Chapter Text
“Nervous?” Vil asked as he and Leona waited for their turn to audition. They were in the waiting room with a host of other dancers, all hoping to take part in the upcoming production of The Firebird. Vil was doing stretches against the wall while Leona languidly paced around.
“Hardly,” Leona responded. “Even after six years, I can dance circles around everyone else.” His remark earned him a contemptuous glare from the others in the room.
“Everyone?” Vil asked with a knowing grin on his lovely face, and Leona knew he was referring to Leona's old rival, Malleus Draconia.
Leona snarled. “You had to bring him up?”
“I don’t know what you could possibly mean,” Vil replied innocently. “I could be talking about Eric Venue…or me…”
“Or Neige LeBlanche,” Leona offered. He smirked as Vil shot him a glare.
“At any rate, I was referring to coming back into the spotlight,” said Vil. “Your coming back will generate a large amount of buzz. Are you okay with all the attention?”
“I’m not some little kid with stage fright,” said Leona. “I’ve learned to ignore attention when I get sick of it.”
“And the rumors?” Vil asked softly, not out of fear of being overheard, but because he knew that this was a delicate subject. “Those are bound to come back in full force.”
The “rumors”. When Leona had left the ballet world almost six years ago, rumors had started to circulate that his departure was due to him sabotaging his rival, Malleus Draconia, rumors that Vil and Leona both knew to be almost completely true. Leona and Malleus had buried the hatchet on that issue, but it wouldn’t matter much to most directors and ballet masters if the rumor were to ever be confirmed.
Perhaps being blacklisted from virtually every ballet company hadn’t been completely undeserved, but what was Leona going to do about this?
“I’ll just have to deal with them,” Leona responded.
“You certainly know how to instill confidence,” Vil answered dryly.
“What about you?” Leona asked. “Are you sure about auditioning for another ballet company? Staying with the Cœur de Grâce would be much more lucrative for you.”
“I’m sure,” Vil responded, though Leona noticed that Vil had to steel himself before answering. “Cœur de Grâce will be doing The Sleeping Beauty next season, and with Neige back, everyone has been clamoring for me to audition as Carabosse.”
Leona winced. Even though Vil had performed amazingly as Odette in the theatre’s last production of Swan Lake, many people would only ever see him as a villain.
“Besides,” Vil continued, “it would probably be best for me to stay away from Neige for a while.”
“And you said that Silver guy was also auditioning for The Sleeping Beauty?” Leona asked. “Then I won’t have to deal with Lilia or Malleus.”
“This does seem like the best move for both of us,” Vil agreed.
“Leona Kingscholar?” Leona’s ears pricked up at the sound of his name being called. “You’re up.”
Vil walked over and squeezed Leona’s hand. “Break a leg, dear.”
Leona smirked at him and squeezed back before following the crew member out of the waiting room, through the theatre, and onto the stage of the Playing Cards Theatre, where the production would take place.
Compared to other theatres Leona had danced for, the Playing Cards Theatre had a colorful, yet cozy feel to it. All the seats were plush and bright red with golden tassels. The wallpaper was red with rose and heart patterns embossed in the design and mirrors and cards hanging from the wall. The floor had a black and white chess pattern lined with red carpets that were of the same design as the wallpaper. The ceiling was white with red and white rose bush designs painted in.
Sitting in the center a few rows away from the front were two gentlemen with red hair. One was short with grey eyes and a placid, but discerning look on his face. The other was taller with his shoulder-length orange hair pulled back and smiled broadly when Leona entered the stage, though Leona found barely any trace of that smile in the second judge’s green eyes.
“Leona Kingscholar,” the short judge noted, looking at the clipboard in his hands. Leona and Vil had done a little bit of research on the Playing Cards Theatre’s artistic director, Riddle Rosehearts. Though he was quite young to be head of a ballet company, only in his mid-late twenties, he had a reputation of running a tight ship and was very particular on the details. Leona hoped that Riddle wouldn’t be like his last ballet master, who was also bombastic, dictatorial, and new to the ballet world. “You are auditioning for Ivan Tsarevich, correct?”
“That’s right,” Leona responded. Ivan Tsarevich or “Prince Ivan” was the male lead in the production, the human hero who found himself embroiled in the supernatural adventure he'd find himself in.
