Noelle lost himself in the music, becoming one with it. He imagined the notes swirling about him, supporting his leaps limbs like invisible hands.He felt their warmth and Julian's words whispering in his ears, giving him the encouragement he otherwise lacked.Horus took shape. A bold, vibrant God, but one that hinted at a hidden fragileness. A God whose heart was strong and mighty but not invincible. 'Please,' he thought as he flew in a perfect jump. 'Please let Julian be watching. This is, for him, a homage to the music. He deserves more recognition, but I know he won't take it. It took courage to leave this composition out to be discovered. I will be his vessel; my glory will be his!'He barely heard the rapturous applause as he settled into his final pose, even though it echoed loud enough to be heard in the streets.Alexandre gritted his teeth as he watched from the wings. The bitterness he felt wasn't due to his acting skills. Noelle was showing hidden talents he hadn't recogn
Alexandre was a seasoned professional, but his nerves bored into his gut like heated needles. It was always the same on opening night. Visions of what could go wrong, last-minute hitches, and a plethora of irksome hiccups danced along with the music.'Think of it like a rehearsal,' he thought, stretching his leg elegantly as he peered into the darkness. 'An invisible audience. Perhaps audiences from the past that still enjoy the theatre." He smiled at the image. 'That would be what I would do, or scare those people I never liked.' Fear was strange; it was such a broad spectrum of emotions. Was it just brought on by mystery or the fear of what might lurk in the shadows? These were questions he sometimes asked when he was in a musing mood.But he hadn't any time to think about that. The conductor was moving on, and the heavy curtain began to lift to reveal the ancient sands of Egypt, golden and glorious with Godly splendour. But in the background, the shadows lurked, indicating a grim
A week slipped by in what felt like seconds.Noelle was engulfed in the whirl of rehearsals and the standard fraught preparations. Despite the rush, there was a palpable dedication and passion in every meticulous detail, a testament to their unwavering commitment to the success of the performances.Each evening, he meant to seek Julian, to have him set his mind at rest, but exhaustion clawed at every inch of his body, and the only place he sought was his bed. His last thought was always on the enigmatic musician, and he hoped he was watching or, at the very least, thinking of him. For Julian, each night passed in a long and uncomfortable fashion. He never slept well, in any case, surviving on adrenaline and taking naps as and when. The longest he had ever slept was just over an hour before waking and having to settle again. It was an issue he'd grappled with since childhood, a constant struggle that often left him restless and anxious. It meant he was often about before the perfor
"Wine?"Julian pulled a bottle from near his bedding. It was an old-fashioned container, not the original. Taking it from the bar would be unthinkable, so he refilled a quarter when he could. It was tiny enough that it went unnoticed, and it was once in a blue moon. Julian rarely imbibed, fearing his skill on the violin and sobriety would be sapped. This rare indulgence surprised even himself, especially since his mother had always condemned drink.It was a hypocritical criticism. He'd seen the gin in her room, starkly contrasting her public disapproval."What kind is it?" Noelle asked and stepped closer. "I don't wish to be picky, but I find white somewhat bitter.""Claret. It's milder.""Very well."Julian poured with the skill of a footman, his hand steady and the bloody red fluid not even kissing the inner sides."Thank you," Noelle smiled when Julian handed him the glass, ignoring the slight crack etched like a spindly lightning bolt at the rim. "To your health and upcoming mag
Noelle had never been into the bowels of the opera house. Intrigue surged within him as he gazed around the areas that were always hidden from sight and home only to the spiders and rats. And the inspiration for many of the eerie stories passed between the performers.Below the pomp and splendour of the velvet and chandeliers lay the dusty graveyard of forgotten scenery and costumes that had become food for moths and mice. One could imagine lost spirits lingering near their old costumes and lamenting their demise.All around him, the air was thick with dust and an unpleasant musty odour, the musk of many years of disregard. Even the spiders had given up, curled up, crisp and dehydrated in webs that had caught nothing but dirt and debris.As he descended the stairs, the wood creaking in his wake, Noelle hesitated and felt his heart begin to beat painfully in his throat."Are you certain this is the right way?" He asked stupidly, earning a wry smile from Julian."Of course. Do you reall
"Will you be watching the performance?" Julian paused, the bow resting elegantly on the fragile strings, looking towards Noelle with his enigmatic smile. "Of course. I have many places where I sit and contemplate or watch the performances. The last great one, however, was the touring company from London. Their Aida was magnificent." Noelle stretched. His muscles became tense even with a short pause. There was a distinct chill in the air, and it bit into the flesh sharply. Even concentrating on the warm notes that evoked the heady air of Egypt didn't help. "I remember. I was an understudy for one of the dancers they used. I did perform in the matinee. Granted, it was not much, but it was an experience to see. They are returning in the Autumn with Rigoletto, but I don't think male dancers are required for that." "Possibly not. I seem to recall that one focuses more on male debauchery, so women would be the focal point," Julian's eyes lifted slowly. "Although, that is not always t