Chapter 12 - TV Special
The qualifiers had been a huge success for Meredith Lee's school, it was the first time in the school's history they had two students advancing to the finals. A jovial mood spread across the school, and many boys struck the pose Jude did in the interview, when they passed him the halls.
"Come on, Jude, fight-o!"
Mikkel, being one of the most popular boys in school, didn't have a single moment when he was not surrounded by a group of boys, and he bragged high and wide of how he would bring the championship back to their school.
Jude kept his demeanor neutral, he knew how to make himself disappear. He was always polite to those who wished him well but never took part in the banter. It was also because Starigold amped up his training, stating that the time lost during the trip to the qualifiers had to be compensated for.
He was now in a state of constant pain. The aching in his feet spread to his legs, though even if it was painful he was more determined than ever to give it his best.
He'd been forced to go to the infirmary once. Nina worried about the state he was in and said she would consult with Meredith.
"This has to stop!"
"Please, Ms Nina, I want to go on."
She relented to his pleas and injected a fluid of pain relievers into his feet.
"I can only do this once a week and I must warn you that it won't make the problems go away, you have to promise to be careful or you might cause permanent damage to yourself."
He promised but knew Starigold would push him as far as possible. She wanted him to shine, she'd said that herself.
"And a one and a two and a three and jump. Now one more time and a one..." Her voice echoed through his mind during classes, when he ate, when he studied and even when he slept.
Autumn progressed into winter. The trees felled their leaves and stood naked and bare as the cold stillness of winter wrested control of the land.
It was time for the TV specials.
The TV specials was an event meant to introduce the seven boys who had received a one-way ticket into the finals. While the public got to follow those who advanced in the qualifiers, those with a ticket into the finals were fraught with mystery. Each week, during the lead up to the championships, a one hour show was televised on the biggest broadcasting network across the empire.
Jude was number four in that order, which meant that his special would be broadcasted five weeks before the championships.
The special comprised of an interview, a narrative background story and a live performance. Starigold decided he would perform the second act of a famous number called Giselle.
Giselle was the story of a peasant boy who lived during the high renaissance. He attracted the affection of a futa Noble, Duchess Albrechtina of Silesia, who courted him disguised as a common Futa. Duchess Albrechtina was already betrothed to the Duke Courtland's son though and when the truth surfaced it devastated Giselle and he died of a broken heart. In death he is revived by the Gilis, vengeful virgin spirits who died before they got to marry and seek revenge upon those who wronged them. The Gilis put a death curse upon Albrechtina and only through Giselle's love can she be redeemed.
It was a beautiful story and well fitted to perform in the TV special.
Jude had prepared himself for weeks, perfecting every minute detail, and was confident he could perform it.
Meredith had called Starigold to her office after a worrying discussion with nurse Nina.
Starigold sat in the chair across her desk with a stern gaze.
"I spoke to nurse Nina recently, she's worried about Jude."
"In what sense?" Starigold replied curtly. Meredith noted her hostility.
"About his condition. She told me he's lost a lot of weight and if he doesn't get more rest he could hurt himself."
"Nurses," Starigold snorted.
When Meredith intensified her stare, she went on.
"You hired me to bring out the best of him, I'm sure you didn't expect it to happen without effort."
"Of course not, I'm just worried you're pushing him too far. Jude is the kind of boy who won't complain."
"Well then, let me assure you i'm keeping a close eye on his condition. Also, I'd like for it to be known that there's a good reason why I'm pushing him."
"And what would that be?"
Starigold leaned back into her chair and weighed her words.
"I've trained many boys, hundreds of them and this is not the first time I've stumbled across one with Jude's talents. How many of these boys do you think reached stardom?" Meredith did not answer her rhetorical question and kept silent.
"I could probably count them on a single hand," She went on, "to have talent is a prerequisite but talent alone won't do it."
"What does it take then?"
"Heart."
"Heart?"
"Yes, heart. Consider this; Within every boy and artist there is a core. It is through this core they draw the expression of their art. Flawless technique in all honor but it will not grip the attention of an audience. If they can reach into this core and bring out the light within they can communicate directly to the audience's hearts. Perfection is not a state achieved by following a formula but through the imperfections of human expression."
This was one of the reasons for the harsh training regiment she'd set up for Jude. The other, which she didn't want to tell Meredith, was to see whether darkness had already seeped into his heart and ruined him.
"I see," Meredith said, "I can accept that, but as headmistress it is my job to protect the students and therefore I must request you give Jude time to rest. If he can't even make it to the finals, it will all have been in vain."
"Your request is duly noted."
They stood up and shook hands.
