#mobtale/mofiatale

[seleneshield]

A Fine Flame

@bow-tie-bartender

Selene gasped at the sight of the beautiful hairpin nestled within the white box. The gorgeous pansy that was delicately sculpted gleamed atop it’s gold comb a dark purple with little emerald green leaves framing it. The exquisite pearl that rested next to it seemed to glow in the lights that illuminated the outside of the dance hall in contrast to the dark colors of the flower, making it look almost like a water droplet lingering after a summer storm. “Oh Grillby…” She whispered in awe, stunned and at a loss for words as she gently touched the petals of the flower in wonder, she could easily tell this was no cheap trinket as the pearl alone made it something special. The cost mattered not to her, she absolutely adored the gift because it came from him when she expected nothing but his company and time tonight. Though a worry flickered to the front of her mind for a moment of what the wonderful gift must have set him back, she knew he would never breathe a word about it even if he went hungry for it. So she let him know just how much his marvelous gift meant as her words came rushing back to her once more, “... Oh Grillby darling, I absolutely love it! Thank you so very much! It’s gorgeous!” She looked up at him with a thousand watt smile just for him that put the lights around them to shame. “And don’t you apologize for a thing darling, this will look beautiful with my dress! I’m going to wear it right now. Purple looks divine with green, and anyone who tells you otherwise doesn’t know a thing.” carefully plucking the comb from it’s box she felt along her hair and tucked it just above and to the side of her ear, amongst the many pins that held her hair in place. Unable to check but knowing the flower hair comb looked stunning in her hair, Selene reached up to cup Grillby’s cheek before standing on her toes to give him a soft lingering kiss. From against his lips she gave him her sincere thanks once more before taking his arm so the two of them could head inside the glittering dancehall.

The doormen nodded to the pair and held open the double doors open for them without a second glance as Grillby purposefully led the two of them up to the entrance; no one in town was fool enough to try and hop the line to get into MTT Dancehall without table reservations already on the books. Not since the incident ten years ago that is that made headlines in all the society pages. The poor sod was ceremoniously thrown out of the joint in front the never ending crowd of those wanting to get in, to this day they _still_ had not socially recovered from the incident as far as anyone knew.

The entryway of the dancehall was just as dazzling as its entrance, lavishly decorated with a burbaling fountain that featured none other than the dancehall’s proprietor himself Mettaton to greet it’s guests upon entering. Being the thoughtful gentleman Selene was coming to know him to be, Grillby streared them over to the coat check so as to let her leave her cocoon coat there. While he kindly helped her out of her coat to fully reveal the wonder that was her glittering green sleeveless dress for the night, a charismatic monster with a hand for a head and well painted nails sporting an adorable little hat, kindly took it to be hung up and handed her back a ticket so as to retrieve it later. Tucking the ticket away in her handbag Selene took Grillby’s arm once more, basking in his heat to keep her warm now that her coat was gone, and let him lead her to the podium where the maitre d’ stood presiding over the book of reservations for guests.

Grillby gave his full name to the monster behind the podium, an all black figure sporting a bowtie and a single large eye, and waited while they flipped through the pages of names organized day and time. As the seconds ticked by with no sign of the maitre d’ having found his name she could feel Grillby’s arm under her hand flex as he seemed to shift nervously. Selene gave his arm a gentle reassuring squeeze, she had no doubt in her mind he had made a reservation for them, but such things had been known to be lost even at the best of places. Discreetly with one hand she began to reach for the money she kept tucked away in case of emergencies, prepared to grease any palm needed to keep the night going well, when the maitre d’ made a noise of recognition at having finally found his name. “Terribly sorry about that sir! I do have your name right here along with the notes about your evening with us. It seems our illustrious owner was the one you spoke with when making your reservation and his rather _fancy_ handwriting made it a bit hard to read. I do apologize for the wait this caused. If you and your lovely date will follow me Mr. Ignatius, I will be happy to take you to your table.” Glad to feel Grillby relax once more she watched him nod in response and led the two of them to follow them after the maitre d’ that seemed to glide along into the next room.

The main room of the dancehall was a true sight to behold, a brilliantly lit crystal chandelier hung over the guests that crowded the sprung dance floor the hall was known for. Plushed booths and decorated tables lined the edges of the room that were not taken up by the well stocked bar and the grand stage that held the band and it’s singer high above the crowd. The air was electrified with the sounds of Big Band Jazz that seemed to move every body in the place to its melody. From the dancers to the watestaff they all seemed to move in time to the beat while the band lead by a dapper ghost in a tophat held sway over them all, and none of them were more powerful than Mettaton himself who led them all with the sweet sound of his voice.

