Archive of Our Own

“Alyosha!! Please!! Help MEEEE!!!”

Alyosha reflexively shuts an eye in recoil. Usually Vodyanitsa’s voice was one of the sweetest nectars to any ear, but as strangely adorable as her normal speaking voice was, he didn’t need it in high volume. Especially considering she’s an operatic singer— to carry a voice throughout a whole theater, it needed to be quite powerful. And it was. To his chagrin.

“There’s no need to yell. I can hear you plain as day.”

Even so, this was just another day as usual at the Korolevskiy Theater. Because, whether Alyosha liked it or not, this had become the usual. All the shows had concluded for the day, meaning Alyosha was to tidy up the basement. Usually an easy job… if it weren’t for a certain Prima Soprano.

“Right— sorry~” Vodyanitsa says, swaying back and forth disarmingly, “It’s just… well… you know…! It's about… you know…”

“The Rokot?”

“No, not that…”

“Odette?”

“Mhm…”

“…again?”

“Hey, be a little nicer to your Prima Soprano!” Vodyanitsa pouts, clutching her fists. Alyosha is entirely unmoved. He continues organizing the nearby shelf.

“While I understand that getting across to Odette hasn’t been going very well recently, I’m not exactly sure what you want me to do about it,” he explains, setting down a box, “I’m a stage-hand. Not a cupid.”

“Well, true, but aren’t you also a hunter? Doesn’t that kind of count?”

“Still not a cupid. If your target is Odette, that’d just make me a hitman. And just so we’re clear, I don’t do that either.”

“I know that! No need to be so literal, urgh…”

“What’s even the issue here? Haven’t you told her how you feel about her?”

Vodyanitsa draws back, her gaze averting from Alyosha.

“Well… no… not directly…”

“Because?”

“Because… well, I— I don’t even know if she likes me back!”

“Isn’t that the point of telling her you do?”

“And this is where you need to learn a bit more about people, Alyosha!” Vodyanitsa says, beginning to fret about the place, “What if it makes things really awkward between us if she doesn’t feel the same way?! Just think about that for a moment! I’m always so clingy with her, always ranting to her about this and that… and if I confess and she doesn’t feel the same way, what if… what if she just— starts thinking I’m weird! I don’t really care that much when people think badly of me— I just think they’re probably just rude— but Odette thinking I’m weird? My bestie and biggest crush ever Odette?! I’d be devastated, Alyosha! De-va-stated.”

“…I understand, but why are you lecturing me? You were the one that asked.”

“Because I need you to see it’s not that simple! And the thing is— even when I try with subtle hints, she just seems to never get it! She knows I get extra clingy when I’m sick. Has she ever thought as to why?!”

“I think you know Odette isn’t the type to take ‘subtle hints of deeper affection’ as anything more than ‘affection’.”

“Ugh, I know! I do know! And that’s why this is so frustrating!”

Alyosha starts to silently wish this was actually about the Rokot after all.

“To make matters worse, whenever I try anything like that in public, everyone thinks we’re just like— sisters or something! Which is very flattering, and we are that close, but… ‘sisters’?! Mhhhhh! I want to be more than sisters, Alyosha… I want…!”

Vodyanitsa clutches her hands close to her chest, feeling her emotions well up within. She bursts into a melodious song, carrying out her desperation, love, and agony through her voice alone.

She gestures and dances to ferry her voice as if by instinct— everything from the sound to her movements was nothing but beautiful. Yet, in this instance, she wasn’t doing it for the stage. It was simply her instinct— and her heart.

Once she concludes, Alyosha’s eyes widen— he hadn’t even realized the whole world, including his, had become taken by her song.

“…your voice is enchanting as always.”

“That… was a love song,” Vodyanitsa pouts, crossing her arms, “Ones that Water Imps cry out when they long for their beloved.”

She looks towards Alyosha with an expectant look that said: ‘reply’.

“…like now?”

“Like. Now. And you know the worst part? I’ve sung this to her many, many times before! Now of course I don’t expect her to suddenly understand Water Imp song language just by intuition alone, and I know she’s far too busy to try to impose learning that on her, but it’s driving me crazy! I’m a siren, yet my song doesn’t seem to allure her at all! Not that I’d want to brainwash her into loving me— never ever ever! But I… still want her to… you know… towards me… more than it is right now!”

“I disagree,” Alyosha says, shaking his head, “I’m certain she enjoys your singing quite a bit.”

“You don’t need to tell me the obvious! I can see it on her face, as frosty and cute as it is! But there’s to my songs more than just the sound… there’s the message in it! A message she’s missing! And I’m missing! Her! Love! Alyosha!”

“Yes, I understand. You explained that at the beginning. And yesterday. And the day before that.”

“Ah, did I…?” Vodyanitsa bashfully sways side to side, “Ahaha, whoops…”

Alyosha silently crosses his arms.

“Okay, okay, I’m sorry alright?! It’s just— you know, with our whole Rokot thing you’re like… my confidant! We’re ‘partners-in-crime’, you know?”

“Odette was also part of the Rokot,” Alyosha points out, “And having a crush is hardly anything ‘criminal’.”

“Urgh, can you stop being logical for a second and help me out here?!”

“If I wasn’t logical, what would I even be?”

“…true, actually, keep being logical— a non-logical Alyosha seems kind of scary...”

Alyosha sighs.

“Really, like I’ve been telling you, you just need to be more direct. Even if Odette doesn’t feel the same way, she’s very mature. I don’t think she’d like you any less.”

Vodyanitsa mumbles to herself, a bit dejected.

“…thank you for hearing me out, Alyosha. A… again…”

“I’d usually say it’s nothing, but I have a feeling you’ll just come back again if you keep failing to get the message across. So I have to ask: do you have a plan?”

“A… plan?” Vodyanitsa repeats, placing a hand against her cheek, “Hmm…”

“So you don’t.”

“G-give me a second to think, alright?! I’m not dumb, you know— I know my usual approach won’t work…!”

Vodyanitsa’s face scrunches up, deep in thought. Alyosha gives her a few moments, but eventually returns to cleaning up the backstage. Vodyanitsa continues mumbling and murmuring to herself, until eventually: “Aha!”

Alyosha cautiously turns around. A ‘plan’ by Vodyanitsa— he wasn’t so sure how to feel about this.

“I’ve got it!” Vodyanitsa says, clenching her fists excitedly. She looks at Alyosha expectantly, eyes sparkling. Her expression reads quite clearly: ‘ask me what it is’.

“…what is it?” Alyosha says with subtle smile.

“I’ll put on a one-person show, just for her!” she hums melodically, “A solo, and a monodrama!”

Alyosha blinks.

“That is certainly very you.”

“Excuse me?” Vodyanitsa pouts, putting her hands on her hips, “What exactly do you mean by that?!”

