recollé ic inbox 4.0;

[parodeity]

DAVE STRIDER

consider this your warning about stairs. itll just keep happening bro. im telling you man

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[parodeity]

[ he has some very specific guesses but sticks to not guessing and opens his eyes.

his eyebrows go up and he silently looks at john. WELL? ]

[windeity]

[Leave! Him! Alone! He gets out of the car and he goes to open Dave's door, opening it and offering his arm to escort.]

Don't look at me like that. I could make you close your eyes again on the way in.

[parodeity]

You'll note I am sticking to the rules and haven't told you my guess. [ ...he takes the arm. ] Fancy.

[ normally john just leans over him to get the door? ]

[windeity]

It's Christmas. [Whatever that means. But he leads Dave to the doors of the theatre and through the lobby, down a darkened hallway and to what looks like a closed door. It takes a moment but he grabs a key out of his pocket, unlocking the door and escorting Dave inside. It's dark and Dave might be able to catch the reflection of mirrors but John lets go of his arm then.]

So...[It's dark and John's shoes echo a little on the wooden floor as he walks away to do something.] Do you remember when we went ice skating? The first day it snowed and stuff. What did we talk about?

[parodeity]

Eve. [ but yes. ] Learning a new dance. Ballroom dance competitions. Unless we are talking about the part where I mentioned the burger badge again, or the part where I lied via omission about what I like about winter.

[windeity]

Cool, so you do remember and also we will talk about lies of omission later. [There's a flicker before John plugs in a strand of lights to an extension cord and Dave can see what's up.

They're in what looks like a dance practice room, a bunch of origami stars hanging from the ceiling with white lights strewn through them to light the room like baby chandeliers. There are a few birds mixed in with the stars as well. The floor's a little scuffed but there are decorations up on the sides and an iPod player in the corner on a small table. John tried setting up a ballroom and maybe it's not perfect but he still looks a little pleased with himself. The Johns in the multiple mirrors look pleased, too.]

...let me lead this time?

[parodeity]

[ they won't talk about it if john forgets!!!!

it's dave strider. his expression stays mostly the same as he takes it in, but something in his chest tightens and he holds out his hand. ]

You can lead whenever you want, Egbert. I never mind. [ who leads and who follows. it's not like he doesn't usually fall into following john in the general way of things, knight to heir. ]

[windeity]

I know, but at least this time I know what I'm doing. [He hits play once his iPhone's set up and an orchestra begins to play from the speakers as he moves to take Dave's hand and his waist, giving it a few moments before he's leading them into a Viennese waltz. Given there's a lack of his usual hesitation or counting he's apparently been practicing at some point.]

[parodeity]

[ dave follows without need for thought, even dancing non-lead. ]

Have you been taking lessons? [ for him. why. ] Also, are we in here legally or illegally?

[windeity]

The benefit of you having like sixty jobs is that I can watch YouTube videos and practice in our room when you're gone and in between making stars. [A turn.] But we are here legally! I didn't feel like getting arrested on Christmas. [He's careful in his movements because he's still a little sore from Bucky beating him up, but whatever.]

[parodeity]

[ will he be bruised all christmas. dave’s lips curve up, slightly. ] Don’t think you could handle hard time?

[windeity]

[He's doing his best but they're fading at least.] I could absolutely handle hard time if I had to? That would just be really shitty of me to do on Christmas when I said I was planning everything. And also I doubt my professors would buy that as an excuse.

[parodeity]

I wouldn’t wait for you if you went to jail anyway, so good call. [ yes he would. ]

[windeity]

[There's a laugh.] That's harsh. And you waited for me this long, what's another couple of months for breaking and entering?

[parodeity]

Three years plus three years plus another on top. [ dave lets john lead the waltz, unfaltering. ] But if I don’t wait, you have a reason to come back sooner.

[windeity]

Even if you did wait I’d try to get out as fast as possible. [There’s a whole soundtrack on the iPhone so he continues to dance. ] Tearful reunions in dirty wife beaters and everything.

[parodeity]

I do not love you enough to roleplay Con Air with you. [ ...ANOTHER PROBABLE LIE ]

[windeity]

I’m wounded. You wouldn’t indulge me even a little? [He isn’t even as into Con Air in this lifetime but he’s interested in if Dave will comply anyway.]

[parodeity]

[ he would. they both know he fucking would. ] You're welcome to try to persuade me.

[windeity]

I know better than to push my luck right now. I learned a few different dances, too.

[parodeity]

You've never known better in that regard. And you're the one in the lead. [ though he'll take the lead whenever john wants, dave seems content to give it over. ]

[windeity]

Considering we ended up like this because I pushed my luck I think you have a point. But you know what I mean. I can convince you to be the Tricia to my Cameron later. [The music changes and John leads them into a foxtrot.] We already have the bunny and a daughter, so it sort of weirdly works.

[parodeity]

[ a flicker of a frown but it smooths out almost immediately. ] So, are we spending the rest of the day at home whenever your feet fall off?

[ he just assumes john will get sick of dancing first, tbh, or that his feet will hurt first. practice!!!! ]

Because I'm starting to wonder exactly what you left for Christmas.

[windeity]

[Sigh. Way to go, Egbert.] It is possible, but I have a few things left for Christmas Day itself. Most places are closed tomorrow is why we're doing a lot today. Why?

[parodeity]

Just curious about the itinerary. [ the change into foxtrot didn't throw him, at least. ] I'm definitely paying for coffee and meals and whatever for the next week.

[ how much did john spend on people... ]