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Del Ethier ([info]blackhole_son) wrote in [info]we_float,
@ 2010-05-29 20:39:00

Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
Current music:'Just Dance' - Lady Gaga

I love this record baby but I can't see straight anymore
Who: Del Ethier and Maxxie Delacourt
When: Saturday, early evening
Where: Walking On Sunshine dance studio.
What: Del and Maxxie go dancing
Status: closed, incomplete

Del had figured on this location for two reasons - the first was that he knew the receptionist would let them in and the second was that the two of them were together fairly discrete when it came to being Wild Cards. He led Maxxie past the desk after she'd paid with all into the rather plain dance hall. There was the ubiquitous disco ball and the music coming from the rather impressive set up was a rather ordinary waltz. It wasn't the most happening of places - they were easily the youngest people there - but there was a nice crowd.

He grinned behind his shades and offered her a hand. "Shall we?" he asked. He felt comfortable here and it showed, almost glowed from him.


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[info]maxblinks
2010-05-30 02:47 pm UTC (link)
As much as Maxxie enjoyed any kind of dancing, including the sort on a club dance floor, there was something about this type of dance that appealed to her best. The rules, the routine, but all with expressivity and creativity within those same bounds.

And with that on her mind, she was able to relax and place her hand in Del's because that was a part of it. She grinned brightly, a swift smile that lit her eyes. "Of course we shall. Thank you for coming with me."

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[info]blackhole_son
2010-05-30 03:56 pm UTC (link)
He gave her a preemptive spin and backed the two of them straight into the pattern woven by the couples already on the dance floor. Del had obviously done this before - he snapped into the correct frame and led the two of them in the rather rote, basic steps to warm up.

"Sure. Did you learn this in school?" he asked.

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[info]maxblinks
2010-05-30 06:58 pm UTC (link)
"Not school, not exactly," Maxxie said, her back straight but arms relaxed just the way they ought to be, feet finding the right places to be without thought. "When I started winning championships I picked a dance class I wanted to try and while I couldn't really say it ever helped with gymnastics, it was my favorite, and it was dancing, so no one argued. I liked it better than ballet."

She breathed in, stress slipping out with each exhalation, and her smile grew. "I haven't done it in far too long, not since coming out west. Haven't had time to take classes, and I didn't like the club on campus." A small shudder at that, because it had reminded her all too much of gymnastics, with fake plastic smiles and fake friendships between competitive girls. "Did you take lessons to do this for fun or competition?"

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[info]blackhole_son
2010-05-30 11:48 pm UTC (link)
"Oh, fun. I didn't start doing this until after I'd graduated high school and moved out here." It felt so natural - the steps, the words - he couldn't be more relaxed as he halted the two of them to pose, leg stretched, shoulders leaned back. Then they were off again in the opposite direction, spinning and swirling in time to the music.

"You didn't like ballet?" he asked, with a warm, relaxed smile.

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[info]maxblinks
2010-05-31 12:05 am UTC (link)
Maxxie's hands were graceful, the pose practiced and easy. A soft laugh as they moved once more, pleased by the motion. She shook her head, a spare enough motion that didn't make her lose rhythm or balance.

"Ballet was too rigid for me, too serious, and too much like gymnastics. It was work, and I wasn't allowed to enjoy it. This was mine, and play, and what I loved," Maxxie admitted with a smile that broadened. "You didn't see it the same way, though. It sounds like you love dance and ballet."

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[info]blackhole_son
2010-05-31 12:18 am UTC (link)
Del chuckled. "It's hard as hell. That's what I love about it. Ballet pushes you like nothing I've ever done, to be stronger, bendier, more graceful. Beats the shit out of you, but it's worth it."

He spun her half a turn for a few steps, then out again so she faced him once more. "But I'll pretty much do any kind of dance. Or any kind of not dance - it's why I like tai-chi so much. Did some Kung-fu and TKD and Judo when I was younger - not much difference except for the beating people up part. Didn't so much like that."

