[ Robby isn't going to say anything about it. He just smiles more when Chizuru gives her 'Yes!' and starts to move with him, and he continues at what they're already doing. No need to rush; let Chizuru get a feel for it, take her time.
But he does laugh lightly, a huff at her question. ] There's hundreds of ways to dance--all depends where you're going. Night clubs are more energetic, hands up and kinda like this; it's just about moving your body and letting loose.
[ Huh, but this does make him wonder, a curious glean in his eye. ] What kind of dancing do you do in Japan? [ Hmm- ] Isn't there something with a fan...?
That's mostly what I imagine when I think about dancing.. [ Since it's the only kind of dancing Chizuru really knows. And even then, it's not like she got to see it super often in person - but it's still definitely less foreign to her than the dancing from a moment ago, or even this dancing now.
Even if this is the kind she at least seems capable of keeping up with, even when she's thinking about the same time. Chizuru may be easily flustered, but at least a girl can multitask. ]
It's usually more of a solo thing though. Like.. um.. a performance? I always thought that the women who did that looked so elegant.. [ Maybe she kind of wanted to be like that too, one day.
You could treat yourself. Find a proper dance teacher like that and learn.
[ Robby does stop, himself, and it's easy enough with the moves being simple. His omni is playing through different songs in the background, but he's not really worried about that.
And he doesn't plan to give up on learning some dancing like this just to acclimatise Chizuru to it, but he's looking at her now, with raised brows. Actually serious! ]
You know, maybe they're not exactly the same, but there's dancers in Trench--there's gotta be something like that with all the stage shows in Cellar Door.
[ Not to fluster you again or anything, Chizuru, buuut?? ]
[ See, when Robby stops, Chizuru does too - because this is way too embarrassing to be doing all by herself. Not to mention that she's enough of a natural follower that there's no way she'd just keep going on her own.
Leaving them just standing there. Staring at each other. Chizuru looking a little bit more embarrassed at his earnest suggestion, protesting with: ]
But that's different..!
[ Please, if that thing from a moment ago is how they dance where Robby comes from, Chizuru is kind of scared to find out how they dance here..
If there's anything she misses home for, aside from the people she knows, it's that simple fact. Just the familiarity, rather than constantly receiving this culture shock.
Realising that protest might have been a bit strong though - it wasn't at all, barely even reaching average protest levels for most people, but this is Chizuru - her face flushes, gaze dropping as she elaborates: ]
I-It's fine. Things aren't like they are in Japan here, and that's fine. [ She says it like something she's been repeating to herself really often. Like she's trying to convince herself of that more so than Robby, despite saying it to him. ] I just.. want to learn dancing in a way that doesn't embarrass Jinx when we're at the party.
[ Right. That's all she has to do in this moment. Focus on that. A tangible goal. Chizuru tries to gather her courage, steady herself once more. Dragging thoughts away from something sad, and towards something productive.
She doesn't want to drag this down, not when Robby clearly intended for this to be something fun.
Chizuru looks back at him, looking a touch more determined. ]
[ Robby knows when not to push. He feels bad for her, when she speaks those words like a mantra, the reality everyone tells themselves in this place--or, that Robby does too. His expression softens to Chizuru's submission, a giving in that he'd like to twist around and do something about. But he can't right here, or now; he'd stress her more than she already had been so far in all this, so it's better to focus on what she wants.
(What she's saying wants.) ]
Sure, [ he promises, and he'll lead her through the steps, and movements, explaining what he's doing: that club kind of dancing is about simple foot work, moving with a slight bounce, and how they can raise their hands up together, come in a little, but only as close as Chizuru likes- laughing as he says, 'just swing them like this, loose and fun', and pulling back to their starting spots.
There's nothing risque about it. At most he asks, 'Do you wanna see a spin?', and in the most unrisque fashion ever, after stepping in close and directing her, 'okay, let go of one hand-- and then with our hands up like this-' Robby does a little twirl where he brings their hands back down after, grinning. ]
See? --Wanna try?
