If asked, Lucan would never downplay ho much he credited Duva for the way his military career turned out. The largest factor was due to one unlikely thing: dancing.

Lucan had of course told her how the memory of her grace changed his fighting style. By teaching himself to move the way he remembered her dancing Lucan found himself becoming more agile overall. This proved remarkably useful in combat training against other soldiers. Without fail all the bugs who favored brute strength were caught off-guard and Lucan almost always won.

So Duva taught him to dance.

Some steps were for the sake of dancing. Those made for some lovely, intimate moments. Others were specifically translated into combat. After learning how to move with each new step Lucan would apply it with a weapon. Now he was even harder to hit. Despite his size Lucan was getting better and better at slipping out of the way of most blows. While this irritated many on the same skill level as him (and of course Lucan didn't tell them how he was getting better) it was noticed and looked up to by the younger classes.

One day an entry-level bug asked Lucan if he would teach a few of them to move like he did. Though surprised he didn't refuse. Being mostly self-taught or by a professional dancer Lucan wasn't sure how well he could translate that all into level-one instructions. Still, a time and place for a lesson was arranged. The class was small, they called him 'sir' and loved the lesson. So much so they wanted another. So they did...with a class twice the size.

This worried Lucan a bit. He wasn't an instructor or officer. Yes, it was after hours and not on campus grounds but these trainees were under the command of officials. Could they get in trouble for this? The trainees weren't worried at all. They were thrilled to be getting such unique lessons from a senior. They respected his seniority and in the days following they applied their new skills in their scheduled classes.

Duva responded with a delight laugh like rang like festival bells to the news he shared about the lessons. The next time the trainees begged for a lesson, Duva came to observe. She though he made a wonderful teacher and made sure to tell him same. Together they even devised a special lesson. Duva joined this time and played her guitar. To the upbeat tune the trainees were told to dance. While restricted to a limited space they had to keep up to the tempo. In addition, Lucan was throwing pebbles at them. Anyone who got hit or couldn't deflect the 'attack' was out. The challen ge and game quickly became a favorite.

The after school meetings weren't always combat related. Lucan would sit them down and telling them what being a soldier for the king meant to him. He shared what he felt he was devoting himself to and why it was worth it. Duva would be there too, playing gently. When Lucan was finished she would sing a ballad or recite a poem dedicated to the great pale being, his beautiful lady or the glory of the eternal kingdom. This put a lot of thought into the minds of the trainees. Music and song moved them. Lucan wasn't snapping orders at them about why they should be soldiers. They felt genuinely inspired to work from the inside out to be the best servants of Hallownest they could be.

While the off-the-books lessons did greatly aid the trainees as future soldiers and on a personal level, they also inadvertently outed Lucan and Duva as an official couple. All it takes is one pair of loose lips overheard by the wrong set up ears to start a rumor. A pair of such ears overheard the trainees wondering among themselves if that nice butterfly lady wasn't just Lucan's friend. Eventually the story made its way around to Lucan's commanding officer, who was not pleased. He thought that nonsense with the butterfly was over. Once again he pulled Lucan aside to express his disapproval. Once again Lucan felt his temper rise and shell itch that his commander felt it within his bounds to comment on.

Ditch her, was essentially what he said. Eliminate what would only endanger his military career and lead his focus astray. Lucan was such a promising and skilled soldier, both with nail and heart for service. A forbidden liaison would only make it crumble. Bugs were unified by the king but that doesn't mean romantic relationships were acceptable between species. Rage searing beneath his shell Lucan had no idea what power had come over him that prevented him from shouting back.

Holding his temper, Lucan told the officer, no. Even with his rank and authority he had no power to command the ways of the heart. Lucan outright challenged his officer.

"Find where I have lost focus. Prove my studies are lacking. Show me how my scores have been slipping. Remind me when I have skipped courses, classes or even have been late because of my Duva. Provide me proof. Proof beyond your own prejudice she is bringing me down. Single me out. Push me harder than you would even push yourself. Present me battered and weary before the council with a speech of how what they see before them is the direct result of a beetle in love with a butterfly and how it has utterly destroyed, what you yourself called, 'a promising and skilled fighter', sir."

An outside observer wouldn't have denied the way Lucan spoke was bold, yet not disrespectful. Though to a bug used to having orders followed it certainly was. Angrily he dismissed Lucan. Certain he was going to pay for it later Lucan made a proper salute of respect and left.

That night while having dinner at her house Duva could tell something was bothering him. Lucan hadn't meant to tell her about the confrontation but hated feeling like he was lying to her even more. So he told her what had happened. Duva offered words of comfort and expressed how honored she felt about how he defended her. While she made his heart feel lighter, Lucan still had a heavy knot in his stomach. Surely the next there would be music to face for his boldness.

So when Lucan was called for even before roll call he wasn't at all surprised. A zippy messenger bug told him to report to the council chamber right away. It was then Lucan started to feel sick. The council chamber? As in before the academy and military council? Just how bad had his CO painted him they were called upon to get involved! His classmates looked confused but knew better than to murmur their thoughts while in class. The look on his CO's face didn't make him feel any better either.

At the chamber entrance the messenger bug knocked, announced his arrival and left once the reply came. Heart pounding Lucan stood tall, ready to receive any reprimand that could be coming.

