Act XII: Finale
A large venue like the MSG stacked to capacity was a sight to behold. The Garden was once again flooded with paying customers, rabid for entertainment. It was crowded shoulder to shoulder and the vibe was nothing like anything Thomas had ever seen – at least in terms of his productions. The energy and anticipation was its own entity almost. The girls have been to big stadium concerts before but never in their wildest dreams would they get to be the centerpiece of such a show.
The large red curtain that covered the stage suddenly had a small slash of white walk across it. On the big screen a White Swan was walking towards center stage a microphone in hand. The crowd began to stir as they saw a fully adorned Lily step to the forefront. The cheering already had begun.
"Microphone check." A calm Lily spoke into the microphone, getting signal that echoed throughout the entire stadium. "Can anyone out there hear me?"
A loud and indecipherable roar of approval was all she received and needed.
"Wow, you all seem so excited." Lily's big smile on the big screen just made it that more epic. "I guess some people lied to you because you all do realize this is a ballet performance right?"
The crowd roars again.
"… I think Taylor Swift is down a couple blocks from here." Lily pointed due south as the crowd laughed. "You sure you all want to be… here?"
The positive response that came again made her hold her chest humbly.
"You guys are awesome." Lily said with glee, pacing around the stage, blocking the stage light with her hand so she could see the crowd. "This is crazy. I see old faces that I am loving but I see a ton of new faces that I will learn to love! Um, does anyone here know who I am by chance?"
A scattered bunch of Lily callouts rang into her ears.
"Alright, looks like some of you do but if not? Let me introduce myself. My name is Lily. Most of you probably either know me by 'That crazy broad in those ballet commercials'. Or 'that other girl people didn't come here to see'." She frowned in a teasing way as the crowd was putty in her hands in a sympathetic aw. "But I do I know… why you all are here tonight."
NINA! The name rippled throughout the crowd, especially with the younger folks.
"So you've heard of this Nina. I hear she's pretty good." Lily shrugged.
Thanks Lily…
"Anyway before we get this thing started, Nina asked me to come out here to give you all a message because she's a bit shy to speak. T-then again now that my eyes are adjusting to the dark I'm starting to think this was a bad idea…"
The ballerinas behind stage chuckle at Lily's self-deprecation with the sea of people, Nina watching on closely and warmly as she appreciated the levity Lily brought to any situation.
"We ballerinas have a dream job." Lily began to sound a bit more serious. "We get to dance and basically tell stories for a living. We have a kid's job and I think sometimes because this business is so difficult, draining, and competitive, we lose sight of that." She snapped her finger. "My favorite part of the job is getting to relive old fairy tales I listened to as a kid and watched on Disney DVDs like Pinocchio and Beauty and the Beast."
The crowd delights at fan favorites.
"Well tonight is special because as awesome as those stories are, this one is a story that hits a little closer to home for all of us." Lily paused as she wanted to get this just right. "I know everyone here is aware of what happened to Nina a couple months ago. We here got to experience it firsthand. It was scary. It was depressing. And it was just a horrible time for all of us."
Nina peaked out the curtain now, wanting to see Lily along with the voice. It sounded like Lily… but… she was different. There wasn't a façade over this Lily. This was a genuine girl… speaking her mind. No more junk numbing her.
"This Swan Lake story isn't about just that narrative. Thanks to our choreographer Thomas, Nina was able to create something almost from scratch for all of you." Lily pointed to the crowd. "She worked her ass off to make this possible because she's been touched by all the support she's received. This story is the most personal story I've ever been a part of and I'm proud to call her my co-lead. My choreographer. And most importantly more than a friend."
You can speak from your heart like I told you… Nina waned, knowing the old Lily would never be this open… let alone to an entire crowd like this.
"Enjoy this performance but Nina wants you all to remember that as frightening and as hopeless as it looks she made it in the end." Lily smiled weakly. "Because of what she went through… and we almost lost her… and umm-… D-damn I said I wouldn't do this-"
Lily felt her chest tighten up from bad memories and the crowd felt Lily's emoting with every stuttered word. She paused and turned away for a second covering her face. Instantly the crowd began to get louder cheering her on, wanting to feel her every emotion as they appreciated her candor.
"Okay I'm good!" Lily took a deep breath and a wipe of her eyes before she smiled again. "Anyway, she appreciates every one of you and so do all of us at the production. I'm psyched to be a part of this and to bring the story of Nina with her to all of you. Enjoy the show everyone! Welcome to Swan Lake!"
The curtains pull back and the crowd was ready with unbridled excitement. Nina's eyes meet with Lily in an appreciative nod, a silence that wasn't awkward but supporting.
