Felicie jumped as Monsieur Merante called out the final steps for the very complex petite allegro they were doing. She sighed and made her way to her spot on the floor beginning the routine as soon as the music started. As quickly as it was over, the moves took a lot of her. The physical demands of ballet were… well demanding. Dora gave her an exhausted smile across the room as Monsieur Merante called for the class to end, reminding them all that they were getting fitted for new pointe shoes today. Felicie smiled at that. Her mentor, Odette, just so happened to be the pointe shoe fitter and all the girls adored her, including Felicie.
Felicie had never met her father, and her mother had died when she was 5. Felicie had soon been put into foster care until, a year ago, Odette, her mother's best friend, had found her and adopted her. Odette was a great person and caretaker. She was kind, patient, and loving, things Felicie had not experienced since her mother passed. Odette had been the principal dancer at The Paris Opera before there was a fire on stage. She had been burned and several of the metal beams had cut into her leg. The doctor had done all they could have, but without removing her leg there was no chance of taking all of the shards out. So Odette was stuck with a permanent limp, a low-paying job at the pointe shoe shop down the street, and a teenage girl to raise on said minimum wage. She did the very best she could but sometimes Felicie could tell that Odette was beyond tired. Between paying for Felicies classes on top of the constant supply of pointe shoes, and feeding the both of them, Odette sometimes had to choose between sleep and working an extra shift at the shop. The owner of the store was not merciful at all. Regine le Haut was a monster all on her own, which always made Felicie feel bad for her friend Camille who was the witches daughter. Camille had managed to convince her mother to let Felicie and Odette sleep in the small attic above the shop. It wasn't much, but Felicie knew it was much better than being on the streets.
"Ah Mademoiselle Odette, thank you for coming today."
Felicie spun around as she heard her instructor allow Odette into the room. Her mentor limped in, her gait unsteady but still light with the grace of a dancer and set her box of measuring tapes, shanks, and charts down. Her chestnut hair was up in a messy bun at the base of her neck, several tendrils floating down and framing her thin face. She wore a brown work tank top with a white sweater and a pair of black leggings. Felicie was amazed at how no matter how tired and disheveled her mentor looked, she always managed to look beautiful. And Felicie definitely did not miss the way Merantes eyes tracked Odette's every movement, the way they followed her lithe figure as if drawn by a magnet. He was sooo in love. Felicie walked over to her and gave her a hug.
"Hi Odette."
She pulled back and twitched her lips. "Hi Felicie, how was class?"
"Good, the last petite allegro was exhausting, my legs are killing me." Felicie muttered, hoping Merante hadn't heard her. He had a bad habit of taking complaints and thinking that meant they needed to do more of whatever the students were complaining about.
"I bet." Odette said, her gaze flicking down to her damaged leg that was no doubt also killing her. She brought her gaze back up and quickly hid her tired and pained expression, replacing it with her signature half smile. Felicie had yet to see her mentor give a full smile in the 8 months she had been with her.
"Ok everyone, let's get started shall we?" She asked.
The girls all smiled at her and formed a line. Felicie backed away, she really didn't need new pointe shoes, she had gotten new ones two weeks ago. If she was careful she could get another month out of these ones. The girls all began to chat in line while Odette started to write things down on her chart and measure feet, having the girls flex and point their toes to determine shanks. She heard Merante walk up beside her and angled her body slightly his way.
"How is she doing?" He asked voice soft, nodding at Odette who was smirking with Nora about something.
"She's been better." Felicie whispered back, noticing the way Merantes eyes clouded with sadness at her answer.
"Has she been eating?"
"Not much, just enough to get by." Felicie sighed. "I try hard to make sure she doesn't kill herself with this but she's very stubborn when she wants to be."
Merante chuckled. "I have no doubt. What about sleeping?"
Felicie looked at her adopted mother again, watching as she discreetly rubbed a hand over her temples when one of the girls was turned. "Not for the last couple of days. She's been cleaning the studio after hours, trying to get extra money. I help when I can, but sometimes it's not enough."
Merante frowned, tapping his ornate cane, an accessory really, on the ground. "I worry about her, she seems very thin and I hate to say it, but almost frail."
Felicie raised an eyebrow or at least tried to. "I noticed that too, but why would you?"
Merante coughed trying to avoid the question. Trapped.
"Did she ever tell you that we used to dance together?"
Felicie felt the beginnings of a smile form on her lips. "No. No she didn't."
"She was the principal and I was her partner. We used to be friends." He looked over at Odette again, his eyes following her form. "Really good friends, and then… well you know about the fire. She changed and I don't blame her, her whole life was ripped out from underneath her. She refused any help and ended up at that shop she works in now." He tore his gaze away to look at Felicie who was staring at him expectantly. "Then I became the top instructor of this studio, which as you know ,the highest students, moved on to the Opera, and I didn't see her for almost 5 years. It is hard to see her like this."
