http://whichswan.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] whichswan.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] paradisalost2011-06-05 09:15 am

no thinking for a little while

Who: Nina Sayers and EVERYONE (I'll fix the tags as people come in)
What: a ballet recital
When: June 5
Where: the Ballroom
Rating: PG for now

The ballroom has been transformed into a theater of sorts, the walls and floors pitch black as well as the chairs spreading in meticulous rows from the stage. Black curtains hang heavily from the ceiling while strobe lights burn a feathered white circle onto the stage.

A program has been placed on each seat:

♔ Variations ♔
Swan Lake, Act II, Odette
The Sylphide, Act II, Sylphide
Giselle, Act I, Giselle

In honor of Angel


The lights dim before the show begins.

Nina steps onto the spotlight in a white swan costume to begin her Odette variation with all the technical mastery required for the part, tragedy written in the curve of her swan wings. She is close enough to perfect; beautiful and fragile. She steps offstage to return as the Sylphide, the untouchable woman of airy delight, who withers and dies when love, unknowingly, binds her to the material world. Chastity becomes her, becoming almost barren in her interpretation.

Lastly she becomes Giselle, the peasant girl who dances like satin and cream. Graceful yet childlike, she is oblivious to all but her lover, the apple of her eye.

Nina gestures for the audience to stay for one last encore before exiting the stage.
demonologist: (S4 - stubbled profile)

AFTER THE SHOW (the Troll Wes thread if anyone cares to XD )

[personal profile] demonologist 2011-06-05 08:34 am (UTC)(link)
[Wes emerges after he's changed into normal clothes again. He's wearing a tux since one usually dresses up for these events. He knows that there are problems in town, but right now, he's here for Nina. And is relieved that he didn't embarrass himself or her on the stage. In fact, it's time to have a much needed stress-relieving drink.]
succubitch: (Oh well. Sucks to be you.)

[personal profile] succubitch 2011-06-05 08:55 am (UTC)(link)
[Lilah was making her sipping her glass of champagne when she finally spotted Wesley emerging from the back. Though she knew it might be best to not approach him all things considered, she refused to let herself be a coward. Besides, there was always the opportunity to get a few good jabs in at him. And with that in mind she approached him, one of her Cheshire grins on her lips.]

I was surprised to see you didn't trip over your own feet even once.
demonologist: (fantastipinkb)

[personal profile] demonologist 2011-06-05 09:00 am (UTC)(link)
"I think I surprised myself," Wes confesses. He's in a good mood and not about to rise to Lilah's baiting just yet. "You look well." He takes in the stunning dress and heels. Lilah always knew how to dress for the occasion.
succubitch: (It's a lielah)

[personal profile] succubitch 2011-06-05 09:09 am (UTC)(link)
"I guess you're not as clumsy as you once were. Or maybe you just got lucky." Despite herself, Lilah felt her smile soften to something almost real at the compliment. "Well of course. One can't go to the ballet dressed poorly. Even if it's a tiny show such as this one." And Lilah liked dressing up. She liked decking herself out in the nicest things she could find, so she was more than happy to take up any opportunity to do so.
demonologist: (lilah - strange bedfellows)

[personal profile] demonologist 2011-06-05 09:32 am (UTC)(link)
"Perhaps there's still hope for me yet." He replies a little dryly, but at least his expression is relatively cordial. "Did you enjoy yourself?"

It's a genuine question with no ulterior motive behind it. He simply wants to know.
succubitch: (Oh You.)

[personal profile] succubitch 2011-06-05 09:40 am (UTC)(link)
"Well, I didn't fall asleep in boredom, so I guess you two must have been doing something right." Which was her way of saying yes, she did enjoy herself. Of course, being herself, Lilah couldn't just give him a straight answer. Where would the fun be in that?

