[center][u][b]A Moonlit Fantasy[/b][/u]
[sub]Collab with [@The Muse][/sub][/center]
[hider=Dancing with the Stars]
It felt nice standing there wrapped in another person’s warmth, Alban’s arm around her waist bringing her in close. How long had it been since she had been held like this? The rest of the party began to seem like a blur and all that was there was Alban and his warmth. She leaned her head into his side, her mask being pushed slightly to the side. She closed her eyes as he screamed at the DJ to liven the party up. Was the room spinning or was that just her? 

Just as the bass started pounding from the speakers Maribelle opened her eyes and caught a glimpse of Shizuka returning to the table. Oh, right, she had left both Alban’s “date” and the mysterious mute back at the table… the table only a few feet away from where the enemy sat. All feelings of peacefulness fell away and Mari raised her head away from Al’s chest; determined. Perking up, she pulled away from Al and twirled herself in front of him. “[color=dodgerblue][b] Why don’t you show me some of your dance moves?[/b][/color]” She laughed, unable to imagine Alban being able to dance at all - much less to pop music. In fact, even she had no idea how to dance to this type of music. She was more of a classical dancer, but unfortunately the previous waltz music seemed like it was putting the guests to sleep. Now, as the beat started, people began pouring in from their tables and to the dance floor. Including her ex-husband and that conniving wench, she noted from the corner of her eye. 

Drink in one hand and Alban’s hand entwined with her other, Maribelle shimmied herself backwards to the beat of the music all while laughing at herself and the confused look on his face. Once again, she had completely forgotten about the two sitting back at the table. Her world was starting to look like a spinning blur aside from Alban standing in front of her. It was enthralling; why hadn’t she mixed Valium with alcohol before?

Al was bewildered at Mari’s forwardness, but he was so intoxicated right now that he was just rolling with the punches. He flashed a drunken grin at her before he pulled her back to, a hand on her back. [color=6ecff6]“You’d be surprised, ma belle.”[/color] he told her, a coquettish tone coating his words. His other hand flew to the drink in her grip, fingers curling around hers. Suddenly, his right leg slid back, lowering the woman very close to the ground, his lips very near hers. Al’s indigo blue eyes peered into her emerald orbs, a soft, tantalizing expression upon his face. [color=6ecff6]“Mademoiselle, I was taught the tango at an early age. I can dance with the best.”[/color] Alban confidently declared before pulling her back to her feet.

While he was a bit off his game, on account of being heavily intoxicated, Al managed to lead Mari in a somewhat impressive rendition of tango nuevo, a club music-inspired version of the classic dance. They stepped and twirled, locked in an alluring performance. As Al was quick to notice, his partner also knew the steps to this dance. Sure, they may have stumbled every now and then, but for drunk people, they did an awesome job. It was a truly intimate experience for him, who was used to dancing with his mother. A few times during their dance, he was sure they were about to lock lips. Unfortunately, towards the end of the song, they accidentally bumped into a couple.[/hider] 
[hider=An Unexpected Twist]
The couple they ran into was made up of a rather robust looking man with a black mask and very pregnant woman. The man seemed to give Al a look down before proceeding to glare at Mari. Thinking nothing of it, he kept a firm grip on her hand. [color=6ecff6]“Ah, pardon us.”[/color] Al apologized in slurs, about to lead his lady back into their performance.

Unfortunately, their intimate dance had to come to a crashing halt. Icy blue eyes pierced hers, sending chills through her body. Luckily for her, she was too dazed to register the fear it would normally cause. She straightened up and turned away from Alban, squaring up with the broad shouldered dark haired man glaring at her. She stood at least a foot shorter than him, but wasn’t about to back down. “[color=dodgerblue][b] Chad.[/b][/color]” Her eyes moved from the man, to the pregnant woman looking awfully offended next to him. “[color=dodgerblue][b] Stacey.[/b][/color]” Her voice oozed with hatred. Her eyes moved from Stacey’s face, down to look at her round belly with disgust. 

“[color=green][b] So this is who you’re running around with these days, Maribelle?[/b][/color]” Chad was looking at Alban now, obviously sizing him up with no shame. He clicked his tongue, as if unimpressed. “[color=green][b] I know you’re not the most attractive man, but I’m sure you could do better than this harlot.[/b][/color]”

That was it, she had had it. Seething, Maribelle stepped in closer to the couple. “[color=dodgerblue][b] Harlot? HARLOT?![/b][/color]” Though she was a tiny woman, her voice easily raised above the music for people in the general area to hear. “[color=dodgerblue][b] THIS HERE IS YOUR HARLOT![/b][/color]” She pointed at the pregnant woman next to him, eyes never wavering from her ex husband. “[color=dodgerblue][b] You’re disgusting, Chad.[/b][/color]” The temptation to punch him in the face crossed her mind, but she thought better of it. Instead, “[color=dodgerblue][b] THIS is a real man. THIS is a man of HONOR.[/b][/color]” She gestured to Alban, then turned her glare to Stacey. “[color=dodgerblue][b] I hope he rips your cold fucking heart out too, you bitch.[/b][/color]” In her high and drunken haze, Maribelle was unable to stop herself, and with that she threw her gin and tonic into Stacey’s face.  

“[color=dodgerblue][b] Let’s get out of here, Al.[/b][/color]” She grabbed his hand and began to march out of the dance floor, leaving Chad and Stacey to clean up the mess.

Alban’s fists clenched and rage boiled up inside him when this asshole tried to talk down him. Chad was a big man, but Al was drunk and ready to rumble. Before he could get to scrapping though, Maribelle took him by the hand, storming towards the front door.[color=6ecff6]“Bouffe ma queue calisse de fag.”[/color] [Too vulgar to translate] the Frenchman swore, disgustingly spitting at Chad’s feet as he was taken away. 

When they were past the crowd and out the door, he felt the cold air greet them, a welcomed sensation compared to the stuffy town hall. [color=6ecff6]“That was your ex, I presume? He didn’t look so tough.”[/color] Al chided, still half tempted to go back inside and fight the man.[color=6ecff6]“I’ll go back inside and kick him in the teeth for you, if you want.”[/color] He placed a hand on her cheek, woozily standing in place. [color=6ecff6]“You know I’ll fight for you.”[/color] The words came out with a romantic air about them, and his other hand took hers, tightly squeezing her palms in comfort.  

Somehow Alban was able to make her hostility fade away almost as soon as they exited the ballroom. She smiled as he threatened to fight him, nearly laughing. Had Al ever been in a fight in his life? “[color=dodgerblue][b] I know you would. Thank you, mon cheri.[/b][/color]” She knew a bit of French herself. As he caressed her cheek she leaned into his hand, taking in the moment for a brief second and placing her hand over his. Despite the bouncer ([sub][@Saarebas][/sub]) standing outside the doors seeing everything, it didn’t feel like anyone was around. Maribelle normally wasn’t one for public displays of affection, but she had the urge to raise up on her tippy toes and kiss him.

[color=6ecff6]“You know, you look much better with that silly mask off.”[/color] Al chuckled, grazing his hand upwards and taking the mask off her. In the moonlight, she looked heavenly, especially accentuated by his inebriated mindset. Had she always been this gorgeous? All the times he had seen her, had he truly never noticed this? [color=6ecff6]“Mari…”[/color] he whispered into her ear before swooping down upon her lips like a bird of prey, holding her tightly to his form. Filled with a mixture of faithful passion and lustful romance, their kiss lasted for what seemed like an eternity. He forgot about everything around him, focusing solely on the woman in front of him.

Al had clearly read her mind, placing his lips on hers. A drunken kiss, but probably one of the best kisses she had ever had. Was that the alcohol or Valium talking? Did it even matter? She trembled under his touch, kissing him with a fiery passion that she had forgotten she was capable of. Reaching up, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled herself in closer. Slowly she pulled away from the kiss and leaned in until her lips hovered just beside his ear. “[color=dodgerblue][b] Shall we go to your place?[/b][/color]” 

“Hey, love birds, you need a cab? $25 and I’ll take you back to your place.” a cabbie shouted out, parked outside the town hall. 

Catching on to Mari’s suggestive tone, he grabbed her by the hand and led her to the cab. He knew he had his mother’s car, but he was definitely in no shape to drive tonight. The two of them had gotten lost in a fantasy, drunk and stupid. As they left, Al couldn’t help but think he was forgetting about something... or someone...[/hider]

[@Stern Algorithm][@Rekaigan]