Open: it's time now to sing out though the story never ends

[vineleaves]

[This is being posted early, but it is meant to be occurring on the one year anniversary of Dionysus arriving at the mansion.]

There's a room in the mansion Dionysus discovered somewhat recently that is, for lack of anything better to call it, a dance studio. Shiny hardwood floors, one long wall of mirror, the opposite wall featuring a mounted barre. If anyone happens to be walking by it today, the open door might catch their attention, as Dionysus has his cd player set up playing music, which he is dancing to at the moment. He's wearing a pair of gauzy, loose pants that sit low on his hips, complete with a gold belt with dangling chains that serve to help emphasize his movements. His hair is pulled up into a messy bun, finally long enough that he can get all of it up with only a minimum of strands sticking out oddly.

He has been here for a whole year. To be fair, he's only slightly certain he's got the date correct, but even if it hasn't been a full year to the exact minute or whatever, it's close enough. A whole year. A year trapped, held prisoner for some unknown reason, unable to break out, kept away from all of his friends and family. A year in which he has been given the wonderful opportunity to meet people he couldn't possibly imagine living without now, in a place where anything, even stopping death, is possible.

Dionysus is fairly zoned out as he dances, so if anyone decides to duck in and say hello, it might take him a while before he notices.

Comments

[temnota]

Aleksander returned the hug happily then kissed Dionysus on the cheek. "It is all right. It felt wrong to disturb you in the middle of your dance so I wanted to wait for the right moment."

[vineleaves]

"You could have joined me!"

[temnota]

"I've seen many dances but nothing quite like this one," Aleksander said a little sheepishly. "What is it called?"

[vineleaves]

"Belly dancing!" He gestures to his tummy as he does a belly roll.

[temnota]

"Belly dancing," Aleksander repeated, fascinated. "Would you mind teaching me?"

[vineleaves]

"Of course! You might want to change clothes first though."

[temnota]

"Oh? Something like what you are wearing? I take it the dance calls for that sort of thing."

[vineleaves]

"Generally speaking, yes."

[temnota]

"Then by all means, I should indeed change." He paused as the thought struck him that he might have some difficulties finding what he needed. "I don't suppose I could ask your help? I am not sure the Mansion likes me enough to give me the right clothes."

[vineleaves]

"Oh sure, dear! I think there's a spare bedroom across the hall, let's go," he says, heading out across the hall for what, for some strange reason, feels like the third or so time today? Weird.

[temnota]

Aleksander followed him, hoping that the Mansion would look more kindly on Dionysus. He was almost afraid to imagine what he would have found if he'd tried on his own - a gauzy almost see-through kefta? Something frilly with bows? The possibilities were horrifying and endless.

[vineleaves]

Unfortunately for Aleksander, Dionysus would love to see him in something frilly with bows. Fortunately, however, he's on a mission right now, and that mission is to get him some pants for belly dancing in. Rather than finding an exact replica of the pants he's wearing himself, Dionysus opens the closet door to find a pair of grey sweatpants, but decides that's perfectly fine and hands them over to Aleksander. "Here you are!"

[temnota]

"You are a marvel, Dima!" Aleksander praised as he accepted the pants. He had been expecting something along the lines of what Dionysus was wearing and these were a very pleasant surprise. He contemplated turning his back while he changed but decided there was no need for modesty. It wasn't as though this was the first time Dionysus had seen him thus.

He quickly changed out of his jeans and into the sweatpants with an expertise that came from the need to be ready to change and move at a moment's notice. "Shall we dance?"

[vineleaves]

"Oh, I thought you'd never ask," he playfully replies, grinning as they head back over to the dance room.

[temnota]

"If I had known you were waiting, I would have asked much sooner," Aleksander responded just as playfully. "It is true I've been many things from general to villain to monster but I like to think that at heart, I am a dancer."

[vineleaves]

...Damn, he really is perfect for Apollo, isn't he? Dionysus does not say this thought out loud. Instead he laughs, and says, "I'll teach you whatever dances you want, as long as I know it myself. You'll have to return the favor sometime though."

[temnota]

"Of course," Aleksander said, delighted at the prospect of learning even more dances. "I mentioned to Claudius some time ago about starting a dance school to have something to do with my time but that idea fell by the wayside. If I take it up again, I would be honored if you would lend your expertise."

[vineleaves]

"Ooh that could be fun!"

[temnota]

Aleksander hesitated then continued. He was still not quite comfortable admitting to any vulnerability but he did feel safe with Dionysus. "Do you think so? I fear that not many people would be interested if it is me teaching. I know that should not matter and I would be happy to teach whoever wants to learn but I suppose I want it to be a success."

[vineleaves]

"Look, if people don't want to show up, they're the ones missing out. It'll only mean that the class is that much more exclusive for those of us who do show up. But I'm sure more people than you think would want to attend."

[temnota]

"Rationally I know that and I admit that I've been long accustomed to not caring what people think but that was in a different world. People here care about one another and I want to bring them something they might enjoy," Aleksander confessed. "It is the least I can do."

[vineleaves]

"Well, like I said, I'm sure plenty of people are going to sign up."

[temnota]

Aleksander was not nearly as confident as Dionysus that he would have a well-attended class but he appreciated his effort at bolstering his confidence. "But that is a problem for another time. I have a dance to learn now."

[vineleaves]

"Ah, right, of course. Were there any moves you saw me do earlier you're particularly interested in learning first?" For some reason he feels like he's gone over basics multiple times already today, but surely he hasn't, right? Probably the mansion being back on its bullshit again, honestly.

[temnota]

"The hip isolations," Aleksander answered promptly. "How do you manage to do that without moving every other part of your body?"