The Blue Spirit ღ (Zuko x OC)

Chapter ⅩⅤ: Dance of the Blue-eyed Crane

Miss Akihiko's green eyes watched Nala intently, her chin roosted in her fingers as she gestured to her to move with her other hand. Chikaro, the sweet looking girl and Qigo, the boyish looking girl with the short hair who sat beside her looked on with anticipation. Nala froze completely as she stood before them. Ying made his way over to her, turning her to face him.

"Come, look at me, Blue-eyes." She did as commanded of her. His eyes, though they were the same green as the other's, seemed to comfort her. "Shake it out." He said, and began to shake her by the shoulders, causing her to giggle. "Feel better? Now, keep your eyes on me."

He takes a step backward, reaching an open arm out toward her. She lays her wrist upon his, and takes a cautious step. He follows, letting her take the reigns of their dance, easing comfortably into motion. She feels the weight fall to the wayside as she leads Ying fantastically through different forms. She let's her voice roll from her chest in joyous warbling. Chikaro joins in, harmonising with her from the crowd, Qigo clapping along with encouragement. As the dance drew to an end, the audience of three applauded the duo, Chikaro leaping from her seat.

"Looks like we have a new act." Miss Akihiko said. Ying took a bow, and Nala followed suit as Miss Akihiko stood. "Very well done. Take good care of each other, now. This troupe isn't just a group of misfit dancers — we're a family. And you need to put trust in your partner. Understood, Nala?"

She nodded with recognition. Miss Akihiko left for her caravan.

"Don't worry, Nala. Miss Akihiko really liked you, I can tell. She just means we gotta look out for each other. You and Ying just have to be like Qigo and I." Chikaro chirped.
"No one is as close as you and Qigo." Ying said and Qigo pulled her head down as she lit up like a red lantern. Chikaro curled her arm around her girlfriend and dance partner.

*✧*

Miss Akhiko sat before Nala, measuring her face with the handle of a brush, doing calculations in her head. She used her fingers to tilt Nala's head up and down.

"What to do with such an unusual face." She mused. "Ah, we'll work in motifs of loss, contrasting your youth with your shadows. How's that sound?"

Nala, at a complete loss for what she was saying murmured.

"Sounds perfect."
"Drama, my sweet, we create drama." She said with a look of determination as she began her work.

When she was finished, Nala walked out from the caravan to the back of the stage where she was met with a smirking Qigo and Ying, and Chikaro who looked as if she was about to leap from her skin. Chikaro handed her a mirror. Nala was taken aback by her appearance: her pale face was even more pale, her freckles were hidden beneath a thick layer of white makeup. Her cheeks were the colour of red apples, and her eyes were lined with striking blacks and reddish-browns that dripped a ways down her cheeks. Most striking were the dark red paint that covered her top lip and the centre of her bottom lip. There were beautiful beads in her hair, which was half-up-half-down, done in intricate twists of hair. She was glued to the mirror for a moment, wondering how Miss Akihiko had managed it.

"You look amazing!" Chikaro said, taking the mirror back. Qigo, who was painted with greens, turquoise and blacks, was marvelling at the work of art that had been hung upon Nala's face.
"Think I'd suit those colours, Chi?"
"You suit every colour, love." Chikaro replied.
"I might have to try those out one day." Qigo mused.
"Just remember Nala, you don't have to be nervous because it isn't you on stage, it's— ... uh ... Who is she meant to be, Miss Akihiko?"