Forever or Never

Forever or Never: 33

"Do you actually know how to dance?" Igor looked to Mercy where sat in a nearby chair watching the pair curiously. She could practically sense the annoyance radiating off of Victor and decided to leave him to brood; which left her turning her attention to Igor.

"Well..."

"Properly, that is." Mercy rubbed at her eyes tiredly with a smile. Peeking out from her fingers she watched as Igor slowly shrugged and shook his head. "Hold on," she pushed her dressing gown out of the way of her legs and moved out of the room.

"Where...what...?"

Victor looked over his shoulder, stopping wrapping copper wire around the frame in front of him he smiled. "You mentioned the word 'ball' and Mercy mentioned the word 'dancing'. I have the feeling you're about to get a quick lesson."

"But-"

"You bought this on yourself." Victor had very little sympathy. He looked up though and paused in his work when his eyes landed on Mercy. She'd changed out of her sleepwear, she now stood wearing a rather baggy looking dark green cable knit jumper, evidently one of the things she had taken from her brother's room before they left earlier. From over the collar was a white shirt, which was probably one of Victor's, she seems to love wearing his shirts, on her legs were simple trousers, fitted more for a female form.

She had the never ending ability to always make herself look different; she never seemed to wear the same thing twice, or appear the same way. Her bare feet padded over the floor, when she was close she grasped onto Igor's hands and pulled him to the space behind her. She danced out of the way of the chalk sketch and turned to Igor with a smile.

He still looked hugely uncertain, as Mercy dragged him away, he did send a look in Victor's direction, secretly pleading for help.

He merely smiled and continued picking up copper wire to wrap on the structure on the table. He wasn't going to help. It was clear he wasn't going to. Igor didn't know if he wasn't going to help out of spite.

But Victor had said he could go!

Even if he seemed a little hesitant and distant about it...

"Hands, no, wait...manners, etiquette," Mercy said while reaching over her shoulder and took to tying her hair up in a single tie.

Igor frowned, "Sorry?"

"I believe you are going to spend the whole evening dancing with perhaps one person. But even still it would be polite to ask her to dance. Remember this, Igor. Don't just grab Lorelei's hands like I did with you. It's rude, and improper, and will no doubt get whispered about." Mercy explained with a smile and waved her hands by her sides. "Do you know how to dance?" She asked slowly. Sure the boy had been in the circus, but Mercy didn't actually know what he did there or what skills he got from it.

Igor hesitantly shook his head. Mercy stepped close, so close she was basically against his chest. Igor tensed and looked at her nervously. Mercy rolled her eyes, the two had surely come to see and respect each other in a way in which siblings perceived each other; but even still, to dance they needed to be close. It just so happened this was as close as Mercy had ever got and it threw him off slightly.

"Lighten up! How are you meant to move to fluid music if you are as tense as anything?" Mercy questioned with a shake of her head.

To the side Victor had stopped what he was doing and watched as she instructed Igor on where to place his hands, and what foot to take off with. Honestly, he was pleased that she had found something to distract herself. She was so distraught earlier. It seemed nothing would lighten her mood. Of course typically a simple task from Igor proved to be the thing she clearly needed.

"I don't want to step on your feet," Igor said while looking down at the floor.

"You're sure on your feet, quick, light; you won't step on my feet." Mercy said lightly while telling him to look up, again. He just kept looking at the floor. "You've got to look at your dance partner, Igor." Mercy smiled and winked at him cheekily. "You don't want your dance partner thinking they're undesirable to look at."

"No, that's... I mean-"

"Igor! I'm joking!" Mercy laughed and parted from him to curtsey. "You've got the gist of the basics. You'll be fine. Lorelei will help you out no doubt." Looking to the side when there was clapping, Mercy frowned at Victor.

"Awkwardly marvellous. Well done to you both."

"Like you can do better!" Mercy laughed and frowned uncertainly as she watched him move around the desk. He wiped his hands on his trousers to rid his palms of any copper wire traces.

Once he had he stopped in front of Mercy, she tilted her head in slight confusion as he bowed his head at her before holding out a hand. She looked briefly to Igor who had taken a step back and looked on curiously.

Mercy sighed, putting her hand in his she stepped forwards and looked at him. "You can dance?"

"My mother made it a point that we learned. Not that I particularly kept it up...but the basics are still there." Victor said while looking down at her, Mercy smiled, "I didn't really see the point of it all. Seemed like such a ridiculous skill to learn."

"I'd be a hypocrite if I said I didn't like dancing."

"Do you miss it?" Victor asked interestedly. He'd never ever thought of what she had truly lost when she had her accident. Her permanent limp was barely noticeable, unless someone adamantly stared while she walked, then it could be spied. But other than that, she seemed fine; apart from the minor psychological trauma of course.

"Sometimes." Mercy replied while stepping back and curtsying like she did with Igor. It was an odd action seeing as she dipped the hem of her jumper instead of thick skirts.

"Is talking when dancing a must?" They both looked to Igor who looked between them.

Mercy smiled, "We're unable to be silent, but no. Not unless you wish to speak, that is." She shrugged and patted Victor on the arm before moving over to Igor. "You better get ready, and have fun!" She said lightly while it seemed to dawn on him that he actually didn't have long until he had to go. About an hour or so later, he was gone. And all Mercy could hear was the quiet tinkering of Victor working.

Turning she walked silently over and stood opposite to him, she looked the copper wire structure over before looking through it to look at him. "Victor?"

"Hm?" He seemed more intent on cutting a piece of wire to length than to her suddenly piping up.

"Can...can I help you?" He stopped what he was doing and looked up at her. Mercy drummed her fingers on the table awkwardly not totally appreciating the calculating looks he was sending her way. "Oh, don't worry, actually..." Mercy figured the look translated as a no.

"Yes, come here," she was turning away when he spoke at last. She turned and watched as he beckoned a hand at her. Mercy stepped forwards and stopped by his side. Listening to his instructions she took to pretty much helping wrap thin wire around more wire. It was simple and easy, but two hands were better than one and he'd soon get this finished.

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(A/N: Updated after work, if it's a bit dodge, sorry, I'm kinda knackered xD)