Learning to Dance

[Friday]

Larson physically took a step back. "What? No," he said shaking his head firmly. So that was why Larson had been getting glances that could almost be considered jealous. Tyren though Lena was his lover, and it made sense. They were dancing partners, and most were lovers. But Lena was like a sister to Larson. There could never be anything of the sort between them. For a long time Larson had wanted more than just Lena's sisterly love. But now that he truly knew her. Larson knew he couldn't touch her without thinking of how she acted, how she pulled away from every male except him. Larson shook his head. "Lena is my sister. If not by blood then by heart, and dance. Nothing more." There was no regret in his voice. This was what he wanted now.
"So are you asking me to seduce her?" Tyren asked. He knew that was too far but he wanted Larson's reaction to that.
Larson noticablly blanched. "Gods, no! Not at all, if you think that then I should have never asked you. I just want you to help build her trust in people," he said eyes filled with pleading. "She's been hurt. It's an old and deep wound. One I cannot heal on my own. She needs to see that not everyone is going to hurt her..." Larson's voice trailed off. Tyren could tell he was at a loss. It seemed Larson was a desperate man at the end of his rope.
"Look, Larson," Tyren statred as he ran one hand through his hair, almost like he was trying to pull an answer out of his head. "I'm not going to lie, she caught my eye. I don't know how to handle skittish creatures, much less a terrified girl. I can try, but please understand, I'm used to people begging for my attention."
"I know, and that's all I ask. That you try," Larson said visablly releived. "The only reason I ask you is that she looks at you like she has never looked at anyone else."
Tyren raised his eyebrows. What was that supposed to mean? Was Lena somehow drawn to him as he was to her? He liked her, and had she been one of the girls at court, it wouldn't have taken much on his part to share her bed. All his life that's what girls had been to him. But he knew he had never been in love. It was all just a good time for him. Thinking on it, he really didn't have any female friends. One time lovers yes, but friends no. This would be hard for Tyren.
Befriend Lena without scaring her off. Just be friends with her. Don't take it to the next level. But what if their friendship led to the next level? He would take this slow. He would try. If only it meant he got Lena in the end. He wanted her more than any other girl. If only because she was impossible to have.

[Friday]

Larson was unable to answer Tyren's questioning look because Lena walked up to them at that point. Larson smiled warmly at her. "There you are, I couldn't find you," Lena said and then look at the two boys carefully. "I didn't interrupt anything did I?" Her forehead creased in concern and confusion, not sure what had happened between the two boys.
"No," Larson assured her, "We were just discussing what we chould get peolpe for Mid-Winter."
Lena had known Larson long enough to tell he was lying but she didn't pry she just shrugged. If he didn't want her to know then she didn't need to know. Otherwise Larson told her everything.
It was then Tryen also noticed soemthing else. Now that he knew, he didn't see a love connection between the two of them. The love he saw in their eyes was that of a brother and sister. It was painfully obvious to him now, and he couldn't understand how he didn't see it before. He knew it had been an obvious mistake to make, especially them being dancing partners, but what he didn't understand was why he had just given up like that. At court he could have gotten any girl her wanted with or without a lover or husband. He didn't care if they were attached. But with Lena he hadn't wanted to interfere. She looked so delicate, like anything would break her. He didn't want that to happen to her. He didn't think he could stand to see her like that.
Lena must have noticed him looking at her because she turned her eyes away from Larson to him. Tyren instantly wanted to avert his gaze, but couldn't tear his eyes away from her pale purple ones. What he saw there scared him. Sadness, longing, shyness, and most of all fear. It wasn't a fear he had ever seen before. The fear there was one of the abused like one forgotten. Finally looking away, he felt he had invaded something. But knew he hadn't. He still felt guilty all the same. He wanted to help this girl now. He knew he would do everything in his power to help her lose that fear of life he saw in her. He knew he would keep his word to Larson.
Lena was confused by the way Tyren looked at her, the way he seemed to be able to see into her soul. It was unnerving. She didn't like it. But at the same time it drew her attention. How could one glance make her feel like the world was turning upside down? As soon as he pulled his gaze away she scrambled her brain to find something to say to break the tense silence that was there. "So... Umm... Lasron... I was thinking about... Uhh... Getting those clips for Brett, she really liked those a lot. And if we bought them together it wouldn't hurt our savings too much." Lena said still slightly flustered.
Larson knew something had happened in that glance, but what he didn't know. Both of them though were blushing slightly and had their eyes averted. "I think that sounds like a wonderful idea. I was going to suggest it myself. I was also thinking about those matching black tops for Norah and Joel. We could do all our shopping together this year and maybe get better gifts for people."
Lena and smiled the red slowly fading from her cheeks. "That sounds good," she said.
Tyren scrathched the back of his head and scufffed the toe of his boot against the floor. "I need to get gifts for my parents," he said wanting to add something to a conversation he felt completely left out of.
"Well what do they like?" Larson asked. "Maybe we can help."
Once again it felt to Tyren like Larson was talking for Lena. He wanted so much for her to actually talk to him. Larson was right this was going to take work.

