A/N: Oh, do I have a surprise in store for you all today!
Dancers: Liavio: The instructor and lead dancer… is basically Olivia from Awakening, just without the shyness. Mirande (Corrin): Aside from her canon personality, there is a darker undertone to her behavior when she's alone… she's heavily concerned about her appearance, she's also slightly taller than the rest. Yserna: The second best dancer, next to Echo, who first found out about Mirande in the streets of Crynkesia… she hails from Izumo. Atsuna: The newest dancer, she's still adjusting to the stress of being on the elite team and can be shy. Echo: The best of the elite group, she's darker skinned, and the only real problem she has is her high metabolism, which keeps her just a bit too skinny.
Consort: I literally cringed from reading (imagining) that. Just… ow. Yeah, you think mentioning filing her teeth were bad, just… ow. I can't even.
Oh-ho yes, and it won't be long… it won't be long. Mayhaps… next chapter?
Joe (Guest): A long and tearful reunion of mother and daughter. Questions of how Mira got to that village in Nohr in the first place, assurances and comfort abound…
Or maybe things aren't as they seem?
Liavio claps her hands as the dancers finish off their practice, each of the dozen women are breathing rather heavily. "Great job, girls!" She calls out. "Keep up the good work, and I'll see you all next week!" She smiles as the women give their thanks and make their departures. "Mirande?" She turns to look at Mira. "Do you see any potential?"
"That's a lot of feet to keep track at the same time, Liavio…" Mira trails off for a moment, "I'll admit, I got lost through all of the movement."
The lead dancer giggles for a moment, though she does hold a hand over her mouth. "I'll be honest, I have a harder time keeping track of you four while you're dancing."
"Huh? Really?" She tilts her head.
She nods in kind, "You, Echo, Yserna, and Atsuna… you four are so in sync. One slight twitch could ruin the entire moment and send you four falling." A short pause, "But, I didn't invite you here just to watch the others dance."
"Right, we've got some higher-ups to impress today!" She exclaims.
"It'll just be you and Azura."
"Wait, what? I mean… not that I have a problem with that, but I thought…" No, Mira knows that Liavio said that Azura would perform with all of the elite dancers.
"I'm afraid it isn't my decision, Mira." She frowns. "I was able to convince them to see Azura perform, but then they gave me that condition… my hands are tied. I only have control over the dancers here."
Mira nod, "True… well, I wish the others could be here, but… I'm sure we can still show them that it's for the best if Azura sings and dances!"
"That's my girl!" The mood is brought up and… "Alright, get to the back and prep yourself up! You have about an hour."
Mira giggles, "Yes, ma'am!" She offers a more playful salute, before going onto the stage, and into the back. There are a number of dancers still here, some of them chatting, some removing make-up, others putting a different set on, maybe changing clothes… all of them having a good time. "How's it going, girls?" Mira asks out loud as she makes her way to her own makeup station. Let's see… Azura is wearing a primarily light-blue setup. What should she wear to compliment it? Hm… her eyes scan over her make-up choices…
Lilac.
Soft and gentle, and it should work well with Azura's light blue. Mira nods to herself and grabs the appropriate set of lilac-based colors. She sits down onto the chair… time to get to work…
Whew, it may not be actual dancing, but sitting down and applying makeup for nearly forty minutes is a toll in itself. Still, Mira is finished with her work. She looks at herself in the mirror, more than satisfied with her handiwork. She holds a hand over her face, deftly moving a finger or two to check her ears… good, the magic is still holding up very well, a bit over to her eyes, still good. Mira lets out a breath, safe and covered.
She is beautiful.
"You got this, girl." She tells herself. "And we'll get another one on our team."
"Mirande?" She then startles as the melodic voice of Azura rings out… gods, it's like she's singing right now. "Oh, apologies…"
"It's alright, I was just thinking…" She turns around and flashes a smile. Whew, Mira may be attracted to men, but… Azura is undeniably beautiful. Has to be her hair… the amount of time she must spend washing it… "I'll get you on the team, don't worry about that."
