Author's Notes: Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! Sorry for the long wait, but I hope I made it worth it. :)
Disclaimer: I am in now way affiliated with the cartoon series, "Mummies Alive!" or the DIC Corporation, and any of its affiliates. This fanfic is for entertainment purposes only. This fanfic and its author do not intend to infringe on any copyrights.
Romance is a Dance
Step Four: Listen to the rhythm.
"Beautiful! Beautiful, Elisa!" exclaimed the instructor, joyfully, making his rounds to various couples that had continued to dance during the break.
Ja-Kal lay back in his seat, wondering how a single person could possess so much prep.
Nefer-Tina's image struck his mind. Okay, make that two people.
She was certainly something. Ja-Kal could not deny the wonderful essence that was Nefer-Tina. She brought joy to all.
Ja-Kal watched Nefer-Tina interact with a group of young ladies. Fits of laughter rose from the crowd causing Ja-Kal to smile.
There were on their second to last lesson. Truth be told, he had actually started to enjoy these lessons. Perhaps it was the relaxing atmosphere. But, his mind told him it was something more.
His eyes wandered over Nefer-Tina's smooth features. When she spoke, her lips always curved into a sly smile. Her eyebrows added to the vivaciousness of her speech, moving up and down with each expression. Her dark brown eyes were always examining, observing, and roaming the scene. She was life itself.
Ja-Kal surprised himself. These were traitorous thoughts.
Besides, he mused, she probably only saw him as a friend. Nefer-Tina was bold. If she truly did find him attractive, she would have long ago made her move, he figured.
A sour smile escaped his lips.
Yet, her company was so enchanting to him, at times he could not help believing she reciprocated his feelings, ambivalent as they might be.
Ja-Kal did not know what he truly felt. He dropped his head into his hands, not noticing the gentle figure approaching him.
"You're tired already?" she questioned, a laugh hidden within her words.
Ja-Kal shook his head. "I was just relaxing."
Nefer-Tina studied his eyes for a moment. Satisfied with her findings, she grabbed Ja-Kal's arm and pulled him up. "Come on! It's time to dance!"
Ja-Kal looked wryly at her, warning, "I don't think this is the best idea…"
Nefer-Tina crossed her arms. "You can't back out now, Ja-Kal. You've learned all the moves. Have some confidence!"
With a quick sigh, Ja-Kal let himself be dragged towards the dance floor. As they entered the area, a new song began, filling the monotonous room with rich, Latin rhythms.
Not missing a beat, Ja-Kal wrapped a hand around the small of Nefer-Tina's back.
The move sent chills down Nefer-Tina's spine. Her nerves knew only sensations of pleasure, as her skin tingled at the touch.
She mentally shook her head, trying to overcome the sensations assaulting her. Nefer-Tina would not allow herself to destroy her friendship with Ja-Kal because of her hormones.
"Ready?" Ja-Kal asked.
With a grin, Nefer-Tina teased, "Let's see those moves, Ja-Kal."
After shooting her a mock glare, he grabbed her free hand and began to guide her across the dance floor.
"Good job, Ja-Kal. You haven't stumbled yet."
"Surprised?"
"Well, yeah. I didn't think your skills extended this far," she said, sheepishly.
Ja-Kal moved his hand lower on her back for support as Nefer-Tina extended her upper back towards the ground.
"Tell me, Nefer-Tina, was I your first choice?"
Nefer-Tina swung herself upright, surprised. "First choice?"
"For these classes," Ja-Kal supplied.
Understanding lit up her eyes, and she let a small laugh escape her lips at her earlier confusion. "Of course."
How could Ja-Kal ever think that he would be a second pick? Nefer-Tina and himself were too close to underrate each other.
Ja-Kal looked so good in his tight, white shirt, Nefer-Tina noted, licking her lips. Something inside her felt good for noticing her attraction towards Ja-Kal. But, Nefer-Tina submerged the feeling under the music. She would pick it apart later. Today, she would dance.
The charioteer moved fluidly with the hunter. Dancing in sweet synchronization, each anticipating the other, they floated around the floor.
Stealing a glance at Ja-Kal's face, she saw he was enjoying himself as well, and smiled. "I'm glad you're having a blast," she quickly blurted before thinking. Her pupils dilated instantly at the shock that hit her rational mind. She braced herself for a firm remark devaluing the entire experience.
"I'm glad I'm having it with you."
Nefer-Tina exhaled, letting go the air she did not know she was holding in. Flashing him a quick smile, she rotated her body around, moving further away as the music commanded her body.
She was enticing him to follow, and he was only happy to oblige. Ja-Kal had only known few moments where he had experienced joy equivalent to this moment. He completely trusted his partner. He felt one with her. And, he wasn't going to allow his rigid logic to mandate his life any longer. Joining hands with Nefer-Tina, he convinced himself that he would follow the people he loved.
But, Ja-Kal did not know if he loved her. He thought he once knew what love was. He only knew that he loved the moments with Nefer-Tina. Ja-Kal owed it to himself to find out what he truly felt for Nefer-Tina. Ja-Kal surprised himself with the boldness that had suddenly invaded his mind. Whatever was causing this new change, he approved. He felt secure in his decision and free of guilt.
The music suddenly changed, adopting a primeval, tribal beat.
The couples around suddenly stepped closer to their partner, and Nefer-Tina and Ja-Kal followed suit, wrapping their arms around each other.
"This is new," Ja-Kal commented, feeling awkward at the change.
Nefer-Tina didn't reply, but continued to dance, savoring the music and the moment. She felt good dancing so close to him. She felt complete. Terrible thoughts rushed at her. If she didn't have Ja-Kal, how different would her life be? How empty would her life be?
She shook her head to the music and to the thoughts that assailed her. She wouldn't think of that. She would enjoy her last dance classes. She would enjoy the moments when she could speak without bars. She would enjoy an environment that fostered her very essence. She would enjoy Ja-Kal and the emotions that he caused to rip through her stomach and mind.
Nefer-Tina looked up at Ja-Kal and felt the moment every woman feels when first laying eyes upon the love of their lives. She felt pure bliss.
Gods, she was falling for him.
"I can't do this," she said, escaping Ja-Kal's hold, running out the door.
