First Ones 21 (Evening) 6107 RTR (Dec 02, 2008) Alptraum takes Rose to learn a bit of belly dancing.
(The Right Hand of Shadow) (Alptraum) (Sylvania)
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    Courtyard of 'Arkoldia'
    Welcome to Arkoldia, the banner brazenly proclaims. Okay, so it was a joke put up by the townsfolk when their new sheriff took up residence. But! It has kept going as jokes tend to do. Labels proclaiming 'such and such of Arkoldia' are everywhere. The most recent addition is 'The Royal Throne of Arkoldia', which just happens to be plastered on an outhouse near the town square. Anyway, today the courtyard of the town has added to its ridiculous collection of signs, today is a celebration of … well, no one is quite sure, but that never stops a good party. Colorful streamers are everywhere. Local musicians ply their trade as villagers dance and twirl about, and food merchants have set up various stalls. One even proclaims to offer 'Beer, with a side of beer, slathered in beer, and a mug of beer.'

"I may have to revise my opinion of citizens of Draco County being morose. This has to be one of the most ridiculous things I've seen in a long time. I think the last was when I had to run through a town in a sacrificial white gown while being chased by crazed Savanites," Alptraum remarks as he walks into the courtyard with Rosalind's arm entwined with his. True to the threats and complains, both Eeee have had their wings painted; Rosalind's are a deep blue and look like the rolling ocean when she walks. Alptraum's are fiery red; almost Blakat in color, really and ripple like a great bonfire. "Do hey usually name things after their rulers? I would have a terrible time sitting on the Royal Chamber pot of Draco… " he asks Rose.

"Well, they usually just use Count, Countess, Duke, and so on in the title of taverns," Rose notes. "Not actual names. Too much turn-over in those, generally. But… I think this is all quite cute. I'm sure Arkold would give it his blessing, assuming he didn't start it in the first place."

"Well, if he gives his throne a blessing, it'll clear the square. You do not want to be around him after he's had a few beers and some sausages. Trust me on that one," Alptraum quips. He rolls his head to the side and smiles in an almost plotting and evil way, then asks, "So … are you having fun yet? Or do I have to get more … aggressive."

Holding out one of her wings so she can admire the artwork, Rose says, "Oh, I'm having a ball so far! Or rather, I'm having fun. Balls are pretty dull really. What do you have planned next? I hope it isn't the beer-with-beer!"

"Well … I think a certain lady needs to learn how to belly dance. I'll be expected when you visit with my gypsy family," Alptraum coos in her ear. "I'm sure we can find someone here to teach you… "

"Belly dance? ME?" Draco squeaks. "But… I'm… " she starts to say, and then gives up. "I'm not Mave. You need… you know… hips and such don't you?"

"That's what properly hidden padding under a dress is for," Alptraum teases and waggles his eyebrows. "And don't worry, I won't insist you wear pasties or anything… "

"Oh… you're sooo generous," Draco teases, and pinches Alptraum's arm. "What sort of dancing are you going to learn then?"

"Or maybe I should given that pinch," Alptraum remarks and tweaks Rose's nose. "And me? Well, I already know how to dance!" he claims.

"Well, I've seen your striptease dance," Rose admits. "But belly-dancing… isn't that something you don't need a partner for?"

"Well, you usually do it for someone, but sometimes it's done as a group. I'll join you in the practice if you want, but I'll warn you now … I look silly in a dress," Alptraum says, still grinning. "And if you're good, we can join the townsfolk in some of the traditional dances that are less, well … provocative."

"Folk dancing?" Rose asks, sounding exciting now. "I haven't done that in ages!"

"But only if you're good," Alptraum teases and kisses the tip of Rosalind's nose. "And yes, I know, I'm terrible."

"Good at dancing, or behaving well?" Rose asks, not wanting to get loop-holed.

"Behaving well. No 'pantsing' Alptraum when he's not looking as revenge," Alptraum clarifies.

"I'll only do it when you are looking then, I promise," Rose says, holding her chin up.

"That's my Rose," Alptraum says, beaming. He slips his arm around her waist and leads her further into the courtyard. "Now, let's find you that seduction trainer … I mean dance instructor!"

"Wait… you think I need training?" Rose asks in mock offense.

"I just want you to be better than Mave. You're already more sexy, you just need to perfect the attitude!" Alptraum claims.

"Hmmph," Rose humphs. "It's not like I have to seduce anyone anymore… "

"You're ruining my fantasy of being the boy toy of someone powerful!" Alptraum teases and winks.

"What part of that is fantasy?" Rose teases, while actually keeping an eye out for belly-dancers.