“Well, I never in my life thought I’d get the honor to see the Leona Kingscholar make a comeback!” the second judge beamed. “Why don’t you bust out those moves for us?”
Leona took his spot stage left while the music started playing. He performed Prince Ivan entering Koschei’s garden. He was intruding on this enchanted garden because, while on a hunt, he had caught a glimpse of the legendary Firebird flying into the garden and wanted to capture it for himself. Leona entered stage left, his prince looking around and taking in all the strange sights of this magical otherworld that he had just found himself in. The most intriguing sight was a tree from which grew many golden apples. Leona traveled across the stage, conveying the hunter’s curiosity and wonder. Every one of his moves had to be flowing and artistic, from the way his back foot remained pointed to his port-a-bras as he held out his arm towards the tree.
Ivan Tsarevich had a good nature, but he also tended to come across as brash and cocky, and Leona made sure it was there in his confident, but melodic moves.
His entrance ended with Ivan spotting the Firebird about to return. He ran behind the tree of golden apples to await her arrival.
The judges took down some notes. Leona noted that Riddle seemed to be nodding. The other judge gave an impressed whistle, but Leona was more interested in the fact that something resembling a sparkle shined in those impassive green eyes.
“Very nice!” the second judge exclaimed. “Why don’t we go over some more moves, ‘kay?”
The judges had Leona demonstrate some steps and transitions. When he had been active, Leona would eat through those auditions. Unless he’d been competing with Malleus for a role, Leona could just slack off and still get the best roles in the production. However, Vil had warned him that it had been six years since he’d been on the stage, and the younger dancer would always drive him to peak performances when the two of them practiced their auditions together. If Leona didn’t give this audition his full attention and effort, Vil was certain to never forgive him.
Still, that didn’t stop him from showing off. At certain points in the audition, he’d deliberately add in an extra step or two, just to show that he could the difficult transitions from position to position. Leona noticed Riddle paying special attention when he did that. Leona couldn’t tell whether Riddle was impressed or if he thought that the mild change in direction would be a problem.
They had Leona go over to the half-hour of his time slot. The very second his time was up, Riddle looked up at him and said, “Very good. It’s nice to see your form and performance skills match your reputation. You’ll hear from us by the end of the week.”
Leona took a bow and exited the stage.
***
“Vil Shoenheit,” the crew member announced. “You’re up.”
Vil smiled and got up from his stretching before following the crew member to the stage. He passed by Leona, who was making his way back to the waiting area. Leona brushed past Vil and squeezed his hand.
Vil made his way to the front center of the stage, his posture perfect and his smile bright. He recognized Riddle Rosehearts immediately from his straight posture and his calm face. The other judge looked positively bright and bubbly, but Vil could tell an act when he saw one. He could also tell when there was no passion in another actor’s performance.
“Vil Shoenheit,” Riddle noted, looking at his clipboard. “And you are auditioning for the Firebird.”
“That is correct,” Vil answered.
“Wow, now we’ve got Vil Shoenheit to audition with us!” exclaimed the second judge. “We’re getting v. popular!”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, Cater,” said Riddle. “I don’t care for the names of the candidates. I expect an outstanding performance that will be judged very carefully.”
Vil would have it no other way.
“The Firebird’s first entrance, please,” Riddle requested.
Vil bowed and made his way to stage left. He jumped and fluttered all the way from one end of the stage to the other. Every part of his body, from the skipping motions of his legs, to the almost violent fluttering of his arms and hands, to the frantic, but controlled, back and forth of his head, conveyed a power barely kept in check. From the very beginning, Vil had to sell them on the idea that he was this bird of legend, this tremendous power beyond mortal ken.
They asked him to do the Firebird’s other entrance, the one to be performed after Ivan entered the garden. Vil came back in energetic, but graceful leaps, nearly flying across the stage.
They asked for the Firebird’s variation. Vil came flying back to the stage, keeping up those energetic movements in his legs, arms, hands, and head. When Vil had been dancing as Odette, he’d needed to be slow, elegant, and gentle. This was not the case here. Though he still needed to be beautiful and graceful, there was a jitteryness to the Firebird’s movements with lots of head-shaking and hand-flapping.