This is the love they speak about in fairy tales that mom used to read to me. Who said… my prince can't be you?
- B – B – B –
I dreamt I was the White Swan
I dreamt I was the Black Swan.
Where are the dreams of myself?
The orchestra begins the concerto of "A Swan is Born" as the second act began swiftly. The backdrop of black hid the wonderous lake that had been the canvas. A flawless and gorgeous Lily dressed as the timid but beautiful White Swan was in center stage by herself, not a disturbance to be had. She comes to a perfect stand to first position, her arms out and extended, gracefully getting on her toes and pushing herself towards the crowd in rapid steps.
The lights flash off her white costume and her grace made the combination look like she was an angel. The ballerina's pirouettes took her across the stage soon after. Lily's face was one of confusion even as graceful as she was moving. The White Swan didn't know why it was here.
Can you feel what I feel?
The White Swan held herself in her own arms as she looked down, a coldness coming across the entire stage that shivered her bones. The crowd gasps as from behind a dark man in all black creeps up like a shadow, slowly taking her chin by his hand, pressing his body against hers. Lily hesitates; the White Swan knows something is wrong. Instantly Lily twirls to the side with a leap, the man horrifyingly morphing into a bird on cue as the spotlight flickered, feathers shooting out as a struggle and chase was at hand.
The White Swan pushes off in a furious leap and turn, the cryptic bird cawing out in pursuit as it tried to take flesh. Lily picks up the pace of the White Swan movements, springing and flailing her body but with technique only to find another bird waiting for her across the stage. This one grabs onto her, coiling its wings around her waist, the beak ready to plunge into the Swan.
Lily lets out a moan as she didn't know what was happening. She opened her eyes to see Thomas behind her, kissing her deeply as his hands explored her throbbing body. She feels her thighs squeezed so gently, she feels her breast firmly gripped. She feels her most coveted spot stroked. As soon as the pleasure was heightened she sees him pull away, smirking to himself.
"That was me… seducing you."
"W-what the fuck?" Lily looks at him with an angry scowl, only to notice in the mirror a broken soul, breathing heavily from the sexual advance. Lily didn't know who was the reflection. Nina or her.
The White Swan pushed the bird away before she could be hurt, scrambling now down stage as the birds followed. She flaps her wings, spinning, and turning desperate to get away desperate to leave these monsters behind her.
Can you hear what I hear?
The White Swan finds cover in the darkness, closing its eyes and covers itself as if the world was crumbling down around it. She muffs her ears trying to prevent the birds cawing from shaking her.
"Are you drunk?"
Lily stared at the woman berating her with a clueless eye.
"Nina! I am speaking to you!"
"Will you shut up?" Lily just shook her head defiantly at the woman, glancing over towards the mirror and seeing Nina ogling right back at her.
"Where did my sweet little girl go?"
Lily gasped as she was being shoved back by Erica, the girl defending herself and pushing off. She sees Nina suddenly standing beside her, grabbing Lily by the hand and darting off into her room.
Suddenly the music shifts to a more calm section, the White Swan noticing the bird's screeches had stopped. She looks around quietly as she prances slowly to center stage, eyes scanning the entire area. The stage feels like it rumbles a bit as another spotlight brings fourth an image from behind. A large mirror sat behind the White Swan now…a reflection… no… another White Swan with its back turned in perfect positioning right behind her in perfect symmetry.
The crowd already knew who it was, beginning to bring their cheering to the Garden.
Lily stands straight up, looking out to the crowd before slowly turning. The image behinds her moves exactly as she does both of their eyes meeting. They both wore the White Swan's outfit… but those eyes…
Blood ridden eyes…
Can you see what I see?
Lily sees the words WHORE written in the bathroom mirror. From the other side she sees a frightened Nina desperately try to wipe it off, Lily just staring from the other side. Lily tried to follow Nina as she exploded out the door in a sprint. She runs into the dancing room as she sees that white uniform of her lover flash across the darkness. She breaks into the door seeing the piano player get up and leave. Alone Nina stood to practice Lily watching as a reflection in the mirror.
She begins to practice with Nina, being her reflection and matching her move for move.
Suddenly the lights go out.
The White Swan looks at the reflection so hesitantly, not remembering herself looking like this. But with every graceful motion with her hands she is matched with perfect precision. Those red eyes wouldn't leave Lily as she tried desperately to prove the reflection wrong. Her fouette was imitated as well as the counter pirouette that followed. She finally stops staring at the image walking up to it and reaching its hand out to touch the mirror…
The lights go out… and quickly come back on.
There were no more White Swans…
Lily was dressed in all black and frozen.
