W-well, I don’t know much of anything about dancing, but…
She grinned and pointed at my chest with her cane.
Honoka
That’s why I said I’d teach you, right? Now stand up straight! And watch my movements closely…
Honoka walked me through a few of the basic steps– shuffle, ball-change, heel-step…
…and I picked up more quickly than I thought I would! But while the individual steps weren’t too difficult, I soon discovered it was much tougher to keep a steady rhythm. Pretty soon, I was tripping over my own feet again.
Honoka
That wasn’t bad at all! I’d offer you a trainee spot in my troupe, but I don’t know how you feel about skirts and high heels…
Timaeus
Oh no, I would topple over just walking around in heels! Never mind trying to dance…
Honoka
Well, the invitation stands!~
Timaeus
I’d definitely love to see you perform, though! Once we get out of this place.
Honoka
Oh… Yeah, I’ll let you know next time my girls do a show.
I should’ve noticed that deflated change in tone, but…
Timaeus
Alright! And you’ll be right up there in the spotlight, huh? That’s so cool…
Honoka
Well, um…
Timaeus
…Did I say something wrong?!
Honoka
No! No, it’s just… Well, I won’t be up there.
Timaeus
Huh? But aren’t you the…
Honoka
The Ultimate Tap Dancer, I know… But, um, I can’t get up on stage myself. Not for long, anyway. It’s a– a health condition.
She let out a short, rueful laugh as she shifted her weight uncomfortably. It hadn’t even been half an hour since I’d first entered the room, but her face was so pale… And had she always leaned so heavily on her cane?
Timaeus
Oh– oh my god I’m so sorry!
Honoka
Yes, it sounds like a tasteless joke, doesn’t it? But it’s not as bad as you’d think, really…
Honoka
Because there’s so much more to a show than the dance itself! I teach, and I write all the choreography and help with lighting direction and set design… so it’s like I’m up there on stage with them, in a way, right?
Timaeus
Yeah… Yeah, you’re right! So I’ll go and see your girls, and remember you’re the one behind it all. I’m sure it’ll be great!
Honoka
Wonderful! I’ll be sure to get you a front-row seat–
Her smile faded again as her legs suddenly wavered underneath her.
Honoka
A-ah, sorry, I better sit down…
Timaeus
O-of course don’t let me keep you, if you need anything just… lemme know…
She’d hobbled off through the doorway already.
That poor girl?? She didn’t tell me what that “condition” was– I wouldn’t expect her to, of course, that’s private! But it kept her from using her talent for anything more than teaching others what she wished she could do. The universe can really be cruel sometimes…
At the very least, I resolved to be a little more patient with her in her bossy moods.