[ She doesn't have to! But wasn't it fun and harmless, Chizuru? A little twirl, for fun. ]
[ Thankfully the girl seems more than capable of keeping up with Robby's special attention being put towards making sure this isn't too risque for Chizuru's poor delicate heart. The dancing itself doesn't seem to be the problem, though the girl is frowning - mostly because she's concentrating really hard over here.
She doesn't want to remember this just so she can dance along with Jinx, after all. Chizuru wants to make sure to memorize these steps well enough that she could lead the other if necessary. Forget dress to impress, Chizuru's got some dance to impress on the mind, apparently.
And after that little twirl demonstration-- ]
Y-Yes! I want to try..!
[ .. okay, maybe she sounds just a little bit too serious about that, like they're training in combat rather than dancing..
But at least she doesn't seem miserable, so it's a step up, right. Maybe it's just that the girl is taking all of this a little too seriously, but there's something endearing about the sight of it, Chizuru so serious about something that doesn't require that level of seriousness at all.
The same air lingers even as she's trying it out this time, raising their hands, trying to help Robby to twirl this time around. ]
Like this? I guess it's a good thing that you're not that much taller than me.
[ And neither is Jinx. Bless everything in life for Chizuru being surrounded by fellow short kings and queens. ]
[ This is a familiar sight, to be sure. Robby's smiling to reassure in the first place, to make all of this seem alright (as it should!), but that face Chizuru wears is, well, something to smile about too. Once Robby realises why he recognises it, or stops wondering if Chizuru's okay...
It becomes oh, she's making that face.
But! There is a twirl--and with it is a choked laugh, Robby's eyebrows raised in some mock offence when their eyes meet again. ]
Are you calling me short? Hey, those inches between us mean a lot, you know!
[ It's hard to mistake him for being serious with the smile on his face, but this is Chizuru. ]
Which means there's a brief pause. Most people would immediately joke back, but apparently this girl needs a moment to ascertain whether Robby really is joking or not. Thankfully she does seem to catch on to the joke this time, which is why she doesn't immediately burst into a storm of flustered apologies.
No, instead the girl is quiet for a moment. And then - still looking serious, almost solemn, like Chizuru is apparently capable of doing that for the sake of a joke after all - she suddenly moves to stand on her toes.
Which definitely makes her the same height as Robby. There go your precious few inches, dude.. ]
Like this?
[ P-Please let this joke hit the mark, she's still just the tiniest bit worried she may have misread him here.. and it's not like Chizuru would ever want to hurt Robby! ]
I'll catch up, you know.
[ Despite technically being beyond her main growing age... ]
Look at this. Bold, attacking, right in his face. Chizuru's face too, the determination of it striking Robby more than if she had smiled right there. But she doesn't need to smile--she's got him wide-eyed and shocked in what she does.
But Robby does recover, looking Chizuru straight on, fully, as he remarks: ]
Oh yeah? --Lemme help.
[ And he takes a hold of her waist and, with little effort, hoists her up off her feet. ] How's this? [ He asks, holding her up above his head, as high as he can get her, and following it up by twirling her around, spinning himself on the spot.
If she has anything to say, he may have to answer back: ] Huh? What's that? I can't hear you, you're too tall!
[ They're just surprising each other here at this point with the one-upping of the teasing. Chizuru certainly didn't expect to be picked up, at least, and it's obvious through the gasp she lets out when she suddenly feels her feet leave the ground.
There's no protest though. No kicking, or otherwise trying to be let down, or get away from Robby. The initial surprise seems to freeze the girl up more than anything, and once it ebs away and she truly realises what's going on here..
.. well, Chizuru just starts to laugh instead. ]
Robby!
[ Okay, maybe that would have sounded like a protest. If it wasn't for the fact that Chizuru is definitely laughing as she's saying his name. ]
How do you even do this? You're too strong! [ Sure, she's used to the men of the Shinsengumi being able to lift her with ease, but most of them are also at least a head taller than Robby.. Which clearly means Robby is superhumanly strong just for being able to lift her like this, right? ]
[ You know he has to give her a few extra spins for that. Nevermind that he isn't really that used to holding people up above his head, but at least it's Chizuru (and at least he does weight train). Her laughter is infectious, but Robby's own is distracted for as long as she's up, only coming out in small breaths until he finally brings her down--bumping close against him, not wanting her to tumble back if he were to try and drop her off anywhere else.
