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He could do this. He could do this. He could totally do this, right?
Plato attempted to push down the bundle of nerves that had gathered in his stomach. He could do this. He had the sign language down, he’d been practising non-stop. He knew exactly what he wanted to say, and how to say it. He just had to keep his nerve!
His breath hitched as he saw her enter the main clearing of the Junkyard. Victoria. She was beautiful, kind, patient, and funny, and Plato was completely terrified to ask her to dance with him tonight. It wasn’t a full Jellicle Ball, so it wouldn’t be a serious proposition, but he was hoping that it may make her see him as more than a friend. She could lip read, but Plato was determined to learn sign language so she wouldn’t have to.
Victoria caught his eye across the clearing and smiled at him. She nuzzled Electra goodbye and began walking over to him. This was it, this was the time!
…Everlasting, he could not do this! In what world would an elegant, classy queen like her dance with a stray like him? He must be off his head! But she was nearly at him now, he had to think of something to say, anything!
“Hi, Plato,” Victoria said, sitting down in front of him. She even made that look graceful. Get it together!
“Hi,” he signed back. “How are you?”
His paws were clumsy, unpractised. Victoria’s eyes widened. Everlasting, he had messed it up! He cursed himself. All that practice, he had thought he had it down, Misto had said he was perfectly understandable. The nerves were making him shake, he had probably just sworn at her!
“You learned to sign?” she asked, her own paws fluid and fluent. Wait, he understood that! Maybe he hadn’t totally messed up after all? She didn’t look angry, she looked… impressed?
“A little. I thought lip reading all the time must be tiring.” He was slightly calmer now, he was confident he had managed to say that right.
“That’s so sweet, you didn’t have to do that.”
“It’s only fair, and I wanted to! I wanted to because I like you and I wanted you to know I meant it when I asked…” His paws flopped down. Nope, he couldn’t do it. Bottled it.
Victoria tilted her head, eyeing him curiously for a moment. Then, she giggled.
“Plato, will you dance with me tonight?”
What? Had she just-? Had she known? Maybe. She was smart, after all. Embarrassment flooded him – he had probably been very obvious in his crush. But then again, she was looking at him genuinely, and she wasn’t the type to make fun of others like that.
“Really?” he managed after a long moment. “You would want to dance with me?”
“I would be honoured to dance with you.” She smiled sweetly at him, and Plato felt his heart soar.
“I… yes! Thank you! I’d love to!” He once again struggled to keep his paws from shaking, but at least this time it was because he was trying to contain his joy! Victoria giggled again.
“You don’t have to thank me!”
“Yes, sorry, I-”
“Or apologise!”
Plato paused, paws hanging in midair. He wasn’t sure how to respond now – he wasn’t sure there were any words to convey how happy he was. He just smiled. It felt big and dopey, but he couldn’t bring himself to care when she grinned back at him.
“I’ll see you later then?” She got up. “I should go get ready.”
“Absolutely, can’t wait!”
He watched her trot away and let out a happy sigh. Did he dare let himself hope she might like him back? Maybe, if he worked right up until tonight to build up his confidence, he would ask.