twice is a decision

There is no such thing as a bad idea.

Having been properly turned down by a few women recently, Ace was feeling a little down on his luck. So, he did what he always did: he got back up on the horse. 

The night life of the Greatwood wasn't anything compared to Torchline, but what was a man to do when out on business? He'd be back at the Haulanani in a few days, and until then, he'd have to make do with the quieter bars (and quieter people) that were scattered throughout the Bodega. 

Ace was already on his third drink of the night, and his second bar. The first had been full of couples and old drunks, no one that got his heart racing. The second had proven more promising with a gathering of younger travelers that drank and danced throughout the room to a jaunty tune that someone played in the corner. Laughter and lingering smoke warmed the atmosphere, an overall jovial mood that immediate told him he'd found the place where people might consider bad decisions. 

His leather jacket opened to show his half unbuttoned dark blue shirt, a tan chest peeking out from the top. Leaning against a high-top table, cold beer in hand, he surveyed the room, a lazy grin spread across his face as he looked for something to assuage his boredom.

Only Poorly Executed Awesome Ones.

Ace

Wake me up, I've been asleep for too long
Caught in a dream, time goes on and on

There wasn't much nightlife in the Greatwood, and in all honesty, Soh hadn't really missed it. She'd occupied her time with much better activities, in her opinion, such as hunting for roses and getting lunch with friends and stargazing. Dancing and drinking were not typically high on her list of priorities, and so perhaps it was a bit of a surprise to find herself stepping into one of the few bars in the forest and making a beeline for the bartender. It had been a long day of rose hunting, and she'd come up empty again. Even if she had a quest from Vi to get one, that didn't mean she was going to stop looking. They could, after all, use all the help they could get.

Ordering a tequila sunrise, Sohalia turned to lean against the bar, tilting her head back in exhaustion. Her golden waves spilled over her back, a cascade of brilliance against an otherwise dull bar. Her dress was modest, but still pretty: knee-length with a flowing skirt and a tight bodice in a brilliant blue that made her eyes shimmer even in the dark. Yes, she thought to herself. A night of dancing will be perfect. And rejuvenating, and a distraction, and all the things that she so desperately needed.

Maybe I shouldn't be speaking too soon
Maybe I shouldn't believe in you

Sohalia

There is no such thing as a bad idea.

Well well well. What do we have here? Ace was immediately able to spot the blonde despite the crowd of people in the bar. Boredom was very quickly thrown out the window, his back straightening in anticipation, plots already stirring in his mind. How could he not when she was tempting him with that dress? All curves and baby blues that made his mouth water. Seduction on legs.

She'd been reluctant during their last meeting, but until he heard a 'no' (or a few), Ace wouldn't be discouraged. After all, he could be very persuasive. It's evident in the confidence with which he approached the bar, all cool swagger and intentions, a walking silver tongue. 

Not wanting to startle her, he leaned against the bar top, just within reach but far enough not to pressure too much. When she finally deigned to notice him, Ace would give her a charming, lopsided grin. He tilted his head like he might speak, but brushed gently against the Attuned bond instead, his voice 'proper' and 'chivalrous' despite the deep tone. You look like someone who needs a dance partner. May I offer my services? Setting down his beer, he lifted an open palm for her to take, a raise of his eyebrow in question. With a playful spark in his blue eyes, he added, I promise I won't step on your toes.

Only Poorly Executed Awesome Ones.

Ace

Wake me up, I've been asleep for too long
Caught in a dream, time goes on and on

The tequila sunrise was delivered quickly, and when Soh took a sip, she was transported back to a simpler time. She closed her eyes for a moment, reveling in memories that flashed by too fast to count. When she opened them, it was to find a familiar figure standing next to her - but not, perhaps, the one she was pining for.

Ace leaned against the bartop, leather jacket open to reveal a half-unbuttoned shirt. Soh's gaze flickered down over a tanned chest before jumping back to her fellow Attuned's face. He was just as attractive as ever, and wearing a charming grin that she recognized from that first night - and his mental voice brushing against her consciousness sent a shiver up her spine. She shouldn't - really, really shouldn't - but what would a dance hurt? She didn't have to sleep with him again.

She held all the power, and that thought made her bold enough to take a healthy sip of her drink, set it down on the bartop, and take the offered hand. You'd better not, she teased playfully. Then she pushed off the bar and tugged Ace out onto the dance floor.

Maybe I shouldn't be speaking too soon
Maybe I shouldn't believe in you

Sohalia

There is no such thing as a bad idea.

As she took a quick sip of her drink, a smirk was already spreading across his face. In his opinion, the hard part was over. It was just a slippery slope of desire from here. Letting her grab his hand, he followed her to the dance floor, because the more she thought she was in control, the better. 

