The dance competition begins just at sunset, while the golden light bathes the boardwalk in magnificence. The first local dance teams start the show and Sergio, a little brown hare bard with a magitech microphone, introduces the woman of the hour: Lola.
The elusive Holstein stands about the height of a taller half-orc, walking on delicate hooves despite her muscular frame. She stands gracefully in a traditional dress with an amazing petticoat and her hair wrapped up over her horns. Lola's demeanor may remind some reclaimers of their missing director, though one thing stands out; Lola's face doesn't carry the same weight of worry that Lucretia's so often could. When Sergio introduces her, the crowd of Animalians crow lovingly for her, and Lola regards them just as warmly.
She introduces the Reclaimers in their Visitors' Division and lets them have the stage just as darkness starts to fall, lending to their...impressive performances. Through the ups and downs, Lola keeps smiling, free with her laughter. The Reclaimers put on a good show, even if some things didn't go quite as planned.
Once their division is over, more local teams and soloists begin to compete, with hip-hop routines to reggaeton dances to captivating salsas and even an experimental number. Even Niely makes an appearance rapping the number for a team of youths, and KV can be seen out in the crowd watching the competition and cheering for their young apprentice.
After all the Reclaimer and local teams perform and the winners of both have been announced, Lola begins one last performance for the night.
Sergio sings to the rhythm of the bomba drums behind him, and Lola and her endless dress take the stage. The other dancers — dressed similarly in bright, pigmented overdresses — slide around and behind Lola, their movements half a mystery as their legs disappear and reappear past bunches of fluttery frills. Grasping the kale-like bunches of fabric, they all toss those skirts in waves like the churning seas, like the fluttering of doves' feathers, like spiraling streamers of brightly colored crépe paper. They dance the bomba passionately, with smiles on their faces, and when the song seems to draw to a close it doesn't actually end. It starts over again, and all the other Animalians get to their feet, too. They begin to dance along with Lola's team and with each other, dancing the rest of the night to the sounds of the Boardwalk Boogie Band.
Lola herself, after the other Animalians come to the dance floor, leaves to take a break. Shortly after, she finds her way to one of the dining tents to meet her victoriousReclaimers.
Eat, drink, and be merry for tonight, Reclaimers. The festivities won't end 'til dawn.
BOARDWALK BOOGIE NIGHT
The elusive Holstein stands about the height of a taller half-orc, walking on delicate hooves despite her muscular frame. She stands gracefully in a traditional dress with an amazing petticoat and her hair wrapped up over her horns. Lola's demeanor may remind some reclaimers of their missing director, though one thing stands out; Lola's face doesn't carry the same weight of worry that Lucretia's so often could. When Sergio introduces her, the crowd of Animalians crow lovingly for her, and Lola regards them just as warmly.
She introduces the Reclaimers in their Visitors' Division and lets them have the stage just as darkness starts to fall, lending to their...impressive performances. Through the ups and downs, Lola keeps smiling, free with her laughter. The Reclaimers put on a good show, even if some things didn't go quite as planned.
Once their division is over, more local teams and soloists begin to compete, with hip-hop routines to reggaeton dances to captivating salsas and even an experimental number. Even Niely makes an appearance rapping the number for a team of youths, and KV can be seen out in the crowd watching the competition and cheering for their young apprentice.
After all the Reclaimer and local teams perform and the winners of both have been announced, Lola begins one last performance for the night.
Sergio sings to the rhythm of the bomba drums behind him, and Lola and her endless dress take the stage. The other dancers — dressed similarly in bright, pigmented overdresses — slide around and behind Lola, their movements half a mystery as their legs disappear and reappear past bunches of fluttery frills. Grasping the kale-like bunches of fabric, they all toss those skirts in waves like the churning seas, like the fluttering of doves' feathers, like spiraling streamers of brightly colored crépe paper. They dance the bomba passionately, with smiles on their faces, and when the song seems to draw to a close it doesn't actually end. It starts over again, and all the other Animalians get to their feet, too. They begin to dance along with Lola's team and with each other, dancing the rest of the night to the sounds of the Boardwalk Boogie Band.
Lola herself, after the other Animalians come to the dance floor, leaves to take a break. Shortly after, she finds her way to one of the dining tents to meet her victorious Reclaimers.
Eat, drink, and be merry for tonight, Reclaimers. The festivities won't end 'til dawn.