Dancing In the Dark- a Sophitz Story

The Opening Ceremonies

<Sophie's POV>

I nervously pace behind the curtain, thinking to myself: What if I mess up?

Being unmatchable, an anomaly, an experiment, an alicorn DNA model, a superpowerful elf who became a regent at 16 makes you feel constantly nervous and doubting yourself.

I know I've practised a billion times, but I still worry. At least Fitz was there to comfort me for a little while. He promised he'd bag a seat at the front to cheer me on alongside Grady and Edaline, just as Keefe would whoop and holler with Mr and Mrs Redek for Marella

Magnate Letos voice resonates resoundingly around the auditorium, his voice magnified and slightly shaking the floor. After the six levels do their dances and performances, it will be my turn.

After a while, the first years put on their newly improved prowling and skulking gremlin dance, with odd noises and sounds popped in here and there.

The second year, don shiny and awkward sapphire blue halycon costumes and demurely squawk and limp around the stage in an injured manner. I'm quite glad I missed the opening ceremonies for my second year.

Then follow the third years and their infamously embarrassing stomp stomp twirl dance routine. It ends rather chaotically, with one of the prodigies tripping over their abnormally large trunk.

After that, the red and orange clothed, stringy sabre toothed tigers costumes. They leap and growl to a rimba rhythmic beat. They are sent off the stage with rambunctious applause.

The fifth year took the stage in lime green dragon costumes, with leathery viridian green accented wings. They leap and twirl and gracefully do a ballet style flying routine.

The sixth troops onto the stage with a shaggy white and silver yeti costume that is perfectly abominable (snowman, hehe) and realistic. They are loud and stomp wildy around the stage in some sort of battle combat remake of the 'War of the Abominable Snowman'.

Soon enough, it's our turn to take the stage.

I gulp and recite the incantation a couple of times hurriedly under my breath as Biana approaches me fron behind.

She smiles, her perfectly glossed lips plump and supple. Although her smile collapses a second later and is replaced by a nervous and anticipating demeanor. She rests a hand on my shoulder reassuringly, "You can do this,"

Tam takes her by the arm and whispers something in her ear. She gives him a slight grin and clasps his hand tightly.

Magnate Leto appears, sweating, and asks everyone to form a line, Dex looking mildly disgruntled at being pushed in front.

I'm fifth in line, with Biana behind me, Marella in front of me, followed by Jensi, Stina, and Linh in standing in front of her.

"Good luck, you can do this," Magnate Leto whispers to us, flashing a smile, before shimmying off with a dramatic swish of his dark silk cloak.

"And now, the Elite levels, Level One, Silver Tower." The narrators voice announces amidst a standing ovation.

Someone across the stage, behind the other side, signals for Dex to start moving. He inhales sharply, and we all make slight hurried adjustments to our appearance.

The strange budding flowers are lowered from the ceiling, looking silvery and luminescent. Dex starts to stride across the stage, leading the rest of us.

As soon as I surpass the curtain, I glance at the audience. Even though this is my third time in front of them, I still feel intimidated by the hundreds upon thousands of elves watching.

My eyes search the first few front rows, and I lock eyes with a smiling, proud Grady, who's matching in elegant and beautiful shades of silver with Edaline- who cheers me on wholeheartedly

Then my eyes move to the figure directly in front of them. Brown eyes meet a teal oasis of joy and pride. His dark hair gelled immaculately, and somehow, he looked even more handsome and regal than before. He pumps his fist in the air and grins so widely that my eyes are temporarily blinded by his pearly white teeth. Oh Gods, I love him.

My eyes skim over to Keefe (who cheers on Marella and holds a hand painted sign that says, "Go, Marella, my love!"), and my heart feels a slight pang of guilt and pain, but I steady myself with the thought of it loving Fitz.

Lost in thought, I nearly crash into Marella, who stopped abruptly to take her place.

Steadying myself with heated cheeks, I face the flower in front of me, that seems to taunt me. I bite my lip- I CAN DO THIS. SOPHIE- YOU CAN FO TNIS

The audience holds their breath anticipatedly and hushens down, settling into their seats expectedly.

I take a few short breaths and simultaneously alongside my classmates, mutter an incantation, channelling light and warmth through my arm, and face my palm outwardly towards the flower in front of me. We do a few steps of a dance with our feet in unison and say the words again.

Now, we wait.

I gulp and shut my eyes tightly for a second.

Slowly but surely, the flower bud starts to blossom and bloom magnificently and majestically.

I breathe out a sigh of relief- I did it.

Actually- I may have mentally transmitted it out of excitement- YES I DID IT! I DID IT! I PASSED!

And the next thing I know, my head is filled with ...

SOPHIE SOPHIE SOPHIE

FRIEND FRIEND FRIEND

DID IT DID IT

YAY YAY YAY YAY

CELEBRATE CELEBRATE CELEBRATE

SOPHIE FRIEND DID IT YAY CELEBRATE GLITTERBUTT HAPPY

I have to smile widely at that. Silveny's enthusiasm is greatly appreciated.

***

Fitz tackles me with a bear hug, as I breath in his masculine and woody scent. He pulls back to look at me, "You look beautiful. And you did it! Did you hear me screaming?"

Grady clears his throat pointedly and Edaline apologetically smiles at us, then leads him away, lecturing him on "Appreciatinv Young Love".

"Yes, I did!" I exclaim, although it was probably clashed with the thousand other voices in the mix.

He grins and runs his hands through his hair.

I'd taken my seat beside him, and my handbag, the various pockets in my pantyhose and my hands were full of the treats that had rained down on us.

"And now, wanna go somewhere?" Fitz asks, staring into my eyes.

"I thought we're celebrating the bonfire at your house with everyone?" I question back.

"Yes, but we still have an hour to spare before we have to be there. You really wanna spend it at Foxfire, especially after all, we only have tifay and this weekend together before you move into the Silver Tower full time." He sadly says.

"Well, you're beaten. Okay let's go. Where to?" I grin, stroking his arm.

"You'll see," and he whisks us away in a path of light.