She paused for a moment, sipping from her glass again. "Have you managed to get all the cat hair out of your bedding yet?" A small acknowledgement to the fact that he had taken care of her for the time she spent stuck as an uppity Burmese.
demonologist: (S4 - can hold my own)

[personal profile] demonologist 2011-06-07 10:54 am (UTC)(link)
"Not yet. Most of it. I probably should change it for something new." He remembers the mornings he would wake up and catch her curled up on his chest. Purring. Nuzzling at his cheek. That is until he was properly awake and then she was back to being aloof and prone to inflicting scratches. "I seem to recall you getting more fur on me, actually."
succubitch: (Stoic)

[personal profile] succubitch 2011-06-07 11:08 am (UTC)(link)
Lilah sipped her champagne, the cool expression on her face faltering just for a second at his comment. She remembered all too well, waking up curled up on his chest in the morning, giving into the part of her that still wanted to be closer to him. Not that she would ever admit that out loud. She felt disgusted with herself even thinking it.

Instead, she just shrugged her shoulder, her mask back in place before anyone could notice it had been gone. "You were the warmest spot. It was only natural."
demonologist: (lilah - strange bedfellows)

[personal profile] demonologist 2011-06-07 12:27 pm (UTC)(link)
"Of course. You were a cat. You went where it was most comfortable." Wes murmured in agreement, but a very selfish part of him suspected that it was more than that. Although, with it being Lilah, he never could credit her with having deep feelings for anyone, let alone himself. With a slightly softer tone, he continues, "I ought to thank you for keeping a wide berth of the baby. It wasn't the easiest of weeks for any of us."
succubitch: (I'll never tell)

[personal profile] succubitch 2011-06-07 12:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Of course. The baby. Having to watch him with Fred's child had not been her idea of a good time, but to admit that would be practically admitting she cared and she wasn't about to do that. Certainly not now. So instead she just smirked slightly in response. "I guess I was having so much fun tearing you up that I forgot to go for the baby." Or maybe she had felt like she owed him, considering he had still fed and taken care of her despite what shaky terms they had been with one another. She hadn't liked that feeling. Owing people was never something that set well with her.
demonologist: (S4 - can hold my own)

[personal profile] demonologist 2011-06-09 12:45 pm (UTC)(link)
"And to think I was wanting to give you some credit for being a decent human being." He retorts sardonically, sipping at his champagne again. Underneath it all, however, he did believe she'd drawn the line at harming his child out of spite, no matter what she claimed to the contrary.
succubitch: (I like folding ok)

[personal profile] succubitch 2011-06-10 12:41 am (UTC)(link)
"You know me well enough to know that I am many things, but decent isn't one of them." But really, she hadn't touched the child because she hadn't particularly wanted to get near it. She wasn't fond of children, and the fact that this had been Fred and Wesley's child had only made it that much worse.
demonologist: (S4 - eyebrow kink)

[personal profile] demonologist 2011-06-10 10:23 am (UTC)(link)
"I can imagine you counted yourself lucky you were stuck as a cat and didn't get saddled with kittens."

(no subject)

[personal profile] succubitch - 2011-06-10 11:03 (UTC) - Expand
After greeting Nina and congratulating her on her performance, Fred made her way back into the small crowd. Normally she didn't favor them, even ones of this size, but tonight she was on a very particular mission. Standing to one side of the room, Fred waited patiently until he was done speaking with Lilah. She spent the time making a brief, specific wish and not letting herself trying to read what words were being exchanged.

She almost entirely succeeded.

As Fred crossed the room she tucked one hand out of view, and moved into behind Wesley's back. There was a moment where she simply enjoyed the view she was favored with, before tapping him briskly on the back.

"Fancy meeting you here. I can't imagine way I thought you weren't coming."
demonologist: (small smile)

[personal profile] demonologist 2011-06-14 07:08 am (UTC)(link)
Wes turned around at the tap and was very pleased to see Fred standing before him. He'd been glad that she'd still attended, despite his having to refuse her invitation.

