Another Dance (Minako/Arty)

[Aino Minako]

Minako’s taunt of him having to show her, his, moves put him at ease. He just smiled and guided Minako away on the dance floor. He noticed Minako was dressed lovely for the evening but Minako always dressed to impress. “Minako you look lovely tonight.”

After giving the table a final wave, Minako follow Artemis out onto the dance floor. She let her lead, enjoying her second dance partner of the evening. "You don't look half bad yourself, Artemis," Minako told him, one hand resting softly on his shoulder while the other was clasped nicely into his. "How are you enjoying your night in human form?"

[Artemis]

Artemis was happy that the subject has started on a cheery note. He smiled as Minako complimented him and gentle placed his hand on her waist as they start gliding across the floor. He chuckled at her question about him being in human form. “It feels like a dream Minako and I don’t want to jinx it. Its been a long time since I have enjoyed a dance with my wonderful companion Luna. It has been the first time since we are able to talk as equals and you can’t call me the stupid cat.” He added the teasing remark as the music started to play.
“How was your talk with the ladies of the table?”

[Aino Minako]

"Enjoyable," Minako replied as she let Artemis whirl her around. "I haven't spent much time with Hotaru in years, but I think I'd like to change that. She's a bright young girl with a lot to say. Luna too, although I'll admit that it is a little weird to see you two as people instead of cats. I like it though! It's much more fun to dance with you this way. And hey! I don't call you a stupid cat... do I?"

[Artemis]

Artemis kept the steps lively and hands only loosely intertwined as each move slightly opposite of each other. It wasn’t a dance Artemis was accustomed to but it was fairly easy for him to keep up. “I am glad to hear that, Hotaru needs support especially considering she is at the same age as the rest of you were when this started. My companion does know how to give sound advice and her logical perspective always helps. Yes I can see why it would be werid but it is fun none the less. I am only teasing Minako you haven’t called me stupid cat in a long time.”

He smiled as the movements continued the speed. He wondered if he should ask about the certain man she was dancing with. He decided to wait a little bit and see if she introduces the subject.

[Aino Minako]

"It's different though," Minako mused. "We were fighting evil at that time, and our identities were secret. We were our own little club in a way, and there was something special to that. We're still special now, but Hotaru has no club, no other senshi friends her age to share the experience with.. and there isn't much experience. Not that I'm complaining, but we haven't needed to fight evil in that way for some many years. She's just that girl who is the senshi of death, but it doesn't mean anything to her friend. They were too young to remember what things were like when we were a team."

She laughed at Artemis' last words, "Well, I'm sorry if I ever called you a stupid cat. You know you're not one, and you and Luna are both a great pair when it comes to advice. We'd have been lost without you both."

[Artemis]

Artemis smiled and nodded at Minako’s description on how things are different for Hotaru-chan. He kept dancing and wondered how to approach the subject. He was silent for a good few minuets before he finally got an idea. “Hotaru-chan will find friends too it will be difficult just as it was for each of you. She is a very able young lady from what I can see. I do agree with what you said about Hotaru-chan but each of us has a long journey ahead for us. How has your evening gone Minako? Did you dance with any notable young men?”

[Aino Minako]

At Artemis' question Minako face broke into a smile and her cheeks flushed in a blush. "Well, now that you ask.." she began, unsure of how much she wanted to say. Not that she didn't trust Artemis, but she wasn't sure she trusted herself not to go off gushing about Khalid. "I danced with a man named Khalid ibn Maleec. He's one of the investors in the movie I'll be filming this coming year. He's... very sweet." As they whirled across the floor, Minako spotted Khalid speaking with someone else. "He's over there, with the white hair."

Minako decided not to mention that the senshi suspected he was Kunzite. Artemis would find all that out soon enough.

[Artemis]

Artemis glanced over in one of their turns and it caused his heart to worry. He kept the smile in place though because he did not want to ruin the good time they were having. Thoughts were like the shadows of the dancers, they were not noticeable but still there all the same. He still can not believe how fast time gets away from him. He commented, “He seems like a handsome man with an honorable reputation.” They continued the steps as the music slows down.

[Aino Minako]

Minako beamed, "He's polite and proper, and good looking too. He's a businessman, but he has a strong interests in the arts and so he's invested in the movie. I think he really likes me though, as more than an idol. I believe he's already got ties with Usagi too..." Minako's eyes flickered back at Khalid for a moment, before returning to Artemis. "And what about you and Luna? What have you two been up to this evening? She looks stunning in her human form."

[Artemis]

As they continued to dance he noticed Minako’s reaction was that of her being interested in a guy. As much as this side of Minako gave him joy it also made him wary of the man. He did not want Minako to be lonely but he still felt trouble especially since the troubled with Mamoru-san’s remerging guard. Her question about what he did with Luna distracted his train of thought. Her compliment earned a smug look from him as he agreed that Luna did look stunning tonight. It also helped that he could try out his corny flirts on her. He kept that part to himself.
“Oh I have been showing Luna off from time to time and we danced. It was the traditional Waltz and it seemed that we both had not forgotten how to dance. She is stunning and who knows maybe tonight will end with a mystical kiss.” Artemis allowed a light blush to appear on his cheek as he realized what he had said.

[Aino Minako]

Artemis didn't comment on Khalid, so after one final glance in the man's direction, Minako let the conversation about him drop. She couldn't tell if Artemis approved or not, and for some reason Minako was afraid to ask him. Certainly, if Arty knew that Khalid was likely Kunzite, the cat would be on her to stay away from him. Minako wasn't sure she could even if she tried, at least while Khalid had no idea who he was, and certainly if his awakening produced as nice a person as Nephrite's seemed to.

So instead, she listened as Artemis talked about Luna and their dancee. "I hope you two do have a great time tonight! I suppose while you were gone away with me, and then on your own you didn't see Luna either. Looks like your reunion went pretty smoothly as well. I'm sure if you approach her, she'll reciprocate. Luna has always loved you, you know."

[Artemis]

Artemis wince as Minako brought up his stupid decision to leave. Minako’s advice made sense but he wasn’t sure if Luna would like to be romanced in times of stress. The music slowly came to an end as they did one last turn. He could tell she was curious about something and her eyes shined with interest. “Minako I want you to be happy but just please be careful.” Once the music stopped he bowed respectfully to Minako and walked back towards Luna.