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[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

[ruined-jaw.livejournal.com]

{Sometimes, sure. I guess what it comes down to is acceptance. Sure, we're different than "normal" folks, but that don' make us any better or worse'n they are. They like t'think it does, but it don'.}

{Unfortunately, not everyone's as tolerant as we are. There're groups o' humans an' mutants alike that'd love t'see th' other wiped out, but what would that accomplish?}

{Fer one thing, I'd lose me favorite football team. Mutant sports are jus' unfair.}


[He laughs a dry laugh.]

[whichswan.livejournal.com]

[ The smile is returned twofold, as Nina curtsies a second time to Drusilla. She did it perfectly, like last time, like every time, and she has an appreciative audience who seems to approve. She laughs with glee. ]

You're such a wonderful audience.

[whichswan.livejournal.com]

[ She echoes the laughter, mildly glad that he seems light-hearted enough about himself. ]

I wouldn't want to see you wiped out.

[save-the-souls.livejournal.com]

Exorcising?

Ah...

It's hard to say exactly. It can be very hard sometimes...a lot of bad things happen and I wouldn't...wish it on anyone else.

But...it's what I want to do with my life.

[pixiesinmyhead.livejournal.com]

Was never graceful, but always loved to see it.

[There's a pause as she considers this, then:]

Every step in place. Your heart beats with the music.

[whichswan.livejournal.com]

[ Nina laughs again, joyful. ]

I've danced that variation since I was 13 and I love it now more than ever.

[ She turns to her with a hesitant smile. ]

I could teach you--if you want. We have too much time here.

[whichswan.livejournal.com]

It's dangerous, I guess?

[save-the-souls.livejournal.com]

It is, yes. I do a lot of fighting.

[whichswan.livejournal.com]

What made you want to be an exorcist?

[ruined-jaw.livejournal.com]

[Is that a blush? It maybe, possibly is...]

{Bah, yer jus' sayin' that because yer jus' gettin' t'know me. I can be a proper curmudgeon when I get in one o' me moods.}

[He laughs again, a proper laugh. It's amazing to think that only a few days ago he'd been threatening a girl who'd insulted him and his teammates, and had suffered a pretty harsh depression as a result of what she'd said to him.]

[pixiesinmyhead.livejournal.com]

Afraid my feet wouldn't learn properly.

[But she desperately would want to, and that hopeful look in her eyes might say as much.]

[whichswan.livejournal.com]

Were you injured?

[ Nina thinks she has grace enough, and technique can always be learned and practiced. ]

[pixiesinmyhead.livejournal.com]

[A shake of her head.]

Simply skittish.

[save-the-souls.livejournal.com]

[There is a pause...this is slightly personal since it involves his dad and Nina is a normal person as far as he knows...]

It's a long story but...essentially...I want to help people. Especially those who are often overlooked by the rest of the world.

And since I have the rare capability that is required in my world to become an Exorcist, I felt that was the best way to do it.

[whichswan.livejournal.com]

[ Skittish? She doesn't think she understands. But Drusilla seems to want it. ]

We can try, then you can stop if you don't like it.

[whichswan.livejournal.com]

[ That is the second time she heard someone decidedly powerful said that they wish to use it for good. It seems straightforward in stories, but it must be a difficult decision to make yourself. ]

That's very kind of you.

[whichswan.livejournal.com]

[ Nina smiles to herself, feeling decidedly safe. She says these things like a child, not quite understanding the full gravity of its meaning, though she does mean it, in her own way. The people in this Castle are kinder than most of the ones she has known before. She shrugs. ]

I still wouldn't want to not know you.

[save-the-souls.livejournal.com]

Thanks...though I'm sure lots of people would make the same choice in my situation.

[pixiesinmyhead.livejournal.com]

That would be lovely.

[tomatoandbasil.livejournal.com]

[You see this icon? Because that is exactly what's going on. Alleyne is peeking in after her elven ears picked up a trail of music, leading her here.

She's watching quietly. For the most part. Eventually, she does make a sound.]

Hmmm.

[exanimatus.livejournal.com]

[of course, Zelman has to show up. he's leaning against the doorway, keeping quiet and barely moving.

and, you know. just watching.]

[whichswan.livejournal.com]

[ Nina finishes a sequence without even registering his presence, her sight fixed on the mirror even as she goes through her 20 piqués, though she slightly stumbles before the curtsy. Her face is decidedly sour when she stands back up, jumping in surprise to see him. ]

--Oh. I'm sorry, I was getting tired, so.

[whichswan.livejournal.com]

[ Nina's face is lined with concentration as she practices her battus across the room, hopping on one pointed foot. Noticing the sound, she quickly drops to her feet and whips around, decidedly nervous at her presence. ]

Hello.

[whichswan.livejournal.com]

[ Nina smiles excitedly, walking over to her to offer a hand. ]

I can show you the positions now.

[whichswan.livejournal.com]

Do you really think so?