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Dorian shifts uncomfortably next to a similarly fidgeting Cyrus as they await the fanfare that heralds their announcement and entrance. They both freeze as their mother turns with narrowed eyes and shakes her head at them as the trumpets on the other side of the curtain begin to play.
“Behave!” she mouths over her shoulder before vanishing as her name is called.
Cyrus elbows him and Dorian glares, rubbing the spot on his arm where Cyrus’ bony elbow had made contact. “Ow?”
Cyrus grins unrepentantly. “What? Didn’t do anything.”
Dorian rolls his eyes as they step up to the curtain. “Just keep not doing anything, okay? If I have to sit through more boring lessons because you couldn’t keep it together for the entire event, I will consider stabbing you.”
Cyrus scoffs and straightens his tunic. “Like you could get a hit in on me, baby Bron.”
Dorian feels his blood starting to boil as he whirls around, fist clenched. “Don’t call me – !”
The curtains swoosh open and their names are announced. They snap into proper posture and paste smiles on their faces as they join their parents on the dais, waving as they were taught.
There I was again tonight: Forcing laughter, faking smiles. Same old tired, lonely place.
The Voice of the Tempest’s arrival is announced on the other end of the room and the doors open, revealing a beautiful woman with flowing red hair and the essence of nature surrounding her. Dorian glaces over to Cyrus and sees that his brother is just as captivated as he is as the envoy from Zephrah moves up to the dais, exchanging pleasant formalities. Soft music fills the room as the stiffness of processionals loosens and servants begin bringing around trays of drink and food. Dorian looks over to his mother for instruction and she tilts her head toward the gathered crowd of mixing Zephrans and citizens of the Squall. He nods and slips in, joining a conversation effortlessly – wishing he was anywhere else.
Mingling was the assignment for the night it would seem.
He continues to work his way around the room, charming his own people and the visitors from far away with conversations he can barely remember when they’re over as he drifts from group to group. Occasionally he’ll see a proud nod from his mother and take a steadying breath, knowing he’s doing well.
Walls of insincerity, shifting eyes and vacancy – vanished when I saw your face. All I can say is, it was enchanting to meet you
Eventually he blinks and finds he’s made it to the other side of the room and suddenly isn’t quite sure what to do with himself. The event is far from over but he’s already made his rounds throughout the room. He grabs a drink off of a nearby tray and takes a sip, eyes darting around to find a corner to hide in before his mother catches him.
Instead they land on a beautiful halfling man standing by a window, also scanning the room. Dorian finds he can’t look away, the simple detail of the armor the man wears across his chest, the tattoo running up one arm, the other shoulder covered in a pauldron and holding a shield. His kind face is currently intense as his eyeline follows something around the room.
Dorian manages to drag his eyes away and sees that the mystery man is keeping watch on the visiting Voice of the Tempest.
He must be part of her guard.
Dorian tries to not look back but loses the battle, eyes returning to take in the short brown hair and fine features. He’s trying to figure out what color the man’s eyes are when suddenly green eyes meet his and he nearly drops his drink. The intensity on the man’s face fades into question before softening with a crooked smile, crinkling around the eyes as he looks away briefly to check on his charge before looking back to Dorian with a raised eyebrow.
Dorian’s feet begin to move without his say-so and soon he’s weaving around people to go stand in the shadowed corner next to the person who’s captivated his imagination.
Your eyes whispered, "Have we met?" 'Cross the room your silhouette starts to make its way to me. The playful conversation starts: counter all your quick remarks like passing notes in secrecy. And it was enchanting to meet you. All I can say is, I was enchanted to meet you
Now that he’s near him, Dorian finds himself embarrassingly tongue-tied and blushes.
“I figured it might be easier to talk if you were over here than across the room.” The halfling’s voice is beautiful, husky and soft, slightly teasing.
Dorian leans against the windowsill and digs deep inside himself for some version of himself that is cool and suave. “You mean you can’t just talk to me telepathically?”
Oh perfect, nailed it.
Luckily, the other man just laughs and shakes his head, looking back over to the woman whose presence in the room exuded power the moment she stepped in. “No, no, that is more her purview.”
Dorian ducks his head. “Aw man.” He tilts his head teasingly. “So what is your purview?”
The guard looks up at Dorian, assessing him before reaching behind his head and pulling out his sword with a flourish and looking at it for a moment. He looks back over to Dorian. “I’m told I’m a pretty decent dancer.”
Dorian bursts out laughing, slapping a hand over his mouth to keep it quiet, shoulders shaking as his giggles continue to escape.
Putting the sword away, the halfling holds out a hand, shit-eating grin on his face. “I’m Orym.”
Dorian tries to stifle his laughter as he shakes it. “Dorian.”
This night is sparkling, don't you let it go. I'm wonderstruck, blushing all the way home. I'll spend forever wondering if you knew – I was enchanted to meet you.
They continue to talk tucked away by the moonlit window as the night carries on until he sees his mother starting to walk around the room with a purpose and knows his time is up.
He pushes off of the wall he was leaning against. “I really hate to leave, but duty calls.”
Orym smiles and scans the room again, seeing both what Dorian saw and his own envoy gathering to leave. “I understand.”
Dorian bows slightly. “I – it was great to get to talk with you.” He turns to walk away and a hand on his arm stops him.
“I enjoyed talking with you too.” Orym winks. “If you ever come by Zephrah, I’ll show you around.”
Dorian’s heart flutters as he nods. “I’d like that.”
Dorian rejoins his family and watches with daydreams in his mind as the Zephran entourage makes their goodbyes and leaves. He can’t bring himself to drag his eyes away from one specific guard though and their eyes meet one last time before the doors shut.
Dorian is pretty sure he’s in love.
This is me praying that this was the very first page – not where the story line ends. My thoughts will echo your name, until I see you again. These are the words I held back, as I was leaving too soon: I was enchanted to meet you.
Please don't be in love with someone else. Please don't have somebody waiting on you