And then he's laughing, hands resting on her waist and his head tilted so he isn't doing so directly in front of Chizuru's face. But he does lean it back, saying as he does, mouth a widened grin: ]
That's a dance move too, you know.
[ You know. He's looking down at her, with the few inches he does still have over her, green eyes sparkling with fun and delight. ]
[ Maybe it's the slightly different context, or the slightly different contact, but Chizuru sure doesn't seem to mind being close to Robby in this moment, despite the fact that she's pretty much just as close here for a moment as she was when he first pulled her in a few minutes ago.
Right now she just seems comfortable. More than that, even. He laughs at her, smiles at her, and Chizuru smiles just as widely right back at him when he jokes at her like that. ]
Alright, but I think that one is a little beyond me. [ There's nothing self-depricating in it this time though. It's just a joke, as light as the one Robby just made, the smile seeming to rest on Chizuru's face as she says those words. ] I think I'll need to find some super strength before I can do that. Or, you know, switch bodies with you.
[ And end up having Robby's guns. Compared to the sticks Chizuru calls arms. ]
...You know, I don't think I wanna know if that can happen around here. [ Body swapping. Even if he would because....it would happen, let Robby live in ignorant bliss? It's more of a joke anyway, with the uncertain look in his eye but the smile on his face. Robby takes a step back though, giving them room, as comfortable as it is to be standing snug with a friend. ]
Alright, but how about I show you the basic couple's dance? You can go slow with it, or make it more fun.
[ And he says that latter part with a slight lilt, adding to the fun, riding on the good mood they have going. He raises up a hand in an imaginary hold, the other rounded around a back that isn't there. ]
Have you seen this one? Where people dance with their hands like this? Or this, [ he adds, showing his hands more snug around an imaginary neck. Or maybe waist, Chizuru?? ]
No, apparently this is entirely new terrain to her. Chizuru may have seen people dance back home, like she mentioned just earlier, but that definitely wasn't anything like that. ]
So.. in this case, you'd be putting your hand on my back..?
[ She says that like she's considering it. Thankfully it doesn't seem to bring the mood down as much as Chizuru's earlier startled reaction did. Here she's maybe just more imagining if it'd be too intimate to have someone's hand there...
.. but she thinks she could probably bear it. It's still very different from being pulled flush against him all of a sudden, after all. ]
Yeah- one hand on your back, and you can put one on my shoulder. Like this-?
[ He's saying that, but he doesn't rush his movements. One hand is held out for her to take it, a small, 'hold on? Yeah--just hold it' to get the easier part done. He'll then pat his own shoulder to where he wants her hand to go, and as for where his goes, it's nowhere scandalous. It's closer to her shoulder than the dip of her back, figuring it'd be the most comfortable place for her.
And unlike before, there's some space between them. Behold: the most basic of slow dancing positions, lite version. ]
Does this feel okay? [ Sure, it feels okay to Robby, but he's not the one with old-timey modesty here. He's not going to move onto the actual dance pattern until he's sure Chizuru's comfortable. ]
[ Chizuru doesn't seem to waffle much about doing this, at least. She takes his hand with little to no trouble, and it's not like putting her hand on Robby's shoulder is any harder - it's not exactly a scandalous thing, especially when they've been physically closer than that before.
She's the tiniest bit more nervous when his own hand moves, but when it just lands on her back like that, and he doesn't pull her closer - that last part perhaps being the most important part of all of this - Chizuru feels her heart growing at ease. ]
Yes.
[ It's how she can answer honestly. It shows too, since the girl is always so bad at hiding that she's bothered.. but there's no such thing showing up on her face right now. ]
It's easier when we're.. um, not so close. [ There's a tiny blush on her cheeks as she admits it - the last thing she'd want Robby to think is that she hates being close to him, when it was much more about the exact kind of closeness of a few moments ago.. ] So what do I do now?
