Boarding School for the Mythical

Shade trotted along the catwalk waiting for the performance to start. He would rather have been with his girl, but the first time he had gone in the dressing rooms the other ballerinas had pitched a fit saying that he was watching them dress, despite him being a fox. They assumed that since he was clearly more intelligent than ordinary foxes that he was somehow more human. It was absurd and couldn’t be further from the truth. He had appeal for human form. And he resented the other girls from keeping him from his.

Sphinx:

I found a seat and sat down, shifting a bit nervously as I set down the flowers I had gotten for Tabitha. It was a punch of snow white roses, with dark green petals. I had made them myself the night before. I looked around curiously before focusing on the stage, feeling my stomach and heart flutter a little.

Shade found the perfect place and curled up to watch the performance. His girl was the lead dancer. She played the role of Giselle, a girl who fell in with a man already engaged. Even though half the ballet took place after Giselle had died from heart break, his girl danced it beautifully. Every ounce of grace she had was reserved for the stage, which was why she was so often tripping on her own feet when she wasn’t dancing. The curtain closed for the last time and, while the audience applauded, Shade found his way to the ground floor and slinked under the seats until he found Sphinx. He hopped up in the empty seat next to him.

Sphinx:

I had been enthralled by watching the performance, and I had clapped as enthusiastically as everyone else, a grin on my face. It was a surprise to have Shade suddenly hop onto the seat next to me, but I didn't mind in the slightest. I would be able to deliver both Shade and the flowers to Tabitha then. It worked out for the best in all ways I thought.
As I reviewed the ballet in my head, I couldn't help but be happy, I had no idea she was so talented or that she was so graceful on stage.

Shade nudged Sphinx’s leg with his nose and jumped back down to the ground to lead him out. He trotted down the aisle without looking back to see if he was following. He took Sphinx through the lobby and down a hall to a side door where he knew the dancers would be coming out of soon as they were dressed.

Sphinx:

I felt a little awkward, standing outside the door. But I smiled politely at the dancers as they left, though none of them were Tabitha. I kept my eyes on the ground while waiting, suddenly feeling uncertain. I had loved her performance, but maybe the flowers would be too much. In all though, I knew I wouldn't feel happy until I got to see her again.

Tabitha:

I dressed in a black track suit over my leotard and tights and made my way out the door slinging my heavy dance bag over my shoulder. My face still had heavy stage makeup on and my hair was twisted into a tight bun. I smelled like hairspray all over. I walked down the hall to the exit door thinking over the performance. This had been one of my better nights, I hoped Sphinx had seen me, though I had searched the audience for him and hadn’t been able to spot him. I pushed through the door planning to take my bag to the car and get a change of clothes. I stopped short in surprise when I saw Sphinx standing there. My face lit up.

Sphinx:

I didn't notice her, my eyes still on the ground as I held the flowers in my hand. I was looking at them, still unsure if they were too much or too little. I was arguing both sides in my head, and neither was making any real headway. In any case, the idea was also going through my head to ask her out to dinner, but what if she planned on inviting me back to her house for dinner?

Tabitha:

I started to move to him but Shade bounded up and put his paws on my leg, his tail swishing happily. I bent to pet him then went closer to Sphinx. “You came.” I said delightedly, my eyes hardly straying from his face.

Sphinx:

I grinned at her and nodded before offering the flowers out shyly. "Here, for you." I said softly. I felt more uncertain now than I ever had. I just didn't know what to do with any of me. Did I hug her? Kiss her? Take her hand? Invite her on a date? Stand there? Tell her how well she did? Tell her how much I enjoyed the ballet? Did I keep my hands at my sides? Did I gesture while talking? It was a never ending thing going on in my head.

Tabitha:

I blushed. “Thank you.. you didn’t have to do that.” I said modestly, but I was thrilled with them, and that he had thought to get me something at all. I brought them up to my nose to take in their scent, I looked at him as I did so.

Sphinx:

"It has always been tradition to give a gift to someone who performs for you." I said smiling softly. "And besides, I wanted to get you more, but I wasn't really sure what." I rubbed the back of my neck the soft smile still on my face. I couldn't stop watching her, she was just so great to look at, and so sweet as well.