“I mean it’s very… theatrical.”

“Well I’m an opera singer, the Prima Soprano of this very theater! What else would you expect me to be?”

“Fair enough. But what makes this any better than telling her directly?”

“Well, it— it makes it… special, and I think if I confess to her in song, she’ll… be more likely to fall for me…?”

“You’ve already ‘confessed’ in song.”

“This time, it’ll be different!” Vodyanitsa shouts, irked.

Alyosha just looks at her in silence.

“You don’t look very convinced…” Vodyanitsa sulks.

Alyosha nods. “I’m not.”

They hear a knock at the door— Vodyanitsa jumps with a muffled ‘eep’.

“You were too loud.” Alyosha whispers, sighing.

“I can tell!!!” Vodyanitsa whispers back, “Urgh…”

She reluctantly moves her hand towards the doorknob— but soon finds herself frozen in place. The voice on the other side…

“Vodyanitsa, are you in there?”

…belonged to Odette.

“…Vodyanitsa?”

Immediately, Vodyanitsa begins to internally panic.

“Oh no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no—”

Alyosha sighs. If she didn’t open the door in the next ten seconds, he would.

“Did… did she hear all of that?!” her mind asks, mortified, “Surely not, right?! Right?! If she did… ooooh, noo no no no, I didn’t want it to be like this! I’m not ready… I’m not ready!!”

Vodyanitsa, with heavy hesitation, slowly opens the door.

And indeed, her ears were not playing tricks on her— it was Odette. Her beloved, pretty, cool and breathtaking Odette. Who… didn’t seem to be… emoting… much of anything? Which was her usual expression, but… maybe, just possibly, she didn’t overhear them…?

“There you are.” Odette says, “…why are you opening the door so slowly?”

“N-no… no reason! Just wanted to make it more dramatic!” Vodyanitsa lies, “Soooo what brings you here~?”

“Act normal act normal act normal act normal!!!”

Odette doesn’t seem to bat an eye at this explanation.

“Kulish wanted to double-check your schedule for next week’s performance. He didn’t know where you were, so I came to get you. I figured you’d be here, since you weren’t in your room.”

“Ah…!”

Odette tilts her head.

“‘Ah’…?”

“Um— that’s… all?” Vodyanitsa says, anxiously leaning in closer, “That’s it? You… you didn’t hear anything else?”

“Was there something I was supposed to hear?” Odette asks, subtly raising a brow.

“Noooooo! No no no no, not at all! If anything I was just… practicing in here! Yep!”

“…as opposed to…?”

“…”

Alyosha facepalms in the background. Odette patiently waits for Vodyanitsa to answer the question. Vodyanitsa’s face turns beet red.

“As opposed to… to… tooooo… gossiping with Alyosha here!! Right, Alyosha? Right? Right??”

Alyosha sighs. “Sure.”

“Mmmmmhmm! Mhm mhm mhm!” Vodyanitsa says, ‘proudly’ placing her hands on her hips, “Right! Right is where I’ll be going now! I’ll be out right now! Right!!!”

Vodyanitsa pulls the door back, and quickly dashes out of the room and up the stairs. Both Odette and Alyosha can hear her whimper momentarily, before she presumably goes up to meet with Kulish.

A brief moment of silence passes between the two.

“Is she alright?” Odette asks, a bit concerned, “She’s even louder than usual.”

“There’s nothing actually wrong,” Alyosha confirms, shaking his head, “Just her usual over-eager self.”

“I see.” Odette says, glancing where Vodyanitsa just left, “Well, I’ll be going now.”

Odette begins to make her leave.

“…by the way, Odette,” Alyosha says, “I have a question for you.”

Odette halts, turning around.

“Hm? What is it?”

“What do you think of Vodyanitsa?”

“…she’s my colleague,” Odette says, standing poised, “And a talented singer. What of it?”

Alyosha sighs, massaging his temple. He really did not like asking questions like this, but if it was for Vodyanitsa’s sake— and frankly, his own— he had to ask.

“Is she just a colleague to you?”

Odette’s eyes widen.

“Perhaps that was a bit cold,” Odette clarifies, lowering her gaze a tad, “She’s closer than just a colleague, but that should be self-evident. Frankly, it’s her who attached herself onto me, but I never minded it. Is there a reason you’re asking…? You don’t seem like one to concern themselves with other people’s affairs.”

Alyosha chuckles softly, shaking his head.

“You’d be right about that.”

Odette’s eyes narrow slightly in confusion.

“Sorry for bothering you,” Alyosha says, nodding, “You can go now.”

Odette nods. She leaves without a second glance. After ensuring that both Odette and Vodyanitsa’s footsteps were nowhere nearby, Alyosha lets out a heavy sigh. He takes a nearby seat, clenching his hands together.

“Vodyanitsa, I’m afraid you’re in for a difficult time,” he says, furrowing his brows, “I have a strange feeling that Odette… is completely clueless to the concept of ‘romantic love’. Or if not that, just… very dense.

“Anything less than an outright confession… won’t succeed.”

Vodyanitsa trudges through the streets of Snezhnograd, a pout clear on her face. It was this very pout that stopped anyone from getting too close to her— as, besides a basic respect for one of Korolevskiy Troupe’s (and Snezhnaya at large)’s biggest stars— it was common knowledge to not earn the ire of Vodyanitsa or Odette, lest you end up suffering the ‘consequences’.

“Mmmmrghhh… I feel so dumb!!” Vodyanitsa mumbles to herself, “Why couldn’t I just say something normal?! Now she probably thinks I’m weird, or… or anything not good. But I didn’t expect her to be there! How was I supposed to know?!”

She says, ignoring the fact that it’s perfectly reasonable for Odette to not only be in the theater, but also go looking for her.

Vodyanitsa gently kicks some of the snow on the ground in frustration, only to end up hearing a small ‘agh’ in reply. Her eyes shoot open, and she turns to realize she’s accidentally kicked up some snow onto a young girl… wearing sunglasses.

“Oh no— I kicked up snow onto little Miroslava!”

“Oh no, I’m so sorry!” Vodyanitsa says, patting off the snow immediately, “I didn’t mean to kick up snow at you— I was just… well— I wasn’t really thinking at all…”

“That’s fine!” the Miroslava says, cheerfully placing her hands on her hips, “That’s totally fine, actually!

“It… it is?” Vodyanitsa says, blinking rapidly, “Wait— no no no! What I did can’t be fine!”

“Nah, you see, I’m gonna brag about this to the rest of ‘The Savage Bears’ later! Got snow kicked onto me by a superstar!”

“Um, could I ask you to keep it a secret between us instead~?” Vodyanitsa says, scratching her cheek, “It’s not very nice to go around kicking snow onto people, after all!”

“Well, if you say so.” Miroslava shrugs, “What got you kicking up snow anyways, miss? Bad performance?”