Or so he thought.

In the council chamber waited three bugs. Two were council elders. Orn, a wizened old fly and Maui, a battle-worn beetle. Also there was Kai-Tai, a large cricket general and master at unarmed melee combat. Lucan had seen them all before. All units were approaching the time of promotions, advancements and assignments now that they were so close to graduating. The elders, seasoned warriors and officers oversaw the troops directly more and more often to complete final assignments. Lucan hadn't thought about how speaking out might hurt his chances until then.

Then Orn said,

"Ah! So this is the aspiring teacher, heh-heh."

What?

The elders invited him to sit. Confused, Lucan obeyed.

Mau explained, "It had been observed for the last few weeks trainees were displaying skills that were impressing their officers and classmates. The curious thing is, the trainees hadn't displayed these skills throughout the year then suddenly have it all at once? Curiouser still it wasn't limited to one class either. When investigated further the trainees all gave up your name."

"I understand they gave you up with the same air of breaking a sacred vow," Orn finished.

So the after hours classes had been found out.

"Sirs! If I was out of line about training other officers troops I am so sorry! At first it was just a few who came to me. I didn't see the harm-."

"At ease, soldier," Kai-Tai interrupted. "This is not a reprimand. Whatever you have been showing them has resulted in noticeably more agile warriors. No rules have been broken."

"What we want to know is, in detail, what you have been teaching them," Mau said.

"You and your family are known to the council and the elders, heh-heh," Said Orn. "Several generations devoted to the protection of king and kingdom. Please tell us what secrets your family has been keeping, heh-heh."

Lucan told them everything.

The skillset they wanted to know more about wasn't a military family secret. When he first met his now true love he was so inspired and intrigued by the way she danced he began incorporating similar movement into his battle style. After reconnecting with her she showed him more. That made its way to the training grounds where the junior soldiers had seen him fight and win. They wanted to learn so he taught them.

"And yes, I am in love with a butterfly,"

The councilmen had mixed looks about all parts of his story and confession.

"Oh bah!" The old fly said. "What's that got to do with this meeting? Besides, his Greatness has given us minds that are meant to be broadened. If you find a lovely lady that sets your heart a-flutter, who cares? You?" Orn asked the others.

"It is unorthodox." Was all Mau said.

"My thoughts about another soldiers personal life so long as it does not dishonor the service are irrelevant. As you said, elder, that is not why we are here," Kai-Tai said.

Lucan couldn't believe what he just heard. One validation and two brush offs about what so many had gotten their antennae in a twist about. He also felt it the right time to tell them about his disapproving commander and what had been said. Lucan was honest about the confrontation the day before, what was said by both of them and that was the reason he thought he'd been called to see them. They had not heard anything about a complaint yet but told Lucan not to worry. They would get the commanders' side of the story later and pursue if need be. It was time to move on to the other reason they'd asked him there.

Other reason?

Most bugs joined the king's army to insure Hallownest was defended against whatever threat or enemy rose against her. They keep the peace within the borders and consider it an overall honor to be in the service of the Pale King. Anyone who knew anything about Lucan would know his dedication was fueled by all the right reasons. To that end,

"What would you think about about being a training instructor?"

"A what?"

The councilmen continued.

Clearly the agility training program was missing something. Needless to say they didn't expect a possible fix to come from a soldier inspired by watching a butterfly dance. However, the results of his off-the-books made them curious it could be replicated. Not only replicated, but perhaps on a larger scale. Perhaps while adjusting how they trained more agile soldiers they might be able advance training in other ways. If it were to be successful, it might be a first step in refining the entire program. Ambitious? Yes. An idea ahead of its time? Perhaps. But they thought the potential was worth putting the resources into.

Lucan was floored but the councilmen weren't done.

They explained in detail what their proposal would entail. Lucan would still have rank and opportunity to advance the same as any other soldier. Ideas for lessons would have to be reviewed by the council first but he would be given time and resources to refine them. In fact, why wait? If he accepted this special assignment, he would be welcome to begin planning and learning about how to create courses whenever he had time. Implementation could begin sooner if he had something laid out before he graduated. From there it would be easier to get him going as the new instructor for the courses he designed. If the courses didn't prove effective on a large scale, they could either be scaled down or discontinued if it came to that. If the latter were the case, Lucan would be free to choose another path for his skills. The same held true if being a teacher as a career didn't feel to be the right fit.

"If this little experiment is successful and you prove a fine teacher, heh-heh, we may be able to expand to other bases across the kingdom. Heh-heh, after all, who doesn't like the idea of travel?"

"That would be a fine long-term goal. But please, Orn, I believe we have already overwhelmed the boy." Mau said. Though he too looked to agree the idea had promise.

"I would be traveling to the other bases?" Lucan asked with a mix of intrigue and dread.

"It would be the most efficient way to make sure the new course is carried out properly," Kai-Tai told him. "Who better to make anyone understand something properly than the one who designed it? However, a great deal has been discussed today. Lucan, if you have no further questions, you are dismissed from training for the day to think about our offer. Send a messenger to us with your answer tomorrow. Though regardless of how you choose, please tell no more than you absolutely feel necessary until all decisions are finalized."