Throughout Vil’s dance career, he’d been told that he was “too special” for the lead roles, that audiences would not be able to relate to him as the hero. This would not be a problem here. In The Firebird, there was a clear musical and thematic divide between the mortal and supernatural creatures. Though the Firebird was not a villain, it was quite clear that she was so much more than human. She was not supposed to be approachable or relatable. Vil didn’t have to change much about himself to fit the role.
After the variation, the judges had Vil demonstrate some steps and poses. Riddle took some notes on his clipboard and told Vil that he’d hear from them by the end of the week.
Neige did his stretches at the Cœur de Grace’s dance studio in preparation for his audition for The Sleeping Beauty. Silver was in the studio with him, practicing the steps he’d need to show off in front of the judges. Neige couldn’t help but admire Silver’s form and technique. He knew not many people paid Silver much attention, but Neige could see how much his co-worker had grown in their time together. It was even said that Silver was getting tutored by the same fairy who trained Malleus Draconia. Most found that hard to believe. Silver was a very skilled dancer, but not at the level as the mortal legends like Leona Kingscholar, Vil Shoenheit, or (and Neige was embarrassed to think it) what others saw Neige to be, let alone on the level as Malleus Draconia. Few mortals took into account how slow and long-term the fae see talent and beauty. No doubt the fae took into account that they had years and decades more training ahead of them than mortals did. Neige had no doubt that Silver would blossom into something truly incredible, given enough time. With the rate Silver was going, Neige might have stiff competition for the role of Princess Aurora.
Neige was hoping for someone else who’d see him as a peer instead of an icon. For all he kept hearing about how his charm came from how friendly and approachable he looked, there were precious few who acted like his friend. Outside of the Seven Swords, there was no one who treated him like an equal. No one except for…
Neige sighed. It was quite sad that Vil would not be with the Cœur de Grâce this season. Vil was always so distant, but he never treated Neige like a star the way most people did. Vil never worshipped the ground Neige walked on. They weren’t exactly close, but Neige had been hoping they’d dance together again after he’d gotten back from the Seven Swords’ last production.
“Roi de Neige, what has gotten this beautiful face so sad?”
Neige jumped as the Cœur de Grâce’s resident choreographer, Rook Hunt popped in.
“Rook!” Neige smiled. Rook always managed to pop in and make Neige feel better whenever he felt sad. Perhaps Neige shouldn’t be complaining. There were people here who cared about him. “Ah, nothing, really. Just wondering about Vil.”
“Ah oui, c’est très triste that fair Vil will not be with us in our next production,” Rook lamented, “but, to be honest, I think this might be for the best. This new role he's auditioned for might be better suited for him than what this production can offer.”
“Do you happen to know where he went?” Neige asked.
Rook leaned into whisper. “I’ve been keeping my ear to the ground, and I heard that fair Vil was auditioning for a role in The Firebird at a smaller venue called the Playing Cards Theatre. Not as glamorous as this grand opera house, but I know he will be très phénoménal in the role he’ll star in!”
“That’s great!” said Neige. “I wish him the best.”
Rook grinned and continued in a lower voice. “I have it on good authority that Leona Kingscholar has also been eyeing that same production. I think he might make a comeback! Imaginez ça! These two dynamic people coming together! It will be legendary!”
“That’s amazing!” said Neige, trying to keep his voice down.
“I’ve already seen the results when they come together to bring one another to new heights!” Rook continued. “Just imagine them on stage together!”
Neige could not blame Rook for getting a little dramatic. That was fantastic news! Leona Kingscholar, actually coming back to ballet! Neige’s heart hammered with excitement!
“Thank you, Rook,” said Neige. “I was feeling a little stuck in my own head, but now I can’t help but share in your excitement.”
“Ce n’est rien, mon roi,” Rook responded. “I’m always around if you need me.”
“I should get back to practice. We’ll talk later, okay?” said Neige.
“Bien sur,” Rook replied before walking off to go check in with Silver. “Bonne chance with the audition!”
Neige went back to the barre. Leona Kingscholar actually coming back? That would create a tidal wave within the ballet world. And Vil would be there too? Of course! The two of them had been at the Swan Lake cast party last season. Did Vil know about Leona auditioning for this production? Is that why he’s at the Playing Cards Theatre as well?
Neige smiled. Who knew that beneath Vil’s perfectionist demeanor, he would be just as tickled as anyone about dancing with a prince?
