I know, it's been a long while since I last published a story. Also, this is actually one I had lied around for a few months, just been busy with other stuff. However, now I got some time, I thought I would give it to you. Just some fluff this time.
Have fun.
Marco groaned annoyed as he looked at his calendar. It was the time of the year he hated most. This moth was dedicated as the dance month on the Moby Dick and it would end with a dance contest. Each division commander would pick out the best dancers, let them train and enter the competition. The commanders would have their own dance contest. Marco was not a fan of this tradition, but Izo was firm on this one.
Well, at least he wouldn't have to take care of two divisions this year. Ace was now the commander of the second division and Marco felt relieved. It was annoying enough he had to participate, but to actually lead two divisions into the contest was hell. Especially because it was either Izo's or Thatch's or Haruta's division winning the contest. Yet this year he would see what Ace were cable of and also his twin, Ann.
He closed his door and went to one of the two dance halls. His division would have it for the next four hours. Better get this over with, he thought and entered the room. His whole division was waiting for him, chattering with each other. Only Ann seemed to have something else to do, as she was stretching her muscles. Her slim appearance made people think she was not a good fighter, but Marco knew better. She was like a devil in disguise of an angel and her kicks was bone crushing.
"Let's get started, yoi," Marco said.
The division divided itself into smaller groups of ten. The music started and they danced. Marco made notes, not really that interested. Sure some from his division was good dancers, but he had too much work to actually help them train properly and he wasn't the best teacher anyway. Well, at least they didn't end last.
He was already tired as half of them had danced. He had so far only three on his list and he needed at least five. The past year he had lost one of his best dancers, which was sad and he had to choose another to dance. He watched Ann from the corner of his eyes. She was doing some exorcise in the corner. She was in the last group.
Almost three hours had passed and Marco had chosen four people and there was only one last group. He had two in reserve. As the music started, the group started to dance, but soon all stopped up, looking at Ann. She was dancing better than anyone so far and she had grace. Marco stared at her, while her body seemed to move on its own, her face at peace and with a small smile on her lips, her eyes shining brightly. He stopped the music after a few minutes and asked the crowd to sit.
"So I've come up with the five that should dance. Leika, Julie, Chris, Stephen and Ann. The latter will be the lead dancer. Any objections, yoi?" Marco said.
None said anything. Normally Leika was the lead dancer, but after seeing Ann dance, all was silently agreeing she should lead this year and all other years. Blushing Ann smiled shyly. Dancing was her passion and she actually used some moves when fighting. Actually, she and Ace did so, though Ace wasn't as passionately about dancing as her.
"Good. We have this hall every day from 7 pm to 9 pm. I want to see you five tomorrow at 7 pm, yoi," Marco said.
With that all left the room. Ann however, stayed behind, stretching her muscles once more. Marco looked at her, waiting. He was really curious to know where she had learnt to dance like this. She smiled brightly to him, as she turned her face to him and he smiled back, smitten by her smile. It was something her and Ace was good at. Smitten people around with their smile.
"You're good, yoi," he commented.
"I love to dance. As kids, we used to dance all the time, when we wasn't hunting or causing trouble in town," she said.
"You and Ace danced, yoi?"
She smiled. "Yes. Though he isn't a passionate as I, he's still good. Makino-san taught us some dancing techniques, though most I've picked up around the world, when we travelled," she said.
"I didn't know, yoi," he said.
"Well, you should try and watch my moves when we fight. You'll see that we use the techniques in our fighting style," she said and finished her stretching.
"I might, yoi," he said and gestured her to go first.
Grinning, she left the room. Marco looked after her and a little hope bloomed in his chest. Maybe they could make it into top 5 this year. Ann was good and she was passionate. Izo would sulk a little, but she was in Marco's division, because she was one hell of a fighter. Maybe he had to watch her fight a little more closely.
-x-
Ann went through the songs they could choose along with the other four. She sighed and then she turned to her group.
"Let me see your freestyle dance. I want to know what kind of dance you have in your heart," she said.
Shrugging, Leika started. Ann watched her closely, while writing some notes down. Then Julie, Chris and Stephen danced for her. She went over her notes and after a few minutes, she smiled, picking a song.
"This will be our song. I've analyzed your styles and then held it up against mine and each other. This song will complement our different styles and I can do choreography to it," she said.
Leika looked at the song and frowned. "The beat is difficult," she said.
"Not really. Now listen, before you dance, your muscles needs to warm up. I will use today to show you some warm up moves and then you should dance like you love. No pressure the next two days, only bringing out your passion," she said.
Leika looked at her with slight distrust. "Are you sure? I mean, normally we all come up with the moves," she said.
"I don't want to be the newcomer taking your routine, but what's the highest place you got in this competition?" Ann asked.
"Well, only the top five will be mentioned and we haven't got into the top five," Julie said.
Ann nodded. "Dancing is my passion and while travelling with my brother, I won several dancing competition. I've been dancing as soon as I could walk," she said.
"Really? Leika, we might get a chance to get into the top 5," Chris said.
Leika nodded. "So far our efforts have not brought us far. Let's try your suggestion."
Ann smiled and then showed them the moves to warm up, before letting them dance their heart out, while she made more notes and also danced her heart out, showing them some of her moves.
-x-
Marco looked up from his paperwork and hissed. He had completely forgotten the time and now it was 8.30 pm. he rushed toward the dance hall, hearing the music there. As he entered it, he saw how the five just were dancing like no tomorrow. There was nothing in sync or so and he frowned. Ann didn't seem to lead them at all.
"Sorry I'm late, yoi," Marco said.
"Commander. No problem. Ann got this," Leika said.
"Doesn't look like it, yoi," he said.
"Trust her. We do," Chris said.
He nodded. "If you say so, yoi," he said.
"Don't you have to practice too?" Ann asked.
He shrugged. "I'm not that good at dancing, yoi."
"Want to give the others a heart attack?" she grinned.
He gazed at her, his interest peeked. "What do you mean, yoi?"
"Well, I was thinking of teaching you to dance. Ace told me that Izo and Thatch had said they felt sorry for me, for being on your team. I will show them they have to be sorry for not having me on their team, and what better way than teaching you to dance?" she grinned.
"That's a great idea. They would surely be shocked," Stephen grinned.
Marco actually like that idea. It was tempting and well, maybe he could use some moves in his fighting style, just like Ace and Ann did. You never got too old to learn and he would love to shut up the teasing from Thatch and Izo that he was a clutch on a dance floor.
"Teach me, yoi," he said.
Thatch: We should totally have this kind of contest.
Ace: Wait, what? Hell no. I don't dance.
Izo: You stand no chance anyway.
Haruta: This do sound like fun.
Marco: You got to be kidding me, yoi.
Me: I wouldn't mind watching you guys dance.
Thatch: You just love to watch us move that booty. *winks*
Ace: Or make a fool out of ourselves.
Haruta: Maybe both.
Me: Maybe~
Marco: Let's stop the talk here, yoi.
Izo: Dear reader, leave a review if you liked this