2024-12-12 - Bound to Happen

Even though Emme has been part of the park since the gates opened, that doesn't mean that the young woman doesn't need to practice. Away from the prying eyes of the fans, the cheers, and the thrill of performing, Emme is trying to perfect her latest flips for her next show.

Dressed in a pair of leggings, and a long-sleeved shirt, her long red hair swept out of the way of her face, and tucked into a bun, which looks like it threatens to come loose at any movement. She is currently jumping on a simple trampoline, trying to get enough air. When she does, and after one final jump, she tries to tuck her body in, her arms going around her legs, but so far, every time she tries to flip herself in the position, one leg doesn't seem to want to cooperate, and she ends up either falling on her face or arse.

Declan is right there with Emme and, while he hasn't been at the park quite as long as she has, they've established a working relationship in that short time. A former gymnast, he's always been keen on staying sharp with his skills on the ground as well. He's standing off to the side while Emme bounds up and up and up, getting enough height to try for a particular rotation of flips.

The last couple of times haven't been met with pure success, but there's been a little progress! Declan's chest is heaving, a sign that he's been put the ringer himself from the workout. Hands are on his hips while he watches her and calls out encouragements as is common in their line of work/skill/hobby. "Tuck hard, M. Knee yourself in the boob with that leg." That's definitely one way to make sure that she gets herself all tucked in.

After her another faceplant, Em is less than happy with her current state. Even with her coworker/friends suggestions. For a few moments she lays there, grumbling, her fingers rubbing together as she fights the urge to shoot bolts at the trampoline

For now it seems that she's been able to keep that anger outlast in check, thankfully. She's not sure if she can afford to replace anything else. "You make it sound easy." She reaches up to undo the hairstyle before it fully falls out, her fingers running through the red strands. "And do you know how hard it is to knee yourself in the boob?"

She looks down at herself, "Unless I start in that position." For now she brings her legs up and wraps her arms around them, her chin resting on her knees. What are you working on?"

There's no laughter from Declan. Oh, sure, to anyone else watching someone take a tumble might be time for humor and picking, but for those that have been doing this long enough, that's not how it's done. And if so, it's done in light of things. But Emme? She's clearly not in the mood for that.

"It's not easy, that's just a way to think about it. Trying to knee yourself forces your momentum that way and maybe that's all your brain needs to make it happen. That mass of auburn hair comes out in a tumble and he just shakes his head. "Depends on how big your boobs are, I guess..." Now is the time for a little bit of humor, it seems.

"You can do it. Just lean back, try to tuck and knee. If it takes a while, it takes a while, who gives a shit?" His patience is quite high with things like this, it seems. Emme wraps herself up and sits at the edge, looking a bit childlike in that pose. "I'm working on a double pike backflip into a half-twist arch. Almost got it a few weeks ago, then pulled an oblique."

Emme levels a look at him, "Don't tell me that you've spent all this time looking at my boobs." She pulls her knees back and looks down at her chest. Sure she knows her size, but suddenly this co reaction has brought her attention to them, "I'm more worried about kneeling myself in the boobs. That hurts and I rather not have bruises boobs for the next time I end up hooking up with someone." Not that she's known for being that kind of girl, but come on, they are talking about her boobs; she needs to break the ice and get away from that topic.

Her head lowers one in a nod, and her once curled body stretches out; each leg pulled into stretches,, either to the side, or up to her shoulders. "I'm sure you'll manage it. You've never stuck me as someone who gives up easily." Her body rolls again, now on her back and she lifts her legs up, and then apart; doing the splits while laying there.

There's a bit of an exasperated sigh and shake of his head whenever Emme brings the focus back to her boobs. There's a little twist of lips, but that's about it. "If you're worried about it, that's why your leg isn't tucking up. You have to visualize it, then arch your back. Either that, worry about the bruises or get the trick right." None of this has actually been about her chest so much as an attempt to help direct her with the flip on the trampoline.

He's less worried about his tricks right now. Or, at least he was until she eases to the side to do some stretches. "Yeah, I'll get it. Just a matter of time. The trick itself isn't that bad. Making look good, tight and straight? That's a bit harder." Isn't it always that way? He takes his place in the middle of the trampoline and starts bounding high, getting a suitable height before he does a single backflip without the tuck. His arms extend out with back arched looking regal and poised before jumping again. "You don't seem like someone that gives up either."