"Fancy meeting you here, indeed. I apologise for the necessary subterfuge but I'd promised Nina that it would be an absolute secret that I was performing the duet with her as an encore."

His gaze drank in the sight of her and he couldn't help but be rather impressed by her outfit. The teal off the shoulder dress was simple but elegant and definitely complemented by the golden greek-influenced accents in her jewelry and shoes.

"You look amazing." He told her sincerely, wishing he could have taken her on a proper date.
Fred flushed briefly at the compliment. She'd always struggled with them, for a reason she never as quite able to sort out. So instead she deflected the topic away from herself.

"You don't look so bad yourself." And because it couldn't go unsaid. "Now, and before." He knew well enough what she meant. Fred's free hand unconsciously traced along the lines of her dress now that Wesley'd called attention to it.

"And it's all right." Even though at the time she'd not known what to make of his refusal. "Angel stood me me up too. But I promised Nina that I'd come, so here I am."

She looked him over again, gaze accessing as Fred remembered once again his recent performance. "It couldn't have just been the once. You must've been practicing for weeks. You were...." Whatever misgiving she had over more, newer secrets being kept were put away for the moment. Still unable to find the right words Fred pulled a single, burgundy rose from behind her back.

"Here, this is for you. It's not as much as I got Nina, but I didn't know you'd be here."

demonologist: (S4 -reserved smile)

[personal profile] demonologist 2011-06-14 10:55 am (UTC)(link)
Before being when he'd been onstage in his Albrecht costume. He flushed slightly himself this time.

"I still can't believe I let her talk me into wearing that. What was I thinking? I'm never going to live that down."

The presentation of the rose took him completely by surprise. In fact Wes couldn't remember ever having been given a flower before. He takes the flower, smiles warmly and inhales its scent briefly.

"I--Thank you. I hope that I acquitted myself reasonably well."
Both hands clasped in front of her now, Fred watched to see Wesley's reaction to the lone rose. She didn't bother to hide how it pleased her. "It means something particular, but I think I'll let you look that up."

Her smile tilted slightly.

"And I think you were thinking how much it would mean to Nina. She told me how much it meant, when she visited after. She was worried that you did it just to keep her from crying. The dancing part, I mean. Not the costume."

But on that note?

"...not that I minded."

She thought he looked lovely. Not that he wanted to probably hear that word.

"And it was wonderful, Wesley. You and Nina, both. I couldn't keep my eyes of either of you. I think it was even better than when we went before."
demonologist: (fred - over my shoulder)

[personal profile] demonologist 2011-06-14 11:43 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh? Then I'll look forward to doing that then. I've always found the language of flowers rather intriguing."

At the mention of Nina, he nodded, chuckling for a moment.

"I did want to help her practice since she expressed annoyance at not having a partner to go through the duets. However, had I known then what it would turn into, I might not have said yes...it took on rather a life of its own."

His gaze grew a touch warmer when Fred implied that she liked seeing him in his costume. But then, at her final comment, his smile faltered.

She couldn't have known. How could she? But the assertion couldn't help but bring back certain painful memories for him. He attempted to regain his composure again.

"I'm not sure if that would be possible. After all it was a rather magical night." In more ways than one.
Fred felt the warmth in his gaze and she responded in kind. She felt closer to him because it, even though neither one of them had taken a step.

"From everything I could see Wesley, you looked good. Not a thing worth being embarrassed over." Which of course they bother knew she'd seen plenty. Of course she'd taken dance herself all the way up until the eighth grade, so it wasn't anything she hadn't been exposed to. "And anyway, I just dressed up for you and Lorne. It's only fair that you should return the favor, I think. A sort of 'I'll show you mine, you'll show me yours'."

Before her teasing words settled, however, Fred noticed the flicker of change in his expression. Her mind worked, tying to sort out what it meant. Maybe he still didn't realize just how good he'd been. She took a step forward, dropping what she hoped was a reassuring hand on his arm.