[ Success! And hey, Robby will tuck that info in for later--he knows some moves that can keep them apart, but still be fun with partner dancing. It's fun, Robby finds, and maybe there's such a thing as inheriting qualities from your parents. ...or just a consequence of growing up around a dance-loving mom. ]
Okay, [ Robby says, smiling, pleased that they can do this. He steps back, mostly so he can make the space between them visible, nodding down. ] So an easy way of doing this is, you just sway. A lot of dancing's that, [ he adds in with a grin--he's been showing her a lot of that, hasn't he? But let him show her that, where his body leans left and right, left and right, his feet moving much slower. ] This is when you just want to move to the music, when everything's slow. You might have your hands around your partner's neck instead, or just loose on their waist.
It feels casual, right? [ Just a slow swing, nothing too engaging. Like a private space for the two of them, but nothing really intimate. ]
[ Her reaction starts the same as last time - just a small sound of confirmation, the easiest sort of reaction to give while her brain is still caught up in the rest of this. Trying to process it all, especially now she's trying to make her body move along with Robby's instructions as well to try out this form of dancing. Trying to listen to the song, and following the rhythm.. It doesn't necessarily come as easily to her as it may to some other people, but it's mostly just a case of getting used to all these new things. New forms of music, new ways of dancing..
Though it doesn't feel impossible to get used to it. It's just a matter of time and experience, Chizuru thinks. ]
Do you think this would be good enough? [ Apparently that's the main question still on her mind as she's considering all of this. ] I mean, no one would think this way of dancing is.. strange, right?
[ H-Help her out with your expert knowledge of modern dating and dancing, Robby!! Chizuru has no idea what these standards are like! Do people want the close grind instead? Because she'd sure prefer this, it's way more comfortable.. ]
No way, [ comes his answer, easy and encouraging. ] If the music's smooth and soft enough? Go with this. If it's got more of a beat, then hold hands like I showed you, do a fun twirl--or watch what everyone does for a while, and join in.
Remember when we went out with everyone? We should do that more. Get a few drinks, chat, and we'll practice. But no one's really watching what you do unless they're really bored.
[ Or you're putting on a show to rile them up on purpose. But who would do that?? ]
Or you want to put on a show, [ he adds--more of a joke, but the side of his mouth tugs up anyway, like a sly suggestion. ]
[ Chizuru lets out a short sound - it almost sounds like a whine. Like a bullied dog, even though she knows Robby doesn't mean it badly. It's more just that she imagines putting on a show in her head, and it's.. it's so much.. It's so embarrassing..
She would die on the spot. ]
No way!
[ She shakes her head, but doesn't let go of Robby. ]
Just being passable is good enough for me. If really no one would watch, or notice me.. That sounds like the best case scenario. [ Chizuru is a-okay with blending into the background. It's preferable, really. ] Are you saying that you like putting up a show with this, Robby?
[ He does seem to know a whole lot about dancing, so who knows.. Maybe he has, or he at least could if he tried. ]
[ Wow, Robby. Are you implying that you were, perhaps, a bad boy?
.. not that Chizuru even really thinks that much. It's hard for her to imagine what that was like, and how bad or not bad it was, when she completely lacks the cultural context for that sort of thing. He may as well be talking to her about his interactions with a bunch of intergalactic monkeys, and Chizuru would have understood just as little as she does now.
It might be the reason why she blinks at him, the look on her face mostly just confused. Like the lights are on, but there's no one home in there. ]
.. oh.
[ That small noise just confirms it, doesn't it. It's almost a little awkward, with how badly Chizuru's brain seems to process this while she's frozen up, still in their dancing position.. ]
Was that.. a bad thing? Or a good thing?
[ Apparently her brain has decided that she's not going to be able to figure it out, so it's just resorting to asking. It's not like she won't just 100% trust Robby's word, regardless of which answer he gives. ]
[ It's okay, this reaction works in Robby's favour--in that it's cute. ]
I had fun. It was a good thing to me and Tory.
[ Nevermind any exes who got salty at their presence. He could leave it at that, and Chizuru would surely still be confused but accept it, but with a pause, Robby decides: ]
Sometimes, people think something is all about them when it isn't. It was our exes who didn't like seeing us--like they had more right being there than either me or Tory.