A small quirk for her lips, but not quite enough to be considered a smile. "It's alright, I'm not that nervous…" She trails off.
Mira can see something more. "Azura?"
"It's nothing." The small rise fades, and her face is straight.
"A smile can go a long way." She instead advises. She tries, and Mira can see the actual effort she's putting in. Is… is smiling really so hard for her? "But don't force it, just… think of something that makes you feel good and warm and happy!" Ironically, just saying that brings a smile to her face.
Several moments pass as Azura remains deep in thought. "I remember… mother returning home late, bearing a bottle of fruit juice? It was the first 'want' we had in weeks."
...And now Mira almost wish she didn't ask. Alright, so… Azura grew up poor? Her mother had to work late. Atsuna's mother always worked late, and Mira was struggling day to day before being plucked out of the streets by Yserna. Regardless, Mira nods, attempting to coax more of the 'good' out of that. "There you go, and that had you feeling good, right?"
A small raise in her lips, but an actual smile refuses to form. "Yes, it does." Well then, it seems that is as far as her 'smile' goes right now. That… actually concerns Mira a bit, but! She won't make a big deal out of it right now… there's an audition to be had! "So, this dance… Miss Liavio said it was last month's dance?" Eyes a bit lit up, so… that at least adds to the good mood.
Mira nods, "Yep, that's what she told me and the other girls. So… what is the song you're gonna sing?"
Azura ruffles through her dress, into a pocket, and pulls out a sheet of paper. "It's more they want to hear the range of my vocals, and then hear a sample of a few genres of music." She supplies, reading it over. "I've been given a popular opera song." She furrows her brows, "I can understand the lyrics, but the title is beyond me… it's written in an archaic and outdated form of Nohrian."
Oh? Consider Mira's interest piqued! "May I see?"
"Sure, Mira." She hands her the paper, and… yep.
Mira can read leaders, but she can't pronounce whatever this is: Der Hölle Rache. "Uh, alright?" She sheepishly hands it back, "Yeah… never heard of it." Crykensia is known for dancing, not singing. There is the occasional singer in the, as much as Mira rather not use the term, 'normal' dancing group… the elite dancing group lacks a singer. It's just the rules that the higher ups hold.
"It's no issue… I'm unfamiliar with opera." She admits. "Nearly every song I learned was passed down from my mother, from her mother… familial songs, traditional in nature, dating back a number of generations ago." Ah-ha!
"You like history." Mira smiles.
Azura startles a bit, perhaps a bit taken aback by Mira's sudden comment… but then she nods. "I do, most of the songs I know date back many, many thousands of years. Which is why, while I do recognize the time period the title of the opera is used in, I don't recognize the specific usage. It must be a small town or tribe's variation of it, which then grew popular, but the title was kept as is for respect." Yep…
Azura enjoys history. "Alright, girls!" Liavio walks in from the main stage. "They're here, and you've got five minutes… show them that we could very much use such a beautiful voice to accompany our dancers!" She smiles at Azura. "We all believe in you, Azura!" Then to Mira. "I know you got this, but I want to say it anyway… good luck!" She clasps her hands. "I look forward to the upcoming performance, have fun you two!"
"Will do, Liavio!" Mira waves as the lead dancer skips off.
"I can't get over how lively she is…" Azura speaks, then clears her throat, "So, Mira… shall we perform?"
"Absolutely!"
In the front chairs, where it was just Liavio earlier… now also sits two well-dressed people, one man and one woman. Frankly, they look exactly the part of snobby business people, offering only the smallest of humanity with a simple nod as Azura and Mira make their way onto stage. Mira was never fond of the owners… nor was anyone, really. You would need to have a love for business and coin to get along with people like that, but…
That's the type of person that needs to run huge attractions and businesses. As stuck-up as those two are, they also keep Crykensia running well. Oh yes, not just the theater, but the city as a whole. Mira can respect that, but what she can't get over is how serious they are, always staring, always judging… doesn't it ever tire them out? Thinking of a million ways to get the most gold out of something, another million on how to get to that point…
And gods, those two are so stern, that they formed frown lines… a stark contrast to Liavio's laughter lines. Even the lead dancer herself seems a bit more sullen, trapped between the two. "Alright, girls!" Her voice is a bit more tame… the spark of life is there, but dimmed.
