Quoted By:
The Dance. The Dance of the First Man and First Woman. One of the oldest dances; a courtship dance, and also a dance of tradition and stability- this is “the way things are”. It isn't the most physically difficult dances, it's simple, but it tells a story.
The first man and first woman were separate. But the man decides to go find her. That is why man is the hunter, the pursuer, but the nest belongs to the woman. It tells a story through the motions, with no words even needing to be said.
It also exemplifies Jaxtian gender roles in its motions. The man's dance is large and sweeping, cutting a great circle that gives room for the female to perform in the center, using his size and presence to give her safety. Then, when she spins, or leaps, or flings- he catches her. He provides her stability. He could expresses himself more; but he is reserved. The female portion, your portion, is the real star of the show. You twirl and move, your arms and legs working in perfect tandem, your body going exactly as you have trained all your life. It's perfect.
Somewhere in the back of your mind; a switch flipped. Not for the performance, but for your own self. It's like your brain knows this will be the greatest moment of your life- how greedily is drinks down every single experience and sensation. You remember everything with crystal clarity. The last clink of the servant's glass before the dance; as people became too enchanted to do anything but watch. The just-cool-enough near silent airflow of the air conditioning machines- the bots silently hovering in the air broadcasting it all over the Jaxtian universe- the way Cijan's shirtless body flexes in the dim light. The perfect decorations. The smell of flowers.
Your mother always told you something about your weapon. Your secret weapon; that only females have. Your sex. You never understood. Your mother didn't go around having sex with any man she wanted something from; so how could she control men without even laying a finger on them? It was gross and confusing to you; you had a different focus. It was only now you understood when you look at this blonde- who froze the moment he first saw you. You think you see it now; it's love. Love at first sight. But it's only one way. You can see the way he looks at you now. You extend your hand to him. He looks like this is a dream. You never touched him- and yet this is the way he reacts to you. Just by seeing you.
You think you're starting to get it now.