"I'm glad we had this talk, I trust you will do what's best for Jude."
The day arrived. Several white vans drove up to the school and parked outside the main building.
The camera futas and sound technicians set up their up their equipment in the assembly hall, that had been turned into a stage for Jude to perform. A classroom was cleared for the interview and ornate drapers were hung on the walls. Meredith insisted on having the school banners in view of the cameras and the reporters couldn't refuse, it was her school after all. Jude, being an orphan, was considered to be under the legal guardianship of Meredith so there were no parents who could voice their opinions upon the proceedings.
The futa who would conduct the interview was Hanna Epstein, the one who'd given Jude his ticket to the finals.
The network brought a team of makeup artists, hairdressers and commissioned a prominent designer to create a dress for him. Jude felt flustered by all the attention, he would have rather have done the makeup by himself.
Once everything was prepared Hanna invited him to sit in the armchair. He sat at the edge of the cushion with his back straight, as was proper, and kept an attentive expression.
Hanna wen't through the questions and said that if there were any questions he'd like removed they would. While he was hesitant about some questions, he didn't want to be an inconvenience.
"We are ready whenever you are," a camerafuta said.
Hanna looked at Jude who nodded and then gave the camerafuta a thumbs up.
She began the interview by asking him of his school, teachers and classmates. He did his best to answer each question as truthfully as he could, which was easy because he only had good things to say about them. Then she moved on to the more personal questions of his upbringing. Jude told her about his parents, how his mother joined the repopulation programme in the war zones, of her miscarriages and how he was born. He tried to keep the story of their passing brief as he saw how Hanna stiffened when he told her how the soldiers attacked and his mother was shot in her back. When he finished, he noticed tears trickling down her cheeks.
If he'd known she would be so upset he wouldn't have mentioned it at all. Hanna called a stop to the interivew to go clear her nose. She returned a short moment later and they resumed, He spoke of the time he was on the run and was admitted into the orphanage and subjected to the daily abuse and spankings from the mother matron.
"Is this true?" she blurted out suddenly.
"Yes, the mother matron told us it was important she spank us on a regular basis to correct us. Sometimes she brought her cane as well." Jude shifted in his seat as remembered how it hurt. All the futas in the room gasped and their faces turned angry.
Jude wasn't sure what the outrage was about so he continued his story to the point he met Meredith.
When Hanna Epstein had asked all her questions, she turned and spoke directly into the camera.
"There is no doubt that Jude has travelled a long way since his humble beginnings. Once lost and discarded he now stands to compete at the biggest stage in the world. Some might call it a miracle but I call it the bravery and virtue of a boy who defied all odds and never gave up on himself. A story equally heartwarming as it's heartbreaking. I'm Hanna Epstein and this is your contestant for the North American state. May the goddess bless the Empire."
"aaaand cut," A futa said.
"Jude," Hanna said and grabbed his hands.
"I'm sorry to hear about everything that has happened to you, I.." her voice trailed off, "I wish you the best in this competition. No matter what happens, keep your head held high."
"thank you," Jude said then Hanna stood and walked over to Meredith who'd been watching behind the set.
"Ms Meredith I must say, I think what you're doing here is beautiful. I will talk to some colleagues of mine so we can help expand this program of yours."
"Thank you Hanna, it is much appreciated."
She smiled and turned back to Jude
"Good luck with your performance. I'm looking forward to it."
The stage was set, the cameras put in place and the sound technicians tested their equipment for the last time. Starigold went through the act with him to keep him focused, then left to take a seat in the front row. Jude glanced between the curtains that separated him from the audience. Behind them the entire school was seated, eagerly awaiting his entrance. There were reporters, members of the championship committee and even the Duchess of Hearthley was in attendance. She was the biggest sponsor of ballet in the state and probably the one reason it still held any kind of relevance. In a few moments he would take to the stage and show his art to them. He swallowed his nervousness and found the determination within. He was confident, the practice had gone well and even Starigold was hard pressed to find any fault with him. She nitpicked anyway but Jude accepted it as they way she taught. He appreciated her dedication to make him perform each step to perfection.
Hanna held a short speech on the stage and Jude could tell she was about done,
he took a deep breath, steadied himself and pushed his concentration to the limit. Nothing could go wrong.
There was a sudden sting in his chest and a static noise flashed into his conciousness but disappeared as quick as it had surfaced.
"And now the performance we've all been waiting for, give a round of applause for Jude."
The audience applauded but were neither boisterous nor loud. Ballet was an art that inspired a subdued appreciation rather than loud cheers.