“No no, not anything like that…” Vodyanitsa shakes her head, “Just… girl things? That’s really nice of you to ask, though!”

Miroslava piles up some snow in her mittens, and holds up a snowball to Vodyanitsa with a grin.

“Would a snowball fight make you feel better?”

Vodyanitsa smiles right back.

“I’ll have you know that I’m not an easy target to hit~!” Vodyanitsa says, quickly patting up a snowball of her own.

“We’ll see about that!” Miroslava says, “Savage Bears, get her!!”

“Eh???” Vodyanitsa gasps.

On cue, Miroslava’s two other ‘gang member’s pop out of nearby snowpiles, snowballs ready in hand.

“You’re a real sneaky bunch of little ones, aren’t you?” Vodyanitsa beams, “Bring it on!!!”

Vodyanitsa proceeds to have a lively snowball battle with Miroslava and the rest of ‘the Savage Bears’, which ends up somehow escalating into other kids joining in, throwing snowballs every which where in the main square. Even Vesna, out of nowhere, joins in just for the heck of it. The sounds of giggles and laughter echo throughout the streets— until eventually, enough of the kids tire out to cease the game.

No one was exactly keeping score— but if there was a winner, it was Vesna, who didn’t get hit once. Vodyanitsa would consider herself second place!

“…you’re pretty strong… superstar…” Miroslava says, shakily holding her last snowball, “We’ll get you next time…!”

Miroslava’s mother, after a small huff, proceeds to take the girl home. Vodyanitsa giggles quietly.

“…why were you here anyhow, Miss Vesna?” Vodyanitsa says, turning to her.

“Because it seemed fun!” Vesna says, with a peace sign, “Bye~!”

And without further elaboration, Vesna flutters away like the pixie she is. Vodyanitsa watches in a bit of a daze, before realizing that indeed— after all of that… she did feel quite better! Maybe now she could get some good inspiration for how to confess to Odette?

But she also felt a good bit more hungry too… and it’s hard to think when you’re hungry.

“Hmm… I think… I’ll indulge on some sundaes!” Vodyanitsa says, proudly, “Because I deserve it! And I deserve to treat myself!”

“Ah, getting a bite to eat too?” a suddenly-in-her-peripheral Mitya says, walking towards her with a casual wave, “So am I! Care if I join?

“E-eh?!” Vodyanitsa jumps.

“Oh— sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you!” Mitya says, raising his hands in surrender, “Though I was walking this way, so…”

“Oh, it’s you.” Vodyanitsa says, placing a hand on her hip. Surprisingly, though, her expression is all smiles. If… those were even real smiles.

“Haha… ahahaha… um…” Mitya says, awkwardly scratching the back of his head, “Is… is this about the whole thing about me… taking notes during your performances?”

“Maaaaybe~?” Vodyanitsa says, coyly placing a finger to her chin in thought.

“Listen, I really am sorry about that— it’s just— you and Odette are so talented in the arts, and it really invigorates the mind! I swear I’m not trying to downplay your abilities— it’s why I come there to begin with!”

“Oh?” Vodyanitsa continues to smile, “If it’s so invigorating, then do you recall the name of the song I performed yesterday…?”

“It’s— well! I, um— believe it was…”

“Whoops. Yesterday’s performance was particularly inspiring,” Mitya thinks to himself, internally sweating bullets, “I got really engrossed, and ended up scribbled something that I think might just revolutionize Kresnik Kristall efficiency!”

“…”

“She… she’s not going to kill me, right?”

“Oh, Mr. Mitya… it’s totally fine if you can’t answer!” Vodyanitsa nods cheerfully, “I know what you do for Snezhnaya is very important, Mr. Mitya! I don’t mind at all when people come into the theater to sit in on my singing and not pay attention to it! No sir! Nope nope nope!”

“You know, you said the near-exact same thing last time, and I… am starting to think that miiiight not be true.”

“Hmm?” Vodyanitsa says, tilting her head with a strong smile, “Whatever gave you that idea, Mr. Mitya?”

“Haha… ha…”

“Every time she says Mr. Mitya, I feel like I’m one step closer to Ronova…”

“But I suppose you can join,” Vodyanitsa places a finger to her chin, “You’ve got that big brain of yours, right?”

“Well, I wouldn’t call it—”

“Then follow me,” Vodyanitsa says, cutting him off. She turning towards the restaurant, dropping her smile. “I accept your request— and in return, I need to talk to you about something.”

“…oookay! Sure! You got it! I’ll be right behind you!” Mitya says, throwing out some nervous finger-guns (alongside his scarf), “Haha…!”

“She’s definitely going to kill me.”

“You’re confessing your love to Odette?!” Mitya gasps, eyes widening.

The cutlery on the diner clatter loudly as Mitya brings his hands down on the table. Fortunately, nothing gets knocked over— especially the sundaes.

“Wh— what’s so surprising about that?!” Vodyanitsa says, blushing out of embarrassment, “And not so loud!”

“…well, the fact that you haven’t already.”

“…”

“…”

“Are you serious?”

“Okay okay— half-serious…” Mitya says, scratching the back of his head, “Miss Vodyanitsa, you are aware of how charming you are, right?”

Vodyanitsa’s eyes widen. She blinks several times.

“…so you do know how to say nice things about me…!” she says, pointing at him accusingly.

“H-hold on, I say nice things about you all the time!” Mitya says, raising his hands in surrender, “Has your opinion of me gotten that bad??”

“Hmph!” Vodyanitsa pouts, turning away with closed eyes, “You know exactly why I’d feel that way! Say nice things to me all you want— I do like that— but think about what a Water Imp like me would care most about!”

“…her voice,” Mitya internally answers, “Of course… I um— I miiight have messed up there a little bit, maybe. Possibly. Definitely.”

“I— well um— I see your point, yes.”

Vodyanitsa peeks open one eye. “But go on… I didn’t say stop.”

“Right!” Mitya says, at attention, “I guess what I’m trying to say is… I’m actually pretty surprised that— if you presumably were already trying to win Odette’s romantic affections— that it just hasn’t happened yet? Because, again— you’re very charming. Then again, people often call you ‘sisters’, which means at least the majority of people don’t know… and I frankly never see much emotion at all out of Miss Odette herself.”

“Urgh… both of those things are true,” Vodyanitsa says, angrily taking a sip out of her bubbly drink, “And the ‘sister’ thing is the most annoying part!”

“Yep, I’d bet,” Mitya says, placing a hand on his chin, “While ‘family’ is definitely a good thing, and a sign of deep closeness between others… sometimes drawing that line between members who aren’t actually biologically related can really get in the way of a romantic dynamic.”

Vodyanitsa blinks with surprise. She takes another long sip, before nodding with furrowed brows.

“Mmm! Mmm!” she mumbles in agreement through her straw.

