Or maybe it was just his wife in his arms, and the...gift, as it were, she had given him this night.
Gareth rumbled a laugh at her words and the expression on her face. "Well, you know," he said, pitching an already deep voice lower for her ears alone, though it was one of teasing and levity. "We've made an appearance, congratulated the new couple, had a drink, and now a dance... I'm not sure how late we actually need to stay..."
He found it...charming. Something in his mind poked and prodded that he wanted to encourage more of it, but the more rational part of his brain knew that was playing with fire.
Maybe literally.
Instead of trailed that thought through his own mind, his small smile grew slightly. "I am most pleased to hear this," he said. "I would hate to invite someone onto the floor and have her dislike my dancing. I am finding dancing with you most...enjoyable as well."
Sadie smiled and took his arm, allowing him to lead her off the dance floor and into parts less...crowded. Truth was, crowds were not her favorite of things and she was happy to have some more breathing room.
"This way," she said. She knew the Tower as well as any person alive knew their own home. She had been born to these walls, lived in them for over a century, and knew that when she did die, this was where she would be laid to rest. It was her home. And so now she followed his suggestion and brought them to a balcony overlooking the ballroom floor.
Once situated, she turned to him. "I enjoy watching people as well. You can tell a lot without ever venturing words. Such an activity can save your life in some situations, or just save your evening from being boring in others."
It hurt Lysira's heart to watch the visible misery Zarayne was experiencing, but she let the girl speak her piece. Such powerful emotions needed to be given their vent, and she was not going to stand in the way of that. Often by giving voice to what was inside, it could help to expel it. So, the silent one just listened.
And when she stopped, her eyes making it clear that it was the Gaidin's turn to speak, Lysira considered her words very carefully.
'I can imagine how painful this event must be for you, feeling as you do,' she signed, a little more slowly than usual as she continued to pick her words. She wanted to help, but did not want the girl to think that Lys found fault with her feelings. Zarayne needed validation, not isolation. 'How can you be sure, though, that this event will not expand your family, rather than take it away?'
She smiled a little, tilting her head. 'Miahala is...a good woman. She was practically a mother to me when I thought my mother was dead. And even after my parents returned, she remained so. Miahala and her kin are family to me, though we are not blood. And now I can say I welcome your father, and you, as near-family. If he and you would accept it.'