Mary pulled Lucius by the hand and walked toward the huge dining table full of food. She sat on a chair and petted the chair next to her.
"Sit down."Mary said while smiling at him.
He pushed all the chairs to a side and sat on his tail next to Mary.
"Eat up. Later, you need to use a lot of energy."
Lucius tilted his head to the side but didn't question it. He took a handful of food and shoved it in his mouth.
"Eat slowly! Later you'll choke, we're not in a rush."
Lucius stared at her for a few seconds before he went back to eating but at least he was eating much slower now. Mary went to grab a drink and came back. She placed two glasses of plain water on the table and sat back down to eat her meal.
After a while, they finished their meal. Mary stood up from her chair and pushed the table but it wouldn't budge. Lucius on the other hand didn't know what Mary wanted to do. He stood there while staring at her, placing her hands on the table.
"Umm...a little help."Mary said, awkwardly.
Lucius heard Mary's request and helped push the table. Lucius noticed her hands were still grabbing on the table. He pushed her hands away while Mary withdrew her hands, stunned.
"Do you not want my help?"
Lucius stared at her with doubtful eye.
"I already told you to not underestimate me for my size."
Lucius placed his hand on his chest and hissed. As if he was saying, I can do it by myself.
"If you say so."Mary said, accepting defeat."Push it to the side and we can begin."
He nodded and pushed it without a hint of struggle. He was strong and by that very strong. He pushed it, swiftly to the side and waited for Mary's order.
"Thank you!"Mary said with a smile and went near the gramophone.
She placed the needle down onto the disc and soft, beautiful music began to fill the hall. Lucius sat on his tail while listening to the mesmerizing music. He was staring at the disc spinning around in the gramophone until Mary reached out her hand and caught his attention.
Lucius turned to look at her. One of her hands was held out in front of her, the other was hidden behind her back. Lucius tilted his head and Mary said.
"Will you dance with me?"Mary asked with a smile.
For a second there Mary seemed like a gorgeous prince in front of him. Lucius stared at her dumbfounded for a second before he shook his head intensely while blushing.
"Huh?Why though?"Mary asked a little upset.
Lucius noticed her sad reply and reached out his hand to crave the wooden floor but was stopped by a pair of hands.
"Don't hurt the floor!"Mary yelled while grabbing his hand.
Lucius stared at her, eye widened, shocked by her sudden request.
"Ah...that must have sounded dumb..."Mary said while Lucius nodded."Hey! I know it is dumb but can't you at least fake disagree?!"Mary's face was now bright red.
Lucius did a shoulder laugh and Mary embarrassingly looked away until she heard scratching sounds coming from Lucius's side. She immediately glanced back and saw Lucius craving the wall.
Mary stared silently at it before sighing. At least he didn't crave on the floor I guess. Mary thought.
I don't know how to dance. Lucius wrote.
"What? That's it? That's the only reason?"Mary asked, surprised.
Lucius nodded while rubbing the back of his neck.
"Well...Then...Do you want to learn from me?"Mary asked with a dazzling prince aura while holding her hand out in front of Lucius again.
Lucius stared at her hand for a few seconds before he placed his hand on her palm, which covered her whole hand.
"Then? Shall we start?"
He nodded. Mary held out another hand and Lucius held it. Then, she slowly backed away while he followed. They went to the middle of the room which now seemed like a ballroom.
As they stood there, Mary began to teach him where to place his hands. One of Mary's hands was grabbing Lucius's while the other she didn't know where to put it. She knew she had to place it on top of his shoulder but it was too far from her reach. If she needed to reach it, she would need to stand on her toes and not only that it would still be only the tips of her fingers that touch.
Mary took Lucius's hand and put it on her waist. Lucius flinched while blushing slightly. Mary noticed.
"What? Are you shy now?" Mary laughed."I thought you always sneakily hugged me in your sleep."
Lucius's face redden as he flinched, he never thought Mary knew he did it on purpose. Mary chuckled while she placed her hand on his arm. She then smiled at him and said.
"Follow my rhythm."
Mary began to move slowly while Lucius nervously followed. He kept looking at the floor, afraid he would make Mary slip with his tail or accidentally injure her feet. He kept looking down until something pushed his chin. He looked up and his eye met with Mary's.
"Keep your eye on me. As long as you follow me, there wouldn't be a mistake."
After a while, Lucius finally got it. He smiled at Mary while they continued to dance.
"Lucius..." Mary unexpectedly called him."I've been wondering...Do you actually want to help me save my brother?I never ask you this before..."
Lucius nodded, intensely in response.
"Thanks for that!"Mary smiled happily but for some reason, he looked upset."Lucius...why the long face? Is it because of...my leaving?"
He nodded, depressingly.
"Ah...Then...Why not we go out together?"
Lucius stared, shocked by her reply. He was uncertain at first but then he smiled and nodded.
"It's a promise then! Do you know how to pinky swear? Wait...now that I think about it...forget about it."
Lucius held out his hand, waiting for Mary.
"We're already adults!"
He looked at her, ears down, upset.
Mary sighed.
"Fine..."
She reached out her pinky and Lucius warped his pinky around hers.
"It's a promise! Let's get out of here together!"
Both of them smiled at each other while dancing, swiftly to the music.