3rd Chassé | Video for Both Courts

[choreographics]

[After the madness of the dogs, Ryan's mostly taken to spending time holed up in his room in the castle with Kelsi and her specialty-made tea, readjusting to make things more normal again.

Of course then he wakes up to a message from her.

"❤To Mr. Fred Astaire❤
I got asked to go on a quest!!!!!
It's alright, Sif is with me. We're going to deal with a manticore. I don't know what that is but I brought a few books of me along the way.
See you when I get back!

PS. I took your hat so I won't feel so lonely. Sorry!"

There were several things wrong with the equation:

1.) Kelsi ended up going on a quest.
2.) Kelsi ended up going on a quest without him.
3.) Kelsi ended up going on a quest without him and with his hat.

Then there was also the other question…who the hell is Sif?

Fine. Whatever. He can deal with being apart for a few days. Anyway he had his own business to go about. He needs to get back to his training and the longer he puts off the advice from Queen Solais, the worse off he'll be.

When the video on his locket clicks on anyone watching will notice that Ryan's sitting on a cliff in the sunken ruins. He's busy watching a small group of mermaids swimming below him and the bit of sunlight filtering through the cracks in the walls are bouncing off of his hair now that it's not sheltered by one of his hats. He's humming a song under his breath for a few moments as he continues to watch, only mildly aware he's even humming that particular song to set the mood. Maybe he was more homesick now than he initially thought. Whatever. He can't do anything about that now, he has other goals to reach.

Truth be told, he's kind of wondering if he should ask at all considering everything else that's going on right now. Yeah. He's aware of the things happening at Redgate. He's heard the broadcasts from other people, but…

…but if he doesn't ask now, how the hell is he supposed to really help in the future?]

Weird question. If you were a mermaid, what would be the most flattering thing a person could tell you?

[A beat.]

Scientific purposes only, I swear.

Comments

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[brainiest]

I'm not sure, really. Maybe something nice about my scales?

[ Her nose is wrinkled. ]

I was unconscious the last time I was near one otherwise I might have a better idea.

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[choreographics]

I guess that's a good start. I definitely don't have scales, so maybe I can tell them I'm jealous.

[Sadly he might actually be serious, but hey. This is for science...or at least mutual benefit.]

How did you end up unconscious near a mermaid?

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[brainiest]

It was part of a tournament that my friend and, um, sort-of boyfriend took part in. They took the 'thing most precious' and hid us underwater... With merfolk protecting us.

[ It's a whole thing, Ryan. Best not to get into it. ]

I've found that curiosity is a good way of drawing people out, too! Asking about their lives, what they do, what it's like under the water...

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[There's a very long pause like he's not even sure what part to comment on first, but in the end he just sort of slowly nods.] Thing, person, whatever. [And because this directly applies to what he's trying to learn--] How did they keep you alive down there without air?

See, that I can do. You think the mermaids would be okay with curiosity? [Ryan's found that sometimes people kind of find him bothersome for being nosy as fuck.]

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[winterwork]

No. Stop. Get out of there. This ain't no Little Mermaid. They're sea witches.

[Words of advice from the wise old man.]

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[Hey buddy.]

"Sea witches" like they just happen to live in the water but know magic, or "sea witches" like they'll strangle me with tentacles if I get too close to their lake?

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[winterwork]

Sea witches like that they giggle and toss their hair to look all cute and then pull at your clothes and drag you underwater cause it's "funny". Mermaid spirits were the worst. Don't trust them. Ever.

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[parallels]

Why not something you'd say that'd be flattering to anyone? That she's impossibly clever, bold, well-read with a nice sense of style.

[Okay, so there might be something about her ego there.]

Something personal.

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[Kinda sounds like something he'd say to Gabriella if Troy was being a bonehead, honestly. But Clara has a point and there's a thoughtful pause on Ryan's end.]

Something personal. [He should have thought of that himself, truthfully.] What about if that doesn't work?

[parallels]

Might have to step it up. Do something impressive. Get her attention.

[She cocks her head and observes him. She is definitely interested in where this is going.]

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[survivra]

What are you trying to do—kiss a fish?

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No, not quite. Gross. [But it's Katsa so he at least looks a little less insulted.] Pretty sure the fish wouldn't be that great at kissing anyway.

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[survivra]

Poor Ryan. If it's kissing you want, you'll have to start looking in places with a few more people around, if they like a bit of obvious flattery. Why are you asking, then?

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[gandere]

Do I even want to know?

[ A beat. ] Actually, I'm sure I don't want to know at all.

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No, probably not. [Hey Rin.] Let's just say I'm looking for another teacher.

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[gandere]

[ Hey buddy. ] Someone to teach you how to charm the fin off of a mermaid?

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[notyetlegend]

Why would you tell flatterin' things tae a mermaid in th' first place?

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[choreographics]

[You know Merida, that's a really good question. Let's just toss out a mildly vague answer, shall we?]

Same reason you'd tell anybody flattering things, don't you think?

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[notyetlegend]

[You just get a puzzled look, sry Ryan]

Ye do know that mermaids drown people, right?

[all7seas]

They love commentary about their hair, actually. Don't mention the bosoms.

[Jack is kind of an expert at this.]

oh gdi I laughed

[choreographics]

So no different than any other girl. [Sounds about right.]

Do I wanna know what happens if you do? [Because Jack? Jack sounds like he has stories to tell.]

XD

[all7seas]

It depends. Are you planning on dabbling in mer-love?

[Yup. He's got stories about that.]

Or are you looking to attract one?

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[vanyel_ashkevron]

[Now there's a strange question. Vanyel gives it some thought, brow furrowing.]

The first barrier would be language, I think. Do you speak their language?

[Video]

[choreographics]

[...

...

...well, shit.]

Uh...probably not.

[Vanyel - 1, Ryan - 0.]

[Video]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

[Aw, no, Ryan. At least your heart was in the right place!]

Then you'll have to rely on a present. Something pretty?