[ ...they did him, but details. ]
They could have ignored us. But they have a habit of making everything about them.
[ Or, Sam, but why not drag Miguel there too. Like Robby cares. ]
[ Granted, all of this would make a lot more sense to Chizuru if she had any idea what being a modern teen is like.. Or what being a teen is like at all, really. It's hard to ever truly have had the teenage experience when you've basically been confined to one house all your life.
Not that Chizuru isn't trying though. She's trying her darnest to imagine this social situation Robby is talking about, but it's very likely that the mental image that ends up forming in her head is a little different than what actually happened..
.. especially since it also definitely paints Robby in a better light, considering her opinion on him. ]
Oh, well..
[ Do you hear that uncertain tone, Robby? It's Chizuru still trying to process all of this. And figure out what's appropriate to say here. ]
I'm glad you had fun. [ NAILED IT. Though it's true - even if she can't really imagine this particular scenario, she's always glad if Robby is having fun. ] All of that sounds really.. complicated though.
[ Her expression changes into one that's a little less confused and a little more apologetic. ]
That's not a strange thing to say, is it? [ Is this just one of those things that's totally normal to regular teens, but that's going completely over her head? Is she a weirdo now?? ]
[ Robby laughs; nothing full-throated, and not at Chizuru, but fun and amused. ]
Nah--it's good. You didn't have to deal with stuff like that on top of everything else going on through the war. [ ... ] But I guess it would've been better than one.
[ He guesses. ] I bet you would've been great in a school. Going to classes all day? Then you'd have to read books all the time.
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But he does laugh lightly, a huff at her question. ] There's hundreds of ways to dance--all depends where you're going. Night clubs are more energetic, hands up and kinda like this; it's just about moving your body and letting loose.
[ Huh, but this does make him wonder, a curious glean in his eye. ] What kind of dancing do you do in Japan? [ Hmm- ] Isn't there something with a fan...?
[ He think he saw something in a movie once?? ]
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That's mostly what I imagine when I think about dancing.. [ Since it's the only kind of dancing Chizuru really knows. And even then, it's not like she got to see it super often in person - but it's still definitely less foreign to her than the dancing from a moment ago, or even this dancing now.
Even if this is the kind she at least seems capable of keeping up with, even when she's thinking about the same time. Chizuru may be easily flustered, but at least a girl can multitask. ]
It's usually more of a solo thing though. Like.. um.. a performance? I always thought that the women who did that looked so elegant.. [ Maybe she kind of wanted to be like that too, one day.
Someone elegant and feminine. Someone loveable. ]
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[ Robby does stop, himself, and it's easy enough with the moves being simple. His omni is playing through different songs in the background, but he's not really worried about that.
And he doesn't plan to give up on learning some dancing like this just to acclimatise Chizuru to it, but he's looking at her now, with raised brows. Actually serious! ]
You know, maybe they're not exactly the same, but there's dancers in Trench--there's gotta be something like that with all the stage shows in Cellar Door.
[ Not to fluster you again or anything, Chizuru, buuut?? ]
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Leaving them just standing there. Staring at each other. Chizuru looking a little bit more embarrassed at his earnest suggestion, protesting with: ]
But that's different..!
[ Please, if that thing from a moment ago is how they dance where Robby comes from, Chizuru is kind of scared to find out how they dance here..
If there's anything she misses home for, aside from the people she knows, it's that simple fact. Just the familiarity, rather than constantly receiving this culture shock.
Realising that protest might have been a bit strong though - it wasn't at all, barely even reaching average protest levels for most people, but this is Chizuru - her face flushes, gaze dropping as she elaborates: ]
I-It's fine. Things aren't like they are in Japan here, and that's fine. [ She says it like something she's been repeating to herself really often. Like she's trying to convince herself of that more so than Robby, despite saying it to him. ] I just.. want to learn dancing in a way that doesn't embarrass Jinx when we're at the party.
[ Right. That's all she has to do in this moment. Focus on that. A tangible goal. Chizuru tries to gather her courage, steady herself once more. Dragging thoughts away from something sad, and towards something productive.
