The Blade Dance

“I’m sorry Lorelei,” Red said with concern, “I don’t think that would be appropriate.” 

Daedalians resembled bipedal jackals. Lorelei had the common brown-and-black fur patterns, while Rejita had the uncommon reddish fur. The fur was why she had taken the name ‘Red’ while in exile, and it was the name her closest friends called her. 

Since her triumphant return, ‘Red’ was now usually known by her true name: “Queen Rejita of Daedalia,” but she loved her friend, and would respond to ‘Red’ if necessary. 

She was panting, fur soaked with perspiration. Red was dressed in training robes, her arm was sore from swinging her Daedalian blade - the short chopping sword of her people. Red had spent the afternoon in her favorite workout routine: sparring with her guards. The two were in the palace gymnasium, among the safety mats. 

“How would it be inappropriate, your highness?” Lorelei asked, tilting her head. 

Lorelei was welcome to call her Red, but she never did: She was far too proper. Red flattened her ears as she responded, wiping her blade with a rag. 

Rejita was no delicate royal. Ever since the occupation had forced her from her homeworld she had fought and clawed for survival in the harshest planets that didn’t care if she was a royal. The experience had only tempered her body and spirit like a well forged blade. She had returned to her homeworld in triumph, she had taken a mate and given birth to a fine young son. Now, after an intense training session, she was facing one of her own guards.

“The newly-returned queen of Daedalia, dancing in... that manner?”

Lorelei shook her head. “There’s nothing scandalous about it - it’s a respected art form on many worlds, and there are even plenty of fitness classes that use it.” Red folded her arms, while Lorelei pressed her case. “Fusion dance takes bits and pieces from countless planets, even Daedalia and Earth along with various others. It’s beautiful.”

Red sighed. “I don’t know, Lorelei.” 

“You’re the queen! No one is going to have a problem with it, and if they do they’ll have a problem with everything else you do. What are you afraid of?”

Red bared her teeth. “I never said I was afraid.” 

Lorelie grinned. “Your baby bump is long gone. You look just as good as you did before giving birth to Larkin.” 

Red held a claw up. “Treading the line there, Lorelei.” 

Lorelei bowed her head. “Forgive me highness. But I think it would be a nice change of pace for you, and the rest of us guards who’re still nursing bruises.” 

Red looked like she was considering it. 

“I’ll do it with you,” Lorelei offered. 

Red nodded. “Alright, I’ll try it then.” 

Lorlei made a bit of a squeal. “You won’t regret it! This will be so much fun!”   

Red smiled a bit, her sharp teeth flashing. 

Months passed and in between motherhood and running affairs of state, Red and Lorelei looked up videos and practiced the moves. The Fusion dances were just as they sounded, taking elements from multiple cultures and putting them together into something that worked. The two females laughed with one another at their clumsy first attempts and their multiple falls and fails. But they gradually grew more confident. 

After all, the two were seasoned fighters - and if they could fight, they could dance. Finally a day came when they felt confident in putting it all together. A small crowd of trusted friends, and loved ones had gathered around the palace gymnasium. 

Among them was Treasor, Red’s mate and captain of the guard. 

“I have no idea what they’ve got planned,” he muttered holding his toddler son in his arms, the young prince of Daedalia. “What about you Gray?” 

An older male Daedalian with a graying muzzle chortled. “No, I only know Rejita and Lorelei have started some new workout regime that they wish to show.” 

Out of view in the locker room Red took a nervous breath. This was silly. She’d faced off against voracious predators, assassins, bandits, and weathered fierce storms. 

Why was she nervous now?

Red was dressed in a slit skirt of green with a gold trim, her chest covered by a midriff-baring blouse of a similar design, except blue and silver. 

“Are these outfits necessary?” Red asked. 

Lorelie shrugged as she was similarly dressed. “They’re no different than traditional Daedalian female garb, except without a saree.”

“Hmm,” ‘Red’ grunted as she and Lorelei both held Daedalian blades they had found dance routines that utilized a sword.

“We’re just having a bit of fun with loved ones and cutting loose. Relax.” Lorelei smiled encouragingly. “Alright, let’s do this. Start the music.”    

With a deep breath the two friends stepped out from behind the locker room. Red felt the familiar beat of Daedalian drumming, while the alien tones of instruments known as a “piano” and “violins” joined it. Red closed her eyes and let her feet do what they were born to do, and the two began a sequence of footwork and kicks. The blade danced through the air as it had been made for this very purpose, in time with their footwork and twirls.

They made a turn, then Lorelei kicked a foot high as Red copied the motion in her opposite direction, both female jackals turned their backs to one another with their weapons crossed in an X formation. The music crescendoed, Red spun back around in time with Lorelei, who mirrored her.

They locked eyes with one another as they each slid a hand down their own torso, the music swelling in volume before the pace of their movements quickened as they twirled together, spinning blades and feet and arms and legs a blur in time to the music. They leaped together, then did a double pirouette on their landing.

The beat continued as the music built into a climax. After a minute and a grand crescendo, it came to an end. Red was panting as she stared into the stunned face of her mate, while the rest of their loved ones broke out in cheers.

It was just the opening act, the next part was a more traditional bellydance as  the two balanced the blunt parts of their blades upon their heads while shaking their bodies in a coordinated effort to make the coins fastened to the edge of their clothing jingle together in harmony.

It was the same sequence as they had practiced before, but now the routine felt different. Their loved ones were there, and they were having fun with each other.

Rejita didn’t mind if it wasn’t perfect. She just felt free.

Slowly the two bent back keeping the blades balanced on their heads as they shimmied their hips back and forth. They were careful to not overdo it with their young son and mate looking on, and not to make it too raunchy for those present. 

The two rose up as they rolled their stomachs in unison and let the blade fall from their heads before setting the weapons aside and changing the dance as they worked their hips, when Red popped hers to the right Lorelei popped hers to the left, as they alternated their hip pops. They swung their tails as they undulated their bodies together.

Lorelei held her arms above her head as her stomach rolled up and down in a mesmerizing display as Red followed sit the two looked almost like dancing flames, flickering in the wind as they jingled. 

They twisted and turned to the beat as the music grew into another climax and Red threw her hands out wide in a flourish. The routine finished as they spun together and did a bow. Red found her son and mate looking at her with awe, the young prince clapped his paws as he smiled and waved, and she couldn't help but chuckle as Treasor made a deep bow as she took it.

Lorlei was right. It was worth it.

Treasor walked up to Red. "My love, you looked like a Goddess in motion," he murmured before giving her a nuzzle on her muzzle, she returned the affectionate gesture before nipping his cheek playfully.

"And I'm glad you enjoyed it."

Treasor shook his head, he couldn't take his eyes off her, and that look said it all. "I think I enjoyed it too much, but if you'll allow it my Queen..." he leaned close and whispered something into her ear.

Red smiled as she felt a warmth within her.

"Oh you," she said as the two kissed.