Some might be surprised to learn that Ace is a very good dancer, but it really shouldn't, because what is it really except a seductive foreplay set to music?

The moment they were within the throng of people, he pulled her closer to him, not flush, but close enough for his other hand to wrap around her waist. As if in explanation for his 'innocent' actions, Ace gave her a dimpled smile. It's easy to get bumped around in here. People get too bold, so stay close. In other words: the men get gropey, but I don't want anyone groping you but me. Yet he didn't make a move quite yet, letting the melody of the music guide him as he guided her through the dance. It wasn't too fast or too slow, just a swinging rotation of rocking and spinning to get them warmed up.

Only Poorly Executed Awesome Ones.

Ace

Wake me up, I've been asleep for too long
Caught in a dream, time goes on and on

Soh wove through the throng, finding a spot large enough for the pair of them before letting go of Ace's hand. Was this a terrible idea? Probably. Could she find it in herself to care?

A little bit, actually. Something in the back of her mind warned her not to let things go too far.

But a little dancing, she told herself, was innocent enough. Plenty of people went dancing, and it wasn't like she was spoken for. Koa, after all, had made it very clear where she stood with him. Jude was a long way in the past, and she wasn't sure she'd ever be able to mend that particular bridge in quite the same way she seemed to be doing with Koa. And Ace... well, even without anyone else in the picture, Flora's warnings rang out in the back of her mind. Soh wasn't sure she wanted to get involved with Ace.

But as he pulled her close enough to wrap a hand possessively around her waist, she leveled a challenging look at him as she started to sway to the beat. You seem to be familiar with the place, she said. Come here often, do you?

Maybe I shouldn't be speaking too soon
Maybe I shouldn't believe in you

Sohalia

There is no such thing as a bad idea.

'Possessive' was a little strong considering how it rested comfortably at her waist, present but just light enough to tempt her. He let out a low, audible chuckle at her accusing question, an easy smile playing across his lips as he moved them. Here? No, but most bars are the same. Shrugging his shoulders, he leaned a little closer like he was sharing a secret with her. Although you're the prettiest woman I've ever seen in one.

Ace straightened before she could become overwhelmed or offended by his proximity, letting the music fill any silence that may arise. It wasn't until the song started to reach its peak that he broke through again, a gleam in his blue eyes. I missed seeing your dress the other night, although I don't know how it could possibly compare to this one. He clasped her hand to guide her in a spin that would send her dress flaring, just to show her off to the room, to give her a boost of confidence in his words.

Only Poorly Executed Awesome Ones.

Ace

Wake me up, I've been asleep for too long
Caught in a dream, time goes on and on

Ace leaned in, but only for a moment - just long enough for her to tense slightly beneath the hand resting idly at her waist. He was laying it on a little thick, she thought - she was hardly the prettiest woman to be found in Caido, and though she was aware enough of her appearance to know that she looked good, she was also not vain enough to think it was particularly exceptional. Still, she smiled a little at the praise. Whether or not it was true, it was a nice thing to say, and a boost for her confidence.

The music continued on, building slowly, and Soh continued to move with the rhythm. She wasn’t a particularly experienced dancer, but what she made up for in experience, she made up for with a certain grace that came naturally to her. She glanced up at Ace as his Attuned voice broke into her thoughts again. Oh, what a shame, she teased. I think that one was my favorite, but this one’s a close second. Then he spun her, her skirt flaring out, and she laughed at the sensation. If this was all the evening entailed, then surely she could let her guard down a little, relax into his company, and have fun. Right?

Maybe I shouldn't be speaking too soon
Maybe I shouldn't believe in you

Sohalia

There is no such thing as a bad idea.

His eyes sparkled at her teasing tone, enjoying how she tried to play with him. It was better than her acting all shy. Latching onto the moment, he let a deep hum resonate through the bond. Hmm. I can't even imagine. I'm sure you had all the boys tripping over each other to get to you. 'Boys,' not men, because he was on a different level than them, and he wouldn't let her think he was just the same as the rest of them. 

Ace watched as Soh spun, a grin on his face that was outwardly innocent, hiding a hunger beneath. He pulled her back in to guide her in a dip as he said, You have a beautiful laugh. His tone spoke of sweetness and compliments, of light enjoyment and appreciation. He'd played these games before - knew how to whittle them down with compliments and subtle seduction - but he always liked the thrill of the chase.

Only Poorly Executed Awesome Ones.

Ace

Wake me up, I've been asleep for too long
Caught in a dream, time goes on and on

Soh thought back to her time with Flora. They’d danced more with each other than with boys, but they’d had their share of dance partners by the time the evening was through. Maybe one or two, she admitted with a quick grin. Not that they’d been even close to the dancer that Ace was; even if she was still a little wary, she had to admit that he was skilled, and that made the experience all the more fun.

