Avalee sat in The Three Broomsticks. A blank expression on her face. It was easier than showing pain. On her legs were dark skinny jeans, a purple blouse, and a green cardigan. She wore a simple necklace around her neck. It was a long-ish chain with a ring on it. A simple silver band. It was his.
She wasn't there to get drunk. She could do that at home if she wanted to. No. She just wanted to be around people. To hear voices. To hear laughter. She didn't want to become a ghost. A shell of a human being. Axel wouldn't have wanted that. His name echoed in her mind. Axel. She said it again in her mind, and closed her eyes. She imagined having his lips pressed against hers on more time.
She snapped her eyes open. Those thoughts would get her nowhere fast. She ached inside now. Maybe alcohol would help. She ordered up a firewhiskey, and drank it down. It burned.
"You're going to regret drinking that down like that, unless you already are."
A man was standing by Avalee's table. He had been walking by but stopped when he saw her drank it down like she did. She didn't even look old enough to drink. He stared down at her with cold but beautiful blue eyes hidden behind his black rimmed glasses. His brown hair hair was neatly combed and he had on a dark blue dress shirt and black tie. His bangs were swooped to the side.
"You're going to regret drinking that down like that, unless you already are."
Avalee finished the small glass of firewhiskey, even after she heard the man. She spoke without looking at him. It was the first time she had spoken to another human in two days. It was odd, and her voice sounded odd to her own ears. Anxiety rose in her stomach. She didn't like strangers. Her hand make it's way to her necklace. Feeling its smooth cold surface, she felt better.
"I regretted it the second I ordered it. And I also regret drinking it. But I've learned that you can't undo what's been done." She said the words with kindness, and sadness in her voice. Respecting the voice, not an ounce angry at it, somehow. She finally looked over at the man. He was young, not student young, but still young. But in the moment all she noticed was his piercing blue eyes. Tears welled up in hers, and her jaw dropped. So familiar.
"Hey now, don't cry." The man said with a frown. "I was saying that its not good for you to drink it like that." He reached into his pocket pulled out a white handkerchief from his pocket. "Don't worry, I didn't use it." He added as he handed it to her. He felt bad. This girl must have been troubled. Drinking firewhiskey and crying were signs of something bad. He saw panic in her eyes.
"My name is Phoenix." He said gently, trying to calm her down.
"I'm Avalee. It's nice to meet you Phoenix."
She forced a smile upon her lips. It was genuine, except for the pain that dwelled beyond it's corners. She took the handkerchief from his hand. It was soft, and nice on her fingertips. But she set it down. She had blinked away the tears. Hid them away where they would come pouring out later. She almost wanted to mumble sorry. She must have looked like a freak.
Phoenix smiled shortly.
"Pleasure to make your aquaintance." He took out his wand and made a teacup zoom over from the kitchen. He made some hot chammomile tea appear in the cup and pushed it towards Avalee. "Relax, I won't bite you. I've actually got to go...work on some lesson plans."
"Thank you"
Avalee said honestly, looking into his eyes, finding some sort of solace in them. Somehow. This feeling intrigued her. She didn't want him to leave. She had mostly wanted to be alone lately, except fo tonight. It almost scared her.
"Lesson plans? You are a professor?" She asked with honest question in her voice. He looked a little young. She tilted her head to the side.
Phoenix nodded.
"Yes, or at least I will be come Fall. I've been offered a job teaching Astronomy. Arranging lessons about stars and planets takes a lot more time than you'd think." He smirked and put his hands in his pockets. "Will you be one of my students?"
She almost smirked. Did she really look that young. Almost. But still, every emotion was dulled by the pain. And the pain showed through.
"I just graduated, actually. I'm going to be a paid Herbology intern." She bit her lip. The job was both good and bad. She had wanted a job on campus mainly so she could stay with him. But now it was just something to fill all those hours. But walking around the campus was so depressing. It wasn't quite her school. Or her home any more. It was like the difference between a house and a home. It used to be a home, now it was just a house. A simple place of residence.
She wished it was a home that someone would make it a home. The way he had made it a home. She no longer felt safe here.
She swiftly brushed the bangs away from her face, hoping Pheonix wouldn't leave. She didn't want to be alone now.
"Herbology. That's a job that requires much valor. I never liked it much. I think I've got a scar from a flytrap incident...." He laughed shortly and then Phoenix thought for a moment. Maybe if he got her out of this depressing environment, she'd cheer up a bit. "Well, I really do need to get to the school. You're welcome to accompany me if you'd like. I forgot that I need to set up my room before I consider any lessons."
