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[heraldofthedeep.insanejournal.com]

Characters: Athena and Triton
Date/Time: Evening of April 19th, 2013
Location: Chi Phi Spring Formal
Rating: TBD
Warnings: Athena is awkward?
Summary: It's the fraternity spring formal, and the young Sea King is debuting as such.

Normally, Triton considered the fraternity formals necessary evils. He'd generally had no trouble finding dates to take, but this one... it was different. For one, he genuinely cared about the lady who would be at his side this evening. Secondly, it was his first formal occasion as the new Sea King, and damned if he wasn't going to dress the part.

His clothes were beautifully tailored in watered silk of various shades of dark blue, though the cut was regal, almost military-trim. Certainly not the typical suit or even tuxedo that the other guys at the dance would be wearing. But what would really set him apart from the crowd was the silver, pearl-studded circlet that rested on his brow, contrasting elegantly with the waves of his dark hair. He looked like a king.

Straightening the cuff of his jacket, he knocked on the door where Athena was getting ready.
"Ready yet?" he asked.

Comments

[tritonia.insanejournal.com]

The last time she'd been dressed up, someone else had been doing all the work for her. This time, she was on her own. So it had taken her a while. Not because she was fussy, but because she just didn't know what went on first, or how to do her hair.

But she'd managed, because damn it, she was the Goddess of Wisdom. When she opened the door, she was at least presentable if she did say so herself. The gown (http://s5.favim.com/orig/51/jennifer-lawrence-dress-premiere-venice-Favim.com-469230.jpg) was silver, and looked like running water. Her hair was pulled back in a low pony tail, and the make up she'd just done her best to outline her eyes.

Her mouth fell open when she saw him, and she stared blatantly for a long moment. "Oh...wow..."

[heraldofthedeep.insanejournal.com]

"Thank you," he said, and then bent to kiss her hand, "You look lovely."

[tritonia.insanejournal.com]

A knee jerk goofy smile crossed her face when he bent to kiss her hand. "Thanks. I tried." She ran a self-conscious hand over her dress.

[heraldofthedeep.insanejournal.com]

"Just a bit of polish, perhaps," he said, "If I may?" He presented her with a set of simple silver seashell-shaped jewelry.

[tritonia.insanejournal.com]

She made a soft sound, maybe a mix of surprise and a little bit of protest. She didn't take any of it just yet, giving him a long suffering look. She already knew there was no sense fighting him on it, but she didn't think she'd ever get used to his buying her things like that.

"You didn't have to do that, you know."

[heraldofthedeep.insanejournal.com]

"You're right, I didn't," he said, "But I wanted to. I think it suits you."

[tritonia.insanejournal.com]

Damn it. He was so...thoughtful. She couldn't say no. "Thank you. They're beautiful."

[heraldofthedeep.insanejournal.com]

"You're welcome," he said, fastening the necklace around her neck. Once all the jewelry was in place, he gave her an appraising look, and then smiled.

"Yes, I think that will do perfectly," he said, nodding, and then offered her his arm. "Ready to go?"

He's so pretty when he smiles

[tritonia.insanejournal.com]

"I guess so." She placed her hand in the crook of his arm, holding up her skirt with the other so she didn't step on it.

He only smiles like that for her

[heraldofthedeep.insanejournal.com]

Triton nodded and escorted her to the ballroom. A hush fell when they entered, all eyes upon the regal pair. The young sea king nodded graciously in acknowledgment, as if the event couldn't begin until he said so, and soon a moderate-paced song could be heard over the crowd.

He looked to Athena.
"May I have this dance?"

[tritonia.insanejournal.com]

The attention was disconcerting for her. She preferred to be in the background, out if the spotlight. Maybe that was because for the most part, she still thought of herself as Petra. Athena was just a thing she did. Even if that wasn't true, she couldn't really let go of the hang up.

