2 - The Boy with the Silver Eyes.
"Hello, Risolto residence?" Alexia announced down the phone. It was two days after the eclipse and Alexia was almost back to her old self.
"Hey Alexia, it's Shishu." the voice on the other end exclaimed. "How are you feeling?"
"Hi, I'm feeling a lot better, thank you!" she smiled.
"Wow great! So you'll be back in class as soon as they're back up?"
"Yup, sure will! Fingers crossed Miss Hanada gets better soon!" There was a long pause.
"Errrm, you haven't been told?"
"What?" Alexia looked confused. Mina, who was sat on the stairs with Estrella and Artemis, tilted her head.
"She died two days ago."
"WHAT?!" Alexia exploded; Artemis fell off Mina's lap. Alexia almost laughed, but managed to stop herself before she did.
"She died," Shishu repeated. "Apparently they thought the operation had been a success, but then she got an infection or something and she just…"
"Yeah, I understand." Alexia sighed. "I just can't believe it. Anyway I'll see you soon, ok?"
"Sure," Shishu replied. "Bye!"
"Bye." Alexia put the phone down, sighed, then went to sit next to Mina.
"What's wrong?" the blonde asked gently.
"Miss Hanada, the pianist, died." she murmured.
"That's terrible!" Mina exclaimed. "So what's gonna happen?"
"Don't know, I guess we'll just have to wait 'til they find a new one." Alexia buried her face in her hands. "I just can't believe it, she was such a nice person!" Mina put a hand on her friend's back.
"Hey, it's ok. At least you'll be able to audition." she said soothingly.
"Yeah, but when will the auditions be?!" Alexia moaned.
x x x x x
Nerissa sighed with frustration and pushed a strand of her long orange hair out of her eyes. She sat back in the chair she was sat in and picked up a newspaper that was on the table next to her. She was just about to start reading when she noticed Caliban walk out of his room. She burst out laughing.
"What do you look like?!" she exclaimed, tears of mirth rolling down her cheeks. He scowled at her.
"It's not my fault I can't get used to these stupid clothes!" he grumbled. She uncrossed her long legs and placed the open paper on her lap.
"Your shirt is on backwards." she remarked.
"Why have I got to wear these strange things anyway? What's wrong with my usual clothes?" he asked.
"We want to remain inconspicuous, don't we?" she explained. "So we have to dress like humans and have human names!"
"So what's my name again?" he retorted.
"Matthias, and I'm Crystal." she sighed; it was the fifth time she'd told him that day. She went back to the newspaper, and as she flicked through her eyes widened. "Hey this is perfect!"
"What?" Caliban muttered as he sorted his shirt out.
"There's a story here about a ballet school whose pianist's just died…they're looking for a new one!" she leapt up and suddenly transformed into her human form. Caliban looked at her in amazement.
"Where do you think you're going?" he demanded.
"To get a job! I trust you can still dance?" Nerissa grinned.
"This is my mission! I'll tell you when to go and what to do!" the youth snapped. Nerissa rolled her eyes.
"We're partners, remember?" she reminded him. "Anyhow, it's perfect! Think about it, what was one of the things that Charon was really good at?"
"Ballet." he remarked.
"Exactly. So if I'm right Sailor Charon will be just as graceful!" Nerissa exclaimed. Caliban closed his eyes.
"Since when have you been able to play the piano anyway?" he asked. Nerissa grinned.
"One of my little secrets." she winked.
"Fine, go." he muttered, turning his back on her.
"Ha!" Nerissa said triumphantly. "See ya later!" she disappeared. Caliban sat down and crossed his arms.
"I still don't understand why I have to put up with her," he muttered. "Then again I don't understand what Lucilius is planning, either…"
x x x x x
Alexia and the other Scouts were sat around at the temple.
"I'm sooo bored! Why can't we have some action?" Lita suddenly exclaimed, slamming her hand against the wall.
"Tell me about it." Rei sighed. "Have you heard anything Luna?"
"No nothing at all." the black cat told her.
"I think it's nice that we're having a break!" Serena beamed.
"You would, gives you more time to slack off." Rei muttered. Serena opened her mouth, then shut it again.
"What can we do?" Mina asked.
"We could study, I have lots of exams coming up." Amy suggested. The other Scouts groaned. Suddenly a car horn sounded.
"That's my mom, I gotta go for my audition now!" Alexia announced, grabbed her bag containing her dance clothes and ran down the steps.
"Good luck Alexia!" Mina called after her.
"You'll be great!" Serena added.
"Bye guys!" Alexia waved to the other Scouts before jumping into the car.
"You nervous?" Miaka smiled as her daughter sat down.
