[ open | july post ]

[bringbackgold]

who: Otabek + open
what: Catchall for July. Currently - at the rink. Will update if needed! :)
when: Through July ; Mid day.
where: The Rink
warnings: Nothing to worry about.

ooc note - feel free to send me a message here or on agalio if needed




At the rink; Afternoon

Every second, every movement, every step. It was all a show. Regardless as to whether or not he had an audience, Otabek treated each practice seriously. He treated it like he would be performing to win that gold and bring it back to Kazakhstan. He worked himself hard over the few hours he had at the rink every day. This day was not different. He arrived there shortly before one. He walked towards the edge of the rink and sat on a bench near the door. The ice was always freshly cleaned with the Zamboni at 12:45, so when he arrived, they were always finishing. He could step on fresh ice and enjoy the feel of it beneath his blades. He took of his shoes, sliding on his skates. He tugged the laces tight, and slid the guards off of the blades. He dropped his jacket on the half-wall by the rink, checking the music on his phone, and putting in earbuds before hitting the ice.

The songs that played help keep him focused. He moved smoothly on the ice, warming up. He started with some step sequences, first. Feet moving easily over the ice. The movements came easier as time passed. And as he got more comfortable with the step sequences, he moved onto jumps. Singles - first. He was sure to pause and just skate for a few moments between jumps. He didn't want to wear himself out too quickly. Pacing, his coach would remind him, pacing was important.

As he progressed, he finally moved onto quads. He went through the Quad Salchow first. The move that he remembered learning from someone who was his friend once. His expression shifted for only a moment thinking about the fact that they had shared a lot then. After a brief moment, he returned to his serious, concentrated expression. He tried for a Quad Flip, and flopped. It didn't go well - the first several temps resulted in him hitting the ice or touching down. He'd get up, move, and work on a step sequence between each attempt.

It felt so quiet out here, even with the sound of the music in his ears. And then, he looked up towards the edge of the ice and saw someone, so he made his way over to them, tugging the earbuds out of his ears. "Here to skate?" he asked.

Comments

[bringbackgold]

He blinked and turned towards her. He remembered their last couple conversations, of course. Otabek remembered things when he had talked and interacted with people who had made an impression on him. Even small details. So, he looks up, moving to lean against the half-wall near her, so his attention is solely on her, and not distracted by his focus on the ice, as well.

"Yeah?" he asked.

[howlongiwonder]

"Do you remember our conversation before? I said I'm going to... go back. Leave this place, return where I came from." She's facing forward, glancing at the ice at first. Only a moment later does 2B turn, her gaze behind the visor falling on Otabek once again.

"That time is soon. All my preparations are ready, all I have to do now is wait."

"I came to say good-bye."

[bringbackgold]

"...Ah," Otabek said. He was surprised, really. It seemed fast, honestly. Of course, he didn't know what was required of someone to go home. But he just believed it would take some time. He realizes, though, that he'll miss her. He stops on the ice, shifting to get a little closer to her. He's earnest, always.

"I'll miss you. But it will be good for you to go back."

He didn't need it for himself, of course. He was pretty content here.