Dance Lesson

Zaida dropped back into her seat, eager to welcome the savoury delights from the kitchen into her maw again. She was especially excited as she had discovered that the seared beef made for an entirely new experience when consumed with the vestiges of that creamy cheese still on one's palate. Her attention along with that of everyone else in the hall was stolen away by a voice reaching out.

"Hello! I wish an excellent evening to everyone," the blue-haired songstress declared. "I invite you all to stand and dance to this tune I have prepared in celebration of the brave knights of Merridian!"

Cheers and beverages rose in concurrence. Who would have thought there were fans of the corps present? A tumult spawned from the hall of folk coming to their feet and migrating from the tabled end of the hall to the open end. Drink has a way of putting a fire in one's feet, and plenty of those present had had exactly the right amount to thirst for a song with friends or loved ones.

Zaida followed the crowd. A hush fell as focus was stacked upon the polychromatic performer. Her song began slow and soft, describing hapless townsfolk in need of saving from demonic threats. It slowed to a pause to build suspense right as an innocent was on the verge of being food for some enigmatic horror. The music returned in energetic brilliance with lyrics that hailed the timely intervention of the Merridian knights.

This was a cue to all but Zaida as those listening sprang to life with jovial dancing. It was a wonder to her how they could all move in such harmony with a song they had never heard before. Had they practiced for this?

"Come on, Miss Champion," Cole invited, keeping in time with the song's rhythm as he did so. "Hero of the hour is no excuse to sit still. Even Sergei is moving."

Sure enough, the reserved knight was dancing with as much energy as anyone else, even if he was still stony-faced.

"I don't know how to move to this song," Zaida confessed.

"That's okay, neither does anyone else here." Migdalia had joined them and included herself in the other woman's advisement. "So long as you can keep with the tempo, that's really all there is to it."

Zaida noted that Migdalia's movements were different from Cole's were different from Sergei's were different from everyone else in the place. She was right: while they may have all moved with confidence and rhythm, there was little else restricting what could be done. Gaining a sense for the mood and vigour of the other partygoers - and perhaps stealing a move or two - Zaida eased into a dance of her own, following along to the notes and beat that rang from the singer.

"Hey, hey! She's getting it!" Cole remarked. "Not quite as hard as fending off a demon horde, wouldn't you say?"

Letting go, Zaida gave herself over to the music. She found herself having fun; so much so, that when the final notes were plucked from the lute, she felt a small pang of remorse. It was not over though. Others bearing instruments flanked the songstress. She praised her audience for their grace and instructed them to partner up for the next song. The band borrowed a moment to tune their instruments while the crowd did so. Migdalia partnered with Sergei, and Zaida found herself facing Cole.

"I'm guessing that if you didn't know how to dance on your own, then you don't know how do it with a partner, eh?" he asked. Zaida shook her head. "Okay, let me culture you really quick. A lot of dances use this as a base position. Take my hand, and put your other on my shoulder or my waist."

Zaida complied, letting the smaller man hold her hand out to the side. She placed her free hand on his shoulder and he placed his on her waist.

"Now where we go from here depends on the tempo, disposition, and how rowdy the band is feeling."

Wondering what he meant by this, Zaida glanced over at the musicians as they finalised their preparation. The bohemian dress of the woman in front did not foretell of a dull performance to her. "All right. What else?"

"Just follow my lead and don't think too hard," Cole explained. "Oh, and watch out for stepping on your partner's toes."

Zaida looked down to double check her stance. She inched backward as a precaution.

The music returned with a far more powerful start than the previous song. The synergism of the instruments was energising for all listening. Starting simple, Cole swayed his hips from side to side, rocking his whole form along with the motion. He used his grip on Zaida's hand and waist to encourage her to match him. After demonstrating an understanding of this foundation, Cole led her in a slow rotation, turning a little with each rocking step. A sense of excitement at her own success began to swell in Zaida's breast.

"Ah! What did I say about toes?" Cole exclaimed more out of reprimand than pain as his boot protected his foot.

"Sorry," Zaida apologised, promptly humbled.

The song went on and Cole introduced her to more complex moves. Before Zaida could feel too confident though, she found her partner dancing away and a new one taking his place.

"Feel like you're getting the hang of it?" Migdalia asked as she took Zaida's hand and shoulder.

"What just happened?" Zaida looked to see that Cole was now dancing with Sergei as if they had been doing so the entire time.

"Partner swap," Migdalia stated as she pulled away, twirled under the bigger knight's hand, then returned to her. "Get used to it. It'll happen a few more times before the night is over."

Scanning around, Zaida did find some others with partners they had not started with. "Why?"

