[IC] The Battle of Sea Salt Bay

[Rhythmloid]

"The audience seems to really like them. Her voice is really pretty." She swoons a bit at the girl on stage. "I wish I could sing like that."

She takes another piece of ice and munches on it softly. She felt a bit jealous of the singer. Singing is much than playing the piano. Everyone can enjoy a beautiful voice from anywhere. You can't drag a piano with you. She pouts and starts making herself upset.

[TwelveOf8]

"What's wrong Corinne?" asked Rolo.

He noticed that Corinne was clearly upset. At what, Rolo knew not. Was it something he said? Was it something he did? Was it something she heard!? Rolo started to internally panic. He began to look visibly anxious. Fortunately for the love struck duo, the bartender saw the signs. As both a bartender and a gentleman, he felt obligated to lend a helping hand whenever possible.

"Psst, ask her for a dance." the bartender whispered into Rolos ear.

"But I don't know how to dance! Rolo whispered back.

"Who cares! Go for it chumly. Trust me, she'll love it." encouraged the bartender.

Rolo took yet another look over at Corinne. Her sulky and pouty face was not a good sign. Even Rolo could see that. He had to do something, even if it meant potentially making a fool of himself in front of the fellas. But who dared mess with him!?

"Alright, I'll give it a shot." Rolo whispered back.

"Corinne, uhh would you like a dance?" Rolo asked sheepishly.

[Rhythmloid]

Corrine looks up at Rolo. Her heart melted at his kind gesture.

"Oh, Rolo that's so sweet of you! I'd love to!" She smiles nervously.

"B-but uh... I um... I can't dance..." She looks down at her feet and frowns. She forced herself to tell the truth She didn't want to disappoint the poor guy, but she also didn't want to make a fool of herself. Last time she did, she hurt her ankle and her brothers had to carry her home.

"I'm sorry..."

[TwelveOf8]

Rolo felt crushed by Corinnes refusal to dance with him. At the same time though, he felt glad to know that it was because she couldn't dance either. But Rolo knew that he couldn't sit at the bar all night, languishing in his awkward, almost tragic date, whilst being judged by that smarmy bartender. He felt like such a square. Rolo knew he had to man up, if he wanted a good night with Corinne.

"Ya know what? I can't dance either. But I don't think it matters really. As long as we're having a good time. Who knows, maybe we could get a good story out of it. Maybe a few laughs. What do you say?" said Rolo rather passionately.

He couldn't remember the last time he encouraged someone like that before. It felt good. Rolo only hoped that his words would get through to Corinne.

[Rhythmloid]

Corrine smiled and laughed. She couldn't say no to encouragement like that!

"Ok, Ok! You win! I'll dance with you. But don't be surprised if I step on your feet." She gets up from her chair and straightens out her skirt. Maybe he is right. It certainly wouldn't hurt to come out of her shell. She might have a wonderful time. Even if she makes a fool of herself.

A nervous smile spreads on her face. She's never really danced with anybody before. The only real dancing she's ever done was ballroom dancing, but that didn't quite fit this scenario. She'll just look around and copy everyone else. She can't go wrong with that, right?

[TwelveOf8]

The bartender watched the young couple leave the bar. They were heading towards the dance floor. He decided to watch them for a little while as he worked. He didn't want to miss this. Such a mismatched pair when it came to both height and body shape would make for an interesting dance, or a hilarious disaster. Whatever were to happen, he thought to himself, would surely make quite the spectacle.

It seemed like the other dancers shared the same thoughts as the bartender. It was like Moses parting the Red Sea as Rolo and Corinne strode onto the dance floor. The other dancers made a ring around the couple and watched with anticipation. This was something they didn't want to miss.

"Ready Corinne baby?" asked Rolo.

His heart was pounding but he kept a straight face. He had to look both strong and confident, for Corinnes sake. Rolo just hoped that his strength and determination was enough for the both of them.

"It'll be alright. Just trust me ok?" placated Rolo.

[Rhythmloid]

She nods. Her body tenses up as she can feel the stares of everyone around her crawl up her back. There were so many people watching them. Why couldn't they just go away?! Or at least mind their own business? Just continue dancing and leave them alone!

Her heart starts pounding. She takes Rolo's hand and tightens her grip.

"O-ok... I trust you..." she looks up and him and takes a deep breathe. She smiles nervously.

[TwelveOf8]

It was exactly as both Rolo and Corinne feared. Their dance was as awkward as hell. They tried to perform some kind of dance that resembled the waltz, but Corinne kept bouncing off of Rolos gut. It wasn't long until laughter could be heard from the crowd.

"Hey! Shut up dude! Don't be such a dick!" reprimanded Divo.

"I'm sorry man, but ya gotta admit. It's pretty damn funny." said Switch.

