Bravissimo

Let Love Let Live

1886

Erik-

The Opera room is full of performers and within them, the anticipation of what is to come in the upcoming weeks. The dancers talk with their partners and nod their heads as they listen and try to work on being more in sync with each other. "One more time! And we will continue to do this one more time until it is correct, this is the opera not the circus now please act like it!" Antoinette hounds and I smile to myself. As Antoinette recites the eight counts, a circle is formed by the dancers and the men grab hold of the ladies' waists and lift them into the air, walking in a circle themselves. "Five, six, seven- No! Back to the top. Celeste we want strong arms please." Antoinette says and I can tell she is feeling helpless. Gustave giggles as Maestro shows him all the instruments that are so much larger than him. Christine wishes him to learn very soon, so his career may begin early. I can't help but feel poorly about it however, Gustave starting so young, while Annabel was forced to wait for so many years, Gustave allowed to speak to the press and people, while Annabel always had limits. And forever will.

Ever since Alexandra Kings received her own note two years we haven't had an issue with her, besides the average eye roll. I will forever find it humorous she went to Annabel for assistance in the matter. "This is ridiculous! The simplest of movements, I can't be bothered to attempt- You know what where is Annabel? Where is Notre Ballerine?" Antoinette says and they all look around. On the far right of the stage Annabel stands with her arms crossed conversing with Charles Durand, she nods her head as they discuss what must be the choreography. "Oui!?" she answers looking up to where she was called. Annabel walks across the stage to Antoinette in her practice uniform as the others and stands beside her. Annabel nods her head in understanding with such a friendly smile trying to help the situation. "fix it, fix it." Antoinette says agitated, throwing her hands in the air and walking away for a moment. I walk closer to the stage with a frown, feeling Antoinette's frustration, but remaining upset proves difficult as Annabel patiently finds a solution.

"From the top let's try again. Ignore what I do, obey what I command. One, two three." Annabel says. Repeating the eight count over and over as they dance. Annabel watches their feet, then when the women are up in the air she walks in between two gentlemen and stands inside the circle looking around at each of them. "Four, five, six, seven." They circle and turn themselves around her, as she spins around as she looks herself, ending with the men behind the women now and finally setting them down. However once again three pairs let down a beat behind. Shyly they all look to Annabel who tilts her head than shakes it. All of them rapidly look at one another, nervous of what she's to say, as Antoinette has her assist in teaching rarely and only when it is needed. "We drop on eight, it should be easy." Meg says and Annabel slowly nods. "You." Annabel simply says and everyone quickly looks to where she is looking. Annabel approaches Celeste's partner with a smile sensing his nerves. "What's your name dear?" she asks. "Michael." he says. "Pleasure to meet you." she says extending a hand for him to shake and he does. "Assist me won't you?" she asks and he nods. "You don't mind." Annabel states to Celeste instead of asking, giving her no choice and I can not help but chuckle. All of them get back into their positions and Annabel nods as the boy puts his hands on her waist, the bundle of nerves he must be. Annabel performs the part, with a smile looking to the right then making eye contact with Alexandra in front of her on the other side of the circle. She counts until the drop. "Stop!" she says with her hands on her hips, still she taps the boys hand as if to say "well done." Annabel looks around quickly for the issue for the men's sake as their arms must be aching. "As I thought, it's a circle so the footing will be off a beat therefore so will the drop." she says with a frown. "drop." she says taking in a deep breath. "You, You and You." she says pointing at every other girl including Celeste and Alexandra. "Your footing is going to be different from the beat, but the same as every other girl, as well as your partners. One step ahead, will get you to that beat on time for you to drop." she says beckoning Celeste back over.

"Oh, thank you dear! Thank you!" Antoinette says praising and than hugging her. "What would we do without you dear." she says and lets out a small laugh. Annabel turns back to the group and nods as they practice their new footwork. She stands in front of Celeste and her partner as they all finally drop at the correct times. Annabel nods, pleased with the outcome; "And that should leave you Celeste, facing Alexandra on....time." she says turning to face Alexandra than suddenly her face turns to something of familiarity as she looks behind Alexandra at her partner.

Christine-

I smile at Annabel's successful solution and grin over at Erik who nods his head in approval. "Very good, very good. Take a break and thank Notre Ballerine." Antoinette says waving them all off. The dancers who pass by her thank her for her help and Annabel who would usually refuse the "thanks" stands facing a boy. Brown hair, kind smile, muscular, and a slightly raised eyebrow with his arms crossed, I recognize him but I simply can not remember from. The boy's calm face turns to a small yet curious grin.

"I remember you..." Annabel says taking a step forward. "Do you?" He says his smile growing even more. "Three-no two years ago." she says pointing her thumb over her shoulder. "I was signing out front, and you were there." she says placing her hands on her hips and glancing up in thought. "Da-" she says tilting her head struggling to remember. The boy chuckles and nods; "Darius." he says and Annabel blushes her curls falling around her face. Darius puts out a hand and without even a hesitation Annabel places her small gloved hand in his. My heart pounds as he brings her wrist to his lips. "Darius Matthews that is, and I believe I owe you a "thank you" Notre... Ballerine." he says allowing the words to roll of his tongue. "Always a pleasure." Annabel says allowing her hand to slowly fall back to it's place at her side.

I put my hand over my heart and start to walk over toward Erik when I see his papers unkindly crunched in his hand at his side, calmly watching the two ever so closely. "Well congratulations on making it here!" Annabel says excited. "I simply had to! I told a pretty gal I would, right out those doors a couple years ago." I walk back behind the curtains to get off stage, to make my way all the way over to Erik in the middle. When I get to the bottom I see the two move to the side to speak, for the ballerinas were practicing another act. Gustave tugs at Erik's pant leg but Erik does not budge. "I signed your book, yes that I remember as well." Annabel says as she accepts his arm and they make their own way to the foyer to speak. Erik turns on his heel before I can reach him and swiftly follows unbeknownst to them. "You remember what you signed but not my name, Annabel?" he asks and she giggles. I begin to almost run after Erik now. "Perhaps I would have remembered had you been wearing your glasses." Annabel comments and he laughs. "These?" he asks bringing them out of his pocket and Annabel nods. "Better?" he asks. "Oh! Darius Matthews!" She says with a head tilt pretending to now remember him entirely. "Well! Than I shall never remove them as I wouldn't want you to ever forget me, Annabel Lee." he says with a wink and a smile.

The laughing two turn a corner to the right of the doors to the exit and I finally catch Erik at the steps. I place myself in front of him with both hands against his chest. As I am ecstatic for the fact Annabel finally may have a real friend besides Carlotta, I know Erik wouldn't trust it for a moment. "He wouldn't harm her." I say almost out breath, but my attempt is useless as he seems to walk right through me. "Erik, please." I say and he stops at the end. Whatever musical piece he had once held, now barley half of what it used to be underneath his firm grip. "Let love, let live. Won't you?"