Learning to Dance

Posted on Mon Jul 20th, 2020 @ 9:09am by Lieutenant Commander T'Par

Mission: Cruel Meridian
Location: Holodeck 2
Timeline: MD 7
950 words - 1.9 OF Standard Post Measure

T'Par was rarely seen outside her own quarters in anything but her uniform, even off duty so it doubtless came as a surprise to many who were familiar with her to see her making her way to the Holodeck in an Earth-style long-sleeve silk ballgown with floral applique. However, her own expression maintained its typical stoicism as she arrived to meet Lhaes. "I a ready for my lesson, sir," she said as she approached.

Lhaes smiled as he gave her a once-over. "I think, for the occasion you can drop the 'sir'," he chuckled as he keyed in the program. "Also, you didn't have to cross the corridors in a gown, the holodeck could've provided that for you."

"That would be a less authentic cultural experience," she noted.

"You prefer to be uncomfortable getting there over the comfort of changing on the scene?" He arched a single eyebrow at her as the doors opened. "Where is the logic in that?" he asked as he held out his arm to guide her inside. "We shall start with the basics of the Vienna Waltz..."

"I thought that logic was not your area?" she probed even as she took his arm and walked inside with him. She placed her hand in his and her other on his shoulder, letting him lead her first in the steps of the Vienna Waltz.

Pausing to get with the beat, Lhaes smoothly led her into her first dance. "Logic might not be," he answered as he led her across the floor in perfect timing with the music, "but dancing certainly is." It was obvious he was well trained as he gently nudged her to step in sync with him. "A waltz is a third measured beat, a vienna waltz being a little faster. Each step is one of three to complete the move."

"Apparently so," she allowed. She followed his lead easily enough, responsive to his guidance and movements. 'What led you to take up this style of dancing?"

"You know... I actually don't remember. I've been doing it for a very long time now. Maybe a means to socialize? Or maintain a form of fitness and grace. You are aware I am proficient with bladed weapons?"

"I am," she confirmed as she continued to follow his lead across the dance floor. "Then this is means of training your body? Remain fit and graceful?"

He didn't respond for a moment as he led her into an intricate series of turns, before resuming their normal path for a few seconds more. He paused them as the tune ended. "Definitely," he answered, "to a beginner, dancing can be quite exhausting, of not for the body then certainly to one's feet. It is also a kind of brain training as you need to plan ahead. You do not want to bump into other dancers on the floor. And you need to learn the steps. The music doesn't matter, as long as you know how to count the beat."

She didn't press him as he danced in silence for a long moment before he answered. She was in no rush. "The shoes are admittedly less than comfortable," she says when he mentions the toll dancing could take on a beginner's feet. "I can see the usefulness of the exercise," she concedes, "But I am still curious. Why this particular form of dance from this particular Earth culture and time period? Surely there are equally apt ways to train the body on both Betazed and Romulus?"

"It is not just the waltz... there are a great many more dances. I just liked the grace needed for the style called ballroom. I agree there are other forms of exercise, and I do practice some of them too. But the competition part also appealed to me, and it all stands or falls with a competent dancing partner. I was graced with a good partner during the times I did compete. Now, I no longer have time for that nor does it appeal to me anymore. Now it is just a form of exercise, same as martial arts. It is, to me, also a form of relaxation, a means to clear the mind after a stressful week."

"Like a form of meditation?" she probed curiously. It was truthfully not the first question that came to mind. She was wondering about this good partner he was graced with. But that somehow seemed rude to ask. "It also seems a good pretext for socialization. I've noticed that many prefer to ground socialization in some sort of shared activity."

"It can be yes," he answered her first question, as well as her comment. "A shared activity is generally a means for socialization. Solitary activities, obviously are not. What do you usually do for fun? Something that can be considered social?"

"Fun is not an applicable concept," she answers and, for nearly a minute, she simply leaves it there, content to dance and to reflect. Then she does allow, "I play chess and kal-toh."

"Oh right you said that. But those aren't really social activities. Do you engage in any group activity?" He led her into another dance as the music started again, this time providing more complex moves and giving her the odd moment to retry as they misstepped.

"They allow for conversation," she noted as she continued to follow his lead. "More so than watching a visual narrative program in the company of others."

"A visual narrative, or a movie, if you will, allows for cameraderie. Just being in the company of others." Lhaes paused. "Shall we continue this another time? I need to return home."

"An interesting perspective," she notes noncomitally. "Thank you for the lesson."