FALLEN EMPIRE / *

         it’s amazing how fleeting time is. how one minute they’re both hiding under blankets and planning out the rest of their lives to suddenly being on their own --- others under their blankets now and yet similar hopes that this will be the one that works. timing is everything, moira has come to learn. and she and alexis were meant to be together back then, just as they were meant to be with the others, for however brief ( or not so brief ) a time. and maybe they were meant to meet again --- here and now, as a matter of fact. the world has a funny way of being so broad and yet so small all at once. ‘ yeah, ’ she draws the word out just a beat too long, tugging at one of her curls, while she debates broaching the subject of how recent her single-ness is. alexis had taken that leap --- he’d gone through the wedding and the vows and the promises to love each other till death do they part. and she has no doubt of the pain he must have endured ( or is currently enduring? ) losing that. she puffs out her cheeks as an exhales struggles to leave her lips. ‘ i can sympathize. kind of. i mean, every situation’s different, but.. i.. was engaged. till about three months ago, actually. ’ she pauses. ‘ i ended it. he.. i wasn’t myself with him, and i had to really consider that future --- is this all really worth losing myself over? you know? ’ her cheeks flush and her nose crinkles as she directs the question at him, not really expecting an answer. ‘ what i mean by my over-sharing is.. i get it. it sucks. but maybe --- at the risk of sounding like a total cliché --- maybe it’s for the best. ’ she knows exactly how it sounds. she’s been on the receiving end of those words and she wouldn’t hold it against alexis if he rolled his eyes and scoffed. it’s in times of struggle that she has to wonder if there are ever the right words and she’s pretty much agreed there’s little weight to them --- but it’s the thought, the well-intention, that makes the difference. she’s grateful for the change of pace and lifts a hand to swat at him, playful, as she laughs off his joke over missing his face. ‘ i might’ve missed it. it’s a little wrinkly than before, but.. ’ moira can never miss an opportunity to throw a tease right back at him. ‘ nah.. between a trip to iceland and a high school reunion --- high school reunion wins every time. ’ another small chuckle and moira brings her glass to her lips, finishing the remainder just as a waiter with a tray passes by. she hums at his question, raising a shoulder in a shrug. ‘ i’ve seen hope and logan, but.. no sign of them now. maybe your prediction was right --- maybe they’ve gone home to relieve the sitter. ’

         navin has never set foot in a dance studio in his life. safe to say, he’s never been much of an artsy type. it wouldn’t have been smiled upon in his household anyway so he supposes he should be glad he never found a talent in the arts. he’s immediately out of his comfort zone, noting the room of mirrors isn’t the most flattering for him but samantha --- well, he really shouldn’t entertain the thought. he watches for a while, silent, as he rests against the door frame until she acknowledges him. a kind smile on his features, he moves further into the room and his hand follows the guide of the balance bar along the wall. ‘ it’s not embarrassing. ’ he shakes his head. ‘ if you want embarrassing, you should see me try to dance. it’s.. ’ he makes an ugly face. ‘ bad. ’ he laughs it off, hoping to god she doesn’t ask for an example. navin lowers himself down to the floor until he’s seated before he waves a hand in her direction. ‘ give it another go, ’ he encourages with a nod. ‘ i know you’re trying to head out, but.. i just.. i have a feeling you’re not going to feel content until you see some progress, and i-i don’t want you to rush your progress, but.. just --- try it again. ’