Our last dance

A dance?… That appears as an unexpectedly simple request. Is it even possible to consider it a gift? Something so ephemeral, that will cease to exist the moment we stop dancing. Of course, that practice of interweaving gestures with music, of blending them into a single entity is an elegant and graceful one. I am not against it.

“Are you certain this will satisfy you?” I wonder in a voice barely louder than the rustle of the leaves.

“It will.”

     His tone is confident and he gazes back at me, seemingly not embarrassed any longer. I thought he was shy asking, but if not what possibly was the blush for? Maybe I will ask Aki later.

     My thoughts focusing anew on Marygold request, I soon lower my head, mid-closing my eyes.

“Is there something wrong?”

     I hesitate for a while before admitting.

“During full moon nights, I used to dance alone on the frozen surface of the fjord.” I interrupt for a short while, as if to give my words time to dissolve into the air. Uttering too many at once seems so rude. “I do not know… any dance for two.”

     The director chuckles. Curious about the origin of that sound, I raise my head to meet his eyes. Why is his gaze this softened? It is more pronounced than his ordinary one, as if it conceals no other feeling.

“I have never danced before. You should not worry about it, we can activate a learning module to guide our steps.” His gaze sharpens, and he adds. “It is rare to hear you speak more than necessary.”

     Raising a hand at his comment, I fiddle with one of my star-shaped earrings between my fingers.

“I wanted you… to feel more at ease with me.”

     It took me over a week to come to terms with that idea.

“I always feel at ease with you.” He gallantly extends a hand towards me, his fingers softly brushing the air. “Let’s learn to dance together.”

     Taking a moment to consider his outstretched hand, I slowly reach for it. My fingers barely touch the palm of his hand until his fingers curl to gently hold mines.

     With a serene pace, we return to the reception room.

     As we stand still in the middle, the other guests take a look at us and silence slips among them. The harmonious sounds broadcast fade away not long after, while I stand in front of Marygold.

     Come to think of it, dancing may be en effective way of charming someone. I remember of the graceful moves of the common cranes, these birds I saw dancing near a Sweden lake.

     We gaze at each other, and the first notes of the music begin. At the same time, appears before my eyes a trail of virtual rectangular shapes of light. They show me where I have to place my free hand. As I raise it, the rectangular shapes disappear progressively as my hand follows in their tracks to rest against the director’s arm. I am the only one able to see these indicators, in the same way that I cannot see the ones that he follows, placing his hand against my waist.

     Maybe should I renew my proposal at the end of the dance? If I can achieve to keep his attention until the very end…

     To the cheerful piano notes, we follow the steps, guided by the light virtual trails. I have to remain focused so I can adjust my moves in time, making them as soft as I can, not to be rough with the air.

     Under the glow of the neon lights, the opal beads in my braided hair give off iridescent reflections once in a while.

“The waltz suits you well.”

     It suits Marygold as well.

“Tell me, Aurora, is there a thing you wish to protect in this world?”

     Such an abstract question doesn’t fail to make me unseal slightly my lips as we link the steps, some forward, some backward.

“Its beauty?”

     The words pass my mouth before I can think of another answer. My parents always told me we should protect the beauty of the world.

“What is it that makes it beautiful?”

“…”

     As much as I would like to, I am unable to answer this question. There are too many things shaping this world. To list them would be a possibility, nonetheless it would be way too long.

     Marygold raises my hand above our heads and a trail of luminous rectangular shapes flicker at each side of my waist, both inciting me to spin around on myself. The folds of my dress are dragged along behind me, shuddering against the air while the points of my shoes barely brush the floor.

     Once I cease whirling to face him again, he replaces a hand against my waist, in the small of my back. Drawing me closer. I have to catch myself with one hand against his shoulder.

“Be careful, one false step and we may find ourselves in a quite embarrassing situation.” He whispers, unable to refrain a sparkle of mischief in his tone.

     Our faces mere inches apart, I can’t take my eyes off his.

     He is right. If I hadn’t hold back, I could have made him lose balance. I could not have forgiven myself for making him fall and embarrassing him in public.

     Fortunately, we can resume our light steps soon blending with the music.

“A body should be nothing more than an extension of the soul. It is when it is felt in our smallest gestures that a dance takes on all its enchantment.”

     That it what I thought every time I danced under the moonlight, and that is what I wish I could show him.

“And you, is there a thing you wish to protect?” I ask in a soft whisper after spinning once again.

     His smile widens at my words, though I can’t sense his expression brighten.

“A thing I wish to protect, huh? I’ve been wondering lately.”

     Even if he hasn’t ever danced before, I can feel the director strives to match my ethereal steps. I am pretty sure the other guests do not notice it, to their eyes he probably moves with ease. But that is false. He pretends.

“Tell me if I am wrong, but according to what you said you wish to marry me because your parents told you to, right?”

     I nod, though I expected an answer to my question, not a change of subject.

“Let’s say I were to die, would it change something for you?”

“That would be sad.”

     I reply almost as soon as he finishes his sentence. And I mean it. Utter words without thinking them is senseless.

“Sad, you say?”

     The piano notes become scattered. The director mid-closes his silvery eyes before he continues.

“You know, I think it would be better for you to abandon that absurd idea.”

“…?”

     To his words, I widen my eyes.

“Make your own choices, don’t follow a path that was traced for you, Aurora. Why would I marry you since you’re not even in love with me? Let’s put an end to this comedy, right?”

     The last piano note echoes, the music fades away.

“…”

     He makes a step back, his usual expression upon his face.

     No words come to my mind as if only the regained silence was able to answer for me.

     Lowering my head, I raise a hand to lean it against my waist, where Mr Leafeyorb’s hand was a moment ago. It takes me a while before reacting further and finally I turn away from him, heading towards the door and leaving the room.

     I knew it… It ceased to exist the moment we stopped dancing.