video

[declamando]

From: Nuada Airgetlám
Date: September 16th

[The video opens to the image of a pink-haired woman, seated in a soft white chair in a brightly-lit dance studio. With a slightly sad smile, Maria waves a hand at the camera before interlacing her fingers in her lap, manner businesslike despite the obvious emotion behind it.]

I'm sad to say that the co-owner of Sparkle Motion, Barry Goodman, has left this place. As such, the studio and equipment has been left to me, and as of today, I'll be taking charge of Sparkle Motion.

For those of you who don't know me, my name is Maria Cadenzavna Eve, and Sparkle Motion is a dance studio and talent agency for anyone of any level of skill. If you want to become a professional, of course we encourage and foster that with public performances and industry experience, but if you just enjoy dance or singing or any kind of performance for the sake of it, the space is available for you too. We have private practice rooms available to rent, and this dance space as well.

Since I'll be taking charge, I wanted to ask for expressions of interest as well. I was considering running a dance class mainly focused on using it as exercise or a way to make your movements more graceful for combat or whatever your needs may be, perhaps twice a week. There would be a small fee to join, but anyone would be welcome regardless of prior dance experience, and you'd be learning things you could take home and add to a regular exercise routine. However, I'd need at least a few people interested to run a proper class, so if you are, please be sure to contact me. If there's enough interest, I'll set up a test class sometime soon.

That's all for now. Thank you, and I hope to see some of you at the studio. [She bows a little to the camera before the video ends. A few seconds later, the address of the studio is added to the opening comment in text.]

Comments

video ♔ from Apollo

[priforprince]

A worthy successor.

[ SOMETHING GOOD CAME OUT OF BARRY LEAVING

She has something to think about aside from this unpleasant unsettled sensation! And that it's weird to not get inordinately happy out of nowhere when the midnight anime comes on!

Her day is looking up! ]

Unfortunately, CelePara Talent Agency is about to polish itself even further. If you don't shine with your full radiance, you won't be seen.

[ Come at her, Queen. ]

[declamando]

[Well, she was certainly expecting something to come from Hibiki about this, and she pushes her smile to something a bit more suited to the stage.]

There's a little restructuring to be done, but I assure you we'll come back in full force once things are sorted out. [They've lost a lot of members, honestly; the agency isn't much more than her right now. But she's been entrusted with it, and so she'll carry it on.]

[priforprince]

I'd hope so. If you were to give a lackluster showing after your renaissance, it'd disappoint the audience.

[ Whatever form that showing may take. In a way, Hibiki is pleased to hear Maria stressing the dance lessons portion of Sparkle Motion. It forms a nicely contrasting opposition to CelePara's ideals, which makes for better drama.

The play's the thing, okay. ]

[declamando]

I'm afraid there are a few other factors at play, but of course, I plan to handle them as best I can.

[But she may have to find a compromise if she can't get more new recruits. It's not that common that people are dedicated enough to performance to want to make a job out of it, and here it seems there's only a very small fraction like that.]

And I may have to set aside some time to work on that...project we discussed.

[The memorial. With Barry and Tsubasa gone in the same month, she can't really validate putting it off any longer.]

[priforprince]

But of course.

[ Hibiki has been....honoring...the departed in her own way. Mostly by chucking flowers at the problem and then trying not to think about it.

Why mess with a system that she has deluded herself into thinking works? ]

I'll await both.

[declamando]

I should hope so. In the meantime, be well.

[She doesn't know how close Hibiki and Barry were, but losing a rival is somewhat sad in its own way regardless.]

[mithrarin]

...I'm going to feel like an absolute idiot asking this, but.

What kind of dance?

[Dust is about as embarrassed as they come.]

[declamando]

A patchwork, most likely. Off the top of my head, ballet and break dancing both have elements that lend themselves to that kind of use.

Something like this might put you a bit more at ease.

[She links a video underneath of capoeira being used in fighting bouts.]

Obviously we'll have to stagger based on overall experience level, but I'd like to aim for things like this.

[mithrarin]

[That video gets Dust down a rabbit hole for a bit, leaving him thoughtful by the time he gets back to the conversation.]

...I'm going to feel like an idiot all through this, but I'm supposed to be trying new things. So why not. If nothing else, I can lean some new moves. That actually... looks a little like my style anyway.

[declamando]

I'm sure you'll be fine. Dance isn't just a frivolous thing, you know. [Maria feels she needs to make that much clear, at least.]

If you already fight a little like that, it should be useful for you anyway. Give you more to work with, potentially.

[mithrarin]

Yeah... when it comes to crusades across a kingdom to bring justice to a people on the bring of genocide, it just kind of feels trivial, you know? Same as everything else. That's the sort of mindset I'm trying to break.

[He's trying to joke about it.]

[declamando]

[That's definitely a bit of a surprising turn of conversation, and one Maria hasn't heard from him previously. So it gets a concerned frown from her very quickly.]

Did something happen? Or I suppose I should be asking if you remembered something.

[fauxcalibur]

I sing and play several instruments, but I wouldn't call myself much of a dancer.

I do learn quite quickly, though, even more so since I arrived here. And I find myself with more free time than I really know what to do with.

[declamando]

Any level of experience is welcome. And if you ever need a place to practice your singing or instruments, keep us in mind.

I'll put you down as a potential interested party, then? It is good to have hobbies - all work all the time is never very beneficial. And given the chance to learn new things, why not?

[fauxcalibur]

Certainly!

You could say I spend more time on my hobbies than my work. A bit shameful, but unfortunately true.

[declamando]

Well, I suppose it depends on what your hobbies are. Working on your hobbies and actually working aren't always mutually exclusive. I was a musician in my world as well, for example, so singing and dancing is both a hobby and a job for me.

[fauxcalibur]

I was a king in life, so diverting my attention as much as I did certainly didn't reflect well on me!

[declamando]

I see. But distracted or not, you must at least be used to holding a high position as we have to do in this world. I'm used to fame, but not so much this kind of power.

Video

[littledove]

[Tilting her head, Kobato considers the message. Music... is it?]

I'm not sure if I can dance but I like to sing. Do you need to be able to do both?

[declamando]

[Maria offers the girl a kind smile.]

Of course not. I can teach you to dance if you're interested, but if you'd prefer to just sing, that's fine too. I can help you with it as well.

[littledove]

I don't mind. It sounds like fun!

[She doesn't know if she enjoyed it in her past but she thinks it would be fun now.]

Um, I just arrived so I don't have any money right now.

[She doesn't want to ask her god for money either, that sounds selfish.] But if you tell me the starting fee then I'll work to earn it!

[declamando]

That's what's most important. If you enjoy it, the audience will know.

[Spoken like someone very familiar with the experience, and very passionate about it.

At Kobato's offer, Maria waves a hand.] That's fine, I'm sure we can work something out. I wouldn't turn down some help with maintenance since it's just me here now.

[littledove]

Really?

[Her eyes widen, excitement clear and shining in her face. She doesn't think Kija will mind. Of course she'll ask, but this... it sounds exciting!]

I would love to help! I promise to work really really hard! Just tell me what to do!

(Video; from Dali)

[stonebird]

Lady Maria, I am so sorry. I recall speaking to him once or twice and he seemed a kind man. (If a bit odd.) I am interested in your dance class.

[declamando]

He was. I'm hoping to do our studio justice even without him here. [While Maria's smile is a little sad, it becomes more genuine once she can focus on the other matter.]

Excellent. It seems like a few people are, so I should be able to put something together, even if it's small. Some might express interest once there's something more solid arranged.