Chapter 8 [part 2]
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I know it is taking me a long time to finish this. Thank you for your patience.
Also I do not own Kaleido Star. I did not create it; I am just borrowing it for a little while…
Please don't sue me.
For research, I just keep watching the episodes. As well as take in your opinions. So please remember to post what you think should happen. You never know, I might like your post so much; that I'll give you credit for pointing something out to me.
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"Well, Well, Well… I've returned to Cape Mary, but I still haven't gotten on STAGE! I know everyone wants me to, but some thing doesn't feel right. Yuri and everyone else thinks I'm ready. But it was different back in France. Why! Why? Why can't I get on the stage…. Any way please enjoy the show!"
"So you really think you can just return to Kaleido Stage?" Layla cynically commented, as she watched Sora practice.
"Layla-san!" Surprised to hear Layla's voice. Sora lost her concentration and fell backwards on her butt. Forgetting about the weights. Sora struggled to get up and run to her beloved idol/mentor. "Layla! I'm so happy to see you, you, you."
Holding up one hand to stop her. "I'm still not pleased, Sora. This is not the path to become the True Star. Have you lost your will to walk towards our goal? Is it possible May is the better choice?"
Dismayed, Sora stopped a few feet short of reaching Layla. Dropping her weighted arms to the side. "Layla what do you mean?"
Not bothering to close the distance, Layla spoke in a hard uncompromising voice. "You ran from the stage. You let it fall into the hands of Leon and May."
Not understanding. Sora stared helplessly at her mentor and friend. "Layla-san…"
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Soon the announcement about the new show was made official. Parts for Aladdin and the Forty Thieves, were assigned. The practice sessions were underway. Rosetta even got a part, as a warm up performer; walking through the crowds while handing out toys.
The scene for the Genie was still being written, because of Sora's reluctance. So, May took the part of 'Genie'. Insisting that only she could do it justice.
Yuri couldn't convince Sora to take the stage. No matter how hard he tried, to argue the point.
"No. No, no, Yuri." Sora insisted as she shook her head. "I won't take the stage." Then tried to walk away.
Not letting her, Yuri grabbed Sora by the arms. "I can't accept that answer, Sora. We've been together for months. Why are you still resisting?"
Trying to shake off his hold, Sora leaned into his chest. "I can't. It doesn't feel right. Besides, May and Leon won't let me."
"Who fucking cares! Sora. I know you can do this. See reason for once! Seize the chance to take the stage from them, and become The True Kaleido Star! I know you can do this." Yuri angrily tried, to explain to her. Then he abruptly let go of Sora. Storming away from her. Leaving Sora to stare after him helplessly.
As he marched down the hall. Layla smoothly walked past. Then calmly told him, "anger won't work. She won't be forced. It seems that our little Sora is walking own path. A path no other star has walked before."
Not looking at her, Yuri abruptly stopped. "She won't go far. No one! Has become a star without conflict. It's never been done."
"That doesn't mean, she won't try. And I'm tired of making her walk our path." Layla told him. Gently patted his shoulder. Then kissed him on the cheek, before walking toward the exit.
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A few weeks later, at the main stage. May was practicing the newly added "Genie" scene. Cathy, Layla, Mia, and other assorted stage hands were working on the final preparations.
The final rehearsal wasn't going well. Leon was swinging casually from each trapeze, making blind catches. May, was having problems.
She was supposed to be propelled up, from a powerful trampoline hidden beneath the stage, then at the apex of her jump. Perform a quadruple summersault, before landing on a trapeze. After that, she was supposed to adlib a few stunts, while following Leon around the stage.
"Stop! Stop! Stop. Stop!" Disgusted, Cathy shook her hands to stop Leon and May. "May you're supposed to be a magical genie. Where is the power of the magic?" Cathy called out. "And Leon! The hold point is to be in awe. How can you be awestruck if you never look at her!" Then she pointed to May. "How are we supposed to believe you're showing off your powers. You have to convince us, the audience. We're not stupid idiots, that can be placated with such a pathetic performance!" Turning to talk to Layla. She said, "you're right, she does have a lot of problems. I've seen the tapes of the Devil's act. I can't believe this is the same girl, I met in New York."
Layla said nothing in reply. Though every so often her folded arms would clench. Then a sudden movement caught her eye. One of the doors opened as Ken, Rosetta, and Sora walked in with a bucket, mop and other cleaning supplies.
In mid swing, May noticed Layla's distraction. "Come on Sora! Let's see your 'genie'," May taunted, from the trapeze. "It shouldn't be hard for the great 'Le Fool'!" She added. *Come on I wan'na see what is so special. Show me, Sora. Show me and I "might" let you on the stage again.* May thought with a smirk.
Hesitant, Sora took a step forward. Then she took a step back, and held Rosetta's hand.
Turning her head to look at Sora. Cathy cupped her hands around her mouth, "come on Sora! Show us your 'Genie'. Don't worry about Karlos! He won't find out." cathy called out, as she waved at Sora. Trying to encourage her to come down to the stage.
Still Sora wouldn't let go of Rosetta's hand, or come down the stairs.
Confused as always, Rosetta asked. "Sora, why don't you go ahead? No one is going to stop you." Then added excitedly, "besides. I know you can be an amazing genie!"
