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antivanrufflesTitle: The Rhymth of Life
Who: Most Everyone.
Rating: R
A/N: Now with more Jaden! Because everyone loves Jaden, right?
One, Two, Three, Four.
The day after everyone had started their respective duties, Kam came into the studio a little later than usual, laden with hot coffee and scones. He placed the carriers and bags on his desk, calling everyone in for a quick meeting over the intercom.
Zander came first, oddly cheerful, eyes lighting up when he saw the food. “Did you get a blackcurrant one?” he asked, pawing through the bags.
“Two, actually. One for you and one for Jaden.”
“Can I steal his?”
Kam gave his youngest brother a look full of dismay. “No!”
“Fine,” Zander breathed, took what he deemed to be the larger scone, and sat down in Kam’s leather chair behind the desk.
“Child,” Kam breathed as the others started filing in. Last was Jaden, who moved slowly and stiffly. He sank down onto a chair, face contorted in pain, moaning slightly.
“Wat’s wif ‘oo?” Zander asked, mouth full.
“Ramona put me through the paces yesterday, I’m so sore.” He scooted down in the chair, legs straight and a hand over his eyes.
Dmitri and Edmond shared a look, lips quivering. Though it was Kam who spoke, voice full of warning, “everyone leave him alone.”
“You’re no fun!” Zander pouted.
“No, I’m not,” he agreed. Kam crouched next to Jaden’s chair, nudging him with his knuckles. One bloodshot blue eye opened, peering out through splayed fingers.
“Yeah?”
“Come to me after your practice today, I’ll help you stretch.”
“Ah, it’s alright once I get going. Just tired.” Jaden smiled at his brother, then went back to dozing in the chair.
Kam patted his shoulder and straightened up. “How is everyone else coming along?”
“Aces!” Zander said cheerily, still munching away on his scone. “My ballroom class went well yesterday.”
Unsure if he was being serious or not, Kam studied his brother. He truly seemed okay with everything, so he decided it best not to push things. “What about you lot?” He turned to the other two.
“Neven will come,” Dmitri nodded. “He did not tell me which day, but I think soon.”
“That’s fantastic. Did he seem alright?”
Dmitri shrugged, “As good as he can be?”
“I suppose that’s the best we can ask for. For now at least.” He turned on Edmond. “And you? What do you think of the Lord’s Daughter?”
“She is… sweet?” Edmond said slowly. And rather pretty, but he didn’t want to say that to the group at large. Especially if Zander was around. “But she is…. she is.” He sighed, letting out a desperate moan. “She is terrible. She is clumsy and has no grace. I lost count how many times she stepped on my foot. When you arranged this I thought three lessons a week would be too much. Now I think it is not enough.”
Edmond gave another miserable sigh and snatched a coffee from the table, sipping at it moodily. Zander barked out a laugh.
“Here I thought I got the short end of the stick!” He continue laughing as Edmond glared sourly.
“Zander, stop it. Maybe you’d like to step in Edmond? It’s not too late for him to be replaced….”
“No!” Edmond said, surprising even himself with the outburst. “I mean, she’s shy. I don’t think she would appreciate the switch.” It was a blatant lie, he knew, but he hoped the others wouldn’t be able to tell.
“Fine, just, if you need anything, let me know?” Kam patted the younger man’s shoulder.
“Of course, thank you.” Edmond smiled reassuringly.
“What’ta ‘bout you?” Zander asked, swallowing the last of his scone. “Decided if you’re gonna kill Anton yet? Hot!” he cried when he took a sip of his coffee.
Kam frowned at Zander, shaking his head. “I won’t be killing anyone, unless it’s you, baby brother“
“I’m not a baby!” Zander glowered up at Kam. “I hate when you call me that!”
“You’re a baby to me.”
“Only because you’re so old.”
“I’m not that old, it only seems that way because you’re so young. And an unwanted surprise.” Kam smirked.
Zander shot up from his chair. “Take that back! I am mum and dad’s pride and joy.”
“Still doesn’t mean you were planned,” Jaden muttered, eyes still closed. “Face it, you were an accident.”
