antivanruffles

CAMEOS! ALL THE CAMEOS! Well, no, not all, this is the start though. ;P

“It’s big.”

“That’s all you can say? That is your great, witty remark for the day? ‘It’s big’?”

“Well, it is!”

Jaden stared at Zander as if he had grown a second head. “You’ve been here before. You’ve competed at Blackpool before!” he said incredulously.

“That was like, two years ago, I don’t remember it being so big.” Zander lifted a shoulder.

“Love has made you daft. Adelaide,“ Jaden looked at her, leaning around his brother, “you’ve made him stupid.”

“Don’t say that to her, you jackass!” He slugged Jaden in the arm.

“Ow!” Jaden cried and a fight ensued, the two brothers wrestling with one another in front of Winter Gardens, the passersby giving them a wide berth. The large entertainment plaza sat in center of the Blackpool borough, stretching out for several blocks; the complex contained the Empress Ballroom, where the Blackpool Dance Festival would be starting up in just a few short hours, taking up the entire weekend.

Kam ignored his brothers and tapped Adelaide’s shoulder, she turned around, eyes wide. “Shouldn’t you stop them?”

“It will do no good, best to let them have it out. I do apologize for them, though. I would say they’re not normally like this, but that would be a lie.” Kam he shook his head sadly.

“Is what brothers do. When we children?” Neven shrugged, gesturing between himself and Dmitri. “It not a regular day unless one of us have a black eye or something because of the other.”

“Well, I suppose if you’re child, but they’re adults!” Adelaide hissed.

“Who told you that lie!?” Jaden squawked at her, holding a squirming Zander in a headlock. “I am not an adult. Kam, stop spreading disgusting rumors about me.”

“Moron.”

“Will you let me go now?” Zander asked, ceasing his struggle.

“I guess.” Jaden shrugged and dropped Zander, who nearly fell flat on his face from the sudden lack of support. Straightening up he shoved back his hair, glaring.

“If you weren’t dancing today I would steal Neven’s cane and crush your toes.”

“I like to see you try to take.” Neven narrowed his eyes, grip tightening on the handle of his cane.

“Like you wouldn’t want me to crush his toes.” Neven thought for a moment, pondering the idea, then slowly grinned and held out his cane. “Who care if he can’t dance today?”

“I would.” They all turned to find Ramona marching toward them, her entourage swarming behind her like buzzing bees. She wore a black suit skirt and pressed white blouse, her polished black heels clicking against the sidewalk.

She stopped and pushed up her large sunglasses on top of her head. “I haven’t worked this hard to lose my partner because he is friends with a bunch of petulant children.”

“Hello, Ramona,” Kam greeted her kindly.

“Hello, Kameron.” She smiled at him brightly, then turned to Jaden, her demeanor changing; however, not in the way Kam would’ve expected from the story he’d wrestled out of Jaden on the way in from London. She wasn’t angry or blustery, or even sad, but rather shy. And he found that very interesting.

“I’m going to get ready, I’ll see you before we’re set to start?”

“Yeah, I’ll be around.”

“Good.” She nodded and lowered her sunglasses again, giving everyone a cheery wave before as she walked inside.

“Not a fucking word.” Jaden held up a hand before Kam could even open his mouth. With his back straight and shoulders back, Jaden marched into the building.

“So... today is going to be a good one!” Zander rubbed his hands together. “I need to find some popcorn and settle in. Come on, love!” He grabbed Adelaide’s hand, dragging her inside Winter Gardens.

“I think I’ve given up all hope this day and it hasn’t even started yet.” Kam covered his face with both hands.

Neven patted his back. “It will be okay.”

“Care to try saying that while looking me in the eye?” came the muffled reply.

“No.” Neven laughed, thumping Kam on the back again.

***

“Everything looks okay?” Maggie turned around in her dress, the skirts swishing. “I’m so happy to have the lining, no more accidents.”

Neven grinned. “I would not mind so much.”