Emme levels him with another look. She could say something she regrets, but she's trying to keep what friends she has, and not push them away by being a smart ass. So she swallows her retort, and after she finishes her stretches, she bounces back up, "Nah, not worried. Sorry for making it weird." Part of the joys of being a 21-year-old with far too much energy. "What do you do for fun, anyway? Or is this pretty much it for you in the fun department?"

Keeping what he said in mind, she closes her eyes and visualizes the move. Just as she uses her weight to jump down, her legs tuck up, and yes, they tuck into her chest, and she quickly wraps her arms around them. This time, she manages the spin without any difficulty.

He can likely see that something eats her up, that she wants to bite back for one reason or another and yet, she manages to hold her tongue. Declan bristles a bit, not having wanted to push her to that, especially since his assistance was meant as merely that, not as something harsh. "M, it ain't weird. We're good, eh?" He makes sure that they are before continuing on, looking at that pretty redhead before he settles down on the trampoline when she pops up.

"In this place, fun is all around us." He winks and grins as she starts bounding up. "Tons of stuff to do around here. Lots of people to meet, lots of wild things to experience...haven't had time for any hobbies since coming to Spellbound. It's either work or weird, and I love all that."

She bounces high, Emme tucks and wraps and with an effortless grace manages to make the backflip without any issue. "Atta girl!" Hands come together in a proud bit of clapping.

More than likely she's feel more bound up than normal, considering her multitude of failures and other thoughts that are occupying her mind. Once she's finished her flip, she lets her body fall back down onto the trampoline again on her arse, and she lets out a whoop of her own; the smile she gives him splitting her face. "Why wouldn't we be?" Her head tilts to one side and she tries to read the thoughts. "Times like this being able to hear thoughts would be so handy."

Her shoulders lift and for now she seems content to keep her seated position, " I didn't ask for a retelling of what the park had to answer you goof." She shifts closer and nudges him in th chest. Thankfully there isn't an additional shock that follows. "I asked what you do for fun? Do you go out dancing? Do you get drunk and make questionable choices? Do you explore the park after dark?" Her head shakes in result of something he said, "Haven't seen much weird; could be I've been too wrapped up in my own life and issues there in. I'll need to keep my ears open."

Declan snorts and shakes his head. "I think if people read my thoughts, they'd freak out." Who knows though! Maybe he's more normal than he realizes and the whole world is just collectively weird. He waves off the thought for now though.

She gives him a little push sans pop (thankfully!) and grins a bit. His response comes, at first, just as a bit of humor. "Yes. And yes. And yes." Then he laughs again before leaping high and doing a single backflip with a twist.

"Yeah, I..think it's really just a matter of time, really. That's what people keep saying to me, at least. This place is awesome, but also a biiit weird." He lets his vertical momentum slow and eventually stop before he comes to sit down next to her. "But yet, I like doing a little bit of everything. Life's too short to be stuck inside and indecisive all the time, eh? Better doing something and make a mistake than nothing and wondering."

As she's already on the trampoline, she shifts out of the way, moving to sit cross-legged on the edge where the springs have been covered, and she lifts her attention to Declan. Watching his form and the way his muscles bunch and body flexes as he lifts himself up and performs his backflip.

Once he's done she claps, whistles and then quips, "Show off." Though despite her words, amusement quickly lifts to her gaze. "Always making the rest of us look bad." Once he sits down next to her, she gently nudges him again, her shoulder bumping his. "Agreed. So then, go out and do something you may or may not regret. I can't be the only one."

Declan laughs softly and shrugs. "Hey, you asked me what I do for fun. I do flips for fun, okay?" He twists just a bit to face Emme a bit more comfortably. "Nah, trying to make the rest of us looks good!" Not the most diplomatic of responses, but true! He wants this place to be the best it can, and that means every performer in all shows. That fond little nudge she gives him earns one back for herself, copled with a grin.

"Oh, that's...pretty much my nightly routine. It's about 50/50 on whether or not I actually wind up regreting it. I figure as long as I can keep my odds there, every night's a real adventure, eh?"

Emme shakes her head and snickers, "You work too much." Placing her hand on his shoulder and she lifts herself up into a standing position, her touching falling away once she's steady, and after stretching her arms and body, she jumps once, twists and hands on the ground with a soft thump.

"Well. I'm going to go see what kind of trouble I can stir up before it gets too late. After all, only young once, right." She shoots him another grin "And hey, if you ever decide to venture out, and so something else a little less flilpy, let me know."

After grabbing her bag, which has her change of clothing and her cell phone, she salutes him and then turns around and leaves the practice area.