She tossed her arms in the air and bent her knees in gentle suplication, back held straight, chin tucked beneath her. The sounds of praise rose up around her in waves, punctuated with the crests of calls and applause. She rose and smiled out at the audience, now on its feet, and raised her chin. With three beats past, she folded her left hand into her chest, and curtsied again with all due deliberation. As she rose, she unfolded her arm, and brought both arms behind her back. There, with her hands joined, she stood in the limelight, watching the crowd devour her.