002 ♔ text/action

[whichswan.livejournal.com]

Is there a limit to how much we can ask of the Castle?

Angel;
Were you the one who brought me here?

Clark;
I'm sorry.


[ She can also be found at the gym, as always, practicing.

You may hear echoes of this music from outside, accompanied by the occasional sound of wood tapping against linoleum. Once she finishes a round, she takes a few minutes to breathe, then does it again. Sometimes she rehearses a part many times, perfecting it. And sometimes, after a good round, she curtsies to herself in the mirror and smiles.

But Nina doesn't smile when she dances. ]

Comments

[impermissible.livejournal.com]

Not going to lie, I wouldn't mind that at all. [And another chuckle.] I'd offer the same, but I don't know if you're into alternative rock or anything.

[whichswan.livejournal.com]

Oh. Thank you.

[ Nina fiddles with the hem of her shrug for a moment, a little unsure of the newcomer. ]

Was I too loud?

[whichswan.livejournal.com]

I've never heard of that.

[pixiesinmyhead.livejournal.com]

So immersed in what you love, there's no such thing.

[Though it could change any moment, she's mostly just enchanted. The little ballerina's like a music box.]

[impermissible.livejournal.com]

Oh, man. Seriously?

[A beat, and then... Oh, right. Not everyone was ~just like him~ in the sense that they're from Earth or the 90s or anything. How silly of him top be presumptuous, he thinks.]

Ah, not a big deal either way. We can make an exchange or something, and if you don't like my taste, then it's all good.

[whichswan.livejournal.com]

[ She smiles timidly at his answer. There are many magical people here, beyond natural, but so far she has only met the ones that mean them for good. That, at least, helps her sleep better at night. ]

That's nice of you, to use it for good when--when you could've just kept it to yourself.

[whichswan.livejournal.com]

[ Most people aren't as sheltered as Nina is either, so it's not entirely his fault. ]

That sounds nice. I can meet you... at the lobby?

[save-the-souls.livejournal.com]

Mm! It does come in handy not needing to pay for things all the time.

[whichswan.livejournal.com]

If you get to be choreographer though, you get to play with all the ballerinas. [ Nina regrets saying this the moment she finishes. ]

[ruined-jaw.livejournal.com]

[He shrugs. SO MODEST.]

{Eh, I didn' really have much else I coulda done. Mos' o' th' people close t'me thought I was dead, save fer me immediate family. People like me...aren't treated very well, where I come from. I ended up goin' to a special school fer folks with powers like mine, so I could learn t'control this bloody inferno. Usin' me powers fer good was jus' part o' th' deal.}

[Yes, Jono just admitted to going to s school for super heroes. Where he comes from, this is normal.]

[rock-it-punch.livejournal.com]

[He stops talking and thinks this over.] Well. Okay, that doesn't sound so bad. For guys into ballerinas, I mean.

[impermissible.livejournal.com]

[That too. :( And he'll just be shuffling through his CD collection for a second...]

Fine by me. Give me ten minutes or so, or... eh, whenever you want to meet, I guess.

[whichswan.livejournal.com]

There's no--?

[ This woman is making her anxious. Scared, almost. She sounds like that other Nina, the one that taunts her from the mirror. She frowns. ]

I don't mind you watching.

[whichswan.livejournal.com]

Ten minutes then. I do need to take a break.

[whichswan.livejournal.com]

Yeah. But you work, don't you, Allen?

You were so wonderful at the Host Club Circus.

[whichswan.livejournal.com]

I--I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that.

[rock-it-punch.livejournal.com]

Uh. Why?

[whichswan.livejournal.com]

We're scared of things that are different from us.

[ Nina shuffles her feet for a moment before deciding that she probably can sit beside him, right? It feels strange to be speaking across the room. She makes her way over as she speaks. ]

Did you like it? The school?

[pixiesinmyhead.livejournal.com]

Oh, truly? Been ages since I saw a ballet. It's terribly beautiful.

[She isn't meaning to make the little ballerina frightened, truly. Though a smile wouldn't likely help.]

[whichswan.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you think so.

[ There's the secret. Compliment ballet and she's all impressed and happy. Nina smiles timidly. ]

What did you see the last time you went?

[whichswan.livejournal.com]

I just shouldn't. It's not true, anyway.

[pixiesinmyhead.livejournal.com]

Coppélia. Doll wrapped up in love stories.

[save-the-souls.livejournal.com]

Ah...thank you.

Mostly I work to pay off some debts my...teacher acquired in the city. For some reason I can't seem to ask for money from the castle. [BECAUSE HE'S CURSED]

[whichswan.livejournal.com]

That's a lovely one.

I know how to dance the Swanilda variation.

[whichswan.livejournal.com]

Your teacher?