Alptraum laughs and noses Rose's cheek, murmuring, "Mel and Kaira don't count… " There are a fair number of people here and none seem to pay particular attention to the pair. Towards the far end of the Courtyard is a colorful tent with streamers blowing in the light wind. Standing beneath in and dressed in an almost dizzying array of colorful clothing (all of which expose her midrift) and trinkets is a gray-furred Khatta. She's twirling and swaying her hips to the hoots and cheers of those nearby.

"Look at what they're doing," Rose says, focusing on the crowd more than the dancer. "How does she put up with it? I'd never be able to dance for a crowd like that!" she whispers.

"We shall see," Alptraum says and cackles evilly.

"No joking about that," Rose says, sounding worried. "I'd die of embarrassment!"

And in a more serious tone, Alptraum adds, "No, you wouldn't. Do you want to know why?"

"Okay, you're the expert… so why?" Draco asks.

"Because you won't notice them. Advice from an entertaining pro here, I used to do shows for a living. Granted they were aerial acrobatics, but the concept is the same. You're more focused on doing the performance right than what is going on around you," Alptraum explains. "You'll be more worried about where to put your foot next than some drunk catcalling."

"Wait, they're drunk too?" Rose asks, sounding panicked. "Alptraum… I've never had to make a public appearance where I wasn't hidden behind a helmet. You don't really expect me to dance in public after one lesson, do you?"

"Not that type of dance, no. Folk dancing, yes," Alptraum says and tugs the Countess along, "And come on. Facing a fear is the best way to defeat it." He waves to the Khatta as they approach and the feline smirks.

"Vou got a lot of nerve showin' up at mah doorstep, Meester Resiender," the feline practically purrs as the two Eeee approach.

"I'm supposed to instill fear remember," Draco mutters, until the Khatta speaks. Then she looks to Alptraum to see what happens.

"Ey, that stampede was all Hexen's fault," Alptraum claims, grinning, "How was he t' know the girls bathing pond was west o' the camp that day… "

Rose makes an "oh" expression, figuring the dancer is from Alptraum's gypsy troupe.

"'Cuz we threatened to skin yas alive you ya tried to sneak a peek," the Khatta says without missing a beat, "So yas got us to leave the pond. Funny 'ow our clothes were missin', too." To Rose, she says, grinning, "Ya with dis troublemaker? Bad news, I tell yas!"

"Rose, may I introduce you to a dear tribe friend from one of the other troupes we sometimes traveled with, Nishka. Niskha, this is the love of my life, Rose," Alptraum says by way of introduction.

"Oh… well… you know how it is," Rose says, winking to the Khatta.

Nishka looks Rosalind from head to toe several times. "Huh, I don' see the chain he must be usin' to keep ya from running," she comments and winks. "Or is it' he likes someone ta gnaw on 'is neck? Free food!"

"Down, girl," Alptraum tells the Khatta. "I'd like you to teach her a few moves … and none of your commentary!"

"I've been seasoning him all night," Draco whispers to the Khatta.

"Oooo, look who learn t' talk more proper-like," Nishka chides, grinning. At Rose's comment, though, the Khatta breaks into a fit of giggles.

"Seriously, I want you to teach her some of the dance. She needs to boost her self confidence!" Alptraum reiterates, "And in private, please. She's not quite ready to wave her lovely bum at a crowd… "

Rose eeps at the bum comment.

Nishka leans to the side to get a look at Rose's bottom, then feels it. "Typical' Eee bum. She'll need a bustle," the Khatta comments as she releases Rose. In typical lazy feline fashion, she reaches over and lightly tugs a cord. The walls of the tent drape closed around them, butting them off from those gathered. The crowd lets out a collective "BOO!"

"Hey! Are all gypsies that forward?" Rose complains after being groped.

"Only th' friendly ones," the Khatta says and smiles. She claps her hands together now and says, "So, yas wanna learn a few moves. Gonna try an melt 'is brain?" she asks and nods towards Alptraum.

"His brain?" Rose asks, then looks over Alptraum. "Well, one of them at least. But… something easy that won't lead to broken bones or a kinked back, please."

Nishka goes to rummage in a small trunk. She returns and wraps a small padded thing around Rose's waist and adjusts it so most of the padding is at the rear. Over that she drapes a sparkly red cloth dress. With the dress in place, it gives the illusion of having pronounced hips and rump. "Oh, I don't have time t' break you, so I just give you a quick lesson on basic moves," she explains.

Rose seems relieved that everything goes on over her existing outfit. "What are the basic moves?" she asks. "Everything looked… well, flowing but complicated."

"Well, everyt'ing starts from the basic hip roll," Nishka explains and demonstrates by swaying her midsection from side to side without moving her chest or legs much at all. "Ya got to learn your body and where its center is. Every'ting pivots around it."

"I don't think mine is that low," Rose notes, and gives it a try, but has issues with making her torso (and wings) stay still. "Uh… "

"Lean forwar' a bit to counter the weight o; your wings. Spead dem a bit too," Nishka instructs as she circles the Eeee, tapping her here and there to get her to lean more one way or another.

"This is worse than ballet practice," Rose notes. "I was a lot more limber back then." She does her best to find her balance point again, spreading her wings slightly and leaning as directed.

"'Ey, I'm nice about it. Some teachers woul' beat their students fer makin' a mistake," Nishka chides. "Dere, a bit better. Now widen yer legs jus' slightly. Dere, better. An as for limber, ves, vou vill need t' work on dat too. You need t' be able to lean all de way back an' put vour hands on de floor withou' liftin' yer feets."

"Uh… why would I need to do that?" Rose asks, and gives Alptraum a questioning look. "Is that for the dancing, or there something you know about Alptraum that I don't?"

"It's jus' for being flexible," Nishka explains, "Full range o' motion. Not t' satisfy some weirdo kink o' 'is!"

"Does it matter if I'm pregnant?" Rose asks, her ears blushing a bit. "That is… if I'm showing?"

"Why do you always think I'm up to something?" Alptraum asks.

Nishka's ears perk. "Are yas pregnant?" she asks and looks between Alptraum and Rose.

"Well, only recently pregnant," Rose notes.

"Oh-ho, I sees Alptraum has been gettin' busy," Nishka cackles!

Alptraum covers his eyes. "Keep it private," he mutters.

"What makes you think he is responsible?" Draco asks, a bit of the nobility creeping back into her voice.

"Are ya sayin' he isn't?" Nishka asks. "Ya two seemed to be a couple an rather friendly wit' each other. Am I wrong in dat vou two are together?"

"Well, no, you aren't," Draco admits. "And I want to keep it that way. So until there is an official announcement… please don't say anything."

"Dat rather formal," Nishka points out and peers at the Countess. "Jus' who are yas?"

"Rose, the woman I love," Alptraum states with add oddly formal and firm tone; rather unusual for him. "We're just trying to keep it a surprise."

Nishka's brow goes up and she pats Alptraum on the shoulder. "A'ight. I say nothin'," she says with a grin, "I owe yas dat much for the time we dyed yer hair pink."

"That was you?" Alptraum growls.

"Yah, you were dunk an passed out! Who could pass up such a chance and such lovely, white, hair, eh?" Nishka giggles.

"I don't feel bad about shrinking the dancer's clothing one summer so you had to dance naked, now," Alptraum mutters under his breath. Rose, of course, hears that.

Rose giggles, and tries to picture Alptraum with pink hair. "Cotton candy bat… " she giggles.

Alptraum glares at Rose. And when Nishka looks away, Alptraum's hair ripples pink for a few seconds … and he follows that up with sticking out his tongue.

"I like that some of you is pink," Rose whispers to Alptraum, giving him a wink.

By the time Nishka looks back, Alptraum's hair is back to white.

The next few minutes are spent with Nishka giving Rose more pointers on how to move; specifically on how to make small movements look like big ones. But the time comes when she says, "Now, I 'ate to kick out an ol' friend and all, but I gots to get back to the crowd. These events pay for me food," she says.

"How long will you be in town?" Rose asks the gypsy.

"Couple days or so. Depends on how much interes' I get an money people give," Nishka answers, "Why ya ask?"

"Well, I need to practice these moves," Rose notes. "Unless Alptraum can give me proper feedback about them?"

"Hah! He more likely jus' try t' cop a feel," Nishka laughs. "Promise t' buy me a dinner or two an I kin extend my stay since it'll extend me cash."

"Alright, it's agreed then," Draco says, and holds out her hand.

Nishka spits in her hand and clasps the Countess'. "It be a deal!" she says.

"Genoh," Rose replies, then looks to Alptraum. "What now?"

The answer to that is Nishka grabs Alptraum and snogs him. Alptraum … blinks. Repeatedly. She lets go and grins, commenting, "'Ey, ya taught him to kiss better!"

Coughing, Alptraum slips his arm around Rose. "Now is the time for a strategic retreat," he claims, and quickly leads her out of the tent!

Rose laughs on the way out. "So, I've been an education! Or else it's been a long time since you kissed that girl… "

"I don't remember ever kissing her," Alptraum admits a bit embarrassingly. "So, uh, you wanted to do some folk dancing?"

"Yes, so long as there isn't too much jumping involved," Rose says.

"What is wrong with jumping?" Alptraum has to ask as the bats begin the task of making their way through the crowd.

"I don't like jumping a lot," Rose replies. "I'm not connected to Melusine, so no instant healing or soothing of sore tendons and such."

"I could soothe them through a … massage," Alptraum says and waggles his brow.

Rose ooos at that promise. "Well, maybe a little jumping is okay… " she relents.

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GMed by Jared

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