Sway With Me (Dusty)

[Dusty Fae]

Dusty were awful glad that Arkady didn’t think she were stupid. Well, maybe he did, but ‘e didn’t say it and that were good ‘cause Dusty really didn’t wanna be called stupid. She weren’t stupid, though sometimes she thought that other people thought she were stupid ‘cause o’ the way she talked, but she weren’t. She could do ‘rithmetic real well, and recite all kinds o’ poetry and things. School here were a lot diff’rent than back home, but she could do the work. She night not a been the most educated person yah ever met, but she knew important things.

But she were pleasantly surprised when Arkady said that he wanted to. She beamed up at ‘im, then giggled at the theatrics. “Momma won’t mind,” she reassured ‘im. She were pretty sure that Momma would understand ‘cause she were pretty understandin’. “But yes, I, Dusty Fae, will be your girlfriend.”

Sayin’ that felt kinda funny, but probably back home she woulda said she’s be ‘is girl, not girlfriend. But they were essentially the same. It was the same kinda idea, but here she wouldn’t need ta be chaperoned or nothin’ like that. And it were kinda excitin’. Like she were rebellin’ a bit, which she always secretly wanted ta do, but never could.

This whole thing were awful excitin’! She’d never been someone’s girl before. But she were pretty sure she were gonna like this. Well, she hoped so anyways.

[Deleted]

Arkady smiled as bright as he could at her answer, it almost hurt to do so, to hold such a false expression with such sincerity. “Well, then, I guess it’s official.” Bringing her hands up to his lips he kissed her knuckles, that mischievous expression returning as he slowly lowered them.

“And now that we’ve got that straight, I just have one final lesson for tonight,” he said. He didn’t go turn on the stereo again, nor did he try to maneuver them back into their original dance pose. Instead he barely gave her time for those words to register before dropping one of her hands and twirling her away from him with the other. When both their arms were fully extended he pulled her quickly back in and dipped her back over his arm, kissing her again, though this time only briefly. Setting her back on her feet, he continued to grin wickedly.

Every once in a while Arkady let himself have a moment where he just let loose, no worries, no cares, no thoughts. At these times he forgot about his lost heritage, his parent’s betrayal, his anger and his resentment; he didn’t think about how he treated people, or his goals in life. It was very rare, but in those moments he was free to just... be.

Unfortunately they never lasted long.

“That concludes our lesson. I thank you for the dance.”

[Dusty Fae]

It was official! It was official! They were dating! She was Arkady’s girlfriend! This were really happening! By gum! She didn’t know of a time when she’d been happier! She giggled when ‘e kissed ‘er knuckles. It was so silly and theatrical, but so nice and intimate and perfect. It really were perfect.

One more lesson? Dusty were curious as ta what that lesson were, but she didn’t have much time ta think about it as suddenly she were bein’ twisted away and then pulled in and dipped. And then ‘e kissed ‘er again, though it were short. And she were back on ‘er feet afore she knew what were going on. Well, that had been fun! She’d always wanted ta be dipped like that, and then kissed o’ course. It wouldn’t be the same without the kiss.

And the dancin’ lesson were over, just like that. She grinned back at Arkady, though hers weren’t quite so mischievous. She curtseyed, all proper like ‘casue that’s what she felt the moment needed. “Thank you for the lesson,” she said, attemptin’ ta keep a serious expression on ‘er face. “It was very instructional.” Then she broke into a smile, ‘cause she couldn’t help it. “Told yah you’d be a good teacher.”

[Deleted]

When Dusty curtsied to him, all proper like, Arkady followed suit by bowing in return. “The pleasure was all mine,” he said, though he was certain that wasn’t true. She had taken much more joy in this evening than he had considering all the conflicting emotions and complications it had introduced. He couldn’t say he honestly hadn’t enjoyed himself, but that was part of the problem. He wasn’t supposed to be genuinely having fun, if he really knew what it meant to have fun anymore. He let his anger and resentment at his parents and his station in life, and his jealousy of all those of higher station, consume him. There was little room for fun left.

Straightening back up again, he reclaimed Dusty’s hand, threading their fingers together. “Yeah, well,” he shrugged one shoulder modestly. “I knew you’d be a good student... though I think you could still use a few more lessons.” Now it was his turn to grin. Sure, she could have taken the words as an insult, but he hoped she took them how they were meant, just an excuse to have more nights like this. “If you think you’re up for it.”

They were suppose to go to the movies on Friday, and he had to work tomorrow night, unfortunately, but he was pretty sure they could find time to squeeze in another lesson or two.

