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[cozen]

Comments

crystal

[heorte]

I'm afraid I need to ask a favor.

[cozen]

Ah, Monsieur Warden, do not be afraid. I have not bitten anyone for asking me to do something since I was very small.

[heorte]

[ momentary pause while ellis has second thoughts about this whole venture, but. ]

Are you a good dancer, Bastien?

[ let's just verify a few things before this goes any further ]

[cozen]

[ No second thoughts, only first thoughts, they’re always the best ones. ]

Usually, yes. There are better, of course—if you need a superb dancer, I can make recommendations.

[heorte]

I need a teacher.

[ bracing for the response ]

[cozen]

Oh, then I am exactly who you need. If someone is too wonderful a dancer, they cannot understand why it might be difficult for anyone else—but I had to work at it. So.

[ Trapped now. ]

Is there a particular dance you need to learn?

[heorte]

Good.

[ the tone there is a little ambiguous. this is what he wanted but now that he has it, he's not sure about it. ]

I have a book. A pamphlet. [ there's some rustling, then a sigh. ] They're Orlesian dances. I assume it's what's in style at court.

[cozen]

Better and better. It will be fun.

And, [ generously, ] we can practice somewhere no one else will see.

[heorte]

Thank you.

[ truly, a relief. ]

If there is something I can do for you in return, I'd be happy to make myself of use.

[cozen]

I like to dance, so you are already doing me a favor, giving me a good reason. But thank you.

[heorte]

Alright. We can start whenever is convenient for you. There's some time before Satinalia.

[cozen]

Let's try this week. If you have it perfect straight away you can relax, and if not we will know how much time we need.

[heorte]

Smart.

[ in the spirit of full disclosure— ]

I'm not very light on my feet, so we'll need the time.

[cozen]

It would feel a little unfair, to me, if you were.

[ So brawn. ]

You are a swordsman, non?

[heorte]

I use a mace. It's not as much about finesse as a sword, more about planting your feet and making yourself difficult to knock over.

[ maybe something useful in there for dancing?? ]

[cozen]

I see. Interesting.

[ Not falling is good at least. ]

Are you busy Thursday?

[heorte]

Thursday evening would be alright. I trade off my watch duty and haven't committed to anything else.

[cozen]

Wonderful. I will find the empty room with the least furniture before then, and you can bring your pamphlet.

[heorte]

Alright. And thank you, again.

[ partly for the lessons but more so for conducting the lessons in private without being asked. ]