Gypsy Rose

A Ragnarok fanfiction by Steph O'Dell

Author's Notes: Last chapter was tiring and yet also fun. It was a lot of work to make it match up to Stray Dog without actually lapping into it. I couldn't have any of the characters interacting with each other, and causing continuity. However, being vague, or having Steph as an observer is a fantastic ways to tie it together. I hope to do more of this tying in stuff. x3 I also want to comment on this chapter. Steph finally becomes the next job level in this one. I set a record after having re-done the test to become a dancer 20+ times in a row. I was too stubborn to leave the place until I had passed.

Editor's Notes: Another Chapter has come, sorry that its so late...that's a combination of Steph's Internet, and my fault, for being late with this comment (mostly mine). Anyway, this is an interesting Chapter, get to see a couple new sides of both Yuko and Kaze, however brief they may be, also you get to see the Dancer Job Change Test, with Steph's own little flare added to it I promise it won't disappoint you.

Chapter Seven – I Dance the Dance of Saints

Dear Umi,

It's been a while since my last letter to you. I apologize for being a terrible older sister, and not writing sooner. Anyway, the last time I wrote to you, I had just made it to Prontera, and realized what an adventure I had gotten into. I met this alchemist named Yuko, who dragged me along on several adventures, including one that destroyed an old ruin in Ayothaya, and another that took me to the Coal Mines of Einbroch.

I'm also closer to finding that black knight I saw back in Payon woods. I've had several near misses with him so far, but I'm getting closer. I can feel it in my gut.

Also, no luck finding the owner of this Drop I picked up in Morroc. It's almost like his owner vanished into thin air. No one has seen him, or even heard of where he may be. All of these dead ends are becoming a pain.

Anyway, I love you always. And enclosed is a brooch I saw and thought you would like. I hope you like it as well.

Love always,

Steph

—

Steph leaned back on her heels and sighed heavily. It had been weeks since her trip to Einbroch, and she was no closer to becoming a better archer now than she had been then.

"The problem is," she reasoned out loud. "Yuko doesn't give me any time to practice."

Trent bounced lightly in place, bored, and rolled his eyes to look up at her in an almost lazy manor.

"Well, why don't you just go practice? No one says you have to do what that woman asks you to."

Steph sighed again. "That's true." The only thing keeping Steph working for Yuko was herself. She wasn't even sure anymore why exactly she was doing the things Yuko wanted her to.

"What's this about not working for me anymore?" Yuko asked as she leaned over Steph, grinning almost demonically.

Steph and Trent yelped in unison, and leapt up, skittering away from the woman. Yuko laughed hysterically.

"You two remind me of crabs!" She laughed some more. "You look so funny!"

"Don't scare us like that, woman!" Trent barked angrily.

"Oh? Then what shall I do instead?" Yuko asked.

"Not scare us," Steph responded with an almost 'duh' tone of voice.

Yuko looked at Steph for a bit, as if she was thinking. "You know, I haven't seen you shoot your bow for a while. Why don't you show me how that's coming along."

Steph sighed. "Okay, sure. Whatever."

Yuko dragged Steph off to the empty practice lot, and Steph set up her bow for a shot at a target. She seemed almost reluctant to do so.

This is a waste of time, she thought to herself, and let the shaft fly.

THUNK! The arrow buried itself deep into the centre of the target. Steph stared at it with a surprised face.

"Seems someone got better while I wasn't looking," Yuko commented.

Steph felt herself reel a bit. "But I…I wasn't even…"

"Two bolts at a time now," Yuko said excitedly, clapping her hands.

Steph loaded two arrows into her bow, and fired them both at the target. Both of them landed rather close to the centre, and she blinked in amazement.

"I'd say you've got the basics down pat," Yuko told Steph with a chuckle. "You might even be ready to advance your training to the next level."

"You mean…become another job class?" Steph asked nervously.

Yuko nodded. "It's natural for anyone to eventually move on, and advance their skills to the next level. For you, being an archer, you can travel to Hugel, and request to become an hunter at the Hunter's Guild, but I think you'd be better suited for the other job…"

"Other…?" Steph questioned. "You don't mean dancer, do you?" The memory of the annoying dancers at the pub nearly a month ago was still fresh in her mind.

Yuko pursed her lips together. "A dancer doesn't just use a bow or a whip to fire arrows at the enemy. They also use a variety of songs and dances to aid their fellow party members."

Steph was quiet for a bit. "I don't think I'm good enough for that though." She looked up, her face rather crestfallen. "I'm really clumsy, and I have bad aim as it is. Besides, you have to be pretty co-ordinated. And I don't really have the figure for that outfit."

Yuko chuckled as Steph looked down at her underdeveloped bust. The girl was still young…she'd grow into it.

"You don't have to decide right away," Yuko said. "In fact, I recommend taking time to make your decision. Think it over carefully, and go from there."

Steph walked down to the marketplace, not paying attention to where she was, or where she was going. As she came up on the area of the pub, she sighed heavily to herself.

"I don't know. When I became an archer, it wasn't because I wanted to be one. I just wanted a way to protect the foxes…"

Trent looked up at her. "Is that right? Well, either way, you're an archer now, so you have to make up your mind as to what you're going to do now."

Steph came to a stop as she spotted the gaggle of dancers she knew all too well to be from Madame Rochette's School of Dance. Lydia, the blond dancer in the teal uniform, gave Steph a withering glance, and laughed with her fellow dancers.

"Oh look, the scarecrow's back, girls!" Lydia chided. "Maybe she wants to try another dance, hmm? Although they look more like she's flopping about in the wind!"

Steph bit down on her lip to keep from crying, and scowled fiercely. Lydia was grating her nerves already.

"At least I don't need to grind the egos of others under my dirty heels in order to make myself feel good," she shot at Lydia, feeling almost evil, and certainly a lot better.

Lydia's face went nearly magenta. "Watch your tone with me, missy. Do you know who I am?"

"No," Steph replied flatly. "And personally, I don't care."

Lydia shook with rage. "I am Lydia Klashnikov, the daughter of Yurevich Klashnikov. You can't talk to me like that."

Trent squeaked, and hid behind Steph's legs. Steph simply blinked.

"Who's Yurevich Klashnikov?"

"Only the most powerful and influential man in all of Comodo," Trent hissed. "Rumour has it, the people who get in his way end up with a brand new pair of cement shoes…and a bed at the bottom of Comodo Lake."

Steph gulped. Lydia was glaring at her now with the eyes of a killer.

"In any case," Lydia went on. "I know you're trying to move in on my score."

"Huh?" Steph said, confused.

"That knight, The Black Knight," Lydia explained impatiently. "As far as I'm concerned, I should be allowed to have the best of everything around me. I've earned it. And that knight is the best of everything. He's hansom, charming, and, above all, an ace fighter. Who better to compliment my perfection?"

Steph felt her calm deteriorating quickly. This woman was getting on her last nerve, no matter how powerful she was.

"She sure is arrogant," Steph hissed at Trent, who nodded in agreement.

"She earned her reputation as a top-notch dancer, but that doesn't mean she did it entirely honestly," Trent explained. "There are stories of her…attacking people."

Steph was disliking this girl more and more every minute.

"Well, it's not like I should be worried," Lydia continued, her tone getting more and more vile by the moment. "After all, The Black Knight only likes Dancers."

