The Insight of Denmark

~6~

Annalise looked at herself once more in the mirror, wondering if she over did herself. If anything, she learned in the world of ballet, it was how to be seen when at a party. After yesterday with Mathias and Anja, she was lucky to clear her mind to even place the last pin in her hair. Countless parties her parents took her to, galas and more. It was a world that was never resting or ending, well until she got here. This was the only one that Mathias stated was in the area until further notice, since the elites wanted to 'wine and dine' as he said.

So, there she was, looking at the small bouncing curls of her hair that was loose as the rest was set in a relaxed braid, the small red daisies added a small flare she knew would catch eyes and match her perfectly as well. The red taffeta dress gave her butterflies as she looked over her handy work once more, happy she changed the black waist sash to white. She was quite proud of her work, both in the dress and her hair.

"Annalise, you almost ready?" she heard him ask through the door.

"Oui, un moment." she replied, slipping on her heels.

Looking over herself once more, she finally left the room, wondering what the others would be like. Once out, she saw Mathias cooing over Anja as he readied her stuff to go.

"Ok, coat, hat, mittens and blanket, your seat is ready, so what is Uncle Mathias missing?" she heard him say to himself.

"Her bag, mon cœur." she told him.

Mathias spun around to see her, just for his jaw to slack and stare off at her as his eyes widened. She knew she wasn't far in the same look of awe in her face from him, he was handsome before her. The red wine shirt matched her dress quite well as it defined him even more to her. The black slacks upon him showed his legs as he slumped down in the chair, his mouth still open. Wondering upon his actions, she looked down upon herself as a small fear climbed her spine.

"Too much?"

"Nej!" he nearly shouted as he jumped out of the chair. "No, I mean...wow. It's not bad at all, I just wasn't expecting you to be so...so uh so..."

"Go ahead Mathias." she smiled at him.

"Beautiful." he finally got out.

"Merci." she nodded to him, making her way over to Anja as her gentle sigh filled the room, "We are ready then, non?"

"Oh, yea we're ready as long as you are." he said moving beside her.

Annalise looked at him, there was something off about him but she couldn't place her finger on it for it seemed like he was trying to be cautious around her, like he knew something that he wasn't supposed to know, but she brushed it away. Only then did she fully look up at him, those dark crystal blues pulling her closer to him as the heat of his body came off him like a makeshift heater. It was marveling how attractive he was and the sudden thought of kissing him came to her mind. She had no idea why it hit her but it was there as she stared at his full lips. She tried so hard to pull away from the thought, to get out of the house and pretend it didn't happen, but the hand that laid upon her waist made her stop.

"Annalise." she heard him whisper.

"Je suis désolé. I did not mean to stare."

The familiar goofy smile graced him as he rubbed his neck, "It's ok, just didn't want to push boundaries."

She gave a light nod, moving away from him as she grabbed her things, "Well then, let us go."

The after party was what most would think, just that. People mingling here and there as a live band played for them, gentle classical music lifting the air as the heavy scent of foods and smoke lingered. She found herself where she always felt most comfortable, away from everyone. Well, not that she was away in general.