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Chapter Twelve
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Sweet Music of the Night Chapter Thirteen
"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
Sweet Music of the Night Prologue
The fire burned violently and horrified onlookers watched as debris fell from the roof and narrowly missed the firefighters, desperately trying to quell the blaze. The screams of those still trapped behind the wall of the inferno would be etched into their minds forever. Hidden in the shadows of the alley a pair of violet eyes watched the scene with indifference. To him, it was almost poetic justice when he thought over his time there. He recalled it with bitterness. Despite the solace he found in the music that surrounded his mother's career and the enchantment of watching the stories unfold without words, the lack of magic in his real world still stung. He'd never called his mother 'mother.' She was always Aunt or Carlotta. He was supposed to be her ward after all. Disguising her indiscretion of spreading her legs before marriage.She still hadn't learned. Flirting and trying to seduce the ballet master who was twice her age, to push for bigger and better roles. She was a bea
Sweet Music of the Night Chapter One
The stage had a draw.It sang to both audience and the performer more beautifully than the fabled merfolk and its draw would not be resisted.Rich, tarnished boards and deep velvet curtains. Unlike the stalls and balcony with their crystal and chandeliers, it was plain as a newborn babe and yet vast in history, just like the building it resided in.The greats had stepped there. Their footprints were ingrained into those boards and surely they had left part of their aura and soul. A gift and guide to any fortunate enough to follow them.The grandeur of the opera house was still intimidating when one approached. Built on the behest of a ruler of old for his mistress, no expense had been spared in its construction. It was highly eclectic and borrowed inspiration from the finest around the world. Both facade and interior left no space without plushness or decoration, using a combination of deep hues and gold trim.Brass for cheaper seats. Even the lowest class, at least the lowest who h
Sweet Music of the Night Chapter Two
The jaunty piano tune filled the room and the corridors beyond. The only sound louder was that of Karl's voice, bellowing the normal exercise routine."Keep your back straight and watch the turn-out!" He banged his cane on the floor, glaring in one unfortunate's girl's direction. "Five plies in each position. Keep it graceful. You're dancers and not ducks! I won't have you clumping about like some of the opera singers!"Noelle sighed as he sank down into the first of many plies. He could count the number of times Karl gave compliments on one hand. Far less often than the snap of the cane against the back of the legs. That happened so often that most of them were immune to the sting.Karl strode about the room like a sergeant-major. His eyes were everywhere. He paused by Noelle and roughly adjusted his hip."Turn-out, boy. From the hips, not the feet!"Noelle bit his lip. His turn-out was from his hip. His foot had simply slipped. But Karl was an expert at making one feel awful and bri
Sweet Music of the Night Chapter Three
Noelle's body felt as light as air as the music surrounded him. His very soul was alight and his heart danced along with him.Sweat pooled on his brow, and glistened like tiny diamonds and leaving tiny, shimmering rivers as they ran down his cheek. He barely noticed, too full of beautiful images as he weaved his own story.He knew the other was watching but that seemed to spur him further, desperate to prove himself, determined to impress.Julian had left the stage for the stalls as he played, giving the man room and watching his movement with seemingly little expression. He was no instructor but he knew how dance should look, what made it watchable and what made a dancer stand out and become great. One didn't need a degree or any qualification for that. When he played he visualized the notes and music floating about him in a colourful mist, bright and bold or dark and sultry, one had to breathe it, allow it into the soul and it would work through you. It was a skill he wanted to imp
Sweet Music of the Night Chapter Four
'You're a fool.'That was Noelle's first waking thought as he opened his eyes to gloomy sunlight. The clouds were thick outside and the normally golden rays had been diluted to a murky grey. It was hard enough to get up even when it was bright. On days like this, it was nigh on impossible.'You're trusting a man you know nothing about. You never even questioned how or why he was there...a child would know better!'Damn these thoughts.He had to take any chance he got. And he was wise enough to flee if there was any threat. It couldn't be any worse than putting up with Karl and being sentenced to decay in the corps-de-ballet his entire career. Slowly, he made his way to the quaint cafe that was nestled in the sidestreets. A haven for the artists of the theatre and a bane of the waistline if one gave into the temptation of the fresh pastries. The scent alone was enough to make the mouth water. Sweet and savoury mingling with the warm aroma of ground coffee.A small shop, it had only h
Sweet Music of the Night Chapter Five
Noelle drifted through the rest of the day in a daze. His role in the ballet was small. Lost in the corps-de-ballet but each time he appeared it was a step forward. His partner would remind him of that every time he seemed gloomy. She was a pleasant woman. Somewhat stocky with muscular legs and an hourglass form. Nor was her face anything special. Pretty when she smiled but plain with a turned-up nose.Her optimism was seldom for herself. If she managed a small solo role she was lucky.Still, she danced well and enjoyed every step.Watching from the stalls, Noelle prayed for the clock to move. Normally he enjoyed watching the soloists, taking hints from comments not even directed at him. But today was different. He wanted the night. Wanted the attention he lacked and guidance.And the music...that ungodly and enthralling tune that stirred his soul and enchanted his feet as if he wore the cursed red shoes.He smiled as he watched. Even with his impatience, he could still learn. 'Alth
Sweet Music of the Night Chapter Six
How time flew! The next thing Noelle knew, he was lying panting on the floor. Julian was gone. The next thing? He was at home. How he got there he didn't know. But he didn't care. The need to rest his throbbing legs and vanish into serene slumber was overpowering.His dreams were lucid. He danced to that intoxicating melody in them, soon overpowered by roaring waves of applause. Light shone all about him. From above and from below, he became one with it—only his shadow as his partner. He wore an enigmatic smile all the way to the theatre and throughout his class, ignoring any queries about his mood or responding with a simple shake of his head. Even Karl, surly as he was that day, noticed a marked difference. Yes, there were still the odd flaws; what dancer was perfect? But the emotion, the heart and flow...there was just something different, and somehow he found himself unable to resist watching. 'But I doubt any audience would prefer him,' he tried to convince himself as he
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- Sweet Music of the Night Chapter Thirteen
- Sweet Music of the Night Chapter Twelve
- Sweet Music of the Night Chapter Eleven
- Sweet Music of the Night Chapter Ten
- Sweet Music of the Night Chapter Nine
- Sweet Music of the Night Chapter Eight
- Sweet Music of the Night Chapter Seven
- Sweet Music of the Night Chapter Six
- Sweet Music of the Night Chapter Five