Steph blinked. "Huh?"

Lydia laughed. "He's always flirting with them, always seen with them. A scrawny little archer like you could never appeal to his tastes."

Steph's anger boiled over. "We'll see about that." And with that, she stormed off.

—

"So, you've decided, then?" Yuko said to Steph as the archer stormed up to her cart a while later. The rush had died down after the early afternoon crowds, and the square was all but empty now, giving Yuko time to talk to Steph without interruptions.

"Yes," Steph said, her face still a scowl. "I'm going to become a dancer."

"Wonderful," Yuko replied happily. "I had hoped you might. I have some business to attend to in Comodo anyway, so that means I can even give you a lift."

Steph looked up at Yuko, and sighed. "Hey Yuko, do you know Yurevich Klashnikov?"

Yuko's face broke into a dark, sinister smile. "Why yes, yes I do."

Steph sighed again. "Well, I may have made an enemy of his daughter, Lydia."

Yuko chuckled darkly. "Nothing to be worried about. I guarantee that after you become a dancer, you'll have nothing to fear from Lydia Klashnikov, or anyone else for that matter."

—

Comodo was a city where it shone with enough light to make it seem like day, even in the dead of night. It was a town of white beaches and perfect blue waters, and of towering and impressive buildings, weaving around the ancient stone structures of an old and long forgotten people, whose legacy was still there to this day. Most people walked around in swimsuits and light clothing, wearing garlands of flowers and waving at the tourists who came there. What made the whole thing impressive was that the entire city was inside a cave.

On the docks of the city was the Comodo Casino. Most people who went there rarely came out with a fortune, but some did, and the allure of an easy fortune kept pulling in countless people year after year.

Steph covered her ears as a firework whistled up towards the roof of the cave, and exploded in a loud 'BANG!' and shower of colourful sparks.

"Jeeze, those are loud," Steph grumbled.

"The locals fire them off at regular intervals due to superstitious reasons," Yuko explained. "They believe firing them off will keep an evil witch, that once plagued this place with sorrow long ago, from returning."

"Is that true?" Steph asked, amazed.

"So I've heard," Yuko said, shrugging.

"So this 'business' of yours," Steph began. "What is it?"

"My business is my business," Yuko commented firmly.

"Her business, her business!" Maru Moro echoed from inside the cart.

"Fine, be mysterious," Steph grumbled.

"Anyway, the Dancer's Guild is right over there," Yuko pointed to a large, brightly lit building near the centre of town. "The rest will be up to you, but I wish you the best of luck."

"I'll need it," Steph called as she walked off.

"No, you won't," Yuko murmured to herself. "Not yet, at least."

—

Steph stood at the entrance to the Dancer's Guild, and swallowed nervously.

"I can do this," she told herself. "I can do this. I have to show that Lydia bitch that I'm just as capable as her! Besides," she added, blushing slightly. "Lydia did say he liked Dancers…this may be my only way of getting his full attention!"

Trent rolled his eyes and groaned. "I say forget him. He seems like a putz anyway."

"Watch it!" Steph spat at him. "You don't know him at all." She blushed again, but tried to pretend she wasn't.

Steph shoved on the door to the Guild, and stepped timidly inside. It seemed rather empty inside, and she wondered if anyone was even there.

"I say we check for pots to smash," Trent joked. "Maybe we'll get lucky, and there'll be a zeny or two inside them."

"Now cut that out!" Steph barked at Trent.

The Dancer's Guild was more like some kind of theatre than a guild, and Steph wondered if the reason was the fact that they preformed here as well. She wondered what kind of performances they were.

"Welcome to the Dancer's Guild," a voice off to Steph's right said, and she jumped back, squeaking a bit.

"Oh, h-hi," Steph replied, nervously. She breathed deep to get her heart to stop beating so spastically.

"You must be here for the dancer's test," the woman went on. "My name is Bijou. And I guess you're name is Steph."

"It is," Steph said, her voice becoming suspicious. "How did you know?"

"Oh, Miss Yuko came in the other day, and paid your admission fee for you," Bijou said cheerfully. "You're so lucky to have a benefactor like that."

Steph laughed nervously. "Yeah…I suppose so…" She wondered if she was going to owe Yuko for this…

Ten percent over ten days, Yuko's familiar phrase rang in Steph's ears, and she shuttered.

"All you'll need now are a few items to go towards your test. Just a few small items, naturally; twenty pints of sticky mucus, five red potions, three jellopies, and a pair of shoes."

"I'll…go get those for you then…" Steph replied weakly. She turned, and ran out of the dance hall, looking around for Yuko. Steph was in luck, as she spotted the tall, black-haired woman still at her cart.

"Yuko!" Steph called as she ran over. "I need some help!"

Yuko blinked. "Oh?"

"I need twenty pints of sticky mucus, five red potions, three jellopies, and a pair of shoes, quickly. It's for my test." She took a deep gulp of air, and added, "Thank you for the tuition fee payment, by the way."

"Ten percent over ten days," Yuko said darkly.

"I knew it," Steph muttered.

"Anyway," Yuko continued. "I just so happen to have everything you mentioned right here on my cart."

Steph leapt up. "OH YUKO! You're a lifesaver!"

Yuko rummaged around on the cart, and found all the items Steph needed. Handing them to Steph, she began to speak.

"Now, about the—"

"THANKS YUKO, I'm so lucky to have a friend like you!" Steph called back as she ran into the dance hall. "Wish me luck!"

"—Repayment." Yuko sighed. "She didn't really think this was all for free now, did she?" Yuko calculated on her fingers. "Let's see, including the tuition payment, the total comes to…12,584 zeny."

"Is that all?" a voice asked from nearby. Yuko turned, catching a glimpse of black steel, and smirked to herself.

"You again, eh?" Yuko chuckled. "You've had your eye on this one for a bit now, haven't you?"

"I owe her," the man responded, smiling. "This amount doesn't even begin to cover what I owe her." He threw a satchel of money down on the cart's sideboards, and added a whip to it. Then he turned, throwing a small wave over his shoulder as he left.

Yuko sighed to herself. "There's a man I'll never be able to read. A walking mass of chaos, that one."

As if to respond to Yuko's comment, a firework strayed off it's course, and slammed into the man, exploding on impact. He yelled loudly in pain, and then ran off to find the shooter, screaming angry insults all the while. Yuko watched, shaking her head.

"I don't know which of the two has worse luck."

—

Steph ran back inside, and gave the items to Bijou, who arched an eyebrow, but said nothing else.

"Well then," Bijou said, pulling out a piece of paper and a pencil, "Shall we get the written test out of the way?"

Steph gulped. Written test?!

Bijou handed the paper and pencil to Steph, and smiled. "Good luck."

Steph sat down in a spot by the edge of the stage, and began filling out the test paper. "Let's see…name, age, birthplace…this all seems straightforward…okay, question 1: 'What is the effect of 'Dancing Lessons'?' HUH?" She scratched her cheek. "Well, I would guess they make you a better dancer."

She looked down the list of choices she was given, and settled on, 'They improve the effectiveness of whip attacks'.

"Maybe this test won't be too hard after all," Steph murmured to herself as she answered some more questions.

"Question 5: 'What person can perform the most beautiful dances?'" Steph looked at the list, and saw Bijou's name. A bead of sweat fell off her face.

