[center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/316071861521874946/377989214773706772/coollogo_com-278371558.png[/img][/center]
[center][i][sub][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksLWUBXHQ8w]“O that your frowns would teach my smiles such skill!”[/url][/sub][/i][/center]
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[b]Time: Morning of Satellite Attack - Present Day
Location: Opéra National de Paris, Paris[/b]

Odette Favre arrived early to quiet studios and locker rooms. She changed from her street clothes to her sleeveless leotard, carefully pinning her hair up and away from her face using bobby pins and hairbands. She pulled at the lines underneath her eyes, checking over her shoulder at where the bullet wound was the day before. Not a trace of it remained, she smiled at herself in the mirror. Other dancers began filing in all giving their sleepy good morning greetings as Odette passed heading for her shoe cubby, she paused hearing whispers. Gossip burning her ears. She decided to walk on.

Two new sets sat waiting for her on top of her current pairs. Making a mental note for herself to prepare them later. She grabbed her current pair, soft pink with wrinkly ribbons. She quickly inspected them noticing they would need more glue, running a thumb over the tip of the toe. Slipping them on and tying the ribbons up her ankle she tested them moving her ankle around, it would be fine for morning warm ups.

She went straight to the studios, heading up a set of stairs. She preferred one of the older ones with arched windows and plenty of natural light. Usually reserved for solo classes with choreographers but occasionally on early morning [i]Coryphées[/i] would be working through their sets in small groups. On her way she always checked the dark corners for any fey. She restricted fey from the Opera House, except for the spirits that protect the walls and grounds. It was [i]her[/i] space. Odette stepped into an open spot on the bars moving through the five foot positions.  

Missing days from ballet she knew there was plenty she had to catch up on, rehearsals for [i]A Midsummer Night’s Dream[/i], where Odette had earned the role of Helena. No doubts in her abilities, while she often was picked for the role of Hermia the casting director gave Helena to her instead. A role that required a certain level of honesty with oneself to properly portray the honesty in Helena’s love. Odette was able to brew good chemistry with the understudy of Demetrius but had to work with the lead soloist for the same role. What they believed would be a challenge for her.

Among the most frequent pieces of criticism she received from her Ballet Master, Alice Renavand, was unbridled emotion powering past classical technique. Odette took them in stride, dancers put their heart and souls into their craft Odette poured herself entirely. A blessing and a curse with the intensity being the most unpredictable.

Madame Renavand pushed for consistency.

After an hour and a half of warm ups she bent holding the fifth position she felt her muscles creak in complaint. A handful of days out of rehearsals showing.

An administrator tapped her shoulder, telling her that Madame Renavand was looking for her.

Odette nodded scooping up her water bottle and following the admin to one of Renavand’s classes. From behind she saw her Ballet Master, tall - like Odette, square shoulders and wide hips. Muscular, breaking the mould of the atypical body type for ballet dancers. She was in her late 30’s having a long standing career as a principal dancer and star. Long black hair tied into a tight bun, brown eyes watching the [i]Corps de Ballet[/i]. 

Without turning to address her, a certain tension raising the hair on the nape of Odette’s neck. “Mademoiselle Favre. I want to talk to you, you are looking in good health today.”

“[color=thistle]Yes, I feel well enough to make it to rehearsals.[/color]” Odette replied carefully, following an instinct. Renavand wasn’t happy, as to why Odette did not know. 

“Rehearsals are what I want to talk to you about.” Renavand spoke, looking over her shoulder. “Come with me, we will speak in private.”

Odette nodded, the slightest bit of concern. “[color=thistle]Yes, Madame.[/color]”

Renavand beckoned her to follow her out of the studio, they branched off to her office. Passing a costume rack being pushed by designers. Tutus, romantic tutus, and long tights sparkling with sequin.

Odette stepped into the office, Renavand closed the door behind her gesturing to the chair. Odette sat at the edge. “[color=thistle]Is something the matter, Madame? Did my understudy get hurt or have we had a change in cast?[/color]” Odette guessed, watching Renavand’s expression. “[color=thistle]I’ve been meaning to play catch up today on any changes-[/color]”

The Ballet Master sat, folding her hands leveling a stare at Odette. It was serious, heavy and steely. “You’ve been recast completely due to your health.” Renavand said bluntly, “Due to your sustained bouts of bronchitis and occasional pneumonia we decided for you to be taken off the cast list of [i]Midsummer Night’s Dream[/i]. It is a far too taxing role.”

Odette blinked, working through it. Especially from Renavand. “[color=thistle]I beg your pardon. I am healthy enough to dance Helena, Madame. I was approved by the company’s medical staff to do this role. That is absolutely-[/color]”

“If you don’t believe me there is a papertrail for you to follow, Odette but I gave the final approval.”

She stared, “[color=thistle]What?[/color]”

Renavand took a deep breath in through her nose, “You and I have always had a very - professional relationship here at the company no?”

Odette waited for her to continue, gnawing at the inside of her cheek.

“I can run down the list of dancers and names knowing a little bit about their personal lives or some of their life story. You - Odette have been a mystery for the better part of your career here.” Renavand looked into Odette’s eyes searching for something she wasn’t going to find. “What is really keeping you away? Is it a lover? An ex lover? Drugs? Pregnancy? Family?”

Odette squinted, letting silence fuel the rising tension. “[color=thistle]I don’t understand what you want from me Madame.[/color]” She said, a little colder than she intended. “[color=thistle]What are you trying to make a point of? Punishing me for what?[/color]”

“Off the record, I don’t believe you.” Renavand said painfully she rubbed at her temples. “This is not to punish you, simply… clear the mystery surrounding you. It would be rather upsetting to see you sidelined because of these fake health issues, when your career lies in the balance. You have these bouts of distraction, like your work and performances here are distracting you from what you really want to do. I have never met a dancer as focused on things outside of ballet than you.”

