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[Danny is taking a moment to sit and remove his shoes. He usually wears them on the job, so they should be comfortable, but... the class is a little longer than he's normally on his feet. He takes a moment to massage his sore arches and sighs.]

And here I thought I was in pretty good shape.

[If it were up to him, he wouldn't even be taking a tango class. But he has to help Agent Pryor with an assignment that calls for blending in at a dance competition. It's not easy being a spy.]

[Alejo smiles and shrugs, picking up a bottle of water and walking over to offer it to Danny.]

Dancing has a way of reminding you of muscles you never knew you had.

[Danny will take that bottled water and confirm the cap is still sealed before taking a drink. Better safe than sorry, after all. He nods at Alejo and says,] Thanks.

I thought my martial arts training found all the ways that muscles could hurt! [He smiles back.] My own capacity for pain keeps surprising me.

Ah, but I'm probably complaining too much.

[He gives another shrug.] The more you complain, the more of an ego boost I get.

[Danny gets a playful smile before Alejo heads to the CD player to put the disc back into its case.] What martial arts did you learn?

Jiu-jitsu, mostly. I started as a kid, so the emphasis on redirecting an opponent's force was more useful than the 'hard' techniques using one's own power.

[Danny flexes one ankle back and forth for a bit, then asks,] Do you need help cleaning up? The complaining might give you an ego boost, but I'd feel better if you give me something to do while I whine.

[That gets an approving nod.] A good starting point for tango. Knowing your partner's balance and motion is tricky for many people.

[He looks around at the bare space.] There's not much to do, but... You could gather the empty bottles if you need something to do.

These days, it feels like people are more afraid to be touched. Even for things like dance.

[Danny nods and goes around the room in his socks, picking up discarded water bottles. And he might be using telekinesis to sweep a few near him, which Alejo might be able to see if he looks over.]

[With the bottles being taken care of, there's not a lot left to do. Alejo takes a seat and starts undoing his laces to slip into more comfortable shoes.]

It is harder in dance. In fighting, there are clear rules. All touch is part of learning how to attack, how to defend... In dance it is more intimidating. Because it can be intimate, and you need to be open. It makes you more vulnerable and people are scared of that. It is a scary world out there, after all.

That's a fair point. It's easy to get hurt, even when the other person doesn't mean to.

You have to trust that your partner knows what they're doing, right?

It's not as easy to get hurt in dance as martial arts, but... I understand.

[Alejo shakes his head and looks up at Danny.] You don't have to trust, you have to communicate. To speak to your partner without words. To listen to their body and move with them. Trust comes naturally if you're having an open conversation like that.

[Danny thinks over that clarification. Trust can be hard to come by, but communication... as long as there is effort from both parties...]

I see. That's an interesting way to look at it, for sure. [He smiles.] I think that will help me, going forward.

So. [He glances up at Danny between lacing up his shoes.] Why tango?

[Danny shrugs.] Got a lady-friend back home who needs a partner. So I figured I'd at least get the basics down.

I learn whatever people need of me.

Ah, learning for a lady. It always is, isn't it? [He's approving, of course, but that won't stop him teasing Danny anyway.]

[That last part is met with a raised eyebrow.] What about yourself? Would you learn tango if no one else needed it of you?

[Danny picks up his own shoes and starts putting them back on. He smiles at the teasing tone and repeats, with an emphasis on the second part,] Lady-friend.

Oh, I don't know. There's so much to do, most of the skills I pick up have to be put to use for something. [He straightens up from tying his shoes.] My own hobbies are a little more low-key.

[Alejo rolls his eyes, clearly not believing that for a second. Finished his laces, he rests his elbows on his knees while he listens to Danny.]

What are those then? Reading? Museums?

[The disbelief just amuses him. And maybe reminds him a bit of his old teammates, Gar and Joey, from before everything went... sideways. That thought, for once, doesn't make him sad.]

Sculpting. [Danny holds out both hands and wriggles his fingers.] Just me and the clay. I find it relaxing.

And my coworkers are never short of coffee mugs and fancy pots for their office plants.

[Again, Danny gets an approving nod.]

Useful. [A thought and then:] Where did you learn to sculpt?

Oh, I just found a class at the local community center. About a year and a half ago?

My therapist said "Reading doesn't count as a hobby if all you read is work documents," and encouraged me to find something that was... just for fun. It's nice.

Is dancing your job or your hobby?

[There's a twitch on his brow at the mention of a therapist, but it passes quickly.]

My hobby. That allows me to make a little cash, these days. [His mouth quirks back into a smile.] Maybe after a few classes you will decide to do it for yourself, and not just for the ladies.

[If asked, Danny would be glad to explain how therapy is normal, especially if you're in a high-stress job. As it is, he misses that twitch.]

[Danny laughs at the teasing.] With such a wise and talented teacher, maybe I will! I had a lot of fun at today's class, sore feet or not.

[That would be a tough sell to a man who's so quick to dance or fight instead of talk about anything as substantial as feelings. Danny is saved by missing Alejo's expression.]

Wait until you finish a class and realise your feet are not so sore. You will feel accomplished then! But you must tell me if you find yourself using the tango in Jiu-Jitsu. I would pay to hear about that.