chaos_magnet | This crew depends on me...

[ James also prefers privacy, never having been one for exhibitionism. It's at least one reason to avoid the place to thus avoid the risk of involuntarily publicly displaying himself. And his, ahem, affections.

Coffee eyes dart to the touch, and without realizing it, he's licked his lips. James looks back up at Bela, head still lightly downturned, and he gives her a belated, albeit impish smirk. He nods once and adds his drink to hers. Using the proximity opportunely, he stamps a kiss on Bela's cheek and reaches for the hand that touched his wrist. ]

You mentioned dancing...?

[ He's saying a lot without actually speaking. Between the lick of his lips and the smirk, Bela gets the impression that he's on board. She's holding her breath when he leans in to kiss her cheek, remembering when he did it before, after their trip to the library. After clearing her throat, she glances down at their joined hands before nodding. ]

I did, yes. I'm used to a more formal setting, but I'm sure we'll work it out between us.

[ Taking the lead, she guides them towards a free spot on the dance floor and reaches for his other hand, looking up at him with a smile. ]

[ A song that Holden is unfamiliar with conveniently beings to play, and as it seems like it will more or less be on the slower side, James mentally says 'fuck it' and decides to take a plunge of sorts and freely gives her both appendages. ]

Formal as in ballroom?

[ If Bela can lead, James can attempt to follow, seeing no reason to accommodate both of their dance styles. And it gives her an opportunity to show off. In the sexy little outfit. Against him. ]

[ The song is unfamiliar to her as well, but when in Rome. She wants to dance, so she's going to dance, and have fun with it. ]

Yes. I've been to numerous fancy parties.

[ Maybe she will teach him something new with her style, despite it being a while since she's done a thing like this. Before she does that though, she listens to the song to figure out what kind of moves would work. Then she slips her left arm around his back, moving in close against him and keeping her right hand where it was. ]

We can start with a step forward, then a step to the side with the right foot, then one back and repeat, starting with the left foot next time. [ Simple, right? ] You'll need to put your arm around me though.

[ He unfocused his gaze only for her explanation, seeing the moves in his head and nodding afterward with an air of determination. Though the closeness was evident, it still manages to make James react physically, lower abdomen muscles tightening before relaxing.

Even though he's doing as told, speaking through the motions, he can't help but tease. ] Do I need to do that?

[ He keeps the placement on Bela's lower back at a polite enough height, but the pressure is ever so slightly possessive. ]

You do. [ Bela replies firmly, though it's all for show as she is smiling a moment later. ] Once we've done a few more steps, you can give me a spin.

[ Her arm rests about half-way down his back, very aware of what moving it lower could mean. She's being respectful, though she isn't objecting to way he's holding onto her now – it's bold and it makes her skin tingle a little, but she likes it. ]

Just try not to let go, yeah?

[ A smirk. ]

I have no intention on letting you go tonight, Bela.

[ Maybe something is in the air, maybe something was in that drink? Maybe James just wants to replace shitty memories with more fulfilling ones, but regardless, he's said it and James gives her hand a squeeze for emphasis, unable to stop smiling. He's keeping his movements loose to follow hers, accommodating for their height difference along the way. He only forgets once, yet manages to not crush her toes. ]

Was the ballroom dancing part of the thief life? The better to blend in, or something else?

[ That was the right thing for him to say.

Bela practically beams at his words, the smile meeting her eyes as she squeezes his hand in return. She can't remember the last time when she allowed herself to be this carefree and to have fun. The more they dance, the more relaxed she becomes, quickly forgetting about having to be so formal with the steps. ]

Pretty much. It's easier to lift from a pocket when you're distracting people with a dance, able to get closer to them than usual. And, I had to blend in too. Look the part.

Disarm them with my charm.

[ He spins whenever it feels appropriate and tugs with slight earnest to bring her back. ]

And that smile.

[ Bela had a smile that could be charming or alluring, depending on their curvature, and he subconsciously looks at them now. When he realizes it, however, James doesn't remove his eyes at first, not until he asks -- ]

What was your success rate?

[ The song changes to something else, but Bela pays it no mind. She'd much rather focus on the person she is dancing with. After the spin, she laughs. ]

You've got a nice smile too.

[ There's plenty more compliments she could give. His smile is one thing she noticed not long after they met. Well, that and his eyes.

As for the question? It has Bela laughing again because firstly, no one has really asked her and secondly, it's something she hasn't thought about for a while. Stealing was like second nature to her now.]

Terrible, in the beginnning. With practice, I got better over time.

[ If James notices, it's only in the back of his head, as he's content with their pace. He knows that eventually he'll have to show Bela something as well, but eventually isn't now. ]

As it goes. I wasn't that great at hauling ice in the beginning, but it's probably a lot easier than stealing. Although, I could argue it's more dangerous. [ A beat, and Jim adds -- ] Wasn't so handy with a gun my first time, either, but you can't stay in the Navy if you don't get acquainted with such things.

