A/N Whoo hoo! Chapter eight already!
So, just FYI, I'll be changing some lyrics to the songs, because I'm not the type to let bad words in songs just go..sorry if that irritates you at all. Also, I have no idea what dance moves (specific ones) are called. Sorry.
Review Replies:
old666: Well, that's partly because Astrid has absolutely no idea what she's getting herself into, and you will see what music and moves!
Awolf24: I certainly will!
Zoha Ven: Oh, no, "awesome" is fine! I don't get very many people saying that about me...or anything I do...but thank you! And the music is Sarah's, she's got it downloaded and bought it, that sort of thing. To be honest, it's really hard for me to imagine Astrid dancing either...except partner dancing with Hiccup...which I can only imagine because of BeyondTheClouds777 and HorrorFan6 (thank you, guys!) but dance-off dancing? Hard to imagine. Well, Vikings will be Vikings, I guess. They didn't have dance-offs back then, when even dancing that way would most likely result in some sort of reputation. And at present, Alvin made peace with Berk and Dagur is locked up, so nothing there...I do have lots of things planned, though, and yes, some will involve combat and things trying to kill them! Oh boy!
Oh No! I forgot disclaimers!
I OWN NOTHING...EXCEPT MY CHARACTER AND THE PLOTLINE...AS MUCH AS I WISH I HAD COME UP WITH THE OTHER THINGS. ALL RIGHTS WHERE THEY BELONG.
Chapter Eight
I was confident. I had spent four years messing around with choreography, almost every day. The reason was that it was my job to wash the dinner dishes, so I danced while I did them. In fact, I had a playlist I had labeled "Dance" with every song I had choreographed. Heck, I had double-choreographed most of them. Double-choreographed meaning I had two choreographed dances for those songs, one for dancing by myself, and one for dancing across from someone in a dance-off.
As I dug under my clothes in my backpack for my speaker, I realized someone was watching me. I turned to see Hiccup.
"Hey." I greeted. "Have you, by any chance, ever been a judge before?"
"What?"
I turned back around and wiggled by arm deeper into the mess of clothes in the backpack. "I want you to be one of three judges who will judge the dance-off."
"Aaaand...was this planned, or.."
"No," I said, pulling out the little round speaker. "I just decided it."
"What is that?" He inquired, eyeing it suspiciously.
"It's a speaker. Now will you be a judge?"
"Sure. But, Songbird..."
"Yeah?"
"What is Astrid getting herself into? What kind of a battle will this be? I don't want either of you getting hurt. What kind of fights do they have where you come from?"
I put a hand on his shoulder and looked seriously into his eyes.
"Dangerous ones."
His eyebrows shot up, and I laughed.
"Kidding!" I said, going and zipping up my backpack. "Our fights are usually non-physical, unless a bully is involved. This fight is not going to hurt either of us. Unless we trip or something. Astrid is, admittedly, getting herself into something she doesn't understand, I mean, she asked about weapons. Do you carry weapons when you dance?"
He stared at me, befuddled. "Dance?"
"Yeah, what did you think 'dance-off' meant?"
He was really confused now.
"But...how can you dance fight?"
"Oh, you'll see, dragon boy," I said. "Now would you mind asking Fishlegs and Gobber if they would judge too?"
"Why them?" He asked.
"Well," I said, while scrolling through my playlists, "I want the judges to be impartial. I asked you because you're good at that, Fishlegs because he has no romantic feeling for anyone at all, and Gobber because...well, just for kicks."
"Who's going to kick him?"
"It's an expression. It means just because."
"Oh."
"Get going! I have people to talk to!"
He laughed as he left. "Okay."
When he was gone, I put my phone in my pocket, picked up my speaker, and went in search of Percy. I found him at the Academy, making friends with Hookfang. Snotlout was proud that the cool visitor had chosen his dragon to meet, and was lounging on a stack of target barrels. When he saw me he winked and said "Hey, babe."
I glared at him. "Call me that again and I will turn your insides into your outsides."
"Okay, okay." He put him his hands, though I could hear him muttering to Hookfang. I turned to Percy.
"Hey, can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Sure," he said. We went over to the benches.
"Where's Annabeth?" I asked.
"Oh, she's training. Said she's been too long not training and wanted to get some combat practice."
I smiled. "Hopefully she doesn't get hit by one of Astrid's axes or something."
Percy gave me a look. "What makes you say that?"
I shrugged. "Oh, Astrid likes to throw her axe at trees in the woods."
"Oh." Percy was silent for a moment, then asked, "So what did you want to talk to me about?"
"Well..." I held out the phone and speaker. "I was wondering if you wanted to be in charge of the music? You know, like a DJ?"
