Chapter Text
When Percy suggests teaching them how to dance, Vox Machina doesn’t respond well. Of course, that doesn’t surprise Vex, but Percy grows more irritated by the second.
“It’s important!” Percy insists.
“Sounds boring,” Grog says.
“What if someone asks you to dance?”
“I’ll say no.”
“What if you want to say yes?”
“Won’t happen,” Grog shrugs.
Percy pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs, “We have a certain amount of name recognition now. We need to put our best foot forward, as it were.”
“Why? These sorts of things are a way for rich assholes to impress each other,” Vax says. “Seduce each other.”
“I don’t need to know fancy steps to do that,” Scanlan proudly declares. “The real magic happens off the dance floor anyway.”
“I think it sounds fun,” Keyleth says.
“But we don’t know anyone., and the people who know us don’t like us. I doubt they will ask us to dance,“ Pike says.
“She’s not wrong, darling. In my experience, these people are very concerned with reputation,” Vex adds.
“Look, I’m not expecting you to become proficient,” Percy says. “I’m merely suggesting that you learn some basics.”
“Well, either way, Vex’ahlia and I don’t need to be here,” Vax argues. “We know all this shit.”
Percy’s frown becomes so pronounced that Vex worries his forehead might stay that way. “Are you willing to prove that?”
“Fine.”
“Leave your daggers.”
Vax gives his daggers to Vex and follows Percy out. After a moment, Scanlan gets up from his seat and nearly runs out the door.
“I’m not missing this!’
“Yeah, we should probably make sure they don’t kill each other,” Keyleth says.
They end up in the entry hall, which is a good choice for their purpose. It offers ample space and is in better condition than most of the keep.
“What do you know?” Percy asks Vax.
“Everything you do, asshole,” Vax replies coldly.
Vex can tell Vax is on the edge of snapping. She hopes he doesn’t have an extra weapon hidden somewhere, or there will be bloodshed.
Something gleams in Percy’s eyes as he asks, “The Schottische?”
“Of course.”
“Do you want to lead or follow?”
“Whatever you can’t handle.”
They approach each other slowly and end up standing side by side. Percy drapes his arm around Vax’s shoulders. Vax raises his right arm to grab Percy’s right hand, and their left hands grasp in front of Percy’s chest.
“Holy shit,” Scanlan chuckles.
Percy begins tapping a rhythm with his foot, and then the dance begins. Their right feet tuck behind their left, followed by a step and touch. Percy repeats the same motion in the opposite direction, and Vax makes a quarter turn under Percy’s arms. He ends up directly across from Percy, their joined hands drooping between them.
Vex remembers watching this dance at a ball they attended in Syngorn. She’d thought it looked fun, and when she asked why they couldn’t join, her father said it was because they didn’t know it. So, they taught themselves to spite him.
But it was never about knowledge. He didn’t want to risk people noticing his bastard half-elf children.
“Look! Vax is blushing,” Grog says, breaking her memories.
As Vax turns under Percy’s raised right arm, Vex notices the flush on his cheeks, and she almost laughs. Her brother was usually graceful, elegant, and full of calm self-assurance. She rarely sees him this unsettled.
“Wow, Percy is pretty good at this,” Keyleth says.
“That’s because he’s an asshole.”
“I can hear you, Scanlan,” Percy chides, not ever stopping the motion of his feet.
“I know.”
As Vax and Percy stop, Vex notices that Vax is still blushing. She makes a mental note to tease him about it later.
“That was quite adequate,” Percy says.
“I’m glad you approve,” Vax snaps and hurries off without even taking back his knives.
A hint of a smirk pulls at the corner of Percy’s mouth, but it’s gone when he turns back toward them.
“Do we have to learn that one?” Grog asks nervously.
“No.”
“Good.”
“Keyleth, do you know any dances?”
“A few, but it’s been a while,” Keyleth says, a blush coloring her cheeks.
“Would you care to refresh your memory?”
“I’ll probably step on your feet,” she answers.
“Better mine than someone else’s.”
“Okay,” Keyleth puts her staff on the ground and approaches Percy.
“Which one do you remember the best?”
Keyleth hesitantly takes a few steps forward and then hops on one foot.
“Yes, I know that one.”
Percy takes Keyleth’s hand, and her entire face turns bright red. They take three steps and hop on one foot. Gradually, Keyleth becomes more confident and starts to enjoy herself.
“You understated your skill, Keyleth. I’m impressed,” Percy says as he twirls her under his raised arm.
“I guess I remember more than I thought,” she replies proudly.
“I liked the other one better. It was sexier,” Scanlan comments.
Percy drops Keyleth’s hand and faces Scanlan. “Thank you, Scanlan, for volunteering to go next.”
Pike snorts so loudly that it’s almost a choke. Grog turns to her in concern and asks, “You okay, Pikey?”
“I’m great, buddies.”
Scanlan puffs out his chest and says, “Let’s do this thing.”
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Author’s note: *The dance Percy refers to as the Schottische is technically the Sweetheart Schottische, and the dance he does with Keyleth is supposed to be the Allemande.
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