Quest 250

[primrosella]

[Video Post | Open Action]

[Well, hello there, Network-viewers. What's that you see on your screens? Why, it's Rosella's device switching on, offering a quick glimpse of her face as the video engages. Oddly enough, though, she seems to be looking past the video, rather than into it; her attention is more on the device itself than on the fact that

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with your broken leg and favorite song, 'julie, julie' we sang along (open)

[adamantined]

[Possibly against her better judgment and without having the opportunity to let Rosella know ahead of time, Claire shows up at the warehouse in a creamy sweater, jeans, and a pair of heeled brown boots. She's not sure what one is supposed to wear to dance lessons - yoga pants, a tutu? - but in a rare moment of foresight at least decided that practicing in heels could only help things come Monday. That doesn't have her feeling any less awkward, slipping in behind a few people she doesn't recognize so she can blend in and watch others move through motions that look simple enough in theory.

Still, she's hoping she won't be picked next, unsure of the rotation and content with watching until she thinks she can at least get the steps straightened out in her head before applying them practically. Of course, those who typically try to look intensely occupied with their papers are always the ones that end up getting called on when the teacher is searching for volunteers.]

with your broken leg and favorite song, 'julie, julie' we sang along

[primrosella]

[Part of being the hostess of this event means keeping an eye on her guests as a whole, which means Claire doesn't escape Rosella's notice for long; still, she knows that look of hesitance all too well, and gives her new arrival a bit of space before heading over to greet her personally.

It's an unusual reversal of roles; normally, Claire always seems to be the one confident in her surroundings, understanding the nuances of a modern world that sometimes escape Rosella. But this world is one that Rosella knows, has known since she was a girl, and so it seems today it's her turn to be perfectly at ease in the setting, instead.

Perhaps it's vain and self-indulgent of her to be a bit jealously triumphant at that change of pace, but for one fleeting moment, she is. And it isn't until she's managed to set that feeling aside that she walks over to Claire, a friendly smile on her face and her hand raised in a slight wave.]

Hello, Claire! It's so nice to see you. Are you excited to dance?

with your broken leg and favorite song, 'julie, julie' we sang along

[adamantined]

[Claire has been to dances, enough of them to have firmly implanted in her mind a sense of how things are supposed to work. Unfortunately, none of the dances that she has been to in her life have ever been proper, have ever exactly been balls. Unfortunately, all of the dances that she has been to have involved chaperons telling students not to dance so close, not to dance like that, no bending over to the front, and definitely no touching your toes. The idea of having to learn steps when she's just swayed back and forth is a little imposing, even with a background in cheering and all the inherent steps and formations that come with it

with your broken leg and favorite song, 'julie, julie' we sang along

[primrosella]

Oh, it's no trouble at all! Anyone's welcome to drop in whenever they please, it's a very casual sort of lesson today. [As her smile turns a bit warmer at the question.] And really, it's not so hard as you might think. It's much easier to follow than it is to lead, you know. You'll need one of the boys for that, of course, but I can show you the basics before you get started, if you'd like.

[Motioning for Claire to follow her, Rosella steps over to an emptier part of the room, a little off to the side where they won't be bothered by the bustle on the floor. Then, bobbing a bit to the beat of the music, she arranges her arms into position, as though paired with an invisible partner, to demonstrate for Claire.]

Your arm rests on top of your partner's, you see, and that's where the lead really comes from; with a good partner, you won't even have to think about where you're being led. It'll just come naturally from moving in opposition to his steps, see?

with your broken leg and favorite song, 'julie, julie' we sang along

[adamantined]

Just make sure it's not Amory.

[She means to say that under her breath, but it comes out a bit more forcefully than that, loud enough that she's left questioning her own volume as she follows Rosella across the floor. Claire has to give the other girl credit. For as much as she's felt comfortable in the past about standing and looking ridiculous in terms of learning routines, Claire has a feeling that if Rosella instructs her to pretend like she is dancing with the Invisible Man, she is going to feel completely stupid. She flexes her fingers at her sides instead, nodding, and then glances at the other couples moving around on the dance floor.]

You make it sound simple enough, and most of them make it look simple enough. [She returns to Rosella's demonstration with a smile.] What about a just-okay-partner? [Not that she really has any idea of how good a dancer Chase is.] Basically what I'm worried about, other than stepping on toes, is running into people. And looking like an idiot, but I figured that was kind of a given.

with your broken leg and favorite song, 'julie, julie' we sang along

[primrosella]

I'll try to catch Cain or Edmund when they have a spare minute, then, and bring them over for a dance with you.

[Arms still raised, she nods down at her feet as she continues.]

Now, when you're following, you'll always start by stepping back. The lead gets to move forward first, that's why they lead. So it's easy enough to remember that way--you don't lead by stepping back, after all. And then the steps just go like this, one-two-three, along with the beat. [As she demonstrates accordingly.] And really, you shouldn't run into anything so long as your partner is paying attention. And if he's not, and you do crash into someone, then you kick him in the shins for it and carry on.

with your broken leg and favorite song, 'julie, julie' we sang along

[adamantined]

[Claire takes a moment to wonder whether or not Edmund actually remembers who she is yet, lets it pass, and then pays attention, looking down at Rosella's feet and only looking up again to laugh.]