Odette looked up at them, her eyes the same as they had been since Felicie had met her, pained and tired. Merante sighed and struck his cane on the ground again.
"That's enough for today ladies, if you didn't get fitted today you know Mademoiselle Odette will be back tomorrow. You are dismissed."
The girls left giggling and chatting, some of them smiling and thanking Odette others ignoring her completely. Merante went over to her and placed out a hand. She gave him a trace of a smile and gladly took his hand as he helped her up.
"Thank you Monsieur." She said her gaze not quite meeting his.
Felicie rolled her eyes, coming up and handing Odette her cane and grabbing the box of stuff.
"Thank you for the class tonight!" She said over her shoulder.
Merante put a hand on Odette's shoulder though halting their retreat.
"Wait Odette, could I take you to lunch sometime?"
Odettes eyebrows shot up and she looked like she was trying to refuse when he spoke up again.
"I would like to talk about a deal for the fittings. If that is alright with you of course."
He looked so hopeful that Felicie had a sneaking suspicion this lunch would be about more than just shoe fittings. But Odette shook her head.
"No, I'm sure you have the time to come to the shop and either I or another fitter can help you there. Thank you though." Odette said, her fingers gripping her cane tighter. Merante frowned, dropping his hand and looking away.
"Right. Well then I will see you tomorrow Mademoiselle."
Odette placed a hand on Felicies back, steering her away. "Yes you will."
Felicie opened the door to the attic setting the box down and running to the heater in the corner, banging on it until it whirred to life.
"One of these days I think that thing is going to explode."
Felicie turned back a small smirk on her lips.
"Well if we keep banging on it, it's going to explode sooner rather than later."
Odette chuckled. "It's the only way that thing ever works."
Felicie laughed, walking over and pulling her hair down from the tight ballerina bun on the top of her head, sighing in relief as the pressure was released from her head. She turned throwing on her grey jacket and frowning at Odette. Her adoptive mother was glaring at her leg, moving her ankle in small circles presumably trying to take the stiffness out of the limb. Felicia walked over to the woman and put a hand on her arm.
"C'mon, will you at least sit down for a little while?" Felicie asked pleadingly.
Odette sighed. "Fine, but just for a couple of minutes, I am cleaning after the studio is closed.
Felicie groaned. "Again?"
Odette nodded grimacing as she lowered herself onto the bed and began to rub her ankle.
"Yes, again. Can you finish your school work without me tonight?"
Felicie bobbed her head, one of her teachers, Mrs. Hallon, was extremely kind and always made sure that Felicie had whatever help she needed. Odette gave her a small smiled and closed her eyes rubbing a hand at her temples again. Felicie frowned noting the purple rings around Odette eyes, marks that had been growing darker over the past couple of weeks, and the exhausted slump of her shoulders.
"Odette why don't you let me clean tonight, then maybe you can get some sleep?"
Odette shook her head. "No. I'm fine Felicie. Just a bit tired is all."
Felicie rolled her eyes at her mentor's stubbornness. "Fine. Will you at least let me help you when I am done with my schoolwork?"
Odette sighed giving Felicie a wry smile. "You aren't going to give up on this are you."
"Nope." Felicie smirked. "So it will be much easier if you just agree now instead of wasting all that energy in fighting with me."
Odette rolled her eyes, taking her own bun out of her hair and carefully inspecting the strands. "Alright, but this is the last time."
Felicie scoffed. "Fine, then this is your last time doing a late shift."
They stared at each other, neither's eyes wavering. Finally Felicie sat down next to the woman, breaking eye contact and looking at her hands. "I'm just worried, ok? You have to sleep sometime. You're all I have left."
Odette instantly wrapped her arms around her and pulled her close. Felicie rested her head on her adoptive mother's shoulder.
"Alright, I'll do them less."
Felicie sighed, it wasn't nearly enough but as a start? She could deal.
"Regine has me working a double tomorrow, because Albert is 'sick' again."
Felicie scowled, Albert had a habit of being 'sick'. The old grizzled man was always complaining about something either Odette or Felicie had done. Regine and him unfortunately, got along quite well, probably only because of their mutual hatred of Odette.
"I swear someone needs to give that man a sense of responsibility." Felicie grumbled.
Odette rolled her eyes standing again and grabbing her dark purple coat and scarf.
"I agree, but… could you stay with one of your friends until ballet tomorrow?" She looked away guiltily. "I will come pick you up when I come to finish the fittings, but… it would be a lot easier."
Felice gave her a smile. "Of course."
