Chapter 10: Dancing partners
Two whole days have passed ever since Ivy, Rocky, and Freckle rescued Theo from the graveyard that one eventful night. Right now tonight was going to be another eventful night for Theo Flakes, but in a very fun and good way thankfully.
We cut over to the Lackadaisy which was currently running and full with lots of patrons and partygoers. The whole entire place was busy and booming in full swing tonight with lots of cats everywhere enjoying the positive and classy atmosphere. Most of the attending cats were happily drinking and chit-chatting around, some were on the dance floor swinging and grooving with each other as the live jazz music played on stage, while the rest we're gambling away at the craps and roulette tables. Viktor was at the bar hard at work on serving drinks of all kinds to the patrons while Rocky on the was on stage passionately fiddling away on his violin with the band helping to keep the party alive. Mitzi May on the other hand was casually standing on the sidelines of the room with a martini glass in her paw basically observing everything and making sure nothing goes wrong in her establishment.
Meanwhile back up in the little daisy cafe
"Just hold still...almost got it...and done!" Ivy said as she finished the final knot of Theo's bow tie around his collar
Ivy stood back up and allowed Theo to quickly look over himself in his brand new child size tuxedo that she just helped him put on. The reason for Theo being well dressed up was he was about to experience what it's like partying in the Lackadaisy for tonight so Ivy had to quickly fix up a fancy outfit for him. Although Theo was going to be the only child in town to experience it since children aren't normally brought into speakeasies.
"Woah! How do I look?" Theo asked in amazement of his new outfit
"Why you look just super adorable and dapper sweetheart! That suit fits you well!" Ivy smiled in awe as she admired her little tuxedo cat in his fancy little tuxedo outfit
Ivy then couldn't help but giggle to herself at the cute sight of Theo the tuxedo cat wearing a literal tuxedo. Pretty corny right? But anyways, while Theo was dressed in his new suit, Ivy was donning her usual sparkly yellow dress with high heels and a feathered head ring piece. (The same outfit she wore when she danced with Freckle)
"Huh? What's so funny Miss. Pepper?" Theo asked noticing Ivy's giggling
"*giggles!* Oh nothing sweetheart, nothing. *Clears throat* Now then, shall we start heading on down?" Ivy smiled as she elegantly held out her paw
Theo gladly took hold of Ivy's paw and allowed her to escort him. Ivy then opens the secret door leading downstairs to the Lackadaisy where Horatio Bruno was guarding the door.
"Are you excited kiddo? You get to see what it's like partying in the Lackdaisy." Ivy smiled as she and Theo walked down the steps
"I think I'm excited. I've never done this before." Theo said
"*Giggles* No worries sweetheart, you and I are gonna have a blast! My most favorite thing to do here is just dance the night away without a care in the world! Now I mostly dance with Freckle everytime, but for tonight you get to be my partner on the floor!" Ivy said enthusiastically with a wink
Once they were at the bottom of the stairs, Ivy and Theo walk up to Horatio.
"Mr. Horatio, the door if you kindly please." Ivy politely requested
"Certainly Miss." Horatio said as he gladly opened the door granting entrance to the two cats
"Thank you!" Ivy chimed as she went right in with Theo
After the door closed behind them, Theo was welcomed with the bright and upbeat atmosphere of the now crowded speakeasy establishment before his eyes.
"Woah my!" Theo said
Just then, Rocky and the other band cats on stage had to stop and take a smoke break for 15 minutes as they all put down their instruments and walked off the stage, so for the meantime Ivy and Theo both have a seat at the bar and have a drink for starters as the atmosphere of the party calmed down a little after the music ceased.
"Hiya Viktor! Can you pour us something sweet please?" Ivy kindly requested
Without a word, Viktor fills up two iced glasses of sweet non-alcoholic fruit punch drinks topped with cherries and serves them up. Ivy and Theo both pick up their drinks and smile at each other with their glasses up.
