The point of his and other Coterie were to ensure the safety of the event and that meant blending in for the occasion.
It wasn’t the first occasion he had hoped to wear his best, but quietly packing outfit. Two slim daggers hung from a waistcoat hidden under his jacket, though to the untrained he’d appear as any other guest, his stance was one of careful observation of the rooms goings on. At least until he had seen her walk into the party without an escort. He was dumbstruck, taking a second glance before recognising her.
Within a few moments he’d got another of the watchers to cover his place, certain she’d be feeling overwhelmed by the space, the people, the ‘newness’. And Ruth had just left her to deal with it all, alone. Fuck. If it was hard before not to punch the smirk of the fools face, it was worse now. Concern furrowed his brow, but as he approached, Colt would open his arms in welcome.
Well, I best escort the second best dressed lady of the eve. Best is obvs the bride, think there’s some sorta rule, but hell if you don’t look like a goddess tonight, Mina.
She swayed gently with a glass of wine, the sunshine filtering through the canopy and making her feel warm and happy as the strings continued along with their gentle music meant to keep people happy while the ceremony was happening a little ways over, the fact she had to be left, hadn't bothered her at all -- she didn't know Megara and Nairn, and was there more for Ruth, so she had no feelings one way or the other by not being invited back, her mind was busier watching people mingle and chat, and the fact she was getting to wear her newly made dress to a nice place first.
She had wanted this dress to be something she had kept back to wear on a date with Colt, but she knew she needed to be dressed at least semi-nicely for the wedding, she didn't want to be an embarrassment for Ruth to his friends and probably the best family he had, so the robin's egg blue draped her in a way that covered all of her, and still gave hints of her figure beneath. She had made sure to put several panels in it, so that she could grow with the dress in the future, the thought had been, while she had been hand-sewing the dress, that if she were to have a family, she'd need the dress to be forgiving about the middle, so, she hadn't exactly noticed the crush of people about her, until they were too much for her suddenly, her breath catching as she was in a flood of faces she didn't know and she while she wasn't there as "entertainment", so there would be no grabbing hands, no flip of her skirt and a rough push, it wasn't far behind the initial panic, before there he was.
Arms open, with that cool swagger that made everything fade out from around her as she sank into Colt's hold, her cheek coming to rest over his heart, pointed ear pressed to where she could hear his heart beat, her comfort in the pressing tide of sights and sounds. Of course, Megara is the bride and she should absolutely be the best dressed lady here today, I will always gladly take second to a bride.
The quip was effortless, even as her cheeks went red from the compliment, the flush spreading back through her ears and down her chest. Of course he would tell her she looked like a goddess, and of course he would be dressed in a suit that she absolutely would not reserve later for dreams and peeling it off him piece by piece. I wasn't sure if you'd be here or not, but I saw my bard friend in the crowd too. Not too many people I know have the same silver hair. You're all working aren't you?
He felt the tension ease in her shoulders as she melted into his embrace, the warmth of her cheek against his chest grounding him in a way that almost made him forget the surrounding chaos. Almost. His heartbeat couldn’t deny the uptake in rhythm though, giving her an extra squeeze for good measure.
You caught me, love, he murmured with a chuckle, leaning his head just enough so his voice was low, meant for her alone. We’re working, yeah, but I wasn’t about to let you fend for yourself in all this. Ruth can’t even manage to find his own socks, let alone think to make sure you’re good. His smirk returned, playful and full of that easy charm. Well, besides my silver-haired competition. Think he can outshine me? Should I be worried?
His hands slid to her arms, gently pulling back so he could meet her gaze, his own softened by the sight of her blush glowing. Colt let his lips curl into a lopsided grin, though his eyes swept over her dress, his appreciation evident in the way his smile deepened. I’m gonna have to beat the other guys off you, and then his face went scarlet, I… um… coulda used a better phrase… shit.
A tingle of appreciation ran down her spine as he called her love. She knew it was a term of affection, knew that they were going slowly thought all of this, the entire thing, but the fact that he called her love, her stomach held butterflies, little wings fanning a deeper resolve to do this right, all of this right. And at a wedding, she would have at one time came thinking she would make good money on her back, servicing guests and the likes, but now.
Now the man who was calling her love was the only one she wanted to ever imagine being on her back for ever again. Now it had been his arms that had pulled her out of the panic of the crowd, as she shook her head, Don't be too angry at him, you know he doesn't do well at stuff like this, and he is being on his best behavior for Megara, I think I heard him telling himself that under his breath at some point. She tapped a finger tip to her lower lip, looking thoughtful as she watched the sunlight shift through the leaves to fall on Colt's hair, letting her noticed just how nicely he had combed it for the occasion, combed, and looking a soft and liquid silk. What she wouldn't give to have a quiet moment alone to just drag her fingers through his hair, let her fingers scratch gently along his scalp, down to the little short hairs on the nape of his neck. Yoon? Never. He's the only other elf besides Ruth I know though, that'll answer me questions about things honestly.
