Kaleido Star: Convergence
Chapter 1
'Finally!' exclaimed a lavanderhaired girl stretching her arms in her booth.
'What? I though you loved the stage.' Questioned the girl next to her, with two long ponytails. 'I do. I do. It's just that we performed the phoenix for so long. I really need a change.'
For the last month they had succesfully performed the Golden Pheonix and were having a full house each time. Even tough Sora had performed it succesfully four years ago, this time it was much more phisical and they needed to prolong the show seeing how it was a hit with the crowd. Usually a play would only be a month long, but they had to add another two weeks to keep the audience happy.
'Kalos even gave me a month off for such a job well done.' she continued happily. Rosetta who was to her left watched her and was happy for her. In the last years they had become similar to siblings and their bond had been tested a year ago when together they performed the legendary maneuver. The redhaired girl liked how her life was progressing.
Since she joined the stage she lost her coldness towards others. Many friends she made during her stay. Her closest beeing Sora and May.
Just as she thought how much the chinese had warmed up towards her she was met with a slap from the back on her head.
'What was that today? If you would have jumped any lower I might have dropped you.'
Rubbing her head Rosetta saw that it was May who she thought about. Turning around angry she pointed threatningly at her.
'Where do you get off? My jump was perfect, you where out of timing!' The blackhaired girl growled at her bearing her teeth. 'Are you saying I can't perform?'
The redhead got off and stared her in the eyes. 'Call it hanging like a peace of meat, but that was not a performance.'
May was quite amazed being at the end of such a strong will and now turning eighteen she was no longer the little girl she had met. Now almoast her height she admited to feel a bit intimidated by her but also enjoyed having someone to fight with. The others who were watching altough having seen their outburst many times still couldn't get fully used to it and tried their best to ignor them. But before the fight got out of hand Sora calmed the two.
'Relax, both of you. You also two weeks off so you should be resting and preparing for the next play.'
With a stare that left no room to argue they stopped and turned around childishly, trying to make the other apologize. They would have liked to prolong the argument, but the sweet stare in Sora's eyes was the one thing they both could not fight against. But then reconsidering her words the same thought crossed their mind.
'If you are taking a vacation for a month.' started May. 'Then it means that the lead role is open.' completed Rosetta.The two girls got their determined flame in their eyes and quickly rushed out of the dressing room.
'Those two are the same.' joked Anna. Besides Hannah and Barbera who always laughed at the girls antics, Mia too joined in. All agreed that the two brought together a unique humour.
The Bosses Office
The middleaged man was silently enjoying his evening coffee looking over the profits, pondering what to invest in. "The roof might need repairs. ... I should hire more maintanence and some security. ... Maybe even buy a new dormitory."
His thoughts interrupted as his door slammed wide opened and two girls rushed in.
'What are you two doing?' Rosetta spoke up firstly cutting of May.
'I came here to ask you to give me the chance to star in the next production.'
The chinese would not remain idle and spoke up.' Nice try, but if there is going to be a solo play the only one should be me.' 'Or you'll do what?' challenged the redhead expecting a strong response from her.
'I'll show you right here right now that I can outperform you.' Rosetta mocked being scared. 'Uhh ... Look at me shiver.'
Both intentivly stared at eachother. This silence prolonged itself as both tried to get at the other, but locked as they where they somehow felt as they where looking in a mirror seeing that they shared a common passion. Thinking about their similarities both started laughing fullheartedly. You wouldn't think they had just fought a minute ago as their giggling got stronger as if even in laughter they tried to surpass the other. However not wanting to choke they settled down and sat down on the same couch.
'So what have you decided boss?' The man turned around acting uninterested. 'If you keep acting like that I will either put both of you at the same time or not at all.'
The two understood, but the prospect of costarring was not at all displeasing, it was much more acceptable then the prospect of not performing at all, so both relented.
'Enjoy your holiday, after that we will be entering the peak of the season so you should be well rested and prepared.'
With both calmed down they returned to the dressing room and picked up their gear. Who had watched their argument before was astounded seeing how the tension between them had dissapated. Sharing all sort of nonsense and casual laughs they enjoyed eachothers company.
On the way to their rooms, a silence however settled, they effectivly had run out of subjects to talk about. In these moments they retreated to their thoughts. Rosetta's looked over at her chinese partner trying to make out her thoughts.
"Somehow only to her I can be direct. Altough I tell everything to Sora I would never dare to yell at her like I do to May. She is the only one capable of fighting back. I didn't notice before, but if she wasn't here everything would be much more dull. A weird bond I have with her, it is completly diffrent to what I share with Sora. On one side I see someone who can accept me fully and on the other someone who drives me to knew hides trough constant challenges."
The chinese was also similary in thougt, she unlike her never met someone quite like her.