Nina her reflected image matching every part of her, the true Black Swan smiling evilly in the mirror.
The club music was battering them. Lily was high on ecstasy but she tightened her eyes to regain composure. She feels Nina right up in her body, Lily's arms around her scantily clad waist. She notices Nina's eyes looking so dead, her body moving almost in primal instincts. From the corner of her vision she begins to see images dart back and forth. She sees butterflies. She sees birds. She sees headless statues… dancers.
They felt so real, and they were closing in around Nina like they wanted to take her away.
"Stay back." Lily whispers angrily holding Nina protectively. "Get away from her…"
They wouldn't listen.
Lily couldn't move as the Black Swan in the mirror, Nina was taking over. Who was the reflection and who was the real deal? Lily was at the mercy of the Black Swan's movements now, feeling her body torque and contorts as she matched every maddening twirl and coil Nina threw at her.
Can you save me my true love?
"Only… if you want to be saved…" Lily whispers.
The Black Swan smiles as she reaches out with a palm to the hand of Lily, forcing her closer to the glass. As soon as it touched again the lights were killed. In a few seconds there was only one Swan on the stage, standing in the spotlight where she belonged.
Nina! The crowd begins to roar as the Black Swan was in an iconic pose with its wings coiled back, staring proudly into the air as if it was unstoppable. Inside Nina's mind there were no feathers on her hands this time. There were no tendrils slicing out of her skin. There was nothing in between Nina and the performance now, just a spotlight on her and the stage. The crowd was going ballistic and Nina let them fuel her fire. She was sitting there like a time bomb ready to explode. Her confidence was as high as it could be and she was ready.
This time she was the Black Swan.
The Black Swan was not her.
I do want to be saved. I wanted to be saved the minute I kept hearing your voice while I was away on the hospital bed. I didn't remember my mother's voice. I didn't remember Thomas. I remembered… yours.
"Please come back to us Nina."
The music suddenly shifts to only a piano, the orchestra lightly brooding one tense note. Nina took her first steps as a lead performer on stage again with an explosion of pirouettes that Thomas swore should have scorched the stage. She stops in the middle of the darkness, flapping her wings… wanting to take flight.
I didn't know who I was until you showed me.
Nina began to do something that made the crowd stop and stare almost in amazement. From the start till now they had been accustomed to the ballet dancing routine of elegance. When Nina's lines and her form began to become wild instead of graceful they paid attention. With each flap her leg would flail randomly to the left or her shoulder would be pushed to the right. It was like she was a limp puppet being pulled in every which direction.
"You must become the Black Swan."
"You must stay my sweet little girl."
"You need to live a little."
This wasn't ballet in the basic sense. It was almost the sadistic nature of a dark contemporary routine. Nina was combining her perfect ballet form with some things the ballet world had never seen, making all eyes turn to her. She didn't care if it wasn't pure and she honestly didn't mind it. Her body proved time and time again as she coiled around and then back into perfect ballet positions. She had control of her entire self.
"What's she doing?" Thomas blinked.
"She's not doing the practiced choreography." Lily was prepping herself backstage as she watched on like everyone else. "She's doing whatever she wants to do. Not following rules and its fucking awesome."
The Nina chants were powering her.
Nina's mind was flowing. It wasn't over thinking anymore. She did an unthinkable in the world in ballet free forming and combining things that weren't of the genre and honestly she didn't give a crap what the purists thought. The piano began to quicken the pace as Nina was feeling the music and nothing else. She darted across the stage as the light followed her, twirling a few pirouettes only to being to glide across the floor as if she was weightless. The crowd was getting behind her as they were eating up this display of just pure… dance.
I'm strong now. I can be whoever I want. When I want.
Nina began to twitch and stop, like a freakish machine, flapping her wings but cutting back into almost a White Swan form as she gracefully spun with a leaping whip of her leg. She was being almost schizophrenic with her dance. One minute she was the White Swan. The next she was the Black… most of the time… she was something else.
I'm being… me.
Nina slowly began to bring it back into what she knew how to do best though to prove a point, spinning like a spider, just as Thomas told her to do long ago. She gets to center stage continuing to rotate like a top that wouldn't stop.
"Attack it! Attack it! Seduce not only the crowd but the world!"
Thomas would not be pushing her so hard if he was out there at the moment. Her spins were frantic. They were beautiful. They were heart felt. They were… perfect.
I can be strong.
She spun again.
I can be caring.
And again.
I can be happy.
And again.
I can be loving.
… I can be perfect… in my own little way.