“So— anyways, getting to why you called me here… you said you had a plan, right?” Mitya gestures towards her, “What was it again?”

“I… well, I plan to confess to her through a song and a monodrama— that’s the idea for now, anyways!” Vodyanitsa says, a bit nervous, “I don’t think Alyosha liked it much, though…”

“Through a song, and a monodrama, huh…?” Mitya mutters, stroking his chin.

Vodyanitsa narrows her eyes at Mitya anxiously, gauging his reaction.

“That might just work!” Mitya says, nodding with a smile, “Though I don’t think you’ll need the ‘monodrama’ part at all. Your songs are indeed the most enchanting part about you— and you’re already sort of always a monodrama…”

“Aww!” Vodyanitsa says, beaming brightly, “See, it isn’t that hard to— what was that last part?”

His scarf wags it’s finger at him. He done messed up.

“H-hold on, that’s not a bad thing!” Mitya stammers, sweating bullets, “It’s a perfect personality for a… perfect girl, like yourself! What would life be without a bit of drama, right? Right??”

“Curse you my unfiltered brain…! And my scarf didn’t even stop me that time! Does it just live for my misery?!”

“Now you’re just making up things so I don’t pull you underwater…” Vodyanitsa says, crossing her arms ominously.

“Please, um, don’t do that…?” Mitya pleads.

“I’m so dead.”

“Oh, Mr. Mitya, what are you fretting for?” Vodyanitsa says, waving her hands with cute smile, “I would never do that to a friend! Plus, you said something really nice! Sooooo I’ll just ignore that last part!”

“Ah, good, that’s a relief—”

“—for now.”

Mitya gulps. “For now????”

“But— mm… in all seriousness, thank you!” Vodyanitsa nods, “I’ll take that advice~! I think Odette might just think I’m making up a story if I added a monodrama… so I’ll just focus on making a song that really gets my feelings across!”

“Y-Yep!” Mitya says, trying to ignore the ominous aura around Vodyanitsa, “Sounds like a solid plan to me! Little else is more romantic than a song, in my experience.”

“Mmm!” Vodyanitsa says, finishing up the rest of her sundae, “Agreed!”

“But you know… love is an interesting thing,” Mitya continues, placing a hand on his chin, “It’s the mark of kinship, dedication, and connection, yet sometimes, it’s just not evenly given. Or sometimes even forbidden.”

“…hey, wait a minute…!” Vodyanitsa says, glaring at him, “Are you saying my love for Odette is forbidden?!”

“What? No, no, of course not! Why would I ever say anything like that?!” Mitya cries, waving his hands in panic, “It’s more that I’m musing over the ‘power’ of love, in a sense! In fact, it reminds me of the Angels of Celestia— you’ve… heard of them, right?”

“Yes…? I’m a fae…?”

“Right— just wanted to make sure we were on the same page,” Mitya says with a nervous thumbs up, “Anyways, in that case… you’d definitely recall their curse: to love everyone ‘absolutely equally’. If an Angel were to ever show a specific individual love above others, they became stripped of their body and soul… into what we see as Seelies today.”

“So?” Vodyanitsa says cautiously, “Are you… saying that will happen to me?”

“Ah— wait, no, again, no! Why would I say that?!” Mitya cries, “That’d be a terrible thing to say! I’m saying that love can be unfair— ridiculous, and hard to make sense of. Yet even so… we fall in love regardless, don’t we? Even if it costs us to do so.”

“…huh. That actually… makes sense!” Vodyanitsa says, hands jumping onto the table.

“Right? Right?” Mitya says, gesturing excitedly, “In fact, about this particular example— you could say I’m kind of a ‘personal’ expert on it. You see, I— mmphmhph!”

Once again Mitya’s scarf silences him for no apparent reason.

“H-hey! What was that about?!” he says, glaring at his scarf, “I was just going to say I do a lot of research on the Heavenly Principles…! Sheesh, so feisty…”

Vodyanitsa stares at him in bewilderment.

“Anyhow, this is my long-winded way to say— be brave!” Mitya grins, giving a thumbs up (alongside his scarf), “Go get your ballerina girl! And that I apologize once again for not listening to your music as closely as before!”

Vodyanitsa crosses her arms wearily.

“Hmm… I guess I can start to forgive you on that…”

She giggles soon after.

“But— thank you, Mr. Mitya! I really do appreciate the pep talk!”

“Any time, Miss Vodyanitsa,” Mitya gestures happily (alongside his scarf), “I truly wish you luck! Ah— and, before I forget, could you ask Miss Odette when her next meet-and-greet is?”

Vodyanitsa immediately starts pouting.

“Hmph!”

“I take all of that back, immediately!!” she thinks to herself, balling up her fists. She proceeds to leave in a huff.

“…is… that a no…?” Mitya says, stunned. His scarf wags his finger at him, clearly reprimanding. He gets up from his table, but Vodyanitsa was already too far.

“Um, Miss Vodyanitsa…?”

“Hmph!!”

Vodyanitsa shuts the front door loud enough to slam it. All the restaurant goers turn towards it in shock.

Mitya points at himself with a dumbfounded, nervous smile.

“D-Did I say something wrong…?”

Vodyanitsa storms back to the theater. To the onlookers, who naturally paid attention to such a prominent figure in Snezhnograd, it seemed to them that their local prima donna had— within the span of about two hours— walked about, moped around, started a snowball fight, looked fairly happy, disappeared into the Podvorye Restaurant, then came out even more irritated than before. A perplexing sight to be sure.

Naturally, though, no one disturbs her on her way back. A mopey Vodyanitsa is one thing— but disturbing a peeved Vodyanitsa is a one-way trip to Davy Jones’s locker.

This is well known enough that she ends up ‘parting the seas’ alongside the bridge— and even some of the staff dare not speak to her in this state.

Alyosha waits by the door, leaning against it. Once she gets to him, she lets out a big sigh.

“You’re back,” he nods.

“Yep, I’m back~!” Vodyanitsa says, with two peace signs.

“Made quite a scene over there.”

“Hmph!” she crosses her arms, “I’m allowed to feel angry when I’m angry!”

Alyosha lets out a small chuckle.

“Indeed you are. So— still going with the ‘song and monodram’a plan?”

“Hmm… I think I’ll just stick to a song, after all… but with clear lyrics this time!” Vodyanitsa points at Alyosha with a grin. “That’s right— I predicted what you were gonna say!”

Alyosha gives her a small smile. “Then consider me on-board as well.”

Vodyanitsa lets out a small gasp of surprise— then beams brightly. Her smile is absolutely radiant.

“You’re onboard too?” she says, “Yay~! Now— to find inspiration for this song, I should definitely see my bestie and-hopefully-acceptor-of-my-confession Odette, right? Where is she?”

