Tale of Four

The music intensified as Tristan led Mabel to the dance floor, the gazes of the people beaten back by her fierce glare, hating the looks as much as he did. Unlike the slow dance that kept each partner close, the music started a new type of dance, one where it was more of a battle between partners trying to close the gap between each other, whilst also trying to dodge one another. Staring at each other a half step away, each movement had to be timed to the music, with each partner alternating who approached whom; any timing misses led to embarrassment.

Mabel didn’t give Tristan a chance and brought her foot down, trying to step on his. Tristan naturally dodged by stepping half a pace back, quickly countering and doing the same, throwing his chest forward as he did, whilst staying absolutely straight. Mabel moved back in a graceful motion, also standing as stiff as a board. It was a dance created in the Valleys based on a legend of an old warrior courting his wife by challenging her to a duel, and it had woven its way deep into Veston feasting culture, the Fools Dance.

Tristan and Mabel exchanged movements, trying to bring their foot down on the other whilst throwing the chest forward, each time skillfully dodging in time with the music, making a synchronised pattern of dance and battle woven into one.

’This is hardly a dance, more of a workout.’ Tristan thought to himself, through breaths, wondering how it even spread past the hardheaded men and women of the Valley, but refused to show his tiredness, a key aspect of the dance. ’Of course, this dance has a winner and a victor.’

Looking at Tristan, Mabel had a wide smile that showed her teeth, her sharp canines, longer than most. ”You surprise me, Tristan.” Speaking, she showed no sign of tiredness, whereas Tristan was slowly feeling it halfway through the dance. ”I had expected to be done with this after the first few moments.”

”Forgive me, princess, your brother would likely beat me if I only danced for a moment.” Her eyes curled in a smirk separate from her wide smile, and she chuckled, hearing the stifled breaths of her partner.

”Then you will continue for the second round. As you know, it only gets worse.” Tristan smiled but groaned inwardly as the music sped up, the beat shifting slightly. Rather than treading back and forth, the two now circled one another, continuing the same movements as before.

”I am glad to see you’re enjoying yourself, however.” Tristan truthfully said as he pulled his foot back, the tip of Mabel’s toe grazing it, having been half a second late.

”Only my brother can earnestly do this dance with me.” Pulling back, she leaned her chest backwards as Tristan leaned into her, ”It is rare I can enjoy it wholeheartedly, so don’t tap out.” With a Playful tone, her smile grew wider, but her breathing was obviously heavier. Back and forth, the two desperately tried to get the other to tap out, focusing solely on music and timing, not noticing the room had slowly turned to watch them, alongside the Clover Twins.

”Princess.” His breathing was heavy as he smiled. The music changed again as the two now had to step past each other after avoiding each other’s steps, before spinning and facing one another. ”No one will blame you for quitting.” Tristan laughed as Mabel brought her foot down quicker and harder with his words, before stepping past and spinning.

”Still being so formal.” Stepping back to avoid his step, they passed one another and spun, ”It is rude to do so with your dance partner.” Looking into one another’s eyes, their smiles grew, slowly forgetting the reason why the dance was even orchestrated in the first place, only wishing to win against the other.

From the side, as they stepped past one another, they found two people inching closer towards them. Just as they passed one another, the two were stolen away, and lord Clover stared at him with a wide grin as Sandra used the sudden attack to try to step on Mabel’s foot, only to laugh when she avoided it.

”The little cousin.” Hector slammed his foot down, stumbling as he moved, unable to stand properly, half drunk, ”You never told me you were so close to the princess.”

Tristan smiled and brought his foot down, Hector narrowly avoiding it, ”I didn’t take you for someone to steal another partner, Lord Clover.” As they walked past each other again, Hector brushed a hand through his hair and spun around.

”My sister said it would be funny. Don’t worry, we will hand you back to one another.” Hector smiled and avoided Tristan’s step again, ruffling his hair as he walked past, ”Your bird allowed me a new way to get close to some ladies tonight. Name it, and I will give you a gift.” Unlike him, Hector seemed not to be phased by the intensity of the dance, showing no signs of tiredness.

”A million gold coins.” Throwing out a random number as a joke, Hector laughed and stepped past him, repositioning closer to Mabel and Sandra. The twins shared a look and, with the next exchange, smoothly handed the two back to each other before staring into each other’s eyes, a burning rivalry in their gazes as they ignored the tempo of the music and tried to force the other to quit by their own means.

Looking at Mabel, he saw her eyes clouded in slight anger and bewilderment. ”Did she offer you soemthing as well?” His words made Mabel’s gaze darken as she slammed her foot down angrily.

”She asked if I was willing to treat her how Cillian does.” Tristan stepped past and turned back to face Mabel with a stunned look before bursting into laughter, nearly forgetting to carry on the dance. ”Do not laugh.”

”I’m sorry, but I never realised how bold those twins are.” Mabel clicked her tongue, and the music changed again, adding the final part of the dance for anyone who remained. Along with the spin, they now had to clap. Both of them looked at one another, sweat forming on their brows, but refused to give in, desperately trying to get the other out. The music got faster, as each movement had less time to be performed.

Each breath hurt, but Tristan saw the same discomfort in Mabel and pressed the attack, feeling like he was becoming one with the music. Their wide smiles became fierce as the music quickened, reaching its peak before coming to an abrupt stop, like the tale the song was created around.

Applause rang out for the few remaining people left, and both Mabel and Tristan looked at one another. With an unspoken understanding, they moved towards a nearby table and fell into it, greedily snatching wine to quench their dry mouths before sucking in as much air as they could.

”Do....do...” Mabel struggled to get the words out and grabbed a full glass, drinking the entire thing in one sip. Uncaring about how she presented herself, nor the disrespectful glares she got, she wiped the drops that escaped her mouth and rolled down her chin, ”Do you know what finishing the dance is meant to mean, Tristan?”

”Not really.” Tristan groaned and let himself fall into the chair.

”Asking for your partner’s hand.” Tristan’s face dropped as he looked to Mabel. Silence followed before she burst into laughter at his fearful look.

”How gullible are you. The twins literally danced with one another.” Sighing, she stood up and stretched, ignoring the looks from her mother and father, ”Relax, that tradition only applies to those folk in the Valleys. Anyway, later, some of us are having a small party once this is over. You can come.” Walking off, Tristan watched as Mabel retook her seat, her mothers firce blue eyes penetrating deep into her as she tried to speak whilst keeping up an elegant appearance.