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Kitana's whole body stiffened when the Champion put his hand on her lower back.
“Relax, Princess,” he gently chuckled, his warm smile making her feel a little more at ease as he took her hand.
Dancing was unheard of growing up in Shao Khan’s court. Blood had to be shed for it to be considered entertainment. But during this visit to Earthrealm, Liu Kang had shown her how to work the TV and she had come across an old movie in black and white where a man wearing a top hat and a tail coat was holding a beautiful woman in a sparkling dress as they spun and leapt, and moved around the room perfectly in sync with each other. It was captivating.
Kitana asked Liu Kang what was happening and he had to explain dancing to her. Which was more difficult than he expected, as it was something that he had always taken for granted but was totally foreign to his guest.
So he offered to show her instead.
Liu Kang had taken ballroom dancing classes since he was young to help him with his movement while fighting. When Kung Lao had found out, he mocked him relentlessly. Until he realised that it was a way to meet women.
“You are going to step back on your left leg as I step forward on my right,” he explained, “then we’ll do the same with the other leg. Ready?”
The princess nodded.
“Three, two, one, step”
They gingerly moved, not quite gracefully or in time, but they did it! Kitana started to giggle at how uncoordinated she felt.
“You’re doing well, keep going!” the Champion encouraged her, trying not to catch her giggles.
He guided her through a few basic moves, and then when he was sure she had the hang of it, started playing a waltz.
“The dancers in the movie made it look so easy...” Kitana laughed
“Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers were the dancing equivalent of Champions”
“They must have been!”
The couple smiled and glided around Liu Kang’s living room until the music ended, disappointing Kitana a little. She was starting to feel like she finally knew what she was doing.
Liu Kang put on a 90s dance mix and started to bounce around and point in the air. Kitana let out a gleeful laugh and started to jump and move in time with the music. The two kombatants laughed and flailed away for hours until they collapsed on the couch, exhausted.
“You must teach me more!” Kitana beamed
“Of course, Princess”
The royal smiled.
“I think I may have to implement dancing in my court...”