Migdalia shrugged, or perhaps that was part of the move she was performing. "Keeps things interesting. Gives you a chance to try out good and bad dancers alike; and find out which is which."

Humans are weird, but they're certainly not boring.

Migdalia was right, over the coming hours Zaida would trade and be traded to what felt like half the folk in attendance. She had a turn with Sergei, some of the other knights, that remarkably talented chef, the flustered teenager, some deceptively agile seniors, and even a certain school administrator.

"Miss Nsukula!" Zaida exclaimed with a raised voice to penetrate the elevated volume from the band. "I did not know you were here."

"Eposi, darling," the commoner corrected. "I am not so old that you should refer to me that way." She too had to nearly shout to reach Zaida through the music and mirth. "I offer my apologies for not being here sooner. Obligations barred me from a punctual arrival. Though I can see I have not been denied the highlight of the evening."

While Zaida presumed she was referring to the commendable instrumentals and vocals from the band, Eposi was in fact referring to dancing with her. By then, the knight had practiced enough to have confidence in herself, as well as blend her newly attained experience with that she had brought from her time under the Demon Lord. The product was a competent and novel skillset for the dance floor.

As they went on, the current of the mass swept them nearer to the band, raising the volume further still.

"Zaida, perhaps you..." Eposi continued speaking, though Zaida could not make out the words amongst the clamour.

"What?" the bigger woman asked.

Eposi magnified her voice and tried again. "Have you heard..."

"What?" Zaida repeated, having lost her once again.

"DO YOU KNOW..."

This was absurd. Zaida should have insisted on relocating to a place more conducive to conversation, but she felt hesitant to disturb the flow of the dance; for Eposi and everyone else. Hence, she chose to instead nod along to the movements of Eposi's lips, pretending to both catch and comprehend whatever may have been leaving them.

"... upon us... unlike this... grander... Would you..." After a few final words, Eposi paused, seeming to be awaiting some response on Zaida's part.

Oh, it was a question. About what? Does she want my input on a matter? Did she invite me to something? Is she asking about some trait of mine? Zaida had trapped herself. To request the pertinent information now would be to admit she had been misleading Eposi before, and she could not do that.

"Yeah," Zaida nodded, using the tone she found the most noncommittal to any one disposition or level of conviction. She wished upon the Demon Lord's temper that it had not been an open-ended question. She supposed she had guessed correctly, as a rich smile bloomed on Eposi's face. It remained there until partners were traded once again.

There came a point where the energy of the gathering began its downtrend. A significant number of partygoers left the floor, returning to the dining space to recover and perhaps help themselves to final refreshments before departing for the evening. It was getting late.

The songstress softened her songs to match the ebbing. After her final number, she made a declaration to those still present. "It is with a heavy, yet full heart that I make my exit this evening. You, my adept and appreciative audience, will inspire me to many a composition in the coming days. Thank you all. I have been your lauded and loved lead, Piper Farrhenway." She paused for applause before allowing the other musicians to promote themselves; a round of cheers and claps after each. When it was done, one final ovation saw them depart triumphantly.

Taking their place was a soloist. She was welcomed with a her own round of applause, though one cloaked member of the audience was distinctly more enthusiastic in their cheers. She performed elegant legato vocals, granting a soothing tone to the closing moments of the celebration.

The numbers of those remaining dwindled until fewer than a dozen remained. Zaida thought it polite to aid in the cleanup, and did so by relocating furniture and empty kegs. While carrying a pair on her shoulders toward the back door, she was caught by a firm voice.

"Helping out at the surprise party thrown for your nobility? Are you trying to butter someone up, or are you just that precious?"

"Ah, hello Dvorah," Zaida swivelled to greet her, kegs still framing her head. "I hadn't seen you here."

"Please, Miss Basch will suffice."

Zaida stared off into space for a breath. "What can I do for you, Miss Basch?"

"You will take me as your date to the Harvest Season Festival. Arrive at my house one hour prior to the opening event in your best attire-"

"Wait I-" Zaida attempted to halt her.

"-I will be dressing in blue with a vanda corsage - build your outfit around that. Oh, and while I'd hope you'd be plenty versed in it already, be sure to brush up on your etiquette for romantic events." With that, the woman pivoted on her heel and went on her way.

"But I already... have... a..." Zaida trailed off, her words falling short of an indifferent and receding Dvorah.

What was she to do? She had already agreed to go with Marisol, but Dvorah did not seem the sort of woman to take no for an answer. Was she supposed to cancel on Marisol? How rude that would be! But she did not like her odds of swaying Dvorah. Even without the social challenges of either option, there was her mission from Tivra and Edie. She could not well imagine winning over either of the women after refusing them for the Festival. Talk about a dilemma...

"Wait... romantic event?"