Not so Feliz

[Addison Sloane]

For the first time in weeks, Addison Sloane felt...normal. Nothing seemed to be weighing down on her. The label had finished the Christmas album early and everyone was sent home for the holidays. She had decided that she had put it off for too long and she found herself at the lake with her old skates, watching people already paired off in couples or in groups. She smiled when she saw the kids yelling and laughing, tripping over themselves while they tried to outskate each other. It felt odd but she couldn't remember feeling that worry-free. 

She wanted to call Alex to join her but she was probably either too busy with Ezra or even busy with her new found band, something Addison couldn't blame her for. She was glad Alex was finally in a place where she can be herself again, something she hadn't seen since they both graduated from Bellefonte.

With that thought making her smile even wider, Addison tied her skates on and slid past a few rowdy teenagers so she could find an empty spot for her to skate. She wasn't a professional or even close to it but she could keep her balance well enough as long as nobody knocked her down.

Until somebody knocked her down.

She didn't even hear them yelling for her to move but the moment she heard a yelp, it was too late and she was hit hard on the side, sending her sliding almost to the edge of the lake. "Sonnuva b-" she started saying just as a kid skated by with eyes wide in surprise. She laughed nervously before turning to see whether the person who knocked her down was anywhere in sight.

"Hey, you okay?" She asked, even though she was a little ticked off.

[Everett King]

Since December rolled around Everett had busied himself with getting into the Christmas spirit. He loved all festive holidays, but Christmas absolutely took the cake. Most of his time was taken up cooking these days, for his soldiers and then just simple culinary experimentation to find new and exciting dishes. While he loved it, it was hard to find some time for himself. Today was his first day off in a long while, he with Christmas so close, he was determined to use it well.

To call Everett graceful would be a gross overstatement, and definitely laughable. This was the same man who had set himself on fire, and fallen off a large cruise ship. Logically ice-skating wasn't a good place for him to be, but new experiences were things that Ever craved on any day. Besides, Christmas always put him in a good mood.

He'd been playing it safe so far, sticking to the border of the rink and holding on to the wall. Technically it was cheating to pull himself along rather than braving the ice with his own power, but these were baby steps. It was logical. Unfortunately, logic and patience were two things Ever rarely enjoyed calling upon when it came to matters he believed were supposed to be fun. So it didn't take long for him to get sick of holding the rink's hand and push into the center.

And immediately crashed into someone.

With a cry of surprise Ever fell and slid away across the ice. Somehow during the whole performance he managed to cross his fingers and pray 'Please don't hit anyone else, please don't hit anyone else'. So at least his priorities were straight. Luckily his prayers paid off and he was able to slide to a stop and lift to his hands and knees without any more fuss. At the sight of another fallen figure he forgot his clumsiness and scrambled to a stand to make his way over. Well, he made it half-way. Then he remembered that he couldn't actually skate and fell over again, no assistance required this time. Fortunately he slid right back to the woman he had originally knocked over.

Looking up from his back, Everett offered her a rueful grin, hoping that might help this clearly awful situation. "Well......Hi." Flipping onto his stomach Ever pushed himself onto his knees. Habitually he placed a hand over his heart and bowed in apology. "I'm so sorry, my lady. Are you alright? That was entirely my fault."

@tag

[Addison Sloane]

His apology made Addison grimace as she looked at the dorky way he placed a hand on his chest. Where was he from, 18th century England? Was she the Queen?

"You're damn right it was your fault." She tried to pull her leg towards her but a dull pain stopped her from moving any further, hissing at the pain before groaning. She had hit ice hard and it was most definitely the blonde's fault. Entirely.

When it didn't look like Prince Oblivious was in any condition to help her up, she did so herself, using her abilities to get her blood to repair whatever damage had occurred on her leg. She was going to have to pass out from the healing process in a few minutes time it seemed. And she was a long way's away from home.

As she hobble-slid her way over to the nearest bench, sighing that her day wasn't as festive as she had wanted it to be. She should have brought the dog out walking.

But she was still also a little concerned for the man that knocked her down, despite it having been his fault they were both hurt in the first place. "Are you okay?" She called out.

[Everett King]

Sensing he wasn't being much help, Everett yanked the skates off his feet. Grinning sheepishly Ever accepted her ire. Well, she was only confirming what he'd already apologized for. And ice was painful to fall on.

Reaching into his pocket, he uncorked one of the small bottles of ink he kept. Pouring it onto the ice he stumbled to his feet, then moved the spilled ink to his shoes. It was much easier to walk once he'd created solid ice spikes on the bottom of his shoes; luckily ink was useful for a great deal of things once hardened.

He walked over to the girl, who was now draped over a bench. Despite her seeming care for him, he was more worried for her, since she apparently was in a much worse state. He sighed and made to sit beside her, anxiously hovering like a nervous mother. "I knew skating was a bad idea," he groaned and shook his head. "Seriously, you don't have to fret over me. I've got a thick skull. Are you alright?"

@tag

[Addison Sloane]

"Should have listened to yourself." Addison said, though her tone had become a lot softer than before. The guy didn't seem to have a bad bone in his body, by the way he responded still with a smile even at her harsh words.

She looked down at her ankle that was still covered with her skates, which were now throbbing a little. Leaning down, she unlaced her skates and took them off, rubbing her ankle a little.

"I haven't been on skates in years. I didn't know why I suddenly wanted to today." She snorted to herself. "Maybe so I could meet you and kill the desire completely from here on out."

[Everett King]

He grinned ruefully. "If I had a nickel." Listening to his own opinions usually came second to the whims of others. At first it was because he'd never considered himself with opinions worth having, now things had changed, luckily. His old attitude had been unhealthy, to say the least. Now days he was aimed towards helping others as before, but he no longer tried to destroy himself while he did it.

"I'd call it destiny, but I don't think fate is that cruel." He shrugged, hands spreading helplessly. "Must be just me." The man laughed before glancing at the girl's foot, which she seemed to be favoring. "Are you hurt?" He asked, suddenly concerned. He slid a little closer, bending over. He was in no way a doctor and even if the woman had injured herself because of him the only help he could provide would be through taking her to the closest doctor. Guilt chased through him, followed by determination.

"My name is Everett. What can I do to help?"

@tag

[Addison Sloane]

Addison was trying to draw her blood to heal the injury but that resulted in her sort of getting woozy, which was something she hadn't ever experienced before. At least not this fast. So she stopped and grumbled at the fact that she had to limp back home.

"Oh believe me. Fate is much more cruel than you should give it credit for. It can leave you scarred and embittered for the rest of your life. And all it takes is one teensy moment." She held her finger and thumb close together to indicate how tiny a moment could just change your life forever.

It was a little bit over the top to think that but it wasn't like she hadn't experienced it before.

"I am, a little bit. But I'll be fine. I'm a big girl. This shouldn't effect me this much." She waved her hand, now feeling slightly juvenile for being so angry with the guy who had been as much a victim of circumstance as she was.

"You don't have to do anything. Or...well, you could help me get to my car. My ankle is a little tender."