[Action - backdated to before the Homecoming Dance]

[dancing_flames]

[Times have been tough for the Glory household lately. They've always been lower class, but with the crop failure and then the factory strike, the dance school has been getting even fewer patrons than usual due to the lack of spending money among everyone but the upper class. Things have been tight even with Haru's help from his job as a carpenter.

In short, it's not a good situation. But never let it be said that Shuda didn't know how to take an opportunity and run with it. Haru had mentioned something about the high school having its homecoming dance over dinner the other night - in the context of going with a girl, but that's unimportant - and immediately Shuda saw his chance. After all, a dance is all about dancing, and there are no doubt plenty of students who would like to attend but don't know the first thing about dancing. Why not capitalize on that?

So he sets out a sign in front of the dance school with two simple sentences on it:

50% OFF DANCE LESSONS
IMPRESS YOUR DATE AT HOMECOMING

[If this will draw more customers, then hey, why not? It's certainly worth a try. He'll be sitting in a chair in the corner of the studio for anyone who wants to drop by and sign up or ask him any questions.]

Comments

[dancing_flames]

[Shuda takes it, counting it to make sure that it is in fact twenty dollars, then pockets it and nods to the boy.]

Do you at least know how to keep a beat?

[lasthairbender]

Yep! I can beat my feet like a real cat! [It's true, at least. That's one thing that's worked from his attempts to learn from tv.]

[dancing_flames]

All right, then let's see what you got. I'll play some music, and I want you to dance to it. Dance however you'd like, I just want to see you following the beat.

[savedtheworld]

Righto! Go ahead and play that music, daddy-o!

[dancing_flames]

[Shuda just stares at Aang for a moment, sizing him up. Then, once he's satisfied that the kid is serious, he goes over to the record player in the corner and puts on a jaunty popular tune.

Let's see what you've got, kid.]

[lasthairbender]

[Much like acclaimed racer and smasher Captain Douglas Jay Falcon, Aang decides to show Shuda his moves. He dances - he can keep a beat. There's some grace and flow, lightness in his movements. But there's little to no technical experience - many of his moves are unfitting and made up. Your work's cut out for you, Shuda of Rave Master.]

[dancing_flames]

[The lack of experience doesn't bother Shuda all that much. That is something that can be taught; that's why he's here, after all. It's that natural grace that he's more interested in, because that is proof that the boy has some innate talent, that he can learn if Shuda teaches.

There's promise there, even though it might take a considerable effort to bring it out.]

Not bad. You've got potential.

[lasthairbender]

Yes! [He cheers.] That's good, right?

[dancing_flames]

It's a start. But you'll need a lot more than potential if you want to be any good.

[savedtheworld]

Well, that's why you're here! I'm ready to learn everything you've got, daddy-o!

[dancing_flames]

Would you stop calling me that? I have a name, and that isn't it. It's Shuda.

[savedtheworld]

Okay, okay. Sorry about that, da- I mean Shuda. Or... should I call you Mr. Shuda? Since you're my teacher? ...Professor Shuda?

[dancing_flames]

[Shuda crosses his arms, trying to look like he isn't as exasperated as he is right now.]

Just Shuda is fine. The simpler we keep things, the better.

[savedtheworld]

Right. Just Shuda! Got it. So, then, where do we start?

[dancing_flames]

[At least this kid listens... sort of. It's a start.]

What type of dance were you hoping to learn? There is more than one kind. It'd be a waste to start teaching you something you aren't interested in.

[savedtheworld]

Well... I guess the kind of dance that's... for a dance! ...Romantic, I guess?