Dancing Alone (Salsa staff)

[Aracelli de Rosales Salamanca]

With finals and the holidays over, Aracelli finally had time to dance again. It had been a hectic few weeks, made even more so by the avoidance of Reece. She was beyond that now, the poor guy had a bum ankle, and it wasn’t right to treat him like a pariah because of his encounters. Besides, he’d given her that beautiful rose and ring over Christmas, so he obviously wanted to make up. She couldn’t begin to imagine that such a gift would have come from anyone else. So the ring was worn on a small chain around her neck, in plain sight, so he would know she’d accepted the peace offering. Had she known it was from Taitum, things likely would have been completely different, but the dancer lived in ignorance.

She was alone in the studio right now, dressed in the beautiful outfit Reece had given her for the competition in June, testing its fit against the routine they had choreographed. Sparkling stilettos adorned her feet and clicked loudly against the floor as she moved to the stereo and clicked play once more. This would be her third time through the routine. It would be easier if Reece was here to practice with her, but that wasn’t a possibility at the moment. She’d just have to do it on her own. They could work out the kinks when his ankle was healed. The dance finished up again, and she moved to the back to change into yoga pants and a sports tank. Carefully, the beautiful outfit was folded away until it was needed and she went back out to the main part of the studio.

Times like this were rare. When she could simply dance for the joy of it. The music was changed to a deeper beat and Aracelli closed her eyes, letting the music flow through her before she began to dance. It was a sensual dance, as if she were begging her lover to come and find her and rescue her from the boring life she was trapped in. All to often Aracelli would stick to prescribed steps and routines. But every once in a while, she would simply let her heart and body lead where they would, expressing her deeper emotions with the dance that she did. Anyone who happened to sneak in to watch would see clearly what she was trying to convey, the sense of longing and joy when two people unite.

She stopped as the music ended, breathing roughly, then smiled. As she walked to the stereo, clapping broke out, a single set of hands, but she hadn’t heard the door and she didn’t see anyone when her head whipped around. “Who’s there?”

[Reece Turner]

Reece knew he wasn't supposed to be anywhere near the club but how could he resist his baby. Despite the attention that the club was getting from all the staff working for it, Reece wanted to check and make sure it was doing okay so he'd loaded the dog in the family SUV that wasn't being used at that particular time so it allowed him to use it to take the dog around. Yes, the dog was still being called the dog. Reece's ankle had ceased to swell up every time he was on it for more then an hour so that was a good thing.

So when Reece arrived he was surprised to find the doors open. Then again, he shouldn't be surprised. Everyone who had a key would often come to occupy the club and practice dancing solo and practically every time he got there he'd see the door open. It was kinda annoying sometimes when he'd actually come to be alone. It was that echo of the music when it wasn't filled with the pressence of other people bouncing around that made the place so addictive to be alone in.

Reece entered the club and glanced around but the music and movement caught his attention and his eyes focussed on the girl in the center of the dance floor. The way Aracelli moved was almost hypnotic. Reece had always found her movements beautiful and hypnotic and now even more so not that they were apart. Once the music finished, Reece couldn't help but give her a round of applause. This sent Dog's tail wagging with excitement. Reece slowly started down the three steps leading to the the dance floor with Dog at his heals.

Into the light he came and smiled at her.
"Surprise! I uh... just came to pick up some documentation. We're coming up to working out the accounts and since I'm home bound I thought I'd ask Linds to teach me some new tricks. She's kinda good at accounting. I think she got that from dad. "
Reece smiled softly coming to a stop a few feet away from Aracelli. He watched her for a long moment before he turned and pointed toward the bar area.

"Right... I'll go get the accounts and leave you in peace. I didn't mean to intrude. You have to promise not to tell the others I've been here though...."
Reece smiled and headed off to the bar walking backward slowly so he could watch her. Had she always looked so good in tight fitting clothes. He'd missed her pressence. She wasn't around as often as she used to be and now with the ankle problem it was getting increasingly hard to get her to see him for any reason what so ever.

