I don't want to steal your freedom
you don't have to change your mind
The room may spin for her, but Harper has only grown more sober since sitting at her table, and his strength is hers to rely upon even if he were far more inebriated. Drunkenness has hardly ever robbed him of his balance, which is a boon considering what she asks him to do for her.
Grinning unrepentantly as she affects a dismissive role, Harper swaggers after her on long legs, shrouding her like a bodyguard. If anyone sought to watch her leave with their prying eyes and whispering tongues, they would only find Harper's broad back and the faint motion of Maea's skirts around his legs. How unfortunate.
When the world shuts out behind them with quite impressive sound proofing, the plentiful mirrors betray Maea's wilting, and Harper simply can't have that. Squeezing her hand in reassurance, Harper instinctively leans down to press a kiss to the top of her shoulder and only catches himself midway, lifting her hand instead to kiss the back of it. "Go have a seat, I'll make some room," he commands with the same upbeat tone from before, intending to give her direction while making it clear the energy doesn't need to change. Releasing her, Harper flings pillows and linens haphazardly until there's plenty of room to entertain and delight in the center. He makes no grand show of removing his shirt, boots, and socks - they're a necessary change, but there's no sense in giving the wrong impression.
Clapping his hands smartly when he comes to stand before her again, Harper grins brightly. "Welcome to the one-man show! Now there's no music or good items to juggle, or even a tightrope, so we're starting with acrobatics since it'll be the least impressive." Winking, Harper wastes no time in easily falling forward onto his palms and into a rock steady handstand. Making a noise of realization, Harper walks in a small circle on his hands to see her instead of showing her the play of muscles in his back flexing and contorting to keep him upright. Dark curls pulled toward the floor, Harper's grin is easy and relaxed, unbothered by his current state. "I knew training this every day would come in handy," he huffs, voice slightly thin with focus and the need to tense his muscles. Legs dropping open instead of neatly aligned, he slowly lifts one hand off the floor until he's held with just one palm to the floor. "Care to hand me something palm-sized?" He would need to make the show of strength more interesting given he couldn't exactly do backflips and aerial cartwheels in a room like this.
Grinning unrepentantly as she affects a dismissive role, Harper swaggers after her on long legs, shrouding her like a bodyguard. If anyone sought to watch her leave with their prying eyes and whispering tongues, they would only find Harper's broad back and the faint motion of Maea's skirts around his legs. How unfortunate.
When the world shuts out behind them with quite impressive sound proofing, the plentiful mirrors betray Maea's wilting, and Harper simply can't have that. Squeezing her hand in reassurance, Harper instinctively leans down to press a kiss to the top of her shoulder and only catches himself midway, lifting her hand instead to kiss the back of it. "Go have a seat, I'll make some room," he commands with the same upbeat tone from before, intending to give her direction while making it clear the energy doesn't need to change. Releasing her, Harper flings pillows and linens haphazardly until there's plenty of room to entertain and delight in the center. He makes no grand show of removing his shirt, boots, and socks - they're a necessary change, but there's no sense in giving the wrong impression.
Clapping his hands smartly when he comes to stand before her again, Harper grins brightly. "Welcome to the one-man show! Now there's no music or good items to juggle, or even a tightrope, so we're starting with acrobatics since it'll be the least impressive." Winking, Harper wastes no time in easily falling forward onto his palms and into a rock steady handstand. Making a noise of realization, Harper walks in a small circle on his hands to see her instead of showing her the play of muscles in his back flexing and contorting to keep him upright. Dark curls pulled toward the floor, Harper's grin is easy and relaxed, unbothered by his current state. "I knew training this every day would come in handy," he huffs, voice slightly thin with focus and the need to tense his muscles. Legs dropping open instead of neatly aligned, he slowly lifts one hand off the floor until he's held with just one palm to the floor. "Care to hand me something palm-sized?" He would need to make the show of strength more interesting given he couldn't exactly do backflips and aerial cartwheels in a room like this.
I just want to make you love me
so please let me take my time
HARPER