"Bottoms up sweetie!" Ivy smiled as she clinked her glass with Theo's before they both take a sip
Theo drank and savored the sweetness of his drink before he licked his lips. Just then, Mitzi comes walking up out of nowhere greeting the two.
"Hey you two, enjoying the party?" Mitzi smiled
"Oh, Hey there Mitzi! I am digging the atmosphere in here!" Ivy said bashfully
"I am glad to hear that." Mitzi said before turning her attention to Theo
"And how is my little guest doing so far hmm?" Mitzi smiled while ruffling Theo's head
"I'm doing alright Mrs. May. This party is really loud and bright." Theo said
"Indeed it is. I hope you are enjoying your time sweetie." Mitzi smiled as she quickly fixed Theo's bow tie for him
"Hey Mitzi umm have you got any word from Theo's aunt yet? You did put out your ad right?" Ivy asked
Mitzi turned her attention back to Ivy.
"Oh rest assured Miss. Ivy. I did put out the ad, but I'm sorry to say I haven't got any word from Theo's aunt. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that she sees my ad and contacts me as soon as possible." Mitzi assured
Later
After their 15 minute break was up, Rocky and the rest of the band cats were back on stage and were to perform again while all the cats on the dance floor were finding partners and getting ready to groove, Including Ivy and Theo.
"Alright my new dance partner, are you ready to do this? Ready to bring down the house?" Ivy smiled excitedly
"Uhhh I'm not so sure about this. I never danced with someone before." Theo said nervously with his ears folded back
Ivy then knelt down to the child's level and put both her paws on his shoulders.
"Now I know how you're feeling dear and it's perfectly alright. Lucky for you I am a master of dancing and I will help you in every way. I know every moves and styles like the charleston, the lindyhop, the roundabout, the jingle jangle, you name it." Ivy assured
"...The what now?" Theo asked not having any idea of all the dance names Ivy listed
"...Okay tell you what, we'll start easy. I will simply carry you in my arm and swing with you to the rhythm so you can get the basic feel and groove of the music until you can be on your own feet. Sound alright?" Ivy asked
Theo contemplated for a second before nodding yes.
"Okay then. Here, up you go."
With that, Ivy scoops up Theo and holds him against her in her left arm while holding his paw with her right arm right as the band started to play.
"One and a two and a three!" the drummer cat shouted before beating away on his instrument cueing the rest of the band to start playing along
The band started off playing with some light casual swing jazz music that sounded similar style to 'In The Mood' by Glen Miller. Everyone on the dance floor immediately started swinging along with the music with their partners, including Ivy as she lightly swung her body with the rhythm with Theo in her hold.
"Now just feel how I move with the music." Ivy said as she kept swinging while moving around the dance floor
"Hmmm...I think I'm getting what you mean now." Theo said
"That's great to hear! I think you might be ready to be on your feet." Ivy smiled
Ivy proceeds to put Theo back down on the floor and grab his paws to dance with him normally. Despite their big difference in height Ivy was able to reach down to Theo's hands while keeping her posture straight. Theo tried his best to dance along and copy his steps with Ivy. It was a little awkward at first but as the music continued on, Theo was slowly getting the hang of it.
"There you go, just keep it up. Just let yourself loose and let the music control you. You're doing well sweety." Ivy praised sweetly
Theo was now getting motivated and better as a confident smile appeared on his face. Ivy gave him a few more praises to raise his spirits even more. As the two danced away together smoothly, a random ragdoll breed cat lady in a black dress appears out of nowhere and compliments Ivy.
"Hey young lady, your child is very cute. You two are dancing great." The cat lady said while dancing with her own partner
"Oh hehe why thank you Miss." Ivy kindly responded
However Ivy blushed hard with her cheeks pink because of the lady assuming Theo was her own child. But she brushed it off and continued dancing before the song finally came to an end with the everyone in the room applauding the band.