Nina finally stopped instantly as the piano players' ascent up the scale froze, the crowd erupting in a furious cheer that caused a standing ovation one that Madison Square Garden had never heard before. The ground shook as the feet were being stomped, the claps were cutting through the air, the roars of a screaming conglomerate of 15,000 people were moving the entire arena.
Nina was again in her Black Swan pose, eyes close and face to the air. She didn't want to break character but when she heard her name being chanted louder she could only smile weakly, a tear running down her eye as she felt it for the first time.
For the first time on the stage, she was herself and no character. And the public approved…
"You… are something else Nina…" Lily was leaning against the wall, looking at her with caring and proud eyes.
Nina had a confidence in her that couldn't be taken as she acknowledged the crowd as the Black Swan, staring out with those red eyes gleaming. She walks back towards the darkness and stands in front of the mirror the lights slowly coming back up as the prince began to appear from the stage left. Nina looks back at the prince with a cold stare, turning to her reflection who was in real life… the one she wanted.
**"You… really need… to relax…"**
"That wasn't in the script…" Lily whispers barely moving her mouth.
"I thought… I'd live a little…" Nina replied smirking. "… Relax."
Lily smiles as once again the lights dim out.
Appearing soon after was Lily decked out as full blown Black Swan, crimson eyes and a darkness that she exuded with every step. The Prince recognizes this as the White Swan but is hesitant of this sexual beast that she turned into. Lily curled up, inspired by Nina stroking her naked thigh as her other finger curled at Prince, egging him on to take her.
Seduction was inevitable.
"That wasn't exactly ballet out there." Thomas commented as Nina walked by backstage.
"No, no it wasn't." Nina answered as she began to take off her contacts, putting the Black Swan costume to rest, that same dark cloth that haunted her for so long. She conquered it but was so calm doing so. She didn't need a celebration.
"What would you call what you did out there then?"
Nina turned to Thomas with a simple grin.
"… I call that… me."
- B - B – B -
The finale was nearing its ending point as the Prince had betrayed his love, tricked by the evil sorcereror. Lily was back in white and moving with her new found technical prowess, commanding respect and garnering adoration as she played to the pain. The months taking over Nina had made her empathetic to her pain. She was the only one that truly understood what Nina was going through… the perfect replacement.
She takes a stand at the edge of the Lake, the blue waves beginning to light up the entire stage as the Swans and prince looked on. Lily turns to the watery reflections and sees the image everyone had been waiting to see... Nina dressed in all white again.
The crowd begins to clap as a few of the crowd begin to get emotional.
"You look so beautiful." Lily whispered as she began the final movements till the last jump.
"Not as much as you." Nina replied, mirroring Lily move for move as these two realized how exactly in sync they were. On the dance floor or off it.
The lights began to increase as the stage was pushing towards the finale. The waterfall increased in size, suddenly through a bit of stage magic, many reflections of the two Swans on top of the set began to appear. There were reflections of Nina and of Lily all over the place… almost in a disarraying manner. The crowd wondered who was who… which one were the real Nina and Lily.
On stage while Lily and Nina danced they too were getting disoriented but it didn't matter. For Nina she began to see her old self dancing alongside her, having an actual smile as she mimicked Nina's movements in a couple reflections. She promised her old self that she would make it up to her, the image felt like a warm glow that began to encompass her mission since Lily pushed her to fix herself.
"I want to be your dance partner for life." Nina said as she glanced up the stairs.
"You got me." Lily replied simply.
"I want to be your partner in the dance of life." Nina said it stronger.
"You still got me." Lily teased.
"… I don't know how else to say this to you." Nina and Lily both had their reflections all over the place, looking down towards the blue abyss that waited them. Their doom was their freedom. Their death of their old selves… would let them be together.
"How about you are an amazing woman." Lily yelled over the music. "And I have never been happier in my life?"
"How about…" Nina turned to the crowd getting into her jumping position as Lily did the same. "I love you…"
The music cue hit, the crowd on edge as both of the swans leapt off, the reflection and the reality coming together underneath the stage. In the darkness of the safety harness Nina could feel her heart beating so fast it wanted to come out of her chest. She didn't know whether or not it was because she just returned to the stage with the most amazing performance ever or…
"I love you too…" Lily suddenly said, making both of them freeze like time stopped. It was a feeling inside that felt like the rush of adrenaline combined with the fuzzy butterflies of deep love. The crowd's cheering which was deafening roar sounded like a sweet little tune for the two ballerinas.
"I was wrong about the first performance…" Nina was blushing underneath her makeup, holding Lily's wrist gently. "It wasn't perfect…"
"This one had to be perfect." Lily blinked unsure, caressing Nina's cheek. "Right?"