"A little, I'm more excited!" Alexia grinned. Earlier that day she had received a phone call from the dance school telling her that they had found a pianist at last. She had butterflies in her stomach as they reached their destination and she almost fell out of the car as she opened the door in her excitement to get in there and do the best audition she'd even done.
"Have fun sweetheart, and good luck." her mother called as she drove off.
"Alexia!" Shishu exclaimed happily as Alexia approached the school.
"Shishu, you've still not managed to persuade your parents to let you stop taking lessons?" she asked. The raven-haired girl shrugged.
"I've decided not to." Alexia rolled her eyes. Shishu was known for her fickleness.
"Come on, let's go." she pushed open the doors and skipped in.
x x x x x
"Wow, what a babe!"
"Who is he?"
"I don't know, but I hope he's single!" three girls were stood giggling in the corner of the changing room whilst Alexia was getting ready.
"Hey Saya, who are you talking about?" she asked them. Saya, a pretty girl with wavy red hair and brown eyes, turned to face her.
"There's a new guy in the class." she replied.
"Ms. Yakamori's given him the lead male part!" another exclaimed.
"Plus, he's drop dead gorgeous!!" the other girl swooned. "Whoever gets the female lead today will be one lucky girl!" Alexia grinned.
"Let's go and see then!" she walked out into the classroom and smiled contentedly to herself. "It's good to be back." she murmured, stretching her arms out above her head.
Caliban sighed in annoyance at all of the girls. He folded his arms and tossed his head back as yet another pair walked past giggling. Nerissa smiled from her position at the piano. She stood up and walked over to him.
"Cheer up…Matthias." she said. He scowled at her.
"Why did I listen to you?" he muttered.
"Because I'm clever? Come on this plan is perfect! You got the lead easily!"
"Only because I brainwashed the teacher!" Nerissa shook her head.
"Just calm down, ok? I'm sure this is where we'll find Charon!" she walked away again. Caliban pushed a hand through his hair and allowed his eyes to drift around the room; somehow still managing to avoid the gazes of the admiring girls.
"Go and talk to him!" he overheard one of his newly-formed fan club whispering nearby.
"No…you go and talk to him!" her friend exclaimed and then they both giggled. The prince was about to storm over to Nerissa and tell her he'd already had enough of this place and that he was leaving when his attention was caught by the sight of a new girl, who strolled past him whilst stretching her arms above her head.
His jaw dropped.
Unlike the other female dancers in the room she hadn't even tried to look at him; in fact it seemed to him that she only had eyes for the barre, which she had now stepped up to. Her pale blue eyes had a look of contentment in them as she began to stretch her long legs. As he continued to observe her with widened eyes his stomach seemed to turn over inside him. Something about the feeling was familiar…although so was something about that girl…
Alexia was completely oblivious to the attention she was receiving right at that moment. She was silently giving herself a pep-talk as she warmed up, focusing her mind on the task at hand - getting the lead. She looked deeply into her own eyes, which were reflected in the mirrored wall beside her.
"You can do this, Alexia." she told herself with determination, before she sensed she was being watched.
And that was when she finally noticed Caliban.
Blue eyes locked with grey in an instant and for the smallest moment it felt like time had stopped. Embarrassed that he had been caught staring, the youth turned away sharply and Alexia suddenly felt dizzy. A succession of emotions had flowed through her so quickly that she'd barely had the time to recognise them. Gripping the barre so tightly that her knuckles were white she took some deep breaths whilst she tried to comprehend what had just happened to her. At first she had felt surprised, which had turned to sheer joy as she'd gazed at the youth; swiftly it changed into wariness, then confusion, panic and finally a stomach-churning fear, which she was still feeling now. Her heart was pounding and she suddenly felt very hot and like the room was spinning around her.
Please, go away…leave me alone! She found herself thinking desperately, although she had no idea why. She placed a shaky hand to her mouth as it filled with an unpleasant taste and she was convinced she was going to be sick, there and then, if she didn't get away from him.
Pushing herself away from the barre she sped to the dressing room, shoving through the crowd of girls who were still discussing the newcomer.
"Alexia? Hey, Alexia!" Shishu exclaimed, chasing after her friend. Alexia grabbed hold of the side of the basin she had run to and almost choked as she wretched loudly. "Oh my…you're not gonna throw up, are you?" The girl inquired anxiously. "I hate seeing people being sick…" The Charonian simply shook her head and wiped her streaming eyes with the back of her hand. Shishu took her by the shoulders and took her to sit on one of the benches in the room. Alexia rested her arms on her thighs and kept her head low. "Here, drink some of this, it'll make you feel better." her raven-haired companion instructed gently and Alexia felt something cold against her hands. Taking hold of the bottle of water she raised her head and slowly sipped its contents. The cool liquid slipped down her throat easily and she quickly felt much better.
"Thanks, I needed that." she managed to say. "I felt so ill all of a sudden."
"You looked so green!" Shishu remarked quietly. "Are you sure you should be back here? Maybe you should rest some more…"
"I'm fine, Shishu. Seriously." she added as her companion gave her a disbelieving glance. "The doctor gave me the all clear. It was just that new guy…"
"What about him?" Shishu inquired curiously.
"I caught him looking at me and it was so strange. Our eyes met for a moment then he turned away and I…" she decided to give Shishu the edited version as she'd never be able to explain exactly how he'd made her feel. "I just suddenly felt really sick!"
"Woah!" Shishu exclaimed, her eyes wide. Her voice lowered to a whisper. "You don't think he's that ugly, do you?!" Alexia couldn't help but laugh. "Anyway, I guess we better get out there - you have a lead part to get!" Alexia looked at Shishu with surprise. "Oh come on, Alexia! I know I haven't a chance in hell! You're a great dancer, if you don't get it, I'll yell at Ms. Yakamori!"
"I'll hold you to that." the green-haired girl grinned.
"Class! Can I have some order please!" Ms. Yakamori was barking as the two girls entered the dance studio. Alexia kept her head down, making sure she avoided the gaze of Caliban, and went to sit with the rest of the class. "Now, I'd like to introduce you to our new pianist, Miss Reimo." Caliban gave Nerissa a strange look as she stood up and smiled.
"Please, call me Crystal." she told them. Alexia raised her eyes for a moment to look at the blonde woman sat at the piano, before looking away again as Ms. Yakamori turned to Caliban.
"And this is our newest class member, Matthias." she continued.
"Matthias…" Alexia couldn't help but murmur as she fought the urge to look at him again.
"Now," Ms. Yakamori went on. "Let's continue with the auditions. Most of you auditioned yesterday, but there's still a few of you left. Let's start with you…" Alexia's mind drifted off again as she stood up and walked away from the group. Caliban's eyes followed her every movement carefully, although he didn't really understand why he was watching her so closely. I can't allow myself to be distracted from my mission, especially not by some Earth girl, he told himself firmly; but still…the urge to talk to her was too great. I suppose I should try and blend in, it might make the time go faster. After quickly checking his appearance in the mirrored wall he stepped over to where the object of his curiosity was stood looking out of a window.
"Excuse me?"
A chill shot up Alexia's spine as soon as she heard the confident male voice directly behind her. Part of her wanted nothing more than to grab the handle on the window, pull it open and leap out; however the other part of her wanted to turn around and get to know this strange newcomer. Finally, after swallowing hard, she allowed the latter part to win. Forcing a slight smile onto her face she turned to face him.
"Yes?" she managed to say, clenching her hands together tightly behind her back. She backed away slightly, so her back was touching the window sill, and looked around to check who was nearby so she could call to them if she needed to get away quickly.
"Hi…I'm Matthias." Caliban simply said, his eyes firmly fixed on her. Alexia felt like she would suffocate, he felt so close to her…
Why am I so scared of him?! She wondered, her heart pounding against her ribs.
"I'm Alexia, Alexia Risolto." she managed to murmur, and much to her surprise felt her cheeks start to heat up. I can see what the other girls see in him, he's very good-looking… she decided, but still, there's something about him that's familiar, and it frightens me…
"Hey, here you are Alexia!" Saya exclaimed, shoving past Caliban and grabbing the green-haired girl's arm. "Shishu's auditioning right now! She said you wasn't feeling very well, I think you should sit down right now." She looked at Caliban. "Hi, by the way. My name's Saya Ikari, welcome to the class."
"Thank you, Saya. I hope you feel better, Alexia." The youth remarked and Saya dragged Alexia into a corner away from him.
"What was happening over there? The other girls were getting really jealous that he'd spoken to you first and then I noticed that you looked terrified of him!" the red-haired dancer exclaimed, blinking her dark eyes.
"He was just introducing himself. I guess I must've looked a bit nervous because he startled me, that's all." Alexia lied quickly. "Hey, did you say Shishu was dancing? Let's go and watch!" she swiftly changed the subject and started to walk towards the other end of the room, where the auditions were taking place. You'll never know just how right you were, Saya. She said mentally.
Alexia spent the rest of the time before her audition practising and successfully avoiding Caliban's gaze.
"Miss Risolto?" Ms. Yakamori finally called to her just as she was about to sit down. Alexia smiled and nodded as she walked to stand in front of the teacher. Whilst she waited for Ms. Yakamori's cue to begin she turned her head slightly to take a proper look at the new pianist. She was quite young looking, with skin so pale it was almost as white as snow and thick sand-coloured hair which fell to about halfway down her back. Her green eyes observed Alexia just as curiously, but then crinkled at the corners as she smiled cheerfully.
Could she be Charon? The pianist asked herself as she gazed thoughtfully at the dancer, before her attention was caught by Caliban, who had walked over to Ms. Yakamori and was now talking to her earnestly. Alexia was also regarding the scene with knots in stomach.
What does he want? Why does he have to talk to her now? She pondered anxiously. Ms. Yakamori walked over to her, a serious look on her face.
"Alexia," she whispered in a tone as grave as her face, to the girl, who was becoming tense from a the mixture of nerves and excitement. "Matthias has asked me if he could dance with you. It is rather unorthodox as the others girls haven't been offered the chance, but…" she leant a little closer, her sky blue eyes meeting Alexia's ice blue ones. "I seriously believe you have what it takes to get the lead - you know very well that I think you should be in a more advanced class. However, I am leaving the decision entirely in your hands."
Alexia wasn't sure how to react. She felt rather uncomfortable with the fact that Ms. Yakamori had more or less just guaranteed her the lead without auditioning, yet she knew the teacher would never do anything so rash without she really believed it be right. However, it was the thought of having to dance with Matthias that made her feel worse. Her stomach was churning so much that she felt like she was in a boat on stormy waters and she wasn't entirely sure if her legs would hold her weight for much longer…
"Alexia," the soft male voice of Matthias was like silk to her ears, almost seductive in its tone. Her shoulders tensed as she felt his hand come to rest on one of them. "I've been watching you practise; you're the best dancer I've seen in a long time. Please allow me the pleasure of dancing with you." As he had spoken she'd fought the urge to pull herself away from his grasp and scream. Now she was resisting the urge to turn and look at him, which reminded Alexia of watching a horror movie through her fingers - not wanting to see what was happening yet at the same time wanting to in order to soothe her curiosity.
She couldn't - she simply could not dance with him.
Nonetheless, if she wanted the lead, which she most definitely did, then she would have no choice in the matter - she would have to dance with him sooner or later. Then there was that tiny part of her that wanted to…
"Okay." She finally said firmly, nodding her head.
"Fantastic." Ms. Yakamori looked pleased with her decision and walked back to where she had been stood before. As Matthias removed his hand from Alexia's shoulder and moved away she felt as if a huge weight had been lifted. "Crystal, you can begin." Alexia could hear her heart pounding as the piano music began and she spun to where Matthias was waiting for her. As he took hold of her waist and lifted her the Charonian felt her head go strangely light for a moment and as he placed her down again their eyes met. A rather pleasant shiver went down Alexia's back and she couldn't help but smile at her dance partner for the first time since she had first lain eyes on him. Caliban was entranced, but managed to keep his concentration. Every move they made seem to come naturally, almost as if they had danced together every day of their lives, and the smile would not leave Alexia's face. She was no longer herself, she was the character in the story they were telling through their every movement, dancing with the love of her life. It was this escapism, this ability to imagine she was someone else, that made Alexia love ballet so much. They were both so wrapped up in dancing with each other that they didn't notice the crowd of girls that had formed around Ms. Yakamori, each one of them staring in awe.
Finally the music ended and Alexia was brought back to Earth by the sounds of applause and cheering.
"Well, I think we've found our prima ballerina." Ms. Yakamori announced above the noise, an approving smile on her face. As she stood gaping at the crowd Alexia was speechless. She would have never believed, had it not just happened, that dancing with someone who was a complete stranger with no prior practice could ever feel so…right. She looked at Matthias again and felt even more confused. Where had the fear she had felt earlier gone? No longer did panicked thoughts of how to escape from him cross her mind - in fact the only thing she could think of was how much she was looking forward to getting to know him better, and how attractive he was! It was like a door had been opened in her heart, letting out all of the fear and thus allowing these other feelings to grow stronger. As they looked at each other, smiling, she found herself sinking deeper into his magnificent eyes, which sparkled so much in the spotlights overhead that they looked silver.
"Congratulations, Alexia." he grinned, giving her shoulder a squeeze.
"Uhhh…thanks." she managed to reply quietly, her cheeks turning red instantly.
"I told you that you could do it!" Shishu exclaimed happily as she ran over and hugged her friend tightly. "I'm so happy for you!" her eyes shone mischievously. "So are the others, although they might not seem it!" Alexia looked over Shishu's shoulder at the disappointed faces of the other girls, and couldn't help but wonder if they were upset because they didn't get the lead or because they wouldn't get the opportunity to dance with Matthias.