MISSION . SO YOU THINK I CAN DANCE

[borntosing]

Who: Azure and Spain (conquistador)
What: Someone has two left feet.
When: any day between Redheiss 10 to 16
Where: The Performer's Guild, Twinwinds
Rating: G for now!

[ Soft notes of a guitar float across an empty hallway in Twinwinds, the performer's guild. If one asks where the mysterious Azure is, a member of the guild will point them to one of the rooms here. The source of the sound is easy to find: a clue is the only open door. Inside is a young man sitting on a bench with his back facing the doorway, strumming a stringed instrument and singing along. The melody, slow but a good hook; his voice, clear and soothing. If one is familiar with early 20th century music, they can tell that his compositions are beyond his time. ]

Shining in the spotlight, sapphire and pyrite, I just want make you feel right—

Ugh! No, no, no. Sapphire and pyrite? What am I trying to say with that? [ He scratches the lyric off his parchments with his fountain pen. ] This rhyme won't do, and...

[ It doesn't take long for him to notice another person's presence. The man flashes a shy but well-meaning smile. ]

Oh, eheh. How long have you been there? I'm—

[ He stands up from the bench, but see, he's facing the wall; he has to turn around. At the same time, he's a little too eager to approach the newcomer. So, he forgets that there's something in front of him altogether and falls over.

THUD CRASH BAM BOOM

The bench has tipped over, his guitar is on the ground and the only thing that saves a part of him from the fall is his arm protecting his face. He looks up sheepishly. ]

Azure.

[ You can see why he needs dance lessons. ]

Comments

[conquistador]

( Spain doesn't mind waiting to be noticed, at least, not this time. He quite enjoys the performance so far and he waits patiently for it to end. Once it's over, he smiles back cheerfully at his employer. )

Not very long.

( And he extends a hand out to him in greeting but... now it looks like his hand is held out to help him up. Oh, dear, this might take awhile. Not that he minds! Boss Spain never backs down from a challenge and if he can teach the Duke's son to dance back at home then he can certainly teach this man! )

Hello, Azure. ( And lowering his arm some to help the poor man up. He doesn't judge Azure at all, but instead, just smiles reassuringly and confidently, ) You can call me Spain.

[borntosing]

[ He taught the Duke's son? This mission won't be very different, then. Azure is glad he doesn't make fun of him (since it happens more often than you think) and takes Spain's hand to pull himself up. ]

Thanks. Spain, right... It's nice to meet you. [ A nervous laugh, a beat, then he remembers to firmly shake Spain's hand before letting go. Calm down, Azure, you're only talking to a stranger. ] Um, are you from Ebenoj? I hear they've many great dancers.

[ He'd say the same about a person from Kounan or Vernesse. He's just being polite! No matter how inaccurate this information might be. ]

That's—that's what you're here for, right? Oh, Divines, I'm sorry if I got the wrong person.

[conquistador]

( And have a firm handshake in return. He raises a brow at the question, )

Hm? No, no. ( He shakes his head no and really can't help but chuckle some, ) I'm from Spain.

( Yes, he has the same name as the place he's from. It's really simple to understand when you're the personification of a nation but apparently, that isn't a thing here! What a strange world. )

I'm sure the dancers from there are great, but the dancers from my home are the greatest in the world. ( Holding his chest out some. He's so proud!!! ) And that is why, my friend, you could not ask for a better teacher than me.

[borntosing]

Um, okay.

[ He's so confused... Why is this happening... Is this a normal thing? Do people of Vernesse usually name their kids Vernesse!? He thinks it's better not to ask about that sort of thing. ]

... Then you must be from the castle. [ That's neither good or bad to him, but Spain seems like a nice guy. Azure looks around and scratches the back of his head, unsure of what to say next. ] Well, I just hope I can be a good student. I've finally joined the guild of my dreams, but I still can't dance for taupattes. And... I mentioned this in my request, but my‐I mean, the princess's birthday is soon. Embarrassing her is the last thing I want to do.

[conquistador]

No, no, I'm from Spain. ( He already explained this! ) Though, I arrived there when I came here.

Ay! ( Suddenly scolding but he doesn't sound upset at all, ) It doesn't matter if you're a good student! It only matters if you're a good dancer when we're through.

Sí, sí, when I'm through with you, all of the ladies will be wanting to dance with you.

Should we practice here? ( Looking around the room. They might to clear some space. )

[borntosing]

[ STOP BEING CONFUSING, SPAIN. But wow, he's so supportive. That makes him feel a little better... Azure straightens up when asked. ]

Um! Well, the dance studios are being used everyone else, including Miss Metys and her troupe. I don't want to disturb them, especially since they're preparing for the festival.

So I borrowed this room here for practice. No one ever uses this side of the guild, anyway. Not for dancing. But oh, I set some mirrors up on this side! [ He gestures to the full-length mirrors of different sizes that he put up against one wall. He tried, okay? ]

I'll just move these.

[ He puts the bench back upright, fixes his parchments full of lyrics and neatly places them on the seat. Then, he lifts a couple of sheet music stands out of the way and puts them near the wall, too. There are a dozen more stands and chairs to move, so Spain might want to help. If he should ever get curious about Azure's lyrics, he'll find that they are all love songs. ]

[conquistador]

( He'll definitely help move some the items around. The sooner they clear the floor, the sooner they can start. He will definitely catch a few glimpses of the music but he won't say anything about it for now.