"… It will after this."
Lily knew what was up before the first words, the two sharing a deep kiss that had them both cooing in each other's arms.
- B – B – B –
P.A: "Playing the Swan sovereign… Veronica!"
The show was a roaring success. The crowd was cheering loudly as Nina and Lily raced up back towards the backstage seeing their cast taking their bows on stage with an announcer. The entire ensemble took their cues and inspiration from their two leads and it showed.
"Congratulations ladies, I believe you just pushed down some doors." Thomas was clapping behind them, Beth alongside him sharing the clapping.
"Good work you two, not bad to say the least." Beth was snug and happy in her wheelchair. "That was so fun, you guys almost made me jump out of this thing and start doing my usual shtick."
"I would give up everything I own to see that Beth." Nina crouched down to hug the one that inspired her so long ago, Beth clutching tight as well.
"You have skills Nina, you have a bright future. Not only in Ballet but whatever you wish to put your mind to. You're not just a ballerina… you're a natural born dancer from what I saw tonight."
"Thank you…"
"Uh, why are you giving us that weird look Thomas?" Lily was always suspicious.
"… You are looking at us a bit strange." Nina analyzed him from below.
"… I just feel that I am staring at the future of the business." Thomas laughed to himself. "I still can't believe that this is Nina Sayers."
"Believe it Thomas…" Lily pulled Nina up gently with a smile. "Ready for your first real bow as a lead in Swan Lake?"
"My heart beat says no… but I think my head says yes." Nina shook herself still, so high on this moment.
P.A.: "Introducing the first Swan Queen NEW YORK CITY! Please give it up for LILY!"
"See you out there." Lily patted Nina's rear as she walked out waving to the crowd who was pouring so much love even her ego was being humbled. Nina laughed as Lily clutched her chest as that Shakespearian actor, trying to dispel the praise.
"Please… please… Lily is not worthy…" Lily bowed as the other ballerinas joined in her meek celebration.
P.A.: "Okay folks! This is the person you all came to see! The co-choreographer and the co-lead… Ms. NINA SAAAYERS!"
To say the stadium was jumping wasn't giving it any justice.
"You deserve all this Nina." Thomas bowed in a bit of respect. "You're teaching an old dog new tricks. Is that the correct American slang?"
"… Yes Thomas… yes it is…" Nina giggled at the Frenchman. "Thank you for everything. Both of you." She glanced at the two elder ballet constants, waving at them as she was going to take a bow that wouldn't be easy or short.
"I think the future of our business is safe in those two hands." Beth watched on as Lily embraced Nina outside, the crowd right on them.
"I don't know about Lily." Thomas sighed. "But Nina I trust she will take the banner now and maybe do the impossible. I guess only someone that survives… death could bring ballet back from the dead as well."
Outside Nina stepped forward, blowing kisses and waving at a crowd that was forever appreciative of her story and of her effort to survive. Nina felt she was representing a group of people that she held dearly in her heart. People that don't have guidance. People that don't have anyone to lean on. People that have unreasonable and saddening expectations. She represented the weak minded, an example of what a human being with a passionate purpose can do.
For Lily going on this ride with Nina had changed her in similar ways. Nina was frail on the inside and out. Lily's difference was she made it look like she was such a firecracker on the outside. Now both of them seemed unbreakable. Nina and Lily finally could agree. Nina had finally picked up all the pieces of the broken glass those months ago.
"Mom!" Nina climbed down the front stage, seeing her mother in the front row, running over and embracing her in the crowd. Lily followed closely, taking her Princess Crown and giving it to a young girl sitting next to Nina's mother.
"I did it mother… we can fix ourselves… I knew we could…"
Lily heard Nina sob into her mother's arms in happiness, watching thankfully alongside her like a hawk. This was her new deal. This was her new purpose in life. To make sure no one stands in the way of Nina's happiness.
The reflection of Nina stood almost dead in the Swan Queen's dressing room, staring at her image with a bladed glass ready to impale her body. She gasps a little as she sees Lily staring at her from the other side, being right behind her. In her psychotic state she turns and tries to swing the glass blade at Lily to cut her throat, the agile ballerina ducking it and shoving the weapon away easily.
"I won't let you take this away from me!" Nina screams ready to attack.
"… I won't let you go… ever." Lily whispers, holding her gently across her waist, kissing her.
Nina's eyes were wide open…
They were finally… wide open.
- B – B - B –
( Months Later )
"So when you're dancing of the Black and White Swan do you see it as a good and evil struggle?"