"Rosetta, a fisty little girl. Over the years I've come to like the little girl more then anyone here. She is the only one brave enough to face me. She is the rival that Sora never became and who constantly keeps me on edge. I wonder if she will ever beat me. Wouldn't matter, even after that, I know I have a friend a close one at that."
May had always been unsociable. Only to her brothers did she have a strong bond. To her there was nothing more precious to her then family. She had been raised like that. Curiously enough this redhead was the only person she knew who could just as well be part of it. Heading to their seperate rooms they parted with a friendly wave of the hand. They looked like childish doing that, as if they would part for days, but between them it seemed to be habit.
Rosetta's Room
'Vacation at last!' said Rosetta strechting every inch of her body then falling onto her bed.
'You know that after a show there is ...' said a manly voice.' A shower yes I know Fool. Its not like you would ever let me forget.' The spirit flew over her and wanted to try his luck, knowing she had come from a show she would be too tired to catch him. 'You know in the last time I see you and May have been getting along quite well.' The girl noded and added.
'Yes I think she has become one of my best friends, altough I never told her that and I never heard her say the word 'friend' before. ... Well there was the one time she called one of the cast 'the friends idiot'.'
Fool began to understand the companionship and repect that had settled between the two
'You know that true friends always take a bath together.' He was curious to see her reaction. To him he looked far beyond her reach but her reach was longer then what he tought as she quickly jumped out of bed and grabbed him. Wrapped with the string from one of her diabolo she made sure the spirit would not escape.
Poking him annoyed she added insult to injury. 'You know you'll never get lucky.' As much as he tried he could not escape and was left to sigh dissapointed as the sound of flowing water accented his defeat. Now clean Rosetta got into bed for some welldeserved rest.
May's Room
Unlike Rosetta May had always had a hard time sleeping. Today's show didn't take that much out of her and she decided the use her remaining energy excercising. However unlike the redhead she was not privaledged with a spirit of the stage and was left to her own thoughts.
"I wonder how I am going to perform with her."
Altough they had been onstage together it was usually a siderole. Now the prospect of starring filled her with excitemnet. Not even performning with Leon or Sora gave this distinct feeling as Leon would never accept a challenge from anyone but Sora, and Sora didn't represent a challenge at all. She wondered what there was to this girl that made her so likeble, so special.
"Out of all the people no one gives me this special feeling. This rivalry that excludes hatred is more enjoyable then I would have ever thought."
Balancing on top of a chiar fatigue settled in and the blood that had rushed to her head made her a bit dizzy. This was her own way of getting a rest and she quickly fell asleep.
The next days were uneventfull, everybody was taking it slowly. It was the time to sooth the ailing body and recharge for what would come next week. Altough May didn't like it with the hall closed she had nowhere to train but inside. Despite their best efforts, Sora and Rosetta could not get her to stop practicing and in the end Sora ended up having wasted the day and Rosetta having joined May's session.
The next day with the hall open the chinese was eager to start.
Training Hall
'Finally!' shouted May at Rosetta who because of the latenight training had overslept.
'I'm very sorry.' said the girl panting trying to catch her breath. 'Actually it would have been better for you to stay, that way I would star alone.' continued May.
Altough seemingly mean she wanted to motivate her partner and the fiery glare that she found told her it worked.
'I can't let a monkey like you perform alone now can I?' answered Rosetta. Normally if someone insulted the chinese it would end up in serious injury, but this time, this one time she smiled, he grin not modest but wide as day.
Starting both were curious to see what they could conjour up in a day. Despite their best efforts both could not produce anything pleasing, but they would not let themselves get discouraged. Whatever their new act would be it needed to be a fight.
The next days progressed similary, but May started getting annoyed. She couldn't see why they couldn't come up with anything. Both where more then capable, but somehow they didn't work on the same wavelength. Rosetta also noticed but wasn't at all disturbed.
As long as she was able to perform and have fun it didn't matter how long it would take. Coming down from the net you could see May's displeased expression and as much as the redhead tried she could not cheer her up.
'What are we going to do?' mumbled the chinese to herself. 'Don't worry we'll come up with something.' said Rosetta trying to calm her down, but this time she didn't notice that May was genuinly upset and not trying to motivate her, and the playfull tone she answered only deepened the dissapointment.
'What is wrong with us? The first time we performed together we created the eternal illusion in under two days.'
Rosetta wanted to calm her down.
'We don't have to rush it. We still have two weeks before we even start considering the new play. The backupstage is also a hit currnetly.' The blackhaired girl grew more annoyed by the whole situation and stood up looking at her.
'And is that what you are going to say tommorow? and the day after that? and after two weeks?'
The redhead did not like where this conversation was turning, in her opinion there was nothing wrong.
