Why, yes, I am writing from the afterlife subsequent of the first five minutes of 'Tender is the Nate'.

"Welcome to the ranks of the morning club Miss Sharpe," Gideon said, starling Ava. She'd been transfixed, watching Sara's dance. She didn't even notice when Gideon came up next to her.

"Did you know she'd be here?" Ava asked.

"Oh yes. She's the reason I had to be here early to open up," She said, taking a deep drink from her mug, "Otherwise I would have asked you to come out for nine. But I'm happy to spend any length of time working with you, the couple hours extra is just more of an opportunity,"

"She's dancing ballet," She said, the awe evident in her voice, "I thought… she said she didn't do that anymore,"

"She doesn't take ballet classes anymore. Nothing is stopping her from dancing. But admittedly, I don't believe she'd practised it religiously since she stopped formal classes. Until lately that is,"

"This isn't the first time she'd done this? Ballet on her own,"

"Oh no. She'd done it intermittently in the past. But she's been here several mornings in the recent weeks. Gives us quite the hassle when Rip or I have to be here to open for her. Some mornings she's here hours before the rest of the Legends. Sometimes she pops in for an hour before her school starts,"

"Why?"

Gideon simply shrugged, "All Miss Lance has disclosed is she's felt inspired as of late,"

"Inspired?" For the first time, Ava looked away from Sara. Gideon arched a brow at Ava, her smile saying so much and nothing at all.

"I'm still waking up Miss Sharpe. Would you mind terribly giving me- say, ten minutes to finish my mug before we start?"

"Oh," Ava shook her head, "No, I don't mind at all,"

"Thank you," She nodded her head, going to the room Ava usually practised in. Ava glanced at the doorway, then at Sara, then back at the door. She was considering following Gideon, leaving Sara to her own devices. But a heavy thud drew her attention. She caught the very end of Sara's fall as her knees and side hit the floor. Sara grunted, flinching as she rolled onto her back.

"Hey," Ava rushed to her side, kneeling next to her, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Sara chuckled, pushing herself up into a sitting position. She leaned forward, stretching out her ankles, "That can happen when you don't keep your spotting point. It's hard to re-center yourself,"

"Why switch a spotting point in the middle of your turns?"

"I was…uh…" There was a faint red tinge to Sara's cheeks, "I was trying something. It didn't work out, obviously,"

"Before that, you looked really good,"

Sara smiled and Ava felt like the room got brighter. She convinced herself it was the sun getting higher in the windows. There was no way it had anything to do with the way Sara's eyes crinkled at the edges. Or the way her cheeks flushed when she gave a genuinely happy smile.

"Thanks, Sharpe," She leant across to bump their shoulders together. She stretched across the floor to get her mug. She'd placed it next to the wall previously, where it would be safe from any stray kicks or miss timed swings. "So," Sara asked, her lips hovering over the rim of the mug, "What has you up on this fine Sunday morning?"

"You, apparently,"

Sara jerked, snorting so hard into her coffee some went sloshing over the top, "I'm sorry, what?"

"Gideon asked me to come early because she had to be here early to open up for you,"

Sara tilted her head, the corner of her lips pulling into an amused grin, "You know the way you answered made it seem like I was the one woke you up,"

Ava snorted, shaking her head, "Of course that's how you'd interpret it,"

Laughter bubbled up from Sara, "I'm sorry I'm the reason you had to get up this early,"

"I don't really mind. I'm an early riser usually,"

"That would explain the designer coffee mug," She said, flicking a finger against the black metal of Ava's thermos.

"This is hardly designer," Ava countered.

"Right," Sara drew out the word, a heavy dose of sarcasm lacing her tone.

Ava shoved Sara gently, giving an affronted huff as she did.

"It's not," She insisted, "And it's not even my mine. It's Ann's,"

"Who's Ann?"

The easy smile Ava hadn't known she been wearing flickered. She looked conflicted for a moment, "My… Aunt,"

"Why do you not sound sure about that?" Sara asked, arching a brow, "Is Ann really a secret girlfriend or something? No judgement here,"

"Oh god no," Ava winced at the thought, "No, no. They're not. They're… uh, they're my mom's sibling. It's a little complicated because…" She huffed, taking a moment.

"Because Ann's non-binary?" Sara ventured a guess.

