Oriah beamed at her new student's progress. "Good! Very. It's strange, people are usually either terrible at this or pick it up right away like they have been doing it all their lives. Clearly, you are part of that second group. I was the first, when I started as a child."
She said this last part with a wink, for she had not lied. And likely never would, for that matter.
As quickly as Matthew had grasped the arm movements, he was still having difficulty stringing everything together. Which was expected, and nothing to be stressed over. Oriah simply went through them again and again with infinite patience until he began to gain more fluidity between the different moves.
She was surprised, however, when he asked his next question. Certainly, a dancer needed to be the center of attention when she danced, that much was a given. But this was usually in relation to musicians, backdrops, costumes and presentation. The Benshira had never actually danced with a partner, as it was customary for individuals to dance alone or with a choreographed group. To have someone accompanying her and only her...well, it was an intriguing concept, to say the least.
Oriah couldn't help but find herself mirroring Matthew's somewhat mischievous spark. He had surprised her yet again with a side of him she did not expect to witness. Slowly, she was beginning to see why the idea of prostitution called to him; it made rather good use, as unwilling as she was to think about such things at the moment, of his many talents and interests.
In fact, the Benshira had seen quite a few courtesans during her travels of immense reputation and wealth. Seduction became an art to these highly sought after professionals, who specialized not only in carnal acts, but those of social, stylistic, and romantic natures as well. In many ways, she could see the justification in such pursuits, for they were not entirely unlike her own. She, too, sold her body to a degree, but in a meaningful, tasteful, and elevated way. Perhaps, she wondered, that was the only real difference between art and greed.
And, certainly, if there was anyone who would pursue that distinction to its very end, it would be the young man who was now determinedly dancing in a blatantly sensual manner. It fascinated her to no end, and she was sure that if Yahal disapproved she would know soon enough.
"To be honest," Oriah admitted at last to his question, "I don't believe there is. Not any that I know of, at least. But perhaps we can work on something that would allow for this?"
Thus, for the next bell or so, they worked on various ways Matthew could, in his budding abilities, complement her own dancing. It was a little tricky at first, but they managed to work through some rather innovative and delightful choreography. By the end of the lesson, Oriah was feeling downright exhausted, though her exhilaration kept most of the weariness at bay.
"I hope that wasn't too much in one night to cover," she only half joked as she and Matthew sat on a pair of wooden chairs in her sparse room. "How do you feel? Did we manage to satiate some of your curiosities and expectations?"
She leaned back in her chair, feeling tired but content and eyes sparkling as she sighed, "I can't wait to see how grand this dance will be."
I gave that which I could see fit and I might have overlooked some points here and there. But I do believe that the amount given was correct in the most part, even if it is a lot less seemingly than what Matthew earned. I hope to see this blossom into a very nice relationship between teacher and student later on! ^_^