'I'm starting to belive that you are not properly determined to go trough with this.' Now it was Rosetta's turn to stand up and stare ferociously.
'Are you doubting me?' May's irritation just wouldn't end. 'I expected more from us. I at least am trying my best but you are too mellow. If we are partners then I can't carry you as a burden.'
Now the chinese was up to her old tricks again and wanted to challenge the girl who got the intended respond in the form of a threatening glare. Thinking that now she could get Rosetta on a roll she wanted to deepen her determination and added. 'Sometimes I think we just aren't friends anymore.'
Unintended those words resonated deep feeling of sorrow in Rosetta's heart. A disturbing silence settle as the redhead was completly taken by her words.
For the first time she had heard May call them friends which made her happy, but the context it was in made her sadder then she could stand. Her eyes fell into the ground.
Just as Sora was about to tell May that she had gone too far the redhead broke two lonely tears and ran out of the building. The chinese was now surprised, she never would have thougth that her strongwilled partner would succumb that easily and looked at the two tears that where silently sitting on the wooden floor, testimony to the girls sadness.
'What have you done?' asked Sora breaking the silence. 'I ...' the chinese couldn't mumble a single word as she did not understand how she had saddened the girl. Don't you see that she values your friendship more then anything? changing from a arguing tone to a commanding.
'Don't just sit here, go after her.' May barly noded and headed out.
Outside Rosetta had quickly gone to the other side of the building crying all the way.
There in the back was a single bench which she sat on. Trying to ponder on what went wrong she could not belive what she had just heard.
"I thought after all these years we would be friends, close one at that."
Also outside May was desperatly searching for her partner, this weight on her heart was more painfull then she could have imagined.
"Where could she have gone?" Trying to interpret where she went she saw only one way and started runnig towards it. "Must have gone back to her room."
Still on the lonly bench Rosetta was still blaming herself for what happened. She admitted to have become a bit more relaxed, but it was vacation so who could blame would blame her?
'Rosetta? Why?' asked a british woman at the entrance changing a broken glass.
'I think I really upset her, so she didn't come trough here?' Sarah shook her head in dissaproval leaving May to resume her search. "Where on earth could she be?"
This feeling was all to new for her, she usually was proud of herself, but now all was replaced by a deep feeling of selfloathing. Walking slowly to the traininghall she tried to figure out where the girl went.Trying everyplace she knew in the vicinity she continued to look, but nothing, not in the park, the stage was too far.Just as she wanted to enter the hall and tell Sora that she couldn't find her a thought crossed her mind.
"Could she have ...?" She didn't even finish her though as she started sprinting towards the other side of the hall. However at the corner of the building she slowed down and carefully looked around the corner.
There she was. The redhaired girl she was searching for trying to surpress her tears.
For the first time May spotted a weakness in the girl, she cerished bonds more then her life. Now she understood the gravity of her words and wanted to go to her, but she stopped. Frozen in her place she realized that she didn't have the slightest clue how to apologize.
"What should I say?" She feared making things worse and desperatly trying to think up something. She trembled seeing how she couldn't come up with anything.
Only then did she realize that she was shaking and still hiding behind the corner.
"What am I scared of?"
Deeply altough she didn't admit it she was afraid, afraid that she wouldn't be forgiven that Rosetta might resent her, that she would make things worse.
She almoast never valued anyone elses opinion unless they where her superior, but now all that seems to be a lie as here was someone who's opinion she did not just acknowledged, but was concerned about.
"Come on you, pull yourself together." thought May arguing with herself. "She isn't going to sit there for ever."
Summoning enough courage she slowly walked towards the bench the girl was sitting on. Her steps where bearly audieble and only when her shadow dropped on Rosetta did the redhead realise who was next to her. She brielfy looked up but turned around even quicker avoiding the chineses look.
She didn't want to hear anything as she was convinced that it would be words of dissapointment.
'Rosetta I ...' started May getting closer to the bench. She had never been good handeling other peoples feelings, but this time she needed to give her absolute best.
But her words where cut off as the redhead said with a tremor in her voice.
'I don't want to know. If you don't want me to be your partner then I won't insist. I'm sure Leon can suit you better.'
The anger was clear in her voice, but it was not directed at May but to herself. The scene was unbearable for the blackhaired girl.
Here before her she saw the full extend of her crude actions as she had shattered the smaller girl. Kneeling down sideway to the girl May looked at her intentivly and couldn't belive what havoc she had caused.
She wanted to say some fullhearted words that would cheer her up, but as much as she tried she only came up with three words.
'I am sorry.'
Almoast instantly did the tears stopped flowing as Rosetta turned around and stared at her.
'What did you say?' asked the redhead. May saw how the sorrow in her eyes vanished and was replaced with a hopefull gaze, slightly incredulous.