"How'd you…"

"The neutral pronouns was a clue,"

Ava sighed, relief washing over her, "That's usually more complicated to explain. People don't usually get why I call Ann my aunt when they're non-binary. Or they don't understand why they kept a feminine sounding name. Or sometimes they just don't get the non-binary thing,"

Sara nodded, "Yeah, I know that feeling," She said sympathetically, "I hate that went I'm a relationship and people assume I've finally decided straight or gay depending on who I'm with,"

"Uh… yeah," Ava filed away that bit of information to process later, "So… any questions?"

"Questions?"

"About Ann," Ava said, "I'm used to it,"

Sara shrugged, "They're name's Ann. They're non-binary. They're your aunt," Sara ticked off each point on her fingers, "Is their pronouns always they/them?"

Ava nodded.

"I think that's all I need to know,"

"You're being really cool about this," Ava's easy smile was back.

Sara shrugged again, "Admittedly, knowing you have a non-binary Aunt makes you a little cool,"

"A little cool?"

"Only a little," Sara teased.

Ava shoved her again, harder than before. Laughing, Sara rolled away, her arm stuck out to keep her coffee from spilling. Ava grabbed it, pulling it from her hands.

"Hey,"

"I'm confiscating this as punishment,"

"Sharpe, come on. It's too early for me to be fighting for coffee," Sara made a grab for it but Ava blocked her with an arm.

"You shouldn't have said I wasn't cool,"

"I did the exact opposite of that. I said you were cool," Sara kept trying to get around Ava. But she had one hand on Sara's clavicle. Her longer arms gave her the advantage.

"A little cool,"

"I was just being honest," Sara retorted with a smirk.

"You're a menace,"

"Harsh words from the person holding my coffee hostage,"

Sara stood on her knees, trying to use the added height to leverage her reach. She grabbed Ava's wrist, pulling. She drew her in with the sudden tug, getting close enough to grasp the mug. She gave a whoop.

"Victory is mine," In her moment of celebration, she didn't notice the sharp inhale from Ava. Ava's hand was still wrapped around the mug, but her grip had loosened considerably.

Ava had to remind herself to breathe properly.

"Fine," And, god, did her voice just crack? She released the mug. She decided at that moment a bit of fraying tread on the sleeve of her jacket was the most interesting thing room. Not Sara. Certainly, definitely not Sara. Half standing above her, taller for once because of their positions. With her hair, tumbling over one shoulder. Still close enough Ava could tell each shift was Sara taking a breath.

Sara settled on her heels, drinking from her mug with a smug smile on her lips the whole time. Ava unscrewed the cap of her thermos, taking a drink. It was really to have something to do, rather than for the warmth or energy. Her momentary need for a distraction made her forget who she hadn't actually drunk any of the coffee yet. She grimaced instantly.

"Damn it, Ann," She muttered, "Not everyone likes your breakfast in a cup,"

"What's wrong with it?" Sara asked, equal parts amused and curious by the face Ava just pulled.

"Ann likes oatmeal and Nutella with their coffee,"

"In the coffee?"

"Yeah. Sometimes they even put peanut butter,"

Sara arched a brow, obviously curious. Ava passed the thermos to her, tilting it towards her. She'd been intending to just show her, letting her see the oatmeal sitting in the coffee. Instead, Sara took the thermos, taking a drink. Ava made a soft noise in the back of her throat, but she didn't stop her.

Sara hummed, "More chewing that I usually want with my coffee, but it's not bad. Actually, it's kind of good. I could get used to it,"

"You can have it," Ava sighed, "I don't care for oatmeal, period,"

"Huh, that's surprising. I would have guessed you'd be into that health food stuff,"

"Healthy is fine, once it doesn't turn to mush if you let it sit too long,"

Sara chuckled, "Why don't we switch?" She said, offering Ava the Beebo mug. Ava stared at the mug mutely. Sara snorted, "What's wrong Sharpe? Beebo isn't going to bite. At least not in mug form,"

Ava took the mug, slowly, her hand sliding over Sara's as she slid her fingers into the handle. "Thank you," She said as she took a slip. Both her brows shot up, "How much sugar is in this?"

"Hey, dancing burns a lot of energy. I need a lot of sugar,"

Ava snorted, "Is that what you tell yourself?"

Sara hit her shoulder lightly.

The sound of someone clearing their throat cut off both their laughter. Gideon was standing the doorway wearing an amused grin, "Am I interrupting?"

"Oh shit," Ava jumped to her feet, grabbing her violin case, "Sorry Gideon,"

"I suppose it's only fair after all times I've made you wait on me," She said in good humour. It was obvious she wasn't upset. Her gaze shifted to the mug in Ava's hands. When she looked back up to meet Ava's eyes, Ava blushed.