“Your face is an accident!”
Jaden finally opened his eyes to look at Zander, brows knitted. “That was pathetic.”
“That’s enough from the pair of you,” Kam interrupted, speaking over Zander’s indigent reply. “Zander take your coffee and go set up for class; you’re teaching tap today.”
“Tap? Shit, you’re just going to make me teach all the classes aren’t you?”
“All that ones that don’t overlap.”
“Slave driver.”
“Yes,” Kam agreed serenely.
“Fine, I’m gone. Let me go remember how to do a time step for chrissake.” He snatched his coffee from the table and headed for the door, but not before waltzing by Jaden and playfully whacking him on the back of the head.
“Little bastard hit me!” Jaden cried, glaring at the door.
Kam reached into one of the bags and pulled out a scone. “Have your treat and shut up.”
“Oh! Blackcurrant, my favorite!”
***
Jaden made his way slowly down the hall to the practice room he and Ramona were using. It was a bit before their scheduled practice at 8am, so Jaden was a little surprised not only to see Ramona already there, but dancing.
A song he wasn’t familiar with piped through the speakers, a woman with a haunting voice. The beat was hard, erratic, and Ramona moved to it naturally.
La la la la
Her back was straight, shoulders squared and chest out. Her arms rose over her head, right foot stamping down.
If I had my way, you would still be stuck on me.
She pitched, one foot lifting in a swirling arch and settling on the floor in a firm placement.
La la la la
Skirts in hand, Ramona made a Grand Circle around an invisible partner.
You know you tore my heart, dear.
She then moved across the floor in a complicated pattern, all firm steps and swishing skirts. It reminded Jaden of something, but he wasn’t sure what. Not the Paso Doble, that much he knew.
When she turned to make her way back, she spotted him in the door. If there was any shock or embarrassment at being caught, she didn’t show it. Only mild surprise.
“You’re here, good.” She moved to the stereo and shut it off.
“What was that?”
“I was just warming up.” She shrugged.
Jaden stepped into the room, moving to her side. “It was good.”
“You think so?” Ramona looked up at him, eyes almost hopeful.
“I do.”
Ramona swallowed, licked her lips. “It’s a combination of the Paso and Flamenco -- I’ve danced that since I was a child -- my coaches think it’s silly.”
“Nah, it’s great. It suits you, too.”
She looked away, focusing on the table rather than Jaden‘s face. “Well, thank you.”
“I know yesterday was tedious, and we didn’t talk much. But,” Jaden stopped and ran a hand through his hair. “We don’t have the best history, I know that. I just, I mean we have to work together now. So maybe we just try our best to move on?”
Ramona’s head snapped up and she looked at him closely, eyes hard. After a moment she relaxed, eyes softening, and waved a hand. “It is, how does the saying go? Water under the bridge?”
“Good,” Jaden nodded. There was a moment of strained silence. “Just us again today?”
“No, I told them to come a little later. I wanted to warm up without them.”
“Ah.”
“They shoul--” as if mentioning them had been their beckoning call, the door opened and Ramona’s group of followers appeared. First was her coach, a former Latin World Champion, and his aide. Her manager walked in wearing a smart suit the color of gunmetal, chattering away in Spanish, a Bluetooth stuck in her ear. Then an assistant to make sure Ramona was where she needed to be, equipped with what she needed, and all around looked after. A large bodyguard filed in after the others, looking grim and steadfast. And, of course, Martino.
The man entered as if he owned the place, tall and proud in an expensive looking suit and hair combed perfectly in place, with just enough product to make it shine under the studio lights.
“Ramona, you left so early this morning. I missed you at breakfast.” He looked only marginally upset about this fact though. He stopped next to her and leaned down to press a kiss against her cheek.
Jaden frowned slightly and looked away, surveying the people gathered. “Quite an audience we’ll have today.”
“I can send them away. Well, except for Senor Acosta -- I think a coach is needed, no?” Jaden turned and caught Ramona’s teasing eyes.
