Jester's door [open]

[Lucas Blacke]

Sitting on the bench by the piano he sighed as his finger rested on the keys, all the thoughts of his uncle rushing back to him as he recalled the days in which he taught Luke how to play. The playful ways he used, the way he told him to always keep his nails short to prevent the tapping on the keys to be apparent. And from the moment he had been experimenting with his ability he had found it also helped with playing guitar with the placement of his fingers and all, shorter nails helped with that. And ever more so when playing bass guitar in which you weren't supposed to use a pick having no nails would help in not getting caught behind the strings.

But he drifted. With a cough he adjusted himself behind the piano, almost knowing for sure there wasn't anyone around to hear or see him. This time it was just him and his thoughts and one of the saddest, yet happiest instuments he could think of. Just thinking back on his uncle made his eyes tear up as he finally placed his fingers on the keys. He wouldn't be using his ability to play and would go on what he had learned on his own instead.

He remembered a plethora of songs and stuff he had taught himself. What he liked about the piano was that he could really put emotion into it and let go while playing, because no matter what you played the piano could make it sound sad, and considering what he'd been through these past few months he'd needed sad whether he wanted to acknowledge the fact or not.

Finally he settled on what he was going to play, and okay he might have some need of his ability because what he had settled on was not all that easy when paired with knowing what it could do to him.

He placed his fingers on the right keys and began playing the song, his mind going over past events as his fingers racing over the keys, a smile growing on his face as he closed his eyes.

[Audrey Vandergraaf]

Audrey slinked soundlessly through the auditorium, looking over her shoulder for a moment before stepping up to the stage. The coast was clear, and thus she bounded across the glossy wooden platform in a series of sloppy grand jetés—she was carrying a duffel bag—finishing at the entrance to the costume closet backstage. Coming directly from practice, she had heard through word of mouth that the sewing club had already prepped the winter show’s wardrobe for fittings. This meant that their dance costumes would be stored here, hanging on a rack in airtight translucent casings, ready for a quick preview.

Not wasting any time, Audrey thumbed nimbly through the sections of tulle and chiffon, not taking pause at even the most elegant fabrics. “Prepped my ass.” She huffed, still traversing about the confined space, searching high and low for the elusive Nutcracker costumes. This would be the blonde’s third time dancing as Clara, and although the Institute’s dance program didn’t come close to the standard of the companies she had been with previously, she wasn’t going to turn down the lead role.

Frustrated that she didn’t get to play dress up, Audrey leaned over to unzip her bag, pulling out a sweater, knit socks and a pair of boots. She was still in full ballet attire: pointe shoes, leotard, tights, and wrap skirt... However, one could easily argue she was always in ballet attire considering that she just threw on a sweater and changed her shoes while travelling between practice and class.

Lifting her foot to a nearby stool, the girl was about to untie the ribbons of her slippers when the echo of a soft melody infiltrated the space of the room. Odd. Deciding to investigate before she disrobed, Audrey tiptoed toward the main stage, silent as she looked upon a boy seated at the piano, playing passionately with his eyes shut tight. The sounds were… beautiful. It was classic, German, perhaps the work of Kerll or Pachelbel? She too closed her eyes, tilting her head back as her feet began to move freely, guiding her across the floor.

There was no choreography, counting, or conversation. There was simply music and movement. She could feel her delicate figure being lifted by the tender echoes of the piano, fouettés in time with the padding of keys, her smile natural and unintended. She had never met this boy before, but it didn’t matter, they performed the perfect pas de deux. His thoughtful fingers matched her careful toes.

Time was suspended as the piece played, but like all good things, bliss was especially short-lived. His fingers slowed, the music coming to a gradual end, and Audrey matched its conclusion with a final, longing turn.

“You play beautifully… Thank you for that.”

[Lucas Blacke]

He had needed to do this a bit sooner, but he was afraid of what people might have thought about him playing a relatively soft instrument. He'd have also pegged himself for liking the guitar more but fate would have it that he liked the more emotional instruments more, and out of all of those he could only play the piano himself, though he could also play violin and cello and quite nearly every other instrument you could think of.

As he played on with his eyes closed his ability took over and started guiding his fingers to keep up the pace while his mind filled up with the memories and the feelings he had bottled up inside for so long. He was happy he had an outlet, he'd just have to be careful noone saw him in this vulnerable state. He wasn't really supposed to have feelings. Sure, there were a few he had told them to and he was sure that due to the nature of Hammel everyone knew of his soft side by now but he didn't have to act accordingly. And what good was pretending if you never used it?

