Completed Dancer of Silks

[Savacea Jovellana]

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Dancer of Silks

34th, Summer 515 Av

Savacea walked into the ran down building, that was the dance studio in Black Rock. Stretching her arms high above her head, she stretched her lithe body out, with a small yawn. She had paid for the whole Summer, hoping to garner some skills of her mother's favorite past time, Aerial Dancing. At first, she only did this to feel closer to her mother who had passed, it wasn't something she actually enjoyed herself. Savacea felt like, the more sweat, the more sore muscles, the closer she came to her mother. However, as of late, she had developed a fondness for it herself. It required more endurance and acrobatics then she originally thought. The challenge was appreciated, as it kept her mind off other things in life, making her focus on accomplishing something for herself, something of worth.

The Symenestra padded on the dusty floor, to begin her stretches before dancing. The dust beneath her feet seemed to jump out of her way, as it floated into the air, dancing in the streams of sunlight escaping through various cracks and crannies of the old building. Savacea inhaled deeply, the musty scent of an old building permeating her senses, making her nose wrinkle slightly. She was not one to judge, it was after all, managed by a ghost. Everything inside seemed to be as dead as she was. Paint and wallpaper peeled from the old walls, no longer the vibrant shades of white, but a dingy yellow. Mirrors at the ballet bar were broken and shattered, the shards still lying on the floor below. The floors, though old, were still sturdy even though they were covered in a thick dust. The dance studio appeared haunted and in a way, it kind of was.

Savacea sat down on the floor, widening out her legs, bringing her head down to her right knee, stretching her arms out to grasp her right foot's toes. Switching to the other leg she did the same. She felt her leg muscles protest slightly, but stretched all the same. After that she stretched her abnormally long arms in the middle, stretching outwards until her forehead rested on the dusty floor. Her leg and back muscles stretching out.

She rose up, going down in a side-ways splits, leaning forward then backward to stretch out more muscles. After a few minutes of this, she rose to her feet again. Spreading out her legs, she bent her back but kept her knees locked as she reached for her toes, bouncing a little bit as she did so, stretching the muscles out as far as they would go. Finally finished with the stretches she bobbed on her heels a bit, shaking her arms and hands, enjoying the loose feeling of her muscles now.

Variken entered then, giving her a wide smile and a nod of his head for greeting. Savacea returned the smile and followed him to the silks that were dangling from the ceiling of the studio.

"Today we will be doing something called a drop on the silks. It is dangerous for those of our kind, since we are fragile then most. But our kind also excel at it, because we can climb and cling on things so easily. Though Symenestra excel at Aerial Dancing, precautions still should be made, because it is still dangerous if you make a wrong move, or do not lock your feet into the silks before dropping." Variken explained in a stern tone that spoke of seriousness as he gazed intently at Savacea. She nodded her understanding, nibbling a little on her lower lip and looking up at the silks. She knew she could do it, she had confidence in herself that she could. However, with Variken's stern demeanor on being cautious with the drop, she did second-guess herself a little.

She watched the man mount himself on the silks, climbing up to the top fluidly and quickly, keeping his feet locked in the silks as he inched himself up, moving with the ability only Symenestra had. Savacea inhaled deeply, exhaling loudly, then followed him up the silks, being as fluid but not as quick since this was still something that was new to her. She climbed extremely well, her kind were masters at climbing, but the warning of Variken's made her climb a little slower, being a little more cautious at what she was doing. Whether this would be beneficial or not, would be seen in the future.

Common | Symenos | Thoughts

[Savacea Jovellana]

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The Drop-- Part One

Once Savacea had made it to where Variken was, she peered over at him, "So do we begin like we normally would or is there something different that we will be doing today?" Savacea asked in a whisper, peering around at the studio below. Strid's place looked even more haunted from above, when one could see the entirety of it. The place looked surreal in a way. As if this was all just a dream and she wasn't actually here with Variken, dangling above the studio on silks. Although, she knew she was here, so the need to pinch herself hard died away as Variken's thick voice brought her back from her thoughts.

"We will begin by parting the silk into two pieces like we normally would do. Then we will lift our body, flip upside down, locking her legs and feet into the silks. Like this..." Variken trailed off as he expertly flipped upside down, locking his feet and legs into the silks. He made a gesture with his clawed hand for Savacea to follow suit. Savacea gulped a knot she had just realized formed in her throat, nodding her head nervously.

With her long clawed hands, she parted her mother's silks into two separate entity's. Lifting herself up and slightly away from the parted silk, she pushed her legs between the two and flipped over. Holding tightly and keeping her body lifted with her hands, as she wrapped the silk around her left leg, locking in her left foot, then doing the same with her right leg, locking in the right foot. Now she was suspended above the studio, hanging upside down, with Variken at her side. She breathed a bit heavy, not from exertion, mainly for being nervous at how her fragile body was now above that dusty studio floor. She vaguely thought that if she were to fall, perhaps the thick dust coating would act as a cushion. She smiled at her thoughts, turning to Variken.

