Ballroom

[Lets_Eat_Paste]

"Dancing bears... painted wings... figures dancing gracefully... once upon a December." This Christmas, hold your sweetie close and twirl them around the dance floor, or hit up that cute little waitress and ask her for a waltz. Either way, enjoy the company and let the music move you.

[Lets_Eat_Paste]

Alexis Beauchamps


It seemed, suddenly, that the music of the ballroom that had once drowned the place and spilled out into the snowy streets outside was too soft, too timid to be heard. Instead of the roaring Christmas tunes that could have caused Alexis to go deaf, it was the memory of last night that pounded on his ear drums. Her voice, Carinne’s voice. The way she held Alexis to her, the way she kissed him hard on the mouth and said that all she wanted for Christmas was a family with him. The sound of Alexis’s heart dropping into his stomach with a plunk. It all reverberated back to him, overpowering Frosty the Snowman and the sound of dancing feet.

Carinne had a family, she just couldn’t remember. She couldn’t remember holding their son for the first time, or the way Alexis beamed when she told him he was going to be a father. In her eyes, she was spending a pre-Christmas night with her college sweetheart in a white, private room where they were beginning to plan their futures together. But Alexis already had his future mapped out: he’d get up tomorrow morning, attempt to make Christmas tree-shaped pancakes for a picky, sleepy Blaise, and together, his son and him would open Christmas presents. How could he tell Carinne that his future didn’t include her in the ways she had hoped?

He sighed and took another sip of his wine, which muted his thoughts long enough for him to enjoy the dancing and music that surrounded him. Tapping his toe, gently, he tried his hardest not to trouble his mind. It was almost Christmas, after all.

[The Exodus]

Natalie Blackwood

Much as she had last year, Natalie considered returning to England for the holidays. But to what end, she could not say. In England, she had few—if any—friends remaining. Her family—her two sisters and her parents and her niece—were all busy making their own plans; none of which included Natalie. Her son was here. But Damien had so many plans for Christmas that Natalie was certain she’d only see him on Christmas Day, when she helped to host the gaggle of MaCarthys who were coming to Paris to celebrate with Damien and Bill.

In short, other than beginning preparation for Christmas Day, Natalie found herself with a gaping hole in her social calendar this Christmas Eve. She dolled up and went out to the city-wide party instead of wallowing in self-pity and self-loathing.

She’d been at the party for about an hour. So far, she’d run into her neighbor, the writer. He looked distracted as always and the ever-present ink-smudges on his hands had prevented Natalie from taking him up on his offer to dance. She sometimes wondered when—if ever—the man bathed, as he was seldom clean shaven and sometimes wore the same thing for days at a time. Needless to say, accepting an advance from him would make getting their mail terribly awkward. She’d also run into Damien, who told her “Happy Christmas” quickly before being pulled away by a group of his colleagues from work, other art professors. It was strange to see Damien without Toddy and Natalie wondered if they’d broken up. Damien never mentioned Toddy anymore. Not that that was a bad thing. It was weirder still to see Damien without Bill. But she knew they were still best friends. Damien could break up a romantic relationship and not bat an eyelash. But if he lost Bill, Natalie could only imagine the moaning and gnashing of teeth that would follow. So, clearly, William MaCarthy was not far off.

And Natalie had no intention of looking for him. She’d see Bill and the whole MaCarthy brood tomorrow. It was better not to ruin his night of fun by saying “hello”. There was nothing more awkward than your friend’s mother seeking you out in a party.

So Natalie wandered through the sidelines of the ballroom, clutching a glass of champagne. Happy couples swirled before her eyes. She almost envied the other partygoers. Almost. But if she had to guess, this time next year, at least half of the couples out there on the floor would be broken up or having problems. Others would muddle through in silent misery for years. Natalie knew appearances were deceiving. Especially this time of year. Christmas was the time when unhappy families put on their best smiles and best clothes and pretended all was right with the world. No, Natalie did not envy them. She was a pragmatist, who was mostly comfortable in her solitude.

She just wished she could be more useful or interesting to someone than she currently was. She kept walking, refusing to let herself pause to give that thought more than a passing glance. She gulped down half of her champagne. It wasn’t bad quality, but the alcohol startled her system. She had yet to eat and before she knew it, the world in front of her swam. Natalie took a delicate step forward. Despite her best efforts, her ankle rolled a little and Natalie lost her balance in her high heels. She caught herself before crashing to the ground, but instead smacked into a man in a suit. Her drink sloshed out of its glass and hit the ground.

“I beg your pardon!” Natalie said, not sure if she was apologizing or reprimanding the man for being in her way. Perhaps a little bit of both. She looked up and the man looked vaguely familiar. She blinked. He was quite handsome; blue eyes and light brown hair. Whip-thin and tall. Natalie had to catch her breath. Her voice softened. “I mean, pardon me. I’m sorry.”

[Lets_Eat_Paste]

Alexis Beauchamps

As Alexis drank in both wine and surroundings, the phone in his pocket clicked with the vibration of a notification. Alexis, not one for texting or social media knew it could only mean one thing—Blaise. Immediately, he had pulled out his phone and peered at the screen. Clarice sent him a text and Alexis’s heart leapt into a marathon pace, ticking faster than he could imagine. Was Blaise alright? Was something broken? Was Blaise sick? Being stubborn? Crying? A myriad of horrifying scenarios played out in Alexis’s mind, all of them ending in a trip to the emergency room or a spool-full of tape.

But Alexis’s fears were put to rest when he saw it was a simple mass text with the words ‘Joyeux Noël’ lighted up and accompanied by cocktails of colons and parenthesis. He didn’t quite understand it, but at least his worries ceased.

Wine gone, he stood to return the glass, shaking off the concern and the effects of alcohol. But as he took a step, he was knocked off balance by a force far greater than wine and worry. A woman.

“I beg your pardon!” she said, leaving Alexis dumbfounded. He had no idea what just happened, much less what he had done to deserve a stern chastisement. He looked down at the woman, whose lengthy legs sprawled out beneath her in awkward angles. He offered her a hand up. She looked familiar with her icy blue eyes and long blonde hair. Had they met before. “I mean, pardon me. I’m sorry.”

“I’m not,” he said, gently pulling her to her feet. “Happens to the best of us.”

He stared at her a bit longer, the image of her mulling around in his brain. “If you don’t mind my asking, have I seen you before? The library, the park, the school…?” He held her gaze a moment longer as he pondered. Maybe she had one of those faces. Maybe she had audited his class before. Or maybe he was looking too much into it all.

[The Exodus]

Natalie Blackwood

Humiliated. That’s exactly what Natalie was right now: utterly humiliated. But for Natalie, humiliation very seldom came in the light pink shades of a blushing schoolgirl. For her, humiliation brought forth seething reds and the darkest navies. All her life, she’d been brought up to walk, talk, and act like a lady. And here she was, tripping over her own two feet, as if she’d never worn heels before. As if she’d never had a glass of champagne at a society to-do. Anger and disappointment surged through Natalie’s veins faster than the alcohol had. In fact, they would have overtaken her usually poised demeanor, if it wasn’t for the pair of pale blue eyes that latched onto hers when she fell.

The man she’d run into—the one now offering Natalie a hand up—was both incredibly attractive and vaguely familiar. An apology streamed forth from Natalie’s mouth, much more ladylike and polite than her initial ‘I beg your pardon!’

After all, a lady could only be indignant for so long. Natalie accepted the man’s hand and pulled herself to her feet with a breathless, “So sorry”.

“I’m not,” the man said kindly. “Happens to the best of us. If you don’t mind my asking, have I seen you before? The library, the park, the school…?”

“It’s possible,” said Natalie. She gingerly shifted her weight onto her foot. Immediately, white-hot pain seared through her ankle. She grasped the stranger’s arm instinctually for support and grimaced. “Sorry—I think I twisted it— If we could just…“ Natalie nodded towards a row of chairs that lined the sidelines of the ballroom. Leaning against the stranger, she hobbled towards them. When they reached their destination, Natalie looked up at the stranger again. His face jogged some dim memory, but of what Natalie couldn’t say. She eased up on her vise-like grip of his arm. “Thank you. You look familiar. Do you live, by chance, in Le Marais?”

[blueeyeddevil]

OOC:Nancy is currently unable to post on the thread so I'm posting what she managed to send me.

Linnea Heptworth

Maksim chuckled at her playful jibe, shaking his head. "Always have to try and one up me, don't you? he teased back, before gooding her sides and making her squirm. However, she was stilled and the squeal of laughing protests were silenced when he lips seals over her mouth, cutting off all rational thought in Linnea's mind. She let out a soft moan as she pulled him closer. She didn't mind at all. In fact, she could carry on like this with him all night.

"Agree to disagree," Maksim mumbled against her mouth, making Linnea's grin melt into a laugh when her head tipped back.

"Whatever you say, dear," she told him patronizingly, her dark eyes sparking mischievously up at him through her lashes they began once against to sway in time with the music. "Maksim,...we could always leave early if you like..." Linnea suggested with a sultry smile on her lips that threatened to turn into a full-blown smile. She would totally be up for any one of his ideas for a Christmas celebration. As long as she was with him, she would be happy because that was her number one wish for the season. But for now she was just happy to dance with him.

Maksim Volkov

He found himself getting quite lost in the kiss, amazed by the rush of emotion that came with it. In that moment, he was blissfully happy. Nothing would have been able to dampen his mood. As they pulled away he jokingly told her they need to agree to just disagree about who loved who more.

"Whatever you say, dear," she told him in a placating sort of voice, giving a little laugh. He didn't respond, instead he simply grinned and rolled his eyes as the two of them began to fall into step once again.

"Maksim,...we could always leave early if you like..." she said. He was about to tell her he couldn't get out of this and they had to stay, but the seductive little grin on her face made him loose his train of thought. Maybe he could slip early after all. They could be at his apartment, sipping coffee and watching movies in no time...

He opened his mouth respond but was suddenly cut of by an elderly man tapping him on the shoulder. "You are Monsieur Volkov, correct?" he asked and Maksim nodded. "I was told to speak with you about the possibility of investing in the Moulin Rouge myself."

"Of course. One moment sir," he said before turning back to Linnea. "I'm really sorry. I have to talk with him for a moment about investing. It won't take long, I promise," he assured her. He gave her one last kiss. "I'll be right back...don't go anywhere," he said with a grin as he stepped away with the man.

Nikolai Tarsova

Really, Nikolai wasn't sure what he was doing here. This wasn't the type of place you would typically find him. But then Maksim had mentioned going to the Christmas Gala and that he'd be attending with his girlfriend. Maksim's girlfriend...

Nikolai groaned in frustration at the thought of the fiery beauty that Maksim was dating. Linnea Hepworth was yet another thing that Maksim had that he didn't. Nikolai felt so helplessly drawn to her. Every time they came into contact with one another, something about her called to him. He wasn't stupid...he knew she was crazy about Maksim. But Nikolai also felt that there was more between them than she was letting on.

He had shown up tonight, obviously under dressed. He wore a simple pair of black slacks, the sleeves of his white button up shirt were rolled up to the elbow and the black tie hung too loose around his neck. He hair was slightly messy and he wore no tux or suit jacket...this was as dressed up as Nikolai Tarasova got.

He'd found Maksim and Linnea dancing in the ballroom, looking happy as they could be. They shared blissful kisses, obviously caught up in their own little world. Nikolai had to look away, hardly able to watch. When he looked up, he saw Linnea standing by herself as Maksim went off with some businessman. This was his chance.

Once Maksim was out of sight, Nikolai approached her. Coming up behind her, he spoke softly. "You look very beautiful tonight," he said gently. He held out a hand with a small smile. "While your boyfriend is currently indisposed, perhaps you would consider a dance with me," he asked.

[blueeyeddevil]

Nikolai Tarasova

Nikolai didn't miss the way she tensed at the sound of his voice. He couldn't quite be sure if this was a good thing or a bad thing. At the very least, it signified that he affected her in some small way; got under her skin. He could work with that. She turned around and he watched her look him over, scrutinizing his rather sorry attempt at formal attire. He knew how he had to look to her, especially compared to Maksim in his tailored suit.

"Thank you, Nikolai." she replied in return to his compliment. Really, beautiful was a sorry word to describe how she looked tonight, but it was the best he could do at the moment as he offered his hand to her and requested a dance.

"That would be lovely," she agreed. He smiled again, gently kissing her knuckles before placing her hand on his shoulder. His other arm wrapped around her slender waist as he pulled her close. They fell into step before she could protest his close proximity too much. She went for putting up a mask of indifference, speaking causally as though not bothered at all. "So, what brings you here, of all places?" she wanted to know.

Nikolai laughed softly. "So you've noticed how of place I am..." he noted with an amused glance at her. "Maksim mentioned he was going to attend the Christmas Gala with you...I thought it might be interesting to take a look," he said offhandedly, though his gaze was pointedly on her. His words implied that he'd simply wanted to see what the Christmas Gala was like, but it could just as easily mean that he'd been looking to see her.

He glanced around at the elaborate decorations before his mahogany eyes came to rest on her once more. "Are you enjoying yourself this evening," he asked her, curious as to if she was really enjoying such a fancy seeming affair.

[plantnerd92]

Linnea Hepworth

Niko just laughed at her question. "So you've noticed how of place I am..." He said, looking at her, completely amused. "Maksim mentioned he was going to attend the Christmas Gala with you...I thought it might be interesting to take a look," The pointed look he was giving her made her uncomfortable, but she met his gaze levelly, quirking a cool eyebrow at him, looking completely bored. She'd been told she was a good actress a time or two, but it was a rare occasion, and she could only hope one of those rare occasions was now when her situation demanded it.

Linnea nodded absently, watching over his shoulder for the return of her boyfriend, not really comfortable with being stuck with Nikolai much longer, especially with how close he was to her.

"Are you enjoying yourself this evening?" Nikolai asked, watching her intently. Linnea, rather than looking him in the eyes, looked at his eyebrows, a trick she learned from Rose when she was teaching one of her music lessons. Eyebrows were much easier to focus on to prevent stage fright. Or in this case, the way Nikolai was looking at her, making her feel like she was a little bunny rabbit and he was a hungry wolf ready to sink his teeth into her. She smiled at him.

"Well, I was, until some old geezer kidnapped my date." Yes, that barb was meant to sting, a warning that Nikolai was getting too close. The dance ended, and Linnea craned her head around to a waiter carrying around a tray of champagne, and just like that, she was off for the chase.

"Excuse me..." Wolf, meet escapee rabbit.

[blueeyeddevil]

Nikolai Tarsaova

She might as well have been looking right through him for all the attention she was paying to him. She was looking at him but not quite making eye contact. It was obvious the idea of meeting his gaze made her nervous. Again, he wondered if that was a good thing or not. Making her nervous was one thing, but her being afraid of him was another. Nervousness could lead to attraction...fear did not. He tried to get her to relax just a bit, asking how she was enjoying the Christmas Gala, wondering if she was having a good time.

"Well, I was, until some old geezer kidnapped my date." she said and Nikolai got the impression she meant it as a sort of warning. He was about to reply, but the dance ended at that moment. She only barely paused to say "Excuse me..." before she went off after a waiter carrying around champagne. He wasn't about to let her off the hook that easily.

He followed her over, taking a glass of champagne as she did. He sipped at it for a moment before meeting her gaze directly...no more looking above his eyes. She was going to have to face him head on. His look though, was apologetic.

"I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable," he told her, the champagne glass twirling in his fingers. "That was never my intention. I merely wanted to get to know you better. Maksim speaks so highly of you..." His eyes glinted interestedly. "I didn't mean to make you...nervous." His tone almost dared her to contradict that she felt that way. And then still, if she wanted him to believe her, she was going to have to prove it.

[plantnerd92]

Linnea Hepworth

Tarsova was back to being the big bad wolf when Linnea made a break for it again, wheeling around in front of her, and backing her into a corner where a chill from the outside still had it's icy fingers.

"I don't make you nervous, do I?" He asked, his voice low and enticing as his hand flashed out to lightly trail a finger down her arm. Linnea's heart started pounding at a spastic rate from the contact. "I suppose that must be why you keep trying to run from me... out into the cold... without your coat..." Damn this man. Nikolai stepped forward and started rubbing his hands along her arms, and with each second of his palms sliding along her skin, he seemed to be draining her of her will to resist him. "You're freezing..." he murmured, his voice caressing her in ways they shouldn't.

Air. She needed air. She had to breathe. No room to breathe... He was so close... so warm... Without realizing it, Linnea had ever so slightly moved even closer to him. A hazy fog began to wrap around her mind, numbing it as her body only too happily complied with him, her eyes settling on his lips, unable to take the heat in his gaze. Her hands even found their way to his warm, muscled chest, her fingers splaying across it.

Space! She needed space! What was wrong with her? Why wasn't she yanking herself away from him and giving him a good kick in the shin or something like that? Try as she might, she just could seem to break free of the spell he currently had her under...

[blueeyeddevil]

Linnea Hepworth

Linnea hated the fact that Nikolai was able to easily get back to his feet and drag her back to him and pin her against the wall. Like a fish being reeled in on a line, Linnea fought him the whole way, wanting to scream in frustration when he pinned her legs and wrists, keeping his body flush against hers to keep her still. She not appreciate being manhandled by him, and the fire of attraction that ignited in her belly made her even angrier. She finally stopped struggling when she realized she wasn't going anywhere and glowered up at him, wanting to claw his eyes out.

"You can say that all you want, but we both know that's a lie," he told her. "If you didn't feeling anything for me then my attempts would just be a mild annoyance to you. But I make you angry because you do feel something. So you better be careful, lyuba..."

Linnea's eyes flew wide with outrage when he used Maksim's nickname for her and she started struggling against him again, snarling at him. "Do not call me that," she yowled with disgust, but he ignored her and continued on with the rest of his speech.

"...'not ever' may come a lot sooner than you think." Nikolai promised, his voice seductive and dangerous, making a million butterflies erupt inside of her, making gooseflesh rise on her skin. Linnea wanted to hurt him, but he left before she had a chance to gather her wits about her and react.

Feathers officially ruffled, she shuddered before going back into the ballroom. That was it. Business or not, the second Linnea found her boyfriend she was dragging him away from this bloody rate hole.


As it turned out, Maksim found her. It took ever ounce of her will not to fling herself at him. "There you are! I was starting to think you had left me here by myself," he teased. "I'm sorry...I know it took longer than I was expecting. I promise, no more interruptions."

Linnea just brushed it off and grabbed his hand, marching towards the exit in order to go find their coats. "Still up for watching movies?" she asked, still riled up, grabbing a champagne flute and downing it in a couple of gulps.

Maksim Volkov

From almost the moment he had found his girlfriend again, he could tell that there was some wrong. She looked agitated and upset even as he took her in his arms. At first he assumed it must be that she was upset with him for taking so long talking with the man who had been interested in investing. He quickly apologized to her and promised that they would not be interrupted again, but she still seemed upset even then.

She waved off the apology and instead took his hand, pulling him in the direction of the exit where their coats were hanging up. "Still up for watching movies?" she asked as they went, stopping only to grab a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and down without hardly pausing for breath...oh yeah, something was definitely very wrong and he was going to get to the bottom of this.

He pulled her over to a less crowded area, holding her hands tenderly against his chest. "Linnea, you know that I would be more than happy to just go home and watch movies with you, but you were so excited about being here before I left," he reminded her. He cupped her face with one hand, caressing it as he looked at her in concern. "Is everything okay? What happened while I was gone?"

[blueeyeddevil]

Linnea Hepworth

"Is everything okay? What happened while I was gone?" Maksim asked, gently making her look at him after he pulled her into a more secluded area. Linnea gave him a tight smile, still on the verge of finding Nikolai and going all Chainsaw Massacre on him.

"Oh, nothing happened, other than that charming friend of yours manhandling me as soon as your back was turned!" she seethed, face still flushed with emotion. There were too many to name. One thing for sure, though, if she were to hate anyone, it would definitely be Nikolai. Linnea was at least glad he didn't know where lived. She wasn't sure exactly how her traitorous self would handle it if he got alone at home. She held on to Maksim's hand tightly, trying to coax him him toward the door.

"Maksim...Baby, let's just go. I don't want to be anywhere near him. He scares me..." she pleaded, hoping he'd humor her just this once.

Maksim Volkov

The tight smile that pulled at the corners of Linnea's lips did nothing to make him feel any better about whatever had happened while he'd been gone. He asked her to tell him what had happened, hoping that he could be able to do something about it and bring back the more genuine smile from before.

"Oh, nothing happened, other than that charming friend of yours manhandling me as soon as your back was turned!" she finally spat out, obviously furious.

Maksim was furious too. "Nikolai?! Nikolai was pushing you around?" he said in a mix between shock and fury. He couldn't believe that the man he called his friend would go behind his back and try to hurt his girlfriend. If Maksim had anything to say about, Nikolai Tarasova was definitely going to pay.

He felt as she tugged on his hand now, still trying to get him to leave with her. "Maksim...Baby, let's just go. I don't want to be anywhere near him. He scares me..." she told him, obviously afraid the Nikolai would come back.

Maksim gently pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her protectively. His earlier rage faded a bit now as he tried to comfort her. "Lyuba, I promise you, he won't get anywhere close to you while I'm around," he swore fervently. "I don't want him to to ruin our evening out, especially not when you were so happy before. I would never let him hurt you...but if you'd still rather go home, we can. All you have to do is say so." His thumb gently stroked her cheek as he awaited her answer.