"Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to you!"
"How old are you?
How old are you?
How old, How old
How old are you?"
Inna decided to do some clapping as well to accompany her singing in acapella. Then, she started beat boxing and hyping up the crowd as though she was in a concert before screaming something.
"Yeah! Let's do a remix!"
"Happy Birthday to you!
How old are you?
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday!
How old are you?"
Meanwhile, everyone listening couldn't believe what they were hearing. Galen wanted to snicker as he continued listening to Inna's pitiful song.
She calls that a song?
That 'song' basically just comprised of seven different words!
The audience looked at each other in confusion, trying to remember where they have heard the familiar tone. Although the last part was appalling to say the least, the beginning of the song actually resonated within their hearts. They oddly remembered their childhood years when she sang the first part. But the last part, or the 'remix' part as what Inna calls it, it was simply cringe worthy.
But once they looked past behind Inna's barbaric movements and illiterate song, they were actually curious with how she was able to come up with various kinds of noises as she sang.
Inna finished her song with her favorite beat box solo and soon calmed herself down. She discreetly wiped all the saliva, which she made on her hand that covered her mouth, on the back of her robes. When she finished, she saw a student at the very corner clapping. And that made her smile.
Well, at least one person found it great.
But before she can react, the audience gave her a synchronized applause that sounded similar to the clap she did while singing the 'Happy Birthday' song. And she couldn't help but stare at awe at the showcase of perfect unison in their clapping.
Then, Professor Gnarly raised his hand, signaling everyone to stop and calm down.
When the last person placed down their hands, Inna blinked furiously, escaping from her mesmerized trance.
She realized that she still needs other stuff to be done!
Urgh, and she almost forgot she was in a test again!
So, gathering herself, she regained her poise and elegance as she laughed cutely behind her hand.
"Apologies, Sir Galen. I might have been… too excited over the song."
Galen thought she was going to get hit with the harisen from her eccentric and rough performance but not expecting the outcome, he could only force himself to smile and heartily laugh.
"No, no. It is quite an honor for the Empress to enjoy herself in the festivities. So, please don't worry and just continue on, dear Empress."
Galen bit the inside of his cheek as he casted a brief look at Herad.
Shouldn't it be working now?
Herad seemed to understand what Galen was thinking so, to answer, he shook his head slightly.
Not yet.
Seeing the action Galen couldn't do anything but mentally brood as he continued to smile fakely at Inna.
Meanwhile, during their exchange, Inna finally had an idea on what her dance will be.
"The present that this Empress has prepared for her dear friend is a rare dance that has never been seen by anyone of this world. It cannot be easily done and replicated as well unless one has the special abilities and physical capabilities that is needed in this dance."
Inna was about to dance when she heard Galen's confused voice.
"Apologies for the interruption, esteemed Empress, but does this dance not require any accompaniment of music?"
Inna's eyes slightly widened as she recalled.
Oh shit, she still needs music.
But what music?! She doesn't know the music in this world!
It's not like she can just say 'Bodak Yellow' or 'anything.'
And she's pretty sure that repeating music is forbidden since that'll be like copying the person's presentation.
So when time passed and she still wasn't able to think of any music that they might have in this world, she decided to just push the responsibility of finding one towards Galen.
"Dear friend, why don't you be the one to choose? After all, it is your present."
Galen couldn't help but genuinely smile in delight as he heard the words. Knowing a Lily class commoner like her, she wouldn't be able to know most of the music produced in Anemoly. They were played mostly for the high ranking people or for the high class society after all.
So, he decided to find the hardest song he could remember.
"If my dear Empress wishes, then this humble subordinate would happily oblige. The song that I offer to the Empress would be the song, Drunken Lovers at Twilight."
The audience held in their gasps as they murmured and looked among each other.
The Drunken Lovers at Twilight's melody is the slowest song there is.
Because of that, it is the hardest song to dance unto because of its slow tempo. Since most dances need a fast pace or a certain rhythm to entice the audience's attention, then most dances would look boring and ugly when partnered up with that music!
This is obviously a plan for her to fail!
Galen ignored the knowing glare of Drona as he focused his sights on Inna. With a finally genuine smile on both his and Herad's face, they both waited patiently for the show to start.
Meanwhile, Inna began warming up in place. She raised her hand and bent it slightly to release some tension. Then she moved on to releasing tension jn her feet when suddenly, she felt a sharp pain on her toes again.
It seems like after resting during Drona's presentation, her foot still didn't seem to heal even the slightest bit. It became numb earlier so she didn't have much problem at the start. But to think that the pain would actually return now.
She finished her warm up and decided to temporarily disregard the pain on her toes. She pushed the thought of pain at the back of her mind as she tried to think of ideas where she can avoid further injuring herself. But, she found out that there will be some cases in her dance that putting weight on her injured foot wouldn't be avoided.
Hopefully, her dance would somehow turn out alright.