He took to the stage, tipping out to the center and began his number. Every move of the set played within his mind. The stage dissolved and the setting of Giselle emerged. It was a winter landscape, with soft puffy hills blanketed in snow, the trees glittered with frosty droplets hanging heavy upon the branches and a serene stillness covered the stage.
He sprung up, leapt through the snow, kicking clouds of dusts into the air. He braced his legs and leapt, stretching his legs out in a line to give an impression he was floating. An awed sigh swept through the audience.
Then, as he landed, he heard a crack in his ankle. The sound was faint, and it was likely only he heard it. He kept dancing, moving around the stage in all his grace. The ankle didn't hurt but something was amiss.
Dark clouds gathered upon the horizon and they were coming his way. Bolts of lightning lit the landscape, forewarned by deep rumbles that reverberated through the air.
A sharp wind blew in face, stinging his eyes and skin, the sun escaped behind the clouds and the land was covered in darkness. Rain fell, big oozing droplets of dark matter, corroding the snow rather than melting it. The frosty, beautiful trees twisted and turned into intimidating figures with long arms reaching for him. A cacophony of voices exploded. They were laughing, jeering and pointing at him with faces split in gleeful grins. A bolt of lightning hit the ground nearby and cracks of fire burst from the ground.
A great shadow hovered above, scanning the land. It was looking for him. Their eyes met and its gaze cut through his soul, it was agony, it was sheer terror. He knew he had to get away from it or else it would be the end of him.
He ran across the nightmarish landscape with the screeching entity at his heels, jumping over roots that dug themselves out of the ground to obstruct his way. Other people were running too, blurred shadows with faces haunted by the same terrors as he. The Thunder stormed, and the shadows were struck by lightning one by one, causing them to shriek in deaths anguish as they were erased, only leaving piles of dust as evidence of their being.
A bolt struck his back and fell him to the ground. He tried to stand but the dark entity caught up to him, pushing his head into the cold ground. No, please, no. He pleaded but there was no mercy in its eyes. It pierced right through him with a horrendous laugh. The pain was excruciating, and he made gurgling sounds as he tried to get away but it was too late. He was trapped beneath the evil entity who kept spearing itself into him. The darkness swarmed, filling every part of his flesh until he was no more.
Meredith raised a hand over her mouth as she watched the performance. She was awestruck but something was wrong. Jude's moves had changed. What was at first warm and elegant were now deranged and twisted. There was madness in his eyes and the moves induced a sense of despair and anxiety in all who watched. Was he crying?
This is not dancing this is...torture!
"What happened?" a voice called out among the audience. During a leap Jude had tensed up and fallen to the ground. He now lay still without moving a muscle.
"Is this part of the performance?" Someone asked.
There was a scream and everyone turned to see Chris rush to the stage.
"Get him to the infirmary, right now," Meredith called out. A foreboding had risen in her ever since the change in his demeanor. It was as if the boy dancing before her had become an entirely different person. Gone was the sweet, gentle smile, the shy blushes and the graceful gait, replaced by something dark and anguished. She turned to Starigold who was still sitting, apart from the rest of the audience who were in an uproar.
"What happened, tell me what happened," She beseeched her.
Starigold pursed her lips and spoke in a low tone.
"His heart is broken."
Chapter 13 - Winter
"I only did what i was hired to do."
There was a ticking sound, tick tock, tick tock. It was the tiny clock she'd bought a year before.
She suppressed an urge to grab it and smack it over the face of the woman sitting across her desk.
Starigold had a defiant look.
"You nearly killed the boy," Meredith shouted.
"I most certainly did not."
It was a stare down and neither of them buckled.
"I did exactly what i was told to do. To bring out the best of him. This was the only way in which I could."
Meredith had stayed the night in the infirmary to watch over Jude, she'd not had a single ounce of sleep and her head was banging.
"What happened the time before I arrived, why was the training delayed?" Starigold asked. It was the one question Meredith feared.
"He was sick, why are you asking?"
"Oh, don't give me that, I'm not stupid. I've heard the rumours. Why don't you tell me what really happened."
Meredith hesitated, she'd been adamant about their story of Jude's disease and no one had taken to question her word.
"So it's true then," Starigold said when she didn't answer, "I didn't believe the rumours at first. Boys are mischievous and prone to gossip, that's what I thought but the more I trained Jude, the more I realised something wasn't right." She paused and looked straight into Merediths eyes.
"He was raped, wasn't he? By that girl, what was her name? Ida, yes that's it."
Meredith felt her heart waver.
"He was sick."
"That's what you say, but that's not what the look on your face is telling me. I understand you don't wish to admit it but allow me to speak freely. You are the one to blame here, not me! You sought to have a broken boy compete in the championships, what were you thinking? Did you think it would disappear and he would suddenly recover? That's ludicrous! As the headmistress you should've known better."