"Why are you smiling? Do I have something in my teeth?" Variken made a sour looking face as he tried to find the culprit between his teeth. Savacea laughed lowly and shook her head, "Oh no, there is nothing between your teeth, I was just thinking about something. Sorry. Please continue." Savacea explained as mirth danced in her red eyes at the male Symenestra's silly behavior. He gave a nod, to agree that the should continue with the lesson.

"Now you will want to bring the separated silks, behind your back making an X symbol on your back. Then bring the right piece from behind you to the front, bringing it up and over your light leg, letting it rest in the crease of your right thigh area." After explaining verbally her demonstrated it physically, swiftly getting the silk in his crease and looking over at Savacea. "Now do it with the left side as well, locking your foot back in." As he spoke he worked his hands and body, after he was down he lifted his body up right no longer hanging downwards. The silks were wrapped around his legs and he appeared to be locked in really well. His body was straight and strong, as he lifted it up slightly by pulling on the silks with his hands.


Savacea followed his instructions, making the X behind her back, bringing first the right piece to the front and putting it through the center of her right side, making she that it rest in the crease there, then doing the same with the left side. Making sure both of her feet were locked back in, she lifted herself back upright, letting out a breath as it was a bit demanding on the body to be hanging upside down for that long. Resting slightly now, she inhaled and exhaled rythmetically, to calm her racing heart. Small beads of sweat finally began to appear on her forehead. She swiped them off with the back of her hand, peering over at Variken. "Okay I am ready now." She said slightly breathlessly. He gave a nod and lifted the two strands of silk up in the middle of his legs, keeping them at about his belly button region he stilled for a moment. Grasping the silks in his hands, he breathed evenly.


Tilting his body forwards, he flipped a few times getting closer to the ground below, then stopped, his legs extended and toes pointed and the two silks still in his hands as his strong dancer's body twirled slightly in the silks. It was a beautiful sight to behold. Many found their kind to be monstrous, lacking human features, ugly. Savacea found the man to be none of that, he was pleasing to look at. His arms were long like all Symenestra but it just added to his dancer's physique she thought. He had black claws on his hands, but they were still admirable to her. Symenestra are different then typically humans, Savacea thought, we are better. With that she smiled smugly, and lifted the separated silks in the middle, bringing them to her belly button.

She inhaled deeply, then exhaled slowly. Rhythmically breathing, meditating on the task at hand, so panic did not seep into her body and ruin everything she had worked for thus far. Letting go of all her cares and worries she inhaled again, tilting her body forwards. She flipped a couple of times on the silks and came a little to close to the floor then she would of liked. Also her legs were slightly bent and she forgot to point her toes. She twirled slightly in the silks, her heart pounding ever so slightly in her chest. She did not appear as graceful and beautiful as Variken, but at least she made it with out falling to her demise.

"Next time you need to climb a little higher so you do not land so close to the floor. Remember to keep your legs stretched out and your toes pointed as well. That way you appear to be more fluid then...well...awkward." The man explained chuckling a little at her awkward posture.

She was so close to the ground that when she pointed her toes they almost touched. Savacea almost screwed up royally, she could have been hurt if she were a half inch further down on the silks. So she committed to memory to climb higher on the silks, so she would not hit the floor. She unraveled her body from the silks, stretching it slightly when she was on the ground again.

"You did well, it was rookie mistakes, do not take it to heart. With more practice you will be a graceful dancer." Variken said reassuringly, patting her shoulder gently. The coldness of his claws on her warm body making her shiver slightly. She gave him a smile and a nod.

"Hopefully you are right and I will not make a fool of myself." She laughed, though it was slightly bitter, a little mad at herself for not doing it all correctly. "Anyways, can we possibly move on to the next drop?" Savacea asked, dismissing the previous conversation, as she was ready to focus on learning more.

Variken nodded, not really affected by the dismal and climbed the silks. Savacea did not mean to be as cold as she was to her teacher. It was just who she was, what she was used to. She was not used to being warm and cordial with other's. She knew she needed to work on this personality flaw, but it kept her from disappointment, from pain, but mainly from the ache of loss. Savacea gave a long sigh, as she climbed her way of the silks, remembering to climb up further this time around.

Common | Symenos | Thoughts

[center]

[Savacea Jovellana]

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Once Savacea was level with Variken, feeling she was at a safe height she gave him a nod. Variken nodded back, "Okay this next drop is one of my favorites. It is not only easy but when combined with other portions of your dance, it is beautiful and makes a statement. With this particular drop, we will not be splitting the silk. I will do it slowly so you can observed."