360 degree vision was perfect for this endeavor - he managed to weave them easily through the crowd to keep them from making contact.

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[info]maxblinks
2010-05-31 01:47 am UTC (link)
"I had gymnastics to beat the hell out of me," Maxxie said. "And our ballet instructor was an absolute brat. We could be winning golds on the floor, and lauded all over the place for our grace of our movement, and we still wouldn't be good enough for her."

She spun, the skirt she'd worn specifically for this -- because you just couldn't dance like this in slacks -- swirling out around her knees. "I like TKD because it's different. There are dance like parts, and things that have to be precise, but it's different at the same time. Which might just be because it's mine."

The way they spun around was perfect, in her mind. So nice to get out and just do this, let the music spin through her mind and her feet move in the ways they were supposed to. It wasn't the same as a good tumbling run, but in so many ways was much more relaxing. "And the beating people up can come in handy if it's necessary. The whole point about TKD is sense before self-defense. No hitting unless there isn't another way around it."

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[info]blackhole_son
2010-05-31 02:50 am UTC (link)
"That's what every single one of them says. It's about self-control and body awareness and whatever. Come on, it's about being able to take someone down if shit --" He caught the eye of a lady who didn't appreciate the language, and nodded. "Sorry. It's about laying down the law. And not like that isn't a fine skill, but give me a break, you know? It may be the art of war, but it's still war."

The music trailed into an end and became something a little peppier. "Foxtrot it sounds," he mentioned, managing to make a pair of sunglasses look curious and expectant.

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[info]maxblinks
2010-05-31 02:24 pm UTC (link)
"It's about protecting myself and learning discipline," Maxxie countered. "The idea is that yes, there's fighting, but it ought to not be something that someone goes out looking for. Defense rather than offense. Sometimes it's good to know how to take care of oneself." Her voice lowered, with a sigh that took the smile away. "Especially these days."

But the change in music brought the brightness of the smile back. "Foxtrot it is." One hand on his shoulder, the other raised to take his for the basic steps of the start. "I love the dances where we can play a bit. This can have such wonderful spins." And it was a little odd doing it with a partner she didn't really know, because there were so many places you could change it up -- spins, and leaning back, and even lifts, but she wasn't quite sure what he might choose. But she was ready for any of it, and following his lead with a bright joy she didn't often have. And, for once, with both feet on the ground and not blinking as she gave over to the rhythm of the music.

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[info]blackhole_son
2010-05-31 04:28 pm UTC (link)
"I'm not knocking it Max, I'm just saying it's gotta purpose and that ain't nothing but kicking ass when need be," he replied as he spun her around. "You're not going to try any of that on me if I try and lift you, are you?"

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[info]maxblinks
2010-05-31 07:44 pm UTC (link)
She laughed, going with the move and readying herself for the lift so she could hold her body properly. "Not at all. Unless you're a drunk frat boy, you're not in any danger from me."

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[info]blackhole_son
2010-05-31 09:09 pm UTC (link)
He didn't respond, instead focusing on the shift of weight as he boosted Maxxie up over his head and then back down the other side as he slid back into step. "I'll keep that in mind."

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[info]maxblinks
2010-05-31 09:30 pm UTC (link)
Like flying, or tumbling, only better in some ways. She had to relinquish control, which she'd never been particularly good at, and let him take over. But at the same time, giving over that control let her create her own flourish and enjoy posing and showing off. It was a balance, and one she could handle, this small bit of give and take, her body perfectly posed in the lift.

She landed lightly on her feet, back in step and rhythm easily. "Given the age of the crowd and the lack of alcohol, I didn't think it was anything I needed to worry about. Or are you the sort that gets wild in a party situation?"

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[info]blackhole_son
2010-05-31 09:38 pm UTC (link)
"Yup," he said succinctly. "Not like, grabbing on random people, but. Well, okay, grabbing random people to dance or whatever. But tastefully," Del replied with a wry grin. "But then I end up walking into walls and then I'm done for the night."

