"I's too long an' predictable." Katarina rubbed to face as she paused the running hologram. Secluded in the practice studio above Mac and Verna's bar. Treasured holograms of her own performances and others were neatly piled for viewing and deliberation. Her decision to take the audition for the Royal Academy was not starting with a fast pace.

"It is predictable for a good reason." Andy pointed to the frozen dancers, "This is a performance that is expected. Odette is what people think of when they picture ballet."

"An' many otha people do ya think will do th' same thin'?" Standing from her seat, she goes to stand next to the still figurine of Odette. "I dun even like her arms." Critiquing, she mocked the still pose, and tweaked her elbows, "I dun like th' choreography."

Andy couldn't help but laugh, "It's your tape and you don't like it anymore?" He flicked his hand to make her move, "Let's keep watching. Maybe there's a routine you'll like." Determined, he leaned over to continue to play the ballet.

Katarina moved off to the side, but made no move to sit back down. She enjoyed her old production of Swan Lake, but found Odette to be too iconic. Tilting her head and pursing her lips, she pondered another option, "Wait, pause it here." When Andy did so, she walked back up to the new figurine with a growing smile, "Wha' 'bout Odile?" She repeated the past few steps of the variation, "Same style, bu' differen' characteristics and less 'pected?"

"Odile?" Doubted laced his voice, "Really? I have such a hard time picturing you as her. Still, the dance itself suits you better, while the personality does not."

"Nah? Bu' tha's wha's people miss. She's gotta hav' some Odette qualities othawise th' prince would neva love her, yeah? 'Sides, I look betta 'n black." Laughter ending in a sigh of relief, she moved a finger clockwise, "Start it fra th' beginnin'."

"Andy-"

"I don't want to hear it." Andy didn't look back at her, but his tone was very hard and angry. "You are going to do just what I say."

Katarina sighed heavily and continued to follow him towards the theatre. She didn't have much of a choice, as he had a hand firmly around one of her wrists to keep her with him. However, his pace was easy enough for her damaged leg. It carefully wrapped in bandages that gave support while allowing her to bend her knee. Her left leg limped with each step. "Look, I was jist takin' a break."

He looked over his shoulder and gaped at her, "You were nearly in tears!" The hand on her wrist tightened as the theatre came into view, "There's no excuse for being so stupid." Impatient now, he easily turned to scoop her in his arms to quicken the pace.

"Put me down!" She gave his shoulder a solid whack, but expected nothing, "I jist strained it is all. It was doin' real well 'til ta showed up." She crossed her arms stubbornly as he went inside and immediately headed for backstage.

"You shouldn't be practicing at all, period. In fact, I just might ask Madame to let Christine dance for you."

"Ya will nah! Put me down righ' now!" She shot an angry look up at him as he weaved through the rooms until they reached the medical room.

"Whatever you want." He carefully maneuvered her into an empty, silver tub. Taking the responsibility for himself, he started unraveling her bandages. "You should have done this in the first place. And if you don't want that jacket wet, then I recommend that you remove it now."

"I was gonna tanigh'." Still angry, she quickly removed her jacket to reveal her practicing leotard still underneath. "Jist be nice-" her sentence was cut off as Andy dumped a bucket of ice into her tub, "Lor' 'n Skies!!" It was more of a shriek than words, but she instantly tried to keep her limbs close as he dumped more ice into the tub. The look she sent Andy could have melted the ice instantly, if she had the ability.

"Serves you right." With a "hmph," he filled the tub with ice mercilessly. "I'll come get you out when I think you're ready."

"I-I-I-I d-d-dun like y-y-ou." She managed through her shivers and clattering teeth. The only thing that could occupy her mind from insanity was the warm tub that she would go to next, before the cycle continued.