She made a small sound, at losing the warmth of his chest, the masculine, woodsy smell of him before she was a mess of giggles, That was my former job, not yours, remember? She reached a hand up, placing her palm on his lips and then rising up on her tip toes to press a gentle kiss to the back of her hand -- their kiss. Not quite a kiss yet, they were saving that, and now wasn't the time yet, but she needed to comfort that red from his face. Don't worry about that, I can think of a million better ways to make you turn that shade, least of all having it be that you said something a little questionable. She sank back down to flat footed, and tilted her head to the side, Find me for a dance when you get a break? I'd like to put this dress to good use, you know.
Colt let out an exaggerated eyeroll at her defence of Ruth, though he bit back the first thing that came to mind—how the man was only good at healing and fucking things up in equal measure. Instead, he settled on a dry, Pretty sure Megara would incinerate him if he stepped too far out of line. Might even enjoy it. His smirk was wry, but his eyes softened as he looked at her, still lingering on the warmth of her touch and the gentle way she smoothed over his awkwardness.
At her mention of Yoon, he gave a noncommittal shrug, a low chuckle rolling out of him. He’s sound enough, he admitted. Just don’t give him too long a leash, or he’ll start singing ballads about his lost missus’ lips. Colt still wasn’t sure if that story was true or just some dramatic flourish Yoon had concocted, but either way, he hadn’t spent much time alone with the elf to find out.
He rubbed at the back of his neck, suddenly feeling a bit sheepish about his earlier words. And, uh—yeah, maybe that wasn’t my smoothest line, he muttered, voice low, before flashing her a roguish grin. But you’re still stuck with me, so I reckon you’ll just have to deal with it.
Then she tilted her head, asked him for a dance, and just like that, whatever embarrassment he’d felt melted away into something warmer, something eager. Oh, you best believe I’ll find you for that dance, he promised, his tone full of playful enthusiasm, head nodding emphatically. I’m not about to let a dress like this go to waste. Or a lady like you.
Before he could say anything more, the music shifted. The murmur of conversation in the crowd dulled as a voice rang out to announce the newlyweds. Megara and Nairn stepped forward, taking the floor for their first dance as husband and wife.
Colt exhaled through his nose, amused and quietly relieved by the sight. Hells, I never thought I’d see the day, he muttered, watching the way the two moved together in effortless synchrony. Took ‘em long enough.
Then, with a small glance back at Mina, his grin returned, slower this time. Soon as they’re done, and the floor fills up a bit, you and me, yeah? He waggled his brows, stepping just a touch closer. Prob best I get my dance in early before things get too busy and that shit head claims you back as his date.
Mina stood on her tiptoes, to catch a glimpse of the happy couple, seeing Ruth and Dora just behind them, a brow raising slightly as she noticed the redness in the dwarf's cheeks. That might be something for her to tease her companion about later, when he had a few drinks. What had he said to make their favorite dwarf turn that shade of red? And why hadn't he kept saying it to her, if the look on the woman's face was anything to go by. Mina had lain with several dozen people over her years, some trying to feel alive, some trying to forget a lost love, some trying to run away from something -- her most recent encounter with her "date" had been along those lines -- she knew him well enough to know that when he had been balls deep inside her, he had been imagining someone else -- they had laid together enough times that she knew when he wasn't seeing her.
Not that she minded that, as she cast a smile up to Colt, Have they been dancing around one another for as many years as the gossip says? Over a decade at this point, yeah? And then he was asking her to dance, with that easy smile of his, his body drawing closer to her, and she was immediately unaware of anything else going on but him. It was surprising to her, just how easy he made it to shut out the rest of the world when he looked at her like that, one brow raised a little higher, bringing out the signs of age along his forehead -- the way the corner of his mouth raised with it, shockingly blue eyes, rimmed in black, looking at her like she was the only person on all of creation that mattered. I would highly suggest it, and have it be the first one too, since it look like someone else has already talked him onto the floor.
Mina pointed out that the man seemed otherwise engaged and then slotted her fingers between Colt's, before she moved their joined hands to the middle of her back, her other hand seeking out his other -- it was a slick move, to place them in perfect position to just start dancing, no need to wait to get closer to the cleared area, they were free to swing on as soon as another couple or two made their way on the floor. And now you're trapped with me as your first dance, oh no! Mina grinned widely, as she nearly vibrated with excitement that Colt was going to be the first one to dance with her in this dress.
