Nova Watches Him For A Moment, Eyes Narrowed Ever So Slightly As She Considers His Words. Letting Go

nova watches him for a moment, eyes narrowed ever so slightly as she considers his words. letting go isn't exactly in her wheelhouse. the idea of messing up for fun ? that's about as foreign to her as swimming itself. but dax has a way of talking that makes it all sound so simple, so easy, like none of it could possibly go wrong. besides, she supposed the act of trying alone would be a subtle f-you to her mother, something she finds rather exhilarating at this point in her life. soft smirk soon edges into the corner of her mouth. " do you always talk so poetically ? i'm starting to think you should reconsider your career path, you know. life-coaching may be your real calling, " she teases, tries to distract from the hint of tenseness that lingers in her shoulders. " but okay, i'll bite. but you won't see my laughing off any mistakes because i don't plan on making any. " nova steps closer to the water’s edge, her posture straight and sure, perfected act of confidence so strong even she barely notices the nervousness that lingers beneath. but it's there, like a small wave in her tummy. " so, what's the first step ? " she questions, toe dipping into the water. it feels nice. not too warm, not too cold. just right. with a quiet sigh, she moves further, stops and turns to face him when the water reaches her knees. " is this the part where i flop back, learn how to float ? "

he  leaned  back  against  the  weathered  wooden  railing ,    the  late  afternoon  sun  casting  a  warm  glow  over  the  water .     his  drawl  rolled  easily  off  his  tongue  as  he  replied ,     “     well ,     sugar ,     it  ain't  just  about  breathin'  and  strength .     it’s  about  lettin’  go  a  little ,     too .     i  promise ,     messin’  up  is  part  of  the  fun     —     like  findin’  a  hidden  treasure  in  a  pile  of  old  junk .    ”     he  could  see  the  playful  smirk  tugging  at  her  lips ,     that  competitive  spark  flickering  in  her  eyes  like  a  flame  eager  to  ignite .     “     and  who  said  i  didn’t  think  you  could  do  it ?     ”     he  continued ,     tilting  his  head  with  a  teasing  grin .    “     i’m  just  tryin’  to  keep  you  from  overthinkin’  every  little  splash  you  make .     the  water’s  meant  to  be  playful ,     not  a  battlefield .     ”     he  stepped  closer ,     his  voice  lowering  to  a  more  earnest  tone ,    “     how  ‘bout  this ?    you  humor  me ,     and  i’ll  make  sure  we  keep  it  fun .     i’ll  guide  you  through  it ,     and  you  can  show  me  how  fiercely  you  can  kick  and  glide .     if  you  mess  up ?     well ,     we’ll  just  laugh  it  off .     life’s  too  short  to  drown  in  perfection .     ”    his  eyes  sparkled  with  mischief  and  warmth ,     inviting  her  to  dive  into  a  new  experience .    “    so ,     whaddaya  say ?     let’s  see  what  kinda  magic  happens  when  you  let  loose  a  little .    ”

ace chuckles, shaking his head as he leans back, running a hand through his hair. " self-duplication ? now that one is dangerous, " he responds, squinting playfully at her. " what if you end up losing track of which one of you is the real one ? next thing you know, you've got a room full of super villains all fighting to be the main super villain ? totally gives the hero of the story an advantage. self-duplication ? may as well call it self-sabotage if you ask me. fun though. "

"damn, remind me not to go after the last pack of sour gummies." she teased, shaking her head and pulling her legs up into her chair. "holy fuck, reality manipulation is brutal." the redhead grinned. "you've really thought about all of this. i think it would be so cool to be able to self duplicate.. like picture this... you're a hero and suddenly you're up against the super villain and now its like you're in a fun maze and you dont know who the actual villain is."

nova’s gaze softens at his sheepish smile, a hint of empathy flickering in her eyes. often times things come out of her mouth in ways she doesn’t intend, years spent not quite knowing how to navigate connections with people, especially not friendships. until a certain age, all she knew was competition, comparison. this all still feels new to her. “ the auditions are closed, but you can definitely come to opening night, if you want, ” she responds, her voice gentle, quick to offer an encouraging smile in attempt to lighten things. when he shows her the email, her heart sinks for him. nova is never quite sure if ballet is what she would have chosen to do if things had been different, but it was her thing and without it ? well, she dreads to think. can't fathom how it must feel for him to essentially be told he can't compete until further notice. " wow, that . . . i'm sorry, miles. that must be a lot to come to terms with. " nova pauses briefly, another spoonful of soup. " have you been yet— to a therapy session ? "

mostly herself is good enough. miles can sense that there's an unspoken comfort. it's a feeling they share. most times, around nova, it feels like all of his edges are softened. but that's mostly because she shows up with a sense of grit that is beyond his own. “ dope. can i come to the audition or is it more private?  ”  while her words initially make him feel like he striked a nerve, she's quick to reassure him.  “ of course, never meant to overstep.  i guess for me, luck hasn't really been on my side. but it's also my own fault...  ”  a sheepish smile appears. his right hand reaches for his phone. there's an official email from his coach. “ i'll be around for another minute. a good while.  ”  miles doesn't mean to sound disappointed but the way his brows furrow fail to support his forced smile. nova understands him in the sense that they're both competitive. they have things they're great at and things they do to support their livelihood. miles however, always finds that his temper is his greatest flaw.  “ no games for me until i do like... 'x' amount of therapy. they're put me on a hiatus but the internal paperwork called it a suspension. so... i'll be here and i'll be able to show up for anything.  ” 