“I suppose it couldn’t hurt?” Jaden shrugged nonchalantly, a grin tugging the corner of his mouth.
“Good to see you’re taking this so seriously, Jaden,” Martino said sternly, frowning.
“Good to see you’re still lacking a sense of humor, Martino,” Jaden said just as sternly with a mocking frown.
The other man glared, wholly unamused, while Ramona pressed the tip of her finger to her lips, the corners twitching ever so slightly.
Martino finally gave up on glaring at Jaden and whirled around on his heels, stomping to the corner where the assistant sat. Jaden assumed the man would fiddle around with business, whatever the hell it was he did for Ramona’s father.
“Alright, what are we starting with today?” Jaden clapped his hands together. He almost hoped someone would say the Rumba. He glanced toward Ramona, lips still quirked amusement, eyes dancing, and cheeks flushed.
Yes, a Rumba would be nice. But only to rankle Martino, of course.
-----------
Another quick note: Ramona's Song (AKA Tore My Heart by Oona) -- WHICH HAS NO HIDDEN MEANING WHATSOEVER! *coughs* *hack* *collapses*
Who: Most Everyone.
Rating: R
A/N: Now with more Jaden! Because everyone loves Jaden, right?
One, Two, Three, Four.
The day after everyone had started their respective duties, Kam came into the studio a little later than usual, laden with hot coffee and scones. He placed the carriers and bags on his desk, calling everyone in for a quick meeting over the intercom.
Zander came first, oddly cheerful, eyes lighting up when he saw the food. “Did you get a blackcurrant one?” he asked, pawing through the bags.
“Two, actually. One for you and one for Jaden.”
“Can I steal his?”
Kam gave his youngest brother a look full of dismay. “No!”
“Fine,” Zander breathed, took what he deemed to be the larger scone, and sat down in Kam’s leather chair behind the desk.
“Child,” Kam breathed as the others started filing in. Last was Jaden, who moved slowly and stiffly. He sank down onto a chair, face contorted in pain, moaning slightly.
“Wat’s wif ‘oo?” Zander asked, mouth full.
“Ramona put me through the paces yesterday, I’m so sore.” He scooted down in the chair, legs straight and a hand over his eyes.
Dmitri and Edmond shared a look, lips quivering. Though it was Kam who spoke, voice full of warning, “everyone leave him alone.”
“You’re no fun!” Zander pouted.
“No, I’m not,” he agreed. Kam crouched next to Jaden’s chair, nudging him with his knuckles. One bloodshot blue eye opened, peering out through splayed fingers.
“Yeah?”
“Come to me after your practice today, I’ll help you stretch.”
“Ah, it’s alright once I get going. Just tired.” Jaden smiled at his brother, then went back to dozing in the chair.
Kam patted his shoulder and straightened up. “How is everyone else coming along?”
“Aces!” Zander said cheerily, still munching away on his scone. “My ballroom class went well yesterday.”
Unsure if he was being serious or not, Kam studied his brother. He truly seemed okay with everything, so he decided it best not to push things. “What about you lot?” He turned to the other two.
“Neven will come,” Dmitri nodded. “He did not tell me which day, but I think soon.”
“That’s fantastic. Did he seem alright?”
Dmitri shrugged, “As good as he can be?”
“I suppose that’s the best we can ask for. For now at least.” He turned on Edmond. “And you? What do you think of the Lord’s Daughter?”
“She is… sweet?” Edmond said slowly. And rather pretty, but he didn’t want to say that to the group at large. Especially if Zander was around. “But she is…. she is.” He sighed, letting out a desperate moan. “She is terrible. She is clumsy and has no grace. I lost count how many times she stepped on my foot. When you arranged this I thought three lessons a week would be too much. Now I think it is not enough.”
Edmond gave another miserable sigh and snatched a coffee from the table, sipping at it moodily. Zander barked out a laugh.
“Here I thought I got the short end of the stick!” He continue laughing as Edmond glared sourly.
“Zander, stop it. Maybe you’d like to step in Edmond? It’s not too late for him to be replaced….”
