rakuen | Friday: Bench dancing class

Entry tags:

Friday: Bench dancing class

Characters: Dunleavy and Fortitude students
Format: Whatever you want
This log is: open class post
Location: Fortitude's sports hall
Summary: Rakuen's mayor, Dunleavy, on Dolorosa's invitation has come to teach bench dancing
Warnings: None

[Beginning] The gym floor had been covered in mats, Dunleavy only had one pair of proper bench dancing benches that she had ordered back before she had become mayor. But she had taught this class when she had been a regular teacher and found that normal sport benches worked just fine.

With her were two towns people, two teenagers, brother and sister. Who she had employed to help her for the day. Though she would be teaching them to work the bars as well as dance she needed to demonstrate.

When the class was gathered she motioned for them to sit on the benches, leaving her two benches free. "Welcome to Bench Dancing class," she began with a small smile, "I understand that this is a sport that is rare or none existent in many worlds, but in my own it is very popular. Has anyone heard of it before?"

She gave a brief history of bench dancing, explaining how it was used in Shield training to teach them how to pay attention to the world around them. She didn't explain what a Shield was, she would answer the question if it were asked but she didn't wish to give too much unnecessary information.

"Bench dancing can be done to music but for beginners only drum beats are used." Of course that was beginner Shields, who couldn't cope with music that early in their training. She had a CD player with basic drum rhythms, something that hadn't existed in her world for a long time, but was easier than finding someone to play the drums.

"The rules of Bench Dancing are simple, one foot must remain on a bench at any one time, neither foot should touch the floor. If you get caught in the bars or step off the bench you have lost." She gave a quick demonstration. The two siblings rolled the bars in a steady rhythm, about thirty centimeters above the benches. Dunleavy danced fluidly, slower than usual to demonstrate.

[middle] She lined them up on the benches, two benches parallel to each other one foot on each, a decent amount of space between each student. "For now we will dance without the bars, practice just moving to the music, try not to fall off, follow the drum beat."

She walked around correcting posture and giving tips, unfortunately they had a disadvantage that they were beginning so old. In her world children began to dance at an early age when they had no fear. Still they seemed to do well.

"Does anyone wish to try it for real?" Only those that volunteered since it was a first lesson, and she wouldn't pair them up yet, even though Bench dancing was primarily a competitive sport. But for those who had got the hang of it, they could try with the bars.

[end] "If anyone is interested in further instruction please let me know, I am happy to give private lessons or if there is a lot if interest I shall begin a club outside school hours." Dunleavy dismissed the students and began to put the hall back together. Happy enough to answer questions if there were any.

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Becca cringed back from the display. She was clumsy and fainted easily if she exerted herself too heavily. She wasn't interested at all in making a fool of herself, especially as she'd likely land on the floor almost immediately. She looked around for Shion, hoping he was there and that she could hide behind him.

Dunleavy saw the girl looking nervous and went over to her. She was, improving, in talking to regulars since being here.

Funny how much easier it was when she didn't have to worry about an idiot Source saying something weird. She instantly felt bad for that thought though, because damn she missed Karish.

Something she would never admit. "Up on the benches, you might as well try it."

Becca winced, but nodded and moved forward. "Right...as long as I don't fall on my face...." She hopped up onto the benches and stood still for a moment, just staring down at the floor as if it was a battle of wills to keep it down there and not up in her personal space.

"Don't look at your feet, it will make you more nervous. Just move with the music, don't worry there's no bars so you wont hurt yourself."

Dunleavy was a Shield, falling on your face didn't even get onto her scale of 'hurt'.

She whimpered softly, but at least she tried moving. She didn't really have a sense of rhythm, she just swayed back and forth awkwardly.

Why was she so scared? Dunleavy would understand if she was doing it for real with the bars. But just on the benches... Some regulars really were weird.

"You need to lift your feet, jump, dance, listen to the drums."

Becca took a breath and tried a few more adventurous movements. She was finally starting to relax when she lost her balance and toppled to the floor.

Well... bench dancing wasn't for everyone. Dunleavy went over and extended a hand to help her up. "Aye I think you can say you tried and it was an experience, don't think you could make a living out of dancing the benches." Not that Dunleavy herself could, but she didn't have to nor was she allowed to. So it didn't matter.

To probably everyone's surprise, Jade raised her hand. It was the first time she'd ever volunteered in a class that wasn't Gardening -- she was a little shyer than normal, but it seemed as if she'd finally found something interesting.

"I'll do it."

Thankfully she's a particularly graceful person. One who doesn't have a lot of fears.

"Great," Dunleavy smiled at her, glad to have a volunteer. "Jump up then, what's your name?"

"I'm Jade." She smiled back, because this seemed fun. Slightly dangerous sports and riotous acts tended to fall well within her line of specialty. The fact that there was music just made it even more interesting.

"It's okay if I fall off the first time, right? I can try again?" Because she has a feeling that she won't be the best the first time, but will want to keep trying.

She was very sweet, Dunleavy smiled and nodded, "Of course you can Jade. You can try as many times as you like, it takes a lot of practice to get it right."

"Okay." And with that, she hopped up onto the benches. This seemed difficult, but fun -- at least, she thought she could do it. Even though she wasn't fast or smooth like the Striders, Jade was still fairly agile.

