[center][img]https://i.gyazo.com/e7d34903eeb2b52326f461f4c9f4bc43.png[/img] [img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/201114/bc6f475fea3cb608b073822f0c581099.png[/img][/center] [hr] [color=00a99d]"Cross my heart and hope to die. C'mon,"[/color] she replied, shooting the smaller girl a reassuring grin as she gently led her onto the floor. [color=00a99d]"The waltz is pretty easy. You'll get it in a flash."[/color] All around them, the pairs had linked up in earnest, familiar faces and complete strangers partaking in the festivities alike in equal measure. They slowly milled around Selma and Chie, less a centerpiece and more rolling with the tide, and they all navigated the floor in their own subtle ways. Noel and Aoife out of the corner of Selma's eye one moment, the confident blonde swaying without care for her form or reception, only her former partner. She was glad to see the other girl well— she'd made a hell of a good impression during their first evaluations. A few paces later, there passed a silver-haired stoic in similar threads to the jolly green giant, leading that cheery redhead with the long legs from Hasta around in crisp, precise steps, meeting the latter's flowing, breezy stance with a rigid, practiced orthodoxy— a contrast that seemed to uplift the former, casting a spotlight on her brisk style. A little crazy, considering she was clearly already loving every moment of... [color=00a99d][i]Well, [u]the[/u] moment, I guess.[/i][/color] A few seconds after that, that selfsame cloud of purple and white drifted by. Rivka! Another who'd crossed paths with someone new, she'd given Selma little in the way of surprise. As a connoisseur of the melodic arts, her sense for rhythm and passion for music had clearly given her an easy time when learning the basic steps of the dance— once you got a handle on it, it was a cinch to do well. Just a three-count was [i]nothing[/i] for her fiery sister from the frigid north, a land where dance and song were once prized arts beyond compare. And finally, they'd nestled into their space within the throng, two girls in a crowd with just enough room to breathe. [color=00a99d]"So, let's get into it!"[/color] Selma chirped, about-facing and taking Chie's arm in her other hand, the free arm coming to nestled her hand just below the other Magi's shoulder. [color=00a99d]"First thing's first, just make sure you follow my lead— so, step when I step, and step as far as I step— and keep this distance here..."[/color] Off they went. She was slow and methodical at first, a far cry from the discordant spontaneity she showed in battle, and gave her partner ample breathing room to learn the count and steps. For her part, Chie was attentive, if a little shy with her posture and movements. But the waltz was genuinely a simple progression: Forward, side, close. Backward, side, close. [color=00a99d]"One, two, three." [i]One, two, three.[/i][/color] Make sure the foot that steps out is always stepping after the lead, forming an L-shaped stride. Let the slight vertical sway from going up on the toes asd then back down to your heels carry you through the rhythm, don't go and fight it. Never stray too far from your partner, nor venture too close. Simple, basic waltz stuff. Easy to lead, and once Chie had gotten herself a feel for the tempo, easy to follow. Selma made doubly sure that she in turn didn't step too far— her legs were far longer, so she made sure to keep it conservative, never more than a shoulder's width stride. The slow tempo was forgiving for the slight missteps, and before either of them really knew it, they were both drifting along the floor, their dance carrying them in a pleasant, prim spiral. [color=00a99d]"Nothin' to it, eh?"[/color] She had dexterity, she had grace. She had the training of an Ars Magi, something with far more frantic footwork, at her back— Selma could see the lights in her grey eyes as she realized that inner monologue of, [i]Hey, I'm getting the hang of it![/i] All told, it was nice and smooth— she had nothing to fear. And now she knew it, too. "This is maybe a little fun," Chie said, pinning her dance partner with a full-bore, double-barreled gaze right in the eyes. "I was a little nervous, but I feel better knowing you're my first." ... The big girl laughed, just as Chie was, a gentle, almost lilting thing compared to her usual raucous howls. It wasn't the type the young lady, mistress of gravity, had been worried about before, that much was clear. It hadn't an ounce of derision, only honest surprise and, ever so faintly, a little tinge of embarrassment. She'd gotten comments like that once or twice before in her dance electives, and despite her carefree willingness to take the compliments as they were... [color=00a99d]"Ahahaha, wow, you really got me with that one."[/color] Every so often, it reminded her that even she had a few things she was weak to. [color=00a99d]"I'm honored as a teacher... And as a friend; you're gonna make me blush, dammit."[/color] she said, beginning in that same smooth husk from earlier before slowly breaking down into her natural cadence, emerald hair swaying ever so slightly as they waltzed. Her gentlemanly act could never hold up indefinitely, as that big, toothy, classically [i]Selma[/i] grin burst forth from beneath the gallant, handsome propriety. She'd never been one much for balls, even if she knew all the dancing by heart— but it went to show that the right people, those you let see your uncool sides and weren't afraid to [i]have fun[/i] with could make anything worthwhile. She'd have hated all the stuffy crap, were it not for those four. [color=00a99d]"Thanks, Chie. I'm happy too."[/color] She chuckled again, unbidden, and continued to lead as they circled through the floor, one of many spokes within the slow, spiraling wheel of Duodecim's chosen few.