"That felt really nice Miss Pepper." Theo smiled with his tail swishing
"You were very wonderful for your first time dear! I'm very proud of you! But that was just the warm up, it's gonna get more exciting right about now." Ivy said
With that, the band immediately started playing their next song which was more upbeat and hip than the previous song. It was full on active and hyper swing music that sounded like "Jumpin' Jack" by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.
Theo heard how the music sounded and got nervous again.
"Oh no!" Theo exclaimed
"It's okay dear, just remember what I said, let yourself loose and let the music control you." Ivy encouraged as she grabbed Theo's paws and started moving again
Theo let the music fill his ears and allowed his mind to control his body as his feet started moving rapidly and flawlessly with Ivy's feet on the floor almost in sync.
"There you go! You're doing it! Let's have fun baby!" Ivy cheered while smiling ear to ear
Theo also smiled and got fully into the fun spirit. The two young cats passionately danced away like no one was watching as their shoes clicked and chuffed the floor. As they dance, the other cats around them all started turning their heads and watched. No one in the Lackadaisy has ever seen a young kitten child dance perfectly with an adult partner before.
Ivy and Theo moved their bodies and did a few tricks in their dance like spinning each other and bringing one under the arm. The crowd around them started to cheer and clap approvingly at the impressive performance, even Rocky on stage was witnessing everything as he played his violin. The music evetually came to an end and Ivy threw Theo up in the air and caught him in her arm ending their dance with a stunning pose right before the crowd around them cheered loudly and clapped their paws.
"WOOOH!"
"Impressive!"
"That boy is amazing!"
"Those two can really tear up the floor!"
Ivy and Theo both blushed from all the sudden attention their were getting.
"Oh my, I guess we made quite a performance." Ivy said
Theo was speechless at the moment, but regardless they both take a graceful bow at the crowd before leaving the dance floor to go take a breather. The rest of the applauding cats all went back to minding their business and dancing some more to some slowdance music this time. Ivy and Theo went over to a nearby couch with a beverage table where Freckle and Mitzi happened to be sitting.
"Hey you two! Wonderful performance you did out there!" Mitzi complimented as she stood up from her seat
"Oh you saw us?" Ivy asked
"Oh I watched the whole thing!" Mitzi said
"You did great Ivy. The kid is a perfect new dance partner for you." Freckle said
Mitzi then kneels down to Theo and wraps her arms around him in a big hug.
"You did a great job out there sweetheart! I'm very proud of you!" Mitzi warmly praised
Theo could only smile and blush in response before Rocky came showing up out of nowhere.
"Well Well I'll be hot damned! That was by far an amazing dance I've seen between a lady and a child! Well done you two!" Rocky praised with high energy
"*Giggles* Please guys you're all making me blush." Ivy smiled
"Come on and have a seat. You two could use a breather after all that workout." Mitzi said
2 hours later
It was now getting close to 10 O'Clock at night. After having a big blast at the Lackadaisy, Ivy was now at her apartment building walking up the wooden stairs to her suite while carrying Theo who was fully tuckered out and asleep in her arms. Upon reaching her apartment door, Ivy takes out her key and inserts it under the brass knob.
Rattle, Click*
Ivy opens the door and walks inside before closing the door behind her. She then proceeds to kick off her fancy high heel shoes before carrying Theo to the guest bedroom that he sleeps in.
"Theo, wakey wakey." Ivy whispered tenderly as she gently shook Theo awake
"Mmm, huh? Where are we?" Theo asked while half asleep
"We are back in my home, now you can sleep in your soft bed. Let's get you out of your suit first." Ivy said
For the past few minutes Ivy helped Theo undo his bow tie and belt to get undressed out of his tuxedo before helping him get into his pajamas before he was going to be sleeping like a baby for the rest of night. After getting him all jammied up and tucked into bed, Ivy pet's the Theo's head a few times before pecking him on the cheek.
"Sweet dreams my little dance partner." Ivy whispered softly before leaving the room to go get out of her yellow dress and have herself a hot bath
End of chapter 10