The next few days passed in a whirlwind of activity. No one, least of all Noelle, had a chance to catch their breath. With a new creation came new hassles: costumes, fittings, scenery. The list continued, and while Karl was resigned to using items from previous performances, it didn't make it any easier.And his temper remained taut and ready to snap. "For God's sake! I thought you were supposed to be the image of graceful spirits!" Karl's voice echoed across the stage. "You look like ungainly trolls! You are supposed to float, to fly!" He flapped his hands as if attempting to take off himself as he stormed to adjust the arm of one of the nervous women. "I'm in no mood for games!" Noelle flexed his foot backstage, glancing uneasily at Alexandre. The older dancer took it all in his stride, well accustomed to Karl's meltdowns.He noticed him looking his way and shrugged. "He's like this until opening night. Then, after the first good review, he calms down. I suppose you've never b

Under Julian's watchful eyes, Noelle felt himself grow. His body felt lighter; his heart felt more open. Emotions he'd never experienced tore through his soul and radiated in his movements.Even Karl took notice, and his attention slowly moved from simple corrections to entirely focusing on nurturing the budding seed he saw.A mighty oak that could stand the test of time was beginning to break free.Alexandre leaned against the barre, sweat glistening on his temple, and watched impassively as Noelle repeated a section of his solo.A shiver of envy overtook the chill of the cooling moisture as he observed a rival he hadn't recognised.'Think of it as a good thing,' he thought, reaching for a towel to mop his brow. 'Challenges spur you and make you stronger. He might somehow equal me, but I will not allow him to surpass me.' He held back a chuckle. 'These are useful feelings for this ballet too. But I can't let them sully my own talent and hold me back.'Being pleased for him was a hard