Week 3: DAN 101 [TT 800-930] (And backdated like a mofo)

[notanobject]

[For the most part, Oswald is certain that he has left the bleak realm of the netherworld behind. Whatever else this place is, it certainly doesn't seem like a punishment

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[birdwhoseeks]

[Gwendolyn would like to believe she's good at dancing.

Not that she ever had the opportunity to indulge in something as frivolous as dancing while being a Valkyrie for the Aesir, of course, but dancing is all about footwork, following a proper sequence of steps, paying attention to your environment and working with your partner as one, which were all lessons she had learned as a Valkyrie.]

Not to mention, the uniforms appear to lend themselves for ballet.

[So far, the previous two weeks' worth of this lesson had happened the same way: first she would stumble into learning the rhythm and sequence of the week's dance, then she would stumble, attempting to guide her partner while avoiding his feet stepping on hers, and then she would be one of the best in the class... for about half an hour, before the Thursday class ended and she would have to steel herself towards learning another dance]

You might have mastered each dance more quickly were you not also keeping an eye on our Knight Errant.[Gwendolyn does not growl, because that is

[notanobject]

[Oswald, on the other hand, doesn't have much luck with comparing this to fighting. He's always been a one man force, and all of this synchronized and careful, calculated movement doesn't sit well with his time honored tactic of plow-into-it-and-make-it-die-before-you-do.

But at least dancing involves movement. It is beginning to strain his patience, keeping his eyes fixed in one direction, and on the instructor as she talks about what the lesson will be today-

And that they'll be changing dance partners. This time, he can't keep his eyes from darting down the line. And if they stall over a certain young woman...It's only because she is the one of the few familiar faces in this blasted class.]

[birdwhoseeks]

[Gwendolyn's thoughts, upon hearing that they'll be changing dance partners, lie in hoping that her next partner would be a quicker study than the last - or that at least, he would be easier to guide.]

'Twould seem our Knight is looking our way.

Because he's at the end of the line, and he's most likely looking at potential partners.

My point exactly.

[Hoping that this will not devolve into one of those sessions, she subtly glances at a certain young man at the end of the line. There are quite a few other students glancing around, which should make it easier to do so unnoticed.

Of course, what she doesn't know is that the instructor is trained to notice all these subtle glancing the students do at each other when they're supposed to be listening.]

[notanobject]

[Oswald feels oddly tense when Gwendolyn meets his gaze. And then he goes even more rigid when his name is called out, and he's motioned over under the reasoning that 'You're looking restless, so why don't we start with you?']

"...Aye."

[He manages with a grumble, before making a stiff walk to where the instructor is pointing. Given that this person is supposed to be like an arms-master, he keeps his eyes trained on the floor so he isn't glaring at her. He stands there as she asks if there's any volunteers...

...

...And continues to stand stock still and practices scowling at the floor as no one speaks up. This is not turning into the best of days.]

[birdwhoseeks]

[Gwendolyn too can feel an odd tension, when their eyes meet; she quickly looks away, before his name is called out.]

I see you recognize your natural opponent.

[She continues ignoring the bird as she rests on her shoulder, instead paying attention at the instructor and Oswald, who is looking at the ground as though it had committed a grievous offense...] Most likely, it has failed to swallow him. [Of course, his entire body language is scaring off the other students-] Your dedication at noticing the minutest detail of a potential threat is commendable, though perhaps you could learn more from a hands-on approach...?[One quick, sudden move of her arm makes the bird fly off of her shoulder. Of course, said move is interpreted by the instructor as an offer to volunteer

[notanobject]

[Meanwhile, Oswald may yet get the floor to swallow him. If he manages to burn a hole through it by glaring at it for long enough.

At least, that's his plan until he hears someone walking over to stand next to him. And when he looks up to see who it is-]

"...Gwendolyn?"

[He's looking very shocked at this development, almost like he's been run through instead of partnered up with a Valkyrie. Maybe that's why he keeps his voice low as the instructor starts to go through the other students.]

"I...Cannot complain, but can I ask what, precisely, you're doing?"

[birdwhoseeks]

"Oswald." [She nods in recognition of his... 'greeting', as the assigning of partners goes by far more smoothly.

She pauses for a moment, considering how to answer his question. 'The bird only I and a few others can see tricked me into it' is immediately discarded, of course.