I've seen enough movies to know the counting thing is kind of a cliche, but it's weird actually seeing it in practice. [Especially repeated so many times and with so many different outcomes, judging by certain successes in the room. It doesn't help that Rosella really does make it look effortless.] I think I might still wear football padding, just in case. Do I have to do this with an invisible partner before trying with Cain or Edmund?

with your broken leg and favorite song, 'julie, julie' we sang along

[primrosella]

Well, after a while the counting just sort of goes away on its own, really. It's there in the beat anyway, and it's not hard to...well, feel, I suppose, as it goes on.

[But she does laugh at the mention of padding being involved, since it's one joke she does catch.]

I'd offer to try it with you myself, but I'm not very good at leading, myself. Would you rather practice once on your own, or should I just go try to find one of them? I'd much rather start you with a good partner, if it's your first time, since it's not nearly so easy to make a mistake when dancing with someone skilled.

with your broken leg and favorite song, 'julie, julie' we sang along

[adamantined]

You're actually asking if I want to do it on my own? [Claire turns her head to the side a bit, so that she can eye Rosella suspiciously.] I think you want me to look stupid.

with your broken leg and favorite song, 'julie, julie' we sang along

[primrosella]

[Rosella does, at least, have the decency to look innocent at that. Whether or not she actually is...no, actually, she really is, but she's not above playing along a little, too.]

Well, I could do it with you, if you like. Side by side, so we're both dancing with invisible partners together.

with your broken leg and favorite song, 'julie, julie' we sang along

[adamantined]

[Claire doesn't answer right away, taking the necessary moment to decide whether or not going along with this is in any way giving Rosella any points in. Once she decides (reminds herself) that this is not actually a contest, Claire presses her lips together and looks around. She's not going to look any worse than anyone else here. Maybe this will be points in her own favor.

Without actually replying, Claire tosses a long piece of wavy blonde over her shoulder and clunks her way over to stand right next to Rosella. She holds her hands up expectantly and waits with an air of playful impatience.]

with your broken leg and favorite song, 'julie, julie' we sang along

[primrosella]

[Perhaps better than anyone here, Rosella knows how difficult it can be to take a deep breath and leap headlong into the unknown, facing down the very likely possibility that one will end up looking impossibly foolish in the process. She's come a long way from starting fires in the Warehouse kitchen to cook over, but it's still a feeling she knows she'll run up against time and again in a place like the City, no matter how accustomed to it she grows. It's nice to be the comfortable one for once, she thinks idly--a brief and fleeing thought as she nods over at Claire and helps her arrange her arms properly.]

A little more like this, and then this one here--there, that's it.

[Smiling, she resumes her own stance, glancing over at Claire once more--and what a picture they must make, two blonde girls standing like bookends, trying steps with unseen partners together--before beginning to count along with the beat of the music.]Now, remember, your first step is back, and then to the left, just in time with the music. Ready? One-two-three,

with your broken leg and favorite song, 'julie, julie' we sang along

[misterblackbird]

[With his last partner asking a moment to recover, Cain is roaming the room. How could he not see this set of unfinished pairs?]

Oh, I suppose this is where I fit in.

with your broken leg and favorite song, 'julie, julie' we sang along

[adamantined]

[Claire hesitates, thinking that she is going to be made to bow or curtsy or something just as ridiculous as the rest of this, and so she's a couple steps behind Rosella. She has to stop, get back into position, and then like waiting for the perfect moment to jump into an ongoing round of Double Dutch, watch Rosella until she can line up their movements and try to follow in time.

She's almost relieved when Cain approaches, if only because the idea of holding onto something other than empty space makes knowing that she will probably step on his feet a little more tolerable.]

Are you sure? Those look like nice shoes.

with your broken leg and favorite song, 'julie, julie' we sang along

[misterblackbird]

They're nice enough for dancing. Shoes are meant for feet. They're not something to be kept as carefully as jewels.

[Or, in other words, he's already endured more than a few stepped-on toes, and a few more won't kill him. It's a worthwhile pain to endure.]

Here.

[And he fits himself into her outstretched arms.]

Your hand on my shoulder, my hand on your waist--with any necessary apologies--and follow my lead--

with your broken leg and favorite song, 'julie, julie' we sang along

[adamantined]

There are a lot of women out there who would disagree with you.

[Claire is only one of them a little bit, having a hidden love for (and collection of) shoes but also a decent sense of practicality. She doesn't plan to step on his feet either way, and when she positions herself, it's with eyes cast down at the placement of her feet. There isn't much time to adjust or prepare, but Claire finds that once she actually gets going, she isn't really all that bad at waltzing. She might be lacking Rosella's grace, but she has a natural talent for picking things up easily, especially when it comes to movement.

That doesn't mean she isn't relieved or looking for positive reinforcement.]

Am I doing alright?

[ooc: sorry for the delays sob.]