Fridays were always difficult and whenever Felicie could help out she was glad too. Plus she wanted to go see how Victor was doing at his new fancy architecture and engineering school. He was her best friend seeing as they had been at the same orphanage for their whole lives, dreaming of escaping the restrictive confinements or the institution. Luckily they had both been adopted by people who lived in the same city, so they got to see each other quite frequently. No matter how strict Victor's adoptive father was, he made up for it by being a world renowned architect, a descendant of Gustave Eiffel himself, and making sure Victor lived a good life. Odette kissed her forehead and grabbed her cane from the corner.
"Thank you Sweetheart, I guess I will see you in an hour or two."
Felicie nodded and watched as Odette's form retreated out of the door.
Felicie walked back into the studio noting the way the small lights made shadows flicker across the walls. She walked to the largest studio stopping short when she saw a figure standing in the door frame. Felicie raised an eyebrow as she walked toward her teacher.
"What are you doing?" She hissed.
Merante jumped then quickly put a finger over his lips and pointed towards the classroom. Felicie ducked her head and felt her jaw drop open. Odette… Odette was dancing. There was soft music coming from her phone in the corner and she was using the broom as a crutch as she spun and balanced on her good leg, the leg that had the broken ankle extending and being lifted high. Even with those limited movements Felicie could tell her mentor was an extraordinary dancer. Her footwork was perfect, her technique precise, and her musicality flawless. She had kept her hair down so it flowed around her face and shoulders. She looked back at Merante and saw he had a hidden little smile on his face.
"Did you know she could still do that?"
Merante shook his head. "I suspected she could still do some things… but not that well."
Felicie grinned turning back as Odette arabesqued, bending her leg into an exaggerated attitude, lifting her arms into fifth position, the broom forgotten on the floor. Merante let out a little gasp.
And then she fell. Hard.
Felicie cursed and rushed forward to her mentor who was gasping for breath on the ground, her leg twisted out behind her. Merante was close behind her as Felicie slid to the ground. Odette looked up, her face contorted in pain and fear, when she saw Merante behind Felicie.
"Are you alright Mademoiselle?" He asked, concern making his voice much richer.
She looked away. "I'm fine. I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have been doing that. I swear it won't happen again!"
Merante frowned. "No need to worry Mademoiselle, I don't mind."
Odette nodded, still avoiding his eye as she swiveled her leg, trying to put it back into a normal position. She rolled her ankle and it cracked back into the right position. Felecie frowned as a small yelp escaped her mentor's lips.
"That did not sound good, do we need to get you to a doctor?" Merante asked.
Odette shook her head, wincing as once again her ankle cracked. "No… no this is normal. I shouldn't have been doing those moves anyways, I was already tired and…"
She grimaced realizing just how much she had revealed in that sentence. Merante pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Why do you insist on being so stubborn? We could get you to the doctor maybe get some medicine for the pain and make sure…"
"No." Odette hissed.
Felicie shrugged. "It's not a bad idea Odette…"
"No. I can't afford any of that, you know that."
Merantes eyes were sad as he gently touched her arm. "Odette, you know I would gladly help you with that. It's not a problem at all."
Odettes face softened before she shook her head, eyes once again masked. "Merante, it's fine. I don't need your pity."
Merante flinched at the tone in her voice and Felicie sighed, she knew where Odette was coming from but this was just kindness, nothing more. Even a 14 year old girl could see how much this man cared for her adoptive mother.
"Fine." Merantes voice was clipped and this time it was Odette's turn to flinch. Huh. There was definitely something else there. "Felicie if you could get this Mademoiselles cane for her, while I help her up?"
Felicie nodded going to the corner of the room as Merante offered her a hand.
"I said I was Fine."
The rustling of fabric and then a sharp gasp had Felicie turning around again, just in time to see Merantes arms wrap around Odette to keep her from falling. Felicie smirked, not sure why she was enjoying watching her mentor shudder as Merante whispered in her hair and hugged her close. There was just something so… easy, about them. He seemed to know the perfect way to distract her, and while she had just been mad at him for absolutely no reason, he didn't seem to care. Felicie grabbed the cane and stood in the shadows watching as Odette's shuddering stopped and she slowly looked up at the man holding her. He seemed to take a deep breath and Odette's fingers curled into his grey athletic sweater.
The can went clattering to the floor and the spell was lost.
Odette pushed away from Merante and he looked at her, hurt and pain warring across his face. Felicie cleared her throat and walked up to them handing Odette her cane.
"Welp we better get going, thanks Monsieur, I will see you tomorrow?" She grabbed Odette's arm and started to slowly lead her towards the exit of the studio.
"Wait Felicie… I haven't…."
"You have the rest of the night off." Merantes' voice called back and Odette's whole body practically collapsed in relief. Felicie looked back at Merante mouthing, thank you, at. He nodded and then… was gone.
A/N I hope you enjoyed the beginning of this modern AU let me know what you think!