"Again," Shadow said from his position by the sound system, watching as all of the dancers disbanded and moved back to their starting positions. "All out this time, I'm not counting you in."
He waited until the last Mobian had found their place before he played the track over again, music blaring out of the speakers in every corner of the studio. First the thumping bass, then the faster upbeat, then all of the dancers were moving, snapping to attention and popping their bodies hard to match the rhythm. Shadow watched them, scrutinizing every pulse of their muscles, every quick hit of their hands, every jump and step they took. Not a one of them was offbeat. He smiled, just a slight tip of the lips and nodded, walking around and behind them to the back of the huge red and black studio, careful not to throw them off. It was only their second practice after learning the full choreography and already they had memorized every move.
The beat dropped and the dancers followed suit, dropping to a crouch and then to their knees for the floor work portion of the dance. They slid along the polished boards like skaters on ice, spinning and falling to their chests to grind and roll their bodies against the floor, working their back as they watched themselves in the wall to wall mirrors, before popping up to hit the next hard beat. They had worked hard, he could tell. There were still plenty of areas left for polishing but it was obvious that each and everyone of them had taken this choreo just as seriously as the ones previous. And for that he would reward them.
"Ten minute break," Shadow called, striding over to the sound system as the music faded out, "Then we're running through it again in teams." He paused the player then turned back to gaze over his students. They were sweating through their clothes, each and every one of them, but they seemed happy enough to have a longer break than usual.
Vanilla seemed especially radiant and Shadow could guess why. She had mastered the hard pops that had given her so much difficulty before, adding some much needed aggression that made the moves that much better, and it showed. It was no surprise either, she had been dancing at Shadow's studio for years. She was the oldest Mobian here besides Shadow himself - and the only mother - and he could barely remember a practice without her. He watched her as she spoke to Amy and Vector, switching his attention from Vanilla to them. They were also regulars here, Amy having come just a few months before Vector. Amy was a late bloomer - slow to learn the choreo and quick movements necessary for Shadow's particular style - but now that she had acclimated she was quickly climbing the ranks. Vector on the other hand seemed to have already had some prior experience with hip hop and had come in strong and stayed that way. If anything, the class had only cemented his love of the genre, which kept him serious while working in contrast to his normally boisterous personality.
Shadow watched them chat for a little while then allowed his eyes to wander over the rest of his members. The studio was packed with Mobians, some new and eager to learn under Shadow but most of them veterans to his class. He let his eyes flit over each of them, paying particular attention to the older members. Manic the hedgehog was guzzling water next to Sally Acorn, Espio was slowly stretching out his muscles, ignoring Charmy who flitted around him, and Bunnie was talking with Rouge and Wave. They had all been coming for a while so they knew how Shadow wasn't one for niceties or small talk and, as a result, didn't even think about bothering him with such while he was working. The newbies, on the other hand, weren't so knowledgeable.
As he let his gaze pass over them, he could already detect a few shy glances directed his way. All except for one: a female fox who he was fairly sure went by the name of Fiona. Even if he hadn't been preternaturally observant, he was sure he would have felt her constant staring. Fiona was one of the newest members - Shadow was fairly sure this was one of his first choreos she had learned - but she was a natural, hitting every beat and never faltering. She was a quick study, picking up steps and nailing them even before some of the veterans, and she knew it. Her confidence rolled off her in waves and he could feel it in her gaze as she stared at him, two water bottles in her hand.
Shadow watched her for a moment, meeting her gaze head on before he returned his attention to the rest of his students. But, out of the corner of his eye, he could see her approaching him and he turned to face her just as she came to a stop right in front of him.
"Fiona," he said by way of acknowledgement and she smiled at him, swishing her tail behind her.
"Hey, Shadow," she said, offering him one of her bottles. "Need some water?"
"I already have one," he said, glancing over to where Vanilla was sitting, his water bottle placed underneath her chair, but Fiona only shook her head.
"Just take it," she said, a slight smile playing on her lips, "I have extra." She shook the bottle temptingly at him and finally Shadow took it,
"Thanks," he nodded.
"I've been preparing a new choreo," she said as she sidled up next to him, leaning in so her arm brushed against his. Shadow glanced at it, then back to her face, saying nothing. "I'd like you to see it," she continued.
"The choreo workshop is this Friday," he said as he checked the time on the wall clock then glanced at his dancers. They were all stretching now as they talked, just as aware as he was that their break was coming to an end, but at the very edges of the group he could see Amy and Manic watching him. He frowned and they both turned away from him almost simultaneously. He kept watching them but, when they didn't do anything more, he turned to face the sound system, preparing to play the song from the beginning and give everyone time to get ready. Fiona only moved with him.
"I don't want anyone else to see it yet," she said, her voice low as she leaned against the nearby mirror, swishing her tail so it brushed along her legs. "Just you. I want to work on it together."
Shadow spared her a glance. "We'll talk about it later," he said. And then he turned around and addressed the group. "Break's over," he called then pressed the play button. Music spilled out of the speakers as the dancers, now broken up into smaller groups, spread out on the dance floor and, when Fiona didn't automatically follow suit, Shadow nodded at her to do the same.
She hesitated but then turned, striding across the floor to join the group, her tail following the sway of her hips as she moved. When she had stopped and turned to face him again, Shadow took a breath and addressed the group.
"First group of volunteers?" he asked and Vector's hand shot up. Next to him Charmy and Espio sighed but they followed him until they were positioned in front of the group and Shadow rewound the music for them.
"5, 6, 7, 8!" he called and then watched them as they broke into the motions, starting strong right from the get go, and thought only about the comments and notes he would give them.