“No!” Edmond said, surprising even himself with the outburst. “I mean, she’s shy. I don’t think she would appreciate the switch.” It was a blatant lie, he knew, but he hoped the others wouldn’t be able to tell.
“Fine, just, if you need anything, let me know?” Kam patted the younger man’s shoulder.
“Of course, thank you.” Edmond smiled reassuringly.
“What’ta ‘bout you?” Zander asked, swallowing the last of his scone. “Decided if you’re gonna kill Anton yet? Hot!” he cried when he took a sip of his coffee.
Kam frowned at Zander, shaking his head. “I won’t be killing anyone, unless it’s you, baby brother“
“I’m not a baby!” Zander glowered up at Kam. “I hate when you call me that!”
“You’re a baby to me.”
“Only because you’re so old.”
“I’m not that old, it only seems that way because you’re so young. And an unwanted surprise.” Kam smirked.
Zander shot up from his chair. “Take that back! I am mum and dad’s pride and joy.”
“Still doesn’t mean you were planned,” Jaden muttered, eyes still closed. “Face it, you were an accident.”
“Your face is an accident!”
Jaden finally opened his eyes to look at Zander, brows knitted. “That was pathetic.”
“That’s enough from the pair of you,” Kam interrupted, speaking over Zander’s indigent reply. “Zander take your coffee and go set up for class; you’re teaching tap today.”
“Tap? Shit, you’re just going to make me teach all the classes aren’t you?”
“All that ones that don’t overlap.”
“Slave driver.”
“Yes,” Kam agreed serenely.
“Fine, I’m gone. Let me go remember how to do a time step for chrissake.” He snatched his coffee from the table and headed for the door, but not before waltzing by Jaden and playfully whacking him on the back of the head.
“Little bastard hit me!” Jaden cried, glaring at the door.
Kam reached into one of the bags and pulled out a scone. “Have your treat and shut up.”
“Oh! Blackcurrant, my favorite!”
***
Jaden made his way slowly down the hall to the practice room he and Ramona were using. It was a bit before their scheduled practice at 8am, so Jaden was a little surprised not only to see Ramona already there, but dancing.
A song he wasn’t familiar with piped through the speakers, a woman with a haunting voice. The beat was hard, erratic, and Ramona moved to it naturally.
La la la la
Her back was straight, shoulders squared and chest out. Her arms rose over her head, right foot stamping down.
If I had my way, you would still be stuck on me.
She pitched, one foot lifting in a swirling arch and settling on the floor in a firm placement.
La la la la
Skirts in hand, Ramona made a Grand Circle around an invisible partner.
You know you tore my heart, dear.
She then moved across the floor in a complicated pattern, all firm steps and swishing skirts. It reminded Jaden of something, but he wasn’t sure what. Not the Paso Doble, that much he knew.
When she turned to make her way back, she spotted him in the door. If there was any shock or embarrassment at being caught, she didn’t show it. Only mild surprise.
“You’re here, good.” She moved to the stereo and shut it off.
“What was that?”
“I was just warming up.” She shrugged.
Jaden stepped into the room, moving to her side. “It was good.”
“You think so?” Ramona looked up at him, eyes almost hopeful.
“I do.”
Ramona swallowed, licked her lips. “It’s a combination of the Paso and Flamenco -- I’ve danced that since I was a child -- my coaches think it’s silly.”
“Nah, it’s great. It suits you, too.”
She looked away, focusing on the table rather than Jaden‘s face. “Well, thank you.”
“I know yesterday was tedious, and we didn’t talk much. But,” Jaden stopped and ran a hand through his hair. “We don’t have the best history, I know that. I just, I mean we have to work together now. So maybe we just try our best to move on?”
Ramona’s head snapped up and she looked at him closely, eyes hard. After a moment she relaxed, eyes softening, and waved a hand. “It is, how does the saying go? Water under the bridge?”
“Good,” Jaden nodded. There was a moment of strained silence. “Just us again today?”
“No, I told them to come a little later. I wanted to warm up without them.”
“Ah.”