I have a feeling that if I don't answer this question with Bijou, I'm gonna fail.

The rest of the test was basic common sense, and Steph finished it rather quickly. She handed it back to Bijou nervously.

"Okay, let's see what you have here…hmm…" The woman mulled over the test for a few minutes. "I have to say, you got a perfect score. Plus bonus points for having such nice things to say about me." Bijou beamed happily, and Steph was glad she had listened to her gut.

"So, now what?" Steph asked.

"Now is the hard part," Bijou said. "You get to show me what you're capable of as a dancer."

"Eep," Steph moaned. She had been dreading this.

—

"No! That was wrong! Do it again!" Bijou screamed at Steph, and cracked her whip on the floor of the studio. Steph whimpered.

"But…I did what you asked me to!"

"You did it too slow!" Bijou barked. "You're slower than a sloth on sake! Now pick up the pace! How do you expect to be a good dancer with moves like that?"

Steph snivelled a little. She was starting to get frustrated, and it was wrecking her concentration. Bijou pointed the whip in her hand threateningly at Steph.

"SHOW ME YOUR MOVES!"

Steph couldn't decide if she was going to roll on the floor laughing, or piss herself in fright.

She ended up screwing up the next dancing attempt, and Bijou barked at her yet again.

"That was pathetic! I bet an injured puppy could dance better than you!"

"Stop verbally abusing me!" Steph wailed. "I can't focus!"

Trent sighed offstage, and rolled his eyes around, looking for something interesting to focus his attention onto instead of Steph and her crying.

"Only weaklings cry at something like this. You're not a weakling, are you?" Bijou said threateningly.

"DAMN RIGHT I AM!" Steph bawled.

Bijou cracked the whip at Steph, who squeaked and backed up. The dancer growled angrily.

"Look," she said, "I'm only doing this because you have the potential. I see that you have the ability to be a fantastic dancer, but only if you apply yourself. Now get up, and PROVE IT TO ME!" She snapped the whip again viciously, and Steph whimpered as she scrambled to her feet.

"ONE, TWO, THR—HEY! No, no, NO! That was WRONG! Do it AGAIN!"

There was another crack of the whip.

"ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, ONE, TWO—HEY! I SAW THAT! Do it AGAIN!"

Another whip snap. A bawl from Steph. The sounds of leather snapping viciously against skin.

Steph whimpered and rubbed her leg where Bijou's whip had connected. The dancer sighed.

"That's enough of that for today," she said. "We'll continue this test after you've had time to practice more." She sneered. "Of course, you dance like a frog who tried to stand on its back legs, so I'm not expecting much from you."

Steph growled fiercely, but clenched her fists and decided not to hit Bijou. Instead, she stormed out of the dance hall, with Trent in hot pursuit.

—

"I can't do this," Steph muttered dejectedly as she trudged along the beach. She kicked at half buried rocks and shells with a sigh.

"Don't say that," Trent said. "You just need to practice a bit, that's all."

"What I need," Steph replied, sullenly. "Is a miracle."

"A miracle, hmm?" a voice asked Steph. The voice sent a chill down Steph's spine, and she leapt to her feet in fright, tripping over a rather large rock, and landed in the water with a large splash. She looked up to see a familiar Gypsy with long lavender hair smirking at her.

"S-Somine!"

"Long time, no see, cutie," Somine purred. "But oh! You're all wet now! That won't do at all! Give me your hand, and I'll help you out, and get you dried off."

Steph took Somine's outstretched hand, and go to her feet. Wading out of the shallows, she started to wring her clothes out with a heavy sigh.

"Jeeze, and I don't have any spare clothes…"

"Oh, I'll lend you something," Somine said, smiling. "I'm sure they'll fit. But tell me, why were you so blue?"

"I…I got told I'm not good enough to be a dancer yet, and sent home for the day," Steph griped. "I'm supposed to practice and come back, but I don't see how that's going to help."

"What you need," Somine told her, "Is a teacher."

Steph looked puzzled. "I though Bijou was a teacher?"

"No, she's an instructor," Somine replied. "She only evaluates if you're good enough to become a dancer, and issues your licence. After that, all second class jobs are recommended to have teachers."

"She's right," Trent said. "Even Trent had a teacher when he became a rouge."

Steph let it sink in. "So…I need someone to teach me, then…where would I find someone like that?" Steph's shoulders sagged in depression.

Somine cleared her throat, and Steph looked up.

"Do you know a dancer who could teach me, Somine?"

Somine fell over, exasperated. "I'm going to pretend you didn't just say that."

Trent snickered under his breath.

Steph sighed. "I don't know…asking you to teach me seems…wrong somehow. Like I'd be putting unneeded pressure on you, or something."

"Nonsense!" Somine chortled. "I'd be HAPPY to teach you my skills! I guarantee after a lesson or two with me, you'll be mopping the floor with everyone else."

Steph brightened up a bit. "Really?" Then her face fell again. "You're not gonna whip me if I screw up, are you?"

Somine laughed nervously. "Well…"

—

"Pick up those feet a little more," Somine told Steph in a cold voice. "Your left foot is too low. And arch that leg more. Remember: you are a graceful swan."

"Graceful swan…sure…" Steph grumbled as she strained to position her legs just right. She felt something pull in her thigh, and whimpered with pain.

"Get used to it," Somine told her. "Your muscles aren't used to this kind of abuse yet. Once we're done, we'll do some cool-down stretches, followed by more lessons."

"I'm regretting this decision to become a dancer!" Steph wailed as she desperately tried to stretch her leg up behind her head, and toppled over.

Somine sighed as she looked at Steph. "This won't be easy, that's for sure."

Trent sighed, bored. "You thought it would be? Oh come on, Somie, even you know better than that."

Somine shot Trent a look that would kill. "That's Somine, you fat blob of cellulite."

Trent recoiled in terror. "Yes Ma'am!"

Somine huffed angrily. "I had hoped it would go a bit smoother than this, that's for sure. She's got all the grace of a bull in a china shop. Still," Somine continued, looking at Steph with curiosity. "She does have some grace. I've seen it, when she's not paying attention…She'll suddenly get graceful, like some beautiful animal, gliding through the world. At times like that…" Somine sighed dreamily.

Steph sat on the ground, and heaved an enormous sigh. "I'm not cut out for this stuff."

"You just need the right motivation," Trent piped up. "What about what you said back in Prontera? How you were gonna become the best dancer ever, and show Lydia who was really in charge?"

Somine's ears perked up at the name 'Lydia'. "What's this about Lydia?"

"Oh nothing," Trent said casually. "Just that she's been running around Pront with her little entourage, and been bossing everyone around like she's some Queen Bee or something, and telling Steph that she owns the Black Knight. That's all. Nothing, really."

Somine looked downright evil. "So, little Miss my-daddy-owns-half-of-Comodo thinks she can just waltz into MY territory, and claim to be the best? UH UH. I DON'T THINK SO. Get up, Steph. We're doing this again."

Steph whimpered. "Why me…?"

—

That night, back at Yuko's cart, Steph and Trent were sleeping under the back canopy in Steph's sleeping bag, staring up at the ceiling of the cave, where the lights of the city reflected off the lake in a dazzling blue dance. Trent looked at Steph, who was beat after her long day, and hesitated.

