"Are you sure-"

"Alcryst, if the next words out of your mouth are to ask if I'd rather dance with your brother, I'll assume you want me to get my feet stomped on some more," Alear laughs. He checks Alcryst's face for a reaction, and thankfully he manages a smile instead of stopping the dance to fall on his knees and apologize.

"Good one." He laughs nervously. "Sorry, I'm just...I still can't believe you of all people asked me to dance. I may be technically better than Diamant, but I'm still not that good."

"I disagree." Alear smiles. "You're not only keeping time with the music, but there's an extra bounce in your rhythm. You're more spirited than the other dancers." He pauses. "That's a good thing, by the way." Alcryst's face turns redder than the tomatoes Lapis brought from her village, but thankfully doesn't lose his step or tense up.

"Thank Pandreo for that," he murmurs. "It's his parties, they're just so wild and crazy it's...it's hard not to get caught up in the frenzy! I was afraid I'd forgotten all about my formal dance skills, I wasn't even sure I should come tonight.

"I'm glad you did," Alear says. The music changes to something lively but still elegant, and Alcryst's steps flow smoothly into the rhythm, not missing a beat.

"Me too."

They dance for another few songs, and when the clock strikes nine, Alcryst suddenly tenses, nearly stumbling and missing the beat.

"You've been with me for at least an hour by now! Oh no, I'm so selfish, hogging the guest of honor when I should have let someone else have a turn!" he cries. "I-I should go, I've had enough fun for one night, more than I deserve!" He tries to pull away, but Alear holds fast, stopping their dance for a moment.

"It's okay," he says. "Really. To be honest, I felt a little funny coming myself, I knew everyone would be tripping over themselves for a dance with the Divine Dragon. But with you, I can just be Alear." He smooths Alcryst's hair, briefly bumping their foreheads together. "As rude as it probably is, you're the only partner I want tonight. I guess the others will just have to be disappointed."

Alcryst blushes even harder, squeezing his eyes shut as if he's about to cry, but he's smiling.

"I...I don't want to be selfish, but..."

"Just for tonight," Alear murmurs as the music changes again, to something slow and sentimental. Alcryst remembers himself and begins to move, Alear swaying along with him. "Let's be selfish, just you and me."

No more words are exchanged. Instead, they follow the rhythm of the dance, letting the music carry them away.