Corrine bounced off of Rolos gut for the fourth time in a row in an effort to dance. It almost looked like Santa was trying to dance with one of his elves.

"Yeah, you got a point there." replied Divo.

"I think it's cute." intoned Miranda. A girl that Divo just met at that party. A short, slightly curvy cutie with long straight black hair.

"Yeah." said Divo.

He felt kinda sorry for both Rolo and Corinne. Though nobody dared to mock Rolo to his face, people still talked behind other peoples backs.

The laughter from the crowd started to grow. Rolo could see Corinne discomfort grow with each passing second. It was too late to leave though, for they were already in the eye of the storm.

Rolos heart began to break as he noticed tears beginning to well in Corinnes eyes. There was only one thing he could do.

He brought Corinne close to him and whispered into her ear.

"It's gonna be alright. Just follow my lead ok?" asked Rolo.

[Rhythmloid]

Corrine nods. She let's her hair cover her face. Hopefully no one will see her face. All those people laughing and staring gave her an empty feeling in her stomach. She knew she shouldn't have danced. Something bad always happens.

Oh Corrine please don't cry! Not infront of everyone! She told herself. Curse her sensitive nature.

She held onto Rolo tighter like a security blanket.

"Alright... I will.." she says softly.

[TwelveOf8]

"Alright, just follow my lead ok." whispered Rolo.

"First we'll do the Charleston, then the lindy hop. Then finally, you stand right in front of me. Have your arms stretched out above you. Then I'll lift you up. I'll then spin you around on one hand." instructed Rolo quickly and quietly.

"Do you know those dances Corinne? You must've seen them on tv or something." Rolo urged.

Rolo sincerely hoped that Corinne had a lot of ab strength. She was gonna need it.

[Rhythmloid]

"I know one of those things." She whispers quietly.

"But I don't think I can do it. I'm sorry..." Her heart breaks. He must be so disappointed. Curse her over protective father! If she was treated like a normal child, she would be having way more fun! If she was taught more dances she could at least try those instead of ballroom dancing.

Her sadness turns to anger and she makes herself mad. She buries her face into his gut. It was hopeless.

[TwelveOf8]

"Alright Corinne, we're gonna start real simple like. Just copy what I do. I'll be tellin you what to do as well, so listen ok." instructed Rolo.

"Trust me, we're gonna rock." placated Rolo.

"Lets do this" he ordered. It was time to nut up or shut up.

Rolo then began to perform the simple steps of the Charleston, slowly and precisely. Right leg steps back, left leg kicks back, left leg steps forward, then finally the right leg kicks forward. Rinse and repeat. A simple dance yet quite a nice dance when performed well. Always kills at jazzy parties.

The laughter and embarrassment was really starting to get to Rolo. He hoped that Corinne would pick up the dance moves real soon. He whispered the steps aloud as he performed them. Loud enough for Corinne to hear them. Hopefully, it was enough.

[Rhythmloid]

Corrine slowly copies what he does, fumbling a few times. She starts to feel discouraged, until she finally figures it out somewhat. Step by step, she begins to do it on her own. Her frown slowly curls into a smile. She's finally getting it! She's learning how to dance!

She starts to giggle at herself. Who cares if anyone laughs at her? At least she's finally having a bit of fun now. She can add one more to her extremely short list of dances. She doesn't dance very often, and forgot how fun dancing could be. The only types of dances she knows are only suited for the ballroom and not a party such as this one.

[TwelveOf8]

The laughter in the room slowly died down. It was being replaced by a curious silence. The pair were far more adept at dancing than they previously let on. To the point where murmurs started to circulate. Murmurs about the possibility of the previous attempts a dance being merely a joke played on the crowd. But the murmurs themselves were quiet, short, and few in number. The crowd was dying to see what was gonna happen next.

"That's it Corinne! You're getting it! You're a natural!" Rolo complimented. He still whispered, so only Corinne could hear.

Maybe, Rolo thought to himself, they were gonna pull it off after all. Both his reputation and his date could still be saved, it seemed.

"Alright, now let's go a little faster." urged Rolo.

Feeling confident that Corinne had mastered the basic footwork of the Charleston, he began to increase his speed. Not too fast so as to allow Corinne to keep in sync. Fast enough though, for the sake of aesthetics.

"Now do this with your arms. It's real easy." instructed Rolo.

Rolo allowed his arms hang. From this position Rolo begun to swing his arms from left to right. All the while maintaining his dance steps. The effect was the classic solo Charleston. Rolo was confident that Corinne could follow along and truly nail this dance.

He began to smile gleefully, he was genuinely having fun.

[Rhythmloid]

Corrine copies Rolo once again. She felt as light as a feather. She can't help but smile even more. Pretty soon her smile turns into laughter. Then that laughter turned into her cracking up and rolling on the floor. Tears form in the corner of her eyes as she can't catch her breath.

