ACT ONE: EUROPA

Scene 6: Pas Seul

Devon woke up to the sound of a violin. He woke up to see Mademoiselle Marie Mer standing centre stage of the room playing a series of high notes that almost made his ears bleed. Emily stood behind the self proclaimed musician with a cup of tea. It was the first time Devon had seen her without eye bags. But he was too groggy to care and rolled over, covering his ears with a pillow. Marie struck him on the head with the bow and told him to get up, as they had an 'exciting' day ahead of them. "We have a pas seul to prepare for". Devon looked at her with a frown.

"I don't know what that is".

"Oh mon dieu, what are those English schools teaching you?" She left out a sincere sigh, as though pitying Devon's lack of ballet knowledge. "It's a solo act, it was a pas de deux but then the other dansuer died".

"Really?"

Marie laughed hysterically "No, no, it's always been a company act but the pas seul is the most important part! performed by Madame Puysségur. Best dancer in Europa I'll have you know. So up you get! We have lots of things to do".

Devon groaned but lifted himself out of bed. Marie nor Emily shared his morning grumps and made fun of him all the way to the theatre. Once there Marie disappeared and then reappeared, slapping a thick, leather bound book into Emily's hand. "A guide to literacy devices- Hey! We're not children!"

"Prove it. What's an epistrophe?" Marie swung her arms behind her back and balanced on her heels like a child. She raised her eyebrows in anticipation as Emily opened her mouth.

"Its an...okay, I don't know! You chose a hard one on purpose".

"Read the book!" She loudly declared before disappearing into a hallway and dancing down a staircase.

"I ain't reading shit" She threw the book at Devon's chest which he caught in clutched arms. "I'm finding a seat". She put her hands into her pockets and wandered through into the auditorium. There were a few people on stage. Including who Devon could only imagine as the dancers, including Madame Puysségur. She was slim, even though she was wearing baggy clothes, tall and mesmerisingly beautiful. Her raven black hair was tied into a messy bun and her natural beauty shone in the white lights as if she was a dove. She sat talking to some manager holding a clipboard.

Seeing them enter, the dancer excused the man and made her way downstairs towards them. Devon could feel his cheeks go red. He trembled at the thought of talking to her.

"Hello", she said. However a quick glance at Emily would prove she was speaking french. Devon understood what she was saying but could he speak french again? Or would he need to bluff his way past her? Would she get them into trouble? No, how could someone so beautiful and pure do that.

"Hello", Devon uttered out, unable to tell if he was speaking English or not.

"You must be Mademoiselle Marie Mer's friends, it's nice to meet you", she extended her arm for a handshake. She had confirmed Devon's growing interest in himself. Emily still looked utterly confused so he was clearly speaking french.

"Yes, we are. Who are you?"

"Fleur Puysségur". She said, missing out the last letter as the french tend to do but her accent was so soothing he didn't care "And you?"

"Devon Bradley. We hear you're a famous Ballet dancer. I can't wait to see you perform".

"Ah thank you so much. I'm a bit nervous though, you've heard, haven't you? The king will be watching".

"I'm sure you'll do great".

"I don't know. The king will find any reason to kill someone. A few years ago he burned a few dozen rebels alive! and since then he's been on a killing spree".