milliways_bar | (no subject)

It sounds nice, *Meg says mildly.*

He looks up from the keyboard and smiles. "Hey, Meglet.

"Thanks. I don't know how to end it, though."

Usually beginning it's the hardest part, I'd have thought, *Meg says, with a grin.*

"Sometimes it is--this one doesn't want to end and won't tell me what the words are supposed to be, either. Meandering. Very bothersome.

"I still need to come see you in an opera sometime, tiny dancer."

*Meg's smile grows, a little.*

Yes, you do. Sleeping Beauty goes up in a few days -

*She looks hopeful.*

"I still have that tuxedo you gave me in January, would that suit?" He all but bounces on the piano bench.

*Meg giggles.* It suited then, fashions haven't changed that much - and you have to wear the top hat, of course, it's basically a prerequisite -

"Oh, god, I'll look like a toff," Charlie says but laughs. "All right. Cool fun yay. I get to see our Meg dance."

*Meg giggles. Innocently.* Well, there's the other alternative of street urchin clothes - you're almost small enough to be able to pass . . .

*Says five-foot-tall Meg.*

"I make a very fetching urchin," Charlie says with all the dignity he can muster. He has a whole six inches on her, too.

You've got the right nose for it, *Meg agrees judiciously.* The question is, can you scamper right?

He rubs the tip of his nose. "Some people find this charming.

"I can't remember the last time I scampered but I bet I do it very well."

Well, urchins have to be charming, *Meg explains earnestly.* It's how they make a living. Being charming and good at picking pockets.

And everyone should scamper every so often. I'm sure it's good for you -

He looks at the a moment, puzzling, and then gets up and--yes--scampers about the bar.

He looks very fey.

*Meg tries valiantly to hold back her giggles as she applauds.

It doesn't work for too terribly long.*

Perfect. Any more scampery and they'd make you an honorary mouse.

"Should I learn to dance on my toes, too?" He grins at her and throws himself down at her feet. He needs to start running again--he's breathing a little hard.

Only if you actually plan to join the Opera, *Meg says, with a grin.* I'd lend you toe shoes - *she glances at his feet -* but I think mine might be a little small for you -

He regards his feet. "Yeah, I don't know how these behemouths would fit into those itty-bitty things. Probably too old to start learning to dance anyway."

No, you're never too old, *Meg protests.* I mean, too old to be professional, maybe, but you're never too old to learn anything, I think.

*Meg has some ridiculously optimistic qualities.*

"I'm already very bendy," he admits. "It's the yoga."

*Meg grins, innocently.*

Can you do this?

*She wiggles her toes - from above her head, her leg parallel to her ear.*

"No, but I can do this." From his position on the floor he pushes himself up into the bridge post, his shirt crawling up to expose a strip of pale English tummy.

*Meg -

oh, come on, she can't help it -

pokes the English tummy. In the side. Where it could be presumed to be ticklish.*

Charlie yelps. The bridge collapses.

It is ticklish. Very, very, ticklish.

*Meg smiles innocently, and folds her hands demurely behind her back.*

It's difficult to hold for long, I know, *she says sympathetically.*

"Particularly when I'm being poked, you evil ballerina girl." He mock-glares at her.

Clearly you just can't maintain the proper concentration, *Meg says primly.

The corner of her mouth is not twitching at all.*

"Clearly. Just for that, I'm not showing you any more. You're mean." He sticks out his tongue at her.

*Meg blinks wide, sad blue eyes at him, and looks tragic.*

- mean? Me?

"Tickling me when I'm upside down and defenseless."

It was such a perfect opportunity, though! *Meg protests.* It was begging for it. To resist it would have been a crime.

"I can't even tickle you back! I'd probably break you."

I'm not that breakable, *Meg says, rather indignantly.* I'm very muscly.

"You're teeny," he pronounces and gets to his feet.

"And I should get upstairs for bathtime and good night kisses with the bebbeh. Good night, Meg."

Gnight, Charlie, *Meg says cheerfully.*