Topic: Sweet Escape

Katarina Smith

Date: 2007-12-18 02:03 EST
?I?m a leavin??

Her brush held a well practiced rhythm as she looked into the mirror. There was a faint underlying hum that reflected the engine of the spacecraft. Brush. Brush. Brush. The natural oils in her hair surfaced after each precise stroke, her curls passing past her waist and flirting with her hips. The footsteps of children playing in the next compartment only added to the drone of the morning. Brush. Brush. Brush.

?Whay kin?t I do what I want? I want to dance, Ma.?

She set the brush down slowly, moving her head slowly from side to side to inspect the glow that the light provided. Satisfied, she slowly separated each curl, her hands twisting them further before pinning them back, letting the strawberry blond curls take hold in a desired elegant fashion. Even as the children started running into the wall that connected to her room, it did not slow down her movements.

?You be leavin? us like Johnny an? the rest.?

?They are doin? what they want. I deserve that too. Give me the chance, I kin come back if it don?t work out.?

She slid a soft shade of pink over her eyelids, making her green eyes stand out in contrast. Adding a sheer shade to her already pink lips, she stood to inspect her image in the mirror before her. Her tall and slim body was hugged with a soft pink dress that wrapped around her and tied at her waist, emphasizing her petite build. The sleeves were purposely loose and the dress ended just above her ankles. With pink shoes to match, she smoothed out her dress before turning and leaving her compartment to find the area to break her fast.

?It is time for me to have mah life for mah own.?

Katarina Smith

Date: 2007-12-18 22:14 EST
Katarina idly twirled the fork in her right hand, watching the carrot on the other end spin and offer the illusion of an orange circle. Bringing the carrot to her mouth, she enjoyed the atmosphere as she finished the last of her dinner. Despite some lady-like teachings, her father had always taught her to eat everything on her plate, and to be thankful for what was there. Eyes pampered with smudges of black slid over to the other people within the room, all dressed in their best. Families, even more couples, and the few that sat alone, like she.

The teal dress grazed her knees as she sat in contemplation and silence. Sheer black material grazed the bunching of the bodice of her dress, and her black straps were concealed with a matching teal cardigan. Beige lips curled at the corners as people began to waltz to the music.

"Oh Johnathan, she's abeen dancin' bafore she could walk."

"It dun matter. She has responsibility to this farm, an' this family."

"An' what about Aunt Marian, and them? Whay kin't I-"

"I said no."

Her attention moved to the musicians as she brought up her mulled wine up to her lips. Everything was so elegant, so different from her family. She might be close surroundings in the compartments, but she would enjoy a night and imagine what life could be like. Brushing a perfectly glossed curl away from her face, she looked back to the dancers again. If only she could join..

"You kin say what ya want. I'm a leavin'"

Setting her half finished glass, she slid off of her high chair with ease, and started back for her room to pack. Tomorrow, she changed spacecrafts again.

She was one step closer to freedom.

Katarina Smith

Date: 2007-12-20 03:42 EST
"I'm sorry ma'am, what craft are you supposed to be on?" The young boy asked, peeking over the luggage that he carried to peer at station names.

Katarina looked from side to side, her fat curls moving with the motion. There was a moment of panic, the name on her ticket not visible from her location. Did she get off on the right port? "Uh.."

"Ya havn't evan traveled outside a Hope. How do ya plan on makin' it when yer cousin did not?"

She felt her face flushed, showing more pink in her face than she had wanted to portray. The younger boy tried to peer at her paper to see if he could help. "Ah, miss?"

"Yea?"

"Your craft should be in the next room over."

A slow blink, her heart beat a solid thump against her chest. "Oh, then I guess we'd a betta hurry." She tried to look for a time piece as she followed the young man. The flats of her bright red shoes made no sound against the ground as she picked up her pace to follow.

"There it is. I will place your bags within the carrier."

Her breath came out in a whoosh as she read the name of the destination. Once. Twice. A third time for her sanity. "Thanks." She reached into the over-sized pocket in her white skirt, and pulled out a copper coin. Frowning, she put it back, and tried again. This time, she pulled a bronzed five-sided coin, and offered it to the young man.

"Since when didcha worre abou' mah choices? I kin take care 'a mahself."

Trusting that her bags were in good care, her pace quickened all the more as the doors started to close to her spacecraft. "Ah, wait!" She waved a long arm to catch the woman's attention, her ticket in her hand. The door was left open for her to pass through and enter.

It was the last spacecraft before her final destination.

Katarina Smith

Date: 2007-12-26 18:30 EST
With green eyes closed and a small crease along her brow that reflected concentration, Katarina breathed in slow and deep. Upon letting the breath go, she pulled down on her ankle just further, her leg lying more flat against her chest. Straight and on her back, her left leg was pulled over her front, creating the look of an upside down splits.

"Attention all passengers: We will are a little behind schedule and will not arrive to our next destination until December 31st, 6:20 am RhyDin Standard Time. We apologize for the inconvenience, and thank you for traveling with Purple Skies."

The voice over the intercom broke her concentration, and she gave an irritated sigh. Releasing her leg, she was careful to not hit the coffee table during its descent. Her small room was certainly not the place for the stretches or exercises, but her body yearned to be pushed past its potential, to become more limber than it already was. She had pushed most of the furniture out of her way for her stretches, and it was then that her body became alive.

She reached for a chair, and moved it to aid in her stretching. The delay did not worry her; all it did was cost her more time. However, it was more days that she could not properly keep her body in shape, and it would be difficult to have little time to brush her skills before finding a part within a play or some type of performance house.