He grinned and took them. "Sure," he said happily. "Do I get to choose the music?"
"No," I laughed. "I have a playlist of dance music I've choreographed. I showed him the playlist, and he laughed.
"These are good! You're totally gonna win if you've choreographed every single one!"
"Yeah, well...there are signals we've got to work out. Actually, just one. When I hold up two fingers like this-" I held up the first two fingers on my right hand "-I want you to pause the music. Because it's a playlist and will keep going unless you pause."
"Yeah."
"And you don't need a signal to press play, 'cause I'm just gonna tell you. Good?"
"Good."
It was noon. A big crowd had gathered, and Stoick, though unsure of this "new kind of battle," as he put it, had let me tell the twins to put up a short fence in a circle to keep the crowd in question from getting too close. Hiccup, Fishlegs, and Gobber were inside the fence, on the edge, and though Fishlegs and Hiccup looked uncomfortable, Gobber was excited to "see some blood spilled." Boy, was he in for a surprise.
Astrid stepped over the fence, and the crowd roared. I took off my jacket, then handed my glasses to Fishlegs and told him sternly, "Don't lose those." He inspected them carefully and I said, "You can try them on if you want, just don't lose them."
I stepped over the fence and the crowd cheered again. Astrid was stepping towards me with her fists raised when I held up a hand for silence. The crowd quieted and Astrid stopped, confused.
"People of Berk!" I shouted. "Today you will witness a dance fight! Astrid, though new to such things, will no doubt do well. But me, I have been doing this for four years! I am the best where I come from! So! Astrid, because you have never done this before, I will go first and demonstrate. All right?"
Astrid stared at me and the Vikings looked confused.
"A dance fight?" She asked. "What kind of a fight is that?"
I smirked. "A fight you will lose, if you back down now."
That got her. She stood up straight and yelled, "I will fight you to the end!"
"Good!" I shouted. "Ladies and gentlemen, twenty-three songs, two-girls, and a lot of determination! Let's hit it!"
Percy must have hit play right then, because the music began, so loud my teeth startled to rattle. I put my hands on my hips and moved with the beat.
Doh. (clap) (beat) (clap) Doh doh doh, doh doh doh, doh doh. (clap) (beat) (clap) Doh doh doh, doh doh doh, doh doh. (clap) (beat) (clap) Doh doh doh, doh doh doh, doh
This hit, that ice cold, Michelle Pfieffer that white gold
This one for them hood girls, them good girls, straight masterpeices
Most Vikings were looking at me like I was crazy. Hiccup and Fishlegs were bright red. Gobber looked disappointed. I figured my choreography was what was causing the interesting shades on Hiccup's and Fishleg's faces.
Stylin', while in, livin' it up in the city.
got chucks on with Saint Laurent
Gotta kiss myself, I'm so pretty
The red faces could also be caused by the lyrics...
I'm too hot (hot yeah) called a police and a fireman, too hot (hot yeah)
Make a dragon wanna retire, man, too hot (hot yeah) Say my name, you know who I am, I'm too hot (hot yeah)
Am I bad 'bout that money, break it down
People were starting to enjoy themselves, but I ignored them. I was too far gone. You know when you start dancing, you get to a point where nothing else matters except the beat you can feel in every part of your body? Even if the music isn't loud enough to vibrate the ground.
Girls hit your hallelujah woo!
Girls hit your hallelujah woo!
Girls hit your hallelujah woo!
'Cause uptown funk gon give it to you
'Cause uptown funk gon give it to you
'Cause uptown funk gon give it to you!
Saturday night and we in the spot
DON'T BELIEVE ME JUST WATCH (C'MON!)
The plaza was filling with cheers. The Vikings began clapping along with the music and Astrid began to understand, I could see it on her face. I kept going and going and going until the last few lines:
Uptown funk you up, uptown funk you up (say whaa!?)
Uptown funk you up, uptown funk you up
WHOO!
I held up two fingers, and the music stopped, And the Vikings would not shut up. I finally had to ask Toothless to provide a plasma blast.
"All right!" I said, when the cheering had died down. "It's Astrid's turn! Should we let her choose the song?"
Loud affirmative cheers.
"Okay. We have GDFR and Shake It Off. Which one do you choose, Astrid?!"
She licked her lips and thought for a moment.
"GDFR." She decided.
I grinned. "Alright. Music!"
Astrid stepped foward, and the song began.
I know what you came here to see
If you can dance, the you're dancin' here with me
And I know what you came here to do
Just come on over let me see you just move
It's goin' down for real!
It's goin' down for real!
I watched as she floundered for the first few minutes, then realized that she had to follow the beat.
