[He stiffened slightly, nearly stepping back but not wanting to seem too distant. It was another dance, a dangerous game. Something he had to keep control of. The illusion of looking effortless, while planning every step... that was dance, in both life and on the stage.]

Fine. Perhaps a little bit tired, but I was up late studying. I wanted to make sure I had everything memorized so I could go over it today, and I lost track of the time.

[If he was touched, the game was over, at least for now. Every muscle had to be controlled. Every breath had to appear normal.]