She was right, Meredith thought. Damn it, she was right but what could she have done different? If she retracted him from the championship it would fuel the rumours and Jude's future might be in jeopardy. She had considered it. To accept what had been done to him, take responsibility and adopt him but what kind of future would that be? The rumours would only grow until they'd be regarded as truth and Jude's existence would be filled with pitying glances at the talented boy that never was. She wanted something more for him and now it had come back to bite her.
Starigold pushed a paper her way.
"What's this?"
"This is my resignation."
Meredith looked at the paper.
"It's already signed, you knew this would happen."
"No, I didn't, but I had a hunch. I wanted to give the student a chance to prove himself and alas, he failed."
"But you can't do this, we have a contract."
"Which I consider breached. We had an agreement of disclosure, that all of Jude's history and background be disclosed to me. As such wasn't done I consider the contract breached. I will expect full payment for my services."
Meredith growled.
"you will not get a single penny, you..."
"I can accept payment up to this point," Starigold cut her off, "I'm not being unreasonable and i advise you not to be either, or you'll hear from my lawyers." Meredith couldn't get a word out, she was too furious.
"With that I'll take my leave," Starigold stood, "I'd shake your hand but... let's just leave it at that. Goodbye, Ms Meredith."
She turned and left her office.
Meredith put her head in her hands, rubbing the temples to ease her headache.
Starigold might claim the contract had been breached but she couldn't prove that. It didn't show in the medical testing that Jude had been bound, technically he wasn't. She doubted Starigold would believe it though, and she didn't want to tell her either. That was a far more dangerous secret.
No, the best course of action was to let her go. Nothing good would come from trying to force her to stay. She'd already showed her inability. Then there was the problem of the committee, what would she tell them? She had to confer with Nina first so they could get their stories straight.
Jude was okay for the time being and his values stable. He'd suffered a minor heart attack on the stage. Nina wasn't sure why, but suggested it might be because of stress and a lack of nutrients.
With a sinking feeling she realised she'd made same mistake all over again. She hadn't considered if Starigold was a good fit for Jude, she'd only looked at her credentials. Jude was a delicate boy and needed to be handled with care, why had she not seen that before?
She slammed her fist on the desk.
"Damn it, it's all my fault!"
There was a knock on the door. She picked up her pocket mirror and looked over herself. Her hair was a mess and she had heavy pillows under her eyes.
"Wait a minute," she called and fixed her hair and straightened herself.
"Enter."
The door opened, it was Fawlorne. Meredith relaxed, she wasn't sure if she could handle another committee member today.
"Mrs Fawlorne."
"Meredith."
"Take a seat," Fawlorne sat down, she had a worried look on her face.
"So what can I help you with?"
"It's about Jude."
Meredith sighed, and they both averted their eyes.
"I know, it's bad."
"So what are you going to do?"
"For the time being all we can do is wait and pray to the goddess."
Fawlorne shook her head.
"No, this isn't the time for prayers, this is the time for action."
"What would you have me do then? Jude is in the infirmary, he'll recover in due time but the committee is up in arms, demanding additional testings and asking questions. Rumours are now more rampant than ever. If that bitch Ida lets word slip, we're doomed."
Fawlorne lowered her head, her left eye twitched and her lips trembled. Meredith thought for a moment she would cry, an unseemly action for a futa. She didn't blame her though. She was so full of frustration herself that she didn't know what to do with it.
"He's done, face it, there will be no championship for Jude."
"But the recovery…"
"Failed," Meredith cut her off.
"No!" Fawlorne suddenly shouted and slammed her fists on the desk, "I will not accept it."
Such a display would've had her thrown out in an instant at another time but Meredith could forgive her outburst during the current circumstances.
She sighed.
"Please Mrs Fawlorne, calm yourself."
Seeming to have just realised her behaviour she settled down like a scolded child. This was far from the calm and collected etiquette teacher of her school.
"I know it's hard but we have to be honest about the severity of the situation. The committee might decide to reject Jude altogether, even if they have no way to prove their suspicions."
"Suspicions, are you talking about the rumours?"
Meredith realised she'd misspoken, the only people who knew Jude had been bound was Chris, the two guards who accompanied her, Nina, herself and Ida. She'd told Fawlorne that Jude was saved in the last minute. Perhaps it was time to let her in on the secret.
"There is something I have to tell you," She said and told her the truth. Fawlorne was flabbergasted and expressed doubt. Meredith then turned to her safe and brought out Nina's reports that she'd stored away along with the surveillance tapes of Jude's rehabilitation. She handed the papers to Fawlorne, who's eyes widened as she read them.
