I don't know if I can give you anything you want. [Closed to Hendrik]

[darkenedmoon]

Who: Yotsuyu and Hendrik
Where: Living quarters
When: One evening pre-dance, post-insanity.
What: Someone asked for dancing instruction. Liquid courage is definitely may be needed.



It had been a brief exchange of letters between them, but Yotsuyu was gratified to know that Hendrik was willing to make an attempt to instruct her in dancing with a partner. Instead of the dancing that she knew how to do--which was not, as sweet Webbigail had thought, was 'like Broadway'.

Whatever Broadway was. Yotsuyu had no clue.

But damned if she was going to tell Webby she'd been a courtesan--assuming Webby even knew what that meant. Some innocence should be preserved--even if hers had never had a chance, courtesy of Asahi.

Courtesy demanded that she provide; Yotsuyu had acquired a plate of yakitori, since Hendrik seemed to favor it, and some spring onion flatbread to wrap around it. That, a half-opened bottle of wine and an unopened cask of ale sat on her desk, her schoolwork safely hidden away. She had moved her scant furniture to the walls and windows to ensure she had room to practice. Now all that was left was to wait for the knight to arrive.

So the question was, why in the seven hells was she so nervous?

Comments

[unswervingcompanion]

Hendrik didn't know the first thing about the etiquette of going to someone's house, even if they were a fellow student. He had swiftly ruled flowers out as they might suggest they were courting and that wasn't the case. And then Yotsuyu might even get mad about it, so that was definitely off the table.

And he refused to think about why she didn't know how to properly dance with a partner because that was just going to make him angry before seeing her. He might not know everything but he could piece together what he did know about her past and all that did was make him a level of angry he didn't often get. So the wooden dummies in the courtyard had been quite the unwilling victims of when Hendrik thought about all of that and needed an outlet.

Knocking on the door now, he had brought his gift for her that he had paid for with their currency and lessons to the creator of it. It was the only thing the knight could settle on that gave him peace of mind, and that it would be practical, not considered anything romantic. If Yotsuyu wore it, she would be able to take care of anyone threatening her before he could come to her aid.

He was nervous but he could do this.

And he fought not to think of the dancing that she could do.

[darkenedmoon]

It was nervousness that made Yotsuyu open the door to check if Hendrik was strolling down the hall. Instead, she nearly bumped into him, and let out a rather undignified squeak as she looked up at him.

"'Tis you," she mumbled, but instead of yelling because she hadn't expected him quite so soon, Yotsuyu simply stepped back and allowed him entry.

"I was not certain if you came straight from sparring with Eleven, or if you have availed yourself of dinner, so..." Yotsuyu gestured to her desk, and then moved to close the door behind him. She was certain Hendrik would not sit and avail himself of the food until she at least sat, so she did so on her bed--she didn't regularly keep a great deal of chairs in her room.

"I already ate, so that is all for you, if you wish it."

[unswervingcompanion]

The knight was wondering why he nearly collided with Yotsuyu because that had been a shock just trying to get in the door.

But he remained where he was until she stepped back. He was now tapping his gloves together nervously as Yotsuyu spoke and to his surprise and delight, yakitori was sitting on the table. It made him mentally berate himself for not having thought to ask about food in advance.

So he nodded to her explanation and she was correct in assuming that he wouldn't sit until she did because ladies sat first. But Hendrik was disappointed in learning that she'd already eaten.

"I appreciate both your thoughtfulness and your effort. I shall take it home." And give some to the Luminary too, but that went unsaid. And that's when his brain clicked on so he took his gift out and handed it to her.

"This is for you."

[darkenedmoon]

That was something Yotsuyu had not been expecting. A gift? But why? Though knowing Hendrik, this was rather like him, and charming in its own way. She remained speechless for a few moments, but she did accept the dagger in its sheath, looking over it, drawing the blade briefly, and then sliding it back in. Then she realized she was the hostess--and she had best start acting the part!

"I am not certain you should take the food back home--oh, certainly take some of it home, but if you take it all, you will be taking that as well. Unopened." With a gesture to the ale. She was certain he was unlikely to drink anyway, but still. It was unwise to drink on an empty stomach at any time. Hendrik would never forgive himself if he made a fool of himself in front of her; of that much, Yotsuyu was certain. Well, if he chose not to drink, she had water. She would need a glass of wine, at the very least.

But then her gaze softened a bit, and she slipped the dagger he had given her into her obi. Tacit acceptance. It took a moment for her to remember her manners, however.

"Thank you, Hendrik. It's lovely."

[darkenedmoon]

"Yes, I know," she stammered. Had Hendrik needed a tell that Yotsuyu was nervous, there it was. Had he ever heard her stutter before? She doubted it, and felt even more self-conscious than she had moments ago. It was just a dance! Just learning a simple ball dance! It was not even the 'dancing' she'd done as a courtesan! What was wrong with her?

It was not his fault, though. She should not get angry at the knight. (But anger was such a comforting refuge...)

"You are here to teach me to dance, I know. And you may not need a drink, but I do. If you would like something, though, I would be happy to serve it to you." Even as she was pouring herself a glass of wine, and attempting to only sip from it, when what Yotsuyu really wanted to do was down it at a gulp, and then pour more.

On some level, she was aware he'd said other things, but they simply had flowed in one ear and out the other. And she was certain she was being rude, which irritated her as well, but Yotsuyu couldn't help it. With a quiet sigh she tried to bite back, she set the half-empty wine glass on her desk and spread her hands.

"I suppose, as they say, there is no time like the present, eh?"

[darkenedmoon]

'Nothing' was a lie, but Yotsuyu was completely unable to answer the man's question--and that irritated her as well. She looked down, and made faces at the floor, because the words refused to come, and there was a cold, hard lump twisting itself in the pit of her stomach that she was all too familiar with.

But yes, she could tell that he was trembling--that, however, was something Yotsuyu was used to--it was not as if she had never encountered such a thing before.

"Why are you shaking?" she demanded, grabbing on to that action--an illogical one to her--like a lifeline. For the life of her, Yotsuyu could not understand why Hendrik might be trembling at the likes of her.