Her eyes had fallen back on her tea, which she sipped as he spoke. Then she looked up at him. Was he really inviting her to come along, or was it a courtesy thing. Well he didn't have to invite her if he didn't want to, so in some respect he did want her to come.
She thought for a short moment.
"Really? I haven't been up there in ages." This was the first sentence she had spoken with a touch of interest. She didn't want to be alone. In all honesty she was afraid of what she might try to do to herself if she was alone. He would hate her, wherever he was if she harmed herself.
She felt the ring one more time, before standing up, setting out a few coins for the drink, and replying very quietly to him,
"Lead the way, Phoenix."
They had walked along the path to Hogwarts, not sharing much conversation. Phoenix didn't know what to discuss and this girl beside him seemed to be struck by something terrible. There was something about that ring that comforted her. Perhaps a family heirloom?
Eventually they had found their destination at the Astronomy Tower. It was more like a hall, with a door on the left that led to a set of spiral stairs that led to the roof, and with a a couple other doors on the right that made entrance to a storage closet and classroom. Phoenix opened the door and looked through. The room was empty except for tables that seated two students, some chairs, a teacher's desk, and a cabinet that held some old supplies. Hopefully there would be more in the storage closet....
"Well, either this teacher lacked decoratory skill, or he took everything with him."
Avalee smiled slightly. Except it didn't touch her eyes.
It was nice to be up in the tower. It was nice to be in Hogwarts. Home to the greatest witches and wizards of all time. People who could conjure up something in the blink of an eye. Things Avalee couldn't imagine.
"It could use a bit of sprucing up..." She said. "But the view from up here is so beautiful. I spent a great deal of my first few years at Hogwarts sneaking up here." She admitted.
Phoenix nodded as he wiped his finger along the door frame and brushed the dust that appeared on his fingertip off.
"I see why students preferred not to take this class. It's so dusty and...musky." He made a disgusted face and then stepped back. "We'll let this place air out a little. How about we go up on the roof? I haven't been up there in years. I remember it having a delightful view." He nodded towards the door. "If you'd like."
She nodded lightly, leading the way up the stairs, almost eager. Almost as eager as she used to be. She could breathe easier up here. The view really was spectacular.
She wanted to break the silence, but had no idea what to say.
Phoenix followed, his steps light and quick as he made his way up the steps. When they arrived on the roof, he smiled. It was the same old place that he used to go to stare at the sky and watch the stars. He sat down on the ledge, letting his legs hang over.
"I love the stars." Phoenix said with a broad grin.
"When I look up at them it feels like nothing's impossible. Like I'm a kid again." She actually smiled. A real smile. It felt weird on her face. She looked over at Pheonix. He had made her laugh?
She was surprised.
"You are a kid. What are you, seventeen?" He was glad to see her smile for once. She had a pretty smile. "That there is Leo the Lion." He said, point an alignment of stars.
"I don't feel like a kid."
Her smile faded a bit. The stars made her happy though.
((YAY for shortness!))
"So...what is the ring for?" Phoenix asked curiously. "I noticed you touch it from time to time. It must be valuable to you, yes?"
Avalee really wasn't expecting that, of all questions. She bit her lip for a moment, thinking. Should she tell him? She felt the compulsion to lie, and just say it was her great grandfather's wedding band, and she inherited it. She could tell him her parents got divorced, and she kept the wedding band. So many falsities. One truth that felt awkward saying out loud, because Avalee herself didn't want to accept it. It was only a few short weeks ago.
She had flashbacks of her blood-stained hands. His kiss. The snarling sound Seth made as he took his own cousin's life. As he snatched away the one pure good thing in Avalee's life. All was lost. He was gone.
Those you've known
And lost, still walk behind you
All alone
They linger till they find you
Without them
The world grows dark around you
And nothing is the same until you know that they have found you
Those beatiful lyrics echoed loudly in Avalee's mind as she spoke.
"Um...my boyfriend died a few weeks ago. It was his." She spoke in a small childish voice. It was the way she felt, like a small child, lost in the world. Alone.
Phoenix gazed at Avalee with sad eyes. How hard it must be to cope with something like that, he did not know. But he imagined it being terrible and unbelievably difficult. And then a quote came to mind.
"Love is stronger than death even though it can't stop death from happening, but no matter how hard death tries it can't separate people from love. It can't take away our memories either. In the end, life is stronger than death."