“They shoul--” as if mentioning them had been their beckoning call, the door opened and Ramona’s group of followers appeared. First was her coach, a former Latin World Champion, and his aide. Her manager walked in wearing a smart suit the color of gunmetal, chattering away in Spanish, a Bluetooth stuck in her ear. Then an assistant to make sure Ramona was where she needed to be, equipped with what she needed, and all around looked after. A large bodyguard filed in after the others, looking grim and steadfast. And, of course, Martino.
The man entered as if he owned the place, tall and proud in an expensive looking suit and hair combed perfectly in place, with just enough product to make it shine under the studio lights.
“Ramona, you left so early this morning. I missed you at breakfast.” He looked only marginally upset about this fact though. He stopped next to her and leaned down to press a kiss against her cheek.
Jaden frowned slightly and looked away, surveying the people gathered. “Quite an audience we’ll have today.”
“I can send them away. Well, except for Senor Acosta -- I think a coach is needed, no?” Jaden turned and caught Ramona’s teasing eyes.
“I suppose it couldn’t hurt?” Jaden shrugged nonchalantly, a grin tugging the corner of his mouth.
“Good to see you’re taking this so seriously, Jaden,” Martino said sternly, frowning.
“Good to see you’re still lacking a sense of humor, Martino,” Jaden said just as sternly with a mocking frown.
The other man glared, wholly unamused, while Ramona pressed the tip of her finger to her lips, the corners twitching ever so slightly.
Martino finally gave up on glaring at Jaden and whirled around on his heels, stomping to the corner where the assistant sat. Jaden assumed the man would fiddle around with business, whatever the hell it was he did for Ramona’s father.
“Alright, what are we starting with today?” Jaden clapped his hands together. He almost hoped someone would say the Rumba. He glanced toward Ramona, lips still quirked amusement, eyes dancing, and cheeks flushed.
Yes, a Rumba would be nice. But only to rankle Martino, of course.
-----------
Another quick note: Ramona's Song (AKA Tore My Heart by Oona) -- WHICH HAS NO HIDDEN MEANING WHATSOEVER! *coughs* *hack* *collapses*
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2012-12-12 09:30 am (UTC)I don't know why, but the idea of Zander teaching tap just makes me want to squish him into a massive hug! And the whole scones issue, I would buy them a hundred blackcurrant scones.
ALSO: I WANT TO SEE THEM RUMBA! THAT WOULD BE SO HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AND WHO THE HELL IS THIS MARTINO CHARACTER? AND WHAT IS RAMONA AND JADEN'S HISTORY?! TELL ME ALL OH MISTRESS OF DANCE FIC!!!!
no subject
Date: 2012-12-12 09:48 am (UTC)Martino is Kaidou. I named him Martino because it means "Servant of Mars" and this gave me lulz. But then I remembered that I hate Kaidou and wondered why the hell I put him in there in the first place. :O
ALSO YOU REVIEW MADE ME ALL SQUEALY AND CAPSLOCKY AND KEYBOARD MASHY Agsjkahgaughdjkvnjadfhgakghag Agahgahgaeghdh !!!!!!!!!!!
no subject
Date: 2012-12-12 05:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-12-12 05:58 pm (UTC)Good luck with your final!
no subject
Date: 2012-12-14 05:52 am (UTC)Also, now I want scones and to actually learn the Paso Doble.
Again, your R/J chemistry is fantastico!!!
no subject
Date: 2012-12-14 06:15 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-12-14 09:44 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-10-29 05:04 pm (UTC)"“Ramona put me through the paces yesterday, I’m so sore.” He scooted down in the chair, legs straight and a hand over his eyes." AHAHAHAHA
And then Kam tells everyone to leave him alone. And Edmond doesn't want to stop teaching Sylvia. SO CUTE!
Oh, now they're ribbing Zander about being a "surprise" :)
Hah! I was wondering if Martino was Kaidou, and I see I'm right! Hopefully he'll get what's coming to him...
Jaden makes Ramona laugh!! And he doesn't think she's silly about her dancing!! Awww...