When his fingers touched the final notes he took a brief pause and a sharp inhale as he opened his eyes before smiling widely. Aside from training the pain away this was just what he needed to let his feelings do what they needed to do. His time at this school had taught him one simple thing; no one was the same and everyone had a different outlet, his happened to be music. So what if people made fun of it? What mattered was that it helped him.

He suddenly heard words being said behind him, thanking him and saying he played beautifully. He turned around on the small bench and offered a feint smile. Crap, someone had found him. Time to pretend.

''Thank ya for the compliment.'' He replied as he got up and looked at the source of those words, it was a girl dressed in what he assumed was ballet attire and she was standing in a position he also assumed was ballet based, made sense considering what he had just played.

''Lucas Blacke, at yer service.'' He smiled as he took a bow. ''An' how is m'lady called?''

[Audrey Vandergraaf]

Audrey didn’t dole out compliments easily, and as an aspiring prima ballerina, her respect was hard-won. “Anytime.” She gave a cheeky grin, taking in the boy as he stood up from the piano bench, his build muscular and slim. He introduced himself, and the name fit him nicely; Lucas Blacke, it was masculine but not overpowering. Although the bow was a little much…

“Audrey Vandergraaf.” She responded in her usual dignified way, giving a bit of a flourish before drawing nearer, firmly shaking the boy’s steady hand as she looked directly into his bright blue eyes. He had unusually sturdy fingers for a pianist, and calluses that lined the insides of his palm… Maybe he was a weight lifter, she had no idea, but Lucas didn’t really come off as a gym rat. Hm.

“So…” she began, returning her feet to third position, her toes in perfect opposition, “Do you usually play for an audience?” She continued speaking, moving seamlessly to fourth and then fifth position, “Or is this considered a full house for you?”

She giggled, now dropping her slender build to the floor to the floor to continue her stretching. Shyness isn’t something Audrey learned considering that she spent the better half of her time on Earth on stage... in spandex.

[Lucas Blacke]

He watched her move a bit in a manner he did not quite got to place at the moment but was sure he had seen somewhere before. It was fun to look at and obvious as well even if she did try to do it as subtly as possible. Luke had spent all his years watching people move so when he did see someone move out of the ordinary he instantly took notice, and he also needed to watch their movements in order to do them himself.

''I.. don't think so.'' He replied as she asked him if he usually played for an audience. He did have his band if that was even a thing at this point so he would no doubt have to, not that he'd have any problem playing in front of people he didn't know but the mere thought would need some getting used to. Back in his days he had done some plays in front of people and acted his butt off but he'd never gone as far as to play an instrument for anyone else. Not yet at least. Same as with all things, this was something that was slowly changing.

This was not really considered a full house to him though there were more people around than he had been used to seeing these past few weeks. ''I ain't considerin' anythin' a full house.'' He said when replying to her question if he considered this a full house. Truth was, he didn't know what to think of anything audience wise. ''I ain't playin' fer other people, y'know? Haven't had the chance and all that, people never ask me ta. But I mostly just play fer myself.''

''And now fer the ham-question.'' He said with a joking smile. ''What is Audrey doin' here?''

[Audrey Vandergraaf]

Audrey listened on as she leaned modest chest into the sinews of her thighs, pushing deeper into her stretch. She had difficulty deciding if the southern boy’s accent was endearing or mind numbing. He was so cute, but the sounds he made when his lips moved were as undignified as acid-washed denim.

“What is Audrey doing here?” she parroted the question as she detangled her body, returning to her full height as she lifted herself from the waxy floor. “Audrey was trying to get a peek at the costumes for the winter performance, but unfortunately her intel had been unreliable.”

She giggled as she lightly shook her head from side to side, silently admonishing herself for trusting the word of her fellow dance team members; the majority of them were airheads who couldn’t count past 5, 6, 7, 8. Thinking back to that practice, Audrey realized that it had been almost two hours since her last inhalation of nicotine. Unacceptable. She could even sense her narrow fingers beginning to quiver as she longed for the poisonous smoke.

