Legato - In music Legato indicated when the notes are played together in a smooth succession. There are no gaps of silence between the notes. In dance, similarly, it denotes when the movements progress in a continuous and fluid matter. Literal translation - 'tied together'.

Staccato - In music, it marks when the notes are sharply separated from the others. In dance, (also known as percussive in dance) it describes when the movements are broken and detached. Literal translation - detached.

The rain was coming down, making the city cold and dark. But Sara wasn't really seeing any of it as she looked over the window of the Big Belly Burger.

"Sara… Sara," Zari's fingers snapped in front of Sara's face, bringing her back to the moment.

"What?"

"You've been dunking your fries into thin air," Zari pointed out, nodding to Sara's hand what was three inches to the left of the milkshake glass.

"Oh, I guess I was distracted," She dipped the fries into the milkshake and tossed them into her mouth.

"Something on your mind?" Amaya asked.

"Stupid Ava," Sara muttered, returning her gaze to the idly staring outside the window. Across the booth from her Zari and Amaya exchanged a grin.

"Why is she stupid this time?" Zari asked.

"It makes no sense, why would she act so high and mighty about her stupid, old music, but not want to perform?"

"Not everyone is a showboat like you," Zari said, mumbling around the bite of chicken burger she'd just taken.

"Showboat?" Sara's head snapped towards Zari, confused and mildly insulted, "You think I'm a showboat,"

"She's just saying not everyone likes to perform,"

Sara huffed, propping up her head on her arm, "I just get this vibe there's a deeper reason she isn't performing,"

"Have you tried asking her?" Zari asked.

"Oh, wow, Z," Sara said, eyes wide, voice filled with wonder, "I never considered that. What a mind-blowing concept?"

Zari rolled her eyes and Amaya giggled. "Alright," Zari deadpanned, "Don't ask for my opinion next time," She took an aggressive bite of her sandwich.

"Maybe she really doesn't like performing," Amaya said.

Sara gave her a disbelieving look, "Yeah I don't buy that,"

"Do you know Ava well enough to say that?"

"I know her type,"

Amaya arched a brow and looked at Zari.

"Her type? What? Rich and privileged?"

"I had a life before I met you rascals,"

Amaya snorted, "I love how we're the rascals and not you,"

"Also, you know… like two formerly rich kids?"

"Three," Sara protested in a teasing voice.

"Three, sorry," Zari amended with laughter, "If you really want my opinion on Sharpe, just leave her be. Performing in a new place is scary, no matter how good you are. And she's a soloist. I could never do that,"

"What?" Sara did a double take.

"Yeah, as much I love dancing with you guys I'd never even consider going on a stage on my own. And heck, with dance unless you mess up spectacularly no one notices the little mistakes. Playing music, I can only imagine the tiniest mistakes sound amplified when it's just you,"

Sara's eyes went wide and distance. Amaya and Zari both knew her mind had gone somewhere else at that moment. But before either could question it a new sight pulled all three of their attention to something new. In a sudden flash, they saw their friends in the rain running past the window. Wally bringing up the front, leaping over puddles. Ray and Nate were running next to each other, one jacket shared between them as a makeshift umbrella. Jax a few steps behind, the only one of the quartet who had an actual raincoat.

"Was that…?" Zari started to ask, but at the same moment they hear the doors opens and a soaking wet Wally flopped down in the empty seat next to Sara. Ray dropped down next to him and Jax on the other side next to Zari. Nate pulled up a chair at the end of the booth.

"So we figured what we're doing for the prank," Wally said, a little out of breath.

"You'll love this," Jax pulled out a bright pink toy ukulele from a bag, placing it on the table.

"What prank?" Zari asked.

All the boys looked at her like she'd just grown a second head.

"The prank we're going to play on Ava, duh," Nate said.

"It's a tradition to prank the new kid for a showcase. We all got our own pranks," Jax said.

"Yeah, but changing all the laces on my shoes to rainbow colours was more a gift than a prank," Wally said, clicking his shoes under the table.

"I just assumed we were going to skip that for Ava," Amaya said.

"We can't skip it!" Nate sounded distraught that she would even suggest that.

"It is tradition," Ray said, a matter of factly.

"Alright, I'll bite, how does that fit into this?" Sara asked, pointing at the ukulele.

"We're going to replace her violin with this," Jax said, grinning from ear to ear.

"Oh no," Zari laughed with delight lighting up her eyes, "Guys, that's too mean. I'm in,"

"Yes," Nate held up a hand for a high five. Zari looked at for a second, contemplating not entertaining it, but she lifted her hand anyway to return the gesture knowing that would be easier than watching him pout if she didn't.

"Isn't that going a little far?" Amaya asked.

"We're not going to do anything to her violin. Just hide it somewhere safe until she notices it's gone," Ray said.