"You want to ask me something?" Steph murmured quietly, startling Trent.

"I—err—yeah…" He paused again before continuing. "What is it about that Black Knight anyway? Why are you so fixated on him?"

Steph didn't reply right away. She looked up at the ceiling of the cave for a while.

"It was back when I first started out, back before we met. I had just left on my journey, a fresh rookie, and I ran into him in Payon Woods. He was really understanding, and patient with me. He saved my life. And he didn't even ask for anything in return. He was so dashing and perfect…a true knight. I…I was swept away in him. And then when I saw him at the pub…with his beautiful eyes…I just knew…he was the one. The one person I wanted to follow for the rest of my life, no matter what." She smiled a little, and looked over at Trent. Even in the dark, she could see his eyes, reflecting the lights of the city. He didn't look put off, or even disgusted at her. Rather, he seemed a bit surprised.

"That's…that's pretty cool," he admitted. "I didn't realize it was like that. I guess I just—" He cut himself off. "What I mean is, I thought…maybe if you…well then you'd…you know, stop looking for my Master. You know?" He looked up a little at her, his face looking sad.

"Trent," Steph whispered. "I could never do that. I made a promise to you that I'd find your owner, no matter what. And I never break my promises." She gently touched Trent's cheek with her hand. "Besides, I kind of like having you around."

She didn't see Trent's cheeks flush in the darkness.

"Steph, I—" Trent began, but hesitated again. He worked up some courage, and finally blurted out what he wanted to say.

"I just want you to be happy. That's all I want. If you're happy, I'm happy too."

There was silence, and Trent looked at Steph, confused. He realized she had drifted off. She was snoring quietly, and her chest rose and fell with her shallow breathing.

Trent sighed, shaking his head, and snuggled up close to her, getting comfortable. "You know," he whispered into the darkness. "I like having you around too."

—

"Left, right, front, then back, good! Good!" Bijou smiled as Steph did the dance routine she had failed at yesterday with near perfection. The dance instructor clapped as Steph finished with a small flourish.

"That was most impressive!" Bijou complimented. "I've never seen anyone make such astonishing progress overnight. I'm most impressed!"

"Thank you, Miss Bijou," Steph beamed.

Somine smiled from the corner, and gave Steph a thumbs up. Trent bounced happily beside her.

"As the head dance co-ordinator for the Comodo School of Dance, I am pleased to award this Dancer's Licence to you, Miss O'Dell, as proof that you are now an official dancer. Congratulations." Bijou pulled out the paper that stated Steph was an official dancer from her pocket.

But just as the woman was about to hand it to Steph, the door was flung open, and everyone turned to see Lydia standing there with her fellow dancers, sneering like a cat that had gotten into the milk. Steph felt her stomach curdle.

"Miss Lydia!" Bijou said with astonishment. "What brings you here?"

Lydia sauntered over to Bijou, and snatched the licence from her hand. "I'm afraid this licence is null and void."

Steph went scarlet with rage. "WHAT?!"

Lydia smirked evilly. "I'm afraid this girl isn't qualified to take the test, and therefore is not allowed to become a dancer. I'll have to confiscate this."

"That's utter Peco crap!" Steph sputtered angrily.

"Miss Lydia, I don't understand! All of her credentials check out!" Bijou looked as confused as Steph and the others were.

Lydia's smirk faded. "Just do as I tell you to, Bijou. My father owns this Guild, so unless you want to be out of a job, I suggest you not question me."

Bijou looked flustered, and stepped back.

Lydia pushed between Bijou and Steph, and gave the girl a hard shove. "Honestly, go back to whatever hick town you came from. You're smell alone is enough to make me gag."

Steph forced back rage and tears.

"I know," another dancer chimed in. "Her lameness might be contagious!"

The dancers all laughed hysterically, and Steph felt tears sting her eyes. She couldn't believe she'd gotten so close, only to be shot down again.

"Up to no good again, I see," Somine piped up, stepping forward. Lydia paled slightly when she saw the Gypsy.

"You again," Lydia hissed. "W-what are you doing here?"

Somine cackled evilly, and danced up to where Lydia stood on-stage. She hovered inches from Lydia in an intimidating manor.

"Why, nothing much. Just teaching my dear little friend here some of my moves." Somine's voice was silky, but dangerous, and Lydia got paler. She tried to regain her composer.

"Ha! So the third rate has to get help from one of the Chosen? Or should I say, 'Fallen'? How's work been on that corner of yours?"

"Isn't there a Knight who keeps turning you down at every chance? Why, I remember him leaving you at the table multiple times." Somine purred sweetly at Lydia, hitting her right where it hurt most.

Lydia went scarlet. "It doesn't matter anyway, you ugly old hag. You may be one of the Chosen, but I'm still the best there is. Father made sure of it. He hired nothing but the best of the best to train me."

Somine sputtered with rage at the words 'ugly old hag', and threw her balled fists to her side, trying desperately to calm herself.

"Why you insolent brat you! I don't care WHO trained you! This girl has had the best training I can offer her! I bet you anything she can beat you without breaking a sweat!"

Steph's confidence from Somine's earlier counter faded quickly, and panic overtook her. "Somine!"

Lydia smirked. "Is that so?"

Somine grinned devilishly, and chuckled darkly. "Absolutely. In fact, I think we can prove it. I suggest a duel."

Steph wailed. "No! Somine! Don't!"

Lydia laughed. "All right then. A duel it is."

"Tomorrow, here, 6 o'clock in the evening. If she wins, you give her the licence, and let her become a dancer, no questions asked. And," Somine added darkly. "You get to study under me for a year." She snapped her Queen's Whip with an evil chuckle.

Lydia gulped. "And if I win, she gives up any chance she has of becoming a dancer, and goes off to become a Hunter instead. As well as giving up any rights she has to the Black Knight."

Steph's face became twisted in terror, but Somine agreed. "Done."

Lydia laughed evilly as she flounced out of the Guild. "You'll regret this!"

Somine sneered. "Oh no, hun. It's you who'll regret this."

—

"Somine, that was so not cool!" Steph wailed. "I can't beat her! I'm not ready! And besides, who told you that you could go making bets with her at MY expense anyway?!"

Somine smirked. "Don't fret so much, Steph. It'll give you wrinkles."

Steph put her hands to her face, alarmed, as Somine continued.

"Anyway, I have a secret weapon in my arsenal," the Gypsy purred evilly, chuckling under her breath. "I guarantee that once you learn the dance I have lined up for you, no one, not even Lydia, will ever be a problem, ever again."

Steph felt a shiver of excitement run through her, despite herself. She had to admit, she was intrigued by Somine's words.

"A special dance?" Steph whispered.

Somine grinned. "I learned of it while I was in the desert. Apparently, the Dervishes used to dance it when they were celebrating the return of loved ones from the war. Apparently, it's quite captivating."

Trent perked up. "A Dervish dance? Now that is pretty classy. They were the masters of dancing, after all."

"Among other things," Somine added dryly. "But that's enough of that. Let's get Steph going on learning this dance."

Steph sighed. "First, we find Yuko, and get some idea about what all is going on. I don't like where this whole thing is headed."

"Agreed," Somine replied seriously. "We are tangling with Yurevich Klashnikov's daughter, after all."

