#sl twilight

It was very clear to everyone from the start that the Vet was frustrated with Song’s descriptions of his adventures. Many of the others couldn't even fully disagree with his ire, even if they disagreed with how open he could be about it. It was hard not to feel jealous. Dressing up in helpful costumes while running around with teammates by your side? Dancing around the kingdom?

His two adventures sounded like a walk in the park compared to their own. For the vet, who had gone through a number of adventures he had yet to specify but was certainly more than any of the others, it was understandable that it especially rubbed him the wrong way. 

But finally, all of the vet's remarks came to a point.

“Maybe Song has a pretty dress he can throw on that'll help him dance his way through this,” the veteran muttered.

Song came to a halt, spinning around with a smile on his face that was frighteningly different from the usual. His normal smile in response to Vet’s sharp comments gave off an air of “couldn't care less”, like nothing in the world could bring him down. It was admirable, really. And maybe that was why people hadn't scolded the veteran for his words as much as they should have. Their own quiet jealousy combined with the fact that it didn't seem to bother Song had led to complacency.

But this smile was all sharp edges, even as it curved his eyes into almost pleasant-looking crescents. The small, pointed wings of his eyeliner had never looked so knife-like before and the blue of his eyes looked like ice.

“Alright. I think that's quite enough of that,” the teen said. His voice was deceptively chipper. Something lying underneath that tone had everyone shivering. Even the veteran had tensed under this new reaction, eyeing his fellow hero with suspicion. “You seem to think my time adventuring was all candy and rainbows, don't you?”

Everyone flinched back when those cold eyes swept across them as well. Song's anger felt like frigid snow on a sunny day and it was honestly rather terrifying.

“Most of you do, I can tell. And I can understand, I suppose. I've not given a whole lot of details because I prefer not to dwell on difficult things.” Song’s smile vanished, expression turning uncharacteristically serious. “But even I can admit it wasn't as gruesome as some things some of you have been through. And I hate that you guys have gone through some terrible things, I do.”

He lifted his chin. “But I'm not going to stand here any longer and let my own journeys be belittled.”

And then his smile reappeared, even as his gaze stayed flinty. Somehow, that was more frightening than the unexpected serious expression.

Even more so as he unhooked his bag and crouched, rifling through it. “I think it's time you all get a taste of the things I had to learn to survive my adventures.”

The performer pulled out a pair of pink high heels.

“C'mon now, Song. The vet definitely shouldn't say those sorts of things, but let's not be drastic,” Twilight said with a nervous laugh as Song pulled out a second pair of heels, these ones blue. Nothing good could come from this man pulling out heels, he was sure of it. Especially when Mask looked excited. He generally did not have a good time when Mask looked excited.

“Alright, Vet.” Song turned to the teen in question, holding up the pink pair. “Since you can't keep your mouth shut about it, you can go first. We're going to spar in high heels.”

The veteran's cheeks burned as he stared at him. Song shook the heels a little.

“C'mon. You think it's so easy, right? Everything I did? Then come on over and show everyone how well you can do it.”

Lips bunching in a scowl, Vet marched over and snatched the heels, yanking off his boots and sitting down to put them on. The heels didn't look much higher than the heels of some boots. It really couldn't be that difficult. 

Except, as he stood and wobbled, arms flying out to try and steady himself, he realized the thinness made a large difference in balance, especially on grass. 

The blue heels were on Song's feet, the fashionista standing up smoothly, stance confident.

“Draw your sword,” Song said, voice frosty as he pulled his own colorful blade. “And Wind, you're good at keeping time, right? Clap in a steady beat for us. At this speed, please.” He patted his leg for a few seconds as an example and the sailor nodded, beginning to mimic the beat.

Song was already shifting back and forth, a small bounce to his movements as he readied his sword. “Now Vet, try to stay on beat, would you? After all, every time you go off beat, you'd just be losing built up power.”

“Huh?”

“Chuchu,” the young man replied simply as he bounced side to side, a hum starting up in his throat.

And so a dance began. A one-sided dance, anyway. The first time Vet tried to dodge Song's sword thrust, he nearly fell over as his heel got stuck in the earth.

“C'mon, Vet, a Chuchu is the easiest,” Song said, voice almost sing-song. “But wait, you're a veteran right? Maybe that's too easy.”

And suddenly, the hero was circling Vet, still hopping on beat, humming again to a song no one knew. Forward, forward, left, turn - the other boy couldn't move quick enough in his heels, let alone stay on any semblance of a beat, and before he knew it, his feet had been swept out from under him and a sword pointed at his throat.

Song didn't even say anything, just stared down at him for a moment like he was a bug before turning to the others, a cheerful smile lighting up his face.