Del dipped her down and back up, then spun her around a couple of times just as the music came to a big, if sudden finish. "What - you never get bombed and just live?"

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[info]maxblinks
2010-05-31 10:00 pm UTC (link)
Just like that, her walls started sliding back into place. She trusted him to keep his hands to himself, at least outside of a dancing situation. But still. "Doesn't everyone try it, at least once, when they go away to school?" She shrugged like it didn't matter. "I didn't like it. But it might be funny to watch you walk into walls," she teased, trying for light. "I'd make sure you got home alright."

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[info]blackhole_son
2010-05-31 10:20 pm UTC (link)
"I don't know, do they?" he replied curiously. Del shrugged. "I get home ok usually. That's the plus of drinking with friends."

Something had changed; there was a stiffness to her where fluidity once had been, so he pulled them out of the swing of people.

"Can I ask you a question?" he asked delicately. He knew he was hard to read, so it made him extra cautious to put emotion in his voice.

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[info]maxblinks
2010-05-31 10:26 pm UTC (link)
No question that began with asking permission to ask it was ever anything she wanted to answer. She shrugged casually, trying to make it look like she hadn't just pulled away from his touch now that the dance was done. Her chin went up, jaw set. "You can ask," she said, "but I don't promise to answer."

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[info]blackhole_son
2010-05-31 10:33 pm UTC (link)
"What's the deal?" he asked quietly.

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[info]maxblinks
2010-05-31 11:27 pm UTC (link)
Maxxie wrinkled her nose. "What deal?"

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[info]blackhole_son
2010-05-31 11:38 pm UTC (link)
"The deal with you," he replied. "Did you have an abusive boyfriend or something? People don't tense up at the mention of partying." Maxxie seemed to be the type to appreciate candid conversation. "Do you want to stop dancing?"

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[info]maxblinks
2010-05-31 11:49 pm UTC (link)
"I don't date." She put on the bright smile perfected through years of performance. It wasn't exactly a lie. She didn't date, and never really had. But she barely knew Del, and didn't like talking about herself at the best of times, so her lips pressed down against any description of her first few days on campus.

"And I'd rather dance than talk. I don't get to do this very often at all, and I love it almost as much as gymnastics except for the part where it's actually just fun."

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[info]blackhole_son
2010-05-31 11:59 pm UTC (link)
"Oh...kay," Del said slowly, skeptically. He guessed that was what she meant by not answering his questions.

At least it made sense in the growing picture of the petite girl in front of him. He resumed his perfect posture and decided he could ride through this just fine - he just had to keep this in mind for next time.

"Forget it." He offered her a hand to go back out again.

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[info]maxblinks
2010-06-01 12:35 am UTC (link)
A moment's hesitation as she shook off the conversation and let the music back in, reminding herself that she could relax in the dance. Forgetting was a beautiful thing, except that she couldn't entirely let it go, as long as the focus was off of her.

"Why do you like to just let go like that?" she asked as he swung her back out onto the floor and she fit to him again. "What's the appeal in getting so drunk you can't see straight?"

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[info]blackhole_son
2010-06-01 12:46 am UTC (link)
"I don't like getting that far, but when I try and keep the buzz going, sometimes I overshoot," he admitted, concentrating more on the steps than his answer.

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[info]maxblinks
2010-06-01 12:54 am UTC (link)
Maxxie spun out and back, catching his hand and falling back into step with him. "Why risk it? Why do something that puts you at risk of completely losing control?" Curiosity pulled the questions out, even as they danced.

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[info]blackhole_son
2010-06-01 01:08 am UTC (link)
"Cause I don't hold onto it so tightly as you do, Max," he replied, one eyebrow popping up from behind his spectacles as he spun her around, then in the opposite direction. "It's just a difference, you know? Some people gotta be in control, some people don't."

"Thought you wanted to dance, not talk," he teased.

