Double Drabble: Will You Dance?

[honorat]

by Honorat
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I need to find myself a writing job that pays, mate!

Summary: Set after the movie. Elizabeth finds her old society is not so eager to welcome her home. For the "Drift" challenge at Black Pearl Sails.

* * * * *


They want to despise her, she knows. That or pity. She’s heard the whispers behind fans, counted the decrease in calling cards and rich ivory invitations. What is it that she is supposed to be now? A shameless hussy, wild to a fault, such damaged goods that no man of consequence will have her?

But still they come to the governor’s ball, gawking and gossiping. She tosses her golden-brown head in triumph as she sees the reluctant jealousy in her former friends’ eyes. The music drifts over their heads as Will leads her into the next dance. There is not another young man in the room as beautiful as her blacksmith. He needs no sawdust stuffing to simulate shoulders.

The glittering ballroom, the censorious stares fade as Will guides their steps. No musicians of her father’s hiring can match the powerful symphony Will plays on the orchestra of her flesh with his lightest touch.

She should have known that a man so elegant and graceful in the intimate dance of swords would find his feet on native heath in the measured steps of the waltz.

Comments

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

This was lovely and lyrical, even with the dark undertones. Wonderfully visual, too, and so appropriate to the theme. Great job.

[demishock.livejournal.com]

Very nice. The imagery in this little gem is beautiful. Disney doesn't get into the whole aftermath bit (maybe in the sequels?), but law of the land at that time dictates that the governer's daughter shouldn't be associating herself with such low-class citizens. I love the fact that Elizabeth doesn't care. I just love how she just doesn't DO 'damsel in distress'... unless of course she's faking-out Daddy-dearest. Girl-power! (haha)

I particularly liked this line: He needs no sawdust stuffing to simulate shoulders. Will's a -real- man. Perfect for Elizabeth. None of that fake, prim-and-proper nonsense she grew up with.

*glee* Your fics make me feel all happy and warm inside. * . *;

[benevolentround.livejournal.com]

Wow. Just...wow.

[thekestrel.livejournal.com]

Oh so lovely. And oh so nasty is the natives, of the ton. Just like today always condemning, rarely forgiving. Yet, Will who used to pay attention to such, now cares not one whit. While Elizabeth dances off with her prize, to the envy of all. Yes, this is vary fitting. Your getting better all the time.

[azziria.livejournal.com]

I love the way you've used language in this piece - packing a lot into a few words. (I started to quote my favourite lines but they turned out to be most of it, so I gave up!)

Beautiful. Thank you for posting this :-)

[corrielle.livejournal.com]

I like the imagery of this quite a bit. Especially the line No musicians of her father’s hiring can match the powerful symphony Will plays on the orchestra of her flesh with his lightest touch. That gave me shivers.

Figures Will would be a good dancer too... :-)

[hendercats.livejournal.com]

Beautiful response to the challenge as Elizabeth (in Will's arms) drifts sails away from all the whisperers and gawkers!

[sparky-darky.livejournal.com]

Mmm, some lovely imagery here. Elizabeth is a very Jane Austen/Kate Chopin character, I always thought-- just waiting for her chance to break constraints and act on her own terms.

Like others, I love the comparison of Will as a real man, as compared to the primly dressed, hoity-toity types, as well as that of sword-fighting to dancing.

No musicians of her father’s hiring can match the powerful symphony Will plays on the orchestra of her flesh with his lightest touch. What a sensual description, and perfect in its simplicity and subtle hints.

Liking the 'reluctant jealousy' as well-- after all, no matter what upbringing you have, everybody really yearns for an adventure, to do something so memorable.

I love your drabbles-- you have such insight that it's made it impossible for me to look at the characters the same way!

[erinya.livejournal.com]

Did I not comment on this? Bad me! As you can probably tell, I'm trying to catch up on my reading and feedback.

The last sentence of this one was my favorite: elegant and graceful in the intimate dance of swords is a sexy turn of phrase. I'm not always a huge Will fan, but you really made me see what Elizabeth (that shameless hussy, LOL) sees in him here.

[the-dala.livejournal.com]

I love the whole thing, particularly the idea that Will can dance and this: He needs no sawdust stuffing to simulate shoulders.