Masquerade Ball - Silver & Shadow

[its_no_use]

 Silver was... uncomfortable, yes, that was the word. The whole idea of enjoying disguises and partying in difficult times made him feel on edge. Not to mention the outfit and mask he was wearing made him feel ridiculous. Many species could hide who they were with a simple mask, but certainly not hedgehogs of his ilk, with those giant spread out quills. It made him feel self conscious. He wanted to leave early, but doing so might have drawn attention to him.

Until he could fin a convenient excuse or a decent way out, he'd have to at least find some way to pass the time. He eyed the food being displayed, and was intent on heading his way there and filling his belly. Yet out of the corner of his eye, he glanced a familiar combination of black and red, and stopped in his tracks.

Comments

[doomsblood]

Shadow was in the same position for this Masquerade Ball. His unique color combination and the shape of his quills gave him away. Still, Shadow had attempted to wear something that fit the situation here tonight. His mask was black with a jeweled eye on his forehead with two holes for his own eyes, giving him a darker look. He approached Silver and gave him a nod.

"These sort of affairs aren't to your liking, are they." Though it was a question, it did come out more as a statement.

[its_no_use]

Silver didn't answer right away, due to a combination of Shadow actually being here, and him actually looking rather handsome in his mask and get-up. Silver then realized that maybe being quiet for so long might make him look rather ridiculous. he sputtered, trying to keep his hands still and keep some kind of dignity. "I, uh, n-no... No, not really."

His words came without permission. "I... didn't think you liked them."

[doomsblood]

"I don't like it much but an old friend got me into the habit of such things." Shadow said. Rouge had dragged him to a number of such things back then. Mostly for recon work or her trying to steal something. It gave Shadow an opportunity to learn something, at the very last. Though he was never very popular at these sort of things, even before being locked away.

"It is nice to have someone you know here with you." He added and tried to meet Silver's eyes.

[its_no_use]

"... Yeah. It is. It helps." Silver awkwardly rubbed his arm, unsure if Shadow meant him or someone else. Now the inclination to leave early, and even leave at all, seemed far away. Instead he was curious at what Shadow did at these sort of events, though Silver couldn't imagine what. How did Shadow the Hedgehog have fun?

"What do you and your friend... do here?" He vaguely gestured with his hands, wondering if the extra person was close by.

[doomsblood]

"She taught me to dance," Shadow answered. He looked out at the dance floor as another soft slow song began to play. This sort of thing was never something he wanted to do. This wasn't his place in the world. Balls and special occasions was the world of Rouge. His was the battle field and quiet spaces.

"Do you dance?" he asked suddenly as he looked back at Silver.

[its_no_use]

Normally Silver wouldn't have minded being honest about this answer. He hadn't learned because no one taught him, and he'd never asked. After all, in the day and age they lived in, what use was it? But somehow, Shadow knowing made it a sudden and important art.

"Uh... no, not really." As a result, his answer made his voice squeaky, glancing away in embarrassment. "It's probably too late for me to pick it up."

[doomsblood]

"It's never too late," Shadow said as he stepped toward Silver. He held out his hand to the younger hedgehog. There was something in the way he looked away in embarrassment and how his voice squeaked. It was endearing. Almost adorable.

"I didn't learn for some time. I can teach you, if you like."

[its_no_use]

Silver blinked a few times in rapid succession. Shadow must really be bored if he was going this route. It was the only logical reason Silver could think of.

"Are you sure?" He asked, and while his voice was hesitating, his hand was already lifting to touch Shadow's.

[doomsblood]

Shadow gave Silver a nod, his hand not moving from its offered position. It wasn't out of boredom he was doing this.

"I am. Dancing is not as hard as you may think. You can learn at any time," Rouge had said the same thing to him when they started their lessons. Back then, Shadow had thought dancing was a useless skill. It turned out that was not the case. Dancing had practical applications. It also let one fit into the environment they both found themselves in now.

[its_no_use]

"Well... I guess I can't really see why not." That wasn't the complete truth. There were plenty of reasons not to do this - it was just the reasons to do it were a lot louder in Silver's head. Which was why he took Shadow's hand, trying not to hold on tightly.

"I'll do my best." It was all he really could do. "Lead the way, I guess...?"

[doomsblood]

Shadow nodded once and lead the younger hedgehog toward the dance floor. He turned once he found a spot with enough space for the two of them. Shadow grabbed Silver's other hand and placed it on his shoulder. Then his hand moved to Silver's hip. Once their hands were in place he looked into those yellow eyes.

"Follow my lead. Step away as I move forward and follow suit. Do you understand?"

[its_no_use]

It felt sort of strange to be this close to another man - especially Shadow - and to be stared at so intently. It made him feel inches smaller, and on instinct his eyes shot down. Maybe this way, he figured, he could watch their feet and not slip up.

"Right. Got it." He replied, determined not to screw up and embarrass Shadow. He'd hate to see this already intimidating hedgehog get angry at him.

[doomsblood]

"Let's begin," Shadow said simply. He stepped forward first. The dark hedgehog would move through the first few rounds of steps slowly. Forward, left, back, right, repeat. The waltz was a simplistic dance and the first one Rouge taught him. It seemed right it be the first he would teach the younger hedgehog.

"Don't pay too much attention to your feet. It appears awkward."

[its_no_use]

Forward, left, right - what?

Silver had been so focused on watching their feet that hearing another word out of Shadow startled him. That resulted in him losing his balance, and unceremoniously falling into Shadow's chest. He wasn't heavy enough to knock the older hedgehog down, thank goodness, but this was much more awkward than merely watching feet.