Anaya tilted her head to the side in thought, "Sounds innocent enough,"

They all looked expectantly at Sara, waiting on her opinion.

"It's definitely a good prank, but I don't know if we should do it,"

"What?" Wally said.

"Sara come on, this is too good to not do," Nate said.

"I just don't think Ava would appreciate being pranked,"

"No one appreciates being pranked," Nate said.

"Unless you're Ray or Wally,"

"Hey, you all just made me look fly," Wally said.

"I could recognise a well thought out and executed plan," Ray said.

"I just think it's asking for trouble. And besides, the prank was a tradition that started to help new kids not feel as nervous before their first performance. Ava isn't performing,"

The guys sighed.

"Alright, let's get in line to order some food," Ray said, as he stood, heading to the front counter. As Wally, Jax and Nate followed Nate nudged Jax, "We're still doing the prank, right?"

"Obviously,"

They ate their food, discussing their plans for the day. The center was temporally closed while the plumber upgraded the sprinkler system. They'd planned to practice in the parking lot like they sometimes did, but the rain had put an halt on that plan.

"Why don't we use Nate's basement again?" Zari suggested.

"No go on that," Nate said, "Dad isn't super excited about me having friends over after he caught Mick trying to sneak out with the fifty year old bottle of scotch,"

"What about Mick and Len's place?" Sara said.

This made the others laugh, "With all of Mick's junk? Where are we going to get the space to move?" Wally said.

"Fair point,"

"Maybe we just call it off for today?" Ray suggested, "If we can't find a place,"

"I don't know. I'm still iffy on the flip," Zari said.

"Me too," Wally said, "I'd love every chance we can get to practice,"

"If we really feel like we need to the practice and you guys aren't above a train ride downtown, I may know somewhere we can practice for a few hours," Sara said.

"A place a downtown?" Wally asked, "Where?"

Jax's phone chimed with a message just then and he choked a little on his fries as he tried to speak and shallow at the same time. Zari thumped him on the back.

"Text from Lily," He said, a little horse sounding, "She's with her dad at the center. The plumber's done and we can use the rooms again,"

"Nice, perfect timing," Wally said fist pumping with Nate, his question to Sara forgotten. They finished their food and headed off, sharing the girls' umbrellas as best they could to make their way to the center. They were all some version of damp when they got there, shaking water from their hair and clothes.

As they headed to their practice room they could hear the muffled sounds of the violin.

"Looks like Ava got the memo the doors are open too," Amaya said, nudging Sara.

"Yeah. So, let's keep our music low, kay Jax,"

He gave a thumbs up. They practiced for a couple hours before Amaya and Zari had to head home, each with their own babysitting duties to do, baby cousins and baby brother respectively.

With them gone the rest of the Legends gave up on running their routine for the day. Wally continued to practice his backflip on his own. Nate and Jax had their heads together, Jax showing off some track mixing he'd done.

Sara and Ray were on the floor, helping each other stretch and just catching up with each other. Ray's phone vibrated on the floor next to them and chimed with a tune Sara couldn't quite place. Ray grabbed for it, a smile lighting up his face as he read whatever message had just come through. Sara smirked, poking his foot.

"Nora?" She asked.

"No," Ray snorted and gave a very forced laugh, "Maybe… was it obvious?"

"No, no," Sara lied to save him the embarrassment, "Lucky guess,"

"Oh, well, she said she can come to the showcase," He said with a hesitant smile.

"That's great,"

"Do you think it would be cool if I invited her to the party afterwards?"

"Ray," Sara said steadily, "You know Nora isn't the… most welcomed person with some of our friends,"

"I know," Ray's face fell, "But she's a really cool person. I know you guys will like her if you just get to know her,"

Sara sighed, "If you trust her Ray, then I'll trust your judgement. I'll back you up if anyone causes a stir about her being at the party,"

"Really? Sara, coming from you that means everything,"

"Yeah, yeah," Sara brushed it off, "I'm amazing I know,"

Ray laughed, his grin infectious. Sara couldn't help but smile too. Ray, out of the blue arched his head to the side, looking past Sara. He nudged her and pointed. She turned back, looking over her shoulder.

Ava, looking like a spooked animal darted out of the sightline of the glass in the door.

"What do you think that's about?" Ray asked.

"I'm going to find out," Sara got to her feet, sticking her head out the door.

Ava was standing against the wall, hand clutched to her chest. She jumped when the door opened.

"Oh, Sara, hi," She said, casually.

"Hey?" Sara arched a brow, having an odd case of reverse déjà vu, "Something up?"

"Uh, I need your help with something,"

"My help?" Sara asked incredulously.

"Please,"

"Okay… what is it?"

Nardragon~ until the next page.