“Right, I’ll just go flash the judges then.” She rolled her eyes.

“Joke aside, you look beautiful.” Maggie beamed at him.

“Just kiss already,” Dmitri cut in. Neven smacked him on the back of the head and stood up. “I go talk to Kam, see if registration is good and get your numbers.”

He started to leave, but backtracked to kiss Maggie quickly. She giggled as he walked away, plopping down on the vacant seat next to Dmitri, eyes faraway.

“You two are disgusting.” He knocked his shoulder against hers. “I am happy for you; you do Neven good.”

Maggie brushed back a stray curl, rubbing her lips together to keep her giant smile at bay. “I’m so happy, Dmitri. I don’t care if we come in last today. I’m just... giddy.”

“Maggie? Oh, it is you!” Said a woman that had been passing-by, dressed in a shimmering soft-pink gown, her hair pulled back in a French twist. She stopped in front of them, leaning forward a bit with her hands on her thighs.

“Yvonne, hello,” Maggie said, tightlipped.

“I knew you would be here, I was reading over the entries, but I hardly recognized you with your hair down!” She smiled in a pitying sort of way that Dmitri didn’t like. “How have you been?”

“I’ve been good.” Maggie stood up, giving the woman a brief hug. She stood stiffly and then remembered Dmitri was there. “Yvonne, this is my partner, Dmitri…. this is Yvonne, we were in classes together for years.”

“Oh!“ The woman’s eyes sparkled as she looked Dmitri up and down. “I’ve heard through the grapevine that you’ve been quite happy lately with your little Russian, is this him?”

Maggie’s nostrils flared, and she narrowed her eyes. “Dmitri is just my partner. My boyfriend, Neven, is Ukrainian not Russian.”

“Ah, I see. Well, either way, you’ve got a glow!” She reached out and patted Maggie’s cheek, a little too firmly. “You look so happy, and there’s always that new relationship rush, getting wined and dined, putting on a bit of weight. But it looks good on you.”

Maggie took a threatening step toward her, teeth gritted. Dmitri moved between them, placing a calming hand on her shoulder.

“Maggie, don’t.” He turned on the other woman. “We are going now, we don’t have time to waste on petty witches like you.”

Dmitri turned his back on her, trying to guide Maggie away. They took one step and a loud ripping noise rent the air. Dmitri and Maggie turned as one to see one layer of her skirts completely torn for the rest of the dress, trailing her.

“Oh, that’s it.” Maggie started toward Yvonne, eyes flashing.

“No, Maggie.” Dmitri again blocked her, trying to keep his voice calm. “Is not worth it, you will get kicked out.”

“Better listen to your friend, wouldn’t do to get blacklisted from competition.” Yvonne sneered.

“Look here ya twat! I oughtta wipe that smug look off your ugly face!” Yvonne eye’s widened in shock, then narrowed coldly. Dmitri was too busy holding Maggie back, he was unable to stop the other woman. Yvonne raised her hand to slap Maggie, but another person stepped in; holding Yvonne’s wrist in a tight grip.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” The dancer that had intervened was tall, her black hair pulled back in a loose bun at the nape of her neck. The deep red dress she wore was tight with slits on either side, exposing long, willowy legs.

“You’re hurting me,” Yvonne whined, trying to free her wrist. The dark haired woman blinked at her blandly.

“Going to report me?” She dropped Yvonne’s hand, crossing her arms over her chest. “Because I think I can do the same to you. You ripped her dress on purpose, I saw the gleam in your eye.”

“This is none of your business.” Yvonne looked her up and down. “So why don’t you just toddle along?”

“Well I’m making it my business. Especially since you’re trying to provoke her into a confrontation. Why don’t we take a walk to the judges booth, hm?”

“Why don’t you walk your long legs over there, honey? This has nothing to do with you!”

