Romance 101, Wednesday, Period 4 -- Class 3

[carpe_demon]

Danger Shop? Who needed it? Drake had conjured up a dance floor in the center of the class room for today, which should have been fair warning about what the class would go over today. For the students to sit, instead of desks there were several round tables like you'd find at a wedding or prom. There was no table number 9.

"Today, we're going to talk about slow dancing," Drake said. "It's a safe assumption that at some point in your dating career, you're going to end up on a dance floor, and the music could suddenly slow down. I'm going to make sure you're prepared and don't run flailing from the dance floor." He snapped his fingers, intending to change his outfit to something suitable for dancing. "Wait, no, that's not right." Snap. "That's not it, either." Snap. "Not what I had in mind, but it'll do. Now, if my lovely assistant Angela will join me...."

Fortunately, Drake didn't conjure up anything ridiculous for Angela to wear; she had on a lovely dress that totally complimented her coloring because Drake was a big fan of Project Runway and paid attention to details like that. "First off," he said, demonstrating with Angela as he spoke, "assume the position. Face your partner. You want to be close, but enough space between you that you can move freely, about four to six inches or so between your hips. This is slow dancing, not the lambada, so save the grinding for later when the chaperons aren't around and just waiting to throw a bucket of water on you. Then there's the awkward placement of the hands. If you're a boy-girl couple, then generally the boy will put his hands on the girl's hips, and the girl puts her arms around the boy's neck. Or you can just go with the taller person with hands on the hips, and the shorter with arms around the neck. You just want to be comfortable, and don't get handsy unless you've got a good comfort level with your partner and are pretty sure they won't slap you. Pay attention to your partner's body language. If you feel them draw back from you, then adjust your hands until you feel them relax."

Drake lifted one hand and snapped his fingers. A mariachi band appeared. "Fingers, you are so fired," he sighed. He snapped his fingers again and the band vanished, replaced by a standard-looking wedding band, who began to play a song. "There, much better. Now, from here, it's simple, really. Just kind of step slowly from side to side, moving in a circle, and mind your partner's feet. If you're coming close to stepping on them, adjust the space between you; you're probably too close. Go with the music, and take a step every beat or so." He demonstrated with Angela, even dipping her at one point. "But don't go for the advanced moves unless you're sure what you're doing," he grinned.

"OK, find a partner and hit the dance floor."

Comments

Re: Dancing! [Romance 101 - Class 3]

[momslilassassin]

"It is, but I think I'd spend the whole class eating and not dancing, which is probably exactly what Master Démon is trying to avoid," Ben mused.

Re: Dancing! [Romance 101 - Class 3]

[glacial_queen]

"You dance, work up an appetite, eat, and then dance to work it off again," Karla explained patiently. "Besides, you know I'll be there to drag you away from the food."

Because he'd be hogging, of course.

Re: Dancing! [Romance 101 - Class 3]

[momslilassassin]

"Because I'm eating the things you wanted?" Ben teased.

Re: Dancing! [Romance 101 - Class 3]

[glacial_queen]

"You ought to make room for a lady anyway," Karla sniffed.

Sooo...yes.

Re: Dancing! [Romance 101 - Class 3]

[momslilassassin]

"For ladies, yes," Ben said, beginning to step in time with the music. "But Queens are different."

Re: Dancing! [Romance 101 - Class 3]

[glacial_queen]

"Oh really?" Karla challenged, even as she began to move in harmony with him. She arched a brow. "Do tell, O Sudden Scholar of Queens."

Re: Dancing! [Romance 101 - Class 3]

[momslilassassin]

Ben grinned at her. "If I don't push back against a Queen, they'll have no respect for me."

Re: Dancing! [Romance 101 - Class 3]

[glacial_queen]

"Dammit, I thought I told you to stop corresponding with Lucivar," Karla said, laughing. "He's wrong! Wrong, I say!"

Re: Dancing! [Romance 101 - Class 3]

[momslilassassin]

"He said you'd say that," Ben said, nodding.

Re: Dancing! [Romance 101 - Class 3]

[glacial_queen]

"Even a stopped clock is right twice a day," Karla retorted.

Re: Dancing! [Romance 101 - Class 3]

[momslilassassin]

"I'll step on your foot and make it look like an accident," Ben threatened.

Re: Dancing! [Romance 101 - Class 3]

[glacial_queen]

"I'll knock you over and say you tripped on your own two feet," Karla threatened right back. "Your own gigantic feet," she added.

Re: Dancing! [Romance 101 - Class 3]

[momslilassassin]

"They're not that big," Ben protested, glaring at her.

Re: Dancing! [Romance 101 - Class 3]

[glacial_queen]

"Are too," Karla insisted. "I think that's where all the ice cream goes."

Re: Dancing! [Romance 101 - Class 3]

[momslilassassin]

"That makes no sense at all," Ben decided, sticking his tongue out at her.

Re: Dancing! [Romance 101 - Class 3]

[glacial_queen]

"Only because I was trying to find some way to justify your humongous feet," Karla retorted, laughing. "It's not like there's a rational explanation for them!"

Re: Dancing! [Romance 101 - Class 3]

[momslilassassin]

"I'm going to be very tall stupid authors," Ben said loftily.

Re: Dancing! [Romance 101 - Class 3]

[glacial_queen]

"Freakishly tall, to match those feet of yours," Karla informed him.

Re: Dancing! [Romance 101 - Class 3]

[momslilassassin]

"No, that's--" he cut himself off, looking a little regretful. Making fun of Bean like that was needlessly cruel.