Chapter Text
Just another day in Ever After City, as the sun creeped up, shining its first light through Red Shoes Studio’s window glasses. Duchess Swan, one of the main dancers there, was always the first to arrive, getting ready for a long day of yknow, dancing, doing ballet, those kinds of stuff. Her (late) mother was one of the founders of the studio if she had to mention, thus the extra pressure she put on herself to live up to her name, as she walked past the little “Hall of Fame” they set up, basically a cupboard where they placed trophies and certificates from big competitions. Proudly enough, Duchess owned most of the prizes there, at least more than Justine, a dancer she saw as a rival. She couldn’t help but smirk at the thought while putting her long hair of black, white and lavender up into a neat bun. Humming the play she was getting ready for, she flipped the Open sign, turning on the bright lights.
Justine arrived at 8am, right on time. Duchess scoffed, no wonder she would never surpass her, because by that time, Duchess had already finished her warm-up and moved onto the main practice for today. She won the casting for Giselle, which will be played at the city’s biggest Theater next month, and let’s just say despite her talent (and hard work), she still felt so uptight whenever she thought about dancing on the stage. Only before that, she supposed, as she always nailed her performances after she had passed the building pressure.
The loud noises and shouts interrupt her thoughts. Then some clashes and clangs. Then very obnoxious punk rock music. Coming straight from the left of the studio. Oh she was annoyed, very, glaring at Justine while she glanced back awkwardly.
“It’s the tattoo parlor.”
“Again?” Her voice was irritated, and couldn't hold back a grunt.
“Well, they are finishing touches for the opening day.” Justine continued stretching her body, didn't seem to mind them as much as Duchess did.
“I don’t care about any openings, Justine.” She rolled her eyes, exclaiming. “Someone gotta complain about it. And whose stupid idea to put a tattoo parlor next to a ballet studio?! Clearly their…music is threatening the integrity of our dance.”
“I think some of them are quite nice.” She let out a chuckle, trying to ease Duchess down. “Can you help me with this move?”
“Sure…”
Duchess pressed down on Justine’s back while she sat on the floor, her fingers touching her toes lightly. The soft classical piece they put on fighting for its life against chords of guitar riffs and drums.
“Do you know who’s the owner of that parlor?” She asked, so ready to file a complaint.
“I don’t know them personally, but it’s…Cerise and Ramona’s cousin. He and his friends were a year older than us.”
“Cerise?” Duchess arched an eyebrow, remembering her high school days. Most of the citizens at Ever After went to the same school, Justine and her as well. Cerise was in the same year as them, though they were not close at all, never spoke to each other, total strangers. She did remember the track team star was in the same friend group with Maddie, Lizzie’s - her roommate - best friend. They were both Wonderlandians, along with Kitty Chesire, an usual face she met at home. They invited her for tea time whenever they hang out at Lizzie’s place. And Ramona, well that’s Cerise’s older sister, Justine’s girlfriend. Odd pair, right? their aesthetics totally didn’t match.
“Justine, you know I can’t catch up with your girl’s family. If the Charmings were the Smiths, the Hoods were probably the Johnsons.”
Justine laughed. “Right, right, his name is Sparrow, I think, Ramona took me to his band’s concert last month.”
“A band, woahhh.” Duchess rolled her eyes again, sarcastically. “No wonder.”
“He’s loud, yeah, but he’s a great guy!” Justine clapped her hands, winking at her? “Pretty hot, I must say.” Oh hell no.
“Hot rock bad boy ain’t my type, Justine. My man must be a charming gentleman, bonus point if he’s hella loaded. Whatever, can you put in a word with him?
Justine nodded, although Duchess wasn’t sure if she could do it by herself, personally she already thought Sparrow was a jerk, plus, Justine wasn’t a persuasive person.
——
It’s already noon, and the music died down a little, thanks fairy godmother. Duchess was trying to have a good day, because Lizzie was coming back from Paris Fashion Week, and she promised to bring back some pieces from her collection. Then they planned to party at Faybelle’s bar, of course with Kitty and Maddie. Just calm down, Duchess, she forced a smile, her browns twitching as the music was turned up again, just…a few hours left.
Justine just finished her part, now stretching before her girlfriend came by and took her out for lunch, Duchess sat down on the floor, already in a more comfortable attire, white shirt and purple pants. Her hair was freed from the tight bun, almost touching the floor in a low ponytail. Maybe she could take a nap here after lunch, but the cold air from the conditioner made her feel sleepy, and the thought of not going out on a summer day was fairy reasonable.
When the door opened, Duchess didn’t plan to bother the pair as she closed her eyes, until she heard another voice which was definitely not from Ramona.
“Wassup, Justine.”
“Sparrow begged to join us for lunch, if you don’t mind.” Sparrow. Sparrow Hood. Duchess never snapped her eyes open that fast, literally glaring at the ginger standing by the door. Messy hair, forest green eyes, and ‘rugged’ look (that what she thought), multiple piercings on his ears and one on his eyebrow. Fuck was Justine right. He’s hot. Duchess looked down at his forearm which was covered in tattoo ink. But he’s not her type! Absolutely not! And Duchess knew she gotta have a word with him about all that noise his new parlor was causing her studio.
“I don’t mind at all!” Justine cheerfully smiled, didn’t realize her coworker was behind her the whole time. She swore Duchess was sitting at the corner a minute ago. “Oh- Duchess!”
“Hey Ramona. Hey…Sparrow.”
Justine quickly noticed the tone in her voice, almost threatening.”
“You two know each other?” Ramona raised an eyebrow, she only knew Duchess as her girlfriend’s coworker.
“Not at all.” Sparrow shrugged, but quickly smirked, leaning against the doorframe. “But I’d love to know you, Princess.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“Well Duchess here…Erm, Sparrow, can you turn down the noise and music from your shop? We would really appreciate it.” Justine laughed awkwardly, her body tensed up with Duchess right behind her, shooting dagger at Sparrow who was too obvious to care.
“Whattt, the music I put on was totally AWESOME!!” He sang off-key on purpose, winking at the girls. “I’m pretty sure you can dance ballet with Linkin Park.”
“No, we can’t.” Duchess gritted her teeth.
“Then maybe you are not skilled enough.” He shrugged nonchalantly, that annoying smirk still visible. And Duchess wanted to punch it off so bad.
“Excuse me?!”
“You’re excused, Princess.”
“First of all, my name is Duchess, not fucking Princess. Second of all-“
“Errr, Duchess, Princess, same thing!!”
Ramona’s hand flew to his mouth, she had heard from Justine enough to know how bad her temper was. Gripping on his face despite the heat up atmosphere, she laughed loudly, Justine followed suit as they rushed Sparrow to the door. “He’s joking! Just a joke! I will force him to turn down the music, sorry about that Duchess.”
“Maybe you can give me your number to…exchange about the problem!” He managed to shout out, grinning at her. Gross. As if!
“Shut up!” Ramona was on the verge of choking him as they got to the car. “She’s gonna file a complaint!”
“Well, she’s already planning to…” Justine sighed, sitting next to the driver seat.
“What a fine babe.” Sparrow whistled. “I can’t believe a fine babe was working right next to me without me knowing!”
“Shut up!!” The couple shouted at the same time, earning a good laughter from him as he turned on the radio.