“By now?” Alyosha says, mulling over the question for a bit, “Probably done for the day.”

Vodyanitsa and Alyosha walk inside the theater. Today there aren’t any shows, so the only people in the theater right now were staff and actual performers. Naturally, this included Odette, who was currently center stage.

Odette was sitting down, stretching her legs. Which meant, as Vodyanitsa has learned, she’s already done her ballet routine a number of times now. She might even be done for the day! Or well, for about however long she decides to take a break, which is always far, far too short!

While the other ballerinas around her show some strain in their eyes— even if it was just a little— Odette showed absolutely none. Her face was as stoic and beautiful as a porcelain doll— though Vodyanitsa thought she was much prettier than any doll could ever be.

Now, Vodyanitsa would never admit this, but Odette when she stretched was really, really attractive. Like, stunningly. She didn’t want to come off as some sort of perv, but— she couldn’t help but admire every feature of Odette. From her pretty face, to her slim yet subtly muscular legs and arms, to her pretty nails and the way she did her bun… she just couldn’t get enough of it.

“…though she’d… might look at me a weird way if I said that… so I am never saying that! Noooope! Not ever!”

While Alyosha hangs back for now, telling her he had to check to make sure the food delivery came in on time, Vodyanitsa happily makes her way down to the stage. Odette notices her near immediately, but doesn’t comment. Not even as Vodyanitsa sits down right by her, and attempts to copy the same stretches she’s doing. To the both of them, this was just a shared ritual.

“This is the ‘hamstring’ stretch, right?” Vodyanitsa asks.

“That’s right.” Odette nods.

Both of them were now lying down, raising one leg towards the ceiling. They then gently pull it back— with Vodyanitsa trying to match Odette’s timing. She had to admit— though she was really flexible due to always swimming, part of stretching did mean it’d always hurt a bit. But she knew this was good pain! More than that, if she was doing it with Odette, she felt she could do just about anything…!

Though… the thing she came here today to do might be a lot more difficult than some stretching.

“This is making me so nervous…” Vodyanitsa thinks to herself. Her heart was positively pounding. She hoped her face looked normal, but if there was anyone who could tell she was feeling ‘unusual’, it’d be Odette, right?

…wait no, that’s not right. If that was true, then shouldn’t she have noticed that Vodyanitsa has a crush on her?! Shouldn’t she have noticed that like forever ago?! Or maybe well about 1-2 years ago when it started, but still.

“Mrghhhh, I know I wasn’t so so obvious with it, but it’s still frustrating!” Vodyanitsa thinks to herself, subconsciously starting to pout, “Aren’t I cute? And charming? Why haven’t you just fallen for me already?!”

“Vodyanitsa?” Odette says, “I’ve moved onto my next set of stretches. You’re still on the hamstrings.”

“O-oh, h-have you?” Vodyanitsa says, blushing like mad, “Whoops, I umm— I must’ve gotten lost in my thoughts! Thank you for noticing…!”

“Sure,” Odette says, with a completely straight face, “Let’s keep going. This is good for your body.”

“Right!” Vodyanitsa says with a smile, joining in on Odette’s next set of stretches— calf raises.

“…’sure’, she says.”

“…”

“SURE??????” Vodyanitsa implodes in her mind, “Urnghhhh!! Well— she— told me to keep going, so she’s clearly including me and she isn’t even like— I don’t see a sign she DISLIKES me… but— BUT— AHHHH!! I’m… I’m starting to think she— she might just… not be— noticing— my flirting attempts at… AT ALL!! Is that bad or good? I mean, on one hand she isn’t rejecting me, but she isn’t RECEIVING me either! Hnnnghhhh…”

Vodyanitsa looks towards Odette again a little desperately. Like she was about to cry, but was also furiously determined.

“…this still isn’t my real confession… but what if… what if I just push it a little further…?”

“Odette, let me help you stretch!” Vodyanitsa beams, “Is there anything that feels sore…?”

“I don’t really feel sore,” Odette says.

Right. She hardly feels any pain.

“I just think that maybe there’s something a two-person stretch might help with!”

“…you may be right. Let me think.”

“Alright~!”

“Hrmmmm… well, I guess she wouldn’t get flustered over a suggestion like that considering how clingy I am. And I feel like I’ve asked this before— but no matter! Maybe… I’ll take this opportunity to… ask… her… ask-her-out. Yep! Yeeep!”

Once again, Vodyanitsa feels her face heat up. She was just thinking it! Why did it feel so embarrassing?

“…alright, I believe I remember some,” Odette says, gracefully coming to a stand.

“Oooh!” Vodyanitsa clasps her hands together, “What should I do?”

“Nothing,” Odette crosses her arms, “I’ll guide you. I’ve stretched plenty today, but from what I’ve heard— you’ve pretty much just had a snowball fight and a… ‘restaurant fight’, correct?”

“Wh— h-how did you know about all of that?! Some of that just happened…”

“…we’re celebrities, Vodyanitsa.”

Vodyanitsa smiles stupidly at Odette. She blinks multiple times.

“Right. We… we are.”

“To be clear, I don’t mind what you get up to,” Odette shrugs, “But I also can’t stop everyone around me from chattering about it. The snowball fight is good— exercise is good. But I’d think you’d be more sore than me from all that moving around.”

Vodyanitsa clutches her arms close to her chest, blushing like a maiden.

“…so she still thinks about me…”

“…your face is red,” Odette says, her eyes widening slightly, “I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”

“And… she’s even still concerned about me!”

“No, it’s… it’s not that,” Vodyanitsa giggles, coyly swaying from side to side, “I’m just glad to see you’re still concerned about me and stuff like that…”

“Of course I’d be,” Odette says, subtly furrowing her brows, “You’re very important… to not just the theater, but me as well.”

Vodyanitsa audibly gasps. It felt like her heart was struck by love-charged thunder. Did she hear that? Did she seriously, seriously hear that from Odette?

“O-oh my god… I— I actually— I’m so overwhelmed by happiness I can’t even…!”

…stand. Vodyanitsa, with a lovey-dovey grin on her face, begins to fall to her knees.

But Odette catches her by the waist. And it felt like a charge of pure electro joy passes through her yet again. Her mind felt like it was steaming. And so was her face.

“Ohmygod, seriously— what is going on with me?! I— I’m usually able to handle pretending like this stuff doesn’t affect me but right now, I— ah, Odette… you’re… you’re driving me crazy…!”

“Vodyanitsa!” Odette says, urgently yet gently pulling Vodyanitsa back up to her feet, “Are you okay? Why did you…?”

“I… I’m fine!”

“Do you have a fever?! Are you sick? Maybe you caught a cold from the snowballs…”

Vodyanitsa giggles heartily. “No, no! That’s not it… I was— I fell to the ground out of happiness!”

“…happiness?” Odette raises a brow.

