[Day 7 - Late Evening] Strictly Ballroom

[Aurilie Alde]

"Perhaps, but in times of peace, royal navies needn't stay at home either. I'm sure Alderaan would be pleased to contribute to the efforts fo the Republic where possible? The ability to pledge help is something that is well regarding on the politic stage of the galaxy."

"Stiff? Really? I could see that when compared to the more bold Kuati tango. It's perhaps more about form and order, where there's a sort of cooperative spirit throughout the room. However, I'd like to think that there are some opportunities for improvisation." With that her steps did quicken as she got more comfortable with her, she brought their hands up with enough of a cue before she guided Cynella for a twirl before smoothly returning them both to where they once were.

[Cynella Andrim]

"Ah, quite true, quite true," she said with an enthused nod. "I am hopeful that Kuat's personal fleets will also continue to serve the Republic's interests."

Cynella went along with the twirl, though not without wanting to add a bit of flair by kicking out her leg. "Ah, I don't think I could do that in a ballgown." She shook her head. "It's not like we only have tango. It's just the one that I typically stuck to, is all."

[Desilijic Keyhote]

In the alcove Keyhote appears to be wiggling along to the beat while Sando does his best to prevent Hutt tail from making contact with any Hutt wine.

[Aurilie Alde]

Aurilie laughed softly when she saw the lick of Cynella's leg at the twirl. After she returned to her, Aurilie would guide her into a slight sway of their bodies and moving their joined hands forward before she would release her in a twirl with greater freedom. The prince's hand would loosely remain with Cynella and her arm would rest behind her back. "Less constraining than a ballgown in more ways than one admittedly. I imagine that after several millennia, several worlds have adopted many styles with their own variation. Was there a reason why you stuck to the tango? Most certainly, you do wear the style very well, Lady Cynella."

[Cynella Andrim]

Cynella spun about, clearly enjoying the more rigorous portions of their dance more (not that she didn't enjoy all of it). "It is a little odd, when I really think about it," she said, thinking on her earlier conversation with that Chiss. "It's not quite the sensuality of it... but it also is? It's performative or perhaps the right word is evocative. It's artful, to me, at least."

[Aurilie Alde]

Aurilie would break Cynella back to her, perhaps catching her if anything as she dipped her down with her hand carefully on her back before bringing back to the waltz together. Her lead was a bit quicker this time as she got a bit more comfortable and it was clear that Cynella was capable or more, perhaps seeking something a bit more dynamic.

"From what I've seen of it, it's certainly something that could involve more closeness of both partners, although I'm not too sure to what form your practice it yet. The sensuality is very eyecatching." She gave her a brief smile as she would turn in step together, perhaps more aiming to spin together with quick steps. "It does tell a different tale, that's for sure. A story of not just footwork but where the hands could fall during the dance."

[Cynella Andrim]

A little quicker pace in the steps certainly pleased her. Perhaps any should of formal, slowly drawn-out dancing, really wasn't her style. "Oh I suppose the placement of hands is important," she said, tilting her head. "But I think what appeals to me most is the carrying and such. Like if I lifted up both of my legs, and you dipped me, that sort of thing." She'd done a more courteous thing in explaining it rather than making Aurilie do it in the moment.

[Aurilie Alde]

Aurilie found herself raising her brows at that with her head mentally taking down some notes as they continued to dance. There was more of a sway of their bodies together as they stepped around the floor to make it theirs. She might have paused for a moment towards their respective audience in the Hutt and squire before resuming their dance as the classical chords of the music picked up. "I see, less of a hint of the hands and actually use of them."

She couldn't help but smirk faintly at herself, perhaps wondering at herself if she was as prepared as she thought initially. "Anything else I should take into consideration?"

[Cynella Andrim]

Cynella too looked over to their featured guests, giving them one of her signature winks before looking back to Aurilie. "Yes, I suppose it is about the usage, at least from my perspective."

