The next day, mum began my training of a different kind. The only other training I needed to do was enhancing my combat skills and increase my sync rate with my talismans. I felt like I wanted to impress Tigra with the fact I could dance just as fancy as any royal or noblemen.

When I headed into the living room, mum was waiting for me, dressed in a stunning dress, made from some of the finest materials in all of Cathopia, her eyes glistening with excitement, and I was wondering if this was such a great idea.

“Morning,” I said. “Not starting this early, are we?”

“I thought the best time would be similar to how your dad would train you.” She held her hand out. “Now come on.” I stared at her bewildered, surprised she was taking this so seriously. “To fit in with the upper class you will need to dance like them.” She moved a two steps forward, then back. “They’ve had years I have two weeks to teach you.” She let out a sigh. “Perhaps I should have listened to Alton when he said I should have taught you.”

“Really, why not then?” I was curious.

“Your dad thought your training as a warrior was far more important,” responded mum.

“I can’t wait to see this.” Brendan was up, setting himself on the sofa. He was never up this early, had he really wanted to take the mick out of me that much?

“An audience great.” I glared at him.

“You’ll be around far worse Animalia than Brendan,” commented mum. “Now take my hand.” I reached my hand out taking hold of hers. “We’ll start with position.” She pulled me in close, facing herself slightly off centre from me.

“What now?” I asked finding this a little embarrassing.

“Now place your right hand her on my shoulder blade.” She began tugging my right arm to where she wanted it. “My left arm goes just below your shoulder, like this, then…” With her right hand, she grabbed mine, placing her hand comfortably in mine. She moved her arm up and out a little. “Relax Alex, how can I show you if you’re all stiff.”

“Sorry.” I tried to relax, letting mum quickly adjust my right. I could hear Brendan laughing. “Shut up!”

“Ignore him Alex, focus on me, look into my eyes and keep eye contact.” I nodded. “Now in dancing the male leads, where he moves the female follows.” She smiled. “Don’t worry we’ll start with the basics and work to tempo, and position changes.”

“Is this going to be hard to master in two weeks?” I questioned.

“For you, no,” she shook her head. “You could say some dances are another form of battle. Now listen carefully, when you step your left foot forward, I step my right foot back, when you step your right foot back, I step forward with my left foot.” I slowly nodded. “Let’s start with your left foot forward.”

Stiffly I moved my left foot as instructed, mum slowly moved her right foot back. “Like this?”

“Now step your right foot back.” I did as she instructed. “And again.”

We did this for the first day, just back and forth with the steps, I felt like I was in the beginner’s class at the academy again, but at least I had a much better teacher.

“Not bad,” commented Brendan. “For his first lesson.”

Mum stopped and smiled. “Same time tomorrow for more advanced stuff.” She glanced at Brendan. “Do you want a go next?”

“Heck no.” Brendan backed up. “I’m not going.”

“Next time you watch, you’ll be having a go.” I laughed as Brendan left the room.

“Tomorrow I want you to be more relaxed, take on this challenge like any combat training you’ve been set to do, understand.”

“Understood, thanks again mum,” I smiled.

I worked hard with mum over those two weeks learning all I needed, ready to dance with Tigra at her birthday party and hopefully even impress her. Mum even added music to help adjust to the change in tempo as the music would be ever changing during the event. I looked forward to the next set of moves mum would show me.

“That’s it.” Mum applauded as I danced in position with my arms up in hold, doing the steps. “Now.” Mum came closer, taking hold of me. “Lead.”

I was nervous as I guided mum around the living room, a huge smile crossed her lips, she looked so happy, she had enjoyed teaching me.

“How am I doing?” I asked.

“You dance like your dad,” she commented.

“Really.”

“Yes,” she nodded as the song finished and we stopped dancing. “You are so much like him, your sense of justice, your will to never give up and of course handsome too.”

“Mum.” I looked away embarrassed, she laughed.

“Not long now before my boy has his first ball,” she said it as if I was a child.

“Anyway.” I quickly moved the subject on. “I have to get going, got a training session of catch up with Master Lance and Loki.”

“Have fun,” she waved as I backed up to the door. “We’ll have one more practice the night before the party.”

“Right, good idea,” I nodded, glad today’s dancing practice was over. I had enjoyed all the hours I had spent learning from mum, never seen her so happy, but I felt I had slacked on my training with the twin lions, even though Raziel had said this was just as important. I didn’t see how, but it didn’t really matter, I had a meeting with Master Lance to keep and he didn’t like when you were late.