3rd Floor Common Room - Saturday Morning

[iftheseshadows.livejournal.com]

Even four...five..six weeks in Fandom hadn't shaken the early riser syndrome out of Neil. After a shower, he pulled on some casual -for him- clothes and grabbed up his Traditional Fairy tales books and headed out to the common room. He had been working in his room all day yesterday and just needed a change of scenary.

Dropping the books on the couch, Neil headed over to make a little breakfast first. His usual fare, bacon, oatmeal, toast and coffee. Fairly soon the common room was filled with the scent of frying bacon and oatmeal with maple syrup.

[ooc: No need to say that a common room is open, right?]

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[iftheseshadows.livejournal.com]

"You're welcome." Neil returned before turning back to the skillet.

"What else have you been up to, River?"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Just classes," River said. "Oh, and Pippi and I are starting a Dance Club. Want to join?"

[iftheseshadows.livejournal.com]

"A dance club." Neil looked up brightly and for a moment his eyes were alight with definite interest.

Then, in the next second he shook his head and looked back down.

"I...don't know, River. I've got four classes and I'm already working down in town, it all keeps me pretty busy."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"But," River said, tilting her head, "you need time for fun things too. And you look happy when you dance." She didn't mention that she could actually sense it too.

[iftheseshadows.livejournal.com]

For some reason, it was just hard to maintain a sense of falseness around River and Neil felt himself smile.

"I do like to dance." Not in the classical sense but movement upon a stage was such an important part of an actor's skills and Neil had loved learning all about that part of the theater.

"I... I'll think about, River. I promise." He was sincere in his promise. It was something he wanted but it was definitely forbidden.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

She nodded. "Why aren't you allowed to?"

She knew why he was reluctant, of course, but she liked seeing him happy. It was painful to see him reject the things he loved.

[iftheseshadows.livejournal.com]

The entire truth would be extremely complicated and would touch upon subjects that Neil wasn't ready to get in to yet and so he went with a half truth.

"My father doesn't want me wasting my attention on activities that aren't academic or helpful with my getting into medical school."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

The whole story wasn't that hard for River to pick up, but that didn't make it any less sad. Then she thought of something and her face brightened up.

"My brother's a doctor," she said. "I used to help him with his homework. I can help you and then you'll have time for dancing too."

[iftheseshadows.livejournal.com]

It was on the tip of Neil's tongue to refuse, as would be proper but he paused and thought about her offer.

He...would be working towards his being a doctor, if his father asked he could say he was meeting with River for that purpose...the dancing wouldn't have to come up. Granted, it went against the therapist's instructions that he not lie to his parents and that he forget about all things tied to the theater.

Still...

Peeking up at her, Neil smiled slowly. "You...might be on to something with that, River."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River practically beamed. "Should your father ask, my academic record is... impeccable." It had been brilliant. "And I'd be happy to help you."

Forgetting about things having to do with theater seemed like a very bad advice since it was obviously what Neil dreamed about. Parents weren't always to be trusted. River should know that.

[iftheseshadows.livejournal.com]

Truly, Neil did not want to go in to medicine, his heart was in the theater but he was genuinely resigned to his fate and in that respect, he was grateful for River's offer of assistance.

"I think that might just make things work, you know?" He grinned...and figured she probably did know.

And yes, he would completely agree that parents, weren't always to be trusted.

"So, tell me more about this Dance Club?"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"El will be the advisor. Pippi and I took his Dance class last semester," River explained. "And hopefully we can use the Devil's Nest." Her enthusiasm was obvious.

[iftheseshadows.livejournal.com]

"Oh! I work there, the Devil's Nest, on Thursdays." Neil said with a small squirm of delight and excitement at the idea of having the dancing club meet there.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Perfect, then." Neil sharing her enthusiasm was wonderful, now that he'd stopped holding it back. River knew why, of course, but that didn't mean she thought it was a good strategy.

[iftheseshadows.livejournal.com]

Neil nodded in agreement and sat down to tuck in to his own breakfast.