Looking down at her young friend, Sora smiled. Then announced clearly, "I am not ready yet. May, should continue practicing the role."
Upset, May abruptly let go of the trapeze. Then landed on the ground in a track runner's position. Just before running up to Sora. "Coward! Why don't you stop shitting Me!" She yelled before slapping Sora. Pausing to glare at Sora, May panted heavily. "You shouldn't, have come back. If you, still refuse, to get on the dam, Stage!" Then shoved Ken out of her way; as she recklessly ran out the still open door, behind them.
"Sora." Layla said contemptuously. "Think about May's reaction. Can you truly understand the stage. If you can't see how your actions affect others. Remember, choosing not to fight can be just as painful. Can you really stand to hurt people like that?"
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Later, in Sora's room. Rosetta and Sora sat down to drink tea.
"Come on and try this, Rosetta. It's very good tea." Sora enthused, as she poured tea.
"It's green…" Rosetta complained, reluctant to try the unusual drink. Then she grimaced after taking a small sip. "Ugh."
Gently chuckling, Sora commiserated. "I know it's a little bitter. But after awhile you'll get used to it." Then drank almost half her cup.
Staring down at her cup, Rosetta quietly spoke. "Sora. I know you don't want a stage full of conflict… But well. I remember the time. When I competed in the Diablo Tournaments." Looking up shamefully, Rosetta added. "I'm proud of winning all those competitions. I don't regret it!" Then her eyes welled up with tears.
Distressed at Rosetta actions. Sora gently reached over and grabbed Rosetta's hand. "Oh, Rosetta. You shouldn't be ashamed." Taking a deep breath, Sora tried to explain. "You were an amazing Diablo player, and May was wonderful at the Circus Festival. Its that… I… my path to make the True Star a reality. Is different from everyone else's."
"But Sora. That's just it. You aren't even on stage. So how can you work with everyone to become the True Star?" Rosetta asked her mentor.
Uncomfortable. Sora suggested they go to bed early. So they could wake up in time, to help clean the stage for tomorrow's show.
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Watching Aladdin and the Forty Thieves, from back stage. Sora thought to herself. *I know I said I didn't want to go on the stage. That it isn't time. But why do I envy May? Why do I find myself wishing that was me?*
On stage the lights went out in preparation for next scene. May got under the stage, and onto the special launching pad. Then they came back on, giving the illusion of a sealed cave. Complete with stalagmites rising up, hiding the trampolines, Leon was jumping on. Then a giant stalagmite, with a paper oil lamp rose up. From that object May was propelled onto the stage.
After her initial entrance. Leon then went into his routine of flipping backwards while semi-following May. Looking more bored, than awed.
For her part, May was trying to capture his attention. Every stunt she pulled, she closely watched Leon's face. *Why isn't he paying attention me!?! Every stunt is flawless. I'm doing everything Mia and Cathy said to do!*
Still bored, Leon kept looking at the audience. Then he saw Sora and Yuri, watching from the edge of one of the upper stages. The walkway was well hidden from view, but easily accessible from the next trapeze. *I'm tired of waiting, Sora. You are going to show me you deserve to come back here.* He thought, as he moved to the trapeze. Instead of doing a blind catch, he did a double flip half twist and caught the swing with his legs.
Surprising both May and Sora. Both girls froze in place as Leon grabbed Sora. Then sung her onto a random trapeze across the stage.
Excited at the prospect of Sora on the stage. May did her best to trap Sora. Refusing to let her leave. *Now we will end this, Sora. I'll show you and Leon who is the real star of Kaleido Stage!*
Trying her best to leave, and avoid Leon and May. Sora realized that the audience was getting confused. *No, they can't realize that anything is wrong. I'll have to get their attention back into the show.* Trying new things, to distract the audience. Sora unknowingly inspired May to work even harder to chase her. Then, *OH No! I missed the bar!* Sora thought as she began to fall.
Leon quickly grabbed the wires of the trapeze with his feet. Stretching as far as possible to grab any part of Sora. At the last possible second, his hand forcefully grabbed hers. Swinging her straight up into to the air. Reminded of one a move from The Angel's Act, Sora added her own strength to the swing. Propelling her gracefully higher than expected, into the air. At the apex of her jump; Sora took one last look around her, slowly closed her eyes. *The wonderful feeling of the audience. It is filling me with…* Realization hit her. *The stage it's Alive! Alive, alive!* Then Sora rose her arms gently over her head. As she fell herself drifting back down. Landing, on her feet, next to Leon on the swing.
Watching, in panic. May waited for Sora to fall and injure herself. *No this can't be happening again!* Frozen in place, she watched as Leon saved her. Then, as Sora gently went up in the air, it finally hit her. *I can't compete with her. Everyone kept telling me I couldn't. But I refused to believe it. Even when I saw her at 'The Wandering Circus, I refused to see it. But, but this… I, I, finally lost.* May sighed, refusing to let her tears fall. As she continued to watch Sora perform.
The lights finally went off. Ending the scene forcefully. The rest of the show went at planned. However in the weeks of the shows proceeding that one. The 'Genie' scene was removed. As neither May or Sora would take the stage in that role.
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This is how I meant for chapter 8 to end. I've been working hard at getting Sora back on stage, and now she finally got her chance. But now I have to wonder if Sora will stay there. Or if she should leave…