Tabitha;

I grinned. “I think they’re perfect. I don’t need anything more.” I said softly. I wanted to hug him in thanks, maybe kiss his cheek, or even kiss him.. But I’d die of embarrassment if I did that. So I just smiled happily. The door swung open behind me and a group of girls came out, all talking and laughing. “Tabitha! We’re all going out for a celebratory dinner. You’re coming aren’t you? Say you’ll come!” One girl grabbed my arm and begged me. I looked from her to Sphinx and she immediately said, “And you can bring anyone you like! Of course! Come? Please?” I smiled and met Sphinx’s gaze, asking him silently.

Sphinx:

I nodded mutely smiling at her. I started to move closer when an arm wrapped around her. It was the guy from her date and he was hugging her possessively. "She can come with me." He said easily enough. I looked down, my unhappyness and wanting to be closer to her, plain in my body language and face.

Tabitha:

I looked up at James in surprise. I had nearly forgotten he was here. We hadn’t had time to talk backstage before I went on. He was a background dancer. I didn’t like how forward he was now, we had only been on a few dates after all. “Sphinx is my friend, I want him to come too.” I said determinedly. “And I have to take shade back to my place, and change.” I shrugged out of his hold and knelt down to scoop my fox into my arms.

Sphinx:

I kept my eyes on the ground, not paying much attention to what they were saying. I had left when I had watched her look up at him. I didn't want to get in the way of people, and their personal relationships. I didn't know if there was one, but the easy way he had put his arm like that...she had to like him.

Tabitha:

“Sphinx!” I called after him as I made my way thought the people in the lobby. I had told James I was too tired to go out with everybody. He offered to take me alone, and I said I just wanted to go home. And then I left to find Sphinx. I caught up to him and fell into step next to him. “You were going to leave without saying goodbye?” I asked looking up at him with a soft smile.

Sphinx:

I looked at her before saying softly. "I dont want to get between you and someone special to you." I gave her a small smile, before saying softly. "I am sad to admit it, but I was jealous of him. I wished I was in his place."

Tabitha:

I blinked in surprised and subconsciously walked closer to him. “What do you mean in his place?” I asked looking up at him hopefully daring not to think what I wanted.

Sphinx:

I blushed and looked into her face shyly. "I wished I had been the one to put my arm around you..." I said my voice soft and quiet. I didn't know what else to say, or to do to explain it. I wanted her in my arms...to feel her warmth against mine.

Tabitha:

I drew in a soft breath ad bit my lip. My cheeks were surely turning pink, though there was enough powder on them to hide it. It felt like there were butterflies in my stomach and I couldn’t bring myself to respond to what he said. So instead I went with, “My place is just five minutes away… Do you want to come over for a little while? We could order Chinese food..” I looked at the ground as I said it.

Sphinx:

"S-sure.." I said stuttering a bit. I smiled nervously, not sure what I should do. I had walked, so should I walk her home...or had she driven? Either way, I couldn't take my eyes off of her, nor could I keep the heat from my cheeks.

Tabitha:

“Do you want to ride together?” I asked forgetting the mess in my back seat, I just wanted to stay with him. I felt giddy and light as a feather. My mind couldn’t think coherently. It wasn’t thinking about how my apartment was messy too.

Sphinx:

I smiled softly and shook my head. "I'm sure you will want to shower and change before I come over." I said touching her cheek gently. It was a brief lingering touch, but when I pulled my hand away I showed her it, my finger tips having a little bit of her make up on them.

Tabitha:

“Ah, yes. You’re right.” I said bashfully. “Well, its not far. Keep Shade, he’ll show you the way.” I told him before hesitating. I made up my mind and took a quick step forward and kissed his cheek lightly before turning to run to my car to escape the slow drizzly of rain. My heart was pounding when I reached my car, but it wasn’t from running. I was sure I had left a lipstick mark on his cheek.

Shade was indignant about being left behind, and resentful at having to be a tour guide.