Chapter Text
There was a river not too far from the castle that Olivia would sometimes walk to if it was nice outside when noise and crowds overwhelmed her. The sound of softly flowing water and the glow of late summer sunset provided just the kind of tranquil atmosphere Olivia had been looking for.
After a few minutes of peacefully strolling, Olivia thought she heard a voice ahead. A few more steps and she was sure of it. There was a woman with a beautiful voice singing. It was a soothing melody that felt like it was embracing Olivia’s soul. Without thinking about it, her steps began to synchronize with the rhythm, and then an arm reached delicately above her head, and then she was lost in the song, stretching, spinning, and leaping her stress out, following her heart’s improvisations and not caring when she when lost her balance on a twig or a pebble.
Gradually, Olivia drew closer to the voice as she lost track of time, until eventually she turned around and noticed Princess Azura’s hazel eyes watching her.
Olivia shrieked as she stumbled marvelously into the dirt.
“Oh, are you alright?” asked Azura, song abruptly stopped as she rushed to the dancer’s aid.
“Um… I… uh…” Olivia stuttered as Azura helped her up.
“I'm sorry if I startled you. You were just so wonderful that I couldn't look away.”
“Oh, um… thank you, and… you have such a beautiful voice,” Olivia blushed.
“Thank you,” Azura replied, looking a little bashful herself.
“Please don't stop.”
“I won't stop if you won't.”
“Um… OK,” Olivia agreed hesitantly.
Azura stepped back and began to sing again, a different song, but one with a similar mood.
Olivia tried to keep dancing, but she couldn't shake off the feeling of eyes now that she knew they were there, making it difficult to let go and become one with the music again.
“No!” she whined as her arabesque wobbled with nerves on the imperfect ground.
A hand clasped around hers, steadying her, and Azura imitated the position.
And then they danced together. Azura wasn't quite as flexible or advanced as Olivia, but she certainly knew enough to keep up with her partner while singing, although their improvisations weren't always smooth. Sometimes they flowed together nicely; other times, they failed to silently communicate and stumbled over each other, causing Azura to giggle through several notes.
As dusk fell, the air grew cold, and Azura’s voice grew sore. The two headed back to the castle together.
“Olivia?”
“Yes?”
“It's been a long time since I’ve laughed so much. Thank you.”
“It's been a long time since I've had so much fun making mistakes,” Olivia laughed in reply.