The girl mockingly fluttered her lashes. “You’re checking out my legs? How sweet.” Then, her eyes narrowed and she snagged Yvonne’s wrist again before the other woman could react. “You have about fifteen seconds to apologize and halfway-gracefully back away. Or you can accompany me to the judges’ table with a VERY. Sore. Wrist. Bu zhi hao dai de mu ye cha.” The hand on Yvonne’s wrist tightened and twisted as the girl pretended to consult a watch. “Make that about ten seconds. Nine. Eight.”

Dmitri had long forgotten about holding Maggie back, instead watching this beautiful woman put Yvonne in her place, and then some. He was oddly curious as to what might happen next, but a handsome gentleman with black hair, and a red and black shirt to the match the beautiful woman’s dress, stepped in.

He said a few words to her, she made a face and rolled her eyes, but dropped Yvonne’s hand again. The man told Yvonne to go, she nodded and left as quickly as she could, racing as if the hounds of hell were nipping at her heels.

“You can let go now, Dmitri.” Maggie laughed at him, still staring at the woman in the red dress. He shook himself and let Maggie go.

“Thank you.” Maggie turned toward the other woman, smiling brightly.

“I can’t stand women like that; petty and childish.” She waved a hand. “I’m Thalia, by the way.”

“Maggie. And this is Dmitri, my dance partner.”

“Ah, nice to meet you both. This is my partner, Rishi. He keeps me from killing people.”

“But don’t mistake me for the nice.” He smiled.

Thalia rolled her eyes and looked at Maggie. “Is your dress okay?”

“Oh, I think so?“ Maggie looked down sadly at the ruined garment. “I’ll just have to pin it up.”

“Our costume designer came with us. I’m sure she can fix it.”

“No, I don’t want to put you out--” Maggie started to say, but was cut off.

“You’re coming.” Thalia grabbed her hand and started dragging Maggie toward a group of young women in a corner of the hall. Dmitri shrugged at Rishi and followed the two women.

Dmitri and Maggie were led to a quiet corner of the Ballroom where a group of young women were waiting; various garment bags, make-up cases, and shoe boxes were taking up the majority of the chairs lining the wall.

Two girls sat on the floor across from each other, stacks of playing cards strewn around them, and a few still in their hands. The girl with darker hair held back in a ponytail laid down her last pair of cards, throwing her arms in the air while crying, “I am the master commander!”

“Robin? Rae? Do you think you could take a look at a ripped dress?” Thalia jerked her thumb at Maggie. In a moment the two girls were up and inspecting the skirts of Maggie’s dress.

“I think it’ll be an easy fix, let me get my sewing kit.” The one named Robin said. In no time at all the two costume designers set to work while Maggie stood perfectly still, marveling at their efficient work.

Dmitri looked around at the makeshift prepping area, and found a third young woman sitting calm, going over registration paperwork. He heard Thalia address her as “Jess” and assumed her to be their coach. With such a fine group of women around, he wasn’t quite sure what to do with himself.

He was getting ready to flirt with each and everyone of them when his brother came lurching toward them, scowling.

“What happened?” he demanded when he was within earshot. “Is everything alright?”

“It is now.” Maggie straightened her freshly hemmed dress, smiling. “I can’t thank everyone enough.”

“Okay, is good, but what happen?”

“Nothing, it’s fine.” Maggie patted Neven’s chest, giving him an encouraging smile. He eyed her, obviously not pleased she wasn’t giving him details, but accepting nonetheless.

“We should go, Jaden and Ramona are getting ready to dance.” Neven turned away from Maggie and smiled at the group. “Thank you for your help.”

“Yes, thank you everyone!” Maggie grinned, making a round to give everyone in the group a warm hug. Dmitri didn’t really care about seeing Jaden and Ramona dance, more interested in the plethora of pretty women.

“Come along Dmitri.”

“But I--”

“Dmitri.” Neven’s tone brooked no argument, and he sighed heavily.

“Goodbye beautiful women!” He held out his arms, sad to leave them. Before walking away he patted Rishi’s shoulder. “You are lucky man.”