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When it came to anything 'work-related' it wasn't too difficult to persuade Colin to happily participate. It was even easier when doing projects for work allowed him to spend more time with people that he was friendly with. And the blond considered his relationship with the diminutive artist to be that of a friendly nature (regardless of how or what Aleksy himself had to say or think about it).

Waiting for their order, the curly-haired blond sat and tried to keep his hands from going up to muss his hair automatically. He'd dressed nicely for their meeting - something that had required some self-cheerleading to make happen - stonewashed skinny jeans with a white button-front under a short belted black jacket (peacoat style) that allowed the hem of the shirt to peek out. And, of course, his Starfleet insignia pin, watch and plain black stud earrings.

He was watching his companion working with interest while also trying to be a good model. "Oh, sometimes they do for the smaller productions, but for the bigger ones like this?" Colin fluttered his hands a bit, "It just has a warmer feel, I guess? Many of the local theaters have little affects like that, to make it seem more elegant or glamorous or something." The theater district was small, but it did have class - and even a sidewalk of stars that included Judy Garland's hand-prints! Colin returned Aleksy's smile with a bright one of his own, all warmth and teeth. Clearly, having the artist staring at him didn't faze the blond in the slightest; if anything, he seemed not only used to that sort of attention but to enjoy it. "Watching you work is incredible, you're really amazing Aleksy."

Practice? How had it been? Normal, for the most part. Maybe a bit harder than used to - or was he just pushing himself harder than usual? - because of his depression. "It's been going really well. We get to do the next round of costume measuring soon, though they won't finalize anything until closer to the end. Did they tell you, I get to play Siegfried." He paused a moment, then laughed at himself - of course Aleksy knew - he was doing the damned playbills!

"Since my part is so big this time, it's getting more intense...I spend most of my days at the theater and my nights soaking my feet." Fact of life as a dancer: your feet were gonna hurt.

Colin watched as Aleksy spun the pencil until their food arrived, at which point he gave it all a once-over to make sure that they hadn't forgotten to leave the meat off (some places would try to add meat thinking it was an accident it had been left off). Thankfully his food was as it should be and he could tuck in and even continue to watch his companion at work.

"Well, it certainly can be boring, doing the same things over and over again...especially if you're in the corps de ballet...but soloists and principles get more intricate choreo, so it's usually not too bad." He leaned back a moment to sip his drink (just ice water with lemon) and observe the petite artist again, "But there are scores of amazing guys out there, just waiting for you to slip up so they can take your place. It's really competitive and if you don't practice that much, pour everything you have into it...you're going to get eaten alive." Having said that, he was smiling beatifically, as if that was the most natural, easy-to-deal-with thing ever.

As if he hadn't gotten where he was not only by working hard but also on the bent backs and slumped shoulders of dozens of other danseurs. As if he didn't know. But Colin knew very well how he'd gotten where he was...and how easily he could lose his position - or never move higher. "I'm honestly not sure what I'd do if I weren't dancing."

Aleksy thought he was so sneaky and clever! But Colin saw right through him - yes he did. And that was okay, if Aleksy didn't want to accept a compliment right then, he could wait. One day his patience would pay off and his new friend would have to give in and take one! He was a patient man when he needed to be.

"Oh, it's a Star Trek insignia pin. Command and communications in the show. Mine just looks nice." With a chuckle he went back to his food, manners nice but relaxed - like he'd been raised well but hadn't been at home to be nagged about things like elbows on the table for a while. At least he chewed with his mouth shut? "You have a brother? Older or younger? I have a little sister, Miriam. We call her Miri...or Squirt." No way was he going to share his family's nickname for him. Nope. Not happening. Didn't matter how many people thought it was "cute", he wasn't doing it.

If Aleksy let him, he'd go on about dance (or Star Trek) all the live long day - they were his favorite subjects now that he was trying to not talk (or think) about his ex. Which only worked so long as he didn't do anything, since the big blond had been such an integral part of his goddamned life. Well ********. Head in the game, you're not here to mope. Colin's bright expression faltered only seconds before firming back up. He would talk about all the good parts of dancing, but make light of the bad...like the health risks, or the fact that he had to eat a ton to keep his body from cannibalizing itself when he was in the middle of a performance or training.

"It's a wonderful show, one of my absolute favorites." He chewed his lower lip for a moment, wondering if saying more would change the tenuous friendship he was cultivating with Aleksy or not. "I'm a Trekkie, big time. But I usually keep it kind of quiet unless I'm doing a convention or show or something." Oh, wasn't that interesting! His friend had a brother..and was offering up a lot more information than he might have previously - all of which Colin did his best to file away.

"Most of my life...all that I remember, though I've traveled some, for work. Commercials and small things like that." Back-up dancing, he meant, though there had been a musical in there he'd rather die than talk about in polite company. "Never been to Russia though." Colin's mouth twisted a bit as though he were working something out, "Lyosha, huh?" He stumbled only slightly on the unfamiliar collection of syllables, "Siblings come up with some interesting nicknames, don't they?" Maybe it was the wrong thing to say, maybe not, but it was the blond's way of trying to show that he wasn't going to pry into what was clearly uncomfortable to his friend.