[Dusty Fae]

Dusty tried awful hard not ta giggle when Arkady bowed to ‘er, all proper like. She weren’t sure that the pleasure were all his. She’d had a lotta fun too. But she weren’t gonna say anythin’ fer now. Mostly ‘cause Arkady were holdin’ ‘er hand and ‘er heart started beatin’ faster again and the only thing she could do was smile at ‘im. This were real nice, just the holdin’ hands part. She could get used ta this real fast.

Dusty’s smile turned into a mischievous grin though at Arkady’s suggestion ta have more lessons. That would be a lot o’ fun if’n it were anythin’ like this lesson had been. “Oh, well if’n yah think I need ta work on it, then I guess we better,” she replied, half serious and half not. The more she practiced the better she’d get, but it were way more fun practicin’ with Arkady. Especially now that they were datin’ and he were her boyfriend.

She still had detention for the resta the week and then they were goin’ to the movies on Friday. So maybe next week would be better. “Would next week sometime work?” she asked. There had ta be sometime next week that they could work in more lessons.

[Deleted]

Well, just look at that. Obviously she had the ability to be mischievous, what with the note passing and the sneaking out here for a secret rendezvous, but so far she’d hardly looked anything other that dazed, nervous or just plain sweet and happy. Arkady had to admit, that little grin was a good look for her.

“There’s always room for improvement, right? Besides... this was only the waltz,” he replied, his eyes widening just a little bit the only indication that he was about to do something spontaneous. Already having one of her hands in his grip, he suddenly pulled Dusty against him, his other arm snaking around her waist as he stretched their entwined hands out to the side. “Just wait until I teach you the tango.”

That one he certainly hadn’t learned from his mother, but there had been a really sweet ‘lady’ down the block that had shown him all the moves. For free. Mostly.

Feeling a hint of disappointment that she was putting off another lesson until next week, Arkady covered it with a look of contemplation. “I work a few days but I think I can squeeze you in.” To emphasize his words he tightened the arm around her just slightly, squeezing her gently. This was probably a good thing. They had their date coming up anyway, so it was probably better they don’t see each other much in between, let her get all worked up for the date.

Not to mention giving himself a little time to breathe and recover his wits completely.

[Dusty Fae]

There was more than the waltz? Arkady wanted ta teach ‘er more than the waltz? Well, weren’t that just fine and dandy! She were positively thrilled ta bits! Honest, she loved dancin’ with Arkady. It were like bein’ on another planet or a cloud or somethin’. This had ta be what it felt like ta fly.

Dusty were awful surprised when Arkady pulled ‘er back in and she let out a surprised laugh. “The tango? I don’t know if’n I know that one. I hope it ain’t hard. But I guess even if it is, you’ll be a good teacher.” She had faith in ‘im, though she weren’t sure how she’d concentrate what him bein’ so close and all. But she were quite sure she’d manage somehow. Well, she hoped so anyway.

She giggled when ‘e squeezed ‘er. “Well, I’m awful glad about that,” she told ‘im with a smile. She brought her free hand up and brushed a strand of hair away from ‘is face. It was blockin’ those blue eyes o’ his, and no one would want that. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

[Deleted]

“I don’t know if I would say it’s harder,” Arkady replied a little quicker than necessary, but it was better than thinking about how her laugh made him want to smile. “the waltz is pretty traditional and safe, but the tango... the tango is dangerous. It’s bold, sexy, and also pretty liberating.”

Leaning in just a little, ignoring the unruly hair that fell over his eyes, he gave Dusty a look somewhere between mischievous and suggestive. “It’s probably not one you want to show your mama when you visit.”

Pulling back just that slight bit again when she moved her hand up to his hair, he followed the movement with his eyes and for a brief moment a troubled look crossed his features. She just sounded so damn sincere, so unquestionably happy. It was not a feeling he usually caused in others. Normally he made people miserable; they never encouraged him, never praised him; he gave them no reason to. This role he was playing, with Dusty... it was everything everyone wanted him to be.

Swallowing down all the emotions this realisation caused, Arkady leaned in to kiss her again rather than explain his suddenly serious expression.

[Dusty Fae]

Dusty weren’t sure what to make of a dance that were dangerous. She could deal with safe and traditional like the waltz. That were the kinda traditional she were used to. But dangerous she weren’t sure about and she bit ‘er lower lip. She were also real certain she could never be sexy. But she trusted Arkady, so maybe it would be alright.