"Mirande." Female, but sounding more like a drone. She leans forward with her excessive makeup, too 'perfect' hair, and pursed lips. "Our elite dancer that came off of the streets." No sound of disgust or amazement, she's just… there. "You've done well. Profits have risen, and your kindness causes the normal dancers to perform better…" Alright, there it is… she almost sneers at 'normal'.
"Thank you, ma'am." Regardless, Mira bows. "I'm more than happy to perform!"
"Azura." Male, holding some papers. As he goes to read them, Liavio reaches out and shakes her head.
"She's well aware of where she came from, sir."
"Daughter of a late Nohrian once-noble and a traveling performer, Arete." The… father doesn't even get to be named?
"I am, sir." Azura's affirmation is brief, though Mira can hear the pain in her voice.
Liavio gives the man a side glance, "Are you two ready?!" She exclaims.
"Here we go, Azura!" Mira smiles.
"Y-yes…" Great, the man unnerved her. If Mira has any say in it, he did that on purpose. Do… do they really think adding a singer will be that bad to the dancers? No! Not now! They will prove them wrong! "I'm ready." She states, sounding more confident.
"One, and two, and…" Liavio counts off, and with a timing that can only be done with so much repeated practice… Mira starts the very moment Liavio ends with 'three'. Thankfully, Azura isn't too far behind, and she begins singing within a second of Mira dancing… as well as throwing in her own dance moves. Mira takes a half-second to try and listen to Azura's song, but…
She's actually singing in a language that Mira can't understand. So, Mira instead completely focuses on her dance, the same one that was performed in the previous month's performance. She… might not be a vocal expert, but she has a feeling that Azura's musical beat and the motions of Mira's own dancing aren't quite matching up. Even though Azura's song and dance are matching perfectly.
However, despite what Mira considers a spectacular performance, the two owners seem unimpressed. Liavio is giving a supportive and approving smile, but… ugh. Why do the owners look so disinterested? It's stupid! They should…
Stomp, stomp. An echoey sound… sounds out. Though, Mira doesn't stop until the person has already made their way in between Azura, Mira, and the rest. "I'm here to dance." Her tone is firm, quick, and definite. Mira looks up and for a second… could've sworn that the person in between them is a he. If it weren't for her tone, her breasts and rear, this would certainly look a man.
The man stands up, "Leave."
"No."
"Ma'am, if you…" Liavio starts.
"No."
"I don't have time for this… guards!" The woman calls out.
The interruptor smirks. "I'm here to dance." She crosses her arms.
"Guards!" The woman repeats.
Nobody comes.
Liavio taps her fingers, "Ma'am? I can get you onto the team, but you'll need to wait until after these two are done."
"Her? No, there's no way she'll…"
"My name is Soleil, and I want to join the main team." The pink-hair cuts off the woman, again. "I got the moves you guys need." One arm goes to her side, she leans slightly forward.
"Soleil, I can appreciate your determination, but I'll need to see you after…"
"I can do what she did, right now." She points at Mira. "No flaws." How long was she standing there, then?
The man sits down, and takes a breath. "Mirande, off the stage." He firmly states. "Soleil, you will take her place. If I see even one misstep, you and Azura will both leave, and will not return!"
Mira's heart slows a bit, she glances at Liavio, who seems just as shocked as her. "S-sir…?"
"Off. The. Stage." He repeats.
Mira looks at Soleil, who seems so confident and… she nods, then walks off. Gods, please don't let this chance get ruined. "Liavio?" She quietly asks, feeling incredibly worried.
