Lucilia + Syrup | May I Have This Dance?

Syrup doesn’t actually mind crowds, for all that his reserved manners may seem to indicate otherwise. As much as he enjoys a relaxing day at home, wrapped in the legs of his current temporary lover or sprawled across the lap of the old doll he got to pamper him for that week, there simply ARE no lovers and there ARE no sugar bunnies if one does not go out and network for them. He’s not so foolish as to miss the opportunity staring him right in the face: The best and the worst that the burrowgatory has to offer will be partying the night away at the Gossamer Gala.

The most difficult part of the evening is preparing his dress of all things. Too many bows, too much gold and metal, and too many damn pins in his ears and hair. His scalp is sore by the time he’s done getting himself prepared for the evening and he trips on the massive skirt of his ensemble at least twice arriving in the dance hall. Is it worth it for the stares and whispers he receives once he's safely within the rooms of the event? … Perhaps. Okay, yes, it is. Very much so. Even a man as terrible with his expressions as Syrup enjoys the pleasures of being the center of attention, however brief the moment is before someone new arrives and the eyes of the attendees shift.

Syrup's own eyes take themselves toward the visage of a doll dressed in purple. The color appeals to him first. Quite luxurious, isn't it? Secondly, of course, the way she holds herself. Tall, proud… there's something desirable to be gained here. He has a itching curiosity to discover exactly what that is. From a passing server's tray, Syrup collects two glasses of champagne. He makes his way across the hall to the woman, purposefully bumping into her just so. The champagne sloshes but doesn't spill. He takes a step back, blinking to blank eyes in mock confusion. 

"Ah. Pardon me. I was searching for someone to take this glass from me. I took two on accident…"  

The woman he'd spotted, Lucilia, is startled out of her thoughts. She looks down at her dress, then at him, pleasantly surprised at the lack of spilled champagne. "I'm not entirely sure how you could have made the mistake of taking two glasses, but I'll take one off you if you'd like." Looking at him properly now, despite his unconvincing dumb expression, he did seem somewhat interesting. He's clearly put a lot of effort into his outfit for the night. Lucilia hadn't put nearly as much thought into hers, but she thought she still looked decent enough. Her hair was out of the way, ideal for dancing, or whatever else the night would bring.

She also hadn't planned to chat much, but that was more under the assumption that she wouldn't be approached than anything else. The bun who'd approached her obviously had the opposite intentions so she decided to indulge him. He was rather cute. She takes the second glass from him and takes a sip, trying to not be too blatant about checking him out. "So, what made you approach me?" She fights the urge to smirk and wonders how he'll respond to being put on the spot.

Despite the restful, blank look on his face, Syrup reacts rather expressively. His tail straightens behind him in shock, jingling the pearls and bells that have been looped around it for the occasion. A light dusting of pink crosses his cheeks. He bites the inside of one of them, taking his gaze to the side to avoid looking directly at Lucilia while he attempts to think of an at least believable lie for the occasion. Then again… when he returns his gaze to her through his lashes, the look of amusement in her eyes leads him to believe he has already been outed in the first place.

After all… who in the burrowgatory is not out for ulterior motives of their own? Everyone is in everyone else’s pockets. That’s simply how things work here.

Syrup runs his thumb along the side of his glass, collecting the condensation as it drips down from the cold champagne. “I think it’s strange that someone like you was standing around all alone… that’s all! Can you blame a bun for being a little curious? You aren’t… with someone here?” He turns around in a circle, scanning the nearby area. “Someone fetching you a drink or preparing your ride out of the building, mm? What a shame. If only there were someone nearby to fill those shoes…”

Lucilia laughs, hand covering her mouth. "No, I'm here alone. Though I wouldn't mind borrowing you for the night. You seem to be capable enough at fetching drinks." The reaction was rather adorable, she thinks. She looks him up and down, making no effort to hide it this time. "And very much presentable." She offers her hand to him. This new bun is very much her type, which more or less consists of feminine and easy to tease. She was hoping for a dance partner but if he can't dance it wouldn't be a deal breaker. A conversational partner, or whatever else, is plenty. "My name is Lucilia, but you may call me Luci if you'd like. I wasn't expecting to find someone to keep me company but it's a pleasant surprise." 

Syrup's eyes light up at the good news. He shuffles closer to her - just until the front ruffle of the skirt of his dress bumps against her heels. His interest has been fully caught, that much is clear. At her gaze, now that she is making it very obvious to him, he shows himself off. He turns from her, looking over his shoulder to show to bare back of his dress and his ears that have been smartly pinned on top of his head. He sways, allowing his skirt to spin, and flicks his tail just right so the swirling cloud inside twists and plays in its glass enclosure. Finally, his hand lands in her own.

