justkeepdancing-nemo

[justkeepdancing-nemo]

Nemo was glad to do something with himself-- besides, yeah, all the bowing!

So he bustled into the kitchen and started to pour out the elderflower milk (which, by the way, wasn't a milk or cream at all-- it was much closer to a tea, though why it was called milk, Nemo had no clue!) when Finn came in and inquired about food.

Ah, a good point!

"I feel like good's always good. Everyone likes food, right?" Nemo said, offering a nervous smile. "Though I dunno what they're used to eating... I could cut up some fruit. That feels like a welcoming snack but..."

Well, fruit didn't grow in the ocean, did it? Would they like it? Would they think it's weird?

"Er, I think I still have gimbap too, so I could bring that out. It's all veggies though, no fish or meat..."

Jingles. Nemo always thought about how similar he and Finn were, but maybe that was only because Finn didn't grow up in the ocean. Now, he felt the massive gap between their lifestyles and cultures for the first time.

@a-merman-not-a-guppy

The Best of Me | BFFs

[justkeepdancing-nemo]

"Oh, I was in the Hollow, Appa. For rehearsals," Nemo answered, not really meeting a beat despite the question technically posed toward David Hatter.

Shouldn't Appa know that? Then again-- it was probably the cloudies, making his brain all scrambled. Normally, Appa always knew Nemo's schedule. There was a time he demanded it so he could keep track of him. And honestly, Nemo didn't mind that so much. It meant he had to be on top of his schedule too, so he didn't miss as many things.

He nudged the mug toward Appa again. "It's okay, we were totally fine there. Probably the safest place in all of Swynlake. Queen Clarion gathered us all in the tree just to be careful and we-- she had us sit for a while. Until the scouts could go to town and confirm what was happening."

@baenxietydad @davidhatter

Pick Up || The Baes + Hatter

[justkeepdancing-nemo]

Omo. Now Finn's parents were bowing to him!

Nemo turned red and had to swallow back the urge to shake his head and wave his hands, refusing the sign of gratitude. That would be rude too, though, in its own way. It was just... weird! No one had ever bowed to Nemo before, besides like, a perfunctory hello, nice to meet you, kinda bow! He really didn't know what to do. His instinct was just to bow back-- which he did now, a quick little shy bow.

Thankfully, Finn chimed in. Oh good. Yeah. Sitting! If they were sitting, there might not be as much bowing, and Nemo could figure out something more... normal... to talk about?

"O-oh yeah! Yeah, that sounds like a great idea. Oh, uh, I can bring us some tea or something?" Nemo asked, his eyes darting back to Finn. "Or elderflower milk! That's a fairy drink," he added shyly. "If you want to try some."

@a-merman-not-a-guppy

The Best of Me | BFFs

[justkeepdancing-nemo]

Yeah, Nemo was not going to comment on Appa judging his partners. That had not gone well for them in the past, lol. Steer clear of that one!

Instead, Nemo focused on making Appa the center of this conversation, for once.

"Maybe you should have Hatter cook for your appa," Nemo said, perking up a bit at the idea-- which he'd got since Appa was mentioning food, obviously. "Right? That could be good! Then that's showing his efforts in practice! And Hatter's a good cook."

@baenxietydad

Crunch Time || The Baes

[justkeepdancing-nemo]

Nemo frowned. Though he'd seen Appa with the cloudies before, it always felt a bit like an errant wind coming from the wrong direction, spinning him around. It just didn't seem right-- not his steady appa, who rarely got sick.

Still, he reminded himself that that's all this really was. Appa wasn't hurt. He didn't have any visible injuries, and he hadn't been in the building when the bombs went off. So realistically, Appa would feel dizzy and confused for a day, but by the time he woke up tomorrow, he'd probably be as good as new, as if today hadn't happened.

Other people couldn't say that.

Nemo glanced up at Hatter's dry comment. If this were any other day, Nemo might have smiled. But it didn't feel like there was much to smile about.

Instead, Nemo responded much more sincerely. "Thank you for getting him back safely," he told the other man. He picked up the tea for his appa and passed it toward him. "Here, Appa, drink a little."

@baenxietydad @davidhatter

Pick Up || The Baes + Hatter

[justkeepdancing-nemo]

Nemo barely resisted turning his face into one big YIKES emoji as the choreographers snipped at each other. Or, er, that was his impression, based on Cruella's curt statement and Collette's dangerous smile that followed after. He had gone to school with the Ashleys after all-- it made him an expert at anticipating and recognizing honey-laced venom. Whatever Collette whispered to Cruella was probably not good.

How had Nemo stumbled into the middle of some weird power tug-of-war?!

...Oh well. Honestly, Ashlee had talked a lot about the petty world of professional dance. She was quite successful, but it didn't come without drama and setbacks and big, big personalities. So this was just... good practice! Yeah! Nemo just needed to stay focused and deliver, despite any weird drama between these two.

So he nodded fiercely. "Okay! Yeah, I'll ah-- do All that Jazz!" Nemo said.

He scurried over to the speaker so he could plug in his phone and prep the music. Then, once the first few notes rang through the theater, Nemo returned to center stage and took his position.

As soon as Nemo counted himself in, he transformed.

His pleasant, sweet smile shifted into performance mode, slipping into something sly and sultry to match the slinky jazz music. He flipped his chin up and made eye contact with his judges. He wasn't Nemo anymore. He was a jazz dancer from the 1920s. He felt the brass tingling in his spine as he executed some perfect kicks, rolled his shoulders, and moved forward, like a prowling cat.

Come on, babe, why don't we paint the town? And all that jazz

Nemo then went down into a slow plie-like motion, spreading his hands down his legs. At the refrain, he slunk back up, leading with back side. I'm gonna rouge my knees and roll my stockings down And all that jazz Then a couple more kick-flicks, slightly faster to match the tempo. He tickled his fingers in the air and then, when the last refrain came, he did the four unique, sassy poses to punctuate every word. Start the car, I know a whoopee spot Where the gin is cold, but the piano's hot It's just a noisy hall where there's a nightly brawl And all…that…jazz

@ice-in-her-stare @collette-richards

The Talented Nemo || Directors Cut

[justkeepdancing-nemo]

Omo.

Nemo's eyes went wide as Finn's eomma stepped closer to him. She smelled like the sea, and as she touched his face, her skin was cool as water. Nemo didn't expect anything to this level of -- er-- familiarity? It made him want to squir,m but at the same time, a bashful smile pinched at his cheeks. Finn-eomma was so kind! Well, was that so weird to think? Finn was also one of the kindest people Nemo knew!

He sent silent thanks to Appa as well for making sure Nemo knew Korean because-- well, otherwise, he'd be totally lost right now. Last year's summer trip had also made him much better at responding, rather than just listening and understanding!

After Finn-eomma stepped back, Nemo bowed a second time, though smaller than the first. "Oh, uh-- yes, I'm happy to meet you both! Finn is a good friend in my life too. He's also helped me a lot over the years," Nemo answered in a little hesitant Korean. He blushed. Hopefully, his pronunciation wasn't too bad.

@a-merman-not-a-guppy

The Best of Me | BFFs

[justkeepdancing-nemo]

Nemo had seen Appa with the cloudies before. Only a few times, but those times stuck out in his mind. That was the thing about having a healing-talent for an appa, after all. His father was very, very rarely sick. So it was like... snow during the Buck-Moon. Or two rainbows appearing in the sky without any rain.

Nemo couldn't ever get used to it. He also never wanted to.

He bustled over to Appa right away, reaching behind him to adjust his pillow. He put his other hand on his Appa's wrist, squeezing gently. "Appa, you should know better!" he lectured like they had switched positions: Nemo the abeoji, Appa his misbehaving son.

His frown deepened. "How do you feel?"

@baenxietydad @davidhatter

Pick Up || The Baes + Hatter

[justkeepdancing-nemo]

Nemo wished he could say more to comfort his appa, but his thoughts kept going around and around about how there was so much he didn't know about his own halabeoji. Conversations a few times a year over the phone and his one summer had put together a very piecemeal idea of him. He still felt like a stranger to Nemo in a lot of ways.

But Nemo was optimistic as a rule. So he smiled. "Of course it will! I mean, that's what matters. He'll see all that and be happy you found someone who, uh, respects all your customs. That's the biggest thing, right? Respect."

@baenxietydad

Crunch Time || The Baes

[justkeepdancing-nemo]

Oh these two were giving real big good cop, bad cop energy. Though Nemo, as a rule, didn't like cops (thanks Appa for that life lesson!)

But he couldn't help but preen a little under Collette's praise. If his wings were out, they'd flutter happily as his skin glowed with pixie dust. But his wings weren't out. He felt the phantom of them echo in his chest and he barely stopped himself from beaming from ear to ear.

As for Cruella...

Ugh. Why was Cruella technically his director? (Since Nemo was technically just ensemble for the uni production.) How'd that happen, huh? Collette was so much nicer!

Still, Nemo took a breath. "I uh, I'm-- great with working with directors! I've been in show cases since I was little and that was always with a director! I love taking direction." Nemo nodded.

And hey, he did. This choreographer thing was the first time he'd be a real...leader.

Gulp.

"But u-uh, yeah, if you want, I can-- I can um.. dance a little to show you..." Nemo added shyly.

@collette-richards @ice-in-her-stare

The Talented Nemo || Directors Cut

[justkeepdancing-nemo]

Nemo was going to meet Finn's appa and eomma!

Omo. He was trying not to feel nervous but as soon as the text came in, Nemo's feelings whirled and tizzied like a sudden dust storm. He flew around their humble abode, tidying up wherever he could. Not that it was SUPER messy in the shared spaces but...well, they were three young guys, so there were shoes kicked off and other things left around.

He managed to dump all the dishes into the sink when he heard the door open. AHHHHHHH.

No, no, it was fine. Nemo was easy-breezy!

Taking a breath, he ran a hand through his fringe, then exited the kitchen to meet Finn's parents.

At once, he bowed at the waist. "Jingles, h-hey! I'm Nemo. It's such an honor to meet you both!" said Nemo. He wasn't sure whether he should offer a hand to shake or not. Did merpeople shake hands...? Omo, he should have asked before!

The Best of Me | BFFs

[justkeepdancing-nemo]

Nemo didn't think it was bad in Swylake either. It was waaaay worse in other places-- like Ingary or the Boiling Isles, where the sorcerer population outnumbered everyone else. Here, there were actually more fairies. Nemo never felt discriminated against in Swynlake for his status. Not really, anyway.

But hey, Appa's experience was his experience, and apparently, this was gonna be a thing for Halabeoji. Yeesh.

"Right well-- I think he'll like Hatter. He's kind and like you said, he's diligent about stuff, whether his shoppe or studying Korean. That stuff matters." Nemo tried to reassure. He wasn't sure how successful he'd be. After all, he barely knew his halabeoji.

@baenxietydad

Crunch Time || The Baes

[justkeepdancing-nemo]

Well, that sounded like his Appa-- being on edge and sick with anxiety. That was his whole thing, though for the past few years, he'd been a lot better. In fact, almost too much better... like his Appa had bodyswapped with a more chill guy.

Hey, Nemo wasn't gonna complain. A chill Appa was better for the both of them!

But a glimpse of the Appa who raised Nemo felt oddly...nice.

Nemo tilted his head. "It can't be that bad, right? I mean, they know you live in Swynlake. Things are different here. I've had sorcerer friends too."

It was still odd that Appa was dating one...but that was because Nemo thought he ought to be dating a fairy. But ah well, Nemo had let that go now.

@baenxietydad

Crunch Time || The Baes

[justkeepdancing-nemo]

Nemo breathed out, closing his eyes briefly as he let this piece of news wash over him, like a spring breeze.

We weren't there when it happened.

Good. Good good good-- Nemo didn't think he could bear it if Appa had actually been there during the explosion. He imagined the trauma of it all, all of Appa's old wounds and beliefs about mundus blown wide open. 'Course, that could still happen but the fact Appa chose to run into the rubble to help others told Nemo a different story. It also made him proud, his chest swelling with that feeling, along with all the fear and confusion. It made his whole body feel sore.

But he needed to fly now. Find his Appa and make sure he was okay.

"O-okay. Yeah, I'll go there," said Nemo. "I'll be right there. Tell Appa, if you can. I'll-- I'll be there soon."

Then Nemo hung up. He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts of all that worry, which would only weigh him down.

Then Nemo took to the sky.

He got through the forest before the thick smoke made Nemo drop down. It got into his lungs immediately. As a fast-flying talent, Nemo had learned in all his first lessons when to fly and when not to fly. Air quality that bad, he had to do the rest on foot.

Nemo transformed, and ran the rest of the way. He heard the sirens in the distance. The smoke kept billowing and billowing, InterPride still burning.

He clambered up the stairs to Hatter's place and banged on the door, nearly out of breath.

@baenxietydad @davidhatter

Pick Up || The Baes + Hatter

[justkeepdancing-nemo]

Nemo wanted to show Appa that he was trying. It was hard if only because Nemo still felt like there were all these invisible lines and boundaries Appa put up. That was probably just his imagination, but Nemo had never had to deal with this before-- Appa dating anyone seriously, that is. This was his first time, and so he really could use more guidance from his Appa, okay!

But ah well. Maybe going to dinner would show Appa how mature and enthusiastic Nemo was about Hatter. Totally!

"Yeah, dinner sounds good! I'll see Ashlee before that and after if I stay over." Nemo nodded. "I think that sounds fun."

@baenxietydad

Crunch Time || The Baes

[justkeepdancing-nemo]

"Really?" Nemo's nervousness slid right off, smile rebounding and matching Finn's own. That was great news! It meant-- well, Nemo supposed he still shouldn't assume that things were okay. Trauma came out in different ways. Nemo knew that better than anyone.

But he trusted Finn and Finn's family. If they wanted to meet Nemo, Nemo wanted to meet them.

"That sounds great! I'd love to. Seriously, whenever you want. Say the word, and I'll be there!"

@a-merman-not-a-guppy

Keep Staying Here | BFFs

[justkeepdancing-nemo]

Jingles, Nemo couldn't believe he was doing this!

After years participating in community theatre-- a part here and there, but mostly ensemble roles, because well, Nemo didn't consider himself much of an actor-- he had stepped up and volunteered to fill in for the choreography since Joanna had... uh...turned out to be a crazy, lizard-shaped terrorist!

Swynlake, huh.

Nemo was still amazed he'd raised his hand. Like most things, Nemo didn't think before he acted. His hand just shot up, like a dog scenting a rabbit. But his heart tumbled after it. He wanted the chance, he really did. Didn't he have the experience? The know-how? Hadn't he already memorized all the choreo Joanna had already finished? Who else could teach it? Who else could blend their styles?

His heart fluttered like hummingbird wings. He took a breath.

"Well, I--" his throat felt super tight. "I'm a great dancer!" He blurted. "I'm-- the best dancer we got. I already know the show really well, and I have the background-- like, at least seven years of jazz training specifically," he added, blushing. "And I have great relationships with the cast already, so I think they'll feel comfortable with me leading them!"

@collette-richards @ice-in-her-stare

The Talented Nemo || Directors Cut