The maitre d’ deftly lead them through the room to a comfortable little booth near the back that was just far enough away from it all to be able to hear one's close companions, but close enough to the dance floor to find a good spot when the mood struck. Selene gracefully slipped into one side of the booth while Grillby did so at the other end, allowing them to meet in the middle rather cozily. After the maitre d’left them with menus before gliding away another waiter, a human this time, quickly came by and took their drink orders. It was such a novel thing to be able to order alcohol without having to be sly about, but that was the luguary that came with Mettaton paying off the cops in the area and leaving a table reserved for their use at all times. With her first cocktail order of the night placed Selene allowed herself to relax and take it all in before turning to her date and smiling up at him. “This place is lovely Grillby! Thank you so much for bringing me here darling… I _had_ been wondering when you might ask me out or if I would have to have you over for dinner again before you did.” Her smile turned teasing as she casually let her hand rest on top of his in hopes of easing any tension that may still have been lingering in him.

[lustyangelpeach]

This was actually a request that turned out awesome, if I do say so myself. Red and Madam Toriel have a particular relationship in that HE likes shooting guns, and SHE likes orchestrating situations where he's gotta use them.

[seleneshield]

Fine Flame

@bow-tie-bartender

Selene couldn’t help the wistful smile that would not leave her lips nor the way her hand drifted up to her neck to lightly touch the place where Grillby had kissed her of his own accord only moments ago as she slowly walked away down the little hall towards the door. If Grillby had noticed the way she had held onto him all the tighter as he kissed the column of her throat, the way her breath had hitched as he did, or how he seemed to liquify her insides with that one touch, he didn’t let on. The fact that she had still been able to find the will to let go of him after that and say good night so he could get his rest was a miracle in itself. Maybe there was hope for more than just that one dinner with the fine flame afterall.

It was from this state of reverie that Selene was pulled by the sound of something hitting the ground with a thump behind her and the call of her name reaching her ears. Turning quickly she soon saw Grillby standing behind her at the mouth of the thin hall looking fraught with some emotion that she couldn’t quite put her finger on. As he locked eyes with her he gently took her hand in his own and it left her speechless, as much as it did him. So caught off guard by all this she could do nothing but look up in wide eyed surprise at the towering gentleman that seems to have seemed to have lost his words as he stood before her.

As half-started sentences and incompleast questions began to tumble forth from his mouth he paused for breath and she felt him gently squeeze her hand gently before he averted his eyes as if to gather his thoughts. It was clear as day how hard this seemed to be for him, even as he was finally able to convey how important his question was. At this Selene found herself taking hold of the hand that held hers in both of her own, stoking the back of it with both of her thumbs in a comforting manner as her brow began to furrow with concern, even as she took note of the growing darker hue of his cheeks. This however seemed to do little for Grillby as he continued to flounder at getting out his question once more. She was almost starting to get nervous about what he could possibly want to ask her when he finally was able to find the words.

Grillby wanted to take her out on a date, a proper one no less, with dinner and his beloved dancing at the grand MTT’s Dance Hall! Selene’s once concerned face bloomed into a brilliant smile that could have outshone the sun as she squeezed his hand in pure delight. “Oh Grillby, I would absolutely love to go out with you! Dinner and dancing sounds just perfect! Tomorrow is it! When, Where, and How would you like to meet up darling?”

[seleneshield]

A Fine Flame

@bow-tie-bartender

To say that the resolve Selene had built up within herself just moments before to gracefully let go of any hope for a romantic relationship with the fine flame melted would be an understatement when she felt him lean into her hand at his cheek and gently encompass it with his own warm touch. But with his thanks at her words she persevered and gently let him go to politely end their evening together. She was delighted that Grilby had enjoyed his time with her and that when he took her hand one last time to give it a quick kiss before saying their final goodbyes.