This made her courage return to her as May continued.
'I said I am sorry. I don't want you to blame yourself. I see that I am the problem here. I am the one that has to become the better partner.'
The redhaired girl grabbed her by the arm and placed her on the bench besides her so they would sit at the same level and she could stare directly into her eyes.
For the first time did Rosetta see past her rough exterior.
She beheld a May whom she had never met and thought would never exist. This warm but selfaccusing smile that was on the chinese face was intriguing and reflected some emotions that she never saw her express.
Unprecedented beyond all the strength and willpower, deeper then what she ever saw she beheld for the first time genuine care. The solid exterior was but a shell to ward of anyone who would dare come into contact with her.
But now Rosetta saw that in this person she had kown for the years, was a lonely heart, which beat in a nomadic way.
All the challenges and all the performences had only one purpouse, to fill that gap.
Never would she belived that such a thing was possible but she saw clearly. In all these years not once did May show such deeprouted feelings and inside Rosetta knew that she was the first one in a long time who had seen her like this.
Today both beheld eachother in their weakest state and altough silent both screamed out for acceptance. In this moment there was nothing but the two of them.
But slowly and as much as they would have liked to prolong the pivotal moment Rosetta spoke up, asking the one question that burned within her.
'We still are friends right?' Altough she deep within she knew that answer she needed to hear it. May eyes shined as she now saw that the redhead meant more to her then anyone she had ever meant.
'God I hope so.' she answered cut of then off by a strong embrace. This gesture was completly new for the chinese as the only other time she felt a similar warmth was from her family. And altough this was Rosetta's usual way of thanking people this to her meant more then she would have ever imagined.
Now even she could not hold back her tears.
To both from this moment on they knew that they would be true partners. Rosetta enjoyed how open the chinese was towards her. May on the other hand was pleasently surprised having someone unlock a side that she never even acknowled
Back in the traininghall Sora didn't bother asking what happened seeing their happy faces.
'Lets get your untalented butt up there again.' said the chinese with the same competetive look in her eyes, but which seemed mellowed down by a friendly smile.
'Right away you monkey you.'
Both resumed their training and altough Rosetta desired Sora and the others to hear about May's sensitive side they quickly returned to their old fights. As much as she wanted to pass this secret on somehow she felt happy to be the only one privaledged enough to know.
After today's events both worked better together then what they had known before, and altough not fully grasped a new act was just about to be created.
May's Room
"Maybe being open to someone isn't such a bad thing after all." pondered the chinese trying to get some sleep, but today's events were still strongly playing in her mind.
This feeling somehow that there is someone out there who understands her filled her unimaginable joy, but she knew that she couldn't be open like that with everyone.
Maybe in time she would. but for now she settled for only Rosetta knowing. After today she learned one important lesson.
"Everybody has weaknesses, even me. Rather then trying to resent them, I should accept them."
It was no mindblowing revelation and she had heard it many times from her parents, chineese philosophers and the occasional fortunrecookie, but only now did she truly belive it herself.
This night she quickly fell asleep. In one day her world seemed to change beyond recognition, but the transgression was welcomed.
Rosetta's Room
'That it! I'm going to become the best partner starting tomorrow.' said the redhaired girl determined staring at the celing unable to get any sleep.
'That's quite a goal. Let's see what the future holds.' said the spirit and summoned a ring of tarot cards and randomly picked one, despite the girls displeased groan.
'Death. Troubled times, even failure and sometimes the fatalistic omen.'
Rosetta slapped him out of the way. 'Very nice of you Fool. I was having such a good day up until now.' Fool apologised, but added.
'At least you know to watch out for something.' The redhead stopped paying him any mind and fell asleep.
Bad omens or not, what she needed to focus on the new act.
After convincing himself that the girl was asleep he settle down on the counter and tryed to get some sleep when another card misteriously appeared. Fool looked at it and quitly mumbled.
'The Hierophant, the wise teacher or counsel, whoever this card belongs to is struggling internally to express himself. This person needs to become more true to her feelings.'
Settling he wondered who this other card was for. Rosetta had gotten her reading and this card could never apply to Sora who as the most downright honest person to her feelings he had ever met.
Going trough all the performer he was watching over he struggled to understand who was consumed by inner turmoil.
Even if only true stars could see him he still had an obligtion to watch over everyone who attended this stage. He stopped and tough the process of elimination he came to only one conclusion.
"May, born under Taurus. After what I've heard happened today she must be confused. Awkward how Rosetta is capable of sparking such feelings. Maybe Sora is not the only one to unlock the special part in everyone, but somehow the things that were unlocked today are diffrent. This time hearts were unlocked, not dreams. Friendships of unimaginable strength will be formed."