A Tale As Old As Time

[Marcus Kane]

Marcus had been too busy to really enjoy the masquerade when he was a cadet, and tonight he was busy as well, though he still dropped in to check on the dance. This wasn't the youth one, but one for the cadets to enjoy as they finished their first year of training, and moved into their last. They were no longer new. After this they would be given assignments, and mentors to follow. They'd be working and training at the same time. This was to mark the change. Not every group of cadets did a formal masquerade dance, as each group decided what they wanted. The choice was popular though.

Marcus paused on the edge of the floor and his eyes caught one of the cadets and he had to fight his amusement. She was adorable. He had thought ti the first time he saw her in class. He had thought it when training with her. He had thought it when watching her aptitude test score reach the highest they had reached in almost forever. He was thinking it now. Even with the masks he knew her. Everyone thought they gave them mystery, but they were mostly for fun.

His brows bent as he noticed someone coming on sort of strong toward her. Marcus was no longer a training officer, and any interaction with cadets no longer was immoral, though he imagined it was still frowned upon--which is why he had steared clear. Ever since the last cadet that he had gotten too close too he had made sure there was no one else. Though this one had gotten under his skin too. And he didn't like the attention the other man gave her.

Reaching over he randomly selected one of the cadets. "You're getting promoted early. Go to the offices and ask for Sargent Quinn." The cadet muttered some thank you's and Marcus reached over to take his mask and then gestured for him to go on. Once the guy had left to go seek his promotion--and Marcus really oped he had earned one--Marcus pulled the mask on, and the pulled his coat off to turn it inside out to hide any sign of his rank.

Walking forward he reached @callie and the other guy. "I'm cutting in." He told him, before stepping between them, putting his hands on her hips, and spinning her out of reach.

[Deleted]

    

     We've been conditioned to not make mistakes

Callie wasn't sure how she felt about these sort of functions. Of course, the young woman in her couldn't fully deny the thrill of dressing up, wearing a mask, and mingling among her colleagues and fellow students. Yet, the other part of her -- the more academically inclined part of her . . . kept wondering if she should be home studying. She was far more used to that than being out socializing like this, and with her being younger than most, she still had a great deal to show. Yet, young woman part of her was currently beating the academic side. For she was still here. And dare she admit, she was enjoying herself. She was watching the others, when someone came to talk to her. She politely smiled, and even more politely declined his invitation to dance. But he didn't seem to take that for an answer. Persistance was always good, but not in this context. Callie tried to ignore him, not looking his way but still politely saying she would rather not. He moved to stand in front of her, blocking her exit and her eyes darted to his face, her heart beating faster at the fact that she was being cornered . . . and she did not like it. But suddenly, someone came and told them that he was cutting in. It was another man, who's hands went to her waist to spin her to the side. She was grateful for the mask, because it hid the light blush that colored her cheeks. This particular male felt different, and not as intrusive as the first. There was something more . . . dashing about him. Handsome. Suave. When the other wandered off, Callie let out the breath that she hadn't even realized she'd been holding. She then looked at her savior. "Thank you," she said, her tone holding a bit of formality, but genuine appreciation for his actions. And then, a thought hit her. It was enough to make her force back any more panic. "I appreciate you stepping in. However, I did not decline one man's invtation to dance only to accept anothers. So if that is your intention, then perhaps I am not the best company to keep." She wanted to make things very clear . . . and she also wasn't realizing who exactly she was talking to for the mask covered his face. Tag Marcus Kane

              but I can't live that way

made by remi of isc & rilla go!

[Marcus Kane]

"Thank you," She told him, and Marcus smiled down at her, "You are welcome," He knew he sounded arrogant, but he couldn't help it. "I appreciate you stepping in. However, I did not decline one man's invitation to dance only to accept another's. So if that is your intention, then perhaps I am not the best company to keep." Marcus felt his brows raise, and she smile widen. He had never seen her stand up to him like this. She had opened up a lot due to their training, but she always seemed aware of his rank, and kept that over him--never saw him as a man.

He slowly moved his hands from her hips, and held them up for a moment, to make a teasing show if it, before dropping them down. "Then share a drink with me." He told her, not thinking about her not knowing who he was, though he wondered if she did since she wasn't talking to him like he was his rank. "Please," He added on to make it sound less like a command. "We can drink it too finishing this part of your training, and whatever great things that you will do next."