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+---- Thread: Kick the dust up (/showthread.php?tid=11181)
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Kick the dust up - Colt - 04-23-2025
The day is just starting to edge into dusk, and the haze of it settles expertly around the House of Midnight. Colt steps through the entry doors with practiced ease. With her ranch just up the road, and this the closest bar and dance floor in town, it's become a common haunt of hers, and she finds its patrons passed out in her yard most mornings. Her horse is hitched outside and content to wait out the night, but she presses inward into the promise of revelry, the day's work spent and the night threatening to be a lonely one otherwise. Dogs and tequila only warm your heart for so long.
Bedecked in her usual attire, boots, jeans, and a button up shirt with a hat to top it all off, she is cleaner than usual, this set specifically saved for dancing and not wrangling. She's showered too, so the perfume of cow shit that otherwise wafts after her is absent, replaced with some sort of floral spritz. It's a wonder she's still single.
[say]"Thorn!"[/say] she shouts into the din, casting a glance around for the courtesan who has promised to hoedown with her tonight. She backs onto a stool at the bar as she looks, motioning to the barkeep for a shot of blanco. She sets the bundle of leather and fringe along the counter, smiling at the western twang that has already begun further down in the dining area. Line dancing night is her favorite night here.
RE: Kick the dust up - Hawthorn - 04-24-2025
This morning had been a breeze – and right in time, honestly. Having finished up with a client and subsequently vanished to get all cleaned up and ready for tonight, he’d wanted to ensure it was perfect. You see, line dancing was a thing that did occur fairly often at the House of Midnight. And Thorn, despite everything else he could do, had never once learned how to do it. So the offer from Colt when it comes is a welcome one, one that has him looking forward to her arrival.
Sat at the bar with a drink that is alcoholic, given that he isn’t working tonight, he’s downed half of it when his name is shouted and he perks up from the other end, peering around the bartender’s broad body as if it had blocked his view of her completely. Which, honestly it had, as he sees her sat on the opposite side.
So he plucks his drink up and makes his way to sit beside her, flashing her his usual charming grin. He’s dressed up a little as well, though unsure what to wear he’d opted for his usual flowing clothing – a relatively sheer turtleneck with specks of glittery metallics, letting each and every tattoo on his revealed skin be seen. The rest is paired with dark jeans and boots and quite a bit of jewelry adorning his knuckles and ears. “[say]He’s a bit big, didn’t see ya over his big ass shoulders.[/say]” Looking back to the bartender – whom he has ongoing flirty coworker beef with – he sticks his pierced tongue out at him. The bartender rolls his eyes in exasperation before giving the blanco shot to Colt with a low rumble of if he annoys ya feel free to kick his ass for me.
RE: Kick the dust up - Colt - 04-24-2025
She catches him from the corner of her eye as he walks over. She leans around a patron in her way to better see him, because her mouth is gradually dropping open, a delighted shine settling into her chocolate eyes. [say]"Gods look at you! You clean up well, and I'm positive you have a much better wardrobe than I do."[/say] Although not quite passing as a ranch hand, she adores the sparkle that flows with each of his movements, the shimmer only accentuated by the loose fabric's eagerness to billow around him and set off the shine of each metallic fold. Even his fingers glint.
She laughs easily at the cutting remark Thorn provides the bartender, who shrugs it off easily and slides her shot towards her with a familiarity of their teasing. She winks at him in response and pivots fully to thorn. She licks her hand between her thumb and forefinger, reaching for the salt on the table to dust over the wet skin. [say]"Alright buckaroo, I hope you're ready for tonight. Cheers to trying to new things,"[/say] she knocks her glass to the drink he carted over before sucking the salt from her hand and slinging the shot back with a tilt of her head. The glass thumps against the bar counter and she gasps open-mouthed, the heat of the liquor like a smug dragon winding down to her stomach.
[say]"Here,"[/say] she says sliding the folded chaps towards him. [say]"These are for you. You probably already have a set for work, but these are strictly for style."[/say] She means it too, because they're not as thick as the ones she uses for ranching. They're still genuine treated cowhide, dark and full of frills, but they've got maroon patterning like roses against the hips.
RE: Kick the dust up - Hawthorn - 04-26-2025
Seeing the shine of approval in her eyes, Thorn immediately feels better for the potential idea that he’d overdressed, settling in beside her with a soft laugh and a shake of his head. “[say]I’ve got a lotta variety, that’s true.[/say]” Thorn teases back, flashing her a charming smile as he sits there looking like starlight personified as the oil lamps in the House of Midnight begin to dim.
