Act Two

IV

"Where have you been?" Lilia waits for Yakov's explanation. "I thought you would not care to see me?" Yakov answers, keeping his distance. Lilia's face turns to show even more confusion, taking a step closer. "What do you mean? You were the one who asked if you would see me again and I said yes. Then you disappear? What was that about? If you wanted to mess with me, it was not that funny." Lilia's arms cross over her chest, cold from the breeze. Yakov can not help the tug at his heart so he takes his coat off and places it atop Lilia's shoulders. The woman looks up again, her facial muscles relaxing. "What are you doing?" She asks quietly, her breath showing in the cold air. "Just being a gentleman. Let's go talk somewhere indoors?" The man offers, holding his elbow out. Lilia obliges and hooks her arm through his, resting her hand on his bicep.

The two walk to the nearest cafe to sit down and warm up from the early winter air. "Shall we explain everything from each of our perspectives?" Yakov suggests. Lilia agrees and takes a sip of her hot Russian tea. "You go on ahead. Since I asked you first." Lilia grins as she sets her cup down on the table. Yakov swallows and clasps his hands together on the wooden oak table between them. "However long ago it was, I was in the back of the store when I last saw you. You did not see me, I don't think, and when I tried to reach you, you were gone and with another man. I gave up, Lilia. Why would I chase someone when there was never a race?" Lilia purses her lips then sighs, smoothing back the baby hairs on the top of her head from the familiar bun she wears.

Lilia listens to the unknown man's words, looking up from her teacup to speak her part. "Yakov-Ivanovich, I never wanted you to stop chasing. That man was my previous dance partner. He only came to visit me that day. I'm sorry I confused you or gave you mixed signals. Let's... start over?" Lilia chuckles, teasing the man. Yakov's cheeks turn to soft pink, nodding to Lilia. "Nice to meet you, I'm Yakov-Ivanovich." He stands up to shake Lilia's hand. Lilia laughs softly and stands up as well to return the handshake. From there on, Yakov and Lilia understand their mistakes and move on from it.

It was simply a misunderstanding.

Before they part ways, Yakov has one thing to ask the woman. "Lilia, would it be in your favor to accompany me on a date one evening?" Yakov has to refrain from the stutters he feels building-up in his throat. Lilia is taken aback, not expecting such a bold statement from him. "Why-... sure. I would love to." Lilia answers with a small smile. "Did I answer that right?" She whispers to him after, not sure. Yakov grins and nods, his butterflies filling his stomach. "Perfectly."

Yakov tells Fiodor all about his upcoming date with Lilia. The way Yakov talks about how excited he is for this shows how much he cares for this woman. Fiodor smiles and listens to his friend, genuinely thrilled for him. "How about you and I go out before the date and get you all ready? New outfit, we can visit the barber, and pick out a new bouquet." Fiodor offers. Yakov thinks about it before answering. "That sounds nice but I want to go as myself. I don't want to give her the wrong impression, again. Sure, a new outfit is good but I can look through my closet first. I'm sure I have plenty to wear from when I was competing. I will take on the barber visit though. My razor set can only do so much." Fiodor smiles wider and gets up to slap his back. "Great! I'll pick you up in the morning and we'll get you pampered. Plus, if you need me for backup I can hang around the area while you have dinner." "That's quite all right, Fedya. I appreciate the offer but we're not teenagers anymore. I'll be fine." Yakov grins, adjusting his skates to return to the ice with his students for the remainder of their practice.

The room is fading in and out of black and blinding white. The early spring's evening air is nipping at the delicate pale skin that is exposed from Odile's noir costume. Odile can not for the life of her feel anything below her waist. She wants to move and wiggle for some feeling but anything she tries sends a shrilling pain down her thighs and hips. Odile is taken into the back of an ambulance and sent off to the closest hospital near the Bolshoi Theater. There's no telling what happened on the stage. The only other thing on her mind is wondering about the Prince.