She doesn't want to drag this down, not when Robby clearly intended for this to be something fun.
Chizuru looks back at him, looking a touch more determined. ]
You can teach me that, right?
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(What she's saying wants.) ]
Sure, [ he promises, and he'll lead her through the steps, and movements, explaining what he's doing: that club kind of dancing is about simple foot work, moving with a slight bounce, and how they can raise their hands up together, come in a little, but only as close as Chizuru likes- laughing as he says, 'just swing them like this, loose and fun', and pulling back to their starting spots.
There's nothing risque about it. At most he asks, 'Do you wanna see a spin?', and in the most unrisque fashion ever, after stepping in close and directing her, 'okay, let go of one hand-- and then with our hands up like this-' Robby does a little twirl where he brings their hands back down after, grinning. ]
See? --Wanna try?
[ She doesn't have to! But wasn't it fun and harmless, Chizuru? A little twirl, for fun. ]
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She doesn't want to remember this just so she can dance along with Jinx, after all. Chizuru wants to make sure to memorize these steps well enough that she could lead the other if necessary. Forget dress to impress, Chizuru's got some dance to impress on the mind, apparently.
And after that little twirl demonstration-- ]
Y-Yes! I want to try..!
[ .. okay, maybe she sounds just a little bit too serious about that, like they're training in combat rather than dancing..
But at least she doesn't seem miserable, so it's a step up, right. Maybe it's just that the girl is taking all of this a little too seriously, but there's something endearing about the sight of it, Chizuru so serious about something that doesn't require that level of seriousness at all.
The same air lingers even as she's trying it out this time, raising their hands, trying to help Robby to twirl this time around. ]
Like this? I guess it's a good thing that you're not that much taller than me.
[ And neither is Jinx. Bless everything in life for Chizuru being surrounded by fellow short kings and queens. ]
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It becomes oh, she's making that face.
But! There is a twirl--and with it is a choked laugh, Robby's eyebrows raised in some mock offence when their eyes meet again. ]
Are you calling me short? Hey, those inches between us mean a lot, you know!
[ It's hard to mistake him for being serious with the smile on his face, but this is Chizuru. ]
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Which means there's a brief pause. Most people would immediately joke back, but apparently this girl needs a moment to ascertain whether Robby really is joking or not. Thankfully she does seem to catch on to the joke this time, which is why she doesn't immediately burst into a storm of flustered apologies.
No, instead the girl is quiet for a moment. And then - still looking serious, almost solemn, like Chizuru is apparently capable of doing that for the sake of a joke after all - she suddenly moves to stand on her toes.
Which definitely makes her the same height as Robby. There go your precious few inches, dude.. ]
Like this?
[ P-Please let this joke hit the mark, she's still just the tiniest bit worried she may have misread him here.. and it's not like Chizuru would ever want to hurt Robby! ]
I'll catch up, you know.
[ Despite technically being beyond her main growing age... ]
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Wow.
Look at this. Bold, attacking, right in his face. Chizuru's face too, the determination of it striking Robby more than if she had smiled right there. But she doesn't need to smile--she's got him wide-eyed and shocked in what she does.
But Robby does recover, looking Chizuru straight on, fully, as he remarks: ]
Oh yeah? --Lemme help.
[ And he takes a hold of her waist and, with little effort, hoists her up off her feet. ] How's this? [ He asks, holding her up above his head, as high as he can get her, and following it up by twirling her around, spinning himself on the spot.
If she has anything to say, he may have to answer back: ] Huh? What's that? I can't hear you, you're too tall!
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There's no protest though. No kicking, or otherwise trying to be let down, or get away from Robby. The initial surprise seems to freeze the girl up more than anything, and once it ebs away and she truly realises what's going on here..
.. well, Chizuru just starts to laugh instead. ]
Robby!
[ Okay, maybe that would have sounded like a protest. If it wasn't for the fact that Chizuru is definitely laughing as she's saying his name. ]
How do you even do this? You're too strong! [ Sure, she's used to the men of the Shinsengumi being able to lift her with ease, but most of them are also at least a head taller than Robby.. Which clearly means Robby is superhumanly strong just for being able to lift her like this, right? ]
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And then he's laughing, hands resting on her waist and his head tilted so he isn't doing so directly in front of Chizuru's face. But he does lean it back, saying as he does, mouth a widened grin: ]
That's a dance move too, you know.