She did her best to slow down their personal rhythm. "Don't lift with your back? You just need to keep steady. But here, why don't we try this first? Stay at a normal position, might have to lean over a bit." With a smile, she kicked up her leg, bent her knee back, then brought it to embrace her dance partner.

[Aurilie Alde]

Aurilie couldn't help chuckle at Cynella's wink as she watched Keyhote sample the wine. Part of her did wonder how much wine did they have by now and if they potentially might have questionable testimony of what transpired here, which admittedly could be helpful if she fumbled.

She sensed the mood in Cynella and slowed down their dance. Her expression looked a bit curious at the suggestion and even with the forewarning, she was caught a bit by surprise at the flip of the script from one form to another. With Cynella's leg on her, Aurilie hand shifted slightly to a more secure place on her back and dipped her back while following her with a lean before bringing her back. When they returned together, there was perhaps an obvious blush on the prince's cheek. "Much like that?"

[Cynella Andrim]

Wine... how much wine could a Hutt handle? Their physiology still astounded her, with so much power and so much blubber.

Cynella, for her part, leaned back into it and smiled on her way back. "Yes, yes, you're a natural. That or I'm a good teacher. Perhaps both?" She returned to allowing Aurilie to lead her through, her mind obviously in thought and seeking simple steps.

"Ah! I know. I hope you're good at lunging, same with those pants. But I go this way," she said, lunging back slowly, "then you should lean forward to follow me, mhm?"

[Aurilie Alde]

"Let's go with a bit of both," she couldn't help but smirk in amusement at that. "Certainly, you've made it easier to follow through in more ways than one, I admit. There is an innate strive to do better."

On cue, Aurilie would slide her foot back to adopt the tango lunge, holding their hands high at the pose. She would lean forward much like before while carefully holding Cynella. After a moment, she would bring her back up to the standing position and let out a small chuckle. "One moment, I just need to change something to match the mood..."

With that, she gave a nod to the servant by the music player to change the music. The waltz tune would slowly fade off and soon another piece would take its place, one could hear a classical instrument played with keys and this was followed with the similar accordion-like tunes of tango music. "...to something more befitting of our dance, I hope?"

[Cynella Andrim]

"Well I am trying to make it easier for you. Trust me, Prince Joran wasn't so lucky but I've since learned my lesson," Cynella said with a warm laugh. That or His Highness wasn't that skilled of a dancer. But she'd never make the mistake of saying that out loud.

During their lunge, Cynella smiled even more, though it'd be hard for the Prince of Joral to see exactly; she turned her head away for dramatic flair rather than the more intimate up close stare. Such wasn't inspired by shyness but rather her theatrics; she really was a fan of flair when it came to dancing.

"Oh yes, yes," she said, her legs acclimating well to the change in tune. "You really have been doing your research. Though tell me the truth: did you get any help." She shot a grin towards Ser Keyhote. "I won't judge!"

[Aurilie Alde]

"Ah, but he did have the first honour. I have to say that I'm probably a bit envious of that." She smirked faintly with a shrug, perhaps a bit of a partial joke there. There was a part of her that wondered what sort of fun she was having after they parted away at the fair, to be truthful. "I'd like to think that handsome princes, in general, have a certain standard to them and surely he might have done as well if given a little time."

She laughed softly when she looked at Ser Keyhote and she shook her head. "No, this is all me, with a bit of reading and watching. Although, Ser Keyhote might have encouraged much of it. The blame, however, shall be all mine."

"Now..." With that, she would release Cynella to start from scratch with their new dance. She bowed deeply and took careful steps as she approached her, offering to take her hand once more as she brought Cynella closer against her with her cheek resting against her partner's.

[Cynella Andrim]

"Oh, envy isn't very becoming of you," Cynella said lightly, though it was clear that she didn't wish it to be true. "Come to think of it, he danced well with the other honored guests. Some fit better than others, of course."

She took swinging steps, letting her skirt flop around as she swung her hips. "But enough about others, yes? Tonight is your dance, one that I'm quite grateful for that you put in the work for." Though she was by no means surprised that Ser Keyhote had encouraged this.

