Abby's back was killing her by the ti the harvest ended but she was excited about the celebration. Sia and her family had gone all out with the baked goods and managed to make ice cream again, though it was strawberry flavored this ti.
All of the Raisha villagers had traveled to join them because they finished their harvest too. The inn and every single house were filled to capacity with guests.
The streets were packed, similar to the festival in the spring, but this ti there wouldn't be a play perford. There would be a dance party.
The amphitheater was still under construction but since the walls weren't all the way up it would be easy to hear in the clearing over by the playground. People could dance over there instead of on the stage.
Once all of the food was consud, Al made a speech thanking everyone for their hard work and saying there was a special surprise if everyone would follow him. It was show ti.
The first song Abby played was "Party in the USA" by Miley Cyrus since it was the most upbeat thing she knew. It wasn't like she would be singing the lyrics no one would understand so she figured it would be a good song to get people dancing.
Everyone was baffled at first because most of them had never heard the sound of a piano. But Adam, who had sat in on a few of her practice sessions, started dancing around in the way only very young children could and several of his friends joined him.
That prompted those other children's older siblings to join in and soon nearly everyone was at least tapping their foot to the beat.
Katie, with their daughter strapped to her back, was dancing around her husband and showing him what to do since his dance training in the palace had been classical-based. Al got the hang of it pretty fast and soon they were the people to follow.
Everyone clapped loudly when the first song was over and Abby had to think quickly what to play next. She settled on "Smooth Criminal" by Michael Jackson.
More people got into the groove this ti and by the ti she played the third song pretty much everyone was dancing. To keep from running out of all of the faster paced songs she knew in one go, she played a slower one.
Once again, Al and Katie took the lead because they knew how to waltz. Other couples tried following their leads but ended up moving in sowhat awkward circles, which was how every school dance she had ever attended seed to go.
Even a few of the Warriors had managed to procure partners even though they had been the least involved in the more upbeat songs. The commander stood to the side and watched with arms crossed over his chest and a slight smile on his face.
Everyone was having a great ti right until she ran out of music. People turned to look at her expectantly and she shrugged. "Sorry everyone. That's all I have for now. I haven't had much ti to practice."
"But I have," Ayana called out. "It's your turn to dance."
Cheers rose up in the crowd as she pulled out a violin and an older man brought out a tambourine. They played traditional Kanta songs, which sounded a bit like sothing out of that old musical Fiddler on the Roof.
All of the older generation who weren't playing began performing the dances they had learned to go with these songs when they were young. Their children and grandchildren jumped in as soon as they felt comfortable enough to attempt the intricate footwork.
The group didn't move as seamlessly as it had when only the people who knew what they were doing were involved but that didn't matter. Everyone was having fun.
As such a small civilization, the Kanta didn't have many songs. Ayana ran out of material after about thirty minutes but to Abby's surprise, played one more song she recognized. It was a sweet and simple slow song, perfect for dancing to with a partner.
She had already danced a bunch of the group dances holding hands with various people she knew but she didn't think Blaise would want to dance even though she had seen him lurking about in the corners earlier. He hadn't danced to a single song so far.
There wasn't really a point trying to find a partner if she couldn't have the one she wanted. When she felt a tap on her shoulder she was ready to turn whoever it was down because her mood had suddenly plumted.
"May I have this dance?" Blaise asked, holding out his hand quite formally.
Unable to stop herself, her smile grew until it was too big for her face and decided to quote him. "It would be my honor."
One of his big hands ended up on her waist while the other held her hand. They did the awkward moving-in-a-circle dance but it had never felt so nice.
"I didn't think you danced," Abby said stupidly.
"I admit I lack experiencebut I wanted to dance with you. Is that alright?"
"It's more than alright."
He had put himself out of his comfort zone for her; how could she not be happy about that? Her heart felt like it might burst. If he had done thishe might actually like her after all. She was dying to know but it wasn't socially appropriate to ask.
All the signs had been pointing to it for a while but she hadn't wanted to get her hopes up in case he planned to leave again. If that was going to happen, wouldn't it be better to simply stay friends?
It would hurt but not as much as it would if they grew even closer and she fell in love with him completely only to be parted later. They had barely started becoming close the first ti he left and it had still bothered her on and off the entire ti he was gone.
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