tentacletrainer | Chapter 8; Action for Karkat

[[It is in the afternoon when she's finally able to get out the door to deliver the few Valentines she had made. Last minute plans had come up, causing her to be later than she had wanted, but she made due. Rose left a message for Hayate, informing him that her Pidgey, Pilcrow, would be delivering a valentine for him as well. Home made chocolates in thanks of giving her such perfect instructions.

Now, however, she's heading to a few doors in the hotel, grateful they all stayed in the same place. Jade is first, and on her door she hangs a bag of chocolates, tied with a purple ribbon - the only indication these are from her she will be giving her friends. Once it's secured, she moves on.

Because John and Dave were currently staying together and she planned on visiting John later, they would be saved for last. Instead, Karkat's door is next on her list, and receives a short knock. She saw his video earlier, and is hoping he'd be back by then.

This wasn't something she wanted to just leave and run ~~like he did to her, gee thanks Karkat~~.]]

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Would you stop yanking me around everywhere?

[A bit of a glare for that, but the combing and drying he can deal with. No complaints. It's all in the name of looking nice!]

I apologize.

[[Eventually, his hair starts looking somewhat nice rather than the wet dog from before, and certainly unlike his normal rat's nest. She's brushing it back so it's out of his face and reminiscent of a dashing young gentlemen, the type you see taking women in those romance movies to elegant dances, only it's Karkat.

Once his hair is dry, she stands back and tilts her head in contemplation.]]

Hm.

[[Putting down the drier and comb, she pulls a little at his bangs to bring some of them down, framing his face. Obviously satisfied, she steps out of his way of the mirror.]]

There. Take a look.

[He puts up with her fussing some more, though by the end he's making little grumbly noises like he does. Such a time-consuming process to have to bother like this. At her bidding, however, he goes to have a look-]

[And he actually looks pretty nice.]

... Better than I thought it would turn out.

[Eyebrows raised a touch, he turns his head this way and that, getting a better look at how it lays.]

Heh. Now I won't feel like Droog wants to kill me.

If he would still insist on causing you harm after seeing your hair, I think I would need to have a talk to him about his sense of style.

[[Because that would be an insult to her skill, and while she may not care much about appearances, if there was one thing she learned from her mother it was to appreciate fine hair.]]

And the nice thing is you are not ruining your hair using gel, leaving it looking natural rather than greasy and sleazy.

He at least knows his shit when it comes to that. Pretty fucking serious about suits, anyway.

If it looks better this way, then I'm not complaining.

Speaking of, what all did he suggest?

[[Curious Rose is curious.]]

Three-piece suit, vest optional but recommended - either black or slate grey with pinstripes. Red tie - he was pretty fucking stubborn about that. Black dress shoes, no scuffs or it would ruin the whole outfit. I went with the grey one.

[But with his hair satisfactory, he heads back into the main part of the hotel room.]

[[And she follows with an approving sound.]]

He does have taste. I am sure you will look quite handsome at the festival tonight.

Like I said, he takes that shit way seriously.

[A glance back at her.]

Thanks again.

Of course.

[[Bending down to pick up her bag, she pauses.]]

Before I leave, would you like to review the dances? I still believe that would be a good idea.

... Yeah, now that you mention it. I'd almost forgotten.

[He steps into the more open part of the room, waiting for her to step over.]

Without the metronome, I think.

[[She gives him an impressed look and follows, standing in front of him.]]

I must say, I am somewhat excited to hear you want to try without the metronome.

Which would you like to start with?

It's not like I'm going to have it there to help, so here's hoping I don't completely suck.

Waltz first.

[He goes to take position.]

[[Following suit, she chuckles, leading into the steps once comfortable.]]

This is true, but the music will likely have a recognizable beat. We don't exactly have that here.

[This--this isn't working. His steps are off, and with what she says, he draws back.]

Then let me get the metronome.

[And so he fetches it, handing it over to her so she can set it to the right beat.]

[[With a sympathetic smile, she sets it down, pulling her Pokegear out at the same time. Like before, she finds an appropriate song on the radio, setting it on the table while ignoring the metronome for the time.]]

Actually, how about we try this?

[[Back into position with her.]]

[Karkat raises an eyebrow at first, but when she fiddles with her 'gear, he gets the idea.]

... I can try that.

[Back into position! He waits a moment, listening to the song, trying to find the beat - and once he thinks he has it, he starts. He is predictably a little off to start, but he gets better as he goes on.]

[[She follows his steps, hoping to correct his timing with her own and smiling when he finally catches up.]]

Much better. It's also far more pleasant with music rather than the obnoxious ticking of the metronome, wouldn't you agree?

[He's doing it! He doesn't completely suck! He looks satisfied with this.]

Better practice for the festival itself, too, this way.

[[And she gives him a look that perhaps is a little proud, but mostly glad for him.

She may also be enjoying the dance a little. Now that she isn't focused on teaching him, she can just focus on the dance itself, and that happy-proud look melted into a more content one pretty soon.]]

I am sure you will do fine at the festival.

[Is his moirail proud of him? It's a nice feeling. Even if dancing isn't exactly on the usual list of issues for them to fuss about.]

Good. Means all this effort didn't go to shit.

[So after a little...]

Should we try the swing now?

[[Hm? What was that? Oh, he's talking.]]

Sure, let me find a decent song.

[[And so fiddling with the Pokegear, finding a song and returning to Karkat, hands out.]]

[He waits patiently, and once the right song is selected, takes her hands. The basic steps for this one are easy, and so he finds the beat with relatively minimal difficulty for him, this time.]

Just be careful if you go to do that one trick again, alright? Don't want to mess up my hair after all that fuss earlier.

Chapter 8; Action for Karkat

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nevermind he would have danced with Dave on the rooftop earlier

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