InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "If i only had a brain"

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

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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	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?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	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." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	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." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

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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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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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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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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	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." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	blackhole_son 2010-05-31 10:33 pm UTC (link)
	"What's the deal?" he asked quietly. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	maxblinks 2010-05-31 11:27 pm UTC (link)
	Maxxie wrinkled her nose. "What deal?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	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?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

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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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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