Baile y Rola (after battle)
I can't believe I'm saying this, but our best chance of getting past this floor…
... might be a dance so magnificent that it can move their hearts.
<Dance...? What is this concept of "dance" supposed to be? As you all know, my memories aren't all there...>
Amnesia came in handy as an excuse to opt-out of things at times like this.
Of course, my amnesia wasn't so bad that I even forgot what "dance" means, but given the situation, I didn't find a compelling argument in favor of honesty.
<Say, Hong Lu, have you taken dance lessons or anything?>
I learned a little <ruby=face-changing art>bian lian</ruby>, though I only had three instructors teaching me. To perform it, I'll need a few masks, fans, makeup, and…
<… We aren't gonna find them here. Next.>
Well, I did step on a good few feet of snobbish toffs at balls.
My inner voice expresses fear.
… Me? I spent half of my life on a ship.
Dance is where I - ! Hrrmph! Cease this relentless obstruction of my words!
A sword dance for the first time in a while doesn't sound bad. I'll kill it on the floor.
Though the only beats I have ever danced to were morning exercise programs during roll call, if the Executive Manager so demands, I will immediately see to it that -
W-well, Dante… I'm good at most things, buuut, I'm what you'd call a bashful girl... when it comes to dancing. Ahaha...
I don't mind, except my arm might rage out of control from the stimulation and charge for the audience's heads.
……
Faust doesn't necessarily enjoy dancing for leisure, but could gladly perform a routine if it's for the mission's sake.
However, it's not technical perfection they want. They're looking for something unstable and unpolished, such as…
Sinclair!
Wha?!
You busted a move or two as a kid, didn't you?
B-bust? I suppose I… took a basic maracas course at school as an elective…
<Sinclair's in the rich boys club too? How'd you figure that out, Rodya?>
I can tell from the way he walks and talks.
On the other hand, uncultured ones… Pfft… It shows, y'know?
Rodya quietly giggled while looking at Heathcliff, then snuck up behind Sinclair to wrap her arms around his shoulders.
'Kay now~ My little Sinclair, I have a very, veeeery important task for you.
Huh? Hey? Rodya? Where are you taking me -
Moments later, Sinclair solemnly walked onto the stage.
<Sinclair… You can do this.>
Yeah, think of all the times when Heathcliff walked all over you...
I-I'm…
Sinclair turned to Rodya, still looking anxious.
Can I… Can I really do this?
Wrong question, Sinclair.
This is something only you can do.
He returned a determined nod.
The flick of his wrists... That passionately absorbed expression... Restrained rhythm... Perfection!
It's calm… Yet it's the calmness that stirs my heart… This young man - he's channeling something from within…
This is sublimation...
He is fighting to overcome his repressed darkness and inner turmoil with the body's motion…!
Ohhh… The lingering embers of a firestorm… heating the rhythm… for gestures to be struck along… This conjures an image, one of a bonfire that has burnt through the whole night! And we are witnessing the cotillion of ash dancing atop its remnant!
<Sorry, what?>
Young man, won't you consider joining us? You have the potential to grow big.
That boy belongs to our company. You should know that unauthorized poaching of valuable talent from their current employment is a serious crime.
In a matter of hours, Sinclair was elevated from just another moron in our band of idiots to the company's valuable asset.
What a fine performance. You wish to get to the top floor, right?
You may pass. You have earned the right.
Be warned, though, the folks upstairs won't be as reasonable. They have no concept of festivity in their heads.
Sinclair came back to us with an invigorated look.
The things welling up inside me… This is what it was about.
It makes me wonder why I thought it would be hard. I feel much more comfortable now.
I was curious to know the inner struggle he'd expressed through dance that had touched the Syndicate to their core.
And what kind of hardship a young, seemingly sheltered gentleman like him could have gone through…
But those questions could wait; for now, we headed upstairs to the third floor.