The Little Star who fell in Love with a Dream | Volume 2

Fairy Fingers

In a fashion workshop where fabrics, multicoloured threads, patterns and much more floated in a sparkling, luxurious atmosphere, there was a table piled high with sketches and doodles of all kinds.

The guest slowly descended the steps, letting his gloved hand slide over the railing. He was careful not to make any noise, as he did not want to wake the host. He slalomed along, twirling between the elegantly dressed couture mannequins, although the dresses were still being created. He noticed some of the mannequins on the floor and put on a thoughtful, desolate expression.

He decided to wake the host, who was fast asleep on a pile of sketches and paper balls. He slowly approached her and could once again smell her delicious spicy melody. A smell of cinnamon mixed with candied orange.

With one finger, he gently tapped her golden hair, a gentle smile forming on his face.

"Fairy Fingers, you never seem to stop dozing off."

Fairy Fingers let out a groan and slowly raised her head, having failed to notice the dozens of leaves that had stuck to her face. The Maestro couldn't help but let out a soft laugh. She shook her head violently to get rid of the rubbish.

She sighed in exasperation and slowly turned her gaze towards her interlocutor, unsurprised to find him beside her.

"You've come early today, Lance.
-Oh, but I always look forward to meeting up with my favourite fashion designer."

The dressmaker couldn't help but turn pink at the compliment. And yet Lance had a gift for flattering anyone.

"-Say instead that you have nothing better to do since I'm the only human in Wonderworld at the moment. Balan has refused your company again.
-Oh, you know he has. He even refused to let me come and see you, but if it's not him, who's going to look after our guests?"

Fairy Fingers simply shrugged. She couldn't care less about Balan. To tell the truth, he rarely came to see her and when he did, he always seemed to be on the verge of collapse, and his big smile and falsely sparkling eyes couldn't hide it. Her costume friends, the inhabitants of her stage, were nevertheless more frightened of Lance than of his companion.

"Finally, my dear, what about your future creations? From the look of this mess, it seems you're in trouble.
-Don't remind me... I've lost my inspiration.
-How could you? Look around you! Everything about the world you live in is fantastic and unusual!
-My friends are often my greatest source of inspiration and yet...
-Here you are."

He smiled at her as, with a few strokes of his hand, he cleaned up the workshop and restored it to its lustre and freshness. The little seamstress sighed and turned to him, her gaze misty.

"My family has such high standards, I feel so...
-Untalented? Not strong enough."

She merely nodded and pouted.

"And yet your creations have always been popular, haven't they?
-It's true, but my family always wants more and for me to keep up with their standards.
-Forget your family. You always have support my dear Fairy Fingers, just think about this one."

She laughed.

"-For the Maestro of Negativity, you're still pretty positive Lance.
-Glad to hear it. Now forget all that and go and get some fresh air. I can't wait to see your talent in action when you're in better shape."

And as usual, he was gone in a flash.

*

**

"My tender and beloved, would you do me the honour of a dance?"

That voice, so angelic and soothing to hear... Selene felt drawn in and without a word took the hand of this stranger whose face she could not see. She floated in this ethereal, peaceful space and let herself be carried by her imaginary partner.

She let him lead the dance and the moment was pure ecstasy.She didn't know what was happening, but she felt an emptiness now filled and a strange familiarity. The man continued to make her dance, holding her tightly against him. The ballerina could hear his breathing, soft and controlled.

She wanted to get closer to his face, the face she couldn't see because her vision was so hazy. Suddenly, she felt dizzy and a strange feeling came over her.

Then it was pitch black.

Selene woke with difficulty, her head aching and her heart racing. Perhaps she should have avoided drinking too much the night before.

"Finally up?"

Lilas looked just as shattered as she was. Luckily she had the miracle hangover remedy.

Selene simply nodded nervously.

"Is everything all right? You're pale...
-I just had a dream, that's all."

She unconsciously clutched her chest, breathless.
"Your heart...?
-Everything's fine Lilas."

And so she got up as if nothing had happened, took a few pills to ease the pain and dragged her feet to the living room.
Lilas, for her part, was happily humming one of her catchy songs while she fed Grenouille and prepared their usual brunch. Selene simply sat down and let her poor head fall to one side. Her heart and breathing were steady again but she still seemed disturbed.

"Don't tell me you've had another one of those dreams where you fail one of your auditions...
-No...For once...
-So what was it?
-A dream of dancing, that's all, Lilas.
-Why do I even ask..."

The dancer just laughed and swallowed her food in one go. They talked about the previous evening for a good hour before getting ready for their respective jobs.

They didn't have time to open the door before it slammed shut... with a crash.