He looked back up at the stars and remembered something he had wondered everytime a death occured. Was the person up in the stars, watching over their loved one? Was there something more to them than being a ball of gas?
Avalee looked at silent Phoenix. Had she done something wrong? Had she over shared? Again? She always screwed things up. Always. She said something stupid or did something. She sighed, the moment was good. Just before then.
"I should go." She whispered to Phoenix.
Phoenix looked at her and then at the ground that was hundreds of feet away. He shouldn't have said anything. He had been too nosey and asked something that was none of his business.
"Oh..okay." He said. "I didn't mean to...I'm sorry."
He hadn't done anything. She had done all the wrong. She felt awful. She went out on a whim. She wanted to feel her skin against another persons. Wanted to feel warm. He had always kept her warm. Not she was cold as ice.
"You did nothing Phoenix....really....I just. It's still new. It was a fair question." She looked over at him. Her eyebrows pushed together.
"No, no I'm sorry Phoenix."
Phoenix put his hand on her shoulder, giving it a light squeeze, then said firmly, "You should probably go home and rest. You look like you could use the sleep." He smiled a little. "Then I can put you to work helping me set up my room." He added jokingly.
She stayed still for a moment. Liking his hand on her shoulder. Not wanting to leave, but she stood. Avalee thought of being alone in her small faculty cottage. Of crying herself to sleep. Putting on Axel's old shirts, just to smell like him again. Another night alone, not at all the peaceful sleep she drifted into when she was safe in the warm arms of Axel. She glanced back at Phoenix. She took a few more steps but then turned around. Sleep would wait for a bit. She had a question.
"Have you ever lost anyone?" She almost whispered. Looking him straight in the eye, her eyes piercing.
Phoenix pulled his hand away as Avalee. He stared at her as she stood for a moment and then began to move. But then she stopped and turned around, staring at him, eye to eye. Only, hers were incredibly piercing. Almost startling.
"Have you ever lost anyone?" Her voice was close to a whisper. A sad almost whisper.
He bit his lip and then nodded.
"Yes, I have." He said. "An old friend from school. He killed himself."
Avalee nodded then, not sure why she had asked the question. It was stupid and impulsive. She was ashamed of herself. Asking a personal question to practically a stranger. She turned then to leave. Pausing.
Her mind worked:
I wish he would stop me.
I want proof that just one person in this world gives a d@mn.
He won't stop you.
He doesn't know you.
No one cares, Avalee
So shut up and go home, or just hurl yourself off this tower, just end it all now.
Then you can be with Axel.
You belong with him
The two parts of her head fought. All this happened in one second. She couldn't move to take another step. She couldn't move.
Phoenix sighed, silently and to himself, and looked out across the grounds. He hoped he didn't make her feel uncomfortable. Paul was caught up in some problems and thought the only way out was to end his life.
Throw yourself off the tower. Kill yourself
Throw yourself off the tower. Kill yourself
Throw yourself off the tower. Kill yourself
Throw yourself off the tower. Kill yourself
Throw yourself off the tower. Kill yourself
The words pounded over and over again in her heat. Like the noise of the telltale heart in that old story.
"Death can not overcome love. But death can overcome life." She said those words quite loudly.
Then she sprinted towards the balcony.
"Death can not overcome love. But death can overcome life."
At those words, Phoenix turned his head and saw Avalee running, running towards the balcony. He didn't even have time to think. Instincts took over. He sprung up from where he sat and raced in front of her, then he grabbed her before reaching the edge.
"Are you crazy!?" He yelled, holding on to her. "What the hell are you thinking!?"
"Just let me go. Let me die. There is nothing here for me anymore! NOTHING!"
She began to cry. As Avalee always did. She would joke sometimes that her emotions had a direct link to her tear-ducts. She struggled against him, but he was far stronger, and bigger. She gave up, and instead of running away as any sane person would, but instead she folded into his arms. Hugging him. Invading his personal space. Crying into his chest.
She was pathetic to say the least.
She whimpered. "Nothing to live for..."
"No!" Phoenix said firmly as she struggled. But then the girl had finally had enough, and began to cry and hug him. She said she had nothing to live for.
"You're wrong." He whispered. "You have so much to live for. He wouldn't have wanted you to kill yourself." He rubbed her back, trying to soothe her. "It's alright. I'm here...."
((I got tired of making it blue.))
She cried harder. Is this what you wanted? Whe thought at no one in particular. It might have been towards God. Now she was with a complete stranger. Crying into his chest, him trying to soothe her. A starker for god's sake! She was psycho. Unstable. A freak.