“E-erm…” Vodyanitsa blushes, averting her gaze.

“I don’t get it.” Odette says.

“…I… I… I guess maybe I really am sore from playing in the snowballs so much!” Vodyanitsa lies with a grin, “So sore I fell right to the ground…! Silly me…”

Odette visibly relaxes, sighing. “Well, if that’s all it is, then I really will need to help you. Get on the ground.”

Vodyanitsa’s eyes widen. She feels herself shudder just a bit.

“G-get on the— the ground?!”

“…yes?” Odette says, her confusion turning to perplexity, “To stretch? Like you asked?”

“…”

“STUPID! STUPID! STUPID!” Vodyanitsa yells in her mind, her blush showing no signs of fading any time soon, “Of course she just meant it like a normal person, you dummy! What’s wrong with me…”

“Right, right~” Vodyanitsa says, trying to regain her ‘chill’ through her rather heated state. She begins to lie down. She sees the ceiling, and then looks towards Odette.

“Like this?” Vodyanitsa smiles.

Odette nods.

“Now, on your stomach,” Odette instructs.

“Okay~” Vodyanitsa says, turning around. She calmly rests her head on her arms.

“…it’s a bit harder to tell where your glutes are supposed to be with your dress in the way, but it should be fine,” Odette says, with a completely straight face.

“UM.”

“O… o-okay!!!” Vodyanitsa says, trying to hide how much that line had affected her.

“She means it athletically she means it athletically she means it athletically she means it—”

“I decided to start with the legs here since you nearly fell down to your knees earlier,” Odette says, kneeling in front of her. “But just to make sure— do you feel any tightness or soreness anywhere specific on your body?”

Vodyanitsa blinks a bit— but then begins to really think about it. “…you know, actually— I do feel a bit of soreness in my legs! I had to do a lot of dodging and weaving, so probably my own thighs…?”

Odette nods. “Then we’ll do this.”

“…I— know what I asked totally might mean something crazy might happen soon,” Vodyanitsa smiles, “But… actually, right now? I— just feel so warm and cozy and attended for that she’s trying to help me this seriously. All my crazy, impure thoughts can just be set aside right now. I… need to confess to her soon, but— even if she doesn’t know it… this right here must be Odette’s own way of affection, right?”

Though try as she might to do that… trying not to think impure thoughts, or not to be ‘impure’, ends up being— rather… difficult. It’s only her sheer willpower not to freak out or weird out Odette that allows Vodyanitsa to (if barely) keep her mouth (though not mind) calm and quiet as Odette helps her through stretches— but also a bit of massaging.

…in summary, those ten to fifteen minutes of doing all of that were harder on Vodyanitsa’s ability to stay ‘in control’ than any of the most difficult operatic songs in her entire portfolio.

But she made it. Even if she was now a good bit more sweaty than she’d ever like to be outside of water. And breathing quite hard. And having her heart faster than Mitya does running from Valeriy on every single occassion. She made it.

“Haaaaah…” Vodyanitsa sighs, slumped against the wall. She felt like a fish out of water.

…wait, she was always a fish out of water. That wasn’t gonna work. She… felt like a Jack Frost in the Sumeru Desert. Better!

“...mmmmnnggh…” Vodyantisa groans again.

“…why do you look so tired?” Odette says, with a hand on her hip, “I just gave you a massage. You didn’t even have to move after those stretches.”

“…I just went through the toughest battle of my life…” Vodyanitsa says, smiling brightly at Odette.

“…what?”

“In my mind…”

“…????????”

“Heehee, just joking~” Vodyanitsa says, getting up to her feet. Which felt much easier— her legs really did feel a lot more springy now. She does a few playful hops off of the ground, giggling as she did so.

“Wow!” Vodyanitsa beams, “That did wonders~! Feels like I could leap right over the theater right now!”

Odette crosses her arms with a satisfied smile. “Then it seems the book I read was useful after all.”

“You’re always so smart, Odette~” Vodyanitsa says, holding her shoulder affectionately.

“I just like to cover my bases,” Odette says, closing an eye. Though even Vodyanitsa could tell how happy she was to hear that.

“Yep, that’s my Odette~! Always trying to be prepared and learn a bunch and be a smartie-martie-cutie-patootie-icy-sundae-pretty-mitty-lovie-dovie-swanie-absolutely-adory-Odette!!!”

“…are you… nuzzling my shoulder?” Odette says, calmly.

Vodyanitsa stops dead in her tracks, eyes wide. Honestly, she hadn’t even realized she started doing that. Indeed, she was currently (as she decided to just keep going) nuzzling not just into Odette’s shoulder, bit a bit into her neck too. A moment of uncertainty seeped into her heart… but just as fast, so did a flame of ‘rebellion’.

“No! I’m not gonna be embarrassed, and I’m not gonna stop cuddling against Odette if she hasn’t told me not to! I can be this close if I want to! I want to be this close!”

“…yeah, I am!” Vodyanitsa pouts, rather boldly.

Odette’s eyes widen… and suddenly, she smiles rather gently. Even if it was subtle.

“Alright then,” Odette says, “Do as you please.”

…

Vodyanitsa smiles back, though her heart is struck by a strange sense of sadness. She presses against Odette’s shoulder, feeling her hair brush Odette’s neck. It really was like what Alyosha said— it really might be that Odette… might like her, but she didn’t understand ‘love’. Not the platonic or even familial kind… but that kind of ‘love’.

“…Odette?” Vodyanitsa says, her voice a lot softer than before.

“…yes, Vodyanitsa? What’s wrong?”

Immediately, she could tell the tone of her voice was different. Odette really did pay attention to her— yet still hasn’t noticed the biggest bundle of her feelings sitting right at her feet.

“Are you— free in… two days?”

From Odette’s perspective, she couldn’t see Vodyanitsa’s face. Just the flowy hair at the top of her head. But she could sense her scent— fresh, cool, and somewhat mature, like the cold ocean breeze.

“…I believe I am. In the afternoon, mostly.”

“Could you meet me in my room then? Here? At the piano…?”

“Sure. What time?”

“…four o’ clock.”

“Got it. Is there a reason why? You sound more quiet than usual. And you’re usually never quiet.”

Vodyanitsa closes her eyes, giggling softly.

“Hmph… that’s because I have a lot to say, and I want people to listen… what reason would I have to stay quiet?”

“…so why now?”

Vodyanitsa slowly pulls herself off of Odette’s shoulder, and with an elegant twirl, places her finger on Odette’s nose. Somehow— though her heart was racing— she was keeping her composure. She didn’t want Odette to just see her as a blushing mess— but as her ‘star’.

“Because… right now, I want you, and only you… to hear me.”

Vodyanitsa watches Odette’s eyes slowly widen.

But before she can even see or hear Odette’s reaction, Vodyanitsa feels the heat get to her, and with a quick turn, begins to scamper away as fast as she can.

