FL   Th… thank you.

FL   It was an honor to perform for you all.

He’s downright panting as the small crowd of students and teachers stand in applause. Even as he steadies his breathing, he maintains perfect posture. He brushes his hair out of his eyes and begins scanning the crowd. It’s difficult to distinguish faces in the darkness from where he’s spotlighted, but you try to avoid his gaze, regardless. It’s a little embarrassing meeting those eyes.

When you meet up with him after the crowd clears, he seems to be both full of energy and exhausted. The adrenaline, perhaps. You offer him some soft claps.

YN   Bravo.

YN   The ending was particularly impressive.

He bows as you approach. You appreciate the formalities - it keeps matters from becoming too sloppy, too personal.

FL   Yuna.

FL   Thank you for your attendance once more.

FL   Tell me what you think - I have faith in today’s performance.

You’ve become acquainted this semester, and providing feedback has become routine to your relationship. He acts like it's such a generous task. It doesn’t hurt to think of it as such to fluff up your ego.

YN   I'll begin with the most glaring issue.

FL   That is a worrying start.

YN   Don't worry, it has nothing to do with the dance itself.

YN   It's everything that accompanies it.

FL   The... music?

YN   Ugh. Do you not get it?

YN   The outfit, Felix.

He looks down, genuinely incredulous.

FL   What is wrong with it?

FL   The fabric is excellent, it felt amazing to move around in.

FL   And the colors...

FL   I thought it would match the tone. Blue, and melancholic.

YN   That was where you were wrong.

YN   You are not fit for cool colors, Felix.

FL   That cannot be right.

FL   Does that mean I am forbade from an entire spectrum of hues?

YN   Yes.

YN   You’re much too warm-blooded.

FL   ...

FL   Is that not a good thing? I would hope my blood is warm.

FL   It is inside me. And I am warm.

You roll your eyes and poke his cheek.

YN   We can all see how warm you are, you pirouetting clown.

YN   That's the problem.

YN   Your performances leave you flush-faced. It's as if you're allergic to dance itself.

FL   That is... an unfortunate comparison.

YN   To your benefit, most people are too distracted by the performance.

YN   But I've been studying your expressions, and it's painfully obvious.

YN   If you can't control it, you can at least coordinate it.

YN   And it’s unbecoming to pair that with such cold colors.

FL   Ah. I suppose… you are right.

FL   This does not come as too much of a surprise.

FL   I have been working on it. My face.

FL   I believe it was... much worse, before.

He touches his cheek, still burning a little from the theatrical frenzy, you suppose.

FL   Are there colors I may experiment with, regardless?

FL   What about… purple?

YN   That’s an idea.

YN   Hmm. I could see it.

YN   Your pink could do well with blue’s warmer neighbor.

YN   As long as you keep it simple. Or analogous.

YN   Huhu. I dare say that you pull off pastels well.

YN   And I don’t say that to just anyone.

His expression seems distracted, not pleased. A twinge of irritation hits you, but then, you ponder. Why purple? He’s never planned this far ahead when it comes to color-coordination.

Then, a thought occurs, and you narrow your eyes at him.

YN   It’s her, isn’t it?

Little makes his posture break completely, yet that innocuous question causes him to stumble backwards, eyes widened.

YN   I knew it.

YN   She’s roped you into her sessions, haven’t you?

FL   What do you mean?

FL   I... have only attended a few!

Of course she’d prey on the pre-eminent dancer of the class. She has brought him up before, though only in an off-handed way and in reference to your supposed friendship with him. As much as you respect her wit and grace, you don’t trust her as far as you could dip her.

Not that you care that much about the boy before you. It’s just… you’ve done too much work to see him fall, at least by her devices. It wouldn’t be right.

YN   Don't get so wound up.

YN   Frankly, I don't care if you meet with her or not.

YN   I suppose someone has to keep her company. She all too often is trouble on her own.

YN   But, take it from someone who knows her.

YN   If she’s frightening you, you can just walk away.

YN   Her only power over you is her own persuasion.

FL   ...I see.

FL   How… did you know it was her?

YN   Huhu.

YN   Because only she has a way of crawling into your mind.

YN   Like a shadow behind every light.

As the words leave your lips, you realize that you spoke them with a little fondness. Could your words of warning be… territorial? Now, that’s a thought to unpack later. Perhaps never.

FL   That is an apt description.

FL   She is… very strange, to be certain.

FL   Haunting. Unknown.

FL   I do not understand her at all.

FL   Though, I do not understand many things here.

YN   An understatement.

FL   Yourself included.

He gives you a meaningful look. You give one right back.

YN   I hope that’s flattery, for your sake.

FL   Those words are what I mean.

FL   It is not… straightforward, as you say.

FL   How you feel. And how you expect me to feel.

YN   The world is an obfuscating and indirectly communicative place, I'm afraid.

YN   You'll have to accustom yourself to it.

FL   Yes.

FL   That is how I have grown used to your presence, I suppose.

YN   ...

It's unsettling to think that you feel the same. As soon as he arrived, he was swarmed by suck-ups and sycophants. You’ve approached him more strategically - initially, to assess him as the most threatening competitor. And you were dismayed to see that his dancing skills put him at the top, with you at a close second. It would usually be enough to want to see him fall from his tower.

But, really, do you want to spin on a stage for the rest of your life? You can settle for second-best. You excel in countless other ways, after all.

FL   I did not think I would need companionship.

FL   But your company is the closest I have. I can rely on it.

FL   I am thankful for it.

FL   Perhaps you cannot express that. But I can.

YN   ...hmph.