Of course, he made Altair dance nude. What else was there to do but make him uncomfortable? Cygnus knew little of the ways of Dusan. The most he knew about Dusan was how to identify someone of Dusanian descent, and even that skill was flawed; it had been brought to his attention that, contrary to what he had thought initially, Altair was the only Dusanian slave aboard the merchant ship. Perhaps it was customary even for Dusanian dancers to dance naked, but he didn't know. What he did know was the cock was a sensitive organ, and jostling it around in the air perhaps wasn't the most pleasant of feelings.<br/><br/>"I didn't say it was, did I? I just happen to be staring at a whore. There are plenty of dances in Weiss that lead to the bedroom as well... and it would be quite silly if it was restricted to the bedroom, no? Dance is dreadfully boring when there are better things you could be doing in the bedroom. Like resting, or..." Cygnus said, trailing off at the end of his thought. "I have faith that you have a talent at dance. Your limbs speak of an innate proficiency at the art."<br/><br/>At a sluggish pace did Altair climb to his feet. The whipping had drained blood and energy from the slave, and he no longer moved with the graceful serenity he did before. Altair undressed as Cygnus expected. The slave had said it himself; the captain gave him the illusion of choice, when there were no choices save for the one he wanted. To his amusement the slave didn't discard the sash, and kept it in his grip.<i>Do you plan to dance with that, </i>Cygnus wondered.<i>I remember the Weiss ribbon dance well... Cynalis... I wonder how you are with our child. </i><br/><br/>The way Altair danced was as if he were singing a wordless song. His body shifted and shuffled, twirled and twisted, contorted and caressed the space. The swish of Altair's flowing hair was like a ribbon in itself, giving way to an elegant performance. The dance wasn't marred by the occasions of stumble, because the slave caught himself as soon as it happened, moving back into his dance with experienced finesse as if nothing happened.<br/><br/>Finally, the slave stopped. Cygnus had been absorbed in the dance, and it couldn't have been more than a few minutes but the enjoyment he derived from watching the dance would last. Dance was something he enjoyed. He wasn't versed in the formal dance that might occur in a castle or lord's home, but he knew the ones that the smallfolk danced. The type that was danced around warm fires after warm meals, the type that united villagers into a village. "... Beautiful," Cygnus whispered, in silent awe. But his eyes gave away no admiration.<br/><br/>Altair's suggestion of teaching him partnered dances struck him as odd.<i>I raped you, I whipped you, I kicked you, I sliced your throat with my blade. And now you want me to dance. Is this a gesture of trying to stay on my good side or are you some sort of pain lover? Whatever the reason, I'm surprised you even want me to touch you with my hands. Ever the calm one, are you? </i>"Dance? It's been a long time since I've danced. Why not take the opportunity?" He rose to his feet, circling over to Altair in a few steps. Now closer, he could see the slight tremble of the slave's limbs.<i>Ah. You're so tired you would even consider taking help. </i>His hand rose and he pinched a lock of the slave's hair, twirling it in his fingers. "Instruct me, master," Cygnus japed in a mocking tone.