"Problem," Trent cued in. "Yuko hasn't been at her cart since yesterday. Whatever her business is, it took her away from it."

Somine smiled. "I might have an idea of where to look."

—

"C'mon dice, momma needs a new pair of shoes!" Yuko laughed excitedly as she shook the dice in her hand, and pitched them down the craps shoot.

"Seven!" the attendant at the table called out the roll.

Yuko cheered excitedly, and took another swig of her drink. She was on a roll.

The Comodo Casino was abuzz with excitement as people from all over tried their luck at winning it big. Among them was Yuko, who'd been throwing dice for several hours now. She was on a real roll, and had nearly quadrupled her original amount.

This hadn't gone unnoticed, of course. Muu, the casino's manager, had been informed of the alchemist's run of luck, and had decided to get to the bottom of it.

An attendant approached Yuko before she could roll again, and asked her to follow him. She obliged, gathering up her winnings, and followed.

The attendant showed her into a room in the back of the casino, where Muu stood by a desk, and behind it sat the form of a man with reddish-brown hair, cropped short, with steel grey eyes. He was dressed in a white suit, with a red tie, and his fingers were covered in gold rings, adorned with many precious stones.

This was, of course, Yurevich Klashnikov, the man who owned most of Comodo. He stared at Yuko with his cold eyes, and Muu waved the attendant out. Once the door was closed, Yurevich put his hands on the desk, and leaned back, looking slightly less intimidating, but still keeping his eyes fixed on the alchemist.

"You're a hard person to read," he began, his thick Moscovian accent making his words a challenge to hear. "I can't read you at all, Miss…"

"Yuko. Yuko Ichihara."

"Ahh," Yurevich seemed to have a moment of recognition. "So you are the famous Yuko. How charming it is to finally make your acquaintance."

"Likewise," Yuko replied, keeping her voice even.

"Muu here tells me you seem to have made quite a bit of money at the casino tonight," Yurevich continued.

"I suppose Lady Luck is on my side," Yuko replied.

"I suppose so," Yurevich chuckled dryly.

There was a moment of complete silence in the room. Yuko felt a bit of discomfort creep over her. The room was dead silent; not even the noise of the casino could be heard. It was an eerie feeling to be cut off from the world. She guessed that the soundproofing also prevented sound from being heard in the casino as well, a note she made with a grim face.

"Tell me, Miss Ichihara," Yurevich continued. "How did you do it? How did you win so many games without losing once?"

Yuko made a small shrug. "I guess the dice liked me."

Yurevich laughed. "The dice liked you. That is a good one."

Yuko laughed slightly nervously as well. She fished into her sleeve for her pipe.

"May I smoke?"

"Of course," Yurevich said, offering his lighter. "I smoke cigars myself."

Yuko quickly stuffed and lit her pipe, and drew a deep breath. Sighing happily as she relaxed, she blew out a large billow of thick white smoke and sat back.

Yurevich lit a cigar of his own, and also sat back.

"Muu was rather concerned when he spotted your streak," Yurevich told Yuko, motioning at the large man standing by the desk. "You understand our concern, don't you?"

"Of course," Yuko replied, much more comfortable now. "An owner has to be protective of his business."

Yurevich nodded. "My thoughts exactly."

Yuko took another deep puff of her pipe, white smoke starting to curl around her arms and hair as more of it was released into the room. She gave Yurevich a coy smirk.

"A successful man such as yourself must be rather concerned about his…other assets as well, am I correct?"

Yurevich arched an eyebrow. "Other assets?"

"Your family," Yuko replied carefully. "You have a daughter, correct?"

"I do," Yurevich replied. "She's quite the girl, that one."

"A dancer, if I'm not mistaken," Yuko added. "Quite ambitious, if I do say so myself."

There was a moment of silence again. Yuko took another drag of her pipe before continuing.

"She seems to be causing some trouble in Prontera, setting up her own little band of trouble-makers, as it were."

Yurevich frowned. "My Lydia is a good girl. She would have no business with miscreants."

Yuko shrugged again. "Still, one can't be too careful with their…things. Perhaps you should spend more time with your family, Mr. Klashnikov."

Yurevich was quiet. Yuko stood up carefully, and put out her pipe.

"If this discussion is over, I'll be taking my leave. Good day, Mr. Klashnikov."

Just as Yuko was getting ready to leave, the door to the office was opened rather violently, and the noise of the casino flooded in. They all turned to see Lydia enter the room, slamming the door behind her.

Oh dear, thought Yuko.

"Lydia," Yurevich looked concerned as he stood up to meet his daughter. "Whatever is the matter, my dear?"

"I've been challenged to a dance duel," she informed her father with a huff. "Some poor country fool is being persistent. She doesn't have the right, or the talent, to be a dancer, but she just keeps insisting."

Yuko eyed up Lydia, her interest now perked.

"A duel you say?" Yurevich asked, interested. "Perhaps that is just what we all need. Something interesting to keep the people happy."

Lydia smiled innocently at her father. "Oh Father, are you going to come watch me? I'd be oh so grateful if you did."

"Of course, my little pumpkin," Yurevich said, hugging his daughter warmly. "Anything for you."

Lydia sighed. "It's just not fair, Father. First, I'm ignored by that Black Knight, now this peasant is causing me trouble."

"Black Knight?" Yurevich asked.

Lydia sighed. "Only the most hansom, and perfect man that ever was, Father. And I want to have him for my own. But that peasant keeps getting in the way, causing trouble, and spreading lies about me. She's turned him against me through her treachery."

Yurevich made a face. "I cannot allow this to happen. Leave this to me, Lydia. I will attend to this person who is spreading lies about you."

Lydia grinned, barely concealing her evil smirk. "Oh, thank you Father. I'm so grateful to you."

Yuko cast one last glance at Yurevich and Lydia before leaving the room as quietly as possible. She could see where this was going, and knew she would have to do something about it. Quickly.

—

The knight carefully contemplated his hand for a few moments. Should he stay, or risk it? He seemed to have a good hand, a jack, a six, and a two, but he was still not sure.

"Stay," a voice told him over his shoulder.

The knight in black looked up to see Yuko leaning over him. He jumped a bit in surprise. "When did you…?"

"Trust me on this one. You'll want to stay." Yuko looked confident.

The knight looked over at the dealer, who had an ace showing. He felt himself doubting the woman.

"Your move, Sir?" the dealer asked.

"He'll stay," Yuko said firmly, and the knight looked at her indignantly.

"Very well then," the dealer said, turning over his next card. It was a five, and the knight held his breath. The dealer then turned over a King, and the knight felt slightly faint. It wasn't looking good.

He's hit 16…this next card will make or break it.

The dealer turned the next card over, and the knight prepared for the worst. But as he looked, he realized what the card was.

It was another King. The Dealer had bust.

The knight let out his breath, relieved. Yuko smiled triumphantly.

"I was right after all. Now, how do you like that?"

"I think you're bad for my health," the Black Knight murmured.

Yuko chuckled. "Gambling is all about nerves of steel and a quick mind. You have to think fast and act faster."

"I was doing fine before you showed up," he snapped back, irritably.

"No need to be snarky," Yuko purred. "I just saved your hand. You could be a bit more grateful."

The knight in black sighed deeply. "I didn't ask for your help." He got up from the table after getting his earnings, and began heading towards the bar.

