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A year had passed since Agnea last stood upon the floating stage of Tropu'hopu. She had longed to stand upon it again, but that she wouldn't be doing so alone was a pleasant surprise.
"Are you nervous?" asked Giselle, standing beside Agnea. She looked handsome in her knightly costume, contrasting with Agnea's flowing princess costume, the skirt adorned with colorful flowers. For this performance, a collaboration between Agnea and Giselle's Traveling Troupe, they had decided on the motif of knight and princess.
"A little bit," Agnea replied with a soft giggle. "It's not often I get the chance to dance with someone else, but with you, I know we'll be fine!"
Giselle looked down at herself, laying a gloved hand over her chest. "You really think I look all right?"
"Of course! You're very handsome." Agnea lifted a hand to brush strands of hair from Giselle's forehead. "Papa designed these outfits, after all!"
In the past year, Giselle had been seeking out new members for her traveling troupe, and a chance reunion in New Delsta had led to Agnea traveling with them for a little bit. Giselle's smile was especially brighter these days, but Agnea would never forget that look of pained grief on her face after telling her of Tanzy's death. Coda and Rico also smiled more, and they had been the one to suggest Agnea and Giselle perform a fairytale-style dance upon Tropu'hopu's floating stage.
Agnea and Giselle watched as other performers took to the stage, the audience cheering for each and every one of them. Tropu'hopu had only been established about twenty years ago, around the time Agnea's mother had settled on the western continent, so she never had the opportunity to dance upon the floating stage. She would've been dazzling here, Agnea knew.
"I think the crowds have gotten bigger…" Giselle whispered, her eyes growing wide.
With a light touch Agnea took Giselle's hand into hers. "Are you sure about this? I've… gotten rather famous of late, and people seeing you dance with me will bring you a lot of attention."
Giselle inhaled deeply, exhaled deeply. "No one turns down the chance to dance with the star of the Grand Gala." She smiled, faintly yet truly. "And I want the attention your fame will help bring. It'll help me expand my traveling troupe."
Agnea returned Giselle's smile with one of her own. Giselle's hand in hers trembled just slightly, but the confidence on her handsome face was a sight to behold. "That's good to hear. I want to do what I can to help your troupe grow!"
"For you, my princess," Giselle said as she dropped to one knee and pressed the back of Agnea's hand to her lips, "I would bring you even the dawn."
Familiar warmth filled Agnea, and she slid her fingers beneath Giselle's chin to lift her gaze. "Thank you, my brave knight."
"…and now, the story of a beautiful princess and her valiant knight!" came the stage manager's voice from the floating stage.
"That's our cue!" Agnea giggled with a wink. "Well, shall we?"
"Of course, my dear dreamer." Giselle offered her arm to Agnea, and together they headed toward the floating stage to put on a show that no one in the audience would forget.