May I Finish This Dance?

 

Claudia watched as Lestat and Louis effortlessly glided across the floor, flowing perfectly in and out of each other's arms, twirling with grace, yet their eyes never left one another. Claudia did admire their love. And at one time seeing her parents happy and together brought her more joy than she had ever known. But now all Lestat and even Louis had left her with was anger, envy, regret, and rage.

 Stepping to the dance floor Claudia interrupted the two and gently tapped Lestat's shoulder. It was so rare the two would touch nowadays. Both turned to look at her questionably, Claudia eyed them both before speaking. "May I finish this dance?" She asked and watched as Lestat pulled from Louis, ready to give him up to her for this last dance. "If he will have you, sister." He said before turning to walk away. Lestat stopped and couldn't hide the surprise on his face when he felt Claudia's small and delicate hand take his own.

 "I meant... with you... Uncle Les... " Her words poured from her mouth like honey, drawing out Les's name in that soft, sweet southern accent. He turned to look questionably at her for a moment before he gave a slight nod, and it was now Louis who took a step back, allowing the two, who were often at odds, to dance.

 Hesitation was not a common practice of Lestat, but he was overcome with it here and in this moment with Claudia. He hesitated for a moment deciding where he should place his hand, finally resting it upon Claudia's waist as they began to dance.

 Claudia held Lestat's hand, her other rested on his shoulder. She studied his face as they too now twirled around the dance floor, others joining in. Unlike when he danced with Louis, Lestat was avoiding eye contact with Claudia. There was a stiffness to him, not the genuine happiness he had when dancing with Louis.

Claudia could sense how tense she made him. Part of her reveled in that. She could make the great Lestat uncomfortable. A personal pleasure, however, another part of her felt hurt. Both these feelings leaving her at a crossroads of emotions over what she was about to do. But unlike Louis these emotions wouldn't stop her, wouldn't change what was going to happen. Claudia needed Lestat gone. He was something she was willing to sacrifice for the chance of a life, her life.

As the music ended the two stopped dancing. Finally, Lestat's blue eyes looked down to meet Claudia's red ones. They stared at each other for a long time before Lestat spoke. "Merci pour la danse ma chérie." Claudia didn't answer right away but instead leaned up and pressed a gentle kiss to Lestat's cheek. 

When she did speak she spoke softly so only Lestat could hear. "De rien, Lestat. Joyeux mardi gras." She said before letting him go, disappearing into the crowds of people around them. 

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"De rien, Lestat. Joyeux mardi gras"