New Avalon

[CalamityJade]

"Completely beside themselves. Abigail kept waiting to find out if they'd cancel the show because you weren't there. Total hysterics." Julieanna laughed a little, discretely wiping one eye. "Everyone's still trying to find out what happened. Hector thought someone must have hit you, but I kept telling him the stage was clear."

[yamikuronue]

Nathaniel shakes his head, helplessly. "What does it matter? It was an accident. I guess Evan will get his chance now," he says, groping for what silver lining he can find.

[CalamityJade]

Julianna gave a frown. "Evan has wandering hands...and none of them can hold a candle to you." She managed something of a sweet smile.

[yamikuronue]

"Even Evan is better now," he chokes, the tears bursting forth onto his cheeks as he clenches the blanket tightly.

[CalamityJade]

And suddenly she was hugging Nathaniel. And now she's crying. "I'm so sorry! I just...he said that you wanted to warn me and...I just..."

[yamikuronue]

Nathaniel clings tightly to his costar, sobbing into her shoulder. "I c-c-an't even... it's all so..."

[CalamityJade]

She was obviously crying. "It'...it's alright, Nate...ma-maybe they're wrong." Julianna kept a hold of Nathaniel while he cried. "This doesn't just happen to people like us. W-we're Welcomed...the golden children of the city."

[yamikuronue]

He tenses a little, his fingers digging into her back uncomfortably. "Julie... what if I'm... what if I'm not..."

[CalamityJade]

"Shhh...now now...y-you worry too much. Just do what the doctors tell you and you'll be back on stage with me in no time." She tried to smooth out his hair. "I bet they don't even know you're welcomed, the nerve telling someone like you that."

[yamikuronue]

"You think-- you think there's hope?" he asks, his voice yearning, simple, open.

[CalamityJade]

"Nathaniel...we were both Welcomed for our talents...the city chose us for them. They wouldn't let their stars fade so easily." She moved to give him a kiss on the forehead, her eyes puffy from crying.

[yamikuronue]

Nathaniel manages a smile, wiping at his eyes. "Yeah... yeah, you're right. I'm sorry, I've been such... You're right. You have to be. I just have to keep on hoping."

[CalamityJade]

"That said, you should worry about your recovery. And don't worry about your spot in the show. None of them can dance like you, and I'd only have the best as my partner." Julianna wipes her eyes again and gives a large sigh. "Well, now that we had all that crying, I suppose I should leave before I bring your spirits down any farther."

[yamikuronue]

"Thank you," he says, again. "I really mean it."

[CalamityJade]

She gave another smile before leaving. That WAS a good point. HE was Welcomed...the city didn't just get rid of the Welcomed, right?

Later that evening, one of the nurses came in, bringing in some food. "So..ya awake enough to eat?"