Dancing Lessons - Part 6
By Brianne Alcinoos
October 2, 2006

That bright grin came across her face in pure delight upon hearing that Brier would let her borrow the book. It had everything a good story needed – adventure, daring swordfights, a princess in distress, a giant, torture, and a good bit of humor as well. Taking one last look at the colorful cover, she set the book aside, drinking a bit of the milk to keep herself hydrated as Brier was instructing. She was hanging on the woman’s every word, not wanting to miss anything.

“Even if the men would like to see you dance to please their eyes and other various primal urges, I think it would be a grand idea to have a talent evening where I could watch you dance.” She gave a light giggle. “You can dance and I’ll put on a small act with myself playing three or four characters. It could be a lot of fun actually.”

Time to begin at last; she took another small sip of her water, moving out towards the open floor space, following Brier’s lead on the warm-up exercises as she bent at her waist to touch her toes, letting the muscles in her back and the backs of her thighs get loosened up. Then thrusting one leg on the bar, she bent over it with the rest of her body; holding this position for a few moments, before switching to the other leg to stretch it as well. Then her arms, crossing one over her body and using the other to fold over the front of it and hold it in place while stretching.

Finally, she lighted one hand upon the bar, listening first to Brier and watching her, trying to remember all the various positions that her dainty feet were performing – so practiced and fluid. Once the five where shown, she gave a nod at Brier’s words, pulling her feet together at the heels, though those d**n toes just wouldn’t go straight out!

Her hand grip tightened a bit on the bar as she looked down at her feet, willing them to spread further apart, even if there was a little bit of pain. She closed her eyes, standing up straight and pretending she could see her feet moving apart (she had seen that in a moving picture flip box once, something about using “The Force”). But closing her eyes and standing in an already awkward position for her, one foot slid away from all the pressure and soon little Brianne was tumbling down to the floor, landing hard on her knees as her hands reached for the beam to catch her. That not being bolted down, it came down upon her back as well.

“Brier...I think I broke the bar…”