[Friday]

Repressing a sigh, Tyren replied to Larson, “It’s really hard for me to get them things. They are the King and Queen. They can have anything they want, and anything I get them won’t matter. I always have problems with them.”
“Hmm, that is a toughie,” Larson mused, trying to think of a good idea for Tyren. He wasn’t envious of Tyren at all. Sure he was the prince but he had all the royal responsibilities. And he knew it couldn’t be very easy to have to deal with the pressures and expectations the entire Kingdom had for their only heir. “Maybe instead of looking for high quality, look for something that has meaning.” Larson gave a shrug, that was the best advice for him.
Tyren nodded, it was good advice. It seemed that he was always looking for something of nice quality for his parents usually with a high price tag on it. Maybe looking for something meaningful instead of expensive he could get something they would like and use more. Tyren also wanted to know what Lena thought, but she silently behind Larson. The way Tyren saw it, Lena might was well be her partner’s shadow. Silent but always there. “I think I’ll have to do that. Still not going to be very easy,” he admitted.
“Well we will try to help the best we can,” Larson promised Tyren. He started heading off down one of the aisles, leading the trio away from the secluded corner. Thinking back to Lena’s remark about the hair clips for Brett, he headed towards where he knew they were kept. Stopping in front of the shelf holding them be picked up a set of red ones and blue ones and turned to Lena holding both. “What do you say, red or blue?” He asked both displayed.
“Blue,” Lena replied quietly, “that will stand out in her hair more and emphasize her eyes.” She darted a glance over to Tyren still curious as to what had gone on between the two boys in her absence. Something had definitely changed. Larson seemed relieved about something. And Tyren looked at her with a different light in his eyes. What it was she didn’t know.
Larson smiled at Lena and placed the red clips back on the shelf, holding the blue clips securely in his hand. “Sounds good to me. You know more about this kind of stuff than I do anyways,” he told her moving off through the store again.
All three of them watched the shelves looking for things that might make good presents. Unbeknownst by the other, Lena and Tyren both kept sneaking glances at each other. Larson on the other hand did notice. It was weird for Lena to give so much attention to a man. Larson saw all the glances men gave her. How the looked her over with a hint of carnal lust on their eyes. That disgusted him. He hated to see Lena looked at like that. He hated to think of what scenes were being imagined in those men’s minds when they looked at her body like that.
Tyren on the other hand was looking at her with a curious look. There was no lust in his eyes. It was almost a longing though. Larson could tell that he had been right on the spot when he had asked Tyren to help him with Lena. Even Lena seemed to have some feeling that was drawing her towards Tyren. Larson knew he wasn’t an expert, but maybe the myths about Soul Bonds were true.

[Friday]