...besides, he admitted that he cannot complain, which from what she's come to know of him, means he's as close to grateful as he'll admit to being.]

"...Ensuring that the lesson starts as soon as possible, for one thing, but I also couldn't help but notice that you had trouble with this class over the past two weeks. I aim to rectify this."

[She wonders if her father ever had to make something up on the spot while trying to sound impressive at the same time.]

[notanobject]

"My skill at dancing is so vital?"

[She'll hopefully pardon that incredulous tone of his. But...He's having a hard time figuring out how such a thing could matter to her. He also clears his throat for a moment after saying that, and tries to pull himself up into a more dignified stance.

Or at least, as dignified as he can managed when he's entirely without armor.]

"I cannot see any importance in this class."

[...Although he's taking pains to keep his voice low, so the woman-who-should-not-be-crossed doesn't overhear him.]

"It has nothing to do with fighting, or being a soldier. It's for..." [He sounds a touch disgusted at the next word.] "...High class."

[birdwhoseeks]

"So has been decided by the Garden's faculty, and not without reasons."

[She keeps her voice low enough, out of respect for the instructor.]

"Most likely, you will never need keep an eye on a target or client during a social event. However, you will need to do battle in the company of allies. Dancing can aid you with that."

[notanobject]

[Oswald gives her a look that, for a change, doesn't have a lot of glaring in it. Some disbelief and surprise, maybe, but not as much glowering.]

"...I thought it was clear that I fight alone."

[He still keeps his voice low as the last of the students are getting paired up. And also tries to keep his words steady as he continues.]

"But, I will...Assist you in it, if I can. At the very least, I won't hold you back..."

[...Even if he continues to insist that he's not a group fighter. Regardless of this odd SeeD code, and the fact that he's finding himself partnered with a Valkyrie. >:\]

[birdwhoseeks]

[Gwendolyn, too, keeps her voice low, completely unaware of what impression this may give to others.]

"That was in Erion. You will find the SeeDs to be less permissive on that regard."

[She notices the last of the students getting paired up, and readies herself, to pay attention to what the instructor will have to say of this week's dance.]

"I appreciate that."

[She will have words with Lenneth after this class.]

[notanobject]

"...Hrmph."

[Is what he says to that bit about SeeDs, followed by a short nod. Then he finds himself turning to give the instructor his sullen attention, with that glare back firmly in place.

He still intends to keep his word on not holding Gwendolyn back, however, and keeps his attention square on the instructor-

And ideally not on Gwendolyn, although his eyes seem to be having a hard time following orders, and sliding back to her. Once the explanation ends, he lets his head turn fully back to her.]

"If you would enlighten me...How much of that did you understand?"

[birdwhoseeks]

[Gwendolyn, meanwhile, does pay full attention to the instructor, for all the good it does: since she's not altogether familiar with the terms, her first few attempts every week had been mostly trial and error, as her understanding of each dance grew.]

"Mostly the parts pertaining to the accompanying music. Presumably, the dance style for this week began its existence as improvisational, which makes it less methodic than the waltz, though still with recognizable patterns."

[notanobject]

"...Improvisational."

[He repeats that word, doubtfully. That...Should be a good thing, shouldn't it? If nothing else, he knows how to think on his feet, and act quickly. At least...That is the case when he has a sword in his hand. Now, though-

He looks down for a moment at Gwendolyn's hands. Somehow, it hadn't occurred to him up until now that being her partner would involve putting his hands on her.]

"It...Is part of the routine to ask for a dance, isn't it?"

[At a loss on what else to say, he settles for that.]

[birdwhoseeks]

[A brief pause as the same thing occurs to Gwendolyn. Suddenly, she has the distinct impression that the air conditioner is malfunctioning again, but a valkyrie pays little heed to uncomfortable temperatures.]

"...ah, yes. That would still be part of the routine."

[She's privately glad Lenneth is elsewhere, tormenting pairs that can't hear her.]

[notanobject]

[He clearly notices that change in coloration, but doesn't make any comment on it. Although...He does keep watching her, carefully.]

"In that case..."

[And now, he finds himself very carefully feeling out the words, like he's speaking in another language entirely.]

"May I have this dance...M'lady?"

[He adds that on as an after thought, before extending his hand for her to take.]