"Well I think it's dangerous to call the Black Swan evil and the White Swan good, I mean this is just my opinion. The White Swan to me represents innocence. It represents kindness. It represents optimism. But it can also represent repression. It can also represent meekness. It can also represent weakness. The Black Swan? Sure, it represents lust. It represents greed. But to me it also represents strength. Empowerment. Boldness…"
"So is that why you dance your solo section in that frantic manner?"
"Yes, I'm still new at this being mostly a ballerina but the key to dancing is to know when to pull out what persona for the job. For my version of Swan Lake, that solo section it's purely life at work. Sometimes you need to be the White Swan. Sometimes you need to be the Black Swan. Sometimes you need to a combination. Sometimes you need to a different color. To me the same thing works with life in general. You need to be both so I decided to choreograph it that way."
"Thank you Nina for answering. And once again we the NYU student body thank you for coming down and doing this Q and A for us!"
"Not a problem at all. You guys are fun and so kind." Nina smiled behind a podium in front of about a 1,000 contemporary dancers of the NYU art school. They clapped for her making her modestly nod her head. "Honestly, I was so nervous agreeing to do this but you guys made it easy to speak. I am no public speaker…"
"Hey Nina my name is Tara. Sorry to break the strings of serious dance questions but um… is Lily coming by tonight? I think you two are the cutest couple in the world."
The auditorium began to rustle and pound, clapping for the other famous Swan to show up. Nina was quite taken back but amused.
"Heh, you guys all want to see Lily huh?"
"YES!" The entire student body screamed.
"Okay okay, I guess you do." Nina's voice was still soft and cute, pulling out her phone, looking through it patiently. "Well I'm sorry to say that Lily wanted to be here but she said she had some shopping to do."
"Shopping? What?"
The crowd began to boo.
"Yes she loves sales." Nina smirked as she was calling. "But okay I'm going to call her, although you guys have to convince her to come down alright?"
The crowd agreed with positive reinforcement, nodding while quieting down for the phone call to complete. Nina placed the phone on the microphone so they could speak to her.
"Hello my sweet little Danish muffin." Lily's raspy voice echoed into the school's PA, making all the romantics in the room swoon.
"Nina what the heck was that?"
"That's the reaction of NYU students hearing you call me… a Danish muffin." Nina blushed, almost regretting putting them on the line with her girlfriend.
"Oh right! You're at the Q and A tonight. What's up NYU!"
The crowd cheered and clapped.
"They're wondering why you're not here with me at the Q and A."
"Oh my God there's a crazy sale going on. 50 percent off clothes Nina! Some even 70 percent! That's like… cost!"
The crowd began to boo as they heard Lily shaft them for deals. Nina could only giggle to herself seeing the audience turn on her love. "They're not convinced that your shopping habits are a good excuse."
"They booed me? What the? That's not cool at all! You know what? I'm gonna have to handle this."
The crowd suddenly erupted as from the side Lily walked in with shopping bags and dressed to kill, a red strapless dress and black jacket making all the guys and lesbians swoon. She danced all the way towards Nina as the room spiked with her presence, pulling them into a gentle kiss that made the "aws" rain down again. Nina's sheepish reaction and red cheeks made it just that more adorable.
"Now who here booed me?" Lily took a microphone and looked at the crowd accusingly, laughter her reply. "College kids are so darn fickle."
"Can you relax and take a seat dear?" Nina pointed towards a chair and table set up next to her podium.
"Sure thing but I just need to give you your gift I bought you today." Lily waved, showing how great of a girlfriend she was and the crowd loved every minute of it. She reached into her bag pulling out a few things. "Okay… mine… mine… mine… mine…"
"Where's mine?"
"Just wait… okay… here you go." Lily placed the bag on her podium, making Nina blush instantly. She grabbed the Victoria's secret bag and stashed it underneath, staring at Lily with a look of disbelief. She mouthed the words how dare you.
"Thank me later." Lily strolled over to the seat and sat down, placing her feet on the chair. Nina was too embarrassed to get angry and the college kids loved the show they were getting.
"What's in the bag?"
"N-next question please…"
"Heh, um… This is so freaking great. You both are here on stage at the same time! I love you both!"
"We love you too now talk to us dear." Lily leaned back in her comfy chair.
"Okay this might be a little personal. But I'm a lesbian."
Everyone began clapping and Lily smirked at the sight. "I think it's so awesome how far we come. You hear the words I'm lesbian and you get the crowd on your side. If I sat up and said I'm straight? I'd get crickets and maybe a tumble weed would pass by."
"But aren't you bisexual?"
"Yes and I think that deserves a standing ovation." Lily got her request as the student body stood clapping, laughing as she turned over to Nina who was amused at the shift in the tone of the Q and A.