She spun and returned to Ace only to be guided into a dip. Flustered by the compliment, she met his gaze from where he held her, suspended, for a moment. Thank you, she said, her mental voice making it clear that she was flattered. As compliments went, it was a good one; not focused solely on her appearance, but on something unique about her. Relaxing further, Soh reached up to place an arm loosely over Ace’s shoulder as she continued to move to the rhythm of the music, inadvertently bringing herself closer to him in the process. You’re a wonderful dancer. How’d you learn?

Maybe I shouldn't be speaking too soon
Maybe I shouldn't believe in you

Sohalia

There is no such thing as a bad idea.

Ace chuckled through the bond, low and playful. I find it hard to believe it wasn't a mob. But as she returned to his arms, closer than before, his pride flared, certain that none of them stood a chance with her. He didn't comment on the arm that reached around his neck, his hand having moved barely lower toward her hips as he smiled. You're welcome.

Her question surprised him, but Ace didn't shy away, even if his answer was vague. Lots of watching and learning growing up. Hours upon hours spent in bars and pubs throughout Torchline, hiding under tables and in corners as he snatched food, drink, and coin from under people's noses. But he kept that to himself, grinning with confidence as he spun them a little faster through a bridge in the music. And a little bit of natural talent. Although the glint in his eyes implied more than a 'little bit.' 

Looking around the room, he let the music guide them across the floor. It helps to have a stunning partner though. Then nobody's really watching me. The last part was whispered like a secret through the bond, encouraging her to see the eyes that caught on her, the way they envied her grace, the easy way she moved to the beat.

Only Poorly Executed Awesome Ones.

Ace

Wake me up, I've been asleep for too long
Caught in a dream, time goes on and on

And what else are you naturally talented at? Soh wondered, quirking a brow at him playfully, tilting her head with a coy little smile on her face. Now that she was relaxing, she was actually having a good time - but that had been her problem last time, too. Now that she'd been warned about Ace, it was at least easier to keep herself from starting to fall for him - or, as Flora liked to put it, 'catch feelings' for him. But that didn't mean that it stopped the attraction that had drawn her to him in the first place.

No, despite the little voice continually whispering that this wasn't who she really wanted to be dancing with in the back of her mind, a much louder voice petulantly declared that her preferred partner had made it abundantly clear that friendship was all he wanted.

Ace, on the other hand...

Soh glanced around the room, noting at least a few eyes on her. This wasn't the first time that someone had encouraged her to see that there were plenty of people in the world who would want her, and yet she found herself just as flustered this time, too. She wasn't sure how to feel about people watching, hungry to either have her or to be her, so she turned it around on Ace. I think you have your fair share of admirers, too.

Maybe I shouldn't be speaking too soon
Maybe I shouldn't believe in you

Sohalia

There is no such thing as a bad idea.

An audible laugh escaped, resonating down the bond while drawing the attention of nearby spectators who were trying to figure out the reason. He matched her smile with a playful grin of his own, a glint in his eyes full of subtle suggestion. Other than racing? Nothing that should be said here. Even just between us. The last part was a more intimate whisper, like a brush against her ear, a secret just for them. He knew no one would hear them through the bond, but thought she might not appreciate the deep blush that would spread across her cheeks - or the fact that his non-sexual talents involved drugs and racing.

Ace pretended to take count of the different people and who might be eyeing who, a low hum of consideration filtering between them. Mmmm. Perhaps. But I don't look as good in a dress. When he turned to look at Soh again, he had another teasing grin on his face, confident that they were both turning heads, not that he cared. Instead, he led her into another twirl as the music picked up, watching her dress flare once more before bringing her close again, his hand moving ever so slightly lower.

Only Poorly Executed Awesome Ones.

Ace

Wake me up, I've been asleep for too long
Caught in a dream, time goes on and on

She managed to make him laugh, and at the sound, she flashed a brilliant - dare we say even flirtatious - smile in his direction. Matching his playfulness, she stepped a hair closer in their dance. Color me intrigued, she said, her own mental voice soft, almost a purr, as she fell into the same trap he'd laid for her before: trying to match him in charm and wit, when in the end she would be the one who lost out - or won, depending on the way one looked at the outcome.

The music picked up, and Ace led her into another twirl that she followed effortlessly, her dress flaring again to a height that was almost scandalous. When she rejoined her dance partner, his hand was ever so slightly lower than before - not enough to quite set off the alarm bells waiting in the back of her mind, but enough that she noticed. Almost as if in challenge, Soh stepped even closer - close enough now that she brushed against him just slightly with each movement, setting off a tantalizing symphony of sensation across her skin.

Maybe I shouldn't be speaking too soon
Maybe I shouldn't believe in you

Sohalia