Red Shoes and the 3 Realms

Chapter 1://Are you Ms. Eclair?

Paris, France: 6:30 am

"Are you kidding me?! This CANNOT be happening to me now of all times!"

I have misplaced my pointe shoes, yet again! It is as if the shoes themselves run away from me because of how 'aggressive' I am with them when I am at rehearsals but that does not mean my shoes would abandon me.

They should've realized that now was the time I needed them the most. My ballet career was at stake without them and the pressure of performing the lead in our upcoming production does me no help in making me feel calm in the slightest possible way. It was absolutely necessary for me to be at school in the next 45 min. in my leotard, tights and canvas shoes for now.

Time to go pointe shoe shopping for the 3rd time in 7 months! What a pain!

Paris Opera Ballet school: 7:10 am

I was now running to the practice hall of the school in my 'uniform'. I am really hoping Madame Colette wouldn't mind me wearing canvas shoes for one rehearsal since we are just starting with the choreography.

"Lyn! You're finally here! How have yo- where are your pointe shoes darling?!" Nicole spoke as I stepped into the hall causing the attention of the students to be diverted on me instead of chit-chatting about who has a better part in the production than them and vice versa.

All I could do was wear an almost-confidant smile and rush over to Nicole.

"Thanks a lot mon cheri for stating-the-obvious in front of everyone, plus you know what happened to my pointe shoes." Frustration was clear as crystal in my tone and instead of earning words of wisdom and sympathy, Nicole's laughter erupted like a volcano and echoed but the room once again fell into an icy silence when Madame Colette greeted us with her ethereal presence. Everyone quickly shuffled towards the bars, left arm supporting our body weight while our right arm in first position (hand in front abdomen with a slight curve in the arm) and so were our feet (ankles touching and toes out).

"Madame Eclair, please step forward!" a chill ran through my spine as I stepped out of the line and faced Mme. Colette.

"Bon-"

"What are you wearing?" Mme.'s face was expressionless as ever and judging by my previous experiences she still had a lot more to say to me than to just question my outfit.

"May I remind you Miss Evelyn Éclair; our prestigious school is so highly reputed because of discipline. It is something that makes our ballet school more valuable than the others. Which is why proper dress code is a must, especially under my watch!" she continued.

"I apologize madame for my carelessness. I will see to it first thing after class today, to make arrangements for my new pointe shoes" I spoke with sophistication as Mme. stared into my soul.

"That you shall do because seeing how precious this lead spot is, nobody would let a golden opportunity like this slip by, unlike someone I know." Tears threatened to escape but my will to not fall weak is stronger. In a position like mine, anyone would've had a breakdown but knowing Madame Colette, crying was never an option because in her eyes "one must be all in, or all out! There is no room for 2nd chances."

While I stood under her mercy, I had built up enough courage to nod in response to her question with a barely audible "Yes madame, I understand."

And with that, our lesson for today began and soon came to an end but for me it was all a fog for I hadn't paid attention to even a single detail. I was more of a rag doll than a ballerina in class because I had never felt so threatened in my life, especially by my own mother. She knew how much this position meant for me. It was like a golden opportunity for me because the directors of the most famous ballet schools would choose 3 students whom they will teach personally and at the end of the internship, those students would make a solo debut in the real world of dance.

As I changed out of my leotard and changed into my regular jeans, I bid my adieu to Nicole and headed towards the town square for some pointe shoe shopping!

Town square: 4:00 pm

I was familiar with all the little shops here and the street performers. When I was younger, my mother and I often used to come here to destress and spend some quality time together. That was until when I heard someone on the street play a very classical tune on their flute. I couldn't resist the tingling sensation under my foot which, as a result, caused me to dance to the beat to music. Even though I was freestyling, and many errors were made, a fairly large crowd of people began to surround but I hadn't realized it till the music stopped and I curtsied. That was one our best walk-to-the-square ever. And from that day forth, whenever it was possible, I would most willingly perform for the crowd.

But not today.

I had more important errands to run today.

While being occupied by my thoughts, I walked towards the equipment store but what caught my attention was the little shady shop hidden behind.

Strange...I don't recall seeing it here ever before this? Awfully weird!

But I am a curious cat! I quickly made way towards the shop hoping it might have something valuable for me. The closer I got to the shop, the worse its condition seemed. The wood seemed to have been internally eaten by termites. Completely hollow from the inside, just like mother. Moss and mold took over the outline of the building and dust on the windows hid the secrets of the shop?

Strange how I am still not able to recall it.

As I turned the knob, a bell rang, startling the star lights out of me. My eyes took some time to adjust to the lack of light when the voice of an aged woman echoed through my ears.

"Are you perhaps, Ms. Eclair? Daughter of Madame Colette?"

My blood froze. My breathing came to a halt. Not many here knew whose daughter I am. But the fact that she knows, made it somewhat creepier than it needed to be.

"How do you know me?"

"Am I not supposed to?" she fired back.

"No... Yes...no... wait, I mean, it's just that not many know me like that. It sounded foreign. That's all"

"Ahhh, I see. Well in that case, let me make it up to you."

I didn't respond but she understood my silence.

"Come forth, you'll see what I mean!" Her tone was as mysterious as she was.

We began to walk further into the dimly lit shop when the lady came to a stop and opened the curtain to a closet-spaced room with several shelves.

And there they were, glowing with such beauty and a mystical energy.

In the box laid, not just any pointe shoes, but red pointe shoes...

...And that's wrap everyone!

Hope you enjoyed the first chapter and hopefully will continue to enjoy them in the mere future too :) Stay safe, Stay creative and don't forget to vote and comment!!

-Annabelle