154. Dance
"This is a mistake," grumbled Iolaus, literally dragging his feet like a truculent little boy.
"You'll thank me later," said Hercules with a grin.
"Before or after I forgive you for insulting me by saying I can't dance?"
"I never said that."
"You did!" insisted Iolaus with righteous indignation. "You said I needed lessons! You said--"
"--That in order to win this particular competition, you need to know a little more than just old hunter's tricks."
"As many festivals as I've been too, I think I can say I know how to dance."
"Not enough to win this sort of competition," said Hercules. "The judges are looking for more than just one dance step."
"Are you saying I only know--"
"And here we are," interrupted Hercules brightly before Iolaus could launch into another flurry of wounded pride.
Iolaus looked at the simple wooden building surrounded by an elaborate garden. "That's an academy?" he asked, skeptical.
"It is," exclaimed an exuberantly female voice. The front door was flung wide and out swept a matronly woman in a swirl of chiffon and laughter. "Welcome, Hercules! Oooooooh, and you've brought a friend!" She fluttered lashes heavy with mascara. "Such a handsome friend at that!" her voice purred. "And there's something special about him, isn't there? Why, I already feel as if we know one another!"
"Uh, Herc? Who is--"
"I am the Widow Twanky," their hostess sang aloud, "And this--!" a whirl, a high kick, and a graceful sweep of her arms, "--is my Dance Academy, where I shall make a new man out of you!"
Muse: Iolaus
Fandom: Hercules the Legendary Journeys