<div class="floatleft">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/a/ac/Eikichi_Characters_44.png)</div>Name: Stephen<br/>Location: Ballroom<br/>Tagging: Kore, Open<br/>Mentioning: Chester<br/><hr/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: times;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;">Before retreating himself away to the far corner of the room, purposefully trying to avoid anyone that might single him out as a potential dance partner. Stephen did cast a side-long glance at the man in the dragon mask as he passed him. That glance was followed by another as he noticed the cocked nature of his expression. If the man did recognize him, it seemed he wasn’t making anything of it. Then again, with a black mask and golden attire, the man might simply be perplexed at his appearance. He couldn’t blame him for that, Stephen really should have arranged for a change of clothes as well, oh well. What’s done could hardly be remoursed. Stephen found his position amongst a crowd at the back of the room, watching as the various figures made their way over to the dance floor.<br/><br/>Lord Becket cast a light glance toward the young woman that approached him. His eyes appraising her as she inched closer. His eyes lingered a bit longer along the fine red edge of her dress and the various matching apparel and her mask. It seemed the young woman had come in with a theme in mind, not that he minded. It certainly did her justice. So, when she approached him with a smile on her lips the male returned it with a coy curve of his lips as he cast a light glance toward her outstretched hand. She’d made clear her intentions, but as much as the Lord might be tempted to give her what she wanted there was no fun in that game. Instead he reached forward. The fluffed silk ends of his coat brushing against the top of her hand as his fingertips curled around her outstretched hand. He took her hand, but before she might pull him along to the dance floor he leaned down and placed a light kiss on the back of her hand. His head tilted slightly off to the right so that beak of his mask did not scratch against her skin.<br/><br/>His lips lingered against the back of her hand but for only a few brief moments before he drew back, keeping her hand interlocked with his but also giving the young a rather ungentlemanly-like tug towards him indicating he had no interest in escorting her to the dance floor, before verbalizing the same disinterest. <strong> "As flattered as I am that you’d ask. I’m afraid I simply can’t dance with you. "</strong> The male continued to smile as he pulled her in closer toward him, easing her into a comfortable position in front of him so that he could lean down. He brought his face, his lips in particular, before hers before slowly moving to her left cheek. His lips only grazing the uncovered skin before he reached his destination, her ear. With his lips just inches away from her ear he’d lightly mumble out the words that only she’d be able to hear. <strong> "I have two left feet. So, I’m afraid I just don’t have the stomach for dancing. But I’m sure I can still provide at least some moderation of sufficient company. Unless you’d prefer a more coordinated suitor? "</strong> While he let her linger over the question the male would begin to pull back from her, creating a more appropriate space between them given the rather sensible nature of the crowd around them.<br/><br/>While the offer to dance was of course rejected, the hands hand remained placed on the hand she’d extended to him. Those callused fingers, so unsuitable for a Lord of his standing, was brushing against her own soft digits. All while his earlier actions of drawing her closer, if she hadn’t already taken the steps back, would at least give her a more examined look at the strange character. One whose mask was painted as black as his animosity, but whose attire otherwise reeked of regal elegance. He’d extended the offer for her to remain in his company, but of course he hadn’t made any statements about what that company would entail. Especially since he himself didn’t really know. His thoughts were already lingering towards exploring other parts of the castle and seeing what it might hold. As for the ballroom before him, the various dancing figures had already started to wane at his attention and had become rather troublesome eyesores.</span></span>