"I-I'm so sorry Axel." She whispered to herself. But she was close enough to Phoenix that he may have heard.
She said a little louder, "I'm sorry Phoenix."
"Shhh." Phoenix whispered. "It's alright. Come on, let's get you inside." He wanted her to be able to sit and relax, but he mostly wanted her inside to keep her away from the roof. "Deep breath." Seeing her like this, it struck something in him. He felt for her.
She stood up, but still leaned on him a bit. She was a bit dizzy. She needed to get away from the roof. Really badly. But she wasn't done crying. Nowhere near. She was glad she wasn't alone. She would have died if she was alone. And Axel would hate her. She didn't want that. Ever.
Instead of taking her to his classroom, he led her instead to his dormitory on the seventh floor. Mainly because it was clean and comfortable instead of dusty and empty. He unlocked the door with an old gold key that was in his pocket and led her inside. Teacher's dormitories weren't anything like a student's. They got their own room. Or at least Phoenix did. He hadn't been in any other teacher's dormitory. But his was like a one floor apartment minus the kitchen. It was divided into three small rooms. A living room, bathroom, and bedroom. It was decorated similar to the Gryffindor Common Room since he volunteered to take their house and supervise. That was also why he lived on the seventh floor. It had a fireplace, two red armchairs, and a red couch. He guided her to the couch and helped her sit, and then placed himself besider her, his arm around her for support.
He didn't even realize just how dark it was in here. There was enough light from the window to see. He pointed his wand at the fireplace.
"Incendio." He said firmly. A fire erupted inside the brick fire place and brought some light and a bit of comfort in the room.
The room was pretty, and quite nice for it being in the castle itself. The couch was soft, and his arms were very warm around her. She was warm. She was warm. Wow. She was quite shocked. She leaned her head on Phoenix, and closed her eyes.
Then he started a fire. She sighed. It warmed her further. She sighed.
Phoenix closed his eyes as she laid her head on him, sighing.
What have I gotten myself into?
Her boyfriend's dead. She tried to kill herself.
Why didn't I take her to the hospital wing or something?
Instead I took her here. To my dormitory. I could be fired.
But she needs someone. She needs someone to comfort her and hold her.
She needs reassured that life is worth living.
Avalee thought.
What have I done?
I TRIED TO KILL MYSELF?!
What an idiot?!
Axel must hate me now.
Phoenix must hate me as well.
Nice first impression A, nice.
I wish I was drunk.
Then I could forget.
Wow, it fells good to be held again.
Does Axel hate me more now?
"Thank you." She whispered to Phoenix, her eyes still closed.
Phoenix almost jumped when Avalee spoke.
"Oh, you're welcome." He smiled. "Anytime. Anyplace. Just...don't try to jump off the roof again. Because if you survive, I might have to kill you."
"I promise I won't."
And she meant it. She really did. She hugged him a little tighter.
He took off his glasses and sent them to a table with his wand. Then he layed his head against hers, watching the flames cast their dancing shadow on the old wall. It was mesmerizing.
Avalee smiled. A true smile. She felt something within her. Like being warmed from within. She almost regognized it as being happy, but she shot that idea down quickly. She couldn't be happy. Not without him. She was a mess and no one could love her. Ever. She was broken. They had only gone out for four months and she was this broken? She felt as if she could never love again. What if he left her? What if he died? What if he just didn't like her?
Phoenix smelled nice.
The smile faded.
"What was he like?" Phoenix asked suddenly, breaking the silence. "I can understand if you don't want to talk about it..., I just thought maybe it would...er...help." He was still watching the flames.
His voice startled her. She was almost asleep. It took her a moment, but she answered his question.
"He was...kind to me. My only friend. Sweet to me. He would calm me down when I got upset. Just hold me for hours. Until I calmed down. Promised to be there for me. Said we could build a life together. Was my savior. B-but he had an awful temper. He got into a fight with his cousin. And his cousin killed him."
She sighed after she finished talking.
Phoenix suddenly realized something. He had read the story in the Daily Prophet several weeks ago. Why didn't he piece it together? He felt so stupid.
Local graduate killed in bar fight.
A recent graduate known as Axel R. Hampton was killed last night at the Hog's Head during a fight with classmate and cousin Landon S. Lockhart after a fierce brawl. Witnesses say Hampton had taunted and started the fight. It is unclear whether or not he was intoxicated at the time. Lockhart claims he had attacked Hampton in self-defense, but did not intentionally cause the fatal wound to his chest. Authorities have not released any further details at this time. There was no funeral for Hampton, but for those who would like to pay their respects to Hampton can find his grave at Godric's Hollow.