Up close, Cynella's smile couldn't be seen by the Prince of Joral. "Ah so you do enjoy the theatrics of it too. Though I'm curious if you enjoy the intimate poses or the vibrant moves more."

[Aurilie Alde]

"Oh, of course, my lady," Aurilie would say with a chortle and some clear mirth in her tone. "I do have you all to myself, well, and the audience for good company. This is an occasion that I will treasure tonight. Also, this was very much a date that I was looking forward to. It wouldn't do it justice if I was on the wrong footing, so to speak."

With that, she began to take deliberate steps towards her to the beginning beat of the accordion, keeping her footing rather close with hers. She would then bring Cynella back with her to mirror the approach.

Aurilie did smile too as they moved together, even if it wasn't seen by her partner. "I do enjoy haveing the opportunity to learn new dances, adding much variety to my life before the Alderaanian waltz. The...sensual undertones do have my curiosity, I admit."

[Cynella Andrim]

"Oh? Is this a better date than the fair? If so, someone better inform Her Majesty that she should arrange for more balls instead," Cynella said with one of her classical winks.

The matched steps, the proximity, all of it earned Cynella's approval in the form of on-beat, mild nodding.

"Is that so?" she asked, more curious than flirtatious. "I'm unsure if it's the same on Alderaan but Kuat has a bit more liberal approach to such matters when it comes to art. Intimacy is another form of romance, of love, that sort of thing."

[Aurilie Alde]

"The fair was fun, in its own way, of course." She chuckled at the wink. "We did have a little fun there, which does including challenging the carnie's trick. Occasions are too made by little moments of note. I'm a bit more surprised there aren't more balls so that the Houses can exercise their extravagance more...but we might have done that already on the cruise. A bit of a shame there wasn't much dancing then?"

"I suppose we're less liberal by comparison. I suppose intimacy meant to be implied or take on a secondary role while emotions are love would take the forefront of romance." She said as she took careful steps forward and back before guiding Cynella around her while never leaving their proximity to each other face to face, sliding into a slow pivot of her mobile feet to adjust.

[Cynella Andrim]

"You're still hung up on that carnie? Goodness, let nobody ever cross you at the negotiation table then," Cynella said. Then, after a few moments, she giggled. "Ah, my mother would appreciate that about you. She always has to push my father to pressure anyone who tries to cheat even a single credit out of House Andrim."

She tilted her head. "On the contrary, I remember much merriment on that cruise. Then again, I didn't cross your path, so I don't know how it went for you."

The discussion of culture piqued her interest, so much so that she started taking less intricate steps for their dance. "Like a more muted, devoted type of love, you mean? As opposed to vibrant passion?"

[Aurilie Alde]

Aurilie giggled with a faint blush on her cheek as the carnie was brought up and her intentions might have been found. "Well...I admit there's a small matter of pride involved in the matter, especially when in my opinion you've earned your quarry fair and square! So, consider this a bit of a hunt too...perhaps."

"Admittedly, I kept a rather low profile at the cruise, I suppose. Just spending time with our mutual friend, Ser Keyhote, and just glad that he's still around in our realm so that he can continue to spread his philosophy to this day." She smirked before giving a glance to the Hutt to see what he was properly fed wine at the very least.

She did quirk a frown when she noticed the change in Cynella's steps but didn't say anything much of it. Her next move would allow Cynella to take a step back but she wouldn't join her and they would separate from their close proximity for perhaps the first time. She lunged with her foot toward Cynella before moving forward, bringing both of them close together again cheek to cheek. "...Yes, something of the sort. Perhaps the timeless sort of love that stretches across time and distance. I do speak only as an Alde, but I think it might manifest in some tales where one partner would leave to explore the unknown while their spouse remains at home, a loyal bond that is both strong separate and together. Of course, I don't subscribe to the idea that's only where it happens nor should a spouse be left behind. Vibrant passion exists but Alderaanians perhaps like to think themselves as subtle."