She did her best to not look like she didn't want to be there, and then Triton spoke to her again. Registering what he'd asked, she looked a little uncertain. "Oh, um, I don't really...know how."

[heraldofthedeep.insanejournal.com]

"It's not a fast song. You trust me, right? Just follow my lead," he said, moving toward the dance floor.

[tritonia.insanejournal.com]

Well he wasn't giving her much choice it seemed. She had to walk with him out onto the floor. If she tried to balk it could cause a scene, and he didn't need that. "Okay, I guess."

[heraldofthedeep.insanejournal.com]

He led her right to the middle of the floor, and assumed the proper position... and glided with her across the floor, with the same easy grace he used when swimming in his merman form, leading effortlessly.
"Not so bad, is it?" he murmured in her ear.

[tritonia.insanejournal.com]

He glided. She prayed. She kept looking down, but it did little good. She couldn't see her feet because of the dress. She had to guess at the rhythm, and made several hop-steps when she realized she'd missed a beat. At least she hadn't stomped on his toes yet, or worse her dress. She did not want to accidentally flash everyone there because of being an awkward klutz. She was so distracted by her efforts to not step all over him, that his murmuring in her ear didn't have its usual effect on her. "I haven't broken your feet yet, so I guess that's something."

[heraldofthedeep.insanejournal.com]

He shook his head slightly, a gleam of amusement in his eyes.
"Don't look at the floor. Look at me. Don't guess at the rhythm, feel it. In the music, or in me. I won't steer you wrong. You're overthinking it, sweetheart."

[tritonia.insanejournal.com]

She gave him an uncertain look, but she tried. With anytime else she might have argued, but with him she just shut up and tried to do what he instructed. It took an effort for her not to look down, but the following him was something she was used to. After a short while, it was apparent that she was getting the hang of it.

[heraldofthedeep.insanejournal.com]

"You're doing very well," he murmured, just softly enough only she could hear him.

"Care for some refreshments?" he offered.

[tritonia.insanejournal.com]

As always, his praise brought a warm flush of pride and pleasure to her cheeks. Just those few words were enough to make her feel that the whole awkward experience was worth it.

Smiling she nodded. She really could use a break from dancing. "Yeah, that'd be good."

[heraldofthedeep.insanejournal.com]

He guided her over to the refreshments table and poured a glass of punch for her.
"I'm glad you came with me," he remarked.

[tritonia.insanejournal.com]

She smiled slightly, taking the glass, being very careful not to spill it. She would not be the girl with a punch stain on her ridiculously expensive dress. "I'm glad you took a night off."

[heraldofthedeep.insanejournal.com]

"The formals are a necessary social evil. But as good as any for me to make my debut in this position," he said with a half-smile that hinted he might just be kidding. Or maybe not.

[tritonia.insanejournal.com]

She took his statement with a grain of salt, but didn't say anything on it. He'd smiled and that was a victory these days.

"Well, hopefully I haven't embarrassed you too much." Now she was trying for levity.

[heraldofthedeep.insanejournal.com]

"You could never embarrass me," he whispered, taking her hand.

[tritonia.insanejournal.com]

And now it was her turn to smile, her fingers lacing with his. It was such a natural thing now for them. "Probably not. You're too stoic for that," she teased gently.

[heraldofthedeep.insanejournal.com]

"Something like that," he said, actually taking a moment to eat and drink some of the things offered there. Mostly punch and cake and nuts, but there were a few small sandwiches as well--he ended up eating three of them in about five minutes.

[tritonia.insanejournal.com]

She didn't interrupt him when she saw him eating. Actually eating. She didn't want to distract him from putting food in his body. It was only when she gauged he was done, or at least winding down on the food did she speak again.

"As much as you know I don't like getting fancied up, I'm glad we did this. You needed to get out."

[heraldofthedeep.insanejournal.com]

"It can be nice once in a while," he agreed.

He took her hand and stepped toward the dance floor.
"Dance with me again?"