Harley has to blink when the curtain reopens. It takes her a while to remember to applaud, but then she does so with gusto. Ballet's never been something to interest her too much--much too delicate, much too sweet--but even she can admire skill when she sees it. And Nina makes it look so easy. If her mother hadn't forced her to go to ballet classes for a while and she hadn't been forced to endure the torment of trying to dance on tiptoes, she'd think anyone could get up and do what Nina just did.

The past two weeks almost had taken an immense toll on the elf. Her mind and heart were still both in shreds from the whole ordeal of losing more and realizing her loss. On top of that, her anger got her in over her head and she got beat bad in a sparring match. Her torso was still bandaged tight as she sat down, nestled warmly in the seat she felt had the best point to observe all of Nina's, and then Wesley's, movements from. Alleyne had never really seen a full ballet before and intended to analyze it, as was her style. It was either this, or get wrapped up in the vampire fight outside, and she wasn't at full strength again; best to lay low until she was recovered enough to back into the fray.

What she hadn't bet on was getting wrapped up in it. She realized she needed distractions, but not to this extent. After a bit, she lost track of how gracefully and flawlessly they moved. Only elves and those she trained for fighting should move like that; young humans showing such dexterity, especially outside of the battlefield, astounded her. The music, too, was amazing, her ears relaxing and flicking in time with it almost.

When they bowed, she found herself applauding firm and fast. Alleyne rarely applauded or gave high accolade, but this was a performance worthy of it. No smiles, but there was no malice or annoyance in her expression. The old elf was glad she decided to come up and watch after all. It wasn't her place to judge, but if they asked her her opinion, she would say they deserved full marks.

Mark wasn't exactly huge on ballet, but he knew that people poured themselves into their creative outlets, no matter what they were ... and for someone to put themselves out there like this for everyone deserved his respect and his attention, if nothing else.

To say he's impressed by their skill and discipline is an understatement - he knows he couldn't manage enough balance to stand on his toes to reach a cookie jar, let alone this level of persistence and grace. Once the curtain opens for the final time, he's applauding with just as much vigor as everyone else.