After his explanation he placed both hands above him, lifting his body off and slightly away from the silks. Then he flipped his body slightly upside down, which made her stomach roll a bit. She really did not want to hang like a bat again. He then wrapped the silk around his right leg, leaning back he grabbed the silk with his opposite arm, wrapping it around his left leg. Then bringing the silk around he wrapped it around his midsection, leading it to the back, then back to the front to flip it over his left shoulder. After that he grabbed the silk with both of his hands, pulling his body upwards, a little further up on the silks, letting the silk on his right leg slide to the back near his buttocks where the left side was positioned. Once in an upright position, Variken placed his hands on the silks above his head, grasping the back of them, making his elbows protrude forwards. Resting for a second he brought his right arm around, grabbing the loose silk, keeping it pulled out at his right side. His left hand stayed positioned in the same place, as he seem to count to himself, breathing rhythmically. On an inhale his left hand left the position above his head, slinging his body forward, he seemed to flip in different directions, spinning slightly, all the while his right hand kept the silk pulled out at his side. First his body flipped forward, then seemed to roll at the side, flipping over again until he was close to the floor, his face upwards at the ceiling, his back straight, legs as elegant as always, toes pointed, and posing with such finesse.

He climbed back up, once he was at eye level with her, he spoke. "Now you try it and if you need help I am here to talk you through it." He gave a grin and she exhaled slightly. That drop was fantastic, it was beautiful and executed with such grace, Savacea wondered if she would ever be as one with her body like Variken. He could bend and twist it in such a magical way on the silks, it was mesmerizing to watch him.

Savacea breathed in and out slowly, grabbing the silk with both of her hands, she lifted her body up and away from them. Slowly tilting her body back she wrapped her right leg around the silks, grasping it with her right hand to hold herself more securely she used her left hand to grab the silk that was dangling and wrapped it around her left leg. Inhaling and exhaling, trying to keep herself out of a panic, she brought it around her midsection, wrapping it towards the back then bringing it back to the front to throw over her left shoulder. Still dangling upside down she called out to Variken, "Can I go back to being right side up now?" She asked slightly breathlessly. He seemed to chuckle at her, "Yes now that you are secured into the silks you can bring your body back up. Use both hands to lift your body up on the silks." Variken instructed, and she let out a thankful breath.

Placing both of her hands on the silk, she grasped them firmly, then used her arm muscles to lift her body up, grasping the silks higher to bring herself higher, until she was finally upright again. She stayed like that for a full minute, just resting and relaxing her muscles. Peering at the silks on her legs, she made sure that both sides were near her buttocks in the back like it was supposed to be, to offer support. Once that check was done, she was ready to carry on to the next step of the drop.

Reaching behind and above her head she grabbed a hold of the silk, her elbows pointed outwards. Making sure she was secure and steady, she grabbed the loose silk with her right hand, bringing it out at her hip. She looked down, then over at Variken who gave her a reassuring nod as he descended the silk to go below where she was about to drop to. She inhaled and exhaled, calming herself, as she prepared for the drop. Once she was ready, she let go of the silk above her head, slinging her body forward she kept her right arm extended, as she twirled and flipped and landed in Variken's arms.

"That was a close one." Variken said with a smile, looking down at Savacea. She was too stunned to reply. All she knew was that she was in his arms, the silks a tangle around her body, her eyes squeezed shut with her heart pounding fiercely against her chest. "I was kidding, you would not have died or anything, perhaps broke something though. You wasn't locked in as well as you should have been. The drop itself looked amazing, but then your body slid on the silks too, causing you to almost hit the floor. It is a common mistake for beginners. That is why I am here though, to keep you from hurting yourself." Variken's voice was like a lullaby, calming her. She opened her eyes and nodded, a bit disappointed in herself.

"You can put me down now, thank you for saving me." She replied as she was released from his arms. She grabbed the silk and began to untangle it from her body. "So did I look as awkward as I did before?" Savacea asked curiously. She knew she failed the drop, but before tragedy struck she wondered if she looked at all graceful or like a tangled mess. "You looked beautiful up there, until your limbs started flailing as you were falling. You did a good job, just remember to always take the necessary precautions before letting yourself go." Variken explained it all softly. At least she didn't look like a fool the whole time. She sighed softly, rubbing the back of her neck. Her muscles were slightly sore, but it wasn't affecting her too much.

"I think we will call it a day now. Thank you for letting me teach you this Summer and I wish you the best in your endeavors in the future. Just remember that practice is essential to be fluid. You have to keep your muscles and body limber" Variken made a step away from the silks then turned back, "But most importantly, you can not give up and you should dance for yourself, not someone else." With those words the man left the studio, leaving Savacea with her thoughts.

At the beginning of the summer she was indeed dancing for her mother, not herself. Now she had just begun to understand that she was actually doing it all for herself. No longer was she trying to be someone she wasn't, instead she was becoming herself, getting to know who she was, for the first time in a long time. Tears misted her eyes and she swatted at the quickly, a bit in awe that she was finally learning who she was in this word, the revenge she wanted so dearly easing ever so slightly.

Common | Symenos | Thoughts

[center]

[Izuyanai]

Grades : Grades Name: Savacea XP: Acrobatics +1 Observation +2 Aerial Dancing +2 Lores: Aerial Dancing: Silk Drop Aerial Dancing: Dangers of Falling Notes: Let me know if you think I’ve missed something.