Tale Thirty-Six, Dancing for the Sake of Dancing

"Thank you, darling, I believe you would be quite welcome to my academy."

Primrose's uplifting words were accompanied by her applause.

The young girl who had earned such encouragement rose her head from her flourished bow. With barely contained excitement, she managed to fold her hands in front of her and bow deeply once more before nearly skipping off stage to her friends. They shared in her excitement, seeing that all of them would be joining Primrose in Noblecourt soon.

At this, the former dancer of the Sunshade tavern smiled softly. Bonds between the girls and women who danced in Sunshade still seemed to be forged of tougher things than even the sturdiest steel.

It warmed Primrose's heart.

In her seat, she was the only one currently serving as the audience for the dancers trying out for her academy of dance in Noblecourt. Only the barkeep, who busied himself preparing his bar for the evening, shared in watching these artful displays.

Displays they were.

Realizing she would need to start recruiting members to her academy, Primrose knew where to find her first, albeit small, class of students.

Sunshade offered many young women and girls who wished to pursue the art Primrose had learned and cultivated over years of trial and error. Of course, many of the women already had the brunette dancer's skills or surpassed them.

They didn't need Primrose's help and would ensure that Sunshade stayed their own. So, she focused more on recruiting those young girls who needed time to develop their own style under watchful eyes and nurturing hands.

Eight had answered Primrose's recruitment ad she had sent to Sunshade a few months prior.

Eight had shown the talent to whom Primrose knew she could teach the art of dance.

Eight would be joining her in Noblecourt at the start of the new year, only a few months from now.

And, most importantly, eight of them were close friends.

It made Primrose's heart swell with joy, knowing her first cohort of students at the academy would be there to learn from and with each other. Then, when they graduated, they could spread dancing to all corners of Orsterra.

Primrose had found her path and, as the eight prospective students thanked her again before leaving the tavern, she knew it would lead her to where she wished to be.

Having seen all she needed to see, Primrose stood from her seat and straightened the applications each girl had given her before placing them in a knapsack with the few other belongings she took with her to travel to Sunshade.

Satisfied, she made her way to the barkeep and ordered one more fermented cactus brew. Leaving a few leaves on the bar they were soon replaced by a goblet with an opaque white liquid. One sip reminded the dancer of the sweet and refreshing taste of the local alcoholic delicacy.

It brought back several other memories to her, as well.

Eyes locked on a certain table and chairs. Primrose remembered when she had shared drinks with the Octopath Travelers. A smile rose to her face.

Then, thinking about their first meeting, Primrose's eyes drifted to the stage that took up almost half of the tavern. A place that had served as her only source of comfort, but also as her prison. A wooden platform made for her and others to show themselves off with the most promiscuous of dances, ones that shouldn't be shared with the strange men that often watched her perform them.

Yet they were, thanks to that pig, Helgenish.

Even so, dancing was something that Primrose would never let any man touch again as that lecher had.

It was her own. The dances she performed now were those of her own choreography, to showcase the true art of dance for all those who wanted to witness it.

To tantalize.

To encapsulate.

To create art for those who wished to see it.

That was dancing.

Primrose would be damned if this home of dance was left to fester with the rotten memories of what Helgenish had created.

No, she wanted to reclaim her path.

So, she would do just that.

Finishing her drink with one swift gulp, Primrose replaced the now-empty goblet on the bar and stood from her stool.

Her feet carried her to the stairs leading up to the stage. A quick lift of the white, ankle-length dressed Primrose had favored since returning to Noblecourt and the dancer removed the matching slippers she wore.

Now barefoot, Primrose took a tentative step up the short flight of stairs. From her memory, she could hear the jingle of her anklet bracelets echoing in her ears, as if she wore them now. Ruffling of soft silk on her skin. Metal adornments rubbing against each other to accompany the bracelets she wore.

All of these familiar sensations echoed throughout Primrose, making her feel as if she had donned her dancer attire once more.

The reminiscent feelings grew with each step.

As did Primrose's smile.

Until her feet softly padded on the stage proper.

Watching her toes and wiggling them to feel the cool, polished wood beneath her, Primrose slowly walked to the familiar spot she had performed on so many times.

Before, her dances would only be for the erotic pleasure of leering men.

Now it was to reclaim her stage fully and finally.

With a deep breath, Primrose grabbed the skirt of her dress, lifting it just enough to reveal her calves and ankles. Her eyes stared out into the empty tavern, prepared to dance for no one and only herself.

But that wouldn't be the case.

Primrose's eyes widened as they fell upon three familiar figures that had become so dear to her.

Alfyn with his familiar friendly smile; H'aanit with Linde ever-present at her side; and Therion his gaze unreadable to Primrose, but welcoming all the same. Three members of her adventuring family, of the Octopath Travelers, somehow had found their way to Sunshade and now sat at one of the tables in the small desert town's tavern.

It brought no small sense of pride and joy to the dancer.

But it didn't stop her.

Primrose closed her eyes. Inhaling once more, a noticeable tremble in her breathing now, the dancer willed herself to calm down.

Opening her eyes provided a glimpse into the confidence she now had in herself and in where she would go. Curtseying for her small audience of familiar faces received a short round of applause.

When they had finished and all went silent, Primrose spun on her toes, sending a flourish of white around her as she danced to fully reclaim her pride.