beneath the stars came falling on our heads

[bumbles]

Date & Time: throughout September.
Location: various.
Characters: Donny Casey/Atlas and assorted unfortunate souls.
Summary: Going to be throwing individuals starters in, but slam me a pm or grab me on plurk if you would like a thread sometime during the month! c:
Warnings: I will add these as necessary!

( Donny's actually feeling pretty good about this month.


But we all know that's going to go up in flames so let's prepare the popcorn. And here is a sly link to his appearance page in case you need to know what Atlas' uniform is like, ohoho. )

Comments

[bumbles]

( And he is happy to oblige, although he's just taking a second to try and work out how to tie this without messing up her hair. To his credit, he manages the task well, leaning around her to check and make sure it's comfortable, expression questioning even behind the mask. )

[ensorceler]

[ She spins rather suddenly when he peers around her, and face to face she grins, and reaches up to tease her fingertips just beneath his chin. She then lowers her head and dips down, nearly to her knees, arm remaining raised, and slowly straightens again. ]

Might I still dance this night?

[bumbles]

( oh, hello there. He bows, still not sure this is the right moment, but he can at least be respectful. Better too respectful than too little. And, another note: )

Might I have the pleasure of teaching you to waltz? Or have I been pre-empted?

( This is a Serious Question. He is ignoring that he had to learn to dance because Max wanted him to attend galas with her, that prickle of sharper unhappiness, because now he is Atlas. Atlas is better than that. )

[ensorceler]

[ Having to take time to watch him write and then read does still detract a bit, but she has already proven she can be patient. ]

Oh, the waltz! It is popular, then? The Lord Governor Kang did so show me, but then that is only to mean I will hopefully not bruise your toes.

[bumbles]

( Nodding eagerly, Atlas offers her another smile, though he glances down-- clearly concerned for the fate of his feet. However, any noble man must overcome such things. Taking a second, Atlas offers her a hand squaring his shoulders - it wasn't really necessary - and is going to step closer, but holds her gaze, asking permission before he sets his hand at her back.

Another second skips past, and he realises that the no talking is going to make this tricky. It was easier when Atlas wasn't really social. ) I'm sure you c-can um, d-do this more elegantly than I d-did.

( Quiet. He could almost wince for the sound of his speech stumbling across Atlas, but at least he speaks a little better, though he looks ever so slightly sad for a moment before he brushes it off. This is fine. He spoke, but she already knew, and if they want to dance, then they can hardly use notes. ) M-may I?

[ensorceler]

[ She's startled to hear his voice again, and even more-so at his continued request for permission. He has his hands all over her (the waltz is a bit boring in steps to her, but the constant closeness is interesting), so aren't they already dancing?

Simply continuing to smile in turn, she nods and lets her hand rest against his shoulder. Of course, they don't have any music! And it's not like Anne owns a stereo.

To make up for it, she begins to hum, picking a slow French lullaby to accompany what she has seen to be a slow dance. If Anne can dance well, she can sing even better. ]

[bumbles]

( Having spoken as Atlas feels so cheap, after so long holding onto it, but Stephanie has heard Atlas speak, and Anne already knew the truth of what lay underneath, that uselessness beneath the mask.

Holding Anne carefully, Atlas is a strong lead, and as he becomes a little more sure of her familiarity with the basic steps, he starts to incorporate turns, seeing how well she follows. And it's nice when she hums, prompting a little grin from him, even if it looks more genuine than it feels. )

[ensorceler]

[ Considering he stuttered a little less, she would consider it an improvement. She hardly understands the importance of his silence... Doesn't it lose it's power when that's all there is?

Having much liked the turns with Kang, she twirls into them nicely, careful not to go too quickly. The pace makes it easy to hum, though of course it's occasionally interrupted with a few breaths. It doesn't take much exertion when you're wearing a corset. ]

[bumbles]

( It might be just as well he didn't suggest a tango - that in a corset and with Anne's dress could be brutal. However, he is going to start leading her through complicated steps, and sure he doesn't remember the technical name for it, but he can start giving Anne more twirling opportunities. Slowly, so he can lead her through the steps. )

M-maybe you c-can, uh. ( A breath, trying to stop that familiar panic that rises when he speaks. ) T-teach me some of your d-dances.

[ensorceler]

[ He's making it a bit more fun, and her enjoyment is near palpable as she eagerly moves into the turns and steps, only needing one or two chances to learn a new step, though it will still take her a touch longer to perfect it. ]

I ought ask Cesare to show you... No doubt he knows similar ones as myself.

[ That way he could learn the man's portion properly. ]

[bumbles]

Mm. ( Cesare is not... his favorite person. He doesn't actively dislike him, as such, but he's wary. Cesare reminds him of a snake, coiled to strike, able to disappear at the first suggestion of a problem. He hasn't been unkind to Adonis, and yet. Part of it is simply the way he spoke to Max. Atlas' expression sobers with the sharper reminder on top of that persistent ache, jaw set. ) You're c-close?