She set aside the nagging feeling, waiting until her mind was clear, before propping her leg up on the top of the chair. She would continue with her limited amount of stretches, and wait.

Katarina Smith

Date: 2007-12-28 14:50 EST
Katarina stared at the same painting for at least the past fifteen minutes. It was a replica of a Degas, her favorite artist. The way he portrayed ballerinas was beautiful and breathtaking. The way the woman posed, the look on her face beautifully content and serene. The paleness of her skin, the way the dress complemented the moving form, it touched the young ballerina deeply. Her right forefinger played with the spoon ring around her thumb as she continued in her study.

"You like the painting?" A man asked as he stepped in closer to see which one she was looking at. He was dressed casually and the silver threaded in his hair reflected his older age.

"Yea." Eyes decorated with a thin black line over her lids moved over to the gentlemen. "Have ya seen it bafore?" Her hand stoppedd fiddling with the ring and moved to absently straightened her white dress with a simple cut and hints of lace.

"This is one is not the original, but it is a very good replica." He rocked slightly on his feet as his eyes looked back to the painting. "Not many appreciate the movements of a dancer."

The tone of his voice had a faint crease appear between her brows as she studied him more. There was something in the way he carried himself; something different. "Ya dance?"

"Not very much anymore, my heart still yearns but the body protests. It is not as limber as yours would be." At her surprised look, he offered a smile, "There are not many people who hold the same posture as you."

Rose faintly colored her pale cheeks and she inclined her head down, "I su'pose that is ta be a compliment?"

"It is. There is a gathering in the ballroom this evening. Will you be attending?"

"Prolly not. I dun do ballroom dancin' well."

"Come, and I will make a liar out of you." Dipping his head in farewell, he turned and left her to look at the painting once more

Katarina Smith

Date: 2007-12-29 16:13 EST
It was the internal battle of curiosity that brought Katarina into the ballroom. Candles were the source of the light that gave enough of a glow to see faces while keeping a romantic atmosphere. She had changed her entire attire, brushing those golden strawberry locks back and away from her face, except for a few shorter strands that framed her face. The white dress was exchanged for a long, tangerine dress that was more suitable for the event. The cut was simple, but the flow of the bottom swayed gently with each further step she took inside. The black lines over her eyelids were thickened, and her lips were left naked.

Short but graceful strides led her further into the room, the music building and bouncing off the walls. Green eyes fixated on several couples, all dancing in a beautiful rhythm of the waltz, relying on each other for movements and strides. Her appreciation for silky movements brought a slow breath from her lips as she absently reached for a chair to sit down and watch.

"May I have this dance?"

She turned, a lock of forced curls moving across her face as she spotted the man from earlier. She purposely kept powdered color from her cheeks, so that when she flushed, it was not overdone. His hand extended to her, and despite her body anticipation, her mind hesitated. "I'm nah good at this. I hardly-"

"I will teach you." He said easily, reaching carefully for one of her hands, keeping eye contact with her. Despite the growing unease within her middle, she allowed him to take her hand and lead her. What was she doing, trusting a stranger?

"Katie, ya never know who ya gonna meet. Keep a good head batween yer shoulders."

He was still watching her with careful interest, "Nervous?"

"A little," she admitted, "but dancin' in fronta people dun bother me."

"Good," he said with a smile, easily placing her hand on his shoulder, setting his own almost on her shoulder blade, before waiting a beat to match with the other couples, and started forward.

Her posture was exquisite, and though her face held elegance, her mind was entirely focused on her feet. His body was easy and responsive, making it simple for her, giving indications when he was to spin her.

For the first time since she had started her travels, she smiled; really smiled. Even if she had to go and find a farm to work on while in RhyDin, dancing would always strum a strong beat within her heart.

Katarina Smith

Date: 2007-12-31 14:34 EST
"Is this your stop, or are you going to a different shuttle?"

Startled that someone was addressing her, Katarina looked over her shoulder and instantly relaxed. The man from the ball - Randolph Thompson, looked very tired despite his easy smile. Their dancing together was a moment she would cherish, and they shared much common ground. If anything, he was like a father from home.

"Nah, this is mah stop." Even though the early hours of the morning had her bones groaning in weary, Katarina was used to early hours on the farm. So, she looked refreshed, shining hair was pulled back from her face, and her makeup was light for a more natural look. It was a striking, but still pretty contrast to last night's affair.

"Well, my shuttle does not leave for quite some time. Are you going somewhere? Perhaps I can assist you?"

"An' jist what will ya do when ya git there? You dun know where they live, and ya neva been there bafore. What if it isa big place? Ya'll be lost within minutes."

"I kin find mah way 'round."

"I was jist gonna look fer a place to stay, first." How hard could it be? She started to gather all of her belongings. She had tried to sell as many things as possible, scraping and saving every coin she could. She might have pretty things and dresses, but she knew how to conserve if needed be.

Randolph instantly started to help her, taking a few of her larger packs and swinging them around his shoulders. "Well, I know of a perfect place. It is called The Red Dragon Inn, and it always has rooms available.. the price is very reasonable. Also, it is in a rather good location within the town, so hunting for Opera Houses or places of performing arts should not be that difficult."

She smiled faintly, and picked up the rest of her things. "That would be ideal, but ya know that it wun be easy."

"I have high hopes for you, Rini."

They shared a look, before she softly cleared her throat. "That be mighty kind of ya. Why dun you show me this Inn? I reckon that I could use a few more hours of sleep."

While Katarina followed Randolph, her green eyes were big, trying to drink everything that she past by. The sunrise showed just enough light for her to appreciate all different and new things. The farther that Randolph took her into the town, the sweeter her escape tasted on her lips.