Run to Me

Chapter One: P.T Barnum

Astraea looked at herself in the foggy mirror wall, created by the cold air around her and the radiating heat of her body. The reflection of her unusual dark blue eyes with countless, tiny, white dots that almost resembled a universe, were staring back at her, unfazed, empty, exhausted, tired.

Freak.

How often did she had to hear this word in this century.

Monster.

Her silvery-white hair that just reached above her shoulders had a suspicious glow to it.

Witch.

Her pale smooth skin was stained with tears and her peachy lips quivered.

Demon.

She wiped the tears away but new ones followed soon after. How often she wished she could just vanish, like other gods did before her.

There was no point. Immortality was her curse.

It knocked. "Miss Chrysalis? There's someone who wants to speak to you", she heard the voice of her manager Xenia outside of the dance practice room.

Astraea sighed. "I'm with you in a second, Xenia", she replied. With a shift of her shoulders, her clothes changed into black dress pants, a white button-up and a black blazer loosely laying around her shoulders. The traces of tears were gone.

Head high. You are a fucking goddess after all.

She stepped out of the room, into the grand marble foyer. It was elegant, rich. Marple pillars here and statues of fallen heroes there.

The goddess immediately spotted the man who was waiting for her. He seemed to radiate life.

He stood with the back to her, admiring a painting of a ship fighting the wild sea. She had to chuckle. Oh what a rage Poseidon had that day.

She walked up to him. "I see, you have a good eye for art", she said, making the man jump and then turn around to face her.

He felt frozen in place as soon as he laid eyes on the gorgeous woman in front of him. He saw an angel in her, but he also could see why she was outcasted by society.

Astraea's presence was intimidating, one of the many aspects he really respected her for. He bowed before her, drawing his hat out of respect.

"Miss Chrysalis, it is a honour to meet you again" Astraea smiled kindly. "There is no need to bow before me, old friend. Though it has been a significant while"

He looked up, surprised. "You still remember? I feel like you still look the same as then, Miss Chrysalis", he said charmingly. She chuckled. "Oh come on, stop being such a fawner. But if you insist on staying on formal casualties. What leads you to me, Mister Barnum?", she asked, a teasing smirk playing on her lips.

P.T. Barnum shivered and blushed. "I- I'm doing a show. We need help with the choreographies. And you're the first one that came to mind, Miss Chrysalis", he caught himself quickly.

Astraea smiled. "I have heard of your.. how did the press call it? Circus. Amazing. But there's more to it, no? Come on, tell me. I'm not a beast who can't be trusted" Barnum didn't know how to respond to that kind of bitter remark.

"My daughter dreams to become a ballerina", he heard himself answering almost immediately. The smile of the woman in front of him turned soft. "Of course. Let's talk about the matters in my office, no?"

She turned, Xenia shot her a look. Barnum was taken back, he didn't expect her to agree. But then he came back to reality and immediately set after the goddess, who started already walking away.

She walked down a long hallway, until she stopped in front of a door. She smirked. "Don't let the magic distract you, Mister Barnum", she warmed him and opened the door. Just as he wanted to ask, the door let out onto a big balcony.

But it wasn't New York he viewed. It was a whole universe, the stars and galaxies let him drop his jaw. Astraea seated herself on one of the white couches and watched Barnum closely.

His light blue eyes had this significant spark, as he looked at the galaxy. His figure was defined and he definitely knew how to dress himself. He already had some wrinkles around his eyes, but it just added to his charm.

Over all, he was some handsome man.

Astraea smiled when he looked at her, a childlike amazed expression on his face. "Welcome to the other side, Mister Barnum. Where the only restriction is your imagination"

You see the impossible is coming true

He was in complete awe of the existence of this place and of her.

Intoxicating you

"Come sit", she invited him on the empty space next to her. "Miss Chrysalis.. I-", he was still lost for words. Astraea smiled. "Astraea is enough, Mister Barnum", she offered.

"Then call me P.T., Astraea", Barnum returned her smile. "Well then", she continued, crossing her legs elegantly. "So your little girl wants to pursue a career as dancer? A determined little one", she began.

Barnums cheeks flushed red with proudness. "Uh- yes. Actually.. she already gets lessons, but her group is casting her out. She doesn't deserve such treatment, and she deserves the best teacher of them all", he told, Astraea silently listened to the man.

Suddenly the door opened, and Xenia came in. Without looking at her boss, Xenia gave the woman papers. Astraea took them without tearing her gaze away from Barnum as well, who looked at the other woman in awe.

They looked similar, although Astraea seemed older. Maybe they were related, Barnum thought to himself.

"Thank you Xenia. Oh and- tell the theatre that requested for me yesterday that my schedule is occupied for the near future, would you? Thanks a lot", she smiled, making Barnums jaw drop once again.

Astraea took note of that. When Xenia had closed the door behind her, it broke out of Barnum; "You got a request by a theatre? Why did you turn it down? Why is your schedule occupied?"

The woman chuckled in content. "Oh P.T., I thought it was obvious. I'll accept your offer for the choreography job, and the lessons for your little girl as well", she replied to his questions, a quill appeared in her hand and she started filling out the few forms.

Barnum didn't understand. "But-" "P.T., come on. I don't know about you, but it's the new generations that bring innovation with them.... And you. But I dedicate myself to teaching before any theatre show where only close minded old bitter riches watch an outcast be successful"

Once again, his jaw dropped. Astraea handed him the now filled out forms and the quill. "She'll take classes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The costs are covered, there is no need to worry about money. You just have to sign here", she explained while he read through the form, his eyes getting wider and wider.

"There is no way that I can accept this offer", he wanted to refuse, but Astraea shushed him. "Oh but you can. I got enough money for all eternity. It's just about teaching. As for the choreography job, no money needed either. I'm happy to help"

With every word his respect towards the woman grew. "I- I cannot thank you enough, Astraea. This is.. amazing" She just smiled. "You are very welcome, P.T.. So, when are we gonna start?"

~~~

Hello guys,
This was the first chapter and the beginning of my story.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter.
Stay tuned for the next chapter "Phillip Carlyle"
Stay safe and have a great day :>