[Aracelli de Rosales Salamanca]

A blush colored her cheeks as Reece spoke up. A small hand towel was scooped up from the floor, and used to dab the sweat from her forehead and back of her neck. The fabric was draped there as he explained what he was there for. A sense of longing rose in the Spanish girl, wanting to dance with Reece, wanting to find their way back to the relationship they used to have. Her hand came up to the ring around her neck, and she gave him a smile.

"Don't worry, Ree, I'm not going to tell anyone. I'm glad to see you up and on your feet again." She closed the distance between them. Although she was embarassed to be have been caught in the dance she was doing, she wasn't ashamed of the desire that she'd shown. Passion was an essential ingredient for successful dancers, and Celli had it in abundance. She reached out to wrap him in a hug, then smiled again. "Why don't I help you get those papers? I was going through the routine before, making sure that the costume worked." She wondered if he'd mention the ring, but didn't want to jump on anything if it was somehow more significant than she was aware.

"How is your ankle doing? Think we'll be able to practice towards the end of February?" She was eager to get things under control and smoothed out. Nationals weren't that far away and she was beginning to worry about their chances. If they won, she was going to retire, since she wanted to concentrate on her studies, and then once she graduated, her new work at Hammel. Celli wanted to keep teaching, but dancing competitively wasn't in the plans any longer. She hadn't told Reece though, and she didn't plan to until after Nationals. No reason to make him try to convince her differently.

"Did you like the extra presents I left you?" The CD and outfit had been left where his sister wouldn't see them, hoping that she wouldn't tease him overmuch about it. This was really the first chance they'd had a chance to talk, and while she had a lot to talk about, it was a bit awkward, and she wanted to ease into more serious questions.

[Reece Turner]

Reece was very proud of the fact that he could still make her blush. Blushing looked so good on her beautiful olive skin. So she still did have feelings for him. Aracelli didn't blush. Aracelli was a strong confident and powerful woman. Those kinds of women who had on their year book discription: MOST likely to succeed. She was succeeding. In no time she'd have that job at Hammel nailed. He'd always encouraged her that his old high school was the very best place for her to go work.

He could see she'd be good at everything she did. Reece felt his power spring to life when she started approaching him and he waved his hand at the illusionary butterfly that caught his attention out of the corner of his eye. To seem cool about the dismissive waving of his illusionary stomach butterflies, Reece ran a hand through his hair. She was in his arms and pressed against him, wrapped around him in no time and he held her close to him.

"I missed you, Celli. You seemed different at Christmas."
He whispered to her then slowly, almost reluctantly pulled back to frown at her. He didn't care about how the costume fit or how she wouldn't tell anyone. His hands were pressed against her shoulders, like he was frightened that if he let go she'd disappear again. She asked him if his ankle was okay and he shook his head dismissively. It didn't matter when he finally had in one place.

He could finally speak to her. She asked about practicing and Reece sighed pulling back from her to rest his back against the bar.
"You're not really interested in anything but dancing right? I'm making up fairy tales in my head again."
Reece smirked and shook his own head. He smiled to hide his disappointment and sometimes to even hide his anger.

Celli would know that. The young club owner, sidestepped the girl and headed for the entrance of the bar to get some of the previous accounts from the account file. They normally had those on standby for in case. The more important things were kept in the office. Aracelli asked about the CD and the outfit as Reece bend in to pull the thick file from under the bar. He set it on the bar and tilted his head at her.

"What happened? Where's Celli?"
He asked as he stared at the familiar face he didn't recognize. Reece's desire for cat and mouse was purely selfish but he had no better partner to play his game with then Aracelli who seemed to have a knack for switching from cat to mouse at very unexpected instances in their ongoing and growing relationship.

[Aracelli de Rosales Salamanca]

The fluttering of the colorful wings as well as his hand waving through the air made her smile, although he was busy deflecting so he didn’t see it. It was kind of nice to know that Reece still had butterflies with her. She’d thought that was long since gone. Their hug seemed to be to fleeting and yet to long at the same time, and Celli savored the contact with him. It had always felt right being in Reece’s arms. His words brought a frown to her face, although she merely imitated him and waved the concern off with a hand sliding though the air.