"I'm sorry." He said gently. "I'm sure he's watching over you right now."
"I hope so."
But at the same time, while she wished that Axel was watching over her, she wished that Axel was not watching her. She wasn't lying. Axel did have a temper. And although it had never happened, Avalee was sure that Axel would not be happy with her sitting this close to another man. A person that was not him.
Or would he want her to move on? This was a question Avalee had been pondering for a while. Would she ever love again. Her steady relationship with Axel was the only thing that had kept her sane in the past few months. Without him there, like a stable column or support for a building, she collapsed.
She remember standing alone at the cemetery. All alone. Staring down at where the one she loved was buried.
"Do you want to go visit his grave?" Phoenix asked, sitting up to look at her. "I mean, if you want someone to go with you, I could go." There was something in Phoenix's mind that was telling him to watch Avalee, to keep her out of harm's way and protect her. And yet he had only known her for a short amount of time.
"I would like that. Thank you Phoenix."
She paused then thinking. Her head almost clear for a moment.
"Am I going to get in trouble for being in here?" She whispered as if someone was listening.
"You're welcome." As she asked about being in trouble, Phoenix listened to see if anyone was approaching. He heard footsteps outside, but it didn't sound like they were intending to visit his room.
"I don't think so." He replied in the same whispered tone. "But it's best not to let anyone know."
"Okay."
But forever self-conscious Avalee, had to ask another question.
"Is it alright with you if I am here? Right now?" They were almost strangers after all.
Phoenix smiled and nodded.
"Of course it's alright. I don't mind at all. In fact, I could use some company as I'm kind of new to this school. There's nobody here but some teacher's that I knew from when I graduate." He realized how close they were and scooted a few inches away. "Is there um, anything I can get you? Anything I can do?"
"No, I'm alright." She sighed and sat up. Her head pounded. Headache? Yes. Alcohol plus crying equals major dehydration.
"Actually, can I have a glass of water?" Her throat was beginning to get scratchy. She stretched her back, and it popped.
"Yes, of course."
Phoenix lifted himself off of the couch and proceeded to a cupboard with multiple glasses and bowls. He retrieved a clear glass cup and pointed his wand above it. "Aguamenti." He muttered, the glass immediately filling almost to the rim with water. He set his wand on the nightstand, then handed her the glass before sitting down once more.
Avalee drank it quickly. The cold water felt good as she drank. She sat there then in the awkward silence. Then she smirked.
"So, you know a bit about me. What about you Phoenix...?" Then she realized she didn't know his last name.
"Stark." Phoenix finished for her. "Um, there's not a whole lot about me. I grew up along the country side, so I never really had neighbors or kids to play with. I went to school here, my house being Gryffindor. I was one of the nerds. And I graduated...five years ago. Wow...it's been a long time."
She just breathed and took it all in. Five years ago? He was five years older than her?
"You're twenty-three?" She asked, almost surprised.
Phoenix could sense the surprise. He had expected it sooner or later.
"Twenty-two actually." He said, a small grin appearing on his face. "My birthday's in May."
"Oh." She said plainly. She hid away the shock on her face. She wasn't good with ages anyway. She sat there for a moment in the silence.
He laughed.
"Well how old did you think I was? Do I really look that old?" He asked smiling.
"No!" She said shaking her head. Smiling half-halfheartedly.
"I thought you were like 18, 19. More my age. Although you aren't that much older!" She said. Trying not to seem like a child.
"I'd like to be that young again, but I'm comfortable with the age that I'm at now. I feel like I've grown up so much since my seventh year. I don't get mad over silly things anymore." Phoenix laid back against the couch. "I just take the hand that life deals to me."
"Lucky" She sort of whispered.
"I have no idea what do now." She admitted.
((Sortness(:))
"When my mother got upset, my father would turn on her favorite song and get her to dance with him. By the end, she would be feeling at least a little bit better."
Phoenix stood once more and walked into his bedroom, walking out a moment later with a record player. He sat it down on the floor and started it, a record already spinning around. He stepped in front of Avalee, as the music started, and held out his hand.
"Er...may I have this dance?" He asked, kind of shy.
She smiled. More than a bit surprised. But the music was so beautiful. Happy, yet sad, somehow. She looked at his and, and decided to take it. Her heart skipped a bit. The moment was nice. She stood. His hand was warm and soft in her's, which was cold. Avalee really didn't know how to dance, and let Phoenix lead the way.