Drat, she was good once she knew what she was doing. This might not be the easy victory I had counted on. I would have to step up my game. I noticed that some of the lyrics were making the adults (and Hiccup and Fishlegs) uncomfortable. Well, too bad.
As the last few lines played I stepped forward and shooed Astrid off to the side. It was my turn.
I stay out too late
Got nothin' in my brain
That's what people say
mm-mm,
That's what people say
mm-mm,
I go on too many dates
But I can't make 'em stay
At least, that's what people say
mm-mm,
That's what people say
mm-mm,
I liked this one. The Vikings seemed to like it too...until, well, the song is called 'Shake it Off', after all, and my choreography involved quite a bit of hip movement, if you know what I mean.
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off
They got used to it by the second chorus, though. When I finished, I stepped back and gestured for Astrid to take the stage...or the ring. Whatever. I was pretty sure that the Vikings would not be very appreciative of this next song, being big on "old-fashioned morals", but I didn't care. Astrid would dance, or she would lose.
A RedOne, Konvict
GaGa, oh-oh, eh
I've had a little bit too much, much
All of the people start to rush, start to rush by
Darn it. I could tell that she understood the lyrics (well, some of them, minus stuff like about the phone) and didn't really like them, but she danced. I noticed Hiccup staring at his feet and trying not to look at her, but I gave him a look, like I thought you were supposed to be paying attention? And he reluctantly started watching her again. I noticed that his face was a very interesting shade of pink.
Just dance, gonna be okay, da da doo doo mmm
Just dance, spin that record, babe, da da doo doo mmm
When the song was over, I stepped forward and began to slowly sway back and forth as the next song began:
Oh, yeah
Don't need permission,
Made my decision, to test my limits
'Cause it's my business, God as my witness, Start what I finished
Yeah, this song was slower, but I liked it. I may have accidentally gestured to Hiccup when the song said "something 'bout you," (and then he turned redder than Hookfang) but that was an accident. Really.
Somethin' 'bout you makes me feel like a dangerous woman
Somethin' 'bout
Somethin' 'bout
Somethin' 'bout you
Makes me wanna do things that I shouldn't
When "Dangerous woman" ended and the next song began, I almost burst out laughing. This playlist was really torturing Astrid.
Oh yeah
Oh!
Just shoot for the stars
If it feels right and aim for my heart
If you feel like
And take me away, and make it OK,
I swear I'll behave
Astrid really didn't understand this, did she? She danced, but I could tell she had no comprehension of the meaning of the lyrics. Until the chorus...
Take me by the tongue and I'll know you
Kiss me till you're drunk and I'll show you
All the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
I've go the moves like Jagger
I don't need to try to control you
Look into my eyes and I'll own you
With them moves like Jagger
I've go the moves like Jagger
I've got the moves like Jagger
She stumbled a little bit and stared at me with horrified eyes, until she remembered she was supposed to be dancing. She resumed, but her face was blood-red.
When it was over, I stepped forward and said over the beginning of the next song, "Let's stop torturing the poor girl! Next song for her won't be so bad, I promise."
I began working my choreography.
Crashing, hit a wall
Right now I need a miracle
Hurry up now I need a miracle
I really loved this one. My brother did too. He had told me it was his second favorite song, right after "Wildest Dreams" by Taylor Swift.
So, don't let me don't let me, don't let me down,
D-don't let me down
Don't let me down
Don't let me down, down, down
Don't let me down
Don't let me down, down, down
Running out of time
I really thought you were on my side
This was fun. I finished and let Astrid take the ring.
It's going down
I'm yelling timber
You better move
You better dance
Let's make a night
You won't remember
I'll be the one, you won't forget
That song was over faster than I thought it would be. I held up the "pause" signal and the music stopped.
"All right!" I shouted. "Who's ready to have both of us in the ring?!"
Loud cheers.
"What does that mean?" Astrid asked.
I grinned. "I means that we will be dancing the same song, at the same time."
"Okay..."
"Play!"
Let's come together, singing love and harmonia
We are so different, but we're the same inside our hearts
Beautiful colors, just as far as the eye can see ya
Open your wings, fly, when you hear the call
I spun around and spread my arms wide for the chorus:
Let's celebrate, for we are beautiful creatures
Come spread your wings, and dance and sing songs of freedom
Like la la la hoo hoo
One for the jungle familia
Like ba ba ba boom boom
Calling all beautiful creatures
Come this way celebrate
The song finished about a minute and a half later and I laughed with the adrenaline pumping through my body. Wow, dancing really wakes you up. "Your turn, Astrid!" I called, and the next song began.
'Cause baby now we got bad blood
You know we used to be mad love
So take a look what you've done
'Cause baby now we got bad blood
Hey!
