Lakeside Minuet

The following day at the Lion Springs Tavern, I talked the barkeep into letting me dance on his stage (well I dropped the name of Troupe Brilioth and then he let me up on stage). I did my best (which wasn't good at all) and while I think some of the more "regular" clients might have enjoyed my moves a little, I think the general crowd didn't at all (why did it have to be so packed that night?).

The day after my little dance recital, I was back in Upper Jeuno and sought out Rhea Myuliah (that's the dancing Mithra's name) to tell her I'd actually taken her dare. It turned out that they'd already heard the news of my "unique" dance style. She kept her promise and told me about the shiny stones called stardust pebbles that used to be found in Lake Mechieume in Jugner Forest. The unfortunate thing though, is that they haven't been found there for at least the last twenty years or so. The first thought in my head was "I know a way around that!".

Using the Cavernous Maw in Batallia Downs, I transported myself to the past. I made my way to Jugner Forest and sure enough I was able to find a stardust pebble. Even more interesting than that however, was that I also found a young girl who'd run off from her caretaker. She was looking for the stones as well. She told me how she had run away to escape the dance lessons she'd grown so tired of. Just as she was talking to me, a curious yet beautiful flute melody came from deep within the woods. The little girl seemed overtaken by the sound and began to dance. I realized this was Laila, the same woman I'd met in Upper Jeuno leading the dance troupe Brilioth! When her caretaker found her, she explained herself to him and described how the music overcame her and reinvigorated her love for dance. The two left for her day's dance practice session. She told me I was lucky for getting a chance to see here, as she typically only danced for Lords and Ladies (who does she think I am - a pauper!?).

I returned to the present time with the stardust pebble and brought it directly to Laila. She was absolutely astounded that I'd found one and thought me familiar when she saw me this time around (it's weird being a time traveler). She said she would have to keep her promise (obviously she thought the task an impossible one - thanks alot lady), and had the other two dancers "show me some moves." Since the dancing that's practiced by Troupe Brilioth is also a Bastokan form of martial arts, I can only describe the experience as "getting my butt kicked by twisted poses that no upright creature can do." However, as the Mithra Rhea Myuliah was doing 50% of the butt kicking, I have to look back on that part as being strangely pleasurable. After their "training" was complete, they said I now knew the basic knowledge of a dancer. Of course, to be any good at it, I'd need much more training - but at least that could be an opportunity to see Rhea Myuliah again!