ashes to ashes, stardust to stardust

chapter 6.

The evening of Rain's knighting, there was a party. It was the first real party he'd ever been to, with alcohol and dancing, and a live band. There were at least a hundred people there, if not many more. The dining hall had been cleared out, tables moved to the corners to make room for everyone, and rather than the aggressive fluorescents Rain was used to, there were strange, lumpy rocks emitting a low glow. For the first time in a long time, Rain felt like he belonged. People were greeting him by name and offering him drinks and dances to songs he actually KNEW. He politely declined both, however, in favor of watching a certain sorceress make her rounds. Something about her had him utterly, completely, totally captivated. The way she walked, the way she spoke with her foreign accent, the way her nose crinkled when she smiled, everything about her, actually. He wanted to ask her to dance, but he knew that if she looked up at him with that sweet face and those blue eyes and told him "no", he'd never recover. He glanced over to the General, who seemed to be in more or less the same predicament, albeit with the Doctor. He was tempted to go tease, but he valued his life, so he stayed where he was.

Rain must have zoned out, because he nearly jumped out of his skin when someone tapped his shoulder. Turning, he came face to face with the very sorceress he could've sworn he was staring at a second ago. He felt his face get warm. She must have noticed him watching her and came to tell him off.

"Uh, hey" he said, glancing away.

"Hello, you're Rain, right? The General's apprentice?"

"Yeah, that's me. And you're Stella. We met earlier?" He couldn't believe she'd forgotten him already. Ouch.

"No, I remember. You were all red and shy, like you are right now." She teased, and giggled when his face got even redder. He wanted to cover his face like a flustered schoolboy, but Stella took his hand, bringing his attention back to her.

"Would you like to dance with me? You've been standing here all night, you must be bored." Rain could never get bored of watching her, observing her actions, her mannerisms, but he nodded, and let her drag him onto the dance floor.

The music was slow and strange, unfamiliar to Rain. He let Stella guide him, a little worried he'd mess something up. The people around him were all caught up in their own movements and partners, so Rain followed their lead, keeping his eyes on the girl in front of him. She was shorter than he was, and couldn't seem to decide whether to look at his chest or his face. Eventually, she decided on his face, giving him a nervous half smile, which he didn't notice, his thoughts consumed by a mantra repeating "don't step on her feet, idiot". Once the song was over, Rain made to leave the floor, only to be stopped by Stella's hand on his arm.

"Did you want to dance again?" She asked, not meeting his eyes.

"Yes, I- Of course." He said, fumbling his words. He'd dance with her all night and longer, if she asked him to. Song after song they danced and talked and laughed until they were old friends.

At the end of the night, Rain walked Stella to her room, a floor below his own.

"So, I guess I'll see you in the morning? Pat said something about a briefing last time I spoke with him."

"Yes, he wants to make sure our team has their priorities straight." Rain liked the way she said it, our team. Like it meant something more.

"Okay. I had fun tonight, by the way." He smiled. He wanted to kiss her, or hug her, or do anything to show how he was feeling, but instead he crammed his hands into his pockets, shifting his weight from one leg to the other.

"Me too. I've never been a party girl but I suppose that will have to change" she joked, leaning in slightly. If there was any time to kiss her, it would be now. So, obviously, Rain did what he had to, and held out his hand for a shake. Stella looked startled for a moment, and a flicker of disappointment flashed across her face, but she returned the gesture before saying a final goodnight and closing her door.