Soul Bonds came from the myth of two people being made for each other and somehow even if they had been Kingdoms apart to begin with, they would always find each other. It was said that nothing could break a Soul Bond, and that the two people that were Soul Bonded together almost had an obsession with each other once they had met. Larson had never seen a Soul Bond, and wasn’t even sure if they were true. But he did know that whatever was going on inside Tyren and Lena, it was more than just normal curiosity. Lena never showed interest in men. And from what Larson knew of the prince, he never was one to take things slow with girls. Everyone knew him as a flirt. But he had done nothing of the sort with Lena. Something was definitely going on with them.
“You see anything in here you think someone would like, Lena?” Larson asked taking his mind away from the two with him and Soul Bonds.
Lena just shook her head. “Those shirts for Noel and Jurah are here if we are still getting them those,” she replied still looking absentmindedly about the store.
Larson nodded, “We’ll get those, pay Master Lentel and unless you need anything from here Tyren, we’ll move on.”
“I’m good,” Tyren told him holding out his empty hands.
Larson grabbed the pair of shirts and they headed to the front of the shop where Master Lentel, the shop owner, stood working figures on some parchment. He looked up when he heard the approaching customers and smiled when he saw Lena and Larson. “Master Larson and Mistress Lena, aren’t you two a sight for sore eyes? Home for the Mid-winter festival are we?”
Lena gave a shy smile back while Larson strode forward and clasped Lentel’s arm against his. “It’s good to see you Master Lentel. You’re coming to the festival this year aren’t you? Lena and I got the leads for the show this year.”
“Well then I wouldn’t miss it for the world. You know you two are my favorite customers. Speaking of which what can I help you with today?”
Larson placed the shirts and hair clips up on the counter for Lentel to see. “Just getting some Mid-winter shopping out of the way. Production started today so we wanted to get it done before we couldn’t get away anymore,” Larson said easily.
When Larson moved to place the items on the counter, Master Lentel spotted Tyren who had been hanging out behind the two dancers. “Your Highness,” Master Lentel addressed him bowing to the heir. Tyren gave a nod of his head in reply to acknowledge the respect.
“Please, go about your business,” Tyren said with a royal air that had previously been absent from his voice. “I’m with them.”
“Yes of course,” Lentel replied startled by Tyren’s declaration. It wasn’t often that the royals were seen without a bodyguard with them. Especially with the likes of dancers, who weren’t usually associated with when it came to nobles. Most only saw them as entertainment means.
Larson answered Lentel’s unspoken question. “The King’s Troupe was chosen for Prince Tyren’s Kingdom Tour group. He will be with us for the next year,” he said in a way that didn’t want questions and reinforced that by immediately continuing. “How much will these be?”
“For you Master Larson, ten Gold pieces for the hair clips, and five each for the shirts.”
Larson pulled out his purse of gold that was hanging from his belt and pulled out the required amount and placed it in Master Lentel’s hands. “And would you mind packaging those for us? I doubt we will get much time to do it later,” Larson replied with a smile.
“Of course. Would you like ribbons as well?”
“Oh yes please,” Lena said coming into the conversation for the first time. “Those make the gifts so pretty.”
Master Lentel’s eyes twinkled at the chime of Lena’s voice. “Well let me take these to the back and I’ll get them all packaged and ready for you. It won’t take me more than a few minutes.” With that, Lentel shuffled off to the back of the store through a door that led to a store room.

[Friday]

Tyren turned to the two dancers and said, “I thought troupes didn’t spend much time in the capital.”

“We spend more time than most,” Larson replied, “Just because we are the King’s troupe. All of our dancers have homes here and we usually spend time with the people. Everyone comes to Park Stage. Lena and I are both experienced dancers and get challenged a lot when we go there. In fact we won a purse of 20 gold earlier today there.”

“I see,” Tyren said. He had seen them dance earlier and the news that they were popular to dance against was not surprising. If they danced they would be known, and chances are they would know people. “So do you know people like this everywhere?”

“Most places. Where ever we visit often, inns we frequent. It just depends. I have friends all over the Kingdom.”

This fact really hit home to Tyren. He was the Prince and heir and he was supposed to know the Kingdom. The fact that he didn’t was slightly shocking to him. The fact that he hadn’t realized it till now scared him more. How was he to rule if he didn’t know his own capital? Even just the brief time he had spent with Lena and Larson in this store was proof. They were known by the people, and not just that knew the people too. He was starting to understand why his father had placed him with the dancing troupe. They traveled frequently so saw a lot of the Kingdom, and not only that, they knew the people. It was a perfect way for Tyren to learn the Kingdom and the people.

Just then, Master Lentel returned to the room carrying two wrapped parcels with their ribbons. He handed both over to Larson and then said, “There you two go, I wish you much luck with the rest of your shopping. Remember if you need anything, you’re always welcome here.” He smiled at both of them and shook Larson’s hand and then bowed slightly to the prince. “Good day, Your Highness.”

“Thank you,” Larson said and then led the trio out of the store, the packages held securely under his arm.

“Where to now?” he asked looking mainly at Lena.