She raised ‘er eyebrows at ‘im when ‘e leaned in. “I’m sure she’s seen worse,” she told ‘im accompanied with a mischievous grin. “My momma ain’t any normal momma.” And that were fer sure. Most people weren’t raised by single Saloon Girls. Her momma woulda seen way worse than any tango.

She were a bit concerned though when Arkady looked troubled. She rested ‘er free hand on ‘is cheek, ‘er thumb brushin’ ‘is cheek gently. She wanted ta ask what the matter was, but then ‘e leaned in and kissed ‘er. Which she didn’t mind at all, but he couldn’t just kiss ‘er ta forget about ‘is problems.

She broke the kiss this time, pulling back and looking back up at ‘im. “Yah cain’t kiss away yer problems,” she said softly. “What’s wrong?” She brushed ‘er thumb against ‘is cheek where her hand hadn’t moved. “You can tell me.”

[Deleted]

Her mother wasn’t a normal one? Arkady had no idea what that was supposed to mean, but he passed it off as a joke considering the way she was grinning at him. She was probably just playing off his earlier comment about not wanting to have to write her mother to date her. She probably thought he was scared which, honestly, wasn’t completely false. The idea of meeting any girl’s mother was so far off the table for him he didn’t even want to consider it.

Apparently he had bigger things to worry about.

His little distraction didn’t have the desired effect; in fact, she seemed even more interested in whatever was wrong with him. More than that, she seemed concerned. Arkady couldn’t help but chuckle wryly. She was the one person he really couldn’t tell. If she knew what this all was, if she knew who he really was, she would despise him.

Maybe he should just tell her.

It was a fleeting thought, one he quickly ignored. What would that accomplish? All the bad backlash and nothing good in return. No, he was sticking this out, he just needed a good lie. He could always say he had been thinking about his mother, that they had problems, but that was a good line to use another night. Get more comfortable first before he started laying on the whole ‘wounded soul’ schtick. So that left one option that he could see on short notice: the disgustingly sweet, hopeless romantic schtick.

“It’s just that...” he started, averting his eyes and leaning into her touch slightly. “It’s getting late.”

For a moment he paused, as if he was going to leave it at that, but then one more word past his lips. “and...”

Taking a long breath, he let it out slowly and closed his eyes. He was sure to deserve an award for this performance. “...I don’t want this night to end.”

It was cliché, but often cliché did the trick, and boy was it a lie. He wanted nothing more than for this night to end. He needed to get away from her and clear his head. He just needed a good night’s sleep to put everything back in perspective. All would be well tomorrow.

Finally drawing his eyes back to her, he did so with his head still partially turned as if afraid to look at her. “I’m not sure how to feel about that.”

[Dusty Fae]

Dusty weren’t jokin’ ‘bout ‘er momma. Her momma really weren’t like any other momma she’d ever met. If only Arkady knew that she meant ‘er momma worked in a Saloon and were a ‘good time gal’ as they were sometimes called. But what ‘e didn’t know wouldn’t hurt ‘im. She might tell ‘im eventually, but not just yet.

Dusty were a little dissatisfied with Arkady’s answer. It were gettin’ late, sure, but that didn’t seem like a good enough reason ta be all upset lookin’ and whatnot. There had ta been more than that. Right? Yes, o’ course that were right. What else could it be? Maybe Arkady just didn’t wanna elaborate on ‘is feelins and she wouldn’t blame ‘im too much. They didn’t really know each other all that well yet.

She were tryin’ ta decide what ta say when Arkady spoke again. Then she waited patiently. He’d say what ‘e had ta say if she gave ‘im enough time ta say it. Momma’d always said yah had ta be patient when it came ta men. They did things on their own time and if’n yah wanted somethin’ good ta come of it then yah had ta wait until they were good and ready.

And then Arkady said what ‘e needed ta say and that were onea the most romantic things she ever heard. She smiled softly at ‘im. She didn’t want this night ta end either. Honest. She loved feelin’ close ta someone other’n ‘er momma. And she liked when ‘e kissed ‘er.

She watched as ‘e timidly met ‘er gaze again. He didn’t know how ‘e felt about that. Well that were just fine. Dusty’s emotions were all over the place too. “It’s alright,” she whispered, leaning in a little, ‘er hand still restin’ on ‘is cheek. “I reckon that’s normal.”

She should probably disentangle ‘erself, she thought. But she didn’t want to. She liked the warmth of Arkady’s arm ‘round her waist and the feel o’ his hand entangled with hers. She sighed quietly. “We should probably go, huh?” The question were out there, though Dusty made no move ta act on it. It were probably fer the best if’n they left afore someone found them and they got in trouble.

