Mulan and the Comte Part 2

Without further ado he snatched the plate out of her hand and dragged her to the dancefloor. He signaled to the string quartet, which immediately launched into something loud and fierce. Then he grabbed Mulan by the waist, pulled her close and began pirouetting across the room with her. The mercenary made several observations: She had graduated from looking vaguely out of place to being the primary source of entertainment for the guests. Also the chance of bursting out of her dress had just increased tremendously. But first and foremost: The Comte had a very punchable face.

The waltz however was surprisingly simple. All she really had to do was to mirror her partners steps and stay with the rhythm. No comparison to some of the maneuvers Shang had made her memorize in basic training.

> I do not see any point in this!

Mulan failed to keep the venom out of her voice.

>Dancing? Well, it's a form of social interaction, art and exercise.

This man was begging for a bludgeoning.

>Shouldn't you be fending off all the eligible bachelorettes that are stalking you, rather than fooling around with a middle-aged mercenary?

>You're not doing a good job at selling me on the alternative. Besides, I wanted to use this opportunity to talk to you more privately.

He spun around with her, allowing her to observe the scene.

>We're still at the center of everybody's attention.

>Yes, but the music is too loud and we move too fast for anybody to make sense of our conversation.

The Comte was starting to intrigue Mulan, despite herself.

>And what might we conspire about?

>Well, for one thing I know why you are here. In fact, I've been expecting someone like you to appear.

>How?

>I try to keep up to date. Information comes cheep to the likes of me. All these supernatural occurrences in the area. It's rather exciting, isn't it?

>The villagers don't seem to think so. They were rather tight lipped, if not openly hostile to me.

>Ah yes, I paid most of them not only to talk to me, but also to keep quiet afterwards.

They nearly bumped into another couple, but the aristocrat managed to maneuver them around all hazards, with ease.

>So you tried to keep this under wraps. Why?

The Comte sighed and gave her a worried look.

>Because I didn't wish to garner attention from a certain dark fae. The only reason I can live such a charmed life is because Maleficent takes no interest in this inconsequential neck of the woods.

It was true. The territory held no strategic value whatsoever. It was farmland and woods mostly and Maleficent couldn't care less if the people went hungry. She hadn't even bothered to appoint a governor here. She was seeking to extend the boarders of her realm, to the ancestors know where, not secure that which she already possessed.

And I could be the one to overlook these expansions, thought Mulan, at least that's what she had suggested. She buried the thought for the moment.

>Well, it seems like someone talked. Otherwise I wouldn't be here.

>I'm not so certain. I have the suspicion that Maleficent just has a way of knowing these things. That means my best bet is to corporate with you, provide you with everything you need and generally be a charming host.

>How collaborative of you. There are quite a few things I could use.

Mulan cracked a smile. The Comte raised an eyebrow.

>Such as?

>Accommodation for one thing. The local tavern isn't all that bad. But I had to beat up the innkeeper twice now. Once for trying to steal from me and once for getting a little too familiar with me. I'm sure you have a spare bedroom somewhere, if not I saw some very comfortable looking carpets, on my way in.

The Comte's playful expression dropped. The Waltz was reaching its final tacts.

>I can't possibly house you. I have to decline.

>Oh, I'm afraid I have to insist.

Mulan bowed deep and made note of the man's sudden exasperation.

>Now if you'll excuse me, there's some pheasant waiting for me… with chanterelle sauce!

she added triumphantly, leaving him standing in the middle of the dancefloor. In fact she was in such a good mood, she didn't even notice that the seem on her back had ripped wide open until later that evening.

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