"You really were just as good, Wesley. If not better. They were all trapped, hardly more than ghosts. They didn't have a choice. You wanted to be there. That make's a difference."

demonologist: (fantastipinkk)

[personal profile] demonologist 2011-06-14 12:18 pm (UTC)(link)
At some other time, he might have responded to Fred's teasing with some of his own, but instead he was just keenly aware of her stepping closer and trying to reassure him. Completely misunderstanding what he was trying to say.

"I meant for you. It must have been a magical night for you and Gunn."

He forced himself to smile and say it in a way which hopefully didn't give away his own feelings on how that particular night had gone. How devastating it had been for him. Performing Giselle...it had been a challenge to himself. An attempt to move past the past. But it wasn't always easy to do.
He was talking about Charles?

With her hand still draped on his arm, she could feel the tension that'd seemingly settled though his body. Something still wasn't right.

"It was. I liked to think it was that way for all of us. Well, except for Groo coming back. It was lovely right up until he point I was convinced he was going to bleed out in front of me. Right on the heels of Cordy telling me I actually might have a chance..."

Then, suddenly understanding dawned.

"You saw us."

demonologist: (fantastipinkb)

[personal profile] demonologist 2011-06-14 12:43 pm (UTC)(link)
"I did." He reluctantly confessed, there was no point in denying it. Then something Fred had said made him realise what had happened. How certain events had unfolded. Not in the way that he'd anticipated.

"Actually, I'd asked Cordelia to sound you out on my behalf. She seemed to think you were interested. It was all just a silly misunderstanding, obviously. But I'm glad it worked out for you."

It was difficult for him to say. It suddenly felt as if he were back there, on that night. Trying to look anywhere but at her. At the two of them, exchanging secret looks and smiles. The blossoming of new love, while his own hopes had been crushed.

But it was a long time ago now. Even longer for Fred. Years for her. It was ridiculous to dwell on it now. He was being ridiculous. Looking down at the rose in his hand, he smelled it again, reminding himself that she'd just given it to him. Things were different now.

It didn't always hurt anymore.
"And all that time I thought she'd been talking about Charles. I had no idea, Wesley. I know we talked about how I -- knew? But didn't know then. I hope you believe that."

At the same time, Fred didn't apologize. And not because of the rule that still stood between them. But because her time with Charles mattered, and before it went wrong? There was so much that went right. Just as Wesley'd said, it had worked. She loved him, a part of her always would.

Off that thought, Fred brought herself even closer to Wesley. Very deliberately and intently putting herself squarely in his presence. If only remind him that she was there. Whatever they were, however they were? She was there.

"So this is your night, then. Your ballet. What would you like to do with it?"
demonologist: (fred - it's always been you)

[personal profile] demonologist 2011-06-14 01:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Wes nodded, accepting her explanation and feeling a tangible measure of relief that she hadn't actually known how he'd felt that night.

Then he couldn't help but be aware of her proximity when she drew closer. Whatever phantoms from the past he still struggled with, they paled in comparison to her presence, here and now. His gaze locked with hers, and no-one else in the room mattered at that moment.

"I'd like to go up on the roof and drink more champagne with you. And I also think we ought to plan a proper date. It's high time, wouldn't you agree?"
Edited 2011-06-14 13:15 (UTC)

(no subject)

[personal profile] demonologist - 2011-06-14 13:50 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] demonologist - 2011-06-16 02:11 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] demonologist - 2011-06-16 02:58 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] demonologist - 2011-06-16 03:29 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] demonologist - 2011-06-16 04:45 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] demonologist - 2011-06-16 05:44 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] demonologist - 2011-06-16 22:07 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] demonologist - 2011-06-17 08:11 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] demonologist - 2011-06-17 09:33 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] demonologist - 2011-06-17 10:11 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] demonologist - 2011-06-17 11:01 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] demonologist - 2011-06-20 11:59 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] demonologist - 2011-06-21 03:34 (UTC) - Expand