It's Emil Nekola now, and then Michele Crispino next. Skaters he isn't worried about, and barely thinks about as anything other than dominos to be knocked down before Yuri's performance.
(At any other time, he would enjoy socializing with them, even if he forgot everything they said or did fifteen afterwards, but that's social. This is competition.
No matter what side of the rink wall he's on, there's nothing he cares about more for the next hour.)
Yuri is listening to music next to him, while Victor leans on the wall, arms crossed, going over everything they'll need in a continual checklist: tissues. Tissue box cover. Water bottle. Skate guards. Jacket. Gloves. Yuri's jacket. Idly flipping through what he should say to Yuri at the gate to inspire him, to motivate him. The things he needs to check: Yuri's costume. His boots. Laces. Whether he needs water or lip balm. All the last-second adjustments Yuri trusts him to make, and to make sure are set and ready.
All of which is infinitely more important than the Canadian skater –– what's his name, again? –– sauntering over with that wide, white, sharktooth grin, asking about quadruple loops. It's difficult to tell who he's trying to talk to: the words seem directed at Yuri, but the skater –– JJ? Jack, something? –– pushes right past him to beam directly into Victor's face. "Victor did the same jump at last year's exhibition."
Which is true, but it's annoying to have one of Yuri's competitor's bring it up, as if it might shatter Yuri's carefully controlled nerves. Victor has never liked this fellow much to begin with –– he's one of the few skaters he's never bothered to get to know, even though he is apparently climbing the ranks rapidly in Victor's absence –– and he likes it even less when the man –– George? Jason? –– continues. "I want to see that again!"
It would be annoying at the best of times. This is Yuri's competition, not his, and just like he'd told the reporters last night, he wants everyone to focus on Yuri, and Yuri's performance, and Yuri's progress. The never-ending digs at whether or not he'll be returning –– or even if he could return –– are growing increasingly wearying, and it's only been a week since Yuri confessed he'd been worried that Victor wanted to leave.
There's really no other response than a flat, uncaring expression, arms still crossed. "I don't recall."
no subject
It's Emil Nekola now, and then Michele Crispino next. Skaters he isn't worried about, and barely thinks about as anything other than dominos to be knocked down before Yuri's performance.
(At any other time, he would enjoy socializing with them, even if he forgot everything they said or did fifteen afterwards, but that's social. This is competition.
No matter what side of the rink wall he's on, there's nothing he cares about more for the next hour.)
Yuri is listening to music next to him, while Victor leans on the wall, arms crossed, going over everything they'll need in a continual checklist: tissues. Tissue box cover. Water bottle. Skate guards. Jacket. Gloves. Yuri's jacket. Idly flipping through what he should say to Yuri at the gate to inspire him, to motivate him. The things he needs to check: Yuri's costume. His boots. Laces. Whether he needs water or lip balm. All the last-second adjustments Yuri trusts him to make, and to make sure are set and ready.
All of which is infinitely more important than the Canadian skater –– what's his name, again? –– sauntering over with that wide, white, sharktooth grin, asking about quadruple loops. It's difficult to tell who he's trying to talk to: the words seem directed at Yuri, but the skater –– JJ? Jack, something? –– pushes right past him to beam directly into Victor's face. "Victor did the same jump at last year's exhibition."
Which is true, but it's annoying to have one of Yuri's competitor's bring it up, as if it might shatter Yuri's carefully controlled nerves. Victor has never liked this fellow much to begin with –– he's one of the few skaters he's never bothered to get to know, even though he is apparently climbing the ranks rapidly in Victor's absence –– and he likes it even less when the man –– George? Jason? –– continues. "I want to see that again!"
It would be annoying at the best of times. This is Yuri's competition, not his, and just like he'd told the reporters last night, he wants everyone to focus on Yuri, and Yuri's performance, and Yuri's progress. The never-ending digs at whether or not he'll be returning –– or even if he could return –– are growing increasingly wearying, and it's only been a week since Yuri confessed he'd been worried that Victor wanted to leave.
There's really no other response than a flat, uncaring expression, arms still crossed. "I don't recall."