Once the floor is cleared, he'll stand in the middle, hands at his side and looking very proud. )

Now, we begin! ( Beckoning him to come over. ) Do you know how to start?

[borntosing]

[ He approaches with his head lowered and hands in pockets. ]

Um... No. [ That's how clueless he is. HELP. ] I never dance at parties.

1/2

[conquistador]

( Mumbling )

Well, no wonder with an approach like that...

[conquistador]

( And he claps his hands once, )

Head up! Hands out of your pocket. Stand up straight. Are you trying to ask someone to dance or are you ashamed?

( Practice begins. )

[borntosing]

[ Once Spain claps, Azure follows his instructions to the dot after each sentence. Divines... Well, no one said this was going to be easy. ]

I'm not ashamed, sir!

[ Azure, Azure. Your head is too high. You're being too stiff. ]

[conquistador]

Lower your head some.

( Coming over, circling around him, poking at his sides and limbs to get him to relax a little. Once it's satisfactory, he'll take his place in front of Azure and stand expectantly, )

Now, follow after me, "Princesa, ( he raises a hand to his chest, just above his heart and bows, ) shall we dance?" ( And he extends one hand out to Azure. He'll also look up from his bangs to observe but Azure really doesn't have to copy that, oops. )

[borntosing]

Princesa? I mean... Princesa, [ He places a hand on his chest and bows the same way. ] shall we dance?

[ He also looks up, but only to check for Spain's reaction. ]

[conquistador]

( As Azure begins to mimic him, Spain will stand up normally again and watch. He'll smile and place his hand in Azure's, accepting the offer, )

The pleasure would be mine, ( And he slips out of character and into his normal one, ) Firm, but not too firm-- be confident but not controlling, understand?

( And then he steps to the side, still holding onto Azure's hand, )

And then you will lead her to the floor. Unless, she is already there, in which... ( And he'll begin to take the lead again, stepping back on front of Azure, moving closer, positioning one of Azure's hands at Spain's waist and holding the other at about shoulder height, ) You will get into position, like so.

( He'll give Azure a few seconds to take it in and then let go, step back, and step forward again, )

Now, try to do it yourself.

[borntosing]

O-okay. Confident, not controlling. [ That can't be too hard. He isn't good at being both, anyway—

WHY ARE YOU BLUSHING WHEN SPAIN HOLDS YOU CLOSE!? AZURE!!! He's bad with physical contact, sorry. After Spain demonstrates and cues him to try it out, Azure holds Spain's waist with his right and Spain's hand with his left. His left hand is raised too low, though. ]

Like this?

[conquistador]

( No Azure why are you so cute no.

Spain will take a moment to review Azure's position and slowly raise his left hand just the right height, )

Perfect. ( And he gets into his own starting position and grins at Azure, ) I'll start slow, okay?

Try to follow me. ( Aaaand he steps off. The steps aren't very hard at all-- one-two-three, one-two-three... ) And don't look down!

[borntosing]

[ Alright, let's do this. Azure watches his feet as they dance to a beat: one-two-three, one-two-- ]

Ah, sorry.

[ He's looking up! He's looking up! Up and away from Spain's face, because this is awkward all around for him. Leave him alone, he's concentrating on the beat. One-two-three, one-two-three, one-two--ah, he's a little slow when it comes to this. He can follow a beat and play instruments just fine, but when it comes to moving his feet along to the rhythm? He falls flat.

And he might literally do just that if Spain doesn't notice sooner. ]

[conquistador]

( Noticing that their lesson isn't going as smooth as he would like, Spain will begin to count out loud, )

One, two, three... one, two three... one, two, three!

You're doing well, really. ( And he keeps counting, gradually fading to no count at all. )

[borntosing]

Thanks. [ He does get a little better over time. The fruits of Spain's patience... ] Do you attend a lot of events like this? I mean, functions that have a lot of. Dancing. Like this.

NO I LOST THIS NOTIF...

[conquistador]

( he doesn't answer right away, instead, choosing to focus on Azure's steps for a moment. What a good student! )

Hm? Yes, whenever I am home, I try to spend as much time I can. ( Dancing with court, going to balls, participating in local festivals, etc. ) Balls are fun but there are so many rules.

( And subtly trying to add a few more steps in. )

I prefer a more casual setting, you know? It's more fun when everyone else is having fun too.

It's okay!

[borntosing]

Yes, I completely understand! They insist on holding these events, but those senile fools in court wouldn't know what fun was for Lazuli even if it hit them in the face—

[ He stumbles when Spain does something new to the dance, but he tries to keep up, he tries. ]

—sorry. [ Whether it's for the mistake or the unwarranted comment about his... issues, it's hard to tell. ]

[conquistador]

Well, they're fun until they become business-- ( Cutting himself off make sure Azure doesn't trip. ) Ay, it's fine.

( And was rather good considering Spain didn't give any warning at all. )

You're practicing for the princess, no?

[borntosing]

No. [ Wait, he thinks he answered that question wrong. ] Yes.

The princess is... a very dear friend to me.

[ Not exactly accurate, but let's roll with this anyway. ]

[conquistador]

Then we'll have to make sure you're the best dancer in the kingdom.

Do you know how to turn? ( Twirl, spin, whatever. )

[borntosing]

[ THAT'S KIND OF A STRETCH, but okay, Spain. He'll try not to disappoint you. ]

... I'm not sure. [ He's a little scared now. WHAT IF HE MAKES HIM DO SOMETHING OUT OF THIS WORLD? ]