As for the bartender, though, he snorts to see Colt’s wink before withdrawing to leave them be, and Thorn watches him leave them alone for a few moments before he’s leaning forward to sip at his drink once she’s clinked her shot against it, taking a couple deep sips from the straw. “[say]Cheers![/say]” He chimes with a bright smile after her glass clinks against the top of the bar.
Turning a bit more toward her with a little bit of surprise to see the chaps handed to him, his smile twisting into pure mischief as he’s about to tell her that he does in fact have a pair of these already for work – but these ones feel far more comfortable and likely to not have to be pressed against bare skin. “[say]I’m never gonna say no t’stylish things, Colt.[/say]” He chirps, running his hands along them before he straightens up suddenly, the alcohol making his head a little fuzzier than it normally was. “[say]Should I put ‘em on now?[/say]” It was for the line dancing… wasn’t it?
RE: Kick the dust up - Colt - 04-27-2025
[say]"I had a feeling as much,"[/say] she murmurs, lips pursed in a quiet smile as she looks over the chaps he unrolls with her own admiration of the find. A short laugh at his question, the excitement for the night heightening everything into a good time, and the tequila helped in that regard too. [say]"Yes! Yes! Let's see 'em on. It'll give your stomps some added flare."[/say] She curls a hand under her chin to watch.
[say]"Now, each song has its own set choreography,"[/say] she begins to instruct as he completes his dress. [say]"Which is usually just a repeating pattern in a set order of some basic steps. Grapevines, shuffles, kickball chain, and pivot turns. Once you get the basics down and the steps of that song's dance, that's when you can add flair, like dipping and spinning partners, or adding in extra hip sways or turns."[/say] She hums to a moment of quiet, aware this might not make any sense without seeing it and trying it. It had been much the same for her, the first time. [say]"You'll see, don't worry just watch what your neighbor does for a round or two and then you'll get it. I know you're a quick study and the crowd adores newbies. We'll just stick to the outer edges where we're less likely to get stepped on if we mess up—the center's where the pros will be showin' off."[/say]
RE: Kick the dust up - Hawthorn - 04-28-2025
Content to have as many varieties of stylish things, Thorn’s excitement never fades with the gift received. So as he stands as she agrees to him putting them on, the courtesan unfolds them delicately, slipping them on and affixing them into place, feeling the additional weight to them as he twists a little to show her. “[say]How do they look?[/say]” He asks, waiting until he gets the confirmation before he’s leaning against the bar toward her, one leg over the other as he sips from the glass and turns his seafoam gaze onto her to take in every bit of information she says.
Luckily for the courtesan, anxiety wasn’t much of a thing for him these days. So even not knowing how the dance will go doesn’t perturb him. If anything, it intrigues him that much more. “[say]Kay, mkay. So, all those names for ‘em don’t make any fuckin’ sense.[/say]” The courtesan snorts, before he shakes his head.
“[say]Maybe one’ve these times we can be in the middle, huh?[/say]” He teases, his grin bright as he loosens up a little and glances over to the crowd that’s beginning to form, already ready to take in everything Colt’s informed him, making all those mental notes.
RE: Kick the dust up - Colt - 04-28-2025
She pauses her dance explanation to fully take the moment to admire him, shameless with her up and down assessment. [say]"Oh honey, you are a tall glass of water, you're gonna get gobbled up tonight."[/say] It has never been a question in her mind how Thorn came to be employed here. The nitty gritty of it escapes her, seems not the kind of question to ask truthfully, but all it takes is one look at him to be sure. He's got youth on his side still, sure, but he's lean with an athlete's strength and grace, and his smile could charm the pants off anyone. She isn't sure if the compliment lands the same way for someone in his line of work, but she means it regardless—besides, being desired for free always feels good.
A delighted laugh erupts as he pieces over all the dance jargon like a mother sorting the dirty socks of her teenage son. [say]"Oh you know it,"[/say] she murmurs as she links an arm with his and sets them on course for the dance floor. [say]"One step at a time though pardner, literallly."[/say] She grins as they near, the prior song dying down and the crowd thinning as some take a seat to breathe. The band picks back up without much respite, the next number an easier one for beginners, and fun. She pulls him over to an edge, lining up next to his side amid the crowd. [say]"Make a square—step right, forward, left, back. Right side step, left side step, kick ball-chain, side step, side step, kick ball-chain. Pivot. Heel, heel. Stomp spread. Hip swing. Repeat."[/say] she murmurs to him as she drifts through the motions, taking cues from the lyrics of the song and the neighbors around them. Her smile beams, insistent on carrying him through the motions until they settle with familiarity, likely near the end of the song.
