Above the Winter Skies [English Version]

7

In the evening in the dressing room, everything felt almost routine. This time I went into the shower alone, washed my body, ran the razor over my skin, and then moisturized with a lotion that smelled wonderfully of honey and almonds. Back in the locker room, I searched for a fresh outfit for my dance. Nova had already slipped into a dark red pleated skirt and a black bra that pushed her breasts up, making them appear even more generous than they already were. She wore knee-high black boots. Her hair was styled with a spray to look wild and untamed, her eyes lined with dark eyeliner. Seeing her like that, one could mistake her for a femme fatale – not the gentle young woman who was so helpful and kind-hearted and whose heart was with her little daughter.

"Put on something white again and put your ears back on," she advised me. "That's your trademark."

I laughed. "Why do I need a trademark?"

She shrugged. "They kind of like it. And I have to say, I like it too. I don't want them to think we're all interchangeable; I want them to see that we're all individuals. And that works better when they can tell us apart. They won't remember our names anyway."

I wasn't sure if I understood her, but I had no objections. I didn't care what I wore as long as it didn't seem too obscene. After a while, I finally settled on a white dress that looked quite similar to the one from the day before, slipped into delicate white sandals, and put my plush ears back on.

"By the way, the plan always applies for a workweek," Nova explained. "On Saturdays, we reset it for the next week. So you'll be dancing third until then, I hope that's okay with you."

"Of course." Actually, it still seemed like the optimal placement to me. However, the night before, I had already realized that the real challenge of the shifts wasn't in our brief dance, but in the time before and after. So tonight, I wasn't afraid of my performance anymore, but rather of the time in the hall. I wondered if Cassiel would be there. And Michael.

When the time came, Nova took me by the hand. "You're still new, so you're enjoying the puppy protection," she said with a smile. "For the rest of the week, you'll be with me in the bar."

I followed her relieved. Working in the bar was really pleasant. There was round-the-clock work, but it didn't feel as exposed as it did in the open hall.

We poured the wine and watched our friends dance until eventually it was my turn. As I ascended the stairs to the stage that evening, I was much less nervous than the day before. Sure, my heart was pounding and my breathing was a bit shallower than usual, but it wasn't that kind of nervousness that made me fear I might collapse. It was a good kind of excitement, mixed with anticipation because I hoped to see Cassiel again.

I hadn't spotted him down below, but the hall was bathed in dim light and again there were so many guests present that one Seraph could easily be overlooked.

When I finally stood on the stage and let my gaze wander through the rows of spectators again, my heart skipped a beat. Warmth gathered in my belly. I spotted him immediately. He was sitting upfront again, in the same spot as yesterday. On this evening, he was less formally dressed than I had seen him before. He wore a gray sweater that looked like cashmere, paired with blue jeans. He hadn't shaved freshly; light stubble showed on his chin and cheeks, which I found extremely appealing. His dark hair was worn open this evening, falling in gentle waves to his shoulders.

Our eyes met, and he smiled ever so slightly, which made my heart beat a little faster. The music started a new song, and I moved my hips, letting the music flow through me, feeling it with all my soul, losing myself in it.

This time, I didn't close my eyes. Throughout the entire performance, I kept my gaze on Cassiel, and that evening I undressed much earlier than the night before. I found that I liked it. I liked that he looked at me the way he did.