His hair was like sand alongside the ocean, his movements like the crashing wave. The island prince was understandably enchanted. In fact, he barely took his eyes off the dancer the whole performance. 

“Does the party please you, Your Highness?”
“It is satisfactory… Where did you find the entertainment troupe?”

His aid looks nervous, not sure if the question is favorable or disapproving. “The original troupe was lost at sea on their way here so a local group was found…”

“I wasn’t aware that our kingdom was home to such talented performers. We should have a place built to cultivate and display such arts. Right here, in the capital… We can start on the details tomorrow morning.” Prince Blake smiles lightly as he watches the blonde male dancer even after the dance is over. 

The man starts making some sort of gestures to another resting performer. Honestly, even without knowing what's going on, the prince is captivated by his every movement. He needed to see more of the entertainer, no matter what.

Some fire breathers were performing next, but the prince wasn't paying much attention to them. They were quite spectacular, but… Oh, food was starting to arrive for the feast. That gave him an idea.

The prince waved his aid closer. “I would like to thank the performers beyond any payment for their outstanding entertainment by inviting them to join me for the feast. Have the additional place setting put out at my table.”

“Are you sure, Your Highness?”

“Yes. They accepted on such short notice and have gone above and beyond what would have been necessary for their show. How am I to be a good ruler to my people someday if I am in the habit of separating myself far above my subjects?” There was just no arguing with him, it seemed. The aid left to quickly make sure it was done.

Blake glanced over towards the dancer again and this time it seemed his gaze had been noticed. The blonde looked him in the eye from a distance for only a second or two before suddenly looking away and rapidly moving his hands at the person beside him. It was too far away to hear what they were saying, unfortunately.

Thankfully, he didn't have to wait long before the troupe was invited to join him. A few came over looking nervous, bowing when they got close.

“Please rise… I have been informed your group stepped in on short notice when the originally planned entertainment could not make it. Thank you for saving the festivities with all your amazing talents. I am sure you have already been informed that your whole group will be joining me at the head table in honor of your contributions and going above expectations. I hope that you can all be comfortable to just enjoy the meal together, forgetting about status.”

"As you wish, your highness." One of the performers responded. Unfortunately, not the dancer that had caught the prince's eye... He would have enjoyed hearing what his voice sounded like.

The group hesitantly sat and started eating, obviously doing their best to be polite and demonstrate proper manners. The prince wanted to have some casual conversation but wasn't sure what to talk to any of them about.

Slowly, some small conversations sprung up so he just silently listened without feeling the pressure to join in. It was a shame none of them seemed to include the handsome dancer, though he continued to make gestures to some of the other performers between eating.

That is when a possibility came to the prince's mind. Could it be that he didn't speak because he couldn't? That would make sense... He was constantly making gestures and his peers seemed to understand all of them without him having to say anything.

The prince caught a gesture done by a different performer which caused the dancer to rapidly respond with a long series of his own gestures along with a faint reddening in the face. It added to his curiosity of what was being discussed.

To attempt to distract himself from the alluring dancer, he turned to a performer on his other side. "I have been considering having an art center built to cultivate our island's talents. In your opinion, do you think there would be an interest in such a place?"

He didn't pay as much attention to the answer as he probably should have. His eyes kept wandering back to the dancer despite his attempts. He managed to tune back in as the performer he'd asked and another started discussing the need for mentors to teach the newer talents.

"Dew could probably teach most entertainment dances, though he'd probably need a partner to translate for the youngin's."

"True. Never been a faster study than him. Picked up the local dances at every town we visited..."

"Was this Dew the one who was dancing earlier?"

"Yes, Sire... He's the most talented so he was the obvious choice to perform the main dances when we took the job. Don't need to talk to move one's body, after all." 

"So that means he's mute?"

"Yes, Sire. Most of the regulars have learned to communicate with him, though."

"Could someone teach me as well? I believe I would like the ability to converse with such a talented individual..." 

"I am sure no one would be opposed to you adding to your education, Sire. In fact, it is likely many would be honored to be chosen as the person to personally teach the crown prince."

"I wouldn't wish to take away from anyone who is already so busy with their main form of income. Though, on the other hand, someone who is already familiar with Dew's specific form of communication would likely be the most effective teacher. Do you think you could arrange someone who would be interested and has some free time from your troupe?"

"It would be our honor to serve you however you wish..."

The prince smiles. "I have already been quite impressed with your troupe's performance and plan on hiring you guys for future events as well... If you are interested, of course. Hiring a local troupe is much more reliable than one from a foreign land." 

The conversation soon turns to potential future jobs and before Blake knows, the dinner is over.

The troupe member wastes no time fulfilling the prince's other request as someone from the entertainment group arrives at the palace the very next day. A woman slightly on the younger side of the prince.

She appeared nervous as she was led into his waiting area. "Greetings, Miss." The prince arrives in the room shortly after her. "I expect you know why you are here?"

"Actually, no, milord. I was just told to present myself to you at the castle..." He could now see she seemed to be shaking slightly as she spoke.

"Oh, dear... Then I suppose that means nothing was properly explained, which explains your nervousness." He sits down and starts pouring the available tea in hopes it will help her calm down. "Yesterday, I noticed a unique form of communication using hand gestures amongst some of your troupe's members and voiced interest in learning it as well. I was told someone would be sent to help me learn it."

The explanation at least did seem to help the woman calm down. "Then that is definitely something I can do for you... I am the main translator when one is needed during our travels."

"Splendid. I look forward to your instructions..."

And so, his lessons began. Some of it was hard to pick up and remember but every time he started to feel discouraged, he would think of that beautiful dancer and remember why he was attempting to learn in the first place. To speak with him without needing any sort of translator was motivation enough.

It took a week of lessons but finally his instructor said he'd master the very basics.

He tried to imagine what that gorgeous face would look like surprised when he was able to communicate with the dancer. Which got him thinking back to all the different gestures he saw being used during the meal... There were still quite a few he didn't recognize as ones he'd learned yet. It was humbling to realize how much more he still had to learn. 

He just needed to keep at it, right?