kyro snorts, holds back his laughter. " pulp, huh ? " a brow shoots up, and he can't help the urge to be exactly what he's supposed to be, and that's an annoying older brother. he'll support his siblings all day long, believe in them fully, but that in no way means he's above teasing them. " that's big talk for someone who's punch feels like air. are you actually planning on using your muscles anytime soon ? " with those words he moves his hands in a extra slow-motion swing, no intention of any real impact. instead he grins as he presses his fingertip to her forehead, give a slight nudge. " come on, get mad. and rotate your hips, " he insists, slight demonstrates before putting his palms back up, ready for her next punch, " then maybe you'll hit with some real power. "

she can't help but hum the tune as she repositions herself, shaking off the laughter and putting on her game face. she's determined to throw a better one this time, bouncing on her feet and putting in a little more umph into her next swing. "you're the one that needs a prayer, big brother," she follows it up with another hit, stopping to shake her hand out. even she doesn't believe it as the next words fall from her lips, "your hands are gonna be pulp when i'm finished with you !"

kai smirks, leaning back in his chair as he lazily swirls the piping coffee in his cup. " yeah, well, maybe i like boring. you ever think of that ? " his tone drips with sarcasm, but his eyes had that glint his eye that suggests otherwise. " a four day hangover for one night of fun ? says it all, really. " he takes another sip, taste somehow much worse now, but he swallows it down. hopes it'll make him feel a little more alive but it's doubtful.

"oh my bad, how was i supposed to know you were going to be hungover on this lovely wednesday morning." daphne teased, shaking her head. "i think you're forgetting the whole town was literally hungover for days after the beach party." pouring herself a cup of coffee and loading it with cream and sugar packets, the girl glanced at the other. "plus, i guess you wouldn't have that mug in front of you if i was fun. instead, you'd be all by your lonesome. how boring is that."

her hip subtly juts out, perfectly manicured hand coming down to rest on it. " i can be spontaneous, " she declares, her voice carrying a note of conviction that almost sounds fully believable — like she wants it to be true. maybe once, it had been. but somewhere along the way she got so wrapped up in the idea of things, planning more than she simply just . . . let happen. noa exhales a soft huff of air, as if to dismiss her own internal conflict. " i mean, hello, i'm a fashion girl. i make impulsive outfit decisions daily — and they always pay off. " she prides herself on a lot of things, and having her own style is one of them. god forbid she be in a room with anyone dressed exactly the same as her. blending in her idea of hell. " do you know how many people would be too afraid to pair this skirt with this jacket ? most of them. but not me, " she states, gesturing towards her ensemble. looks at him somewhat expectedly as she asks, " it looks cute, right ? ” her brow arches, amusement flickering in her eyes. " oh, i’m sure you’re a real modern day fred astarie, " the brunette teases, her lips curving into a playful grin. " but unfortunately, my scores are based off more than just that. " though she could definitely foresee others at the gathering being eager for his attention. he was charming, she could admit that — to herself, at least. perhaps not him just yet. there's a low hum as she considers his words, tries to keep it cool. because truthfully, he's made her smile more times than she was prepared for. " well, then i hope you like a challenge, because my favour is notoriously difficult to gain, let alone keep. "

he  leaned  back  slightly,    the  teasing  grin  still  playing  on  his  lips  as  he  watched  noa  wrestle  with  her  own  thoughts.     her  initial  confusion  only  fueled  his  amusement,     and  he  couldn’t  help  but  admire  how  she  was  normally  so  unflappable     —     yet  here  she  was,     just  a  little  off  balance.    “    perfect?     nah,     i  just  think  your  plans  could  use  a  little...     spontaneity,    ”    he  shot  back,     his  tone  playful  but  laced  with  genuine  curiosity.     the  way  she  corrected  her  posture  and  flicked  her  curls  over  her  shoulder  was  an  invitation  he  couldn’t  ignore.     the  flustered  edge  in  her  voice  was  like  a  chink  in  her  armor,     and  he  found  it  oddly  charming.

“    okay,     one  dance  it  is,   ”    he  conceded,     leaning  forward,     a  mock-seriousness  in  his  eyes.    “    but  trust  me,     these  feet  are  anything  but  clumsy.     i’ve  got  moves  that’ll  make  you  reconsider  your  whole  ‘desirability  score’  theory.    ”    her  warm  smile  tugged  at  something  in  him,     and  he  felt  a  rush  of  warmth  that  he  didn’t  want  to  overthink.    “     just  so  you  know,     i’d  never  let  a  scuff  on  those  jimmy  choos  ruin  your  night,     ”    he  added,     a  wink  punctuating  his  words.    “    but  if  you  do  miss  something  important...     well,     i  guess  i’ll  have  to  work  extra  hard  to  earn  back  your  favor.   ”