"Anyway, as a lesbian I find it nice to see two powerful lesbian figures in the business of dance, especially ones so young. I was wondering as someone who grew up a bit conflicted, when did you guys know you were interested in same sex partners?"
"Oh boy, that's a dance question if I ever heard of one." Lily turned to Nina. "I feel bad but I don't want to touch this one."
"Well… I knew I was a lesbian when I first met Lily." Nina answered simply.
"Oh God that's so cute…"
Everyone sighed happily again.
"Aw, I love you too dear." Lily commented.
"Now tell me how you found out about your sexual preferences." Nina put her hands on her chin. "I'd be very interested in hearing this answer."
"H-hey hey… this is not fair. This is Q and A with Nina… not Lily." She defended herself. "Besides I'm a freaking bisexual. What's the choices for legit reasons? Uh… I can't decide, they both rock... Okay I'm bisexual! Or… I really don't give a crap if it's a cock or a cooch… just give me something to screw… I'm bisexual!"
"You're such a poet Lily…"
The crowd began booing again.
"Agh again with this booing!" Lily turned to them. "Alright alright, how about I compromise and I tell you all how Nina and I fell in love? An NC-17 rated story."
"No. You're not doing that." Nina scowled.
"But the people want that! About a Rated R version?"
"No…"
"PG-13? Hard PG-13?"
"How hard?"
"… One f-bomb… some inferred naught parts… you know… the usual." Lily smiled innocently.
"Please Nina! We'd love to hear this story!"
"F-fine but I get to edit whatever words come out." Nina gave her the okay with a shrug. She couldn't say no to these paying people. All the proceeds were going into making a dance school for the under privileged after all.
"Alright so it was the first practice passed first cuts. I was new to New York and of course I got lost in the Lincoln building-"
"You were getting high and you came in late." Nina corrected with a smirk.
"Heh alright, I was taking some editing responsibilities but I guess you'll do that for me." Lily turned back to the crowd happily. "So I walked into class late and before Thomas could say a word and I see a really tense ballerina spaz out in a trip." She turned to Nina. "Did you tell them about your patented signature dance move the pretzel?"
"What's the pretzel?"
"Ugh…"
"The pretzel is when Nina falls because the girl so graceful that even when she's about to eat dirt? She can make it look like she's dancing." Lily stood up trying to mimic the pretzel, crisscrossing her legs and curving her hands. "She looked like this, the first time I saw her up close. I thought it was just a weird New York technique. This was the first dance move from the great Nina Sayers I got to see. Romantic huh?"
"I was spinning! And I lost control because of you! It's not a dance move!"
"Plié, pirouette. Pretzel… it rolls off the tongue." Lily reminded her. "Anyway Ms. Nina Sayers gets denied another trial by the boss, and I go over to put my bags on the floor. Suddenly I feel a bony stick or like a poker jam me in my shoulder."
Nina could only laugh at herself now… "Enngh…"
"Yes, it was you Nina and not only that but she gives me this really tough girl stance, not showing her face and looking away from me." Lily was quite amused. "So the first thing I'm thinking is Lily's about to slap someone silly. No one disrespects me that way right? Sure! But then I saw Nina's face in the reflection." Her pause shifted her mood. "… And for some strange reason… it calmed me down. I was about to confront her but her face kind of told me more about her than any discussion could. That's when I knew… I wanted to get to know her. And ultimately help her."
She paused. "Aawww…. I know." Lily mocked the crowd smiling.
"Nice brownie points Lily, well played." Nina looked over at her girlfriend with a gentle look.
"I am only being nice now because the next part is going to get really sexy…"
Nina knew she should've been used to this by now. She always spoke too soon when it came to Lily. Only three more Q and As to go to she thought.
- B – B – B –
( La Guardia Airport )
Lily pulled out her earphones as she stopped at the terminal for her departure. She takes a look at the New York sky for a second to remind herself of the day she actually arrived to New York. How long that has been and how many things have happened since then would be a tale she would forever be in disbelief of.
"It almost feels like I just stepped out of that plane." Lily reflected.
"Is that a good thing?" Nina asked as she stood next to her, looking at the blue sky.
"Not sure…" Lily said grasping her hand tightly as they stood in a bit of silence.
"When will you arrive to San Francisco?"
"8:00 pm tonight." Lily grins. "I'm calling you right away."
"… You better." Nina leaned on her shoulder, both of them quite snug and content. As much craziness that had gone on in their professional and personal lives, at the end of the day Nina and Lily realized they were just another couple saying their good byes at an airport. It was strange how big and important things to a certain someone were complete irrelevance to another.
