Earlier that day… Odette was cleaning the classroom when Marie walked in. Felicie had left the night before after a quarrel with Odette. Odette sighed and picked up the broom. She began sweeping and did a small twirl. "Keep your leg elevated slightly higher." A voice echoed. Odette turned around and saw Marie at the door. "Madam Marie, how are you?" Odette curtsied slightly and held the broom tightly in her hand. Marie took the broom from her and said, "pirouette." Odette looked down and whispered, "I can't." Marie scoffed and gave her a frown. "Now what kinds of an attitude is that? That is the attitude of a quitter. Just try again." So, Odette tried without the broom and fell. Marie bent down and began stretching out Odette's calves and rotating her ankles. Odette winced, as her joints hadn't been exercised in many years. This time she was successful. When she tried out her bad ankle, they both knew it would never be able to support her weight to the fullest extent. Odette sighed as Marie whispered, "step by step, little by little." Odette smiled weakly at her. Marie smiled and kissed her forehead. "So how is your student, Felicie isn't it?" Odette frowned and Marie sensed that was a sore topic. "We had an argument." Odette explained. "Both stubborn, I suppose." Marie teased.
Odette cocked her eyebrow and giggled. "You sound like Louis." Marie's face turned somber, "He misses you." Odette turned away and sighed, "He has his own life and I have my own. I should focus on providing for myself and Felicie. Louis has his own path to follow." Marie scoffed, "You know he would not hesitate to have you marry him." "He did ask me once." Odette mused as she thought about memories of the past. It was at that moment, her ankle decided to flare up. Odette sighed and sat down in a chair. Marie sat next to her and lifted her ankle. Marie began rubbing and rotating it. "You really should take better care of yourself." Marie scolded gently and Odette frowned. "Oh, I almost forgot. The reason why I came is I needed to ask you a question." Marie said then hesitated. "Go on." Odette told her. "Well Auguste, Lucien, and I met with a few other Operas around Europe and we are each forming our own museum in the main countries; Russia, Paris, Italy…. Etc" Odette nodded, "and you will need some memorabilia correct?" Marie smiled and Odette rolled her eyes and chuckled. "I'm afraid I'm lacking in memorabilia. "Actually, we found some of your things already." Marie said in a small voice and pulled out a package. Odette's eyes widened as she realized what Marie had found. It was her burned leotard from Sleeping Beauty. Odette closed her eyes and breathed. She took the leotard in her shaking hands and held it. Suddenly Louis walked in and gasped at the sight. Odette's eyes filled with tears; Louis too shocked to think straight, ran out as to not disturb the moment. Unfortunately, he only made it worse. Odette took a breath and turned to Marie with a small smile, "I can't wait to see the exhibits." Marie hugged her, "There will be one for you, Louis, Rosita, Lucien, and myself." Meanwhile Louis was trying to process what he had seen, which was cleared up once Auguste asked him about the memorabilia. Just then, Regine Le Haut came storming in with a rage. "Where is she?" she growled. Louis tried not to react, but immediately got protective as he knew who the comment was directed toward. No one would ever hurt his Odette again. Marie and Odette were blissfully unaware, until Odette was called to another classroom. Odette looked at Marie and said in a grave voice, "stay here." Somehow she knew the charade was up. With her head held high, Odette went to face her rival, Regine.