[Deleted]

Hook, line and sinker. He could practically see Dusty’s heart melt at the words. Normal, though? None of this was normal, this whole plan wasn’t normal, how he was feeling right now wasn’t normal. He wasn’t supposed to feel guilt for exacting revenge or for trying to better his situation, for going after what was rightfully his, what he deserved. And that was only the feeling he cared to identify.

“It doesn’t feel normal,” he admitted, forcing one side of his mouth up into a lopsided grin. “But then I’ve never really been normal.” She wasn’t taking the cue, though. She didn’t want to leave; she honestly didn’t want this night to end. It was a victory for sure, but somehow it felt hollow.

“We probably should,” Arkady agreed that they should go, but he made no move to do so either. Instead he brought their entwined hands up between them and kissed the back of hers. “You should probably go first. I’ll just clean up here and be right behind you.”

Maybe he should suggest lunch the next day, but then absence was supposed to make the heart grow fonder, right? She could have until their date Friday to think about him and miss him and for her heart to grow fonder of him, and he would have the same time to remember what he was doing and think less fondly of her. At least he hoped it worked that way.

[Dusty Fae]

Dusty were fallin’ hook, line and sinker. Not that she knew that o’ course. She thought Arkady were bein’ genuine. That was how things were done back home, and it were probably real naïve ta think that people here were as honest as she’d like ta think they were.

But when it came ta bein’ normal, Dusty could honestly say she’d never been that. Really, when all the other girls yer age were more worried ‘bout findin’ someone respectable ta marry, it weren’t normal that she wanted ta be a cowgirl. “Well that’s alright. I ain’t exactly normal either.”

Even Arkady agreed that they should go, but it didn’t look like he wanted ta go either. And they would leave like they’d come in: separately. But just then a thought occurred ta Dusty and she grinned a little mischievously.

“I’ll go first if yah think I should.” She paused for a second. “But yah gotta kiss me goodnight. It’s a rule.” She nodded once ta back up ‘er story, though honest, she made that rule up.

[Deleted]

She wasn’t normal either? Well, he certainly couldn’t argue that. No normal girl he had ever known carried loaded guns to parties or knives in their boots. They didn’t speak with such a ridiculous accent, nor where they somehow both shy and outgoing. Normal girls were a dime a dozen, their faces and names all ran together in his memory. None of them really made him look twice, none of them got under his skin. No normal girl managed to hold his interest for any length of time once the beautiful veneer wore off and he saw the same old boring personality beneath.

No, Dusty certainly wasn’t a normal girl.

Just when Arkady thought he had her figured out, she managed to surprise him. He thought she would sulk about not wanting to go, or try to stay longer, but not only did she accept it, but she did so with a cheeky little response. Had to give her credit for that, and the chuckle he let out he didn’t have to fake.

“Oh, well, I wouldn’t want to break any rules,” he replied, grinning widely considering how many he had broken to just be here tonight. “But if it is to be our last for the night, we better make it a good one.”

Keeping his one hand on her back, he released her hand and cupped her cheek instead, his blue eyes gazing deeply into hers. “Good night,” he said, barely above a whisper. Closing his eyes he pulled her to him, leaning in to meet her half way, lips barely brushing hers at first before capturing them fully, really making it count.

[Dusty Fae]

He chuckled at ‘er and Dusty found that she liked ‘is laugh and she liked main’ laugh even when she weren’t tryin’ to. It made ‘er feel good, which were silly, but that were how it felt. She were happy and she giggled when Arkady said that ‘bout the rule breakin’. They’d both already broken rule already.

She hoped this kiss would be a good one. Though none of ‘em had been bad or anythin’ like that. But this one…this was sounded like it were gonna be better’n the others.

So when ‘e cupped ‘er face and gazed into ‘er eyes like that she couldn’t breathe again. She leaned in when ‘e pulled ‘er close. And then she closed ‘er eyes and she were pretty sure she were seein’ fireworks, just like on Independence Day, when ‘e kissed ‘er.

And she kissed Arkady until she needed ta pull away so she could breathe. Then she looked up at ‘im, smilin’. Just smilin’. Then ‘er brain caught back up to ‘er and Dusty pulled away completely and turned, heading towards the door, stoppin’ ta grab ‘er bag. Then she stopped in the doorway and looked back at Arkady. “Night,” she whispered, then slipped out and away.