Odette continues to stand there, stunned. She slowly raises her finger to her nose, where Vodyanitsa had ‘booped’ her.

…she stands like that for a long time.

“…haaah…” Vodyanitsa sighs. She looks around— and fortunately, no one was there. No one really came to the back of the theater besides staff, anyhow.

But, wow. This is now about the third time she’s run in and out of the theater. Thank god they were on their break week, or she definitely would’ve missed one of her performances by now. But she just… couldn’t stick around to see Odette’s reaction. Try as her heart might, and as brave as she tried, her heart might break forever if she saw even a hint of disgust in Odette’s face.

“But no matter,” she says, clenching her fists, “I’ll still confess… I just need time to prepare myself. To write the song, to sing it, and… to…”

Her eyes widen.

“…get a pianist.”

Now, actually getting a pianist wasn’t an issue for Vodyanitsa. She was the ‘prima donna’ of the Korolevskiy Troupe, after all! But… she didn’t want it to be just anyone… and it would be on very short notice.

“…I’ll think about it later!” she resolves herself, “For now… time to go to my ‘secret base’. Even if I got a little embarrassed at the end, just being there with Odette made me feel really happy… I can channel these feelings into a song. I’m sure!”

And so, Vodyanitsa scurries off to the Tidesong Cavern, humming pleasantly. Both anxiousness and anticipation now rest in her heart in equal share.

The Next Day

Vodyanitsa walks down the streets of Sneznograd once again, staring at the sheet music before her with furrowed brows. Last night went well— the song wasn’t that long, and she did her best to compose a piano accompaniment. Though composing wasn’t really her forte at all, she’s performed and listened to enough songs to at least have a vague idea of music theory!

But the real problem is… who was going to play it? Who would be willing to drop everything on such short notice? She really had zero clue… and thus, here she was: walking around aimlessly.

“Hrnnngh…” she mumbles to herself, scratching her head.

She passes by the Podvorye Restaurant once again. She briefly considers indulging again— but two days of back-to-back sundaes was definitely not going to do her any good.

“Maybe next time…” she mutters to herself. But unbeknownst to her, there was someone else nearby.

“Oh? If it isn’t the Prima Soprano of the Korolevskiy Troupe,” Sandrone says, smiling, “Now that’s a face that doesn’t irritate me to see. What brings you here?”

Vodyanitsa stops dead in her tracks.

“M-Marionette?!”

There Sandrone was, sitting at a table by herself— with tea, pastries, and most notably… a pile of papers. She was doing busywork even now, it seemed.

“Ah, Miss Marionette…!” Vodyanitsa says, waving politely at her. Surprisingly, she didn’t feel nervous. It’s not like they’d suddenly find out she was part of the Rokot, after all. “Just taking a walk around~”

“I see. Is that sheet music in your hand, I spot? Practicing a new song?”

“Oh, well— yes, and… no, in a way!” Vodyanitsa says, approaching her. It wouldn’t be a very good form to just slink away from a Harbinger, after all. “I’m actually looking for a pianist to help me sing this— umm, song, for Odette!”

“A pianist, you say?” Sandrone says, setting down her teacup. “I see. Something tells me there’s more to it than just that. Why don’t you take a seat? I’d rather not consume all of these pastries on my lonesome.”

“…umm… how exactly would she know there is more to it than that?” Vodyanitsa blinks, “But I guess there’s no point in saying no, especially not with sweets on the line~”

Vodyanitsa with a hum happily sits down. She reaches out to take a pastry…

“…so, you’re in love with Odette, aren’t you?” Sandrone smirks, “That ‘sheet music’ must be your ‘confession song’.”

…and nearly drops it. She freezes on the spot— and a few seconds later, a massive blush appears on her face.

“H-huh?!” Vodyanitsa stammers, “H-how did you—”

“A simple combination of information and deduction,” Sandrone says, smugly sipping her tea, “Child’s play for someone like me~”

“Hah… so that’s how I always look to her,” Sandrone muses, “Flustered, floundering, and red… I’m starting to get it. This is the art of ‘teasing’. I’ll one up that Columbina soon~”

“Right, you are a Harbinger,” Vodyanitsa giggles, “You have to keep tabs on the people of this nation…”

“Oh, don’t say that like I’m intentionally stalking you or something appalling like that,” Sandrone says, scoffing, “I’m not like that damn Dottore. Really, it’s just that no one knows how to keep their mouth shut.”

“Oh— that isn’t what I meant!” Vodyanitsa says, waving her hands dismissively, “But wow— that’s just like what Odette said…”

“This is what it means to be a ‘celebrity’,” Sandrone says, taking a sip of her tea with furrowed brows, “I must admit— I don’t envy it.”

Vodyanitsa chuckles. “I get that— but honestly… I quite enjoy it~! This just means that everyone likes to pay attention to me, right? And maybe come to the theater, and listen to my songs!”

“Hah, shamelessly looking for attention, aren’t you?” Sandrone says, crossing her arms with a smile, “But an unshakable conviction like that isn’t so bad.”

“It’s just part of who I am!” Vodyanitsa says, confidently, “But um— you are right… I’m planning to confess to Odette tomorrow, in fact… and I still haven’t found a pianist.”

“Well then— if it’s just a pianist you need, you don’t need to scamper about Sneznograd like a lost puppy.” Sandrone says, “As it happens, there’s one right in front of you. You’ll find no one better— and I’m only offering this once.”

Vodyanitsa’s eyes widen. She can’t believe what she’s hearing!

“You’re… willing to be the pianist?!” she exclaims, clasping her hands together.

“I’m saved~!”

Sandrone scoffs, but it doesn’t feel malicious in the slightest.

“Like I said, I’m offering this only once,” she says, setting down the tea, “So out with it— what will it be?”

“I’d… I’d love that! Thank you, Miss Marionette!”

“Just ‘Sandrone’ is fine, thank you.”

“Oh, okay! Then let me say again— thank you so much, Miss Sandrone!”

Sandrone smirks again, satisfied to hear Vodyanitsa’s excitement.

“You know, usually I’m quite busy,” Sandrone says, shrugging with one hand, “And if this wasn’t regarding you two— the stars of the Korolevskiy Troupe— I wouldn’t even consider it. But you’ve more than shown you’re worthy of my time. After attending many a show of yours myself, I can properly say: I may never find a day when your voice fails to enliven the ears.”

“Aww, thank you…!” Vodyanitsa says, a bit bashful— yet elated all the while. After all, she very much liked to hear people compliment her! Especially from a Harbinger themselves!

“But— more than that— it seems quite entertaining to see how love blossoms between two girls like yourselves. It’d be nice to see it from an ‘outside perspective’.”

“An… ‘outside perspective’?” Vodyanitsa says, her eyes widening.