"Now, now, that's no way to be. After all, my help usually has such a large price tag attached to it. A bit of free help now and again is rare, so you should be grateful."

The knight seemed to think for a second. Instead of answering, he ordered a stiff drink, and had a seat at the bar with a deep sigh.

"So…what do you want now?"

Yuko chuckled, ordering a drink for herself as she sat down. "I was wondering when you'd ask that." She waited until the drink was in her hands, and she'd had a sip before continuing.

"You know Yurevich Klashnikov?"

"Know of him," the knight answered. "Why?"

Yuko smirked a little. "Well, his darling daughter, Lydia, is making big problems not only for you, but for my dear little archer friend as well."

The knight looked grim.

"I need your help," Yuko went on. "I don't have the ability to protect people through brute force, which is more than likely how Yurevich will handle this problem."

"And you want me to be that strength, I assume?" The knight didn't look at Yuko. Instead, he took another sip of his drink.

Yuko nodded. "Basically."

The knight sighed. "I want my money back, plus interest. 110%."

Yuko sputtered. "I don't have that kind of money!"

The knight was silent. "I think you do. In fact, I know you do."

Yuko looked a bit upset. "Prove it." She pursed her lips.

The knight turned to Yuko, his blue eyes locking onto her violet ones with a look that was all business. "I went through a great deal of training, Miss Yuko. I learned many things, such as how to tell when my opponent is bluffing. As such, I have picked up a few things over the years just from watching human behaviour."

Yuko was silent, and she continued to stare at him. After a moment of intense quiet, the knight spoke again.

"You get louder the more you win."

Yuko's cheek twitched, and she chuckled darkly before she spoke. "That is ridiculous. Besides, even if it did, which it doesn't, it still doesn't prove anything."

The knight wasn't amused, and his face hadn't changed. "Then again, I could always call the Pit Boss, and tell him you switched the dice on them—"

"I get it," Yuko broke in before anyone acted on what the knight was saying. "I'll give you your money. Just give me your word."

"No one will lay a hand on her," the knight vowed.

Yuko handed the knight a pouch of money with a deep sigh, and the two left the casino. Yuko shot the knight a dirty look.

"You could really give knights a bad reputation with that kind of attitude. But then again, you never care about what others think of you."

The knight shrugged. "Who said I didn't? Besides, you'd have more friends if you did."

—

Steph stretched her body as far as she could, easing into the sweeping twist that the next move of the dance required. She took it slowly, so as not to injure herself. Somine looked at her as she did so, instructing her as best she could.

"Do you think Trent found her yet?" Steph asked, worried.

"Don't worry so much," Somine told her. "That thing is capable of finding someone by itself. You just concentrate on the dance moves."

Steph nodded, but still felt uneasy. A bit of something gnawed at the back of her mind, made her feel uneasy.

"Lift that leg up a bit higher…that's it." Somine gently helped Steph get her leg a slight bit higher, then stepped back again. "You're doing remarkable, Steph. Truly remarkable. You have a real gift for this."

Steph blushed a bit at the compliment. "If you knew what my archery skills were like, you wouldn't be saying that."

Somine chuckled. "They couldn't have been that bad."

Steph laughed nervously. "I ended up hitting people more than monsters. I'm shocked I was able to hit anything at all." She laughed, more sincerely this time, a soft look coming over her face. "That was how I met him, you know…"

Somine smiled softly back. "Sometimes, an accident can be a happy ending." She paused, and then added, "I'm sure everything is going to work out for the best."

Steph grinned back, feeling a new determination well up in her. She had something to fight for, after all.

—

The next day came all too quickly. Steph hadn't slept, and she was feeling fatigue, but the fear of possibly losing this competition was far greater than her need to sleep. She sat on the chair in one of the dressing rooms of the studio, gnawing her lip anxiously.

"Stop worrying," Somine told Steph. "You're much better than she is, with all her money and fancy schooling. You have heart, and that is something she will never have."

Steph sighed. "But still…"

Somine slapped Steph upside the head. "No more of that."

"Ow!" Steph whined, rubbing her head.

"In any case," Somine continued. "You should be worrying about this competition. The set-up is simple enough: first, a head-to-head section, where the two challengers follow a set of moves as closely as they can. Then, a solo section, where each challenger performs a dance of their choosing."

Steph chewed her lip again. "But…I don't know the first routine!"

Somine smiled coyly. "Neither does Lydia. Only Bijou knows it."

Steph frowned. "That makes me more nervous…"

Somine sighed. "The point is, no matter what, you'll waste her on the solo section. I guarantee it."

Steph nodded, but her insides felt like a frozen wasteland. She was beginning to think this all might be hopeless.

Somine did Steph's hair as nicely as she could, given its wild, untamed nature, and then helped the girl into a simple dancing costume. It was green and black, and the simple skirt-like bottoms clung to her elegantly.

Somine smiled. "It'll do for the first part of this competition. The real work will be in the second part, but that outfit," Somine gave a wink. "Is a surprise."

Somine led Steph out of the dressing room, and over to the entrance onto the stage. She peeked out, and saw a large crowd of people in the seats. Swallowing nervously, she cast her gaze around, and spotted Yuko by one of the walls, Trent sitting at her feet.

Well, at least they're here, Steph thought to herself.

Bijou motioned to Steph, and she nervously walked out onto the stage and took her place. Lydia walked out from the other side, grinning a barely contained evil grin.

Lydia was draped in a beautiful outfit of teal silks, with lots of gold coin accents, and much gold head jewellery and bracelets. She looked like some kind of goddess, but her cold, evil smile made her seem fake.

"We're going to see once and for all who is truly the better woman here," Lydia hissed to Steph. "And I guarantee that it's me."

Steph scowled. "Don't count your chickens before they hatch, Lydia."

"You'd have to count them, wouldn't you?" the girl replied sharply, and set up for the dance. Steph did the same, trying her best to focus.

Steph noted out of the corner of her eye that Somine had walked over to Yuko, and had taken her place beside the alchemist. The two whispered to each other, and Steph had to tear her gaze away to focus back on Bijou, who was about to start.

"Thank you, everyone, for attending this very special event. This is a formal competition between a high ranking student, and a newcomer. I strongly encourage fair play in this, and I hope everyone enjoys themselves. After all, the real winners are the people who get to enjoy the lovely dances."

The audience applauded politely, and Bijou gave the signal she was about to begin. She started with a few simple moves, which the two girls had to copy. Steph did her best, but knew that as it got harder, she was going to make mistakes.

Sure enough, it got harder to follow, and Steph made a few minor mistakes. Glancing over at Lydia, Steph was shocked to see that the girl was perfectly calm, and didn't miss a beat, not even when the steps became complicated.

I knew it, Steph thought bitterly. She forced Bijou to show her the routine. I can't compete with such a cheater!

Steph was able to keep up a bit more in the next bit, but she stumbled a bit, and almost fell. As she righted herself, she caught a glint of black metal out of the corner of her eye.

C-could it be? Her breath caught in her throat.

She suddenly felt her determination well back up inside her, and was able to do much better for the rest of the first part.

Somine chuckled as she watched Yuko polishing her black battle-axe. "That was a clever trick you just pulled there."

"I don't know what you're implying," Yuko responded calmly.

