Another day in Paradise [Eric/open]

[Noemi de Trevalion]

"I think a cat would suit you," I replied as I took Leo back and held him for another moment before I sat down on the grass and set him beside me to go run off after whatever interested him. I let my pets roam through both the house and the garden but this one seemed to prefer prowling outside. "They don't need walks either, and they can take care of themselves without tearing to many things up, so that's a good thing too." I gave him a glance and a smile, then tugged lightly on his sleeve. "Do you want to sit down or to go see more?"

[Eric Lamont]

"Whatever you'd like to do," I said honestly. I was just happy to be spending time with a friend and I really didn't care what we were doing.

[Noemi de Trevalion]

"Then let's relax here for a little bit," I suggested, patting Leo once on the head and nearly startling him out of stalking the leaf he was watching intently. "It's nice and relaxing out here, don't you think?"

[Eric Lamont]

I nodded and sat on one of the large rocks in the garden. "Yes, very much so. Do you ever just lay out on the lawn and take a nap?"

[Noemi de Trevalion]

"Not yet, but that's a good idea," I replied in a teasing tone with a light laugh as I lay back and closed my eyes for a second, then opened them again and sat up so I could see him again. "The grass is certainly soft enough for it."

[Eric Lamont]

I nodded and kicked off my boots and removed my socks in order to let my feet trail through the feathery green. "That it is." I slid down off the rock and laid down beside her. "I think I ccould certainly fall asleep here."

[Noemi de Trevalion]

"You could if you wanted to," I offered in a cheerful tone, turning my head to look over at him and smiling at the picture he made. "I don't mind, and I'll wake you up before it gets too late."

[Eric Lamont]

I laughed. "Well not right now, of course. I'm not tired." I smiled back at her, picking a little of the grass and tossing it at her dress.

[Noemi de Trevalion]

"Good, because that might mean I'd gotten boring," I told him in a lofty, jesting tone, plucking my own strand of grass and tossing it as his shirt. "Azza forbid that a Trevalion isn't able to entertain a guest, it would just be the end of my life!"

[Eric Lamont]

I smirked. "Well you have absolutely nothing to worry about." I tossed the grass back at her and then sat up. "I can't imagine you ever being boring."

[Noemi de Trevalion]

"Good, because either can I," I said with a laugh as he sat up, then tossed the grass at him again. "And you're a really good friend, you know that? I'm really lucky that you're the first person I met here." My words were completely sincere and I gave Eric a wide smile just as Leo decided to attack one of the edges of my gown and I had to sit up to untangle him from it.

[Eric Lamont]

I smiled, blushing the faintest amount at the kindness of her words. "I'm glad I could be there, in the right place, in the right time. Sometimes ... the closest friendships seem to come from the chance meetings."

[Noemi de Trevalion]

"I can't argue with that, especially since I'm glad I was in the right place to meet you too," I agreed as I sat up and finished pulling Leo away before he did any more damage to my gown, It was only a dance outfit but it still seemed like it would be a bad habit to get into. "Go play with Eric," I told the kitten in a mock-stern tone as I set him by my friend. "Did I tell you I went to a fete not that long ago? One of my cousins held it for Victoire and I."

[Eric Lamont]

I swished my fingers together to draw Leo over to me. "I don't think you did. How'd it go?" I asked, interested and a bit excited. Fete's had always both intrigued and frightened me.

[Noemi de Trevalion]

"Well, it wasn't a big party, just mostly some of my family and a lot of other people I didn't really have a chance to meet," I told Eric eagerly as I leaned back on my arms and watched him play with the orange ball of fur that was now puffed up and chasing his fingers. "Mostly I danced anyway, that's always my favorite part of a fete. I don't really stop unless I have to for some reason or other."

[Eric Lamont]

I chuckled at the first part of what she had said. "I've never actually danced, I mean, other than part of my Night Court training. Perhaps you could show me how?"

[Noemi de Trevalion]

I recalled hearing that the Night Court adepts were trained to do all kinds of things, and I'd seen my sister dancing with one of them at the fete, so it made sense that dancing was part of their skill set. "I bet you dance wonderfully but I'd be glad to show you if you really want," I told him sincerely, a bit wider grin coming to my face at the idea. "Right now if you want, I don't mind."

[Eric Lamont]

I smiled and nodded. "Well I know how, I just feel that I might be rather rusty at it." I stood up and waited for her. "We need music though, don't we?"

[Noemi de Trevalion]

"You only need music if you're worried about keeping count and I can do that," I told him with a smile as I stood and brushed off my skirt, then my hands. "I'll hum if you want though, and that will help too. What kind of dance should we start with, good sir?" My tone was slightly teasing and I gave a half-curtsy in pure playfulness.

[Eric Lamont]

I shrugged and gave a playful little bow. "Whatever you'd like Noemi." I grinned and brushed some of the dirt from my trousers.

[Noemi de Trevalion]

"How about starting with a simple waltz then?" I suggested brightly as I stepped closer to him and offered my hand. "It's the tune I remember best anyway."

[Eric Lamont]

"Alright then," I said, taking her hand and assuming the proper stance. "I'll lead when you're ready."

[Noemi de Trevalion]

Nodding and smiling I set my hand politely on his shoulder. "Alright, go ahead," I told him, my balance carefully centered as I started to hum a simple waltz. My voice wasn't terribly, probably not as good as a professional singer, but I could hold a tune easily enough and humming isn't exactly difficult.

[Eric Lamont]

With a nod I began. After a second I got my rhythm back and the dance as on. She kept a simple tune and I simple step. "Was there much dancing at the fete, Noemi?" I asked out of pure curiosity.

[Noemi de Trevalion]

His question put an end to my humming and I trusted that he had the count before I answered him, letting him lead me and keeping time as I'd been taught. "There was some- my sister danced with someone but I'm not sure who, and there were others that I didn't know who danced. I spent almost all of my time there."

[Eric Lamont]

When she finished talking I spun her out. "Sounds nice. Was there a large band for the music, or just a few musicians?"

[Noemi de Trevalion]

I laughed lightly as he spun me out, stepping gracefully and letting my skirts swirl around me. "Just a few musicians, but they were good too. Next time I'll see if I can get you in, then you can see for yourself. I bet you'd have fun and end up dancing with a lot of girls."

[Eric Lamont]

I laughed and slightly shook my head. "I'd love to attend, but I'm not sure I'd be dancing with a lot of girls." A touch of pink came over my cheeks. "But yes, I think I'd enjoy attending."

[Noemi de Trevalion]

"Why wouldn't you?" I asked curiously, cocking my head to the side inquisitively as we continued to dance.

[Eric Lamont]

I took a deep breath. "There are much better charmers at dances I am certain ... I wasn't exactly trained to ask people to dance. It's not part of me."