“You know, there’s a fire escape attached to the backroom through the costume closet.” She pulled at the hair-tie securing her tight-bun, loosening it so that her hair fell messily, now barely contained as numerous blonde strands swept toward her shoulders and back. Audrey drew a little closer, her voice lowered and sultry, “I’m going out there to sneak a quick smoke, and you’re more than welcome to join me.”

And just like that she turned away, gently swiveling her hips as she moved through the room, mostly expecting the boy to follow.

[Lucas Blacke]

She answered him in third person, like he had asked the question in. This little detail to him was more than enough to know she had a sense of humor. He looked at her in patience as she went on to state bluntly she was going to sneak a peek, something he could relate to. He'd peeked at lots of stuff in his day. Mostly women though. On occassion even naked women.

''Unreliable intel?'' Luke repeated with a quick shake of his head. ''The hell kinda world is this when ya can't even sneak around without gettin' false information?'' He shot her a smile and was glad he'd stopped sneaking around a long time ago, this had never happened to him. Most likely due to the fact he only really trusted himself. ''Hold the phone. Costumes?'' He asked her suddenly. ''Ya preppin' fer a play or somethin'? I'm gonna say yes. An' I'm also gonna say it's a ballet thing.'' He told her as his hand went to the side of his mouth as if he was going to tell her a secret as he leaned in.

''I can do ballet stuff.'' He whispered as he leaned back again and drew his hand from his face to let it dangle freely at the side of his body again. ''Due to my power, really. I can move to what I see. It's quite handy at times.'' His gaze briefly found the plethora of instruments behind her he knew how to play. ''I can do nearly anythin'.'' He told her with a nod, his gaze finding her face again.

And then she said something about a fire escape and a smoke and that she was going to sneak back there for whatever reason, he couldn't quite make the connection as she pulled down her hair, closed in on him and told him he'd be more than welcome to join before simply turning from him and making her way to the fire escape.

Luke was left behind in a puddle of his own words as he stood there with his eyes widened at the mere look of her hair. ''Unf.'' He said under his breath as he finally shook himself out of it and decided to follow and keep her company. It was the nice thing to do, right?

''Yeah, 'kay. I'll join ya.'' He said as he was slightly mesmerized by her backside. Only one of his two heads was thinking right now.

[Audrey Vandergraaf]

“Not a play, just a ballet: The Nutcracker.” She corrected the boy, a smirk playing at the corner of her lips, “Which is fortuitous because I can’t act for shit.”

Audrey looked on as Lucas mimicked the flourish she had just done with her arms, her face stoic as she suppressed the envy that was building in her chest; she had dedicated over a decade of her short life to perfecting the movements that he could so easily mirror, it just seemed unfair. “Impressive.” She managed in response to his abilities, tucking away her jealousy for a rainy day.

Moving through the corridor behind the main stage, Audrey led Lucas through a narrow plywood door leading to the costume closet, which wasn’t a closet as much as it was a miniature warehouse.

“Just give me a minute…” she mumbled, returning to her duffle bag and nimbly unlacing her pointe shoes before shoving her feet into a pair of boots. “Ah, yes…” she spoke beneath her breath, wiggling her toes inside of her shoes before picking up a knit sweater and her pack of smokes.

“Through here!” she instructed, parting a rack of clothing set against the window, revealing the fire escape through the pane of smeared glass. She carefully gripped the corroded windowsill, old flecks of paint falling into her palms as she pushed upward, a gust of frigid November wind slapping against her face as it burst through the opening.

With the flexible grace of a ballerina, she easily moved through the modest opening, landing soundlessly onto the wrought iron of the outdoor staircase. She lifted a cigarette to her lips and lit it without a care, taking the smoke into her lungs with greedy inhalations.

“Did you forget your cigarettes?”

[Lucas Blacke]

'Mmm..'' He watched her change out her shoes, no doubt for more freedom 'cause damn those ballet things looked tight. ''I'd give ya more than a minute.'' He said under his breath as she slipped on the new shoes in the hopes she wouldn't hear it. If it turned out she did he'd just apologize or deny he ever said anything. He kept looking at her figure, taking it all in for later.. use.., she got back to the journey and found the fire escape through the clothing. ''Will that take me to Narnia?'' He asked in a joking manner, not expecting an answer in return as she pried the window open with slender fingers, the wind instantly hitting Luke in the face as it was finally opened. Luckily he had control over his own movement so he didn't quite shiver, but warm it was not.

