Chapter 23: Dance Practice681Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX36uFh8BjH
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The final day of the festival came and, just as before, there was busywork happening outside in the circle and things were being set up in a large park that was north of the circle. Racks and funnels had been set up in the park for the grand finale, a fireworks show that was set to consist of many colors and designs. There was a section being set with seating for the live music that would accompany the ceremonial dance. Torches were set up around the shrine in the center of the cities to be lit once night came. Tonight was to show honor to the final Goddess, the Goddess of the Wind, Goddess Kisa.681Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJbJnBITJS
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“So…why are we doing this again?” Marenzo asked as he watched her set down several items, most of which were metal and stones intended for jewelry making.681Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5thVZ1TFFP
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“We are going to both make something. I want to leave something special at the shrine like the others will do.” Alura answered excitedly as she had woken up early from excitement to take part and enjoy the last night there with Marenzo.681Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyknGA8r0C
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Marenzo released a yawn as he had been enjoying sleeping in before being woken up. “You do know we got all day, right?”681Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFzw4w4WEF
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“I know that, but Trim told me that on the last night people can leave offerings at the shrine. They can be almost anything so I just had to get something for us both to leave!"681Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVpkWmrbaR
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“You are way too perky this early in the morning after last night.” He yawned and stretched. “Why can’t you just relax and be calm or did that demon swap out the real Alura for a hyper feline?” he chuckled before it quickly ended. “Ack!”681Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzm7De2cPwR
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Alura was tight fisted with her eyes closed and anger on her face. “You do know that was rude to say and you should feel regret for insulting me. Jerk face.” She stated quietly then opened her eyes to see him sitting up and the stone falling to bounce off the bed, landing on the floor with a clank.681Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaX34AYPMF
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“That wasn’t very nice to do to your lover.” He rubbed his forehead which now bore an imprint from the shaped object.681Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtdPOgHT7i
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“Whoever said we were lovers?”681Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBVM8k6UIz
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“You did last night~” he cooed before moving his head out of the way of another stone.681Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZu6qg1Uyw
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“I did not!” she snapped as her voice cracked while her cheeks lit up like instant flames had been ignited. “I said I love you, not that we are lovers.” She closed her eyes defiantly to try ceasing her blushing. “There is a difference.”681Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQ7VFI7pLh
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“Like what exactly?”681Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSc0J9Ms3V
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She opened her eyes and a hand began to mess with her pulled back hair. “Um…well for starters…” she scrunched her face a bit as she thought. “Lovers imply we are sleeping together, which we are not and so that means we just love each other. We are not lovers one bit in the slightest, so there.” She stuck her tongue out at him as she released her hair.681Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3X9Njrz7Vm
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He pouted and got up, retrieving the stones and made his way over to the sofa and sat down. “Alright then, how do I begin?” she squealed happily he was joining in and began to explain to him her idea for them to offer up hand crafted necklaces.681Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5L9xGSMRLa
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Elsewhere in the city, the three had been hard at work learning the steps and movements of the traditional dance. The steps and movement were similar to what one would see with belly dancing. They also switched between slow and quick for their speed and were very in sync, almost like swimmers in the water. There was even a section where one that was the lead got a solo with the others accompanying her moves.681Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsNgIcExFs
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There was a man playing the song on mandolin as the women danced. It was during a spin part of the leader’s dance that Rose swallowed a piece of bite sized food. The woman instructor clapped once they were done and in their final poses. “Wonderful! Just remember to keep it tight and have fun.”681Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xOyknSHvE
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“Yes, Mrs. Hoyda.” The group said in unison.681Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkttNoeBpxC
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“I’m not feeling so well.” Rose moaned as she touched her forehead. Her complexion was looking starting to look clammy. One of the other dancers came over and gently removed Rose’s hand as she felt for a fever.681Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60H41mP9w6
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Gilia looked over from smoothing out her opened front skirt that was attached to her ankles. “Wonder what’s going on.” She mumbled as her hands began to mess with the skirt length fabric that hung between the front flaps of the skirt.681Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeUr7fYOCm
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“Easy,” Tina began with a quiet voice as she messed with to adjust her top that showed her belly. It had a teardrop gemstone hanging so it rested above her bellybutton and one of her thin shoulder straps had begun to slip. “Rose is going into part two of the plan.” She answered bluntly. “Seriously, did they combine fabric with olden armor or something for these shoulder covers?” she complained under her breath.681Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgd3nOlCkat
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“Oh, yea, I almost forgot.” She moved a hand up to move the backwards net-like vail that had small diamond cut stones dangling off the ends. “Is she sure this is going to work? There’s no promise he’ll be going near there.”681Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyTiRyUnwj
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“She’s sure. If he’s smitten with that commoner as much as he seemed, there is a high chance he’ll pick the best spot for a private moment with her during the finale.” Tina twisted the separated serpent curled golden arm band on her upper right arm. She then slid her left round band down a bit as she watched a small group fanning and checking on a now sitting Rose.681Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyI3Huug8V
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“What’s going on? What’s wrong?” Mrs. Hoyda asked with concern as she got past two of the women.681Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEqCjScPNG
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A blond looked up from her kneeling beside Rose. “We’re not sure. She does feel to have a fever.”681Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBJGttgt5n
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“I think I’ll be okay. I just ate something wrong last night at the banquet.” Rose spoke up before her face twisted as she winced and wrapped her arms around her stomach.681Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HGGeNkNuU
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Hoyda shook her head. “Out of the question, you are staying here to rest. I will have another come in that did it last time to fill in.”681Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlRlIawqza
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“Are you sure that is fine?”681Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTkCK0DNic
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“Yes, now,” she pointed to a blond and redhead. “Cleara and Jade, help Rose to her room so she can rest. You all can mingle as I see if one of the previous dancers can fill in.” The pair nodded and helped Rose up, heading to her room as Hoyda went to another room to use the phone.681Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXOs61z2Tk
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Minutes later once she was alone, Rose slipped out of bed and carefully plucked a cloak off the wall. She returned to bed as she folded the fabric and hid it under the pillow before climbing back in. She reached down the top and pulled out a fruit that resembled a strawberry and took another bite as she was starting to lose her sweat.681Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIrVcNb1qU
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