Disclaimer: I don't own PJO or HoO... I wished? well, no. It's better this way.
Author's Note: 50... WHAT!
50. Dancing Together
On the morning, we did our morning run with the rest of the 2nd cohort. Normally, I would have breakfast with Piper and Maria Bianca but Henry dragged me to Fields of Mars. We found a nice looking clearing with tall trees not so far from us.
"Could you finally tell why we are here?" I said exasperated. The smug bastard hadn't told a thing since we left the barracks. I stood in front of him like 6 feet apart.
"You know… The Perfect Storm, Mika and Sasha made mighty hurricanes" said Henry with his hand on his chin.
"Yes, but you are not a son of Jupiter" I said really confused at him.
"It's not what I mean. They were synchronized, precise movements" said Henry advancing at me.
"Oh, so like dancing" I said as I realized where he was going.
"Or playing instruments" he said and I got confused again.
"We are going to defeat him with music. That's what you are saying" I said and laughed.
"Very cute… we attack as a pair, just like you with the twin blades" said Henry
"Oh, that's clever, maybe you are a son of Mars after all" I said in realization.
"Nah, I'm just a scholar of war" said Henry as he took his sword out.
"So Roman of you" I said and I took my spear out.
"I know" said Henky and winked. I giggled at him and we walked around each other in circles waiting for a moment to attack the other.
"What's the plan?" I said looking at him.
"We train and then we go to Vancouver" he said and rushed at me.
For the rest of the morning, we fought against each other. Some legionnaires came to watch us train, some even made small bids against who was going to fall first, how many hits before disarming, etc.
By noon, Henry took me to have lunch with the rest of the 2nd cohort. I was eating when I saw Frank coming to us. I waved at him animatedly and smiling. Some legionnaires saluted him with such respect that made uncomfortable.
"General Zhang, what can I do for you?" said Henry saluting so formally to Frank.
"Centurion William, I came to chat. Sit down" said Frank coolly and sat next to me.
"What's up, Frank…?" I said. I almost tell him Frankie Beanie in front of the legionnaires. That probably would embarrass him.
"Nothing, Merry Pearl" said Frank smiling and making all who hear chucked a laugh. I looked around annoyed throwing mean stares to whoever would dare to laugh.
"Frank, don't say that to me in front of everybody" I snorted. Frank giggled at me covering his mouth really amused and pleased of himself.
"Like you weren't about to do it yourself" he said and we both laughed.
"What are you doing here? I supposed you don't eat with us normally, right?" I said.
"Yes, you are right. I was talking with Williams about your training and I was thinking about using the method your brother received by Master Sasha" he said and I gasped and smiled widely.
"Really? That's awesome. I have always wanted to know how it was" I said almost jumping in my seat.
"Well, you will. Today, you will continue fighting against Williams. You need to know his weakness and strengths. Tomorrow, you will fight on the lake" said Frank.
"That's sounds good. Can I ask you something?" I said. I had days dying to ask.
"Sure, but I think I know what you want to know and my answer is… yes, her name is Sarah, legacy of Mercury" said Frank smiling.
"Cool!" I said with my two thumbs up at him grinning. Frank smiled at me and he left us to finish our meal.
For the second part of training, Henry took me again to the Fields of Mars. This time we brought the whole band with him, the musical kind.
"Music?" I said as I saw legionnaires carrying music instruments and tuned them around us.
"I told you about precise synchronized movements. We need music for this part. We will mirror our movements like in a dance" said Henry. I nodded. I guessed it made sense.
"So, what kind of music?" I said.
"You will see. Follow my lead and you will be fine" said Henry and kissed me lightly. Some people around us made wolf whistles or giggled at us.
"Sure, whatever, you call the shots today" I said with a wink. We walked apart to face each other in a respectable distance of 10 feet. I drew my spear and waited for him. Henry drew his sword and stared at me in concentration.
"One, two, three" said Henry loud and the music started. It was waltz during the first hour.
Henry moved and I followed him awkwardly. I wasn't a trained legionnaire and he was making basic moves with his sword. I tripped a couple of times making all around us laugh and giggle. I took me around one hour to finally grasp the idea of the basic movements. I took another hour just to get it right under the eyes of Henry Williams under polka songs. He was a tough teacher.
After 2 long hours of training, I was finally getting it right up to the point mirroring Henry's movements. Then we weren't longer facing each other but shoulder with shoulder. This was more complicated that I expected. Every single step had to be precise otherwise one of us ended on step ahead. I really hoped that we got it right.
After 6 hours, Henry and I danced and moved until we fell of exhaustion in the floor. The band said goodbye at us while we were laying on the floor. The poor band quitted on us after 2 hours of non-stop playing but most of them stayed to watch us.
"That was good" I said panting hard.
"I agreed. How are you feeling?" said Henry as he crawled to my side. He took my hand and kissed it.
"Fine, I think we can win a dancing competition now" I said and sat up on the ground. The sun was finally setting and it was a beautiful sunset. Henry stood up weakly. It took him sometime to finally get up.
"Come on. I'm taking you home" said Henry pulling my hand to stand up.
After a big piece of ambrosia, we walked barely ok to the house. We had dinner with everybody even Frank and Leo. JJ told everybody how was our training and every single misstep we did. I blush red of embarrassment the whole dinner. Leo made jokes and everybody laughed at the table. Frank invited everybody to watch us train tomorrow on the lake.
After everybody left, I dragged myself to bed and that night I slept slightly fine with sore muscles.