As he went about getting the account things he needed, she leaned on the bar, watching him. Reece had always been so beautiful, so graceful, and Celli loved watching him move. It was, as clichéd as you could get, poetry in motion to her. His words startled her, here she was trying to do what he’d been asking for months, and he finally seemed to be upset that she was. And yet, there was the ring. Maybe this was a test? As well as the Spanish dancer thought she knew her ex-boyfriend, there was always something more to be found out. Long, fluid steps moved her around to the same side of the bar he was on.

“I haven’t gone anywhere, Ree, I’ve been waiting for you, as I always have. Thank you for the ring, and the rose, both are simply beautiful.” She held out the ring so he could tell it was the one he’d given her. “I have another present for you too.” Aracelli smiled at him, sliding down the side of her yoga pants to reveal the multicolored butterfly tattoo that graced her hip. She hoped that he would like it, and understand why she had gotten it. “You’ll always be with me now.”

She reached up, laying her hand on the side of his face. The urge to pull him down into a kiss was strong, but she wanted him to make the move. He needed to be the one to seal the relationship back into the status it was, not her. Then he couldn’t accuse her of pushing him or making him do something he wasn’t ready for. Celli was confident, so confident she couldn’t see them not together anymore, and visions of their September wedding began to dance in her mind as she looked up at him and waited for the kiss to come.

[Reece Turner]

She was close enough so he could almost feel her breath against his lips. His own breathing hitched. His desire for her increased. Then she mentioned a rose and a ring. She mentioned she was waiting for him. That she would always be. Another butterfly fluttered into the air but his desires were supressed by the thought of a Rose that had been given to her and worse yet, a ring. Reece's frown flashed across his brow but he quickly brushed that away for a sake of seeming fairly blase about it.

Someone had sent her a ring and a rose.... His hand moved to take up the ring on the chair and examine it. It was an eternity ring. You only got these after 25 years of being married. It sounded like a death sentence to Reece. Twenty five years sounded beyond a prison sentence. Then she revealed the tattoo and Reece gave a little gasp before smiling.
"Oh wow. That's a little OTT, Celli. You kinda permanently scarred yourself with a butterfly.... for me?"

The idea was just a tad disturbing but he did a good job of making his voice sound full of wonder and desire for her as he examined the tat she'd gotten. Her body stepped into his, the perfect height and form to fit against his. They were such a perfect couple. Her lips waited to be kissed, her body pressed to his. He wanted to kiss her. He really really did... Reece leaned in and his lips nearly touched hers, arms wrapping around her waist and pulling her closer to him...

Someone gave her an eternity ring... She owed someone 25 years....Reece pulled back and slowly pulled his breath into his lungs for a long time before letting it out again slowly.
"I wouldn't wear that the ring. I uh.... wouldn't get you a ring Celli. Especially not that kind. Just be careful of wearing it. Might be from Anthony trying to get lucky after we broke up or something....He and Laker are going through a difficult time right now. Maybe you should let me keep the ring. I'll keep it safe? Someone's bound to come up to you and ask why you aren't wearing it and then you'll know."

Reece was great at making valid points to justify why he wanted things done his way and how much better things would be if done his way. Like right then with Aracelli and the strange ring. He didn't want his ex wearing someone's eternity ring if she didn't know what the significance of it was. More importantly.... he was jealous. If only he could lie... Just this once would have gotten him more then a little lucky for the night.

[Aracelli de Rosales Salamanca]

She smiled at his reaction to the tattoo. It was about what she’d expected. When he was done examining it, she pulled the fabric back up, and just shrugged. There really wasn’t anything to say. It was done, and would be there for always. Even if the unthinkable happened, she liked the reminder. Reece had been a huge influence on her life, and she wanted to make sure that she was always reminded of him and their relationship.

He pulled her closer, wrapping her in his arms, and dark lashes fluttered to her cheeks in anticipation, her breath catching, only to be disappointed as he stepped back and began talking. Slowly, confused brown eyes lifted to his, and her hand fell from his cheek. His words almost didn’t make sense. If he hadn’t sent her the gift, who had? And why? Reece sending it made sense. Noone else did. Blankly, she stared at him for several long moments, and then reached out to take the ring back, sliding it back onto the chain around her neck.

