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・C H A P T E R 29・
Asya rolled over lazily, tangling in the soft covers as she closed her eyes for another snooze. Her cheeks were warmed with early morning sunshine peeking through a chink in the curtains, casting a thin beam of light over the bed. With a contented sigh she drew the duvet up to her chin and snuggled farther under the blankets to shield herself from the frigid winter air.
She couldn't even remember the last time she slept in. Her days always started with some kind of routine, some sort of plan to map out the tasks she needed to get through. But currently, wrapped up in warmth and pillows, she had no idea what time it was, or what the rest of her day would look like.
It was a commotion downstairs that eventually prompted her to get up and leave behind the comforts of her bed. She pulled a loose-fitting grey jersey over her pyjamas and set off to see what the rest of the house was up to.
Entering the kitchen, she found Roman, still in sweatpants and a hoodie, sittin
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C R E A T U R E ･:*:･ f o r e w o r d ･:*:･
Hi! Thank you so much for deciding to give Creature a read! Before we get into the story, I have a few disclaimers about the content of the story, and a ballet cheat sheet for you (just in case you're interested or don't know much about ballet already). . ｡༶・° D I S C L A I M E R °・༶ ｡.Creature is rated mature and the plot is not intended for a young audience. It contains mature themes, swearing, sexual content and drug abuse. Furthermore, I implore you, if you struggle with any body dysmorphic or eating disorder and feel literature could be triggering or damaging, please read with caution. Secondly, Creature is a work of fiction. Names, characters, place
C R E A T U R E ・C H A P T E R 1・
There's a lot an audience doesn't see.Crooked toes. Protruding ribs. Bruised feet.If they did, they'd never watch another ballet again.But there's more they don't see. Things no one ever sees.Pain. Anger. Struggle. Discipline. Failures. Fear.But these are words that have been hammered into Asya's bones until she knew them like her own name, until they had sunk into every part of her being and she understood nothing but ambition, had a taste for nothing but perfection.One other word echoes through her, a distant, soft promise, usually indiscernible, but enticing enough that it lures her deeper into her art every time she hears it calling.Prima.Prima, Asya thinks as she pushes herself off the floor. She pulls her legs into a grand
C R E A T U R E ・C H A P T E R 2・
Roman tossed his car keys to the valet, straightened his collar and headed up the limestone stairs that led to the Royal Opera House. The magnificent building loomed in front of him, lit up to illuminate it against the night sky.It was a megastructure of Victorian architecture and glass windows, home to one of the most elite ballet companies in the world. Legends had graced the stage with their art, icons like Nureyev and Fonteyn featuring in its illustrious three-hundred-year history.The dancer tucked his hands into his pockets as he moved through the crowd in the foyer, nodding politely as he caught the attention of a few patrons. Dressed in a simple white button-down shirt he looked fairly unassuming to most people.But to the critics and seasoned art patrons, he was a famil
C R E A T U R E ・C H A P T E R 3・
The next morning Asya meandered into company class still sipping on her banana breakfast smoothie. She bid a sleepy good morning to her fellow dancers as she made her way to the opposite end of the studio and eased her tutu and ballet bag off her shoulders, setting them down against the wall.Some morning sunshine warmed her usual spot through the circular skylight in the studio's roof, and she blinked lazily into the light as she stripped off her street clothes, hoping it would help wake her up. Dressed only in a leotard and tights she began warming up her body for the day, starting with her neck and back and gradually moving to the rest of her muscles.With a lazy yawn she slid into a straddle split, pushing her hipbones into the floor and reaching her arms forward to intensify the stretch. The last three weeks had been a
C R E A T U R E ・C H A P T E R 4・
Asya sucked in a steadying breath of air as she extended her leg past her shoulder, clenching the muscle in her hip flexor to hold her balance in the tricky extension. She raised her chin to soften her neckline, scanning the long mirrors on the wall in front of her for the Russian dancer she'd met a few minutes ago. She'd lost sight of him when they moved into the center, but had a strange feeling it wasn't the last she would be seeing of him.They finished the first section of center work, and the class split into two groups for jumps and turns to allow for more space on the floor. Still a little out of breath from the développé exercise, Asya retreated to the side of the room to get some water while the first group worked on their turns. She saw Julian approaching her out of the corner of her eye, and shot him a mocking glare as he neared her.
C R E A T U R E ・C H A P T E R 5・
Over the course of the next week Asya had class with Roman on the daily, and the Russian prodigy never ceased to amaze. He turned like a drill bit, defied gravity when he jumped and had mastery over his technique that was nothing short of supernatural.The various resident teachers and instructors had noticed him too. He often stayed after class, and she'd seen him coming out of various studios after hours, although she hadn't noticed him on any castings. The company definitely had plans for him
C R E A T U R E ・C H A P T E R 6・
Asya shut the door behind herself, exhaling heavily and rolling her eyes dramatically.God, he was a pain.After the little episode with Roman, Ivan had been nothing short of bloody childish. Normally she en
C R E A T U R E ・C H A P T E R 7・
Asya fled hastily out of the rehearsal room, hurrying down the busy corridor before she could be cornered by anyone. She honestly wasn't in the mood for either of them. Still stuffing things into her bag she made for the foyer, scanning faces to see if she could find Julian. Him she could tolerate. Maybe they could grab some lunch together in the cafeteria and she could vent a little.Ivan had been a pain during class, as usual. And after last night, Asya found herself unable to look Roman
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