—

As Steph was walking down the stairs that led backstage, Lydia came up behind her and shoved her. Steph screamed as she tumbled down the short flight of wooden stairs, and landed at the bottom. One of her glass hair barrettes slipped off her pigtail, and landed beside her with a tinkling clatter.

"Oops, clumsy me," Lydia crooned evilly. "Here, let me help you…"

She walked over to Steph, and as she leaned over to help the girl to her feet, Lydia brought her foot down on Steph's barrette. It shattered to pieces under Lydia's sandal.

"Ooopsie!" Lydia squeaked, barely able to contain her evil glee.

Steph stared at the pile of glass fragments that had once been her barrette, and felt the tears sting her eyes. She gathered them up in her hands, trying to hold back her sobs.

"So sorry," Lydia crooned. "But it was an accident."

Steph whirled around, her face twisted with her anger and rage. "You evil bitch," she whispered. "You have no idea what you have just done. You destroyed one of the barrettes my mother made for me. These are the most precious items to me in the world. And you…" The tears came, despite her effort to hold them back.

Lydia shrugged. "How was I supposed to know that? Besides, like I told you, it was an accident!"

Steph had had enough. She balled her fists in rage, swung back, and pasted Lydia with a mean right hook. The blond dancer went flying back into the wall.

"Steph!" Somine yelled as she raced over to the furious girl. She had just come backstage to assist Steph with her next costume, and has seen the end of the scuffle. She now held the girl back with all her strength.

"Let me go! Let me go, Somine! I swear I'll rip her head right off!" Steph was screaming with rage, struggling with all her might to get free.

"Enough!" Somine barked. "Enough damage has been done."

Lydia got to her feet, shaking. She was bleeding from a split lip, and her eyes blazed.

"You'll regret this!" She hissed angrily. She ran past Steph to her dressing room.

Somine sighed heavily as she let Steph go. The girl was sobbing now, and Somine rubbed her back, trying to comfort her as best she could.

"My mother's present to me…ruined…" Steph clutched the fragments of the barrette, and cried bitter tears.

Somine led Steph to her dressing room, and sat her down on the chair again. She then took a seat next to her, and put a hand comfortingly on Steph's.

"When I was very little, I went playing in Payon Cave," Steph explained to Somine. "While I was playing, I found several large, glass beads. The foxes in there love to play with them, so they're everywhere in the deeper parts. The foxes are my friends, you see, so they were eager to help me find them. We spent all day looking for them. That evening, when I came home with my apron full of glass beads, my mother smiled, and said she'd be able to make things out of them. She patted me on the head, I remember. A few days later, she called me over to her, and did my hair in pigtails, and put these barrettes in. She'd made them herself, just for me." Steph smiled, and stroked the barrette that was still whole. "They are my treasures…all I have left of mother, now that she's passed on."

"I'm sorry," Somine said sombrely. "I didn't realize…" She took a deep breath. "But, you know, by hitting Lydia like that, you're just playing into her game. She can use this against you." Somine smiled wryly. "Not like I didn't enjoy seeing that snarky little brat get a split lip, mind you."

Steph smiled as well.

"Time to get you ready," Somine said. "Lydia goes on first, so that gives us lots of time."

Steph nodded. "All right."

—

"OW!" Lydia screeched as one of her followers applied some alcohol to her split lip. "That hurts!"

"Hold still!" the girl insisted. "That's a nasty cut."

"Can't you cover it up somehow?" Lydia growled.

"We'll try," another girl said. She obviously was the one who did Lydia's make-up, as she was holding a container of powder, and a lipstick tube.

Lydia let the last girl remove her costume, and help her into another, more exotic one. After that, the girl who medicated Lydia's lip began working on her hair, the make-up girl got to work on her face, and the third girl began getting her into her shoes.

"I'll teach that little brat!" Lydia steamed angrily. "I'll teach her but good!"

—

Lydia quickly whispered a few words to the bard in the band at the front of the stage. He nodded, and whispered to the other members of the band. They struck up the song Lydia had requested, and she began her dance. Smiling to the crowd, and to her father in the front row, she began a fast, rousing dance.

Steph peeked out from the side of the stage, pulling her cloak tighter around her. Watching Lydia's dance, Steph felt troubled. It was lovely, to be sure, but she felt no warmth from it, as if the dance was cold, meaningless.

"She dances with no heart," Steph whispered to herself. "As if she has no desire to warm the hearts of those she dances for." Steph felt sadness at this revelation, and then an understanding. Somine had pushed her so hard because she knew Steph was different. Steph would dance, not for herself, but for others.

As Lydia's dance ended, and applause filled the air, Steph turned to finish getting ready. Lydia bowed deeply, drinking in the applause, and smiling darkly to herself. In her own mind, it was over. No country girl could ever match her skill.

Lydia made her way off the stage, and Somine approached the bard. She whispered something to him, and he seemed shocked. He shook his head, and Somine said a few more things. The bard handed Somine the lute he was holding, and she took a seat next to him. He looked at her curiously as she tested the lute tentatively before strumming out a few notes softly.

Steph took her place on the stage, kneeling down, her cloak tight against her body. Her heart was throbbing loudly in her ears, but she could still hear the crowd murmuring in confusion.

Glancing off to the side, she saw Lydia smirk evilly. Steph ignored her, and glanced out at Yuko and Trent. Yuko gave her a thumbs up, and Trent winked. She smiled softly, reassured.

Somine gave Steph a sign she was ready. Steph nodded, and Somine began to softly play the opening to the song. The soft, intricate melody grew in volume, and as the band caught on, Steph mentally gave herself the signal.

She rose to her feet, and let the cloak slide off gracefully, and held it as her shawl for a moment. A soft gasp went up as everyone finally saw her costume.

She was dressed in an elegant, exotic outfit, made of fine silks, adorned with gold coins and gold thread. The delicate embroidery on the shawl about her head and shoulders glimmered as the light caught the gold threads woven throughout it, and the soft fabric of the pants whispered with every movement she made. The ornate gold headpiece, and many gold bracelets and anklets were reminiscent of the ones the dancers of the Morroc Desert wore.

As Yuko listened, she realized the music was familiar. "The Dance of All Saints," she whispered. "The ritual dance that the Djinn perform at the funeral of one of their own. Such a solemn song, but so full of feeling…perhaps that is why Somine chose it."

The movements of the dance were slow and broad, and Steph spared no effort to make them as dramatic as possible. She had never felt so graceful before in her entire life, and she put all her heart and soul into her performance. As her hands made a gentle arc above her head, she turned her gaze to the heavens, as if she was asking the souls of the departed, "Am I doing all right?"

Lydia bit her thumbnail in exasperated rage. Steph's dance was one she hadn't expected. Everything, from the routine, to the costume, to the music, were complete variables from out of left field she hadn't been able to see. Even before the dance was done, she knew that she'd been outclassed.

Turning to the girls who had been attending her, Lydia shook with silent rage. "Do something, you peons!" she hissed at them violently.

The girls, however, were sobbing hysterically, trying desperately to be quiet. "W-we c-can't…" they sobbed out in a whisper. "I-it's too beautiful…"

Steph had become so focused on her dance, she hadn't realized she had slipped into song. The words fell from her lips without thought, words she remembered hearing as Somine had watched her practice. She didn't understand them, or know the language, but they were hauntingly beautiful, and had stuck in her mind. Now she sang them as she danced, without the knowledge she was doing so.

