Song: Shut up and Dance
By: Walk the Moon
After the wolves' performance there seemed to be an intermission, all the spirits that had been watching headed towards the craft and food stalls. The Big Four joined the crowds; Tooth had composed herself and spoke with Bunny as North went for some Russian food.
"This is really nice." Tooth said.
"Yeah, we still need to find Jack… But… Nothing wrong with entertaining ourselves, right?" Bunny stumbled.
Sandy smiled he could tell that Bunny was trying to say, without actually saying it, that he wanted to stay.
"It is nice, but ve need to get back to vork." North returned, a huge tray of beef stroganoff held in his hands. "Christmas and Easter von't vait. And teeth and dreams are needed."
The others nodded their heads, but just then a voice called out: "all set!" And the Big Four were pushed and shoved back toward the open field. Finally breaking free of the stream, they had a chance to get a good look at the once smooth and grassy field. Where the field once stood, now a solid and impossibly smooth rock floor met their eyes.
"There's no way that's natural not to mention it wasn't there before!"
Sandy nodded to Bunny's comment. A question mark appeared above his head.
"It was made by Earth spirits. They'll put it back the way it was before after we're done." A sweet and light voice said to their right. A young looking spirit stood beside them in a spring leaf green dress. She turned to take the Guardians in and her face quickly morphed into shock. "The Guardians!" She whispered in aww.
Sandy waved at the girl giving her a big, kind, and comforting smile. When she relaxed and returned his wave he created an arrow pointed at the rock floor, which was surrounded by a circle of eager spirits. Then added a question mark.
Tooth translated, after seeing the girl's confused face. "What is the rock floor for?"
"Oh, it's for dancing, it's a dance floor. The dance floor is made after the host has their performance. This way if anyone wants to dance to the songs that come next they are welcome to. This part is my personal favorite, of the spirit Festival. The bands even take requests." She returned her gaze to them. "Please, let me introduce myself." She lifted her dress, revealing goat legs and hooves, and curtsied. "My name is Tiffa, Tiffa the satyr. Or fawn, depending on which legends your hearing."
On the stage in front of the dance floor a band with a multitude of instruments set up and began tuning.
"Will you dance with me?"
Her question made the Guardians self-conscious. They hadn't been dancing, at all, in several thousands of years.
"I don't-" Tooth's answer was cut off when the music started and Tiffa grabbed her hand. Excited about dancing she just jumped right in. Tooth, startled, grabbed Sandy's hand who in turn grabbed Bunny who grabbed North. Finding themselves on the dance floor, surrounded by various forms of dance, the Big Four all stood completely still eyeing the edge of the dance floor as if contemplating an escape.
It seemed that someone out there knew what they were trying to do and had chosen the first song specifically to stop them.
(Start song here)
Basically scolded, by music of all things, the Big Four conceded to staying on the dance floor. More and more spirits flooded onto the floor but it never became too crowded.
Sandy showed a square above his head that expanded on all four sides. Then a figure holding a boulder.
"Earth spirits must be making floor bigger?" North observed, confirming Sandy's pictures.
Talking about the magic used to make sure no toes got stepped on, what with all spirts that were moving in various directions, was a lot easier then admitting that they couldn't bring themselves to even sway to the music. But as they stood there they started to notice that everyone was so focused on their own dancing that the four of them were basically invisible.
Tiffa leapt into their line of sight. Her agile legs moving her in a combination dance of a jig and jumping. No one was doing any particular dance it seemed. Everyone had their own style and it didn't take long for the Big Four's feed to start tapping. Soon after they swayed, then began their movement became more pronounced. Upon the dance floor a circle was beginning to form. The unconscious act of many dancers, observing and opening up space for the Big Four to strut their stuff.
Clapping to the beat they watched Tooth spin and twirl upon the floor and in the air equally. Sandy did a variation of the Egyptian walk, giving it an extra shake. North was happily doing the Russian sailor dance, arms crossed and legs kicking out with great speed. Bunny had taken out a small bit of chocolate and, after eating it, was doing tricks with his boomerangs. He'd tossed them, then jumped or twirled forward and back catching them at amazing angles and positions. All of them were in perfect time with the music and didn't notice the attention they were receiving.
Jack mingled as he walked among the spectators.
"Hey Jack, great as always."
"Nice to see you."
"What a party."
However most of the conversations he had were about the newest visitors.
"I can't believe the Guardians are actually here!"
"Who do you think told them?"
"I hear they're looking for someone." Jack answered and talked without giving anything away. Here he was accepted, just like everyone else, and he didn't want that to change. Grabbing a large bowl of venison stew, a recipe that he remembered eating with his pioneer family, he watched the Guardians dance.
"Looks like your plan worked." A voice above him said.
Glancing up Jack saw Chesh's head and tail floating in midair.
"You know, that is way too creepy." Jasper told Chesh as he sat on the food stand's counter.
"You afraid of a little kitty like me?"
The familiar friendly banter ensued. Jack let them talk it out as he watched and ate. In all honesty it reminded him a lot of when North and Bunny combated about holidays. Or was it that North and Bunny's banter reminded him of Chesh and Jasper's?
"So, are you going to tell them?" Jasper brought Jack back into the conversation.
"Not yet. The only reason they're out there is because Tiffa's enthusiasm didn't give them a choice. But North still needs to truly warm up to the idea. I'm not sure about Sandy yet."
The Guardians, feeling the song coming to an end, started to slow their dancing. Panting slightly the Big Four smiled at each other.
"I don't know about you mates. But, that was great!" Bunny said.
There were nods all around. Then the applause started and the circle of spectators were noticed for the first time. Their shock soon gave way to pride and all four Guardians bowed.