"But this can't be possible, there must be some mistake."
"There's no mistake about it. Nina has done several testings and they all show the same values. Also, I was there and can testament that Ida fulfilled the binding. Jude has shown no signs, either physical or mental, that he's bound to her."
"Excuse me, Ms Meredith, but I need a moment to digest this."
"Take all the time you need."
She moved to a table along the wall, grabbed a jug of water and filled two cups then pushed one in Fawlornes direction. She swept it in a single swig.
"I believe you understand this secret cannot leave this room. It's for the safety of Jude."
Fawlorne nodded she understood. Meredith lowered her head in humility, the things she was about to say tore at her heart.
"I've pushed this as far I could, but there is no doubt in my mind that this is the end. It's time for me to take responsibility, this can't go on any further. Tomorrow morning, I will meet with the committee and announce Jude's withdrawal."
"No, there must be some other way."
"I've thought it through and there is no other way. What we must do now is to contain the situation, for Jude's sake."
They fell silent and only the ticking of the clock broke their silence. The sound grew until it filled the room with its oppressive noise. Meredith pledged to herself she would take it outside and smash it to pieces once they were done.
Then there was a glow in Fawlornes eyes and she leaned over the desk.
"There might be a way but it's extreme."
"Tell me."
Meredith was so desperate she was willing to grasp at even the slightest bit of hope. Fawlorne told her of her plan. At first Meredith was doubtful and outraged at the audacity of it but as Mrs Fawlorne progressed her expression eased. This might work, no it was a longshot but still worth a try. To call it extreme was an understatement. It would be in violation of every school regulation she could think of, many of which she'd written herself. The rules were there for the benefit and welfare of the students though and if breaking them was what would be the best for the student, she could justify it.
She would do this for Jude.
Her cock stirred underneath her skirt.
Yes, she would do this for Jude.
Chris was on guard duty. She'd been loathe to leave Jude's side but duty was duty. She found it hard to focus as her thoughts swerved to Jude and she didn't even notice the car that drove up to the gate.
"Excuse me," The driver tried to get her attention.
"Hello, excuse me. I need to get through."
Realising someone was calling for her she propped up and addressed the driver.
"Good evening, Ma'm. Do you have a permit?"
"Permit? No, i was called to make a pickup"
"I'm sorry ma'm you must have a permit to enter the school grounds. I suggest you contact the person who ordered the pickup."
"That's okay, it's for me," A voice called from behind. Chris turned and saw Starigold walking down the road from the main building.
"Ms Starigold!" Chris stared dumbly at her, "Are you leaving?"
"Yes, I am."
"but..." Chris struggled to find the words, "but you can't leave."
Irritation flared in Starigold eyes.
"Says who, you? Stop with the nonsense and open the gate already."
"No, I can't.. that is.. So you're just gonna leave him? Now? When he needs you the most."
"ah, so it's about the boy. Yes, I'm leaving. My work here is done and there is nothing else I can do. If it wasn't for that fool of a headmistress all of this could've been avoided. She had to push it this far."
Chris was confused as to what she was talking about.
"Now stop standing about and open the gate."
"I.. yes ma'm" there was no way she could refuse without derelicting from duty. She opened the gate and Starigold marched out with her nose held high. Before she entered the car, she looked back at the school and said, "I'm glad I'll never see this place again."
Chris closed the gate then rushed into the guardhouse.
"Hey Annie, can you cover for me? It's important."
"Sure," she called after her as Chris didn't wait for her to respond. She ran up the hill to the main building and sprinted up the stairs, jumping three at a time, until she came to the third floor. She turned right and ran into the Headmistress office. Meredith secretary called out.
"Hey you can't go in there she's in a..." Chris slammed the door open.
"Ms Meredith, she's leaving!"
"What in the goddess name?" Meredith exclaimed.
"It's Ms Starigold, ma'm, she's leaving."
Chris noticed Mrs Fawlorne was in the room as well but there were no time for pleasantries.
"Ah it's you, Chris. Yes, I'm well aware of that, I sent her off just a moment ago."
"You did?" Chris tried to comprehend the situation, "but what about Jude?" Meredith's secretary appeared in the doorway behind Chris.
"I'm so sorry, ma'm, she rushed in before I could stop her."
Meredith leaned back in her chair and smiled.
"It's okay, Juliette. Actually, this might be for the best. Why don't you take a seat Chris. Juliette, shut the door, please."
"Yes, ma'm."
Chris sat down in the chair facing Meredith.
"Now, dear Chris, we have much to talk about."