When she stepped through he supposed it was time for him to follow the cute butt and step through as well, but for some reason he didn't manage to mimic her just yet. Maybe it was because of the cold, or maybe it was because of.. he didn't know. All he knew was that he wanted to wave the smoke of the cigarette she had just lit away from his face. But he needed to be strong, he needed to show his future ex he was cool! He needed to man up and find ways to fuck up even more and look cool doing it!

It sufficed to say he didn't smoke, but he wasn't going to tell her that as she asked if he forgot his cigarettes. He hummed a bit and quickly wondered if cigarettes would do anything to him like caffeine did. He wasn't above experimenting and would likely try more stuff when the time came, he just needed to warn people beforehand. Though that meant admitting to the fact he didn't smoke, and if he didn't smoke what was the use of accompanying someone who did?

''Err.. yeah..'' He hesitated as he looked at her sucking skills. He smiled and nodded. ''I forgot them, didn't think I'd need 'em.'' He lied as he moved a bit closer, trying to be subtle about it. ''Think ya have enough to share?''

He had to break sometime.

[Audrey Vandergraaf]

“Yes, welcome to Narnia, although Aslan couldn’t make it today so you’re stuck with me.” She teased with a wink, clearly comfortable in her own flirtatiousness. Audrey was a pretty unrepentant tease, but teenage boys were just too easy to ensnare with a sultry stare and a pouty lip.

Noticing the boy’s bright eyes tracking the movements of her lips, the o-shape her mouth made as she sucked in the smoke, she put on a bit of a show, tilting her head back slowly, letting her hair blow in the wind as she faced the winter sky to exhale the opalescent plumes. She moaned softly, eyes shut tight; God, that nicotine was satisfying.

“Sure.” She nodded, balancing her cigarette easily between her teeth as she used both of her hands to reach for her pack, pulling out a single slender stick and popping it between the boy’s plush lips.

Before he could say anything, she held up her hand to guard the lighter’s flame from the forceful wind, her soft hair beating against his cheek as she struck the gear, casting the paper end aflame.

“You’ll appreciate them,” she mentioned, nodding toward the pack emblazoned with the signature red seal of Marlboro Reds, “they’re cowboy killers.”

[Lucas Blacke]

''Who needs a lion anyway?'' He joked in repliance to her comment about Aslan not being able to make it so he was stuck with her. It was a fun one, she had a nice sense of.. not finding things too serious to joke about. He could see himself haviing fun with her, both on and off stage. ''Can't understand 'em anyway, I'd choose a cute girl anyday.'' He shot her a wink the moment she plopped a cigarette in between his lips. His tongue brushed against it slightly and he nearly gagged, who had ever invented these things?

Gods, was this really happening? Did she really hold up a lighter? Was he going to be deflowered in the smoking area? Yes, yes he was. Luckily he'd seen plenty of people smoke in his life and even do some cool stuff so he had no problems looking cool, but he never accounted for the fact he had to breathe. He had been holding his breath out of reflex to keep himself from inhaling anything but he finally snapped and had to chug in all the air from around him, and sadly this also meant actual smoking took place.

He wasn't even halfway done inhaling when he felt a cough coming up, but he had to look cool right? He ignored the need to cough and managed to get it down to a mere itch in his throat as he blew smoke out of his nose. He widened his eyes at it and was disgusted at the taste, but made sure not to show the girl. She needed to be impressed!

He took the stick from his mouth and held it like he had seen many people do, between two fingers. He showed her a feint smile and let out a small cough.

''Hmm. Smoking. The best.'' He lied.

[Audrey Vandergraaf]

Audrey cocked an eyebrow as the boy pulled a face, his blue eyes wide and somewhat watery before he choked out a small cough. “You’re getting sick too?” She commiserated, her expression empathetic although she did want to keep a bit of distance.

“Being a smoker in the winter sucks,” she continued, not letting the obvious downfall of nicotine addiction interrupt her rhythm of inhalation, “Our immune systems are shot to hell and we’re always stuck out here in the cold.”

Clearly the girl was clueless that she had just handed Lucas his first cigarette, not that she would feel too guilty about it; Audrey didn’t force him to do anything, smoking was his entirely choice.

“But I agree, smoking is the best and is entirely worth it.” She smiled with her lips pressed together, her eyes watery and the tip of her little nose turning pink form the cold.

“God I wish I brought a jacket.” She mused, shivering slightly as she brought her hands to her arms, rubbing them against the weave of her sweater to create friction, “Are you cold?”