“You’re right, Ree, I’m sorry, I don’t know what I was thinking. I should have known you were to scared to ever go so far as to get a ring. I’ll keep my own jewelry safe, thanks.” Her voice was dry, touched with annoyance. Reece always wanted to deal with things for her. This was something she was going to deal with on her own. She wished he had been the one to give the ring to her though. She’d been waiting for so long, and now she knew, just knew, that she’d never receive one. And without a ring from Reece, the relationship, in the romantic sense, was over. She would not continue to waste her time on someone that didn’t want what she did, even after several years of dating.

She turned away from him, trembling slightly as she tried to get herself together. She had wanted that kiss, and him, so badly. And now she was facing the fact that it was truly over. Her parents, and his, were going to be disappointed, but on top of that, she’d based her entire life around Reece. Sure she had school to keep her here until graduation, but did she want to be that close to Reece once she graduated now that they weren’t going to be married? Emotions welled up and the dancer did what she always did when things got to be to much, she took to the dance floor, letting her body speak of the devastation of her heart.

[Reece Turner]

Reece winced when he saw the disappointment in her eyes and sighed softly. He hadn't meant to hurt her. He had to tell her. Lying... was difficult for him. Especially since the person he was lying to was Celli. He loved her with everything in him and he thought he was her ideal partner and she was his but the thing was that Reece had only experienced two partners in his life. He wanted more. He wanted to live for once and this was his way of living. Just a little time separated might do them good.

He hadn't gotten butterflies with Celli lately. They'd become too comfortable and he feared that if they got like this a whole lot more, he'd most certainly not ever get excited by her ever again. It wouldn't be a relationship then. It would be a friendship. He didn't want it to come to that and LOOK a butterfly and it had only been a few months that they had been seperated. Reece raised both eyebrow when she called him scared feeling just a little insulted by it though insulted enough to then quickly narrow his eyes.

"HEY... I'm not scared okay? I'm bored Aracelli... there you go. There's the truth. It hurts right? Which is why I didn't want to tell you. It's mundane. This whole thing we have has grown mundane and the only thing I'm scared of is being trapped in it for the rest of my life. "
Reece winced when he noticed the tone her dancing had taken on after he'd finished his speech to her.

"Aracelli? Can't you just give me some friggin' space, damn it... It's just a break, Cell. We can pick off where we left off right?"
Reece's voice turned into a pleading tone as he watched her dance and the guilt was withering inside of him.

[Aracelli de Rosales Salamanca]

She couldn’t, and wouldn’t deny that he’d hurt her by calling the relationship mundane and boring. But then again, life was pretty mundane and boring. What did he want? Great treks into the wilderness? That wasn’t going to happen. None of it would. They’d been together long enough to pretty much know one another inside out, and if Reece expected some romance novel sort of love, he was going to be disappointed. Real love, solid, comfortable, lifelong love didn’t always make you giddy or jittery or nervous. But it should make you happy. And obviously, she no longer did that.

His next words stopped her dance entirely. Did he really think they could just pick up where they’d left off? That was going to be impossible. She would know he was settling, and she didn’t want that for either of them, or whatever children they might be blessed with. No, they could never just pick up where they’d left off, but instead of having a final painful memory to mar the reminders of their time together, she was going to create something magical.

And yet, she knew it was an awful idea. Rather like the Grinch’s terrible, awful idea. The dancer caught Reece’s eye, then walked to the door of the studio and very deliberately locked it. The lightswitch was hit, and all the lights in the bar area went black, leaving only the illumination from the back hallway and the softer lights near the dance floor to guide them. A slender hand reached from the darkness and pulled Reece forward, onto the dance floor. Celli was humming a waltz, and she laid her head on his shoulder for several long moments as they danced, the movements as automatic to them as breathing.

“Conjour up something, Reece. Something magical, something wonderful, something exciting. One last time, then I’ll give you all the space and time that you want.” Forever. The last bit was added silently, and she fought back the automatic response when she felt his power ripple across her skin. Aracelli knew that it was over, but she would give them both this one last magical moment.