Dunleavy smiled at her, "You will do fine Jade," She reassured her as she clicked on the music player. The drum beat was steady and the two bar rollers began slowly. "Just concentrate on the beat."

Jade's movements were a little awkward, just as expected. But she didn't wobble, at least not for a few minutes. With a gasp, she tripped and landed soundly on the the mats. And then she giggled.

"That was fun!"

Dunleavy watched her, she was doing better than some that she had seen and Lee just smiled kindly when she landed on the mats. "You did well," she told her holding out a hand to help her up. "Do you want to try again."

"Yes!" She grinned and stood up, brushing off her backside. This fall was nothing compared to some of the ones at home, particularly when she'd dive into pools in the jungle. "That was really fun. Can we have this class all the time?"

"I am glad you enjoyed it, I am sure Dolorosa will allow me to come again and I may start a club for it in the city, on the rest day perhaps for those who are interested." She was happy when people enjoyed the sport that she loved so much.

This was actually somewhat interesting. Dirk still thought it was a huge waste of his time, but at least it wasn't a total chore like some classes were.

"I'll go," he said.

Oh it was him. Great. Dunleavy rolled her eyes but if he wanted to try she wouldn't stop him. "Up you go then Dirk," she waited until he had climbed up before starting the music. The bars would be moved slowly but it would be enough to give him an idea of what it was like to dance for real.

Oh, he saw that eyeroll. He didn't say anything or react in any way. He knew he'd fucked up. He was going to move on and not dwell on it.

Actually, this was right up Dirk's alley. He found his rhythm instantly -- having a steady beat to work with helped -- and had no trouble even with the bars rolling.

Admittedly, he was also determined to prove that he wasn't an idiot.

Dunleavy was impressed as she watched him, he seemed to have the natural grace and talent needed for Bench dancing. Strange since the way he spoke seemed very much like a Source. So much that if she hadn't spent the last year learning the hard way that Shields and Sources didn't seem to exist in worlds outside her own she would have believed him to be one.

He made as little sense as one. "The next track is quicker, would you like to try it?"

"Yeah, sure. Do your worst."

Dunleavy nodded with another smile and changed the track. She nodded at the two bar wielders to step up the pace, though they still were no where near full speed. She didn't want the kid to break his ankle.

"I'm impressed."

Dave raised his hand.

It looked interesting and the fact that it was done to music. It piqued his interest. If there was one thing that always attracted Dave. It was something you could add a beat too.

Dave, Dunleavy knew him only because his name came up on the Player list weak after weak. She nodded at him, "Up you get then." She waited until he was ready.

Dave got up with ease. He had no idea how this shit worked, but hey. It was like dancing right? He could do that for sure.

Dunleavy turned on the tape player, the drums started and the two bar rollers moved the bars steadily bringing them to clash together on the beat. "Concentrate on the music," she told him.

That was easier to do than said for him. Music was an integral part of his lifestyle. It was easy for him to get lost in the beat. To forget that he was surrounded by other people and just move to the music. It was a little awkward at first. He hadn't done this before. But it was definitely something he'd like to do again.

Or so he'll think later since he's more absorbed in getting lost in the music right about now.

No you're not meant to get lost in it Dave, she watched him carefully frowning. He was still able to dance so that was a good thing. But he seemed susceptible to music, he wasn't going crazy or anything so that was good. She would have to keep an eye on him though.

There was a small smile on his face. He probably didn't even realize it. After all, this was all him. He could keep to this for hours if he wanted too maybe, not that he would. But his poker face had a tendency to drop when he wasn't paying attention. Luckily, his shades were still on his face, so only the smile could be seen.

Dunleavy watched him, she didn't know him so didn't know how rare that smile was, but he definitely looked less serious than when he fought. She changed the track to a quicker one, to see how well he did with a quicker tempo.

There was slight falter at first, becoming aware of his surroundings again. It took him a little bit as he had to switch from the first beat to the second one and find the rhythm, but it didn't take long for him to properly acclimate himself to the new track.

Dunleavy was impressed and a little relieved that he hadn't lost himself too much in the music. She let him dance for the whole track and then switched it off. "It seems you are a natural."

He got back down easily enough. It took him a moment or two to make sure his PDA hadn't fallen out before typing a reply.

music and dancing is basically a norm in my life
was taught how to make music
pretty damn good music too
dancing just came with the package because who doesnt like dancing?

Well that dispelled the theory that he was a unrealised Shield, she was mostly relieved. "I know a few people who don't like dancing, mostly those that can't do it. Bench dancing that is."

Real dancing, well any memories of real dancing were through a haze of heavy music influence and what she could remember she would rather forget.

its kind of weird
i mean im not used to it definitely
but it isnt so bad
it was fun

Not that it's showing in his face anymore. He's back to his poker face. But he did have fun. Anything involving music tends to be fun for him. Except karaoke. Fuck karaoke.

"I am glad it's fun, as I said to Jade I may set up a club in the city for rest days if you wished to come and join us and learn more."

She smiled again, even if he wasn't smiling back.

ill keep it in mind
nothing like more clubs
clubs are cool
everyone should be in one

Why is he rambling to you? This is dumb.

"I guess they are, I hope to see you there then."

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Friday: Bench dancing class

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