[ You know. He's looking down at her, with the few inches he does still have over her, green eyes sparkling with fun and delight. ]
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Right now she just seems comfortable. More than that, even. He laughs at her, smiles at her, and Chizuru smiles just as widely right back at him when he jokes at her like that. ]
Alright, but I think that one is a little beyond me. [ There's nothing self-depricating in it this time though. It's just a joke, as light as the one Robby just made, the smile seeming to rest on Chizuru's face as she says those words. ] I think I'll need to find some super strength before I can do that. Or, you know, switch bodies with you.
[ And end up having Robby's guns. Compared to the sticks Chizuru calls arms. ]
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Alright, but how about I show you the basic couple's dance? You can go slow with it, or make it more fun.
[ And he says that latter part with a slight lilt, adding to the fun, riding on the good mood they have going. He raises up a hand in an imaginary hold, the other rounded around a back that isn't there. ]
Have you seen this one? Where people dance with their hands like this? Or this, [ he adds, showing his hands more snug around an imaginary neck. Or maybe waist, Chizuru?? ]
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No, apparently this is entirely new terrain to her. Chizuru may have seen people dance back home, like she mentioned just earlier, but that definitely wasn't anything like that. ]
So.. in this case, you'd be putting your hand on my back..?
[ She says that like she's considering it. Thankfully it doesn't seem to bring the mood down as much as Chizuru's earlier startled reaction did. Here she's maybe just more imagining if it'd be too intimate to have someone's hand there...
.. but she thinks she could probably bear it. It's still very different from being pulled flush against him all of a sudden, after all. ]
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[ He's saying that, but he doesn't rush his movements. One hand is held out for her to take it, a small, 'hold on? Yeah--just hold it' to get the easier part done. He'll then pat his own shoulder to where he wants her hand to go, and as for where his goes, it's nowhere scandalous. It's closer to her shoulder than the dip of her back, figuring it'd be the most comfortable place for her.
And unlike before, there's some space between them. Behold: the most basic of slow dancing positions, lite version. ]
Does this feel okay? [ Sure, it feels okay to Robby, but he's not the one with old-timey modesty here. He's not going to move onto the actual dance pattern until he's sure Chizuru's comfortable. ]
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She's the tiniest bit more nervous when his own hand moves, but when it just lands on her back like that, and he doesn't pull her closer - that last part perhaps being the most important part of all of this - Chizuru feels her heart growing at ease. ]
Yes.
[ It's how she can answer honestly. It shows too, since the girl is always so bad at hiding that she's bothered.. but there's no such thing showing up on her face right now. ]
It's easier when we're.. um, not so close. [ There's a tiny blush on her cheeks as she admits it - the last thing she'd want Robby to think is that she hates being close to him, when it was much more about the exact kind of closeness of a few moments ago.. ] So what do I do now?
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Okay, [ Robby says, smiling, pleased that they can do this. He steps back, mostly so he can make the space between them visible, nodding down. ] So an easy way of doing this is, you just sway. A lot of dancing's that, [ he adds in with a grin--he's been showing her a lot of that, hasn't he? But let him show her that, where his body leans left and right, left and right, his feet moving much slower. ] This is when you just want to move to the music, when everything's slow. You might have your hands around your partner's neck instead, or just loose on their waist.
It feels casual, right? [ Just a slow swing, nothing too engaging. Like a private space for the two of them, but nothing really intimate. ]
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[ Her reaction starts the same as last time - just a small sound of confirmation, the easiest sort of reaction to give while her brain is still caught up in the rest of this. Trying to process it all, especially now she's trying to make her body move along with Robby's instructions as well to try out this form of dancing. Trying to listen to the song, and following the rhythm.. It doesn't necessarily come as easily to her as it may to some other people, but it's mostly just a case of getting used to all these new things. New forms of music, new ways of dancing..
