the reason cass loves doing ballet is the story that's told without a single word.

while she's learned to express herself verbally it feels awkward when she's tired, clumsy. she hates how flat her voice sounds because she's more focused on what she's trying to say than how she's saying it in order to not stick to the key words that get the point across just fine. but no matter how tired she is the story can be understood in the controlled graceful movements when she practices.

it's also the foundation of one of her most treasured memories, bruce (@rcliicta)renting out a theater to sit and watch as she practiced for her first solo. of course his being there for the solo was amazing, but it was the joy and pride that radiated from him even when she made small mistakes that she cherishes.

her favourite to dance / watch is coppélia, followed by petrushka. when she's lost in her own thoughts she will hum and go through the motions in the halls of Wayne Manor. unfortunately for everyone else cass runs on power naps so the times she's awake are sometimes when her family is attempting to catch up on sleep and her landings are a bit hard as she's working through things she doesn't have the time to translate into words

@billyandhismultiples sent a raven: i leave quite the impression. [Cassandra Cain]

       Gaze  travelling  across  the  same  face,  she  came  back  to  the  one  that  had  spoken.  The  smug  grin  was  a  lie,  he  was  nervous,  as  well  he  should  be.  Dick  had  been  very  clear  that  unless  he  arrived  with  the  requested  items  he  was  not  allowed  in.

"Chicken  whizzies?'

       She  wasn't  entirely  sure  why  anyone  would  want  whizzies  when  Alfred  made  delicious  sweet  and  sour  chicken  but  with  a  spicy  sauce  and  creamy  noodles.  Who  ate  freeze  dried  chicken  when  Alfred  Pennyworth  cooked?  No  one  sane,  maybe  that's  why  she  was  not  normally  allowed  in  the  tower. 

       ….

       Or  it  could  be  the  fact  that  she  had  decided  to  have  a  silent  conversation  with  Starfire  and  had  accidentally  upset  the  Tamaranean  through  a  misunderstanding.  Which  had  led  to  an  emotional  outburst  that  had  required  redecorating  of  the  far  west  wall  and  the  rooms  near  it.  But  it  was  movie  night,  and  she'd  been  very  good,  no  murders,  had  carried  on  several  conversations  that  she  also  remembered  to  excuse  herself  from.  Politely  no  less,  arms  crossing  over  her  chest  as  she  looked  at  the  items  carried  in  several  arms. 

“…  Does  the  pizza  have  olives  on  it?'  The  already  disappointed  tone  implied  that  she  knew  there  would  be.  She  hated  the  green  ones.  ”And  did  you  bring  something  you  cooked,  Dick  was  very  clear  you  had  to  bring  something  you  cooked  yourself.'

The hurt eased with every passing moment, an ache that she'd ignored as unimportant. Everyone in the family was busy, and no promises had been made, but he'd said he'd try. Bruce didn't try anything, it was simply done. And it was silly to feel such happiness from his taking time to watch her practice, feeling the intensity of his gaze as she practiced the motions to make sure she had them just right.

But even without looking at him, Cassandra knew that he'd be smiling, beaming with pride. She could feel the warmth of it against her skin stronger than the spot light she moved beneath. When the music began she paused to find her place, taking in steadying breaths before beginning the performance.

It was meant to be done with a dozen people at least, the story instead giving the feel of being told from a fourth party who'd heard it from a third party who'd eavesdropped. But she could feel the phantom pass of bodies around her, every inch of her body thrumming in time with the music, twanging as tendons were forced to extend by sharp movements.

When she finished, Cassandra held the final pose before slowly lowering her arms, trying to hide the fact she was panting as she had taken no rests as the music came to a stop. It was better with others, she knew that, but she finally looked at him directly. It had been good, but she'd noted the few places where her foot placement had made the move less than graceful.

@rcliicta's bruce has been invited to the garden...