[Lucas Blacke]

He shook his head whenshe asked him about being sick. ''Naw, due to my ability I usually don't hafta cough, so I've taken up coughing randomly just ta know I still can. Odd, maybe, but it helps.'' Though she was the first to ever ask him anything about it he hadn't put all that much thought into it aside from just doing it for the heck of it. But just maybe he coughed because everyone who smoked did so from time to time, he needed to fit in right?

When she talked about the winter and smoking and shot immune systems he remembered part of why he didn't smoke, and had half a mind up for it to ask her why she did so if it sucked to smoke in the winter. That and she seemed to be chilly. Another reason not to smoke; the fear of cold weather. Luckily Luke could have been feeling cold to the touch but he was quite adept at not showing anyone he was cold. Maybe it was due to the fact he could constantly move his muscles around, sure it took some extra energy but it did pay off at the end in the form of perpetual warmth.

But, maybe she wasn't all that cold and just wanted a hug from him when she suddenly asked if he was cold. Or maybe she was making smalltalk, he didn't know. But this open up a chance for him to get closer to her, or at least joke around some.

He shook his head at her question and gave her the same reaction other people got when asking him if he was cold. ''I ain't. Want some warmth? Got enough to go 'round.'' He said with a smile as he put the cigarette in between his lips and widened his arms. If she thought he wasn't warm enough they could at least warm up through contact.

''Ain't no logic in a hot girl being cold, right?''

[Audrey Vandergraaf]

“That is odd…” her nose crinkled slightly, expression befuddled… Audrey didn’t fully understand why anyone would elect to cough; it wasn’t exactly a pleasant sensation. She took another drag, smoking at a quicker pace so that she could soon return to the familiar of indoor heating. Her slim build did not adapt well to the frigid air.

Audrey was flattered by the boy’s earnest attempts at snuggling up, but she declined, a mischievous smile playing at the corners of her lips. “You’re cute, but…” she began, sauntering nearer and taking her index finger to the neck of his shirt, slowly tracing the warmth of his clavicle, “I’m a classy girl, you don’t get to first base on the first date.”

She offered a quick wink before retreating to the railing of the fire escape, taking long inhales as she sped through the cigarette, the nicotine coursing through her blood and making her excitable.

“Besides, I need to get out of here and take a long, hot shower.” She mused, clasping her hands around her own arms, “I’m still a little sweaty after practice and I need to get out of these clothes.”

Audrey was an unrepentant tease, it was true, but she believed a boy needed to pay his dues if he was going to receive any compensation.

[Lucas Blacke]

He supposed he needed to take another drag of his smoke to at least make her think he had smoked before, but when he took a drag his eyes widened a small bit, which he hoped she didn't notice, and another tuft of smoke came barging out of his nose. He could only barely suppress a cough when she moved nearer to him, making him think she was going to take him up on the offering of hug, but when she didn't and instead just ran her finger over the neck of his shirt while saying he wouldn't get as far on a first date he felt himself heat up. That was his line, and she was using it! How awesome was this girl? ''Guess we'll just hafta go on a second date then.'' He jokingly replied as he dropped his arms to his sides and brought the cigarette to his mouth again, wedging it between his lips.

''Because classy as ya might think ya are, yer standing 'round with someone ya barely know.'' He said in a slightly slurred manner as he had to compensate for the stick between his lips. He took another drag and felt it become easier and easier to do without getting the urge to show people he didn't like it, was he getting addicted? Maybe he was. Was it worth it? Maybe.

When she spoke about needing a shower and wanting to get out of those clothes Luke grew a smile. He began to figure her out for a tease, and he had met a few of those before so he knew how to respond. Maybe he knew how to respond in a creepy fashion, but he still knew how to respond. ''I bet ya need someone to help ya reach yer back in there. I can help with that.'' He offered. ''That and I could use a shower myself. I scratch yer back, you scratch mine?'' First date schmirst schmate, he knew she was joking about the dating part but it wouldn't keep him from seeing it as one.

''An' I'm sure the door has a lock or somethin', so why not take yer clothes off here? Pretty sure there are other rags ya can put on.'' He offered with a sly smile. ''Though nothin' they have here could make ya look good. Can't improve on somethin' beautiful, can ya?''

''Also, do ya kiss on the first date?'' He asked her jokingly.