Mercenary Matters/Tethys: Beloved Dancer


Tethys	One, two, three... Two, two, three... Palms, two, three... Up, two, three! Phew! Yes, that's much smoother than before. Arms were far too busy. ... You there—behind that tree. Why not come closer, and watch in the open?
Ah! Pardon me! I'm very sorry. It was not my intention to interrupt.		Fjorm
Tethys	You're Princess Fjorm, aren't you? To what do I owe the pleasure? Is it a message from Commander Anna?
Oh, no—nothing like that. I just... Well, um...		Fjorm
Tethys	What is it?
Please forgive the intrusion! I will see myself out!		Fjorm
Tethys	Princess?! I—nope, gone already. What could she have wanted? Maybe just looking for some womanly advice. I guess she's at that age. Ah, well. I'll get to the bottom of it next time...


Fjorm	Tethys? Might I speak with you for a moment?
Of course, Princess Fjorm. I've just finished with my rehearsals for the day. But you already knew that, didn't you?		Tethys
Fjorm	My deepest apologies for intruding on you previously.
I took no offense. But you looked as if you had something to say to me then, just as you do now.		Tethys
Fjorm	About that... I wished to say only that I found your performance utterly captivating.
For a dancer, there can be no higher praise. And from royalty, no less! I am beyond flattered.		Tethys
Fjorm	To capture such dynamic energy in your steps, without losing elegance or fluidity in your movements... Your craft has clearly been refined through both natural talent and persistent effort.
Well, I suppose that's half right.		Tethys
Fjorm	I see... And what of the other half?
While true that I spent much of my younger days working hard, ending days sore and covered in blisters... I must confess I have no innate talent for dancing at all—as much as I love it.		Tethys
Fjorm	Given your popularity as a performer, I find that difficult to believe!
Whatever brought me to this career, I can assure you it had nothing to do with a desire to be popular. The truth is, I had a far stronger and more urgent motivation that that: the survival of my brother and me.		Tethys
Fjorm	Ah...


Tethys	My brother, Ewan, and I were abandoned by our parents when we were young.
...		Fjorm
Tethys	I hated them for it, at least at first. But I quickly realized that hatred alone would not feed us. As I wandered the streets, desperate to find a way for my brother and me to live on our own... I came upon a dancer performing on a corner. I had never danced before, but in that moment... I knew what I had to do.
So that was how you began...		Fjorm
Tethys	My first years of dancing were pure misery. I wasn't a coordinated child. I didn't even have real shoes. I danced in rags until my feet bled. I fell so many times I was covered in cuts and bruises. I worried constantly that I would not be good enough. That Ewan and I would starve. That fear was my first and cruelest dance partner.
But you never let it steal the show. You never gave up.		Fjorm
Tethys	Certainly not. My partner danced me half into my grave, and the dance was the only way to get back out again. I didn't do it for me. I did it for Ewan. To fill his plate. To see him smile.
I finally understand why your dance captivates me so. Its power comes straight from your heart, from your need, rather than from blindly following tradition. Your fear, your hope... When you dance, it's as if they are laid bare before me...		Fjorm


Fjorm	Tethys... I wonder if I might ask you a favor.
What do you have in mind? I'm happy to help however I can.		Tethys
Fjorm	I'm glad to hear that, because you are the only person capable of fulfilling my request. When this war is over, if you are willing... I would like you to teach me to dance.
Me? Teach you? My style of dance is meant for inns and taverns, Princess. I'm afraid it's not well suited to royalty. Surely there is an instructor out there who would be better able to prepare you for the ballroom.		Tethys
Fjorm	No, Tethys. I'm certain that I want my instructor to be you. Your form of dance is the only one I care to learn.
...		Tethys
Fjorm	You stared your death in the face... You danced with fear itself, and came out smiling. I know this may seem selfish of me. My life has been privileged compared to yours... But I do understand all too well how it feels to want your family to be happy more than anything.
If that's truly your motivation, how can I refuse? I'll do it. When peace comes to this world, and my dance is no longer needed on the field of battle... You and I will dance together, to bring smiles to the faces of the people we love.		Tethys
Fjorm	Ah! Thank you! I look forward to that day with all my heart!