him... or at least not stepping on his toes.

That's not exactly something you can pick up in five minutes! Not even me!

A waltz isn't very difficult. Would you like me to show you?

[It's the only dance he spent the past few weeks learning.]

... I gotta say, I didn't expect you to know how to dance.

[ Alhaitham?? Holding out on her?? ]

It's a skill I've picked up recently. [He doesn't even need to say why.]

Oh, for Kaveh. Good, he's probably overdoing it.

Then, if you don't mind...

[He is absolutely overdoing it. But that's Kaveh.]

If I minded, then I wouldn't offer. [He sets his book on the table and rises from his seat gesturing for Tsuruno to make her way to the dance floor.

Once they've squeezed past people to a spot, Alhaitham holds out a hand expectantly.] You'll put your other hand on my shoulder.

... You're so tall.

[ Mild griping, but she'll reach up to rest her hand on his shoulder as she takes the one he offers. ]

Very observant. [Heh. Alhaitham puts his hand on her shoulder blade, adjusting his feet to be lined up.] You'll follow my footsteps without the space between us changing, but first watch the pattern.

[He'll lead her, one step at a time, into a couple cycles of a box step.]

[ She does watch the pattern. She has to make sure she doesn't step on his feet because she's Watching the Pattern, but she sure is doing her best!! ]

So did someone teach you or did you grab a book on it?

[ ... She has to ask. ]

There were people offering dance lessons during the set-up for those who weren't familiar. [Though admittedly some of the music that's been playing is an bit mismatches for a Fontainian Waltz. That's the only dance he saw being offered, though.]

... Wow, I missed that entirely.

[ Oops. ]

I figured. [So she gets a crash course from a guy who learned like 2 weeks ago.

After another cycle in the box step:] Do you have it down? Try moving your feet at the same time as mine now.

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