The Vikings liked this one. They understood feuds and grudges and stuff like that. The song went on and on until the last few lines:
Now we got problems
And I don't think we can't solve 'em
You made a really deep cut
And baby now we got bad blood
Hey!
Astrid moved out of the way, and I moved forward, shouting over the low beginnings of the next song: "This song is for that scene in the movie "The Lightning Thief" about the Lotus Hotel And Casino!"
Percy and Annabeth gave me confused looks, but I ignored them.
I wanna hold 'em like they do in Texas please,
Fold 'em, Let 'em hit me, raise it baby stay with me
Love game intuition play the cards with Spades to start
And after he's been hooked I'll play the one that's on his heart
Most of the adults looked scandalized at most of the song, but they went along, clapping and stuff. Half the teenagers had no comprehension of the lyrics, and the children ignored the lyrics.
As the dance-off went on, we had many songs, one or two fights breaking out among the audience, and one incident of tripping. The person in question quickly hopped up, brushed off her skirt, and continued dancing.
After "Poker Face," Astrid and I both did "Dj Got Us Falling in Love." Then I'd done "Ex's And Oh's," Astrid had followed with "Ooh La La," and then we'd both taken "Footloose" (which was when the fight had broken out).
The Astrid had danced to a pop-rock version of "We Are Family" By Alvin and the Chipmunks and The Chipettes (which was actually pretty good, considering the whole "chipmunk" deal). The I'd danced a pop-rock version of "Shake Your Groove Thing" by the same chipmunks (notice I say 'chipmunks' and not 'artists' because everyone knows it's just computer engineering).
The we'd both taken "Boom Clap." That's when the second fight broke out.
Then Astrid had done "Confident" (which involved the tripping incident).
Then I'd danced to "Roar," and Toothless had decided he wanted to dance, too, at that juncture, so we had one girl IN the ring, and one dragon who looked like a fool (but an adorable fool) OUT of the ring. Hiccup had been really embarrassed.
The Astrid danced to "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" and I thought that was an especially appropriate song for someone like her. Then I'd done "Payphone."
When "Payphone" was finished, I held up the pause signal, and everything quieted.
"We're not done yet!" I called. "One last song, together. But I need a favor from our reptilian friends." I beckoned to Stormfly and Hookfang, thinking that they would have the kind of fire I wanted. I whispered to them for a few seconds, and they seemed to agree, based on the head nods...since when could they do that?
Anyway, Astrid and I faced off, and the music began.
I know that I'm runnin' out of time, I want it all
Mmm-mmm
And I'm wishin' they'd stop tryna turn me off
Mmm-mmm
And I'm walking on a wire, trying to go higher
Feels like I'm surrounded by clowns and liars
Even when I give it all away, I want it all
Mmm-mmm
Stormfly and Hookfang came through! Every time the song said "fire", one or both of them would let out a burst of fire into the air. When the song said "fire" for the last time, they each shot a stream of fire that blended into a column of flame stretching a hundred feet in the air.
The song ended with Astrid and I facing each other, and we turned to the cheering crowd. I bowed, and Astrid just stood there panting. I'd pretty much done the same thing after my first dance-off. Okay, I hadn't actually remained standing. I'd ended up collapsing into a chair.
"Well!" I finally said, turning to the judges. "Who is the winner?"
A/N Happy Fourth of July, everyone! And now a list of which songs I used-all rights where they belong
Uptown Funk-Mark Ronson Feat. Bruno Mars
GDFR-(I don't know who wrote it originally, so I'm using the KidzBop version)
Shake It Off-Taylor Swift
Just Dance-Lady GaGa
Dangerous Woman-Ariana Grande
Moves Like Jagger-Maroon 5 Feat. Christina Aguilera
Don't Let Me Down-The Chainsmokers Feat. Daya
Timber-Pitbull (KidzBop version)
Beautiful Creatures-Barbatuques and Andy Garcia (from the movie "Rio 2")
Bad Blood-Taylor Swift
Poker Face-Lady GaGa
DJ Got Us Falling In Love-Usher
Ex's And Oh's-Elle King
Ooh La La-Britney Spears (from the movie "The Smurfs 2")
Footloose-Kenny Loggins
We Are Family-Alvin And The Chipmunks And The Chippettes (see, again, I don't know who wrote it originally)
Shake Your Groove Thing-Peaches and Herb (Chipmunk version)
Boom Clap- Charli XCX
Confident-Demi Lovato
Roar-Katy Perry
Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)-Kelly Clarkson
Payphone-Maroon 5
Just Like Fire-P!nk
You know, my brother just walked bay and told me I was stupid for listening to Katy Perry...says the guy who listens to "Firework" and loves it...
Anyway, HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY (again) and PLEASE REVIEW!