"Not sure if it is or not, but it's what we use and she's happy with it." He shrugged, sipped his water and thought about it for a moment - what other nick name could there be for Miriam? Ria? Nope. Back to the idea of traveling: "I'd enjoy traveling, but I'm kind of settled for the moment. Kind of." Colin rolled his drink from one hand to the other across the table with a frown - he needed to find new housing. No way was he going to be able to stay at the place he'd shared with Bjorn and Nischal.

Colin perked visible at Aleksy's suggestion that they watch his show together and he almost opened his mouth to spill those odd syllables of his friend's nickname but stopped himself because he had a feeling it wasn't quite his place. "Aleksy...I'm free most Sundays, so if you like...I am so down with that." Knitting was masculine, just ask the guy from Demolition Man!

The smudge was cute, it was like the streaks of clay Quenton got on his face when sculpting. "Mmm..." Long fingers picked at his chips though he didn't eat one, he was trying to keep his hands busy. "I like it. Lyosha, I mean. It sounds...more interesting?" Don't touch. Don't do it. Don't be an idiot or ruin this friendship 'cause you can't keep your hands to yourself. Okay no. Nope. He couldn't do it. Wiping his fingers on a napkin, Colin leaned closer to the floppy-haired artist but didn't touch him. "You got a smudge, Aleksy." The blond pushed up his curly bangs and gestured with his other hand, "Under your bangs."

"Sorry, I just. Didn't think you'd want to go around like that?" Not that anyone could see but it definitely would have driven him crazy, the knowing and not being able to touch to help wipe it away. Colin could be helpful! He would offer Aleksy another napkin, lips curved into this little grin.

As to his living situation...that was sobering. And scary. "Yeah, um. I was. But....my fella..er, my ex - well, it was his place, but he's going back home." As much as he might try, the blond couldn't keep from choking on some of that, it was still way too raw, Jesus. "So...now I need to find someplace else."

Yep. Okay, he had been happy when Aleksy made the suggestion, but now the curly-haired blond was sparkling. "Great! I've got the lot of it, so you can pick." No, really. He had the series, movies...all of it - the original, Next Generation...all the way up to the newest movies that rebooted every goddamned thing. Interestingly enough, Colin was also thinking he would have to shuffle some of his 'commitments' too, but he was totally fine with this.

Reassuring Aleksy that there was no reason to be sorry came easily to him, reflexive; no reason to be a downer, right? Colin pushed it all down, tamping it back into a box he tried to only open when he was alone. "Don't worry about it." Time to eat a goddamned bite of his sandwich and move on - the petite artist's strong point wasn't comfort and even if it were...he would have done the same.

"Hmm?" Colin's brows went up; very few people were willing to speak about the strange happenings in Destiny City...and those he knew that would? They were powered or related to powered people. It took a drink before he could answer, expression slightly wary. "It's a giant pain in the a**. Monsters running around chewing on people, militant handlers and people in sparkly costumes fighting against 'em? I can barely jog safely in the mornings."

"Some of 'em seem okay though."

Colin watched Aleksy with interest, his expression curious and still mildly wary. Why was he setting the sketchbook aside, removing his ring? "A ring, of course." Duh. He almost reached out to take the ring, but stopped himself just before doing so - he wasn't being offered the ring, which was clearly important, but being shown it. Something about it was important, he could tell...but what?

"Pretty cool, too. I really like that pattern on the stone. It's like..a moon and water? A custom item?"

Wait...if he knew what it was, there was a place that he could live? That...sounded suspiciously like it was a powered thing...did this ring mean his friend was part of the crazy war he was? Wait...wasn't there something in the Primer about rings? Why can't I remember? Because he was distracted as of late, of course. But he knew it, he was right.

Colin rested one arm on the table and rested his chin in his hand, brow raised at Aleksy, speaking in a droll tone of voice. "Do I pass muster, comrade?" He wasn't using the term because his friend was Russian, either.

Apparently, he had passed whatever test Aleksy had put forth with the ring. Good. I'd hate to lose a friend over a ring... "Hmm? Oh, nope. After six I'm free." Normally he might have stayed longer, practiced until late and then powered up to patrol...but this was important. He could do those things later, or not at all, depending. "Sure, that'd be great." Colin's typical, cheerful nature came to the fore again; he was happy - for the moment - he'd kept a friend and had the oppourtunity to find a new place to live.

"Peaceful? That sounds really nice." It would also be very nice to not be in a space that triggered nothing but memories. A space without Bjorn's ghost in every room. Colin picked up a chip and looked off as he ate it, people watching to distract himself.

Eventually they'd fall back to less weighty subjects, Aleksy sketching as the pair finishing off their meals. It was pleasant to sit and talk, but eventually - as with all good things - it had to come to an end. Colin was supposed to go practice and Aleksy had things to do. But they'd see each other later that evening and Colin's curiousity would be assuaged (and he might get a new place to live out of it!)

All in all, it was shaping up to be an awesome day.