Odette sat straighter, frowning. “[color=thistle]That is untrue, Madame. Ballet is my life.[/color]”

Renavand laughed, rather bitterly. “Were that true we would not be sitting here. If you were honest, honest as Helena is I could help you. I know when you lie and it is often, you don’t think I would not have picked up on that after so many years?”

Odette was silent, looking sour. “[color=thistle]Where is all this coming from? My sickness and absence has somehow offended you, Madame?[/color]”

“I am sick of secrets, they impede on the performance of my dancers and nothing looks worse than a soloist falling from grace. Or one that is unreliable.” She said, “I care for your well being, so please. Let me help you Odette, if not…”

Renavand sat back as well, shrugging. “Drop back from your role as a soloist. The work requires undivided attention, there are dozens of other dancers who would gladly step into your shoes.”

A touch of sadness, “One less prima for me to worry for.”

Odette stood slowly, “[color=thistle]You are threatening my career on a hunch? No proof?[/color]”

Renavand tapped the paperwork on the desk, “It’s already been done Odette. Removing you from A Midsummer was only the beginning. Your health, as fake as it is, is reason enough to keep you out of auditions as well. Give you some time to think about what we talked about today then you can come to me with the truth.”

“[color=thistle]This form of tough love is really unsavory, Madame. Even if I were to tell you, you wouldn’t believe me.[/color]” Odette admitted, turning to the door. Anger boiling under the surface, Renavand was only leaving her with one choice. 

“Try me.”

Odette hesitated, pausing significantly on the door handle. Her hand floated up to the lock on the door flipping it. “[color=thistle]For privacy, these walls have ears.[/color]”

“What is it Odette, don’t lie to me.”

Odette stood at the desk forcing Renavand to look up. “[color=thistle]The honest truth is simple, Madame.[/color]” She pushed the file on the desk with the tip of her finger. “[color=thistle]I am neither pregnant, in an abusive relationship nor struggling with an eating disorder. Which seems to be the gossip, that I’ve certainly heard.[/color]”

“[color=thistle]It’s far worse, actually. I’m an underworld crime lord of Paris, magic is real and so are faeries. I control it all.[/color]” Odette said with a straight face. “[color=thistle]The truth.[/color]”

Renavand stood with an angry huff. “Now you mock me with some made up [i]bullshit[/i]. I thought better of you - not to be petty.” Renavand snorted. Levelling a cold glare at her student, gathering her papers. “I’m going to deliver the final approval to the medical department and you will be officially removed.”

Odette watched her reach for the door, the lock wouldn’t budge. “I should have known… You have always had a nasty habit of spreading rumours when someone pisses you off.” Jiggling the lock, Renavand grew more frustrated. “I thought you’d be above this nasty behaviour, making things up.”

“[color=thistle]I thought I could trust you to keep your nose in your own business Madame, that’s why I liked working with you. You never crossed that line, I wanted to keep things professional as possible. Without proof, without anything to back up your claims it’s all smoke and mirrors.[/color]” Odette said with a long drawn out sigh. “[color=thistle]Now you force my hand.[/color]”

“What are you-”

With her hands around Renavand’s head, Odette’s hands were glowing blue. They casted a cold light over the ballet master’s face. Fear filtering into her expression, her body stiff - immobilized. Slowly pulling Renavand away from the door turning her to fully face Odette.

“[color=thistle]Ballet [i]is[/i] my life. It is [i]mine[/i].[/color]” Odette said kindly, her tone never changed. She tucked a bit of Renavand’s hair behind her ear, completely at her mercy. “[color=thistle]I try to keep it separate.[/color]”

“[color=thistle]You’ve been unfair, Madame. But I respect you, your career and everything you’ve taught me.[/color]” 

“Y-you weren’t lying…” Renavand mumbled, the truth sinking in. “Please - [i]please[/i] don’t kill me. Please.”

Odette blinked once again, genuinely shocked. “[color=thistle]What? I’m not going to kill you. Do you have any idea how difficult it would be to smooth your death over with everyone here, your absence and [i]mon dieu![/i] I don’t want to think about it. Far too much work and far too disruptive, your death would ripple across all departments. Nothing would be the same.[/color]” 

Her thumbs caressed Renavand’s temples, her eyes glazed over slumping a little against the door. Whispering a string of Words of Power, little blue butterflies fluttering around her head. Illusions dancing in Renavand’s head filling her mind with Odette’s will.

“[color=thistle]Listen carefully, Alice. Your concerns for my health were unfounded when my doctor confirmed my health has stabilized. You simply believe I have been distracted by a string of bad relationships, confirmed by Kendra, my friend. We simply negotiated lightening the load, compromising for my shifting to being an understudy for Helena and Hermia. Enough work to stay in the production without completely wasting my time. Our relationship remains the same, as if none of this happened today. You are going to take these papers, tear them up write new ones to reflect the compromise.[/color]” Odette explained, rewriting her memories.

Renavand’s eyes closed, mumbling. 

Releasing her from the spell, Alice slumped forward into Odette’s arms. Odette dragged her to her seat, gently placing her down into her chair. She whispered into her ear, “[color=thistle]You will awake to the sound of your phone ringing. Believing your late nights having finally caught up to you.[/color]”

Odette straightened the papers on the desk, just so. She left quietly closing the door behind her. Now the only remaining performance she had to focus on was that for the stage. 

[center][i][sub][url=https://youtu.be/AcqM1MEuJFA?t=9s]“How now, spirit whither wander you?”[/url][/sub][/i][/center]