Thread: Across the Endless Sands (Collector of Rarities x NobodysAngel80)

Inaya had seen nobility and even royalty before their troupe traveled far from their homeland to distant kingdoms and had seen handsome lords and beautiful ladies and dashing princes before. However, Prince Reza did catch the eye, though she refused to be distracted, given the leading part she was given in the opening dance. She had to admit that he was an impressively handsome young man, probably a bit older than her but not by much. And now he was king. Or he would be after the coronation celebration at least. There was a brief moment as the musicians struck a note and the lead dancers all struck their pose, one arm above their head, the other curled in front of them, hip tilted and ankles crossed, making the bells and medallions adorning their clothes tinkle like tiny chimes. They stood, perfectly still and silent, waiting for the cue to come. When the music began, it was low and soft, the thrumming of the drums setting the pace as the harps and pipes and cymbals joined in. As the music began, the girls began to move in unison, hips swaying as their feet skimmed the floor, twirling in a froth of sheer, whirling skirts and the flash of gold. However, even moving in perfect time with the other girls, Inaya stood out, her coloring dramatic and exotic against the coal black hair and golden skin of her fellow dancers, and even the sheer white veil that shrouded her face couldn't hide the delicate angles and planes of her face, the milk and peach cream of her skin and the long crimson sweep of her hair. She moved light as a breeze across the tiled floors, seeming to dance upon her toes as the other girls moved around her, spinning in their own crimson and gold silks. Her movements were fluid and graceful and understatedly sensual, her hips rolling and her back arching as she leapt and spun, her arms making sweeping motions as she moved, making the silks dance under her fingers as she moved. The pace started slow and sensual, but slowly built in tempo, becoming faster and more frenzied until the dancers were joined by the rest of the dance troupe. Silks of blue and gold, red and green mingled as the girls danced among each other, like petals from a multitude of flowers scattered by the breeze, different shades from sky blue to midnight blue, rose pink to blood red... but she was the only one wearing white and thus she stood out like a beacon amidst the flash and color of the other girls. Eventually they formed a pattern, whirling like the colorful eye of a hurricane around her in the center as they spun around her. The thrumming beat became like a heartbeat, matching pace with the thunder in their chests and their skin glittered with sweat as they flung themselves around the room in graceful abandon. Faster and faster, their feet moving in the steps as if they'd been born to this dance, becoming more frantic, more wild and joyful... and then the music stopped, and all of the girls collapsed in graceful heaps on the ground, back's arched, hips lifted, legs curled under them as their arms lay askew, heads thrown back and the long slender column of their throats bared. There was a moment of silence before thunderous applause exploded, and each girl stood as one and began to migrate through the room, dancing among the patrons while they and the musicians caught their breath for the dances to come. A few minutes between each group dance to allow the dancers to mingle through the room and rest a moment left Inaya stepping back to speak with the troupe leader regarding their next set and ensuring that the pacing was correct. She was the lead dancer for a reason, not just her talent but her ability to organize and lead the others, to cover for the less experienced girls' mistakes. Not only did she dance, but she instructed the new dancers, helped to plan their routines and prepare their costumes. Inaya was a jack of all trades, and the mention had been made of the troupe master appointing her to run the day to day affairs of the troupe when he was ready to take a less active role. Word of this performance would spread, and once they made a good impression here to the new king, they could essentially write their ticket anywhere for any price.