Nar Shaddaa

Zane was waiting for his guest to arrive. He was expecting Aphr for dance lessons and had just recently finished preparing things.

The common room had been cleared to create a small dance floor, and there was a radio waiting to play music. He thought of making himself a drink but decided against it. He shouldn't have to wait long after all.

Indeed he wouldn't; Aphr had arrived quite quickly after getting permission from Xierreau to be there. She was carrying the special dress and shoes in a bag, not wanting to wear them over. She sent a message to say she was outside.

The door opened with Z standing on the other side. He wasn't wearing his jacket, just his vest and under shirt. His sleeves had been carefully rolled up revealing the pale skin that lay underneath, and the handful of scars that croosed it.

"Good evening." He greeted her with a charming smile. "Please come in."

"Good evening" Aphr said with a sweet smile, entering at the offer "good to see you again. How's things?"

"It's good to see you too, and I'm well." He responded easily as he led her through the ships corridors towards the common room. His eyes drifting towards the packages she held for a moment. "I hope you and the others on the Starcross can say the same?"

"Not really, someone took offense to a job we did, said we stole from them" Aphr frowned "I'd rather focus on better things, like the Huttball win."

He shuffled that bit of information away for later, before easily shifting into the change of topic. "You did great out there. I really enjoyed watch you play."

"You didn't get hurt though, did you?" He gave her a look of concern his eyes slipping over her, perhaps checking for bandages.

If there were any bandages, they were covered up by clothes. She shook her head. "No injuries so far, and while you're nice to say so, compared to players like Jo'ren I'm really not all that great. I saw you in the crowds though, do you always watch?"

"Lately I have, it's a little bit of a side gig for me. I'm still testing the waters to see how profitable it is." Things had been good thus far, but it was hard to say if it would stay that way.

"Enough about that though, where you about ready to start practicing? Or would you like to chat and maybe have a drink first."

"I've been looking forward to the dancing. Do you want me to change first though?" She held up her bags "or show me first so I don't ruin the lovely dress."

"It wouldn't hurt to practice a little first." He mused as he glanced towards the bag in her hand. "Though I admit I'd like to see you in that dress again."

"How about you change into your heels. Then after a little bit of practice you can wear that goregous dress, and somewhere along the line ill give you your present."

She sat down where she was at that, slipping out of her older looking shoes into the icky heels. "This is going to be painful" she laughed, holding up a hand to let him help her up.

"If it's any consolation my toes might be in for a unfortunate evening as well." He lightly teased before offering her a hand to help her up.

Leading her out to the center of the floor he let her hand go as he stepped over to his little radio. "I'll turn on the music you wait right there." A moment later the soft sound of music started fill the room and Z returned to her side. "When you're ready put your right hand on my shoulder."

Aphr had practiced walking around carefully as Zane went off to put the music on, but smiled as he returned. "Maybe I'll be ok with this..." she said rather unconvincingly, putting her right hand on his shoulder.

"You'll be just fine Aphr." He replied letting one hand drift to her waist as his other hand took hers. "We'll start slow, and I'll count out the steps for you. Just remember when I say left or right, im referring to your left or right."

He smiled at her and after making sure she was ready they would begin.

Aphr nodded. "I'll remember that, but I'm sorry in advance if I get mixed up once or twice. Ready when you are Zane, be gentle" she smiled at him.

"I don't think it's the time for you to be asking me to be gentle just yet Aphr." He replied his lips curling into a wicked little smile, though there was still a bit of teasing evident in his tone.

"I will be careful though, and you don't need to apologize, I'm sure you'll do just fine." With that the dancing finally began, his voice audible above the music, as he started to lead her through the dance step by step.

Aphr laughed, following the dance along as best she could. She however did get confused on the turn and stepped onto Zanes foot, wincing as she realized. "Sorry."

He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze and offered her a smile. "I told you not to mind it my dear." He offered after a moment. "So just relax, and try to find my rhythm, we're moving together as one. So if you can do that you'll never again step on another toe."

Aphr nodded, a little nervously, taking a few moments to get herself mentally in sync with the music before nodding again. "Let's try again."

"Again." He confirmed before starting the dance number once again from the beginning. He was a patient man when he needed to be and wouldn't push Aphr too hard.

Aphr is an attentive and eager student, and she does her best to get into the dance....and it appears to be going well. Her feet placement far from ideal, and her posture wasn't one of a highborn noble, but it was passable.

Except for the odd moment where she stood on his toes.

"Straighten your back." He murmured running his hand from her hip and up to her waistb o emphasize. "You might not think so, but you're slouching a little. You need to stand up tall."

There was a small frown as she straightened up. "Sorry" she said quietly as they danced "this is more difficult than I expected."

"No apologies necessary Aphr." He replied with a easy smile as his hand settled back into her waist. "A lot of it's just nervousness on your part, settle day and let your body feel the flow."

"Though that might feel like a contradictory explanation."