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(1/10)

Yona wasn't a fool; she didn't traipse into streets like these in the pretty dresses that her parents gave her, with the delicate jewelry and velvet that made her look more rich than her family truly was. No, she'd been to places like this a handful of times, but only in the company of classmates, and only to the tamer spots, where smiling, pretty boys bought them drinks and didn't push when they accepted them without anything more than a kiss.

But Yona wouldn't be here much longer, in Belrea. She was leaving with her family to Zena, and it was very possible that the trip would drive her already delicate health to its brink. She was days away from her name day and it seemed the best time for a final 'hoo-rah' on the town. her silver hair was twisted up, exposing the nape of her neck, and she'd picked a Geian style dress that was cut to expose her shoulders, neck, and a bit of cleavage. ... Or, really, it only exposed the many crystals that decorated her chest, because even with a corset to push everything UP a bit she wasn't a well endowed woman by any means.

Her unique looks had gotten her more than a few glances, but mainly from men far her senior. ... Which she didn't want to rule out entirely, but she was allowing herself to be a bit picky.

So, when the doors opened and a cute Geian boy entered that looked to be close to her age, she snapped the opportunity up with aplomb. She moved from the stool she'd been perched on, sadly drinkless, and instead slipped to the table he'd picked, propping her hip against it as she leaned into his space, a hand perched on the table for support. "You're too cute to be here drinking all on your own. Are you going to invite me to join you?" She asked, smiling prettily.

(2/10)

He certainly wasn't a shy one, was he? Yona's eyes crinkled in open amusement, but at her perusing gaze she lifted her arms and spun in a slow circle as if in a dance. ... Or, in hindsight, like she was a roasted hen on a rotisserie at the market. The thought made her giggle at her own foolishness, but ultimately he didn't seem to mind her demeaning herself.

He didn't seem particularly enthralled, but he wasn't shooing her away so Yona would take it as a win. She took the offered seat, using her fingertips to brush some crumbs from the last patron off the table - only to lift her eyes at the question, wrinkling her nose. "Oh, ew. That's the last thing I want to think about right now." Really, what was the matter with him?

Of course, she wasn't thinking of the usual obstacles a cad like him would have to avoid, like angry fathers protecting their daughter's virtue, or husbands or boyfriends chasing him off. Then again, despite the way she was dressing, she was mostly interested in drinking, and he had a bottle of something that hopefully a little attention would give her a taste of for free.

The offer of the bottle was enough to smooth her expression back to its coquettish, coy look, as she delicately accepted it and took a sip. It was nasty stuff - but strong, and the burn felt good in her throat as she passed the bottle back and, in a shocking lack of manners, dried her lips with the back of her wrist. "Just living like it's the last night of my life. And you? You look absolutely miserable to be here." She answered mysteriously, in a sing-song. Maybe he'd think she was off to an unhappy marriage, or being a dramatic teen. He didn't need to know how literal that was, in her case.

(3/10)

Ohhh he had no idea. Yona's eyes glittered as she looked back at him, laughing breathlessly despite the morbid turn of their conversation. This had been a good decision - sure, he could make her regret choosing him as a companion for the evening's revelry. She hummed gently at the lightest brush of his fingertips, but didn't pull away from it, hoping that would make it clear that she wasn't some wilting daisy who would bring him down.

She knew full well how she came across, had had plenty of gents think she was more naive than she was on past excursions. "Oh I don't know about that, I could get used to it." Yona said, voice tinged up coyly as she twirled a bit of silver hair around her finger.

She let the teasing hang for a moment before she huffed another little laugh. "Yona is fine. Leander." She tested his name, and found it was a pretty one, lyrical on her tongue. "And I like the sound of that - a partner in crime. It sounds much more fun than what I had in mind before."

