Chapter Twenty-Four: Blushing in The Rain

Zoran brushed past Mirabella as she scurried away from the fireplace. The timing on his return from his dance was impeccable--or, perhaps, he was far too late.

The smile on his face disappeared when he saw Samari. "Is everything alright?" he inquired.

Staring at him, she grinned as she answered, "Better than okay. We, uh--I'll tell you about it later."

He nodded and sat beside her. "Sorry about that. We came together and I left you."

"It's fine. I know that...you have...friends here, " she shook her head.

"Heh, yeah."

A silence hung between them at the strange response. The listened to the fire crackling in front of them, distracting them from when the Earthern returned. She sat on the bench across from them, near where Mirabella had just been.

"Ah, dat was such a delight! Really, I wish dere were more men like you in dis city. It's a shame when you 'ave to leave, " Jackie mentioned.

"Ah, I don't know if you would like me as much if you had to deal with me all the time, " Zoran remarked.

She laughed. "Oh, I am sure dat even your guildmates can tell me dat you are good to 'ave around, no?"

Her eyes flicked to Sam, giving her playing messages in their gaze. The mina nodded her head, uncomfortable from the sudden attention. Jackie's lips parted in a gasp, a mischievous smile growing.

"Don't fret, dear girl, I am only a friend and supplier for Zoran. 'E is ripe for de takin', " she said.

Sam's heart skipped a beat at the suggestion, her mouth opening and closing in her uneasy. She waved her hands frantically in the air as she struggled to find her words.

"I only tease, my dear, " Jackie chuckled.

Since her presence had been totally forgotten, Samari jumped when Adeline breathed, "He is kinda cute. You might have a rival."

She turned to the redhead, only for the girl to shift her gaze to the floor. Judging by her reaction, she seemed shocked that she had spoken out loud.

As usual, Sam didn't really know what to do. Her hands shook as she defended, "It's not like that! I mean, um, it-s not...like I dis-like him. He i-is cute, b-b-but, I wouldn't want to intrude, and, and we just, uh, met...recently, and I don't know if I like him or not. I mean, I like him, b-ut, uh, I don't know if I like him as more than...as more than a friend..."

Her cracked voice trailed into a nervous chuckle. She took a peek at Adeline only to find that they were all gazing at her.

What are you blurting out?

After a few stunned seconds, Adeline replied, "Sorry, Samari. I didn't mean to make you say all that right in front of him."

Her words slowly sunk in as Samari became increasingly aware of who was sitting next to her. The thought made her cringe.

Stupid, stupid, stupid! Now he'll think you're a weirdo and not want to hang out with you anymore!

Turning to Zoran, she started apologizing to him. She didn't get past the first few words as he flicked her forehead.

"Deko. So you don't know what our relationship is. There's nothing wrong with that. I'm in the same boat as you, " he admitted to ease her.

His reply made Jackie gasp. "T'ings sure do get spicy by de fire!"

Samari's face turned red, showing her emotions clearly. Unblinkingly she started at Charming, even as he looked away.

Curious, Adeline leaned towards her friend. She poked her cheek, yet got no response. Next, she waved a hand in front of her face to block her view, but still, Sam did not react.

"Zoran, I think you broke her."

Abruptly, Fyna jumped to her feet, knocking back the bench in the motion. "Quickly, we must get her to a hea--" she started. Her words fell short when Samari looked at her.

"Did you say something?"

The Rocker shook her head, moving to fix the bench before seating herself upon it.

Clearing her throat, she said, "Uh, Miss Jackie, was it? You said you were a supplier, so you must have some interesting stories to tell..."

The odd group became lost in conversation, discussing their own inputs on various topics brought up. Some strangers sat down and joined them, some staying for only a bit before drifting away, as Jackie did.

Samari noticed that Fyna adjusted herself quite a bit, moving her seat when she could. She wondered if the girl was uncomfortable or simply fidgetive.

During the chats, Mirabella returned. If Zoran had any recognition of her, he did not show it.

After much time and some drinks, Zoran surprised his companion with a request.

"Would you like to dance?"

The words shocked her, so suddenly that she hardly recognized them at first. "What--with me?" she stammered when her tongue came around.

He smiled, "Yeah, you. They should've finished the line dancing by now, so it will be open floor."

She could practically feel Adeline breathing down her neck, the sailor ready to squeal in equal parts of excitement and jealousy.

"Um, I would love to, but...I--" was all she managed to say before she was coaxed to her feet and lead away.

Charming looks so happy; how could I stop him? No, you must before you embarrass both of us!

With remorse, she stopped walking, letting her hand fall from his grasp. Impulsively, she grabbed his sleeve and pulled.

He turned back to her, eyebrows furrowed. "What's wrong?" he asked, his voice difficult to hear in the crowd.

Eying about her, Samari motioned for him to come closer. He obeyed. Standing on her toes, she spoke into his ear, "I don't know how to dance."

Zoran settled back, nodding empathetically. Taking her hand once more, he changed his direction. Oddly enough, he did not lead her back to the fireplace. Instead, he lead her outside, where the rain had finally stopped.

"Okay then. Are you ready to learn how to dance?"

Shocked, Samari thought, He's willing to teach me how to dance? Right now? Alone? While the ground is still wet?

"Uh, well, I suppose that I'm...ready...as I'll ever be," she replied as she folded her hand behind her back.

"Alright, we'll do a four-step dance, nice and slow. So, I put my left hand by your waist and my right hand out, like so," he positioned himself.

She felt nervous to be so close to him, but at the same time, he kept a respectable distance between them.

"Now you will put your right hand on my shoulder, and your left hand in my right," he directed her.

She looked to him for confirmation that she did it right. It came implied when he continued.

"Now, here's the dance. Since it's a four-step, we step four times in a pattern. You're gonna step back with your right foot, step one, and glide to the left with your other, step two. Now you step forward with your left foot, step three, and glide with your right foot, step four. We want to go step, glide, then pause; go right from the step into the glide."

They went through the motions as Zoran directed them, moving slowly as to not mess up. They tried doing it a couple of times, but each try ended with Samari stammering about.

Zoran pulled her to a stop. Before she could avert her eyes, he explained, "You're doing great, but you're trying to make it a five-step. When you're doing the first two steps, don't worry about bringing your other foot to follow. The third step skips right across, and your feet reunite with the fourth step."

She nodded, her determination renewed. They tried it again, this time with Zoran counting each step.

Slowly, she came along, her motions becoming more fluid the more she tried. When she was doing it without trouble, she couldn't help but smile.

"Good, good, now try it while looking at me!"

Startled, she jolted her head from its downward position. The faint sound of music drifted from inside the building, guiding them with a steady beat to follow.

While Zoran's face was serious, there was joy in his eyes, in his hidden smile. Unable to stare at him properly, she found herself gazing at his lips instead. Even if he noticed it, he didn't comment on her behavior.

Time blended in a pleasant haze as they swayed together. After a while, Zoran inquired, "You've got this one down. Wanna try a faster-paced dance?"

She smiled. "I might be able to handle it."