viktorymaker

[Mohammed arrives at the dance studio - sorry Dance!!!! Studio - that Saturday in the early afternoon. At the front desk, he mentions that he's a friend of Victor's, and he's expected today. The receptionist nods, turns to the phone, and calls Viktor that he has a guest at the front, name is Mohammed Hefaz.]

[ Prompto, you have to understand, you have a reputation. ]

You're welcome

It was a fairly exciting time, I have to admit. [ So exciting he became a spy as a result and eventually had to quit dancing... But he's not going to say that to a complete stranger just like that! So he laughs instead. ]

OK. I'll start with a bit of backstory. I'm a choreographer now, currently on hiatus. I came to Recollé more or less one year and a half ago to take over and hire teachers for the new Dance!!! Studio... I forget what it was called before. My boss, a friend from years ago, bought it. Have you heard of the place?

[ Yes, thank you that very important correction! Viktor comes down the stairs, and Mohammed can hear a dog's bark from behind a door as he does. ]

Not now, Makkachin! Wait for a bit longer, OK?

[ That being said, he looks at Mohammed as he approaches, and smiles. He remembers his face from the app (he always checks-- that's what being a secret spy does to you). ]

Hi! Glad you could make it. [ He holds out his hand for a handshake, even though his demeanor is way too casual for that. He's also wearing dancewear, a shirt and shorts. He clearly was working out, but somehow he's almost sparkling? Ah, when OOC narration is partial to you. ] Nice to meet you. I'm Viktor, but you knew that, right?

[Well, knowing that he was a spy would definitely add even more to this growing first impression. But for now, Ardyn will remain understandably oblivious.]

I haven't, but now you've managed to erase a bit of my ignorance by enlightening me. Do continue.

[He will continue to listen!]

[Victor, a spy? ...Mohammed could believe that, considering that Recolle is turning into a sci-fi mystery drama. The sparking feels almost supernatural, and he's not sure how to react to the overt friendliness.

He takes his hand and initiates the shaking. You can't dance all over him, Russian.]

I remember our game. And, ah, do you teach classes here?

[ It's not like anyone knows about this, except for Yuuri! He doesn't exactly advertise it. ~~In fact, he wants out, but it's not as simple as getting on a plane and flying out incognito to hide in a rural town, haha.~~ He shakes Mohammed's hand like normal (no need to shake it too hard, he has delicate hands!). ]

I do. I'm also in charge of all the other dance instructors and keeping this place running.

[ He turns around, leading the way! They won't be going very far, just walking down a corridor until they get to the second door on the right. ]

Come, I'll show you where the jump rope is. Are you borrowing one, or do you still need to fill that slot?

[ Good, IC!oblivious is good.

Viktor laughs at that comment. ] So now you have!

I'll be honest, I'm not sure I can make any of my Retrospec memories interesting. They didn't get too creative with my story, if they really did make it up.

I remember going on hiatus just as I did here, moving to a different country and choreographing as well... Except instead of being a dancer, I used to be a figure skater. I also have shared memories with a teacher at the studio and with one of the students in my advanced classes, since they were the skaters I choreographed for.

[ He pauses and smiles fondly here... If Ardyn's paying attention, it should be audible. ]

In the end, the most exciting Retrospec memory I have is of this teacher buying the wedding rings we now wear. If you'd told me I'd find something like that exciting half a year ago, I would have laughed.

I still need to fill it, but I can do it here. [He follows Viktor up to the door.] Would I have to sign for that, or are you making a special exception?

[He knows that most gyms require portable equipment to be restrained for use in only one room, but dance studios are more strict that your average gym. For all anyone knows, dancers can tell when their things have been used and would ask who has been borrowing their equipment.]

[Ardyn listens, not interrupting. It's impossible to convince him that any Retrospec-related memory would not be interesting to him, simply because of the mystery that each one is surrounded by; a narrative, incomplete, for the lot of them. How is there no mystique in that?

He does hear that smile in his tone, as well. The words are laced with a sense of faraway fondness.]

How very romantic. [There's nothing condescending about that; ah, his (not-so) secretly romantic, bleeding heart.] What do you make of the parallels of these memories, versus those of reality? Mine unfortunately do not line up so nicely with my current occupation.

[ He shrugs. Like anyone would complain about something like this to his face-- he's of the opinion that everyone who's serious enough should buy and bring their own. ]

It's fine, you said you had to jump rope with someone so I'll be there anyway.

[ He goes inside the room. There's a mirror, a barre, the works! Feel free to handwave anything you like about this room to make as suitable as necessary. Viktor walks to the corner of the room to get that, then hands Mohammed a jump rope when he's back.]

Here you go. Do you need someone else to jump with, or just to be present while you do?

[ Wow, hearing this called romantic feels strange. A good kind of strange! But strange nonetheless... Ardyn is the first person he tells about that, after all. ]

I'm not sure what to make of them. I remember a point of my life where I could have pursued figure skating instead of ballet, so it feels like a realistic alternate version of reality. Something that could have happened.

[ A happier version of his life-- that's is what he doesn't say. Anyway! ]

What was your occupation in that other life?

[Mohammed has only seen dance practice rooms in movies, which he had assumed over exaggerated reality, but this certainly lives up to the glamorous Hollywood image.]

I...yes. [Give him a moment to admire the scenery while he takes his rope and uncoils it.] I need to jump with at least one other person. Why don't we turn it into an exercise routine, then?

Who's to say that it cannot happen now? If even not as a career, perhaps you should consider it as a hobby that needs picking up? If you're interested in triggering new memories, it may be an avenue worth exploring.

[At the question, though, he chuckles lightly.]

Ah... not a usual kind of occupation, I must admit. From what I have gathered so far, I was some sort of traveling healer.

I'm crossing my fingers that I've got this correct — am I speaking with the choreographer of the Dance!!! Studio in Tisse?

This invite comes with an extra note on it:

"Only if you want. Not necessary at all, as I'm not sure how many people are privy to your status as an investigator. If you'd rather I bring you a copy of our findings afterwards, I'd be glad to. But it would be impolite of me to not at least extend the invitation."

OOC: Log here! http://recolle.dreamwidth.org/94367.html

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