As she eased into an Asura stance, and then sank down into the final low sweep of the dance, she felt her breath catch in her throat suddenly, and then it was over. The music fell silent, and she held her position, perfectly still.

Yuko choked on her tears, and glanced down at Trent. The drop has tears flowing like rivers down his face, but had not uttered a sound. Looking up, Yuko spotted Yurevich wiping at his tears in the front row, and smiled to herself.

"And not a single interruption…I'd say this was a complete success."

Steph lifted her head, slowly, and Yuko spotted her tears as well. The young girl wasn't aware of them herself, but as they slid down her cheeks, she blinked in surprise, finally noticing them, and wiped at them carefully with her fingertips.

It happened suddenly. From dead silence to a deafening roar in less than a few seconds. Every person in the audience had risen to their feet, even Yurevich, and was applauding Steph's performance.

Lydia stifled a scream, and stormed off backstage, punching a dent into one of the walls as she went. The dancer refused to be beaten.

"Where the hell are those assassins I hired?!" she barked angrily as she stomped off.

—

Outside, the dust settled as the fight ended. On the ground lay several assassins, wounded, but not fatally so. The black Knight straightened up, wiping his mouth with the back of his gauntlet, as he panted heavily.

"There…it's done. I kept my end of the bargain. Let's hope Yuko does the same."

Sheathing his broadsword, he turned to go. The back door to the studio opened just then, slamming hard into the wall, and he turned his head slightly to look.

Lydia stormed out of the building, seething. "Those good-for-nothing assassins! When I find them, they'll be sorry they ever messed with me! I'll—" She stopped short as she spotted the assassins lying on the ground, and the knight walking away from the scene.

"YOU!" Lydia gasped, terrified. "W-what are you doing here?"

The knight coldly lifted his visor so she could see his face. "Lydia…I should have guessed it would be you."

"I-I-I don't know what you mean," she back-pedalled, trying to worm out of the situation. "What did I do, my sweet?"

The knight frowned. "Don't call me that. And don't try to pretend you didn't hire these assassins to take out your competition." He gestured with his hand. "Let's see, blackmail, attempted assassination, cheating…That's quite a record you've made for yourself, Miss Klashnikov. More than enough to have you thrown in jail…or at least make you pay a hefty fine."

"You wouldn't!" Lydia shrieked. "You couldn't! MY DADDY WOULD—"

"I would do what, Lydia?"

Both the knight and Lydia turned to see Yuko and Somine standing with Yurevich. The three had come around the building after the performance had ended, and Yurevich looked cross. He gave his daughter a look that would kill.

"LYDIA MARIE KLASNIKOV!" Yurevich blasted. "Don't tell me you tried to assassinate your rival in this little competition?"

Lydia shook with fear, and went pale. "N-no, Daddy! It's a misunderstanding!"

"Oh?" Yuko said. "That's funny, because I distinctly overheard you telling these fine gentlemen that they'd be paid 50,000 zeny each if they succeeded in bringing you the poor girl's head. 'On a platter', I believe were your exact words."

Lydia looked downright sick at that moment. Yurevich was clearly not impressed.

"Lydia, I have told you time and time again, money and power are not the answer! I have stressed the importance of accomplishing tasks by your own means, not through dirty tricks and underhanded means!"

"But papa!" Lydia wailed. "What about all those men you had given new pairs of cement shoes, and a nice, cosy bed at the bottom of the lake when they refused to pay you?! Was that fairness and justified?"

"Niet," Yurevich snapped. "That is besides the point. Those things happened a long time ago. I have learned from such things. And it seems you must learn as well."

Everyone looks slightly put off at the exchange between father and daughter, and backed up slightly.

"What are you saying, Papa?" Lydia asked, trying to play her sweet little girl card. "I've learned my lesion, promise! It'll never happen again! I swear!"

"Not this time, Lydia," Yurevich replied icily. "You have had your chances in the past, and you have taken me for granted. No more. Tomorrow, you are going to Madam Devona's Finishing School for Proper Young Ladies."

Lydia went a sickly shade of greenish-white, and fell to her knees. "NOT MADAM DEVONA'S!!! ANYTHING BUT THERE!!!"

Yurevich was stoic. "You have left me no choice, Lydia. This will hurt me far more than it will hurt you, believe me."

"No it won't! How could you, Papa!? I thought you LOVED ME!!!" Lydia was hysterical at this point, and Yurevich motioned for several attendants to take Lydia away.

"Gee, that actually sounds like it'd be a nice school," Yuko said.

Somine made a face. "Obviously, you've never been there, then."

"The school came highly recommended by a good friend of mine in Geffen," Yurevich stated. "He said it did wonders on his daughter."

"And all's well that ends well," Trent piped up, looking rather pleased.

The knight spotted the Drop, and went ridged. "Wait…you mean…HER?!"

The Drop looked over, and went equally ridged. "WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING HERE?!"

"I hired him," Yuko replied calmly.

"HIRED HIM?!" Trent blasted. "ARE YOU MAD?!"

"Not at all," Yuko replied. "In fact, I'm quite sane. It's everyone else who is mad."

Somine grinned. "Long time, no see, boy-o."

The knight grimaced. "Somine."

"Well then, as promised, what I owe you." Yuko handed a pouch to the knight, with a pained expression.

The knight looked at it for a moment, then handed it back. "I've decided that I don't want it."

"Say what?" Somine asked.

"I don't need it," he repeated. "There's really no need." He began to walk by, and then stopped, and turned before adding, "And there isn't any reason for me to have to explain myself to you anyway."

As the knight walked away, Somine chuckled. "He hasn't changed a bit."

Yuko cuddled her money. "I don't care what he does, as long as I get to keep my money."

—

Steph sat against the wall in the dressing room, utterly exhausted. She was too tired to move, even when the door opened, and several people entered, including Bijou.

"Congratulations," Bijou said happily. "You won the contest, which means you get to be a dancer!" She handed Steph her licence, and uniform.

Steph stared at the black and red uniform, tears forming in her eyes. "I…can't believe it…I…won…"

"We're proud of you," Somine told her.

"And the best part is," Yuko added. "Lydia got shipped off to Madam Devona's Finishing School For Proper Young Ladies."

Somine laughed. "She'll be gone for a while, trust me."

Bijou smiled. "Thank goodness. That brat was too much for me. Now, at least, I can get back to doing my job with pride."

"Darn right," Somine told her.

Trent plopped into Steph's lap, cuddling against her stomach. "I'm proud of you, kid. I really am. You're gonna be one heck of a dancer." He blushed a little. "You know, your dance was…incredible. I mean, really. Just…wow. It really reminded me of so much…" He sighed, and shook his head. "I mean, Khalid…" He paused. "I bet Khalid is at peace now." When there was no answer, he looked up.

"Steph?"

Steph was fast asleep, snoring gently under her breath. Trent smiled at her.

"Sweet dreams, kid. You earned them."

—

NEXT CHAPTER:

To obtain a title is one thing. To master it is another. The subtle art of focus often eludes us, and a temper is a hard thing to reign in. And when one is confronted with a truth one doesn't like, what does that mean for that person? Next time, A Heart That Bleeds. Shall I dance for you?