New Avalon

[CalamityJade]

"OF course you will walk again. To have anything less would be a crime." She gave him a smile. "And don't you worry about you're spot, I won't let those harpies edge you out of the limelight." Theodora was a lot of things...but she could be a bit low in her opinion of Nathaniel's 'competition'. After all, how else would you be welcomed for your skills if not by showing the city what you could do?

[yamikuronue]

Nathaniel closes his eyes briefly, the pit of his stomach churning. "There's a... I'm afraid... I may have to retire."

[CalamityJade]

That...seemed to stop her for a moment. "What are you talking about, Nathaniel? You can't let a little spill like this get the better of you."

[yamikuronue]

Nathaniel hangs his head, letting his hair drape in a curtain between himself and his patron. "They said I'll walk, but dance... They think not."

[CalamityJade]

That gets a very sudden embrace from Theodora. She held Nathaniel as she tried to compose herself. "That...is horrid news. Simply...ghastly."

[yamikuronue]

Nathaniel clings to his patron. "Thank you, I.... I've been trying to be brave, but.."

[CalamityJade]

"Of course...you must have had the news since yesterday." She moved to run her fingers through his hair. "And where they very specific or just trying to keep your hopes down?"

[yamikuronue]

"They seemed.... shocked at the idea that I might dance," he says, reluctantly.

[CalamityJade]

Theodora took a deep breath. "I see...that's very unfortunate...a crime against the art." She held their embrace a little longer before pulling back, her eyes wet with tears. "And a crime against you. You were such a wonderful dancer. So free...and so very passionate."

[yamikuronue]

Nathaniel swallows, rubbing at his own tear-filled eyes. "Thank you."

[CalamityJade]

"And I will truly miss seeing you perform...as well as being your patron." She moved to open her purse, pulling out a handkerchief to dab at her eyes.

[yamikuronue]

Nathaniel flinches, as the implications strike home. "Will I... see you again?"

[CalamityJade]

"Who know...but I will always have a place in my heart, where you will dance on forever." She leaned forward to kiss him, pulling him close.

[yamikuronue]

Nathaniel kisses her, but only briefly, his head reeling from the changes. So he'd lost his patron, his company, his career, his dreams, all in one fell swoop.

[CalamityJade]

"OF course, your hospital stay will still be paid for. I don't know if my heart could stand weighing you down any more than that." Well, that was one thing to not worry about.