New Avalon

[yamikuronue]

Erika nods. "First rule of being Welcomed: never admit you're new to this."

Nathaniel's smile fades a little around the edges. "You know if you're not comfortable with that new lift, you can just Arabesque instead. I can adapt, and no-one will know the difference."

[Hammer Sister]

"True," Rob agrees. To be fair, I'm not exactly keen on advertising it's my first time either.

[CalamityJade]

Julianna gave a somewhat exasperated look, but it had a hint of a smile to it. "Nathaniel, how long have the two of us been dancing? We will be as magnificent as always and you will be your normal stunning self. You would think by now you would be relaxed about this."

The two are shown to their seats, which were actually quite nice. Box seats that only had about six in total, meaning you were either on your own or were in rather posh company.

[yamikuronue]

Nathaniel coils his hair up into a bun, pinning it securely in place with hairpins. "I suppose you're right, Julianna. We'll do well."

Erika settles in, smiling gaily. "This should be an excellent show. I've heard the dancers are held in quite high regard."

[CalamityJade]

Once the patrons were all in their seats, the lights dimmed and the music started. The ballet was rather well done, with the stage being awashed with lights and shadows. The spotlights were some new kind that actually allowed for lighting to change, apparently without needing someone in the rafters. Not that you could tell from the seats if there was someone or not. Still, the dancers were superb and it was only the start of the show.

[yamikuronue]

Erika watches with rapt attention, on the edge of her seat. Such grace... If she had a talent like that, she'd have been Welcomed for sure.

[Hammer Sister]

Rob is rather more chill about the performance. That's not to say he's not enjoying it; the dancers are indeed very talented, and the orchestra are playing beautifully. But he can't ignore the fact he's really here on business; he needs to ensure he takes full advantage of this opportunity to meet Dr Harrisberg. Still, no sense worrying about that now; worry about it at the interval.

He can't help but notice how enthralled Erika is with the performance; it's the sort of captivation that's normally a sign that the person dreams of doing that for a living. Rob makes a mental note to ask about that later, if it comes up in conversation.

[yamikuronue]

Soon enough, the show comes to the famous Pas de Deux between Odette and Siegfried, played by Julianna and Nathaniel. Both dancers are clearly in their prime; Nathaniel may be more famous due to his youth and gender, but both are truly exceptional dancers, and it shows as they pirouette and prance about the stage. The music swells and sways, both dancers seemingly totally in tune with each other; as Nathaniel dances, every inch of his body cries out with the joy of newfound love. He twirls, then leaps, higher and higher as he prances about...

And in an instant it all comes crashing down. He lands, and crumples to the floor, sprawling ungracefully across the stage with an audible cry of pain. In her seat, Erika leaps to her feet, clamping her hands over her mouth in horror.

[Hammer Sister]

Rob, reacting more to Erika than the dancer's fall, stands and places his hands on her shoulders to both comfort and reassure her.

[CalamityJade]

Julianna had a slight delay before she realized what was going on and rushed to Nathaniel's side. The crowd is also agasp as the sound of murmers erupt around them. It's quickly obvious that this is NOT part of the show as some of the stage hands also make their way to the stage as Julianna looks horrified. "Nathaniel, please calm down. Help is on the way."

[yamikuronue]

Nathaniel bites his lip to stop from screaming as he curls into a ball, shutting his eyes to block out the sight of the blood gushing from his knee. His knee... but he had to finish the show! How could he dance if he couldn't stand?

Erika turns away, burying her face against Rob's chest to hide from the drama onstage. "Oh, how horrible!"

[Hammer Sister]

Rob has a rather stronger constitution; he's able to keep his eyes unwaveringly on the stage. "I'm sure he'll be fine," he assures Erika, holding her close to comfort her. "I've seen people recover from worse."

[CalamityJade]

The stage hands start trying to get a look to hopefully help Nathaniel while one of the big wigs starts trying to calm the crowd down. The curtain is dropped quickly as the stage hands try to help get Nathaniel off the stage. Julianna stayed with Nathaniel as she tried to help. "It will be alright. They've already called the hospital. You will be fine, Nathaniel."

[yamikuronue]

Erika chokes back some sobs. "I hope so...."

[Hammer Sister]

"Being one of the Welcomed, he'll get the best medical treatment; I'm no doctor, but he should be back dancing within a couple of months."