(4/10)

Oh. Yona felt herself blush at the drag of his lips on her hand, and gratefully accepted the bottle for another drink, head buzzing blissfully as she returned it. She was under no delusions - a boy like Leander would probably flirt with her even if she was homely or handsome, but she still allowed him to make her feel pretty. If this was any other night, Yona probably would have taken him up on his offer, no matter how ill advised it was to follow a stranger back to some unknown place. But this was only days before she was set to travel with her family, perhaps to never return, and as much as she wanted to... she knew it was a foolish idea.

The last thing her family needed was Yona carrying something extra with her to Zena, when their family was already in such a dire situation. She was already likely to get sick on this trip, and she didn't need anything making it worse - other than a bit of a hangover, that is.

Still, the tap to her nose and forward suggestion made her feel mournful to have to turn him down. "Hmm. As lovely as that sounds -" Yona purred and tilted her head to press a little kiss to the tip of his finger - both showing interest, and acting dismissive - then pulled away to stand from the table, sweeping her hands over her skirt to smooth it of wrinkles. "Today is perfect for dancing and gambling."

Yona extended her hand to him, a silly enough sight since she was a tiny thing and probably wouldn't be able to actually help him stand... but she hoped it made it clear that if he came with her, they wouldn't end the evening intimately tonight. That would be a deal breaker for many men, but maybe he was like her and would enjoy company regardless? And maybe they could still end the evening with some kisses?

(5/10)

There was always a bit of tension, when she had to turn down a potential lover. Some felt entitled to her company, or perhaps felt her interest promised other gifts down the road. For a moment, she worried that the sword kept so close would be used against her, or that his handsome face would twist with disappointment or annoyance. But that wasn't the case.

Leander didn't so much as blink; he took her hand and stood without any further hesitation, and for a moment she was taken off guard, blinking at him.

That surprise was quickly hidden away as she walked with him. Her fingers felt warm in his, and she almost pouted at her own wise decision - feeling all the more interested in a man who would spend the evening having fun, without such a promise motivating his gentlemanly behavior.

Her eyes glimmered with mischief as she considered his question, and ultimately decided to respond to it, along with his next one. "I've learned some dance styles - mostly Zenan ball room, or the sort done at Jauhar festivals, though those sometimes use swords." Her grandfather did such dances for a living, and her father had been a lord - so those sorts were learned early on, when she had the stamina for it. But -

"Dancing in these inns and bars for fun though? I'm afraid only once or twice, and not well. If you danced with me I would assume you're a master, and be none the wiser." She added the last bit with a playful smile, leaning bodily into his side as they walked.

(6/10)

Yona was incredibly receptive to Leander's casual touches, even smiling at the almost encouraging sweep of his thumb. The back of her hand tingled, just a bit where his callouses from his swords gently scratched at her skin. She opened her mouth to continue, then laughed instead, rolling her eyes. "Of a sort, perhaps. But no - the style uses swords, but I of course haven't been able to practice with them before, just the steps--"

Yona was cut off from her explanation by being spun out into a twirl and, despite looking refined, she let out a bright, happy laugh at the motion, smiling brightly once she returned to facing him again.

"Look at you, such a gentleman-" She purred, reaching up to push some wayward green curls back from his pretty face. "But no. I want to dance, Leander!" Yona tugged him by the hand to the dancing space, already populated with a number of other couples. The music was loud enough that as they got closer she had to raise her voice a bit to be heard.

(7/10)

Oh, well - maybe not. With hands like those she could think of some very ungentlemanly things to - drat, but she had already decided! Still, she felt flustered by both his attention, his restraint, and how her mind scattered with delight at another slow spin. "As much as I want to show off-" Yona began, smiling playfully up at him, "I don't want to end the night cutting myself, or someone else. No, this is a much better way to spend it."

Her fingers theatrically 'walked' their way up his arm, making no subtle gesture of feeling up the lean muscles there. "Well! You know how to woo a woman, even if only for the night."

She already could tell she wouldn't have the energy for more than a few more dances, before her lungs gave her trouble; but that would have to be enough. Her sickly body wouldn't make her stop enjoying herself a moment earlier than necessary.