Michelle
*She was looking at him. Good. He wanted her to take all of it in. The mercenary raised his glass towards her as she did in reciprocation.*

"Ah, that'd be great, though that might be difficult to pinpoint."

*Introduce? Did Mai perhaps know the dancers? If she was one herself, that would certainly be an added bonus.*

"Mai? I like that name. Simple, yet pleasant. So! Perhaps some talk, some more drink, or a dance?"
Cynthia
*"All three options are great, why not all of them?" She spoke in a whisper, but she was close enough to him that he could hear well over the music and loud conversations*

*Mai approached without hurry or hesitation, placed her free hand around the man's waist, still facing him, and took a sip of her wine. She pulled him gently, spinning them both around the room. The movements were slow and her every step dragged her black dress across the floor. People around made room for the two, watching and dancing to the music.*

*"You know Livio, you caught my attention."*
Michelle
*"I like that idea." Livio responded with a whisper as well. Admittedly, he was a bit surprised. Mai was surprisingly forward. Perhaps he just had that natural charisma.*

*The mercenary did as well, feeling the outline that Mai's lower back made. Letting her lead, Livio smiled, his steps making little to no noise as if he were floating, yet Mai could feel that he was still grounded.*

"Oh? Was it perhaps my charming smile?"

*As if to accentuate his point, Livio's smile grew wider as he began to dance with Mai, a perfect combination of white and black twirling in the center of the room.*

"I must say, the only dancer that intrigues me is you."
Cynthia
*Mai followed the steps along the room, forming a black and white figure where they passed. She left her glass of wine with an Oni who was nearby while she continued her dance with Livio.*

*His smile. That smile was extremely dangerous. And she could do nothing but smile back and fix her eyes on him.* 

*She didn't take her eyes off him for a second.*

"Ah?"

*Mai's hand that was on his waist slowly slid to his shoulder, bringing them closer together but never stopping the dance. Her lips moved closer to the corner of his face, whispering into the air. **"That's what they all say."***

*She laughed softly, moving a little away from him.*

"Let's not talk about me, let's talk about *You*. Tell me more about who Livio Glace is."
Michelle
*Livio waited for another opportunity, gracefully leaving his glass of wine with a Silnarian server without missing a beat. As Mai fixed her gaze on him, the golden-eyed man stared back, his irises glittering like rings. Seeing that Mai brought the two closer, he obliged, his hand moving towards her inner back and his other grasping hers. She could feel that he was strong, but chose to be soft in this moment. His palms were slightly rough, but his fingers still somewhat slender, a fine balance between the rough and tough of life and the elegance of nobility. The mercenary gave a small laugh as Mai teased him.*

"I'm a hunter. Mainly on wild beasts that pose a threat to towns. But of course, I'm not your average man who rushes in with a boar spear."

*The kemonomimi could feel Livio slowly taking slightly more control in the dance, pulling Mai towards him.*

"I'll spot it from afar, tracking it. I'll get closer, and closer, until.."

*Mai suddenly found herself __very__ close to Livio, the two face to face.*

"...I'll make my move."

*The dancers returned to their usual distance, with Livio granting control back to the kemono.*

"And who might I be speaking to? What lies behind that beautiful face?"
Cynthia
*Livio could feel the cool silver of Mai's rings as she held him back gently. Her fingers were elegant and medium, the skin was soft after so long without touching heavy work. Perhaps a few small scars were noticeable on some of her fingers.*

*Feeling his breath close, the woman's eyes showed some surprise for the first time in the evening. His words. His gestures. His eyes. Perhaps it really did catch her off guard.*

*Her eyes switched between his eyes and his mouth as she listened to him closely. As they walked away she was completely back to normal in an instant.*

"Every rose has thorns, I don't think you want to poke yourself in one of them."

*She continued the dance of the two of them, now a little calmer.*

"I can tell my job is fun. I work to entertain people like you and make their night in this place memorable, not as a dancer, but as the *Main performer.*"
Michelle
*Though they were barely noticable, Livio was attentive. Scars. He thought Mai would be one to not get her hands dirty; who knew what she had done? He barely had any; his time spent as a marksmen mitigated that type of engagement.*

*It only took a moment. The sniper saw just the slightest hint of surprise. It quickly faded away, but he knew what he saw.*

"I'm careful. I never get pricked."

*So Mai __was__ a party person, but not what he expected. This time it was Livio's turn to be surprised. She was definitely crucial in the planning of this. All the better.*

"The main performer? And what might that performance be?"

*Mai could feel Livio's hand move slightly as he felt hers, avoiding her sharp nails and passing over the smooth silver rings.*
Cynthia
*Livio didn't have to worry about the Kemonomini's nails, as her claws were currently hidden.*

"I am the main rose of Prancing Rose, but my work is different from the others..."

*Mai had her eyes fixed on him, and yet she couldn't help but pay attention to his small gesture. The fingers of her hand on his shoulder traced some random shapes gently through the fabric as retribution.*

"I entertain all the guests in this hall, welcome them, let nothing be lacking for their enjoyment..."

*"And besides, there is one crucial difference between me and the others..." She lowered her tone of voice. "I don't belong to anyone."*