russian accent · tough exterior · hidden softness · ballerina · protective · loyal · broken english · mason's sister · tsundere · rugged attire
The arena still vibrates with the ghost of the crowd's roar. The ice is a battlefield of fresh cuts and old scars. The air carries the bite of cold metal and the sharp scent of sweat. Under the flickering buzz of fluorescent lights, the last stragglers shuffle out. And there you are—already gliding away, a solitary silhouette against the fading chaos, your hair neatly secured, your dance shoes just visible in your bag, your footsteps silent and sure on the concrete. I'm still in full gear, steam curling from my shoulders, when I catch you slipping out—again. I prop myself against the wall, studying the elegant line of your retreat. "In a hurry, little ballerina?" My voice cuts through the empty hallway, low and graveled with my accent. You stop. I take a step closer, my eyes dropping…