> > Over the next half hour, Shawn and Ilane enjoy their food and chat. Shawn > > talks about music, > > painting, theater and good books. He deftly kept the conversation light and > > enjoyable. He asked her > > about things that she liked. Dancing, what it was like in a professional > > troupe. If she seemed to > > not want to talk about anything, he changed the subject. > > Shawn finds Ilane to be very open to discussing just about anything. She talks > at length about her many years as a professional dancer, and touches on her > later and briefer military career. It's clear that she was *very* reluctant to > give up her dancing career after she was drafted into the navy, but, always the > optimist, Ilane seemed determined to make the best of her unexpected change in > career that she could. Shawn was never in the military and asks questions to find out what she did, what she liked and disliked. He will unbend and tell her some stories about his time as a smuggler. He didn't like the work but it was what the family did. He has some funny stories. Still, the majority of the time is spent talking about her. > > The theater lights darkened a little and a man dressed in a formal suit came > > across the stage to stand before the gathered diners. > > > > "My dear guests, welcome. We, the cast and crew, thank you deeply for coming > > tonight." > > > > He looked across the crowd with a smile. > > > > "As you all know, this is a special performance. Tonight, all proceeds from > > your most generous > > donations go to the starving artists fund." > > > > The crowd broke into applause and he waited for it to die down before he > > continued. > > Once the crowd noise dies down a bit, Ilane asks Shawn, "Do you know if they're > still taking donations for that?" Shawn leaned back over and nodded. "I'm sure they will be collecting again as we leave. Every mark helps." > > "And to those of you in the tables before the stage, we give especial thanks > > for your most generous > > additional contributions. On behalf of all of us, I thank you." > > She gives Shawn a little smile. Shawn smiled, a little self consciously. > > There was one > > intermission and drinks could be refreshed then. Shawn deferred to Ilane as > > to what, if any, drink > > they would have. > > She continued to have bloody maries, but with either a half a shot of *no* > vodka in them. By the time the night was over, she perhaps had a total of four > drinks and her mind remained sharp. Since Shawn is sticking with her, he is in the same sharp condition. > > Occasionally, he leaned over to make some quiet comment and > > Ilane found her hand > > taken in his after a bit while they spoke. He released it but reluctantly. > > Ilane's hand seemed to linger near his through the performance, and she seemed > as reluctant as he was when it came time to part them. During the second half, he kept his hand in hers. > > He looks all lit up. He is obviously having a very good time but his eyes are > > focused on Ilane and how she is doing. > > The dancer claps very enthusiastically, full of life as she always seems to > be. She meets Shawn's gaze and she looks back at him with eyes sparkling and > happy. When the crowd started to depart, Shawn pulled her chair out for her and led her towards the exit. Out front, the man from the stage is shaking hands as people make their way clear. Shawn stepped close so she could hear him in the din and slipped an arm around her waist to keep them from being separated. "I bet he would take that contribution from you, Ilane." He said next to her ear. OOC: Is she wearing perfume? Shawn has a light aftershave on. Shawn