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[info]maxblinks
2010-06-01 01:16 am UTC (link)
"We're talking about you," she pointed out. "That's interesting right up until the time you tell me to shut up. You could tell me some complete bullshit to entertain me if you'd like," she teased back, relaxing again.

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[info]blackhole_son
2010-06-01 02:50 am UTC (link)
"Oh, I see how it is," he said in a joking tone. "I'm not good at making stuff up. Looks like you're just stuck with the dancing."

He wasn't quite watching the clock, but some of the fun had trailed out of this meeting. People were only interesting when they talked about themselves; light grilling was how he started off most of his friendships because the newness was so enticing. That Maxxie was so closed off meant one of two things: either she had a lot of bad stuff happen in her past, in which cause he shouldn't press, or she was pretty boring in which case pressing would be fruitless. Whichever it was, Del wasn't active enough to pursue.

His mind wandered away as he swung and glided through the crowd, eyes half-closed behind his spectacles. Del started to hum under his breath absently.

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[info]maxblinks
2010-06-01 02:58 pm UTC (link)
"I don't mind it being just dancing," Maxxie said quietly. It took several more steps for her to relax again, but once she did, she let herself go entirely to the music and the dance. It was entirely a letting go of control, not when there was still a routine to the dance, but it loosened her limbs, letting the music flow through her and into the expression of the motion.

It took a break in the music to realize that as much as she'd been enjoying it, it almost seemed like Del had taken a step back. "You didn't like that dance?" she asked.

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[info]blackhole_son
2010-06-02 12:53 am UTC (link)
His eyes fluttered open behind his glasses as Maxxie came back to his attention. "I did," he said, surprised by the question. "It's nice to just do the smooth stuff - it's like being in a dream state. Gotta pay close attention for paso doble." He hopped-to and did a sharp clap of the hand.

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[info]maxblinks
2010-06-02 01:40 am UTC (link)
She giggled (oh God was that a giggle? she hadn't giggled since she was thirteen) at that. "Good, as long as it was all for the good that you'd gone off in daydreams. When you started humming I was hoping it hadn't gotten so dull that you were making your own soundtrack to it."

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[info]blackhole_son
2010-06-02 03:23 am UTC (link)
"Well, the music was kinda whatever," he admitted with a chuckle. He tilted his head a little, lazily. "That's the part of smooth stuff I don't like - the music's whatever."

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[info]maxblinks
2010-06-02 03:43 am UTC (link)
"So you added your own." She smiled at that, bright and real, reaching all the way into the small crinkles around her eyes. "I was thinking about asking the lady in charge about setting up a workout space, by the way. Not necessarily with high enough ceilings for tumbling runs, but at least with mirrors, and bars, and some padded space for taking falls." She didn't know what was happening to the Metahuman gymnastics league yet, but she didn't think she wanted to be a part of it when whatever happened did happen.

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[info]blackhole_son
2010-06-02 03:47 am UTC (link)
"You know, I wonder about that," he said, the music still at a slow pace (likely due to the general population's age bracket). "I mean, for a team of superheroes, I get the feeling the majority of people aren't all that active. Except Jael - that parkour stuff is pretty awesome. Like, a training room is probably only going to be used by us."

"Wonder if she'll still go for it. I mean, we gotta be expensive enough as it is..."

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[info]maxblinks
2010-06-02 02:49 pm UTC (link)
"We'll be more expensive if we're not able to do what she wants, right?" Maxxie pointed out. "And JT likes club dancing, and he's pretty decent at it, and he thought about TKD although he was more interested in what colors the belts were, I think. And Tom does do TKD, too, he's just all arms and legs." A small fond smile at the thought of Tom, for all that he was inelegant and she wasn't particularly expressive about their friendship, sometimes it slipped through into her expression when she wasn't thinking. "I can't think it'll do any harm to ask."

She moved through the steps, in a way liking the lazy pace, and smiled at one older woman who was watching her curiously, as if surprised to see such young ones here. "What's parkour? I haven't heard of it." And she had a feeling she should have, if it was something physical and awesome.

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