"I'm going to miss you." Lily turned to her, glancing up and down at the girl she dropped all her insecurities for.
"How much?"
"More than how many toes we've cracked between us in our careers."
"Ouch, that much huh?" Nina laughed as Lily played with her soft hair caringly.
"Yes totally… that much… probably more. Heck, probably a lot more." Lily seriously said as she pulled Nina into a gentle kiss.
"Mmm… now you know it's only going to be for a month."
"I lived without you for a month and I was freaking out like you." Lily grinned. "But… I know what you mean."
Attendant: Now boarding first class members on Flight 252 non-stop to San Francisco!
"You know this is my first time flying first class?" Lily asked. "Thomas told me you Americans don't know how to live the finer life. I'm going to go try this now that we've got fatter paychecks."
"I should just start traveling… I haven't been anywhere in so long."
"Come with me." Lily poked her tummy. "It'll be fun!"
"Bu me and Thomas need to prepare for the next season now Lily. We got so little time." Nina kissed her cheek.
"You and your work, so lame." Lily huffed.
"I am the lame one in the relationship." Nina said it quite proudly, much to Lily's amusement.
"I love your lameness."
"I love that you love… my lameness."
Nina and Lily could only glance downward and into their eyes soon after as this was indeed their first long bye as a couple. It was kind of cute in a way but it was proving much more difficult than either of them had imagined.
"Well… I guess this is bye for a while."
"I guess so."
"… I love you Nina Sayers." Lily bowed her head. "I can't wait to see you again when I get back and say that to you again. It's a lot nicer than I thought it would be."
"Heh, I love you too Lily." Nina kissed Lily lightly on those lips, of course her partner needing to drag it into a full blown French marathon, holding Nina's head still while she worked her oral skills.
Their tongues worked together in fact to bring their hearts up, Lily wanting to fuel up on Nina's scent and sexuality before she could not see her for a while. Lily finished with one big lap, looking at Nina who had that dreamy look in her eyes, her mouth still wide agape.
"Take care of yourself… please." Lily squeezed her hand.
"I-I will..." Nina recovered slowly. "Go have fun and come back here because… I need you."
"See you around Sayers…" Lily pushed one last kiss before she walked towards the boarding terminal like a strong girl, Nina standing there a bit snugly. Lily checked in, not really wanting to look back because inside she knew it would just irritate her… leaving Nina. With a cut of her pass she was already into the boarding entry, on her way back home.
"Hey why didn't you turn back and wave at me?"
"H-huh?" Lily blinked, turning back to see her girlfriend standing there. "Nina you can't be in here… you need a-"
"First class ticket?"
"… W-wait what?"
"Thomas and I had an agreement." She admitted sheepishly in a giggle. "I can get this week off but I have to do a little double time work next week." Nina smiled, holding out the plane ticket.
"Why did you trick me and make me say bye! That's not cool!" Lily looked a bit angry.
"I think it's cute… when you have to be… cute." Nina laughed.
"You little tricky… bitch." Lily wrapped her hands around her, realizing what this meant. "So you're going to San Francisco with me…"
"I always wanted to see the west coast." Nina nodded. "I don't see why I wouldn't do it with… you."
"You are a goddess." Lily was too excited. "There's so much to see and in only a week? We have to go to the Golden Gate bridge. To Fisherman's Wharf-"
"Shhh…" Nina smiled, kissing Lily to calm her. "I can do anything with you and it'll be just fine."
"… The way you just tricked me. That would be usually something I'd do." Lily thought of all the mirrors and reflections of herself, and how she felt Nina's pains all these past months. "I guess when it comes down to it we're not so opposite as I like to think sometimes. Really I feel like we're pretty similar when it comes to important things."
"You know what they say… Birds of a Feather."
"… Love one another."
"Uh… no Lily."
"Be free forever?"
"… Lily are you kidding? You don't know this saying?"
"… I'm not good with sayings. But don't tell me. I'll get it."
"Ugh.. j-just whatever. Can you please just make out with me right now?"
"Okay… I'm good at that." Lily put her thoughts down as they once again had their lips in complete connect. It was the most natural state for them to be in as into each other as they were. That was what Nina and Lily had realized all along. To be comfortable with themselves truly and completely. To not worry about anything in their lives for once and to concentrate on what was going well for them.
They had one another and every time they kissed with a passion it would reiterate the fact every time.
"Holy shit!" Lily blurted out pulling away, making Nina startle and jump back.
"Gah! W-what? What?"
"It's flock together! Birds of a Feather flock together!" Lily sighed angrily. "How can I forget that?"
"Quiet… just… be quiet…" Nina dove into Lily's arