The Lesson

[Titia]

"One more time and you'll be ready for the Ball!".

The Master had been telling that for two hours straight now and Titia started to fear this last time was just the last before the next one. It was important though but while she'd been excited by the expectations of her first official appearance among the Qeynosian Society, she was now wishing she wasn't twenty yet and could get away with the dance lessons.

Dance. She was gifted with this or so it seemed. Master Marvello Swiftstrike told her it was amazing she'd be that agile and natural despite the fact it was her first lessons to learn dancing with an escort. Swiftstrike.... what an odd name for someone teaching young Ladies how to behave on a dance floor Titia thought the first time they'd met.

"Closer, closer! Be at what yer doin' girl! Stop dreamin'! You must be one with yer partner. Anticipate his moves. And be close ! Be were he'd expect ye to be. And be close! Yes, that's better!"

The words were in synch with the music. Each new step, forward or backward, was punctuated by a "Be close!" from Marvello. He was so close to her Titia could almost touch him with her body, which was outrageous. The young Lady made a mental note to talk about this to her mother. His age wasn't an excuse.

"Aaaand that's it! End the dance with this last move".

- This feels odd Sir if I may say, tried Titia while trying to catch her breath. Is my escort supposed to end the dance with me turning my back on him ?

- This is what will be getting ye noticed girl, answered the old master with a grin on his face. Ye see, yer in his arms, close but yet unreachable as he only sees yer back. Gives ye a touch o' mystery. This will make all the other girls jealous for not thinkin' about that one. For just being plants in front of their men.

- well I'd rather be conventional, Titia replied shyly. I can't risk not fitting in despite my family name. Father is away and Mother has already a hard time being the head of the family in his absence...

- Well yours to decide then, cut the Master. But remember there are many ways to "fit in".

It was the end of the lesson.

There was so many thing to be done before the evening Titia could not count them. Luckly she didn't have to, her mother already had everthing pre arranged. Next storming in Titia's private room was the taylor, with aids and rolls of silk. It was but a few minutes after being covered by niddles that Titia noticed that Marvello had seemly vanished without her seeing him walking out of the room.

[Titia]

The old fart was right!

All the evening Titia had been looking at the other dancers at the Young Ladies Ball. And all she had seen was classical, approved and somehow lifeless moves. No imagination. No daring sequences. Nothing. They all looked alike, counting on their dresses, complicated haircuts and family names to be noticed, most of which Titia didn't have.

So as her name and her partner's were announced, she was decided to make things differently.

It all started with precize yet graceful moves. And be close! the young girl told for herself as the dance
kept on for what seemed years. Everybody was looking and she could see the other girls getting angry and jealous.

Aaaand now for the grand finale...The music was coming to the end. The move was also perfect and as she stopped half-turn instead of doing a full one she flashed a smile and knew she was now the queen of the Ball nailing down the competition to a low grade performance.

Or was she ?

She was feeling an unusual void behind her, as if... her partner was not as close as she expected. Which was actually the case as Titia discovered with a frozen ball taking the place of her stomach. She'd done perfect yet he was more than two steps AWAY from her and she was turning her back on him... how could ?

"Hey! Half-head! You forgot one turn !" Laughter started in the crowed as Titia was now starting to feel rage to build-up and left the Ball room.

I HATE him, he trained me with half a turn, not one and a half! Tell me about the BEST master in the city!

[Titia]

"How could you do something like this to ME !"

Her mother kept repeating that since they'd left the ball room. Clearly she was upset and Titia didn't think it was appropriate to blame this on Marvello.

As they arrived at the familly estate, the last words her mother would have for her were clear as cristal. "Up in your room girl, we'll discuss your future tomorrow".

Not much to say. Titia knew she had ruined any opportunity to make a fair wedding among the Qeynosian families and in the absence of her father, her mother was all powerful over her future. A future that would probably be shaped like a convent or some charity order now. Far from her mother and Qeynos not to hurt the family name any more. Yet the young girl wasn't not crying, she was angry but keeping it for herself, the only sign of it being her slamming the door of her bedroom behind her.

Only to reveale the focus of her rage, sitting on her bed.

"That was a perfect evening dear", started Marvello as Titia stared at him, petrified in the middle of the room. Dare I say you acted perfectly as I hoped?, went on the old man.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!". She shouted. She didn't intend to but it came out without her controlling it. "I'm going to kill YOU!". Rage was taking over. Titia let it go as she used to when she needed to vent some anger. It was happening all too often lately though.

As she was reaching for a candelabra she felt Marvello's hands holding her tight. What came next breaking her anger as she heard it.

"Actually your father sent me dear and stop calling me Marvello, my name is Dentar."