Ava didn't give an answer to the question on her face. She just took a sip of the coffee as she headed to her room. Gideon chuckled under her breath, looking back Sara.

"If you need anything, Miss Lance, you know where to find me. Or help yourself, you know where everything is,"

Sara shot her a thumbs up.

Gideon had brought her violin today, leading Ava through the pieces. Her violin was an electric one. Ava picked up the new music Gideon had brought quickly, but it was apparent she wasn't satisfied with her performance. Gideon finally put down her instrument and gestured for Ava to do the same.

"Did I do play something off?" Ava asked.

Gideon shook her head, "No. Your performance is immaculate. But, I can't help but feel there's something holding you back,"

Ava gripped one wrist with the other hand. She shrugged, looking away from Gideon, "I don't know. I haven't felt as motivated lately,"

"For someone who isn't motivated, you're always eager to work with me, or on your own,"

"I don't want to fall out of practice," She answered.

"Are you sure that's it?"

Ava shrugged, "Why would I lie?"

"Maybe, if you don't feel like you can confide in me. But you can Ava. The entire mission of this centre is to provide help for young people. I'm not here to cast any judgement on you,"

Ava didn't respond.

"I just want to help,"

Ava exhaled. A deep, full-bodied breath, that made her form look smaller afterwards, "Since I came to Star City, I haven't felt as connected to my music,"

Gideon nodded, giving Ava a small smile, "Alright, that's a start. Do you think it's because you haven't adjusted to your new home or environment as of yet?"

"I…" She shrugged again, "Maybe…"

"Can you think any other reason why you're connection has dawdled? Something that happened around the time you moved here,"

Ava's expression shifted. Greif shrouded her whole face in an instance. The hand around her wrist tightened. She gripped so hard Gideon could see the way her nails were biting into the skin.

"Okay," She said softly, crossing the distance between her and Ava to place a hand on her shoulder, "Okay. It's alright, Ava. Take a deep breath for me,"

Ava did, mimicking Gideon's slow and deep exhales. It was quiet in the room. The only sounds were the muted music coming from Sara's room.

"We don't have to discuss it. Let's shift gears. Is there anything you can think off to help you find that connection again?"

Ava shook her head.

"Why did you start playing? Why violin?"

"I…" Ava frowned, her expression becoming muddled. Her brows furrowed. Eyes clouded. Her breathing picked up again as she thought.

"Ava," Gideon called, to cut across the thoughts that were so clearly clouding around Ava.

"I…" She started again, "Mother, wanted me to start an instrument. Violin was a good fit. I-I've always played it,"

Understanding flickered in Gideon's eyes, "Ava, do you like playing the violin?"

"I do," It was the one thing she'd sounded absolutely sure of.

Gideon nodded again, giving Ava's shoulder a reassuring squeeze, "Then, we will keep working. If you truly enjoy it, then with you'll find your inspiration again. With time. And maybe the right push. Worry not Miss Sharpe. I'll be here to help in any way you need,"

"Thank you, Gideon," Ava said, her voice sounding fragile.

"Would you like to keep working?"

"Please,"

"Let's continue then,"

They picked up practice from where they left off. Gideon had to stop again, this time because of her phone.

She glanced at the screen, "Just give me a moment," She stepped out of the room, but Ava could still hear her side of the conversation.

"Yes, I'm here… Planning to stay until I had to meet with you," Gideon laughed after a beat, "Of course they are," She looked down at her watch, "Within the hour… yes, I suppose that's manageable. I don't suppose it will be just them… No, never is… No, no Rip, I can call Martin for backup…. Quiet sure. Yes… I'll see you later," As she hung up she didn't walk back into the room. That piqued Ava's interest enough that she stuck her head out the door to watch her. She went to Sara's door, knocking once before opening it.

"Miss Danvers and Mr. Allen are in the city and are swing by in roughly an hour for a quick rehearsal. You can message the Legends, if they're interested in a free show that is,"

"Seriously?" Sara sounded excited.

"I know I don't need to say this, but tell them to leave any footballs at home,"

Sara laughed, "You got Gideon,"

Gideon chuckled and turned back, catching Ava leaning out the door, "You're in luck Miss Sharpe. You get a sneak peek at a performance for our showcase,"

Thanks for reading.

Nardragon~ until the next page.