The lead dancer remains quiet. "Take it from the top, girls." She somehow manages to retain her composure. "One, and two, and…" The song and dance resumes… doubt fades as Mira watches Soleil. Gods, it's like looking in the mirror, except that… well. No, there's no way! Soleil had to have been at the monthly performance. Mira is the fastest learner on the team, but even she had to spend some time practicing, before Yserna happened to be in the area.
Soleil is wearing some sort of leather-based traveling garb… strangely cut around her chest area, which reveals enough to show her cleavage and just a tad bit of breast. Her pink hair is left in an almost wild state: her bangs are brushed down in front of her face, but they don't go lower than her eyebrows, while the sides are pulled back into a messy ponytail. Her eyes are bursting with life, alongside a striking and bold brown color. She has an admittedly fancy cloth-studding covering her arms, topped off with some jewels. Her blue pants are skin-tight, and while Mira prefers men… she can't lie, Soleil's pants show off her rear very well. Lastly, she has on a pair of black shoes… though when looking at the soles, they must be boots.
All in all, Soleil does look very attractive… even for a woman. It also helps she has this beautiful smile that only Liavio can match. In fact, Mira must've been so caught up in her looks, that she didn't even notice that the song and dance had ended. Oh wow… she places a hand on her chest for a moment, did… did her heart just race?! No! She knows she loves Prince Leo! Soleil just happened to catch her eye… like how Kaden did. Mira gulps, then feels a sudden urge to cross her legs, which she does do.
"Great job, girls!" Liavio claps, though her enthusiasm isn't reflected by the owners.
"We'll get back to you tomorrow, Liavio." The man gets up, the woman follows suit.
"Indeed." The woman blankly responds.
"Hey, hey! What about…!" Soleil speaks up.
"Quiet, or there will be no chance of you joining!" The woman snaps back, and the two swiftly leave.
"Hmph." Soleil huffs, "So, how did I do?" She directs her attention to Liavio.
"Exceptionally well, um… Soleil?"
"That's my name!" She smiles. "Glad to hear it. I'll have you know that that is my first time doing that dance." She proudly places a finger on her own, admittedly considerable, chest… gods, she even has Yserna beat in that department. "Mama said I have a 'picture-perfect memory'. I see it once, I remember it perfectly."
"I see, though…" Liavio takes a breath, "Oh, Azura? You may rest. You as well, Mira." She then turns her attention back to Soleil, "I would appreciate it if you hadn't barged in like that…"
"Huh? Oh, that cutie at the front let me in." Soleil smiles, "She put up one hell of an arm wrestle, though…"
"Charlotte?!" Mira exclaims.
"Oh, that's her name? Blond hair, beautiful blue eyes…" Mira nods mid-description. "Awesome…" She then bows, "Might I know all of your names, as well?"
She's really… to the point. "My name is Mirande, though you can call me Mira. This is our instructor, Liavio. She is our most recent addition, Azura."
"...If I can get in." Azura speaks. "I'm worried that this interruption will…"
"We'll make it." Soleil cuts her off. "I can assure you of that." She then faces Liavio, "So, when's the next dance?" Well, Mira can at least appreciate her optimism of joining after, y'know… barging in and demanding a moment.
Liavio sighs, but she also smiles, "I would love to have another dancer on the team."
Soleil giggles, then spins in place. "Awesome! I'm so looking forward to dancing!" Right then and there, she resumes with… oh, wow. She… she can bend. Mira tilts her head as Soleil was, for a moment, standing in place, but now she's reaching all the way back, her hands on the floor… her feet on the floor, then proceeds to move into a handstand, bends her arms a bit, and jumps off of the floor, back onto her feet.
…
Silence. Even Liavio is left speechless. Mira just stands there, mouth open and head remained tilted. Azura takes her leave. Soleil rubs the back of her head, and giggles once more.
A/N: Erm, well then. I, uh… did a re-design to Soleil's character. So, lemme say right here and now… no, she does not have any familial connections to her canon family. Soleil is her own character for this fic.