[Friday]

"I want to get one of those horse figurines for Leo," she said quietly. It was always hard for her to be around men but it was always better when she was with someone she knew and trusted like Larson or Brett. Honestly Larson was the only reason that she was still with Tyren, that and the strange feeling she had with him. She didn't even know what it was. Everything about the man screamed at her to run from him. His crown, money, reputation with women in general, and most of all just him. His perfectly honed and defined body. Even through his thin shit it was easy to see his broad chest, and strong arms. He was built like a fighter. That in her head screamed run more than anything else. It was how Maddok was built. Just like it had been with Maddok, Lena would not be able to hold her own if Tyren tried anything. She shuddered slightly against the thought.
Larson had already turned away and was moving on and didn't see her shudder and the touch of fear that engulfed her eyes. "That shop is down the way some, we can go there net though," he said easily once again taking the lead with Lena and Tyren falling in behind him.
And While Larson might have missed the shudder, Tyren did not. He instantly wondered what had caused the girl to tremble in fear so. The intense need to protect her overcame him and it caught him off gaurd. He had never felt a need so strong in his life over a girl. It was almost as if he had been in the desert for days and someone had given him water. He needed that water just like he had to protect this girl, that he knew for certain. He didn't want to see her hurt again.
The crowds were dying down and it was easy for the three of them to move easily on the streets. Tyren saw how Larson was slightly ahead and he decided it was time to at least make an attempt. "So who's Leo?" He asked her moving to walk next to her careful to keep a couple feets distance between them.
Lena looked up from her feet and the fear of her memories slowly left her eyes as she stared at Tyren. She shot a glance at Larson. She knew the question had been directed at her but she still expected Larson to answer. He always talked because he knew how men made her feel. Larson either had heard Tyren's question or was ignoring it, which still left Tyren staring at her. "Um, well, Leo is one of the dancers he is Larson's age, he speacializes with fight dancing and also is an expert on horses," she said quietly looking at her feet again.
Larson heard the reply and a smile spread across his face, because Lena had spoken to him. This was good for her. It was rare for her to talk directly to someone she had just met, especailly someone like Tyren.
"Oh, so how does that work, the whole fight dance?" Tyren asked trying to keep Lena talking. He was hoping that picking up on the one thing he might know about would help keep the conversation going. It was something that maybe both of them could relate to.
Lena didn't look up at him this time. It was obvious to her that Larson wasn't going to answer. She swallow the lump in her throat and replied her voice still quiet, "I don't know much. I haven't done very many, but it take extreme coreagraphy, especially when blades are involved." Her thoughts fashed back to the one dance she had done with blades. It had been a suicide scene and a solo dance, but it had still taken her many hours of practice with fake blades before she got the real ones. If she had started with the real ones she probably wouldn't have had both arms.
"Doesn't sound too much differnet than tournament staged fights," he said hoping to keep her talking. "We are coreagraphed moves in a fight that is completely staged. I haven't ever done one but I've seen one and the work behind it." He hesitantly discretely closed the gap ust a tiny bit between them. He didn't want to scare her off.
Lena nodded, still not looking at him. It was easier if she couldn't see him. "I would imagine it is much the same. I've heard there is going to be quite a few fight scence in this production we are working. I know you weren't there to hear Tristan's opening speech."
"Well that would be really cool. It's about the only thing I think I could help with," Tyren replied with a chuckle.
"Oh I'm sure there is other stuff you can do," Lena said quickly before she could think about it and stop herself. "Fighters tend to be good dancers because they are already in tune with their bodies."
"Really?" I would think fighters would be too heavy moving," Tyren asked this time not having to pretend interest.
Lena nodded and looked up at him while she said, "Most fighters don't move too heavy without armor, that's what slows them down in the first place. It's easy to switch back and forth, because before anything else, both dancing and fighting are based on the body. It's all about how you move and carry yourself, and also how you feel yourself. If that makes sense..." Lena said a blush creeping up into her cheeks.
Tyren smiled at her as the red touched her cheeks. He liked how it made her look. And he liked how it made him feel. Despite his feelings he continued, "No, no," he assured her quickly. "It makes perfect sense. Like it's all about knowing where you are in the space around you. I don't think I've ever heard it explained quite so well. I would have never guessed that fighting and dancing would be so similar"

[Friday]

