(Untitled)

[faithful_slayer]

It's not a prophetic dream. Not a hint that Meg will come back, probably not even Meg.

But Faith, sitting on the front row of the theatre and watching the familiar blonde figure spin and twirl and pirouette across the stage, really doesn't care.

She's just glad to see her friend again.

Comments

[balletrat]

*The real Meg would have been the first to tell you that no one could dance this perfectly, not in real life.

Meg onstage knows no such limitations. Perfect fifth position, perfect arabesque; perfect leap off the stage, landing in the perfect stance in front of Faith, facing the stage.

She turns around to flash a grin at her.

[faithful_slayer]

"I seem to remember being told something about jumps like that and losing your footing?"

Faith's grinning back, so widely it feels like her cheeks will fall off.

"Hey, Twinkletoes."

[balletrat]

Yeah, well, I'm trained at this, *Meg retorts cheerfully, and does a rapid pirouette so she's facing Faith again.*

- 'sides, I mean, what's the worst that could happen, now?

[faithful_slayer]

Faith's grin fades.

"...point, I guess. Meg...I'm sorry. I'm supposed to keep people safe, and I...you...Meg..."

[balletrat]

- oh, s'il te plait, *Meg says, turning to stare at her.*

Come on, Faith, you can't tell me there's any way that was your fault. If you even try, I'll have to hit you. With a newspaper. I mean, I can do that, now, I'm staff!

[faithful_slayer]

"I miss you."

Faith shuffles her feet, slightly, looking down at the floor. "I miss you, all the time. We all do...Andrew's just broken, and Lilly too...had to make Max eat...it's not the same without you around."

[balletrat]

- I know, *says Meg, and looks down, sobering, one hand rising to fiddle with her hair.*

I didn't - I mean, that's the worst part about it, really. Everyone being -

[faithful_slayer]

"You're not here. That's the worst part. You're not here, and who's gonna teach me ballet, Meg? Who's gonna betutu the masses and be perky blonde coffeedrinking evil and...how are we supposed to get on without you?"

[balletrat]

*Meg shakes her head, a little.*

I'm - it's not like I'm the first person you've had to be without, *she says, and looks up to meet Faith's eyes.*

You'll be okay.

[faithful_slayer]

"...I know."

And she does.

"But I won't stop missing you."

And she won't.

[balletrat]

*Meg hesitates.*

Well - I'm here now, *she offers.

After all, she doesn't know she isn't.*

[faithful_slayer]

"Yeah."

And Faith smiles, sadly, and hugs her, hard and tight and clingy.

[balletrat]

*Meg hugs her back, tightly; and her arms at least feel real.*

[faithful_slayer]

It's not enough. It couldn't be.

But Faith will take it anyway.

[balletrat]

*After a minute, Meg releases Faith, and smiles up at her.*

- anyways, *she says,* at least the cheese can't get me here.

*- what, it's a Whedonverse dream.*

[faithful_slayer]

Faith facepalms.

But she's laughing.