There are many aspects to consider when deciding on a dance to perform... none of which occurred to Miss Silque. Yet Ninian couldn’t have begrudged it if she’d wanted to, not in face of her partner’s dazzling joy. It was no great chore to make the decision herself besides, dancer that she is.
The Ylissean waltz is easy to learn, but its tempo poses a challenge without practice; the Hoshidan dance is much slower, yet it demands a degree of artistry Silque might find difficult; and so on. The most suitable option for two girls who have only just met is a dance that is both slow and simple. In other words, the Faerghan ballad.
Even despite having chosen it herself and danced it as many times as possible in the last hour, Ninian finds her smile falters for sheer nerves. To think, she is to practically embrace Silque in front of an audience — in front of her brother — but, no, Nils is a bard; her bard, at that. He’ll know the care she takes in choosing her dances.
(He’ll know the longing she feels for the touch of a human hand.)
Looking at Silque’s kind smile, it is not so hard to find one of her own. She puts her hand in the other’s and they walk onto the stage hand-in-hand, taking up the proper dance positions after bowing to audience and judges (Ninian’s decision, as with all the rest). She is to lead Silque, needless to say, and the first note sounds —
“ One, two, three, ” she whispers as if they were still practicing, the moon above their only witness. “ Don’t let go, Miss Silque. ”
Afterwards, Ninian recalls precious little of the dance — that much is usual, the whole reason she practices being to embrace her art on stage —; but the warmth of Silque’s grip, the small of her back under Ninian’s palm, her expression... Silque, in all, Ninian recalls with perfect clarity without trying.
She awaits her scores with her hand still in the cleric’s, and fails to notice. 9 points for her technique, 8 for her style, and a pitiful yet expected 3 in choreography.
“ If we pass this round, ” she murmurs, “ I will have to be bolder in my choice. ”
Shall we, @milafaithful, @aliberation, @soulsaligned?
