<div class="floatright">(http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i408/Aadreal/E%20characters/Kizzy.jpg)</div>“Kizzy!  Hold on!”  Kizzy Ranson paused, tucking a water bottle into the pocket of her gym bag.  Her fingers ran roughly through sweat dampened hair, years of practice ensuring her many rings did not catch in it.  The coins sewn onto her belt tinkled softly as she removed it, slipping into her sandals at the same time.  She really could use a shower but there wasn't one there at the studio and the room she was renting was three bus rides away.  Wipes.  She needed to remember to pick up body wipes.  That would at least help.<br/><br/>Checking herself in the mirror she tugged down at the deep blue choli.  The short sleeves and midriff baring bra like top tended to draw quite a bit of attention to her toned build hidden under soft curves.  The overly full matching blue skirt tickled at her legs all the way to her ankles as she found herself moving to a beat in her head.  Something she tended to do when her mind was allowed to wander.  Undoing the knot on the vibrantly patterned hip scarf she rearranged it to wear like a shawl.  The slightly chill air would be a killer on her sweat soaked body.  She wasn't suited for such cooler temperatures, having grown up in the South.<br/><br/>Bangles on her wrists and the odd assortment of necklaces and rings gave her a rather Bohemian look.  Which was only appropriate.  Being the daughter of one of a Tzigane, a gypsy.  Not that her mother spoke about it much.  Oh sure Kizzy was given the name, taught some of the ways.  But the lore and the lifestyle were a mystery to her.  Something she'd always hated her mother for.  If she was going to be burdened by being different she should at least know why.  It was this desire to learn about her mother's culture that led her to dance.  Led her to teaching.  And ultimately to Colorado.<br/><br/>There was a small summer enclave not too far from Parker.  Her family.  But they did not recognize her as such.  She was shunned for her mother's actions.  Though other than marrying an outsider she didn't know what they were.  There was so much story woven around gypsies it was hard to tell what was true and what was just popular culture.  Rejected by both sides of her family, no siblings and parents long dead, Kizzy was utterly alone.  And broke.<br/><br/>Though the studio's owner rushing towards her with a big smile and an envelope would help that last part.  “Here you are!  You've been so great.  The women just can't stop talking about how much they love your classes.  Would you be interested in taking on another two or three days?  I have a waiting list!  This is so exciting!  I've never had a waiting list before.”<br/><br/>Kizzy tried to not grab at the envelope as Laura gestured madly when speaking.  “Oh sure.  I'd be happy to take on a few more classes.  The money will be nice.  I have a couple of other things I can teach.  Styles.  This is just basic tribal dancing, sort of a mix of lots of cultures.  I can do Egyptian belly dancing, Indian belly dancing, Bollywood style dance.  I could even teach pole dancing if you want.”  The last made both Kizzy and Laura blush.  While the woman knew how, had taken lessons and even taught in another town.  It was still so very risque to even think about.<br/><br/>“No, no.  No one really knows the difference.  They just like the costumes and feeling sexy moving around.  You...you really could teach pole dancing?”  The last was spoken softly, Laura looking around to ensure no one over heard.  Parker was rather liberal in some aspects but when it came to flaunting sex appeal they were practically puritanical at times.  “Maybe...a class for a few select students.  Well talk about it later.  I...I need to think about it.”<br/><br/>An audible sigh of relief was let out when Laura finally handed over the envelope.  Her first paycheck.  It would be horribly rude to open it and look at the amount in front of Laura.  It was the annoyingly perky blonde's sweet expression that ensured Kizzy was never rude.  It would be like kicking a puppy.  “Well just let me know.  I'm pretty much free when not teaching.  It's not really the wedding season and I'm not sure bachelor parties here are even interested in belly dancing.  I should get going.  The land lady wants her rent today.  Thanks Laura.”  She almost managed to escape before Laura caught her by the upper arms. Insisting on the trite ritual of kissing one another over the cheek with a loud mwah sound.  She'd never known anyone that actually did that before.<br/><br/>Free and clear, Kizzy hurried out into the late afternoon.  It was utterly amazing how many bored housewives there were in this town.  But if shaking and wiggling made them feel better and they were willing to pay to learn how to do so, Kizzy wasn't going to complain.  The first stop was to cash her check.  It was depressing.  Most of the people in there were trying to pay off their payday loan or take out a new one.  The teller barely managed to hide the sneer behind a false smile as she processed Kizzy's transaction.  Could have been that she was sweaty.  Or that she looked like some movie extra.  Or just that the woman was a bigot.  It didn't really matter one way or the other.  Not once the cash was tucked safely in the little belt purse at her waist.<br/><br/>Next was the market, to add minutes to her phone, not that she received a lot of calls.  It was almost depressing that the little message light didn't turn on once the phone was refilled and powered up.  Her mind was on deciding what she wanted for dinner when a flier posted to the bulletin board caught her eye.<em>Heaven Scents</em>.  It was corny and catchy and brought a little laugh.  The place was nearby.  If it could mean not having to take the busy, it would be worth an increase in rent.  Never one for the phone, she decided to just stop by.  Worst the owner could do was say no.  A word she heard far too often.<br/><br/>The soft jingle of her jewelry accompanied the odd tap of her sandals as she walked to the store.  She was feeling really good and couldn't help but put a bit of shimmy in her step.  It drew more than a few odd looks, which were responded to with a smile and a wink.  The shop seemed quaint from the outside.  Certainly nothing implying creepy, run girl run. The bell on the door rang as she entered, the sound pitched beautifully.  Sweet, soft and welcoming.  Most didn't pay attention to such things but when you had music in your blood you couldn't help it.<br/><br/>The scents of the candles rolled over her, causing Kizzy to stop and be perfectly still.  A rare occurrence but one that was needed to appreciation the aromas. “Wow.”  It was like a music all to it's own.  Some of the candles giving off a soft and gentle scent.  Forming the base line.  Others sharper and more noticeable.  All of them melding together into something wonderful.    Leaving the dancer momentarily forgetting where she was and why she'd come.  Standing there with all of her worldly possessions tucked into a gym bag, swaying to the smells. She could feel the dance they inspired and if she wasn't careful, would find herself moving to the insistent beat in her head.