"If I'm honest… I was hoping to be a bit more than just an errand boy for your company. Don't you think someone like myself is suited to more than fetching drinks?" he boasts, ducking his head to smile a touch. With their hands connected, he steps in once more, brushing their bodies closer. "I'm Syrup. It's nice to meet you… May I ask why not? Did you have other means for coming to the event?"

Can he get any cuter? Lucilia thinks, as he shuffles up to her. "Well, I'm here because I was invited, I suppose." She sets her drink down and places her free hand on his shoulder. "I thought it might be a good way to relieve some stress. Not much to it." She tilts her head. "And I suppose I could find some other use for you. It's good to meet you Syrup. Do you dance? It might be a good way to get to know each other, but there are plenty of other ways to pass the time as well. You are quite cute, Syrup." She's curious to see how he'll take it. She has her suspicions but prefers to guide than to push.

Looking around, everyone seems to be engrossed in dance, or conversations of their own. Some of the more gambling inclined buns seem to have started a game of cards at a nearby table. Lucilia briefly considers trying to use it as an opportunity to flaunt her wealth to the new bun, but realizes that with how interested he already seems, it probably won't be necessary. Plus she's trying to break that habit. Somewhere more private would probably be ideal.

Syrup tilts his cheek to the hand that rests on his shoulder. His skin is soft, slightly dewy with his makeup for the evening, but more than obvious regardless that he takes incredibly good care of himself. Considering how many of his whims revolve around the time and particular attention of others, it only makes sense that he would keep himself clean, soft, and extra-well maintained. He likes to be pampered. He can't be too lazy to not take care of himself to look the part of a spoilable doll. 

"I do dance…" he hums back, voice soft. Syrup sways his body, pulling Lucilia out from her waiting spot and toward the floor. The first touch of light finally reaches his eyes as they twinkle under her gaze and unspoken secondary intentions. He catches her pointed words. He seems quite interested in where they'll lead, as well. "People find me even cuter when I give them a dance privately, since you're enjoying what you've found so much. Not that I would want to take a lady away from her fancy evening so soon, of course. Unless she were particularly bored…"

Lucilia follows his steps, taking her hand off his shoulder and down to his waist. She's impressed by the level of effort he's put into his appearance, and is starting to get the idea that this was his plan from the start. She laughs at his words, "I'm sure they do." Lucilia runs her hand up and down his waist, slightly lower each time. "I wouldn't mind judging for myself." She moves closer, looking him in the eyes. "Cute doll."

Lucilia continues to follow his steps, slowly guiding them to the edge of the floor. Her hand shifts to rest on what could be considered his lower back, if one is being generous. She releases his hand and holds his waist. She continues the dance, wondering how long he'll put up with it. His break in composure earlier was cute, she wanted to see if she could replicate it. "I'm flattered you'd want to dance for me, what made you feel that way?"

"Cute…" he mutters, successfully flustered again. Pink halos his cheeks. We're his ears not pinned up on his head, he might have been tempted to hide in them. The golden and glass ornaments on them jingle as he shakes the blush away. He shouldn't be so easily melted by compliments of all things!

Syrup flicks his head, specifically so the blunted edges of his hair move away from his face - and secondly so the cloud of pink smoke curling around his glass bauble ears shakes and swirls. A glittering smile of mischief twinkles in the depths of his eyes. Now that she's caught onto him, he doesn't spare much energy attempting to hide his intentions. 

"It's only natural for someone like myself, isn't it? I was hoping to find someone tonight willing to take me home. I certainly wasn't expecting it to be someone as refined and elegant as you, however. I feel like I've struck gold this evening…"

Somewhat flustered by the complement but doing her best to keep it from showing, Lucilia takes a second to find her words. "I didn't exactly have any plans for the night so I can't say that doesn't sound appealing." She runs the hand on his back lower, making no real effort to hide when it lingers for a second before moving back up.

When Lucilia attempts to move her hand back up, his tail moves. It swishes up and against her arm, loosely draping over it. It’s as much an invite as any to keep her hand exactly where she had it. His eyes narrow, the mischief in them growing. As the music sways them together, he guides his steps away from the dance floor, not hiding at all how he’s pulling her away and to other places.

“Shall we leave now then?”

It was certainly not what Lucilia had expected, but obviously exactly what Syrup had hoped for, and she was all for it. Lucilia runs her fingers over the trim of Syrup's neckline, admiring the detailing of the dress, and how it complements the figure underneath. 

Lucilia smiles, "I don't see why not."