ALWAYS, kotlc

the dance - part one

"A Foxfire dance?"  Sophie asked incredulously.  "That's new.  What, Lady Galvin's eager to show off all her capes?"

Beside her Keefe looked like he was going to choke on the food he'd just stuffed in his mouth as he recalled her cape destroying disaster as a Level 2.  

Biana laughed.  She'd come all the way to Havenfield to deliver the "good" news, and Sophie honestly couldn't say she was excited.  She hated dressing up- and she hated dancing even more, probably because she tripped over her own toes more than a normal person ever should in their lifetime.

And normally, she'd be stressing over who she was going to go with- but that was easy.

"Sound like fun?" Keefe asked, spinning a finger through a lock of her blonde hair.  "I'd be happy to take you."

Sophie grinned, and nodded, trying not to look too excited as Keefe leaned over and kissed her.

"Ew,"  Biana said, averting her eyes.  "I'm gonna go-  see you tomorrow?"

"Sure,"  Sophie told her, breaking away from him, flushing.

As soon as she glittered away, she turned back to Keefe and asked, "Why do you have that smirk on your face that tells me I'm really going to regret asking?"

Keefe just looked at her.  "It's a dance Foster.  Two hours.  Atlantis- we're going dress shopping."

——————————

"Okay, tell me again:  how are you supposed to know anything about dresses?"  Sophie asked as she met Keefe downtown in Atlantis, the cobblestone streets lit with dim, romantic streetlights.

Keefe pinned her cloak tighter around her and said, "I'm friends with Biana too."

"Huh,"  Sophie managed, her breath catching as Keefe's fingertips brushed her neck.  "That's... interesting."

Keefe slipped his hand behind her waist as they walked quietly down the streets.  

"I didn't know you were much of a dancer,"  Sophie offered, letting him take her hand in his.  Keefe stared at her, and then in one fluid motion, grabbed her other hand, twirled her around twice, and dipped her gracefully.

Sophie laughed as Keefe leaned down to kiss her, saying, "At your service, my lady."

"Shut up,"  she mumbled heatedly.  Keefe helped her up as they raced across the sidewalk, Keefe pulling her into the nearest dress store they saw.

"Okay! We're on a quest to find Foster the frilliest gown in the Lost Cities!"  Keefe declared dramatically, the shoppers already inside dropping the gowns they were holding in surprise.

"No frills.  No sparkles.  And please- no shimmery stuff,"  Sophie said simply.

"Um, that's called the clearance rack,"  Keefe shot back.  "Besides, Foster- I'm paying!"

"It's not about that,"  Sophie said, turning red.  

"Ooh!  Red,"  Keefe said, grinning, noting her blush.  "You do look good in red.  I have an idea though-  how about I pick out a dress, I pay for it, and you see it tomorrow?"

"You're going to dress me up like a Barbie doll in a gulon costume,"  Sophie muttered, although she couldn't hide her smile.  "If it's more than a few lusters though, I'm paying you back."

Keefe's grin was everything but cooperative.  "Deal."