( To Cesare, he means. That might be dangerous. )

[ensorceler]

[ She simply giggles in response at first, shaking her head in disapproval at such a personal question! But it's not really personal, and they aren't really close emotionally. Their interactions have been short, but always enticing.

She speaks after another turn, laughter in her tone still. ]

Would you be jealous?

[bumbles]

C-completely.

( With a grin, as of this could be entirely playful, a game, as if he weren't concerned. )

I'd lose m-my um, t-titan waltz p-partner.

[ensorceler]

But there are many titans! And many dance partners.

[bumbles]

( Ah, well. He can't deny that, but does lead into another twirl, instead. There's those nagging thoughts, the edges of Adonis that encroach on Atlas, doubly so when she knows the truth and when he's speaking. If she knows that, if he's stumbling through conversation and being social in the ways he told himself he'd stop doing months ago, then isn't he just-- some idiot wearing a costume?

Something in his expression shifts, just a little, before he clears his throat. ) B-but um, none so elegant.

[ensorceler]

[ She chuckles again, though there is hesitation to it. Where is his mind now, she wonders? Anne is not fond of having to work so hard for attention... She's not against work, but she can be rather jealous herself. ]

Can I not dance with you both at the same time?

[bumbles]

Sorry?

( Just faintly bemused, tilting his head - not quite the lost puppy that Adonis usually is, but some echo of it. )

[ensorceler]

That way there is no need for jealousy, when you may share me in equal value and delight.

[bumbles]

Oh!

( And a grin, sheepish. ) And here I uh, I thought I'd b-be sharing you b-- b-between Adonis and uh, Atlas.

( His expression says: I'm sorry, I'm a ridiculous person, playful and self-deprecating instead of the usual wall of embarrassment and awkward, though it's definitely weird and it feels wrong to be speaking as Atlas. Like it's someone else's voice and not his own. ) Just uh, just so long as you know I'm m-more delighted.

( Conspiratorial. )

[ensorceler]

For Atlas and Adonis both? You would have to possess me utterly.

[ Tongue-in-cheek, she takes his hand this time and takes herself in a slow turn -- deliberate, with an elegant tilt of her head to share a look as one might share a secret. ]

But words are just words! How can I truly believe you? Mayhap he loves me tender, for trouble saying it.

[bumbles]

P-perhaps it w-would be uh, be you p-- p-possessing me.

( A slow breath. The panic can still rise in Atlas, when a word gets caught, when it becomes an impossibility and some part of his mind panics, body thrown in revolt. Atlas can be charming and make jokes in sign language or over written notes, but speaking aloud is so much harder, that constant reminder of all the weakness underneath his mask.

It stings, tears the wound deeper, but he ignores it and offers her a smile. ) I'm an expert in uh, t-trouble-- trouble saying things. ( As if it could be a joke, as if it isn't one of the things he despises most about himself. ) W-words are n-nothing without action.

[ensorceler]

[ Oh, if not for his stutter, he might yet master romantic conversation. He has the heart, an artist's heart, so the talent is there.

But then he thinks too much. It's visible, it is, when he says something and then seems to stop, and stumble even more as if regretting every word that has ever come out of his mouth. It is tiresome, and sad, and she doesn't want to feel sad, but happy. She had so wanted a party. ]

Then if he is the man of action, and you the man of words, where might that leave me? I would have it all.

[bumbles]

Then I m-must um, b-be a man of action.

( That's the only answer. Somehow, it seems that he's gotten all mixed up - that Atlas is the wordsmith, the the vigilante might fail with action. Weight still settles on his shoulders, but he is obstinately, desperately trying to grasp onto anything that isn't thinking about Max, even if it is verging on simple stupidity. With an air of drama intended to amuse, he faces her very gravely. )

You m-must g-give me a quest.

[ensorceler]

[ At times his words seem smoother again, and she thinks herself successful. Then she wonders why she should care so much! Perhaps if she is to know him, she worries his status reflects her own. But normally the simple fix would be to stop associating with him completely.

Everything is different here, and it continues to be so. No matter how sweet her smiles are and poignant her assertions, she is more lost than anyone in her own barren motherland. ]

I must know the name of my knight before I send him on any quest.

[bumbles]

You know m-my name.

( Goodness, Anne. With the last step, he brings a pause to their waltz, takes a step back, and kneels. )

Atlas of House C-Casey, m-my lady.

( Why does he keeping thinking joking will help? The smile in his voice is convincing, he hopes, at least if someone wasn't really looking it might be, and maybe it comes off as a valiant attempt rather than ringing false. )