It does sound more dangerous. I don't have to go into space to steal. [ Which isn't a dig, by the way. She's still as fascinated by the whole thing, just a little apprehensive about how vast and dark space was. ]

I had to take a few shooting lessons before I got confident in handling a firearm. [ No military training for her. ] It was the only way I could protect myself from, well - unsavoury characters.

[ Disgruntled clients, interfering hunters, to name a few. ]

You could, though. There are factions that ask for "special taxes" to pass through ports and other places.

[ James makes an indication that he means to dip her, and though it brings their heads closer together, he doesn't bridge the gap by way of a kiss. But he does wait to see the sort of reaction it draws out of her. ]

Maybe we could do target practice some time. Just to stay on top.

[ The dip means she has to hold onto him a little tighter, and Bela can't help a momentary glance at his lips when they're this close. She lets out an audible breath before looking at his face again.

Then he makes that suggestion so she does answer. ]

We could do that, yeah.

[ Maybe it was the closeness, the not quite kiss and the heat coming from his body, but she can't help herself when she speaks again, her tone playful. ]

In my experience, staying on top has its benefits.

[ Though it's effortless holding her so, James convinces himself to pull Bela up at last, deliberately bringing their mouths a breathswidth away before settling back into their dance positions. ]

Stealth and disguise; what else do you stay on top of, Bela Talbot?

[ It's fun, having this two-conversations-at-once game, and the flash in Holden's gaze conveys as much, coupled with the perpetual upward curl of lips his mouth keeps conforming to. ]

[ Oh, he's good.

Normally, she would be the one to tease and charm, but he's got her hooked. She'll do this dance (as well as the actual dancing) with him, keen to find out how it plays out. ]

Hm. Evading the long arm of the law so I don't get caught.

[ Bela would agree, and she's more than happy to keep it going for a while longer. It makes her smile, forgetting about any negative experiences she's been unfortunate to go through here. ]

I prefer to choose when to be placed in cuffs.

[ And there you have it, Miss Talbot. The mental image is conjures brings a faint pink hue to his cheeks, and he's trying to conceal his laugh, but it's only making him smile harder and sound like a wheezing snake. ]

Noted. I'll try remembering that if this place has me believing I'm an officer or turns me into a cowboy.

[ That pink hue in his cheeks signals a victory for her. She actually found something that made him blush, and apparently, almost choke on his laughter. Bela grins, looking absolutely pleased with herself. ]

You know, if you're into roleplay, you could've just said so. [ She might be trying to deepen that blush. ] But hm - maybe you'd suit the cowboy look. Plus, you know how to shoot.

There hasn't been a natural moment to approach such topics.

[ But knowing that there's mutual interest now. Well.

When a more upbeat song replaces the last, James know it's only a temporary save from Bela's directness. His hand leaves the small of her back and gives her hip a squeeze on the way past. ]

You mentioned wanting to see a twenty-fourth century dance style?

[ Given the opportunity, she'd be more than happy to discuss such topics with him. Wherever and whenever he pleased.

The song isn't familiar to Bela, though it's not unpleasant to her ears. She could probably move along to it in some way, but she may need a little guidance from her dance partner.

She does her best not to react to the squeeze of her hip, but it felt nice. ]

I did mention it, yes. Show me what you've got, James.

[ He clearly needs to add a glowstick to the routine, and Jim's only warning to Bela of what he's about to do is to point at said accessories before leaning down and taking one with this teeth. If his tongue overextended and caught a slip of a flesh, well surely that was just a miscalculation of depth perception?

James attempts to replicate the Belter moves Naomi demonstrated for the crew once, thinking it a fun example though they're peppered with Earther eccentricities - not that Bela would know the difference. He encourages her by repeating them more slowly, so that she can commit them to memory and dance as well. ]

[ She was expecting him to take a glowstick with a hand, which Bela was fine with and really, it was what she prepared for until he uses his teeth. A small sound of surprise leaves her when he does that, and she keeps still, just letting it happen. And yes, she feels a slight brush of a tongue, accidental or not.

Bela just removes the remaining glowstick with a hand, holding it in the air. Now that he's started to dance, she spends some time watching James as he moves, not quite sure what to make of it first. But she's game, following along with the moves after he slows down to show her again.

Hopefully, she's making it look good, glowstick and all. ]

[ Like the place probably wanted him to, Jim heard that, and it has him smiling wickedly. It's after a few moves that he cheekily asks without explanation -- ]

Does that mean the score is one to one, now?

I guess it does mean that.

[ Bela counters his smile with one of her own, though she's a little breathless from the dancing. Or maybe it's because of what he did. ]

Should I up my game, then?

[ He does a thorough once over on Bela, even prowls around her in a circle. Conclusion drawn, James continues to bounce in place while using the glowstick to add emphasis to his challenge. ]

I don't see any pockets that might be hiding handcuffs.

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you get a gun icon as well c:

Twinsies!

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