"I'm sorry! I don't mean to laugh! But I haven't had this much fun in ages! Who knew dancing could be so much fun?!"

She gets up and twirls around, her skirt puffs up like a mushroom. She twirls and dances around Rolo, laughing like a little girl. She whispers quietly in his ear.

"Psst, let's go outside, I wannna ask you something." she giggles, tugging on his shirt.

[TwelveOf8]

"Not yet, let's keep going until the song ends." replied Rolo.

It was surprising how quickly and how naturally Corinne learned how to dance. Almost like she was born to do it. With some improvised spins and twirls thrown in, they were really cutting the rug. They actually did look like the knew what they were doing. A cheer began to rise from the crowd, mixed with whistles and shouts of encouragement.

"Who knew that the big fella could dance?" asked Switch.

"Aww, you jealous?" teased Cynthia. The girl that slapped Switch in school earlier in the week.

"With you baby, I ain't jealous of nothin." replied Switch.

She not so much as kissed him as she violently pounced on him. The pair made their way off the dance floor without a hitch. Remaining unnoticed by most.

"Wow" said Divo.

"She does that with a lot of guys. Me? I like to enjoy my men just a little while longer." said Miranda. The rather suggestive wink she gave Divo made it plainly clear what she meant by enjoy.

"Wouldn't have it any other way babe." replied Divo.

Finally, the song ends. Rolo and Corinnes dance ends in thunderous applause. Even the band itself was applauding them. In that moment, they were the coolest people in the house.

"That was amazing Rolo!" exclaimed Chet.

"Who knew a big fella like you could be so smooth." said the girl in the white dress with red polka dots.

"This is Kirsten, a real cool chick." Chet introduced.

"You were great out there Corinne! I mean wow!" enthused Chet.

[Rhythmloid]

Embarrassment sets in once again as everyone applauded. There were so many people. She didn't realize how many had shown up to the party.

"O-oh dear... uh... t-thank you... I kinda forgot everyone was here for a moment. I... um..." She stutters. If she acts quickly, she can hide herself outside from all of the stares and attention. But that looks like it won't be happening soon. She clings on to Rolo's arm.

"R-Rolo, there's too many people here... I don't like it..." she whines. She can feel her face become hot. She felt like she couldn't breathe.

[TwelveOf8]

"It's ok Corinne. Lets just go get ourselves a drink." soothed Rolo.

"Sorry boss, Corinne just needs some space ya know. It's nothin personal." Rolo said to Chet.

"Sure thing buddy." replied Chet.

"It was lovely to meet you miss." said Rolo to Kirsten rather hastily.

Rolo took Corinne off of the dance floor as quickly and as gracefully as he could. Trying not to barge through people. Not an easy task when the dance floor was as packed as it was.

"Aww poor dear. She's so cute!" exclaimed Kirsten.

"Baby you have no idea." replied Chet.

The band then began to play a whole new song. They played with more enthusiasm than ever before. The lead singer sang in Russian this time around, which was indeed quite an interesting touch. The partygoers on the dance floor resumed their various dances with gusto. It seemed that Rolo and Corinnes performance breathed new life into the party.

"That was amazing!" the bartender greeted them ecstatically.

"You need a drink?" he asked.

[Rhythmloid]

Corrine nodded her head. "Just water would be nice. Please." Her voice is shaky, not to mention her body. Everything felt like it was spinning like a top.

"I need to go outside."

She scrambles out of the club house panting, hoping no one saw her. She leans against its it's side and slides down, her hands touching the cool grass. She almost instantly felt better. She could finally breathe again. She looked up at the sky that was full of stars. Her heart stopped racing.

All of the embarrassment from getting up and dancing infront of people had washed away. She layed down in the grass and closed her eyes and let her thoughts wander.

[TwelveOf8]

"Corinne! Wait!" Rolo called after her.

Why did she run off like that!? She didn't look like she felt well. Maybe she got dizzy from the dance? Rolo was sweating quite a lot himself. That dance was more exercise than he's had in a long time. No, Rolo thought to himself, it's something else.

"Here's your water little mis.." said the bartender.

"Thanks man." Rolo replied hastily. Cutting the bartender off in mid speech.

Rolo ran out of the clubhouse the same way Corinne left, taking her glass of water along with him. She looked like she needed it. Hopefully she wasn't sick, thought Rolo.

He found Corinne, lying on the grass outside the club. Rolo began to panic. Did she take something!? Did someone slip something into her drink!?

"Corinne baby! Wake up! Please don't be sick! Please don't do this to me!" cried Rolo.

Tears were streaming down his face. Rolo was on the verge of blubbering like a baby but he didn't care. The only thing he cared about in the world was Corinne.