"Well, yeah..." Lena said letting her voice trail off a blush creeping into her cheeks again. She was so unused to carrying on a conversation by herself with anyone besides her closest troupe members.
"So what do you specialize in?" Tyren asked trying to keep her talking.
"Um, well I speacialize in solo dancing and of course partner dancing with Larson, I've never really danced with anyone else though," Lena said her gaze fixed to the ground again.
"Why is that?" Tyren asked. He didn't know what Lena had been through, Larson hadn't told him that. He had jsut said Lena was a mess, and from what he had seen of her he believed it.
"Well... Um..." Lena stuttered out concentrating on the ground in front of her as if it as her only lifeline. "I just never danced with anyone else, Larson has always been there." She didn't say the truth behind the words, that Larson was the only one she trusted to touch her. That he was the only partner she could ever have because of her past.
"Well that seems like it limits you, I mean wouldn't other partners help you get better? I don't see why you wouldn't want to dance with anyone else," Tyren said without thinking. But he knew instantly that he had said the wrong thing as Lena's face visibly paled and her mouth shut and it seemed as if her whole body shut down. Her graceful walk became stiff and her shoulders pulled in as she sunk into herself.
Lena felt horrible. Half of her was still lost in the turmoil and fear that had ruled all her life. That part of her wanted to turn and run until she had reached the safety of her locked bedroom door. Yet there was another half of her, one that had been silent until now, that told her to tell him. She wanted to confide in Tyren, she wanted to be held in those strong arms like Larson held her when she was upset. She wanted to trust Tyren. Never before had she heard this side of her coem across with as much strentgh as it did now. She wanted Tyren to protect her. But this new part of her was supressed by the much more dominant part of her that made her reman silent. The one that kept her safe by keeping her distance.
Larson seemed to sense the tension building behind him and he knew it was time for him to cut in. "So Lena, which one were you thinking about getting him?" He automatically slowed his walk coming to walk in the space between Tyren and Lena. He heard Tyren give a frustrated sigh and saw him left his hand to rake his fingers through his hair.
"I wanted to get him the storm one..."Lena said barely above a whisper. She was still shaken from the realization that she wanted to trust Tyren. And that scared her more than he himself actually did.
"You don't think he wouldn't like the rose horse better?" Larson asked her as he pulled them into the small shop they were looking for. There wasn't much to the shop just the four walls with a counter in the middle where a older woman stood a horse figurine in her hands as she stroked at it with a paintbrush. All four walls were lined with shelves, all of which held the horse figurines. Each of them different in there own way.
"I think Noel and Jurah are getting him the rose one," Lena replied more composure to her voice. "I heard them talking about it."
The woman looked up when she heard Lena's voice to see the three of them. "Oh Lena and Larson!" she cried with delight setting down the horse and paintbrush and coming to the other side of the counter to give them both a hug. "It's so good to see you two. Are we shopping for Leo again this year?"
Both Lena and Larson returned the hug with enthusiam with a smile on both their faces. "Of course, Ellany, we always come here for Leo," Larson replied with a grin.
"Well, which one were you planning on getting him this year. Noel and Jurah were in here earlier today and got him the rose one," she said confirming Lena's guess and obviously happy to see them. It was then she noticed Tyren and she quickly turned to face him. "Your highness," she said with a bow, her voice losing some of it's cheery edge.
Tyren sighed as he saw Larson roll his eyes and pull Lena over to one of the shelves. He was going to have to stop wearing this stupid circlet, and downgrade his fine clothes. He was getting tired of everyone they ran in to doing this. "Good day," he said nodding at her awkwardly. Once again he was struck by how little he knew of his own home town. Lena and Larson were defeinitly showing him something he never saw. "I'm just with them," he added.
"This is the one we want to get him," Lena said pointing at a dark blue painted horse with light clouds and lighting rolling over it's body.
Ellany rose from her bow, and not missing a beat moved over to the two ignoring Tyren. "Oh, aye, he was in here eyeing that one not but a week ago," she told the two the cheerfulness back in her eyes and voice.
"How much will it be?" Larson asked, "We are going to have to take it tonight, we start work on the mid-winter festival's show tomorrow."
"Gah, you know I hate charging you two, but if you insist, like I know you will, it will be 5 gold and 15 silvers," she told them pulling the horse off the sheld and moving to the counter. "I assume ya'll will be in the show this year."
"Yes Ma'am," Larson said with a proud edge in his voice. "Lena and I have the leading roles."
"Oh, That is exciting, I can't wait to see it. The Mister and I take the kids to see it every year, they will all be more excited for it to know that you two are the leading parts," Ellany said busy packaging the horse with paper. Without asking she put red and blue ribbons on it and placed it in a bag handing it over to Larson who was already holding the packages from their ealier stop.