Sandrone places a hand to her chin boastfully.

“Quite right. Now, I’ll only admit this between us ladies, but I’ve been dating Columbina for quite a while now. Hmm, perhaps we should hold a tea party once you two get yourselves sorted~?”

“G-goodness, really? I would very much like that!” Vodyanitsa says, beaming.

“I’d love to hear her sing again! I wonder if her style has changed?”

“Good,” Sandrone nods with a satisfied smile, “Now— let me see that sheet music of yours.”

“Right!” Vodyanitsa says, handing it to her with a big grin, “Here it is~!”

“I see— a bit basic for someone of my skill, but it will do,” Sandrone nods. She sets the sheet music on her table.

“Well, I am more a singer than a composer,” Vodyanitsa admits shyly, gently scratching her cheek.

“Oh, there’s nothing wrong with that,” Sandrone shakes her head, “Honestly, I’d much rather it be simple than have to irritatingly make sure whether the notes on the page even correlate to actual piano playing. Hah! Some of these so called ‘avant-garde’ composers around here really grind my gears…!”

“I… I see!” Vodyanitsa smiles, a bit nervous. It was fine when Sandrone was just chatting with her, but seeing her— or really any Harbinger— get worked up was always just a little nerve-wracking considering who they were!

“Ah, whatever. Don’t mind me— just ranting as usual~” Sandrone smiles reassuringly, “You said you’d be confessing tomorrow, correct? At the theater, I presume?”

“Mhm!”

“In that case, all I need is a specific time: even if my schedule is thankfully more free than usual, punctuality is still quite important to me.”

“Of course, Miss Sandrone!” Vodyanitsa nods, smiling brightly. She quickly jots down a note with the exact time and details, sliding it Sandrone’s way.

“Now that’s a good expression,” Sandrone smirks, “Honestly, I’m surprised that Odette hasn’t already fallen for someone as charming as you. That girl truly has a heart of ice, doesn’t she? But if it’s come to that, I suspect you’re precisely the sort of person capable of melting that ice away.”

“M-Miss Sandrone…” Vodyanitsa says, bashfully swaying from side to side at the compliment.

Sandrone smiles with satisfaction, until she hears some familiar footsteps approaching her way— her subordinates.

“Ugh. Of course it’d be now they come to bother me.”

“Now, though I’d love to chat more, more paperwork awaits me,” Sandrone says, with a dismissive wave, “Off with you— and save all of that ‘blushy-gushiness’ for your actual lover, will you?”

“Mm!” Vodyanitsa says, hopping out of her seat with joy, “Thank you so much, Miss Sandrone!”

Vodyanitsa curtsies towards Sandrone, and begins dashing off excitedly back to the theater.

“Perfect! Now all that’s left is to practice… and then…”

Vodyanitsa can’t help but blush. She felt absolutely ecstatic right now.

“Confess to my cute darling pretty Odette!!!”

…

…

“Oh, she left her tea here,” Sandrone realizes, “Fagio, clean all of this up, would you?”

The wind howls quietly. The snow falls gently. Everything was in stillness— everything including Odette herself. She stands by Signora’s tomb— poised as elegantly as she always was. She takes a breath, creating a small cloud of fog.

Before the incident at the theater, there was hardly a reason she’d ever find herself here. Not never— but being here only brought her bitterness. Now, it was different. It was still bitter, but like the Cor Ignis she still carried with her— now filled with a strange sense of distant warmth. She knew the flame’s origin didn’t lie with Signora herself… but if there ever was proof that, despite everything, Signora held even a shred of affection for her… it was here.

So why was she here?

…

“I see,” Odette says to herself, “…this is where I come to deal with ‘emotions’. When I’m saddled with unnecessary feelings I can’t easily understand. Irritation, anger, bitterness— those are easy to understand.”

She looks up towards the tomb.

“You truly made me understand those emotions well. But… it wasn’t everything. I still feel indebted to you. You taught me well, and… even gave me a choice, before you passed. We never had a chance to ‘settle our feelings’ with each other. But I believe… I understand you now.”

She closes her eyes— feeling the snow melt on her skin.

“…so I ask— did you ever understand ‘love’? It feels like a distant memory to me now, the last time I ‘felt’ it. I don’t know if I even know how it feels anymore. But… that’s exactly the reason I’m asking.”

She places a hand on her chest. Her heart felt strangely heavy— yet more importantly, her heart felt.

“…because for the first time in a long time, I think… the feeling might have returned.”

The Next Day

Four o’ clock past noon. Korolevskiy Theater. Vodyanitsa peeks out from behind the curtain— and indeed, there Odette was, sitting poised and calm in the center seat. No one else was there.

Odette, noticing the rippling of the curtain, glances her way. They make direct eye contact.

Flustered, Vodyanitsa quickly slinks back behind the curtain, holding her now rapidly beating heart. Then, after taking a breath, she rapidly prances in place, her heart full of joyful, nervous excitement.

“She’s here!!!”

Sandrone— sitting at the piano— lets out a quiet laugh. A nearby Alyosha— who set up the lights— smiles proudly with crossed arms.

“Okay, Vodyanitsa, you got this,” she whispers under her breath, clenching her fists, “You are the Prima Donna. Everyone loves your singing, and anyone who doesn’t can… get right out! The song is simple— the…”

“—confession-of-your-love-ISN’T—”

“…but the song is simple! Just sing! It’ll be easy! Be poised, be elegant, be graceful. You are the Prima Donna!”

“Right—” she self affirms herself after several self-affirmations, “…even if I feel nervous— even if I’m honestly really really scared, which I’m usually never that scared for a performance like this— I can do it! I can sing well without fear in front of hundreds, thousands— even the whole world! Maybe Odette is more important to me than that many people in general but— that just means I have to do my best!”

She lets out one last breath.

“It’s showtime.”

She nods towards Alyosha. The curtains are pulled up. Sandrone double-checks the sheet music with a smile. And Vodyanitsa, slowly and elegantly, walks into the spotlight. Center stage, to her dearest audience of one.

“Odette… thank you for coming,” Vodyanitsa smiles. Though she still felt herself blushing— her will to perform overtook even her deepest nerves. “I asked you to come here today… because I wrote a song dedicated to you! Now— I know what you’re thinking. Yes, I’ve done that before. And I sing to you all the time… that is true…”

Vodyanitsa’s smile widens with determination. Odette can see how Vodyanitsa’s eyes glitter like gems against the light.

“…but this time, it’s going to be a little different,” Vodyanitsa says, placing a hand to her heart. “I hope you’ll listen with all your heart— because I’ll be singing while bearing every bit of mine.”

She bows her head slightly.

“This piece is titled… ‘A Siren’s Confession’.”

She gestures towards Sandrone, who readies her hands above the piano keys. And then— with the grandest smile she can muster— she sings.