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[x-kitten.livejournal.com]

At the Helix ball, Manny claims his dance, and they prove that they're both really good dancers while simultaneously managing not to argue about Jamie. Well, not too much.



Manuel appeared from the crowd of revellers at the HeliX party, carrying a glass of water. He had a Mission - to wipe the bad taste of his meeting with Bethany out of his mouth. Xavier didn't need him yet, so he went looking for Katherine Pryde.

Kitty had settled into a chair, watching the dance for once while Jamie was chatting with someone or other. She hadn't caught the name but had gotten the impression they were quite impressed with Jamie for coming up with Helix. Which was good, because she was impressed with him too, and approved when other people figured out how great he was.

Manuel finally found Kitty sitting in a chair on the periphery of all the revellery. And no Jamie nearly - even better! "Katherine!" he called over to her as he came closer to where she sat. "Do you have a moment?"

Kitty looked up and glanced around for half a second - she wasn't used to being called Katherine and more often than not she tended to think someone else was being addressed. Her eyes finally settled on Manuel, though, and she smiled. "Hi," she said, standing to meet him. "Yes, of course. How are you? Having fun?"

"I am okay." he said by way of an answer. "I believe that you had mentioned the possibility of a dance. I would like to collect, if you're willing." he said with a smile. "I could really use it." he said almost under his breath.

"Yes, of course I'm willing. Sounds like fun, even." She glanced across the room to where Jamie was talking and grinned, glad he seemed to be enjoying himself.

Manuel put down his waterbottle and accepted the offered arm with a grin. "It will be nice to dance with someone who does not have, how is it said, two left feet?" he told her as they made their way out onto the floor.

Kitty laughed softly at that. "Well, there are more good dancers here than you'd think. Especially since Al's been offering dance classes at the school."

"I have been dancing since I was three." Manuel confessed. "I do not think that I would get a lot of utility out of the Dance class." He really was an excellent dancer - blending to his partner perfectly, not taking any liberties, and throwing as much passion into his steps as he possibly could.

Kitty danced like it was as natural to her as breathing. At that, it almost was. "Oh, I don't know. You can never get too much practice, at anything, really. Besides, it's a fun class."

"Hadn't you heard? I'm not supposed to have fun." Manuel joked as he danced. Sensing that she was keeping up easily - he took the complexity and skill levels up a few notches. She was feather-light in his arms, and despite himself he was beginning to enjoy the dance. "I needed this." he told her gently. "Thank you."

"Ah, that's too bad," Kitty said, having no trouble following his lead. "If you're not supposed to have fun we'd probably better stop, cause you look like you are." Of course, she made no move to end the dance. "And you're welcome."

"I will confess to some enjoyment." He exaggerated looking around, and then shrugged. "It seems that the forces of nature who are determined to squash any fun I might ever want to have are taking the night off. How convenient." he said with a grin. "You're pretty good." he complimented. "Dancing, that is."

"Excellent, then. While they're away the... Well, I'm no mouse, but you know the phrase. And I should hope I was pretty good, or my parents would have wasted a lot of money on the lessons I've been taking since I was six." She grinned. "Mind, it's mainly been ballet, but I've done at least some lessons in everything else, too."

Manuel looked surprised. "I love the ballet." he confessed. "Alphonso used to take me when I was a boy. Did a lot of business while the dancers twirled."

"Then he, at least, wasn't paying enough attention." She coked her head at him. "I take it you didn't know I danced?"

"I knew you took classes, but I wasn't expecting anything remotely close to this kind of skill." he admitted. "I am very pleasantly surprised. I may have misjudged you, Miss Pryde." he grinned.

Kitty laughed slightly. "Yeah, a lot of people do that, I think."

Manuel shrugged. "Your taste in men is abysmal, but you're here with me right now, so I suppose I shouldn't say that." he said with a smile. He decided to flaunt his dance skills, dusting off his old training and integrating it with his swordfighting footwork. The result was a very interesting improvised blend, rotating in triangles as they danced.

"My taste in men is fantastic, thank you very much," she said, refraining from sticking her tongue out as she followed him through the new steps. Something about them felt different, and she grew curious. "Interesting... I must admit, I've never done steps like this." Not that she was having any trouble in following them.

"That's because you don't fence." he said with a grin. "I'm throwing you a curveball, I believe the phrase is." he admitted. "And I do not wish to ruin a very pleasant dance by talking about your paramour."

"Fence...? Oh, yes, I see." And she could see, sort of, how his steps would be different if he held a sword. "An interesting sort of curveball it is, too. I've seen dancers who also do martial arts incorporate that... I guess it's the same idea." She was more than willing not to discuss Jamie with Manuel.

"You're amazing." he said as she kept up flawlessly. "If you ever decide to take up the sword, please let me know. You'd be a natural, assuming that your wrists are any good." he said as he dipped Kitty low, then brought her back up with a laugh. "Well, I believe the song is coming to an end, and unfortunately, so must this dance. You sure there will be no reprisals for this dance?" he asked her with real worry. "I do not wish to cause you any harm."

"My wrists are hell," Kitty said. "I've spent far too many hours at the computer in my life. Although... I have been thinking about this whole sword thing. You know, everyone goes to Asgard, comes back, and takes to hitting each other with large metal sticks. Makes a girl curious." She broke off as he dipped her, grinning as she came back up. "Why is it that dances always have to end?" she asked, half rhetorically. "And I told you not to worry about that."

"In my experience, things would end terribly badly for you for dancing with me against your paramour's will." he said. "But as people keep reminding me, things are different here. I was concerned, that is all." he said. "And dances have to end because nothing perfect can possibly last." he said with a laugh.

"I appreciate your concern, Manuel," Kitty said with a little sigh. "But really. A - Jamie doesn't control me and wouldn't even if he could. And b - I talked with him about it already. So, c - don't worry." There was a note of finality to her tone. "I think you're right about why dances have to end, though."

Manuel looked dubious, but let her explanation stand. "Sounds like you've got things well in-hand. And hey - if you ever need a dance partner, come look me up. I don't bite, despite what people say about me."

"I may take you up on that offer," Kitty said as the music ended. She grinned and added, "And I fear no man's bite."

"Intangibility's good that way." he laughed. "And you'd be one of very few who don't."

"Indeed it is. And it is a select club. Me and Shinobi, and the few invulnerables."

"Shinobi." Manuel groaned. "I should go talk to him while he's in a good mood. Try to put things to rights with him. He's quite pissed at me right now. But that's between me and him, no need to drag you into things. Thank you again for the dance, Katherine. I enjoyed it highly, and hope that you might be so inclined to give this poor Spaniard another twirl 'round the floor?" he asked.

"Why's he..." she started, but cut herself off. "No, never mind. None of my business. Good luck, then. And yes, if you've got the time I would like that." Kitty smiled as they left the dance floor. She spotted Jamie, still seemingly caught up in his conversation. "For now, though, if you'll excuse me?"

Manuel bowed to Kitty in the older court manner. "But of course. Good evening, Katherine." he said with a smile once he straightened up.

She shook her head, grinning at his manner. "You know, really, you can call me Kitty. Everyone does."

Manuel shook his head and grinned at her before disappearing into the crowd.

Kitty shrugged to herself, then headed in Jamie's direction, curious about what they were talking about now.