New Avalon

[yamikuronue]

Nathaniel's face pales as it sinks in. "But... dancing is my life." he says, softly. "It's the only thing I've ever wanted."

[CalamityJade]

"I'm sorry, but if you try to keep dancing after what happened, you'll likely cripple yourself. I'm sure there are other things that you can do, and any of them are better than nothing." He looked back over his chart. "For right now, you should concentrate on your recovery.

[yamikuronue]

Nathaniel stares down at his hands, his vision blurring as tears form in his eyes, obscuring his view. He shuts his eyes tightly, trying to hold back the tears, but that just forces them deeper inside; his eyes burn with the strain of holding back the flood, and his chest aches with the upwelling of unshed tears. With his eyes closed, it's as though he's in a deep pit; almost, he feels as though he is falling, as though the floor vanished and left him adrift, tumbling.

[CalamityJade]

The doctor seemes paused for a moment before he spoke again. "Um...sir...do you have someone you wish to contact?" Which he said in that way to show he was obviously uncomfortable with the situation but knew he had to be here.

[yamikuronue]

Nathaniel shakes his head, but a moment later, in a quivering, wavery voice, adds, "Julianna.... Tell Julianna."

[CalamityJade]

"Julianna?" The doctor gave that a look. "Ah, the young woman that left the cards. I believe she wanted to inform you that she would return later today. Would you rather her speak with you?"

[yamikuronue]

Nathaniel hesitates. "....warn her," he whispers. "I can't..." The idea of breaking the news to his costar... she'd be devastated, and he can't handle one more blow. Not today.

[CalamityJade]

The doctor seems to mull over that. "Then I can try and warn her before she comes to speak to you, if you would prefer." He gave a small sigh. "I want to make sure you understand that everything possible was done to help you recover...and that after a few days of observation, we will be able to start you on a physical therapy program to regain a good amount of motion to your leg."

[yamikuronue]

Nathaniel nods, numbly. Physical therapy, walking... what did any of it matter now? He'd never dance again.

[CalamityJade]

The doctor excuses himself once it seems that Nathaniel was taking the news rather hard. And the room grew quiet. The sounds just outside the door seemed leagues away from the overwhelming silence of the room. This was not how it was supposed to be, right? Nathaniel had danced since he came here. That was how he lived. That's how he met his sponsor and how he saw himself...but for that to be gone...it was almost surreal.

It would be some time before Nathaniel heard another knock on the door. It was almost hesitant, as if whoever was on the other side of the door was preparing themselves.

[yamikuronue]

Nathaniel answers a little too eagerly: "Come in." Something, anything, to break the silence, was welcome.

[CalamityJade]

Julianna came in, looking a bit of a wreck. She had come in with a large bundle of flowers and was obviously trying not to cry. "Well...and here I thought I'd have to make up something about you looking good."

[yamikuronue]

Nathaniel's eyes begin to water as he notices her tears, and he rapidly looks away. "Julie... thank you so much."

[CalamityJade]

"I couldn't not come, Nate...I just couldn't." She came the rest of the way in, putting the flowers in front of the window. "Everyone's been all up in arms at the theatre and I just couldn't.." She took a few breaths. "But I didn't come here for that. I apologize. I promised I'd be just my usual self."

[yamikuronue]

Nathaniel looks at his lap, carefully interlacing his fingers. "They said..." he starts, but his throat closes over the words, and he lets them die.

"How is everyone?"