Though it doesn't feel impossible to get used to it. It's just a matter of time and experience, Chizuru thinks. ]
Do you think this would be good enough? [ Apparently that's the main question still on her mind as she's considering all of this. ] I mean, no one would think this way of dancing is.. strange, right?
[ H-Help her out with your expert knowledge of modern dating and dancing, Robby!! Chizuru has no idea what these standards are like! Do people want the close grind instead? Because she'd sure prefer this, it's way more comfortable.. ]
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Remember when we went out with everyone? We should do that more. Get a few drinks, chat, and we'll practice. But no one's really watching what you do unless they're really bored.
[ Or you're putting on a show to rile them up on purpose. But who would do that?? ]
Or you want to put on a show, [ he adds--more of a joke, but the side of his mouth tugs up anyway, like a sly suggestion. ]
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She would die on the spot. ]
No way!
[ She shakes her head, but doesn't let go of Robby. ]
Just being passable is good enough for me. If really no one would watch, or notice me.. That sounds like the best case scenario. [ Chizuru is a-okay with blending into the background. It's preferable, really. ] Are you saying that you like putting up a show with this, Robby?
[ He does seem to know a whole lot about dancing, so who knows.. Maybe he has, or he at least could if he tried. ]
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[ But there's a grin spreading on his face, an innocent look upward before he gives a faux-sheepish face to Chizuru. ]
Maybe me and Tory ruined a pair's big night by showing our dance moves.
[ No regrets, honestly. Eat it, Sam and Miguel. And while he isn't bothered about being judged, he'll add for context: ]
To be fair, it was a dance for teens the same age, and all we did was dance. Not our fault they cared so much we were there.
[ But they certainly enjoyed screwing with them for existing. How dare they. ]
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.. not that Chizuru even really thinks that much. It's hard for her to imagine what that was like, and how bad or not bad it was, when she completely lacks the cultural context for that sort of thing. He may as well be talking to her about his interactions with a bunch of intergalactic monkeys, and Chizuru would have understood just as little as she does now.
It might be the reason why she blinks at him, the look on her face mostly just confused. Like the lights are on, but there's no one home in there. ]
.. oh.
[ That small noise just confirms it, doesn't it. It's almost a little awkward, with how badly Chizuru's brain seems to process this while she's frozen up, still in their dancing position.. ]
Was that.. a bad thing? Or a good thing?
[ Apparently her brain has decided that she's not going to be able to figure it out, so it's just resorting to asking. It's not like she won't just 100% trust Robby's word, regardless of which answer he gives. ]
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I had fun. It was a good thing to me and Tory.
[ Nevermind any exes who got salty at their presence. He could leave it at that, and Chizuru would surely still be confused but accept it, but with a pause, Robby decides: ]
Sometimes, people think something is all about them when it isn't. It was our exes who didn't like seeing us--like they had more right being there than either me or Tory.
[ ...they did him, but details. ]
They could have ignored us. But they have a habit of making everything about them.
[ Or, Sam, but why not drag Miguel there too. Like Robby cares. ]
All we did was dance.
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Not that Chizuru isn't trying though. She's trying her darnest to imagine this social situation Robby is talking about, but it's very likely that the mental image that ends up forming in her head is a little different than what actually happened..
.. especially since it also definitely paints Robby in a better light, considering her opinion on him. ]
Oh, well..
[ Do you hear that uncertain tone, Robby? It's Chizuru still trying to process all of this. And figure out what's appropriate to say here. ]
I'm glad you had fun. [ NAILED IT. Though it's true - even if she can't really imagine this particular scenario, she's always glad if Robby is having fun. ] All of that sounds really.. complicated though.
[ Her expression changes into one that's a little less confused and a little more apologetic. ]
That's not a strange thing to say, is it? [ Is this just one of those things that's totally normal to regular teens, but that's going completely over her head? Is she a weirdo now?? ]
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Nah--it's good. You didn't have to deal with stuff like that on top of everything else going on through the war. [ ... ] But I guess it would've been better than one.
[ He guesses. ] I bet you would've been great in a school. Going to classes all day? Then you'd have to read books all the time.
[ And not just for your friend's book club. ]
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