ic contact;

[coexistent]

"I'm not around, so... leave a message, I guess."

Comments

[immobileyes]

[ Right... this was for her benefit, wasn't it? Mary smiles, a little ruefully, and settles back into position. It really is easier to remember the steps when someone else is there to guide her. Even when it's someone who's only just started to learn the movements himself. ]

I think I've almost got it, and I don't want to make you keep having to help me, so... [ A nod, firm. ] We can stop after this.

[coexistent]

Huh? It's okay...

[oh... did he sound like he really didn't want to be there or something? he can't help but wonder, but it wasn't really his intent. roxas wants to keep helping.]

I'm glad I can help you, Mary. So... I don't mind. I don't think I'll be as good as Zara, but I'm probably better than an empty coat.

[immobileyes]

[ That just makes her flush darker-- not because of any oh my dokis, but because let's not mention dancing with a jacket ever again, okay? It's embarrassing. ]

You're definitely better than an empty coat.

[ for the record. But knowing that he seems to be happy just helping her... it makes her feel a little better about roping him into this. ]

[coexistent]

[sorry, mary. he couldn't help himself.]

I'll try to be. But I guess as long as it works for you... that's what matters.

[immobileyes]

[ Her fingers curl towards her palm, her fist lightly pushing against his shoulder, scolding-- don't tease. Good dance partners are hard to come by. ]

I can't talk to my jacket, [ Mary finally mumbles, a little huffy. So yes, of course this works for her. ]

[coexistent]

[he could be sassy and point out that theoretically, she could talk to her jacket—but that wouldn't make for good conversation.

but for all his sass, he's not interested in riling mary up when he's trying to help her. that's just rude. besides:]

It's better that we can talk to each other anyway, right?

[immobileyes]

Well, yeah.

[ But since he did tease her, she's going to comment lightly with: ]

If talking to me doesn't make you miss a step.

[coexistent]

[...yeah. he should have seen that one coming.]

Oh... right. I guess it might be hard to do both. People don't usually talk when they dance, right?

[immobileyes]

I don't think so. Usually when it happens in the stories, they just stare into each other's eyes.

[ Which would also be hard, she thinks. Especially if you were trying to concentrate on what your feet were doing. ]

[coexistent]

Just... staring?

[why though.]

Wouldn't it be hard to dance like that?

[immobileyes]

I guess if you're really close to your partner or you're royalty or... something like that, it's really easy to do?

[ She has no idea how they do it. ]

[coexistent]

I wonder how long they would have had to practice to be able to do something like that...

[immobileyes]

Every day. For three weeks.

[ NO SHE REALLY DOESN'T KNOW. ]

[coexistent]

[!]

They'd have to be really good to do it that quickly, wouldn't they?

[immobileyes]

Right. And their devotion to each other gives them the drive to succeed...!!

[coexistent]

[this definitely sounds like something out of one of the manga she'd given him to read.]

I wonder if it really works like that, though. Even with devotion... that still has to be hard, right? Learning something like that so fast...

[immobileyes]

Maybe it's just a talent? I don't know... I think you'd have to try it yourself to know for sure.

[ But that's a whole lot of dancing for Roxas. ]

[coexistent]

I don't know if I'd want to do this every day...

[he doesn't mind helping her, but that would be like doing missions every day, only with things he even less apt at.]

[immobileyes]

You don't have to! I wouldn't want to do this every day either.

[ Her feet would hurt... ]

[coexistent]

I guess we're not gonna find out if it can happen in three weeks, then.

[he laughs a little though; the whole idea of doing that seems extreme and kinda silly.] I think I'd rather just eat ice cream for three weeks instead.

[immobileyes]

[ Yeah, no, she's laughing too. ]

That doesn't count, Roxas. I think you'd rather eat ice cream than anything else!

[coexistent]

....I can't help it if ice cream is really good.

[immobileyes]

I think you're just silly. [ Solemnly-- or so she's trying, but she was just laughing, so she's not doing a very good job of it. ]

[coexistent]

Come on, there's nothing silly about that! [this is the most unserious protest in the world, honestly.]

[immobileyes]

It's a little silly.

[ such a mature conversation between teenagers. ]