These were the thoughts that lingered with her as Selene stood in her doorway and watched as the large car carried away Grillby's blue glow on his way home till it turned the corner pulling him out of sight. In the cooling night air the sounds of the city with its many other people and families trying to get home were not but whitenoise to her till the clicking of Sebastian’s shoes on the stairs of her stoop pulled her from the thoughts of her departed guest. Back inside Selene paused for a moment before turning to Sebastian as he locked and shut up the house for the night, “...I kept everyone up rather late tonight with my dinner, be sure to let Lucy and William know tomorrow we can all have a late start and sleep in a bit. That goes double for you Sebastian. I have no plans tomorrow until evening and no intention of doing much till then. You’ll all also be well compensated for the extra effort above and beyond what is normally asked. Thank you very much for everything Sebastian.” Selene’s soft smile to her steward was met with a small bow, “of course Miss Shield, i’ll make sure the others know of your wishes as well.”

Selene ascended the stairs on the way to her room and paused at the top landing. Across the hall sat the guest bedroom all freshly made up with a large white box wrapped up in string sitting on the bed. Within it sat a very well tailored suit made of a soft dark charcoal gray fabric sized to fit Grillby as best as an off the rack suit could. It had been an impulse and far too much wishful thinking on her part at the time when she picked it up the day before while out shopping for tonight, but that showed how much optimistic hope she had for tonight and where it would lead. With a sigh she continued on to bed. If nothing else ever became of the two of them then at least it could always do as a nice suprise or possible parting gift.

Slipping into her room Selene began the solitary ritual of dressing down, sliding out of her silver satin gown, unclasping her jewelry to be safely stored away, removing her makeup, and changing out of her fancier undergarments to slip into a comfortable nightgown. Tucked between her soft sheets Selene curled onto her side and contemplated the wide empty spaces of her bed when all alone. It was in that moment that she came to a conclusion and barated herself for behaving so poorly, even if only in the privacy of her own mind. Grillby had responsibilities, a business to run. She should be grateful for the wonderful time they had and enjoy his company for as long as he would allow. He bid her to enjoy the rest of her evening and invited her to see in tomorrow evening and that was just what she was going to do. Looking at her hand resting next to her head she remembered how he held it so gently and left his final gentle kiss, at the fresh memory she could feel the slight tingle of his touch on her hand like a mark she could nearly see. On her gently parted lips she felt his lingering touch too like a brand, smiling at the feeling Selene finally went to sleep and dreamed in vivid shades of blue.

The start to the next day was just as Selene promised, later in the day than usual to the point that everyone's first meal was more of a leisurely brunch then a breakfast. With no other plan in her day than to visit Grillby’s later that night, Selene spent her day comfortably lounging around her home. With book in hand, glasses on nose, and cat at her heels, she began reading her matching copy of ‘The Mysterious Affair’ by Agatha Christie in the sweet sun that filtered in through the wide window. The book was rather gripping and completely engrossing, so much so to the point that she was only pulled away from its pages to discratiedly accept a cup of tea mid day, use the facilities, and finally have dinner. Sebastian had even been so attentive that she didn’t even notice when the electric lights had been switched on when the natural light would no longer be enough for her to easily read by. Dinner was a delicious affair but a far more casual one compared to the previous night. Making sure her bookmark was securely in place nearly halfway through the book the lady of the house made her way upstairs to go change for her night out.

Lucy had been a doll and had pulled out her little decorative dress with that flared into a layered skirt that looked like the petals of a flower, fading from black to gray to white. Accessorising her outfit with a bit of delicate silver jewelry, a white cloche hat decorated with a flower, and black frock coat detailed with sweeping silver embroidery she felt she was all set to go see Grillby once more. Selene headed down the stairs into her hall, made the request of Sebastian to call for a car to take her to the nearest corner to the tucked away dinner, and informed him that she should be home before 1:00 AM unless she called him to tell him otherwise.

When the vehicle pulled up outside her home and whisked her away, Selene did her best to rein in her feelings for the fine flame. This however, only proved to be harder than expected as the thrill of seeing Grillby once more grew as she drew ever closer. As the car rolled up to the nearest corner and let Selene out, she took a deep breath and calmed herself to prepare for anything the night might bring. Walking down the dark alleyway easily towards the tucked away door she gave the secret knock on it’s sturdy surface and waited for the small sliding window to open up to a pair of shifty eyes. Smiled at the onlooker she watched as the door eased open before being allowed in and greeted Doggo politely. Stepping into the glow of the speakeasy Selene continued on in to delicately sit at what she beginning to believe was her seat at the corner of the long polished bar counter. She idly took it all in, the atmosphere, the sents, the warmth, until Grillby finally caught her eye and she smiled.