He walked over to his bag to take out his phone. He looked up the Playing Cards Theatre, and lo and behold, they were holding auditions for The Firebird. The button to schedule an audition stared him right in the face. His heart raced as he scheduled an audition time.
Malleus lay back in his bed, handheld game in his hand. His Roaring Drago chirped as he fed it its favorite treat.
“A comfortable bed, good food, your favorite toys, a good home…all yours just for the asking,” Malleus mused towards his little Drago. “But maybe you would like another Drago to play with. What would you do? Would you share food? Play games? Maybe even fall in love?”
“Malleus?” Lilia stuck his head in Malleus’s room. They were in the townhouse Malleus used whenever he wanted to visit Fairest City. Back when he was an active ballet dancer, this house got a lot of use. Now, he only comes a couple times a year to visit Lilia and Silver. Lilia clicked his tongue. “Seriously, I might start regretting getting you hooked on that thing. Don’t you want to go out into the city?”
“I’ve seen every sight this city has to offer more times than I can count,” Malleus answered. “What could possibly catch my interest other than you and Silver?”
“Silver is busy with auditions, and I’m busy coaching him right now,” Lilia explained. “I hate to have you come all the way here just to be by your lonesome.”
Malleus stared up at the wall. It was packed with various trophies, metals, and awards from the various arts and sports he’d excelled at over the years. He’d enter a new hobby, hoping to form community and connection with others through that shared passion. Every time, he’d get rejected by the community he’d hoped to foster. Others would either get too intimidated to try to get close to him, or once he excelled at the chosen hobby, those around him would start to resent him and keep even more distance from him, which inevitably led to him dropping the current passion to try again with another one.
“Come on, let’s go for a walk,” Lilia coaxed.
Malleus sighed and rose from his bed. He and Lilia took a bus down to the boutiques to get snacks and shop for clothes. Malleus made sure to buy a bunch of face masks for Silver to wear in his sleep. They took tours of the same sights. Honestly, Malleus did not understand what joy Lilia got from seeing the same places over and over again throughout the centuries he’d been alive, but Lilia assured him that nothing was more interesting than seeing places change over the years.
The highlight of the trip was when they went to the park to go feed some ducks by the pond. They walked some more until they came across a bulletin board. A flyer caught Malleus’s eye.
“What is it?” Lilia also stopped. “Auditions for The Firebird? Malleus, if you want to get back into ballet, Silver can put in a good word at the Cœur de Grâce opera house. I bet you’d absolutely kill it as Carabosse! It would tickle me so to see you and Silver perform together.”
Malleus never thought he’d think about ballet again. After he left, he thought it would be just another one of his abandoned passions, another failed attempt to find people to connect to. Except, ballet had turned out to have been even more painful and disappointing than the others. At one point, Malleus had come close to finding what he had been looking for. While not a friend, Kingscholar never stopped trying to challenge Malleus, never ran away from him. Others gave up trying to get to Malleus’s level, but Leona never stopped trying to best him. While not the friendship Malleus had been looking for, at least he’d thought he’d found someone different.
In the end, however, Kingscholar had shown himself to be no different from the others around them when they’d both auditioned for Count Albrecht in a Giselle production eleven years ago. To think Kingscholar would stoop so low as to try to sabotage him. This whole time, Malleus had thought Kingscholar had wanted to beat him fairly… And then the whole incident at the Teatro Giocoso Swan Lake production that had left them both broken and burned by the hobby…
Still, Malleus would be lying if he said that ballet didn’t hold a special position above all the other passions he’d pursued. It was always so thrilling to dance around and get immersed in the characters and the stories. Watching all those classic stories evolve over the years…perhaps Malleus could see things Lilia did after all.
“Perhaps,” said Malleus, “but I won’t go to the Cœur de Grâce. Leona Kingscholar was there to show support for Vil Shoenheit last season. I’d rather not risk running into him. Besides, I don’t want cause a stir among the humans by coming back to such a large production.”
“Maybe it’s better to start small, then,” Lilia agreed. “The Firebird. If I recall correctly, that dance is based on old tales of Ivan Tsarevich and the Grey Wolf and Ivan Tsarevich and the Humped Horse and The Death of Koschei the Deathless. I’ve heard so many tales of old Prince Ivan and his adventures. Maybe I’ll tell you and Silver some stories tonight.”
Malleus smiled as he ripped off one of the tickets from the flyer.