Shaboozeey's A Bar Song - Line Dancing
RE: Kick the dust up - Hawthorn - 05-01-2025
Whether or not the compliment lands the same given his profession, you wouldn’t be able to tell with the way the courtesan beams at Colt’s approval. At the very least, he wants to look good enough to be her dance floor partner, if nothing else, and so for once the young abandoned is more than pleased and ready to take to the dance floor as the song continues and he’s trying desperately to understand what the fuck she’s on about.
The names don’t make sense, but he supposes if he sees it in action and can mimic the movements that it might do him well. So, snorting his agreement when the song comes to an end and he’s dragged out along with her in all his willowy glory (fuck, she’s strong) the courtesan stands beside her, waiting to mirror her movements. Right, forward, left, back, left, right, some twisting with his legs to get them right (as he sees others doing the fancy named kick ball-chain. He’s clumsy as fuck for the first round, but luckily the song allocates for multiples, and toward the third and final portion when they’re side by side once again, he’s grinning at her like a fool.
“[say]Oy, I think I’m gettin’ it![/say]” He boasts proudly, adding a bit of flare to his stomps and the hip swing portion, adding a little bit of fun into the mix now that he’s got the general rhythm and steps down (without tripping over his own two feet).
RE: Kick the dust up - Colt - 05-02-2025
She's glancing sidelong at him most of the time, murmuring guidance (or so she thinks, half is dance jibberish) and encouragement when he lands the right pattern. She's grinning so broadly the whole time her cheeks hurt and she laughs at the pain of the delight. As he adds flourishes she does too, spinning and clapping along, whooing at his bravery and the sparkle of him as he glides alongside her. As the song winds to a close, she leans onto his shoulder, face burying against it as she laughs in utter joy. [say]"You did it!"[/say] she cheers as she pulls back, fanning at the heat that's risen to her neck with all the motion.
Before long another song begins though, and she perks up once more. [say]"Ooooh this is a really good one for you,"[/say] she promises, and tugs him back into line alongside her on the edge. [say]"Right heel stomp, left heel stomp, right heel stomp, left heel stomp, right heel hitch, left heel hitch..."[/say] her voice trails off as the music sweeps them all along and the dance repeats a steady beat, the neighbors around guiding them both through the choreography with smooth assistance. It isn't long before she's adding extra shuffles and tapping her boot against his in a partner-based flourish, golden hair spinning behind her.
Copperhead Road Line Dance
RE: Kick the dust up - Hawthorn - 05-03-2025
Grinning to her as he completes the first dance without seeming like a newborn calf by the end of it, Thorn is infinitely pleased about the result of this dance. Only for it to completely get turned on its head when the next song comes. Tugged back to her side in the line, Thorn tries to feel for the music and the instruction that Colt offers, stomping left and right and back again to the steady beat of the song.
A bright laugh escapes the courtesan as they get better with it, as those around them also help them and he feels the tap of her boot against his. Feeling a little more into it this round too, he returns the playfulness, tapping his own against hers in a mirrored mimicry, adding to the partner flourish. “[say]S’not too bad![/say]” Thorn calls over toward Colt with that same bright grin.
RE: Kick the dust up - Colt - 05-03-2025
She’s breathless—partly from the constant uptime of the last song, and partly from the nonstop cheering and laughter that’s carried her along beside Thorn. He’s picking it up quickly, and she’s impressed, beaming at him each time their eyes meet, though it’s rare at first with their heads down in concentration. He gets into it as they progress though, adding his own flare, and she grins, realizing she hasn't enjoyed such a freeing night out in a while.
As the song ends, she turns to Thorn with outstretched arms. [say]"Damn cowboy, why were you keeping this boot boogie in for so long?"[/say] she teases, leaning into him briefly in camaraderie. As the next song picks up though, Colt realizes it's one she hasn't heard in a long time—15 years at least. Instead of diving headlong into revelry like before, Colt stutters, as if caught between pausing and pushing through. It's just a breath or two though and then she forces herself back 'on', all smiles and good times. She sweeps her hair up dramatically into her arms so its off the back of her neck, [say]"I'm gonna get some air for a minute!"[/say] she tells him, shouting over the din of the song and the bar-chatter. He can keep dancing or join her, but either way, she turns and is gone before she knows his answer.