Phoenix had on a smile as he took one of Avalee's hands and put it on his shoulder, the other held in his. He put his other hand carefully on her waist and started to lead her in the music. They're shadows moved with the flame's along the wall and he stared into her sad eyes, trying to find some happiness down there somewhere.
Avalee smiled bigger, as they swayed to the music. She stared back into his eyes trying to find him. Trying to find who he was.
She whispered a quote to him then, in the darkish shaddowy room. "Honey, the word is filled with ugly things that you can't change, pretend it's not that way, it's my idea of faith. You can think it up, and say there is good in nearly everyone, just give them all a chance."
She let those words hang in the air for a moment, then leaned her head onto his shoulder, drawing closer.
Phoenix tilted his head to the side a little, listening to her words and trying to understand. And then she laid her head on his shoulder. He looked down at her as they danced.
"Ain't that the truth." He whispered.
She laughed lightly.
"I don't know why, but I just felt like the perfect thing to say right then." She blushed.
Avalee picked up her head and looked into his eyes for his reaction.
"Well Miss Avalee, that was beautiful set of words right there." He said softly, a smile still playing on his lips. "I believe there's good in everyone."
"Even a sad, lonely girl with no direction?" She asked. Clearly referring to herself. Her face was a smile though when she asked.
Phoenix stared at her for a moment and then closed his eyes, sighing.
"You're going to find your way." He replied. "And you're going to find a way to mend that broken heart of yours."
Avalee leaned her head on Phoenix's shoulder once again. Drawing her body closer to his, in the process.
"I hope so." She whispered. The song played on and they continued to dance. It was so nice. So sweet. It made her happy.
Phoenix's heart was racing. Was this right? Was he getting to close to this girl, only knowing her for a short amount of time? A girl who had lost her boyfriend? He didn't know what he was doing. But he kept dancing because it seemed right.
Avalee continued to dance. The song was beautiful. She hadn't danced in a long time. She did ballet when she was little, and she loved it, but hadn't done it in a while. She never wanted the song to end. She didn't feel alone for once, and Phoenix so sweet to her.
But, far too soon, the song ended. But she stayed in the same position for just a moment, then she pulled back, her hand still on his shoulder, and her other, still in his.
Phoenix continued to hold her gaze, for a moment forgetting that the song ended. Everything around him he was not conscious of. Only the two of them, her hand in his. He felt gravity seem to push them together, his body starting to move ever so slowly toward hers. But he sensed it just in time and step back, releasing her hand. He cleared his throat and bent down nervously to fiddle with the record player, but his hands moved to fast and he broke off the needle.
Avalee leaned toward him, caught deeply in the moment. Her eyes were fixated on his. Almost like they were connected for the breifest moment in time. Then he pulled back. She took a deep breath as they pulled apart, and thoughts came flooding back to her.
What the hell was she doing.
But she watched Phoenix as he messed with the record player. She almost smiled at the fact that it was records. She loved records.
He gave up on the record player, setting the needle on top of the machine and stood up, facing Avalee.
"I'm sorry." He said softly. "But the record player is having some technical difficulties. So I'm afraid we won't...have any music." He frowned a little. He actually enjoyed the dancing.
"That's a shame. I was enjoying that. A lot." Avalee said, a bit of dissapointment in her voice, but half a smile lingered on her face. The moment had been fairly perfect. A strangely great moment.
"Hope I wasn't too bad of a dancer."
"Oh no. You were...you were excellent." Phoenix said, grinning. "A natural. You are so graceful on your feet." He bowed before her. "It was a pleasure to sure that dance with you miss." He regained his upward position and brushed down his hair. "Is there anything I can get you?" He asked.
"Thank you" Avalee returned and curtsied slightly. She was indecicive for a moment, then replied.
"Can we sit?" She asked, motioning to the couch. Just sitting and talking.
"Oh yes. Of course." Phoenix said. He smiled and waited for her to sit before occupying his own seat.
((^That was my 1,000 post! >.<))
Avalee sat and looked up at Phoenix. "So where did you learn to dance?" She asked. A lot of guys didn't know how to dance these days.
Phoenix grimaced.
"My mother signed me up for dance classes when I was a boy. Not like tap dancing or ballet, but formal, ballroom kind of dancing. Instead of handing me an instrument or a bicycle, I got to dance." But he felt himself smile. He was proud of being taught to dance. He had something a lot of other men lacked.