This is how Richard Oenomaus responds when Sera asks him to dance:
At first, there is surprise. It's reserved, because he's a reserved person, but the evidence is there - a blink, a pause. He can navigate the hell out of a courtroom but being asked to dance by a striking woman was never a thing he's managed to not be surprised by.
Then there is a smile. It isn't the first time he's smiled that night - Sasha managed to get one out of him earlier when she whispered some dry joke in his ear, and every now and then he'll look at the assembled group and give this sort of fond-sad-distant smile, like he's remembering things or maybe like he's missing someone. But it is a rare enough expression on him as to be notable. There's sadness in this smile too. It's the sort of smile people give when they're flattered but they're going to decline anyway.
And sure enough: "I'm afraid dancing isn't really my thing. You should ask my father. I suspect he'd be delighted."
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As for Grace's offer, Annie, Sasha and Leah will gratefully take her up on it, though Annie will briefly regard the software with a furrowed expression of pensive suspicion. Henry, if included in the invitation, will kindly wave the suggestion away. "Oh my dear, I lose my phones so often. I fear that would be a disaster waiting to happen."
At first, there is surprise. It's reserved, because he's a reserved person, but the evidence is there - a blink, a pause. He can navigate the hell out of a courtroom but being asked to dance by a striking woman was never a thing he's managed to not be surprised by.
Then there is a smile. It isn't the first time he's smiled that night - Sasha managed to get one out of him earlier when she whispered some dry joke in his ear, and every now and then he'll look at the assembled group and give this sort of fond-sad-distant smile, like he's remembering things or maybe like he's missing someone. But it is a rare enough expression on him as to be notable. There's sadness in this smile too. It's the sort of smile people give when they're flattered but they're going to decline anyway.
And sure enough: "I'm afraid dancing isn't really my thing. You should ask my father. I suspect he'd be delighted."
----------
As for Grace's offer, Annie, Sasha and Leah will gratefully take her up on it, though Annie will briefly regard the software with a furrowed expression of pensive suspicion. Henry, if included in the invitation, will kindly wave the suggestion away. "Oh my dear, I lose my phones so often. I fear that would be a disaster waiting to happen."
I am so tired of waiting,
Aren't you,
For the world to become good
And beautiful and kind?
-Langston Hughes
Aren't you,
For the world to become good
And beautiful and kind?
-Langston Hughes