Desperate to escape the throng, she pauses only long enough to grab a double of the earlier Blanco before barreling through the doors and onto the porch. As soon as the noise shuts off behind her with the door closing, she stills. The quiet and the cold of the night welcomes her outside. Nearby a man's cigarette glows cherry red and smoke curls up. She exhales a shaky breath and takes a seat on the other side of the door from him. Her drink balances on her knees and she traces the rim of her shot glass like she might divine some comfort from it as she stares into the darkness and the stars, watching some memory dance there on the horizon.
Cowboy Casanova Line Dance
RE: Kick the dust up - Hawthorn - 05-05-2025
“[say]I’ve got rhythm for other things, ‘course I’d be able to apply ‘em here.[/say]” Thorn boasts proudly into the brief hug, panting as he tries to catch his breath. The music has a lull, before a new song picks up, and he bumps into Colt by accident as she begins to retreat, and Thorn – always watching and very in tune with those around him – notes immediately that something’s off. Letting her slip away without his immediate pummeling of inserting himself in whatever’s going on, the courtesan takes a break here too.
Snagging a new drink – water this time – from the bar, he gulps down a decent amount of it before he gets a refill and heads outside toward where he’d seen her vanish to. She isn’t hard to find, and the tassel portions of the outfit he wears swishes lightly as he makes his approach, snagging a smoke from the man already indulging with a bright grin and a wink.
Taking a drag from it, the courtesan leans against the railing of the House of Midnight’s porch beside Colt, close enough but not too close, he glances over his shoulder into the darkness before resting his weight on one leg and his hip against the rail. “[say]Y’want another shot? Or talk? Or jus’ sit in silence? I’m good at all three.[/say]” He offers her gently, giving her option sin a way that allowed her to choose without having to put a face on for him if she didn’t want to.
RE: Kick the dust up - Colt - 05-05-2025
The doors open again after a time, a dull roar of the house slipping free before they close again. The familiar sashay of Thorn's fringed stride settles with her in the dark as he leans into the quiet for a minute. The memory disperses into winking stars and Colt blinks, glancing up at the rhinestone angel and his halo of smoke. She smiles out of habit rather than feeling, and though she's grateful for the offer he wields like a deck of cards, she doesn't answer him at first. She leans forward though, arms pressing along her legs, wrists limp over her knee with shot in hand like an anchor as she stares back into the distance.
[say]"Y'know. We spend all this time as kids wanting to grow up, to do everything we're told we can't. Then, as soon as we grow up, we sit around and remember all the times we were kids and wish we could have it back."[/say] She frowns, sighing. [say]"Wish it wasn't so hard to just be happy."[/say] She flicks her gaze back to him, a quiet question if he agrees or if she's just making her own problems again.
She squints then, assessing him. [say]"Say, how old are you?"[/say] She traces the lines of him, estimating him to be younger than her, but he's definitely smarter than someone still in their teens. He seemed to carry some history with him, not so carefree and unburdened as the idiot kids.
RE: Kick the dust up - Hawthorn - 05-07-2025
She smiles at him. But it isn’t a genuine smile. It isn’t a smile that says she’s completely fine and that she did in fact just need air. It’s a smile that’s practiced, smooth, placed there out of habit so she doesn’t have to worry anyone. The billboard of Colt’s fine. Don’t worry about it. But Thorn reads through those masks better than others, and he remains leaning against the railing as she lets silence overcome them briefly before her voice fills the cool open air of the night.
“[say]Yeah.[/say]” Thorn says immediately, sighing a cloud of smoke and leaning back on an elbow against the railing, stretching one leg out, the tassles waving idly in the wind. “[say]I miss how freein’ it was bein’ a kid. Don’t miss the place or the people, though. S’why I got out.[/say]” He says simply, flashing her an easier smile as he cranes a little to flick the ash from the cigarette into an ash tray further down along the railing.
As for how old he was, though? The low smoky chuckle leaves him as his seafoam gaze glitters with honesty when he answers. “[say]Twenty-four. Twenty-five, this Deepfrost. Why?[/say]” His head tilts, wondering why it mattered - though associating it further with the idea of being a kid again. He wasn't a kid, but he also was still young. And with plenty of experiences up his belt to back it up. He'd grown up young.