Learning to Dance

“The Huntress?” Up smiled, a little shyly. “Reminded
me of someone I knew.”
Taz blinked, several times, and appeared to be rendered
speechless.
“O-M-D-G!”
Taz’s eyebrows disappeared underneath her hair. Up
turned to see a Ranger in the blue uniform of a science
officer, who squealed and tackled the lieutenant in a one-
sided hug.
“Phillipa! Oh, ew, you’re kind of sweaty and gross.”
“Watch it, watch it, watch the zapper, are you loco,
chica?”
“Phillipa, I didn’t know you were on this mission! And
Charles too!” The Ranger threw her arms around Up, who
patted her on the back, confused. She stood back and tossed
short blond hair over her shoulder, surveying them both
with her hands on her hips. “It’s February, remember? Like
the month, but a person! You saved my life at the Galactic
Ambassador’s Ball! You told me I would make a good
Starship Ranger! And look, here I am, on my very first
mission ever, and we’re all together again. Isn’t this
wonderful?”
“Jesucristo,” said Taz. “You made it through the
Academy?”
“I totally did!” February exclaimed. “Phillipa, girl, we
have so much to catch up on! And I’m, like, so happy you
two are still together, you are definitely the cutest couple
I’ve ever seen. And I have an eye for these kinds of things. I
can tell when two people are totally in love.”
Up and Taz looked at each other, and then back at
February. “No,” said Up awkwardly. Not anymore. “We’re
not-”
“Oh, but I’m totally interrupting!” February said. “I’m
just looking for Commander Up, wanted to meet him in