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Receiving a late night communication from Lieutenant Croy, Gaya wasn't sure what to expect. She was nearly ready for bed, and considered denying his request for a meeting out right. Yet, she obliged; Over the weeks so far they’d developed a friendly acquaintanceship- and she was curious.
What she found when she slipped out of her room and to the viewing deck was Harman leaning against the railing, looking out on the vast blackness of space with its glittering stars. He turned as he heard her, smiling in his reserved way.
"Evening, Miss Gaya."
"It's well past evening, Lieutenant. Why the.. rendezvous at this hour?"
"Do you remember that night when you forced me to dance with you in front of the entire dining hall?" He pushed away from the railing, walking towards her as he spoke.
She didn’t back down, despite his approach, "I didn't know you could be forced to do anything you didn't want to do, Lieutenant.”
"You know as well as I, you have a special brand of persuasion. That aside, it was an atrocious show on my part and I’m not too proud to admit I all but escaped the room with my tail between my legs."
"Yes you were very displeased with me afterwards, I remember it all very well- Why bring it up now?" She squinted at him.
"I couldn't have you believing I'm incapable of dancing. I still may not be the most impressive you've met, but despite it all I can follow a melody."
She’s surprised by this declaration, this was just about the last thing she expected from tonight.
“I can’t lie, my interest is piqued,” she conceded, moving to sit back on the nearest chair. This should be interesting.
“Ah, Miss Gaya, just as you did not allow me to be a bystander in your performance, I have to ask that you join me in this.” There’s humor in his face, another one of those subtle smiles and a crinkle to his eyes that she’d learned to pick out in their weeks of interaction.
She’s more than happy to meet his challenge, unlike he was on that first night. Standing once again and approaching him, “Do I know this dance?”
“You should have no problem with it, and if you do you’ll find that I am an excellent leader.”
Withholding a scoff at his show of ego, Gaya gave him a look she’s sure he could read well enough without her words. “I’ll follow your lead then.”
Harman produced a slim tablet from his pocket, tapping its face a few times before quiet orchestral music began to fill the open space. Replacing the tablet and straightening his posture, he took a sweeping bow and offered one gloved hand, eyes meeting hers.
“May I have this dance?”
If Gaya were less trained, she might have let the shock she felt from this display show on her face. As it was, she curtsied and took his hand. He pulled her in close, their bodies slotted together and his other hand coming around to rest on her back, then they were off in a slow turn about the room.
“You didn’t have to keep me in suspense about the kind of dance it would be, I’m well versed in the waltz,” Gaya met his gaze briefly as they turned back the opposite way, his expression was quite focused.
“Good, then I don’t have to go easy on you,” He quirked a smile, picking up their pace in time with the music.
“Yes, I would hate that,” She smiled as well, just to herself.
Their dance was nothing spectacular, simple turns and maneuvers that new partners could easily follow through with, but Harman surprised her in how it felt to be near him. She felt supported, held by him, even as he made a misstep of his own once or twice he never faltered in his hold on her. Gradually she leaned into him more- trusted him more.
Harman hadn’t doubted her skill for a second, he’d had the privilege of seeing how she moved during many a dinner show and she was as talented of a dancer as she was a singer. It was an honor now to have her as his partner in this moment, for all their banter he was happy they were on the same wavelength here. Even if just for a moment.
And then it was over, the song ended and they parted with another bow and a curtsy. They were both silent, as they had been for a majority of their dance, and looked at each other in the low light.
“Now that I’ve proven myself, you won’t pull me onto stage again will you?” Harman was first to speak. She wasn’t sure but perhaps he was a little breathless.
“I can’t promise that. Now that you’ve proven you’re a fine dance partner, I may actually be more inclined to call on you.”
He sighed, it was good natured, “It seems I can’t stay one step ahead of you.”
You have no idea. But at that moment, the thought of her mission didn’t give her much satisfaction.
“It’s quite late,” She responded, by way of ending the conversation.
In a moment of heart over mind, Gaya stepped closer and gave him a soft peck on the cheek before turning to leave, “Thank you for the dance. Have a good night, Lieutenant.”
“Goodnight,” He managed to breathe out, but by then she was already too far away to hear it.