I make no apologies for Justin Bieber

[nyc-detective.livejournal.com]

WHO: nyc_detective and shockheadedpete
WHERE: The precinct roof.
WHEN: Monday 17th, evening
SUMMARY: Elisa gives dancing lessons to Pete so he can ask Jan to the prom.
WARNINGS: Likely hideousness and possibly sore toes.
FORMAT: Likely quick?



[ Elisa's amused and charmed by Pete and Jan's romance, and she honestly wants the two of them to be happy together. And if that means that she takes a bit of time to teach Pete how to dance, then she'll do it. So she waits on the roof for him to show up.]

Comments

[shockheadedpete.livejournal.com]

[Mothchan shows up first, circling once above Elisa's head, and then settling on a duct. Then Pete puffs his way up out of the stairwell.]

[nyc-detective.livejournal.com]

[ She's not gonna lie, Mothchan startles her sometimes. But she waves at him and at Pete upon his arrival. ]

Hey.

[shockheadedpete.livejournal.com]

[Mothchan is a valued officer of this force, Maza.]

Hey.

[Pete is out of uniform in a pair of track pants and a grey t-shirt that says 'police' across the chest. Like he thinks this might be a work-out.]

So, uh. Dancin'.

[nyc-detective.livejournal.com]

[ Elisa laughs. ]

Yep, dancing. First step: relax. It's just me. I'm going to teach you a few simple steps. Nothing fancy, and none of that bump and grind stuff that seems to be so popular in the clubs. That you two can practice on your own.

[shockheadedpete.livejournal.com]

[Pete rolls his neck, but his antenna remain at attention. Relaxing is not really something he does.]

Much appreciated. No offense, but grindin' on you never crossed my mind yet.

[And he's very serious and seriously concerned that she might be upset about that. Gentleman.]

Bear, I'm sorry, I am dying and I have to sleep.

[nyc-detective.livejournal.com]

[She laughs and sets up her ipod and speakers up on the ground. ]

None taken. Really. Now, we're going to start with a waltz. As the man, you're going to lead. What that means is that you're going to gently pull your partner where you want her to go. With a waltz, you follow a four beat system, like this. [ And she counts and demonstrates the basic steps.] One two three and one two three and one two three. You see>?

No prob. Tag whenever.

[shockheadedpete.livejournal.com]

...

[Pete is staring at her blankly. No one said there was going to be math involved. Also:...]

...I don't...hear...great.

<3

[nyc-detective.livejournal.com]

[ Okay, perhaps practice would probably be better than an explanation. ]

Here, your right hand holds mine like this, and your left goes at my waist here. [ She positions his hands. ] Mine goes up to your shoulder. And now, take a step.

[shockheadedpete.livejournal.com]

[He does as she says, but he's staring hard at his feet, like if he isn't looking at them, he isn't sure what they might do. In order to see them he has to suck in his gut and lean forward, which means his antenna may be threatening to smack her in the face or get tangled in her hair.]

[nyc-detective.livejournal.com]

[ And she has to bend backwards to avoid getting whacked by his antenna. ] Stop, stop. Stand up. Do you have to look down at your feet when you walk?

[shockheadedpete.livejournal.com]

[Usually Pete would know the answer to that question, but he's on the spot here and suddenly he can't remember at all.]

Sometimes?

[nyc-detective.livejournal.com]

Well, pretend this is one of those times. Look at my face and take a step. Just a normal step.

[shockheadedpete.livejournal.com]

[He takes a step.

Onto her foot.]

[nyc-detective.livejournal.com]

[ And she winces in pain. ] Okay. Let's try a slightly smaller step this time.

[shockheadedpete.livejournal.com]

[He takes a frustrated step back.]

You're the one that told me not to look!

[nyc-detective.livejournal.com]

[ She sighs, exasperated. ] Yes, but Pete, taking a slightly smaller step doesn't require you looking at your feet. Again.

[shockheadedpete.livejournal.com]

[He stares dutifully over her head and manages not to squish her this time. Although he's far from leading.]

Are you sure this's dacin'?

[nyc-detective.livejournal.com]

It will be by the time I'm through with you.

[ Man, Elisa, that's some determination. Baby steps are needed with Pete, though. ] Okay, just keep going forward like this. Make sure you push me gently backwards as we go so I know what direction to put my feet. Then, once we get closer to Mothchan, change direction and you go backwards. You're going to gently pull me along with. Pull me too hard and I'll trip and fall on you. Take it slow, there's no rush.

[shockheadedpete.livejournal.com]

[Jan's feet will thank you.]

Don't fall on me.

[And very, very slowly...it might be dancing.]

[nyc-detective.livejournal.com]

[ Her grin gets wider. ] There you go, see? Not so terrible, is it? Ready to try to move in a circle instead of a line? Just go a bit to the left, and pull me gently along with. Same thing, just little steps.

[shockheadedpete.livejournal.com]

[Mothchan circles above their heads, like it's trying to figure out what they're doing; where they're going. They aren't going anywhere. Sometimes humans make no sense at all.]

Now what?

[nyc-detective.livejournal.com]

[ Elisa laughs. ] Now we keep dancing until you feel comfortable enough to look at me and not somewhere over my head. Just pretend I'm Jan. Relax.

[shockheadedpete.livejournal.com]

Jan's more'n a foot shorter than me.

[Maybe Pete can dance in a ditch.]

[nyc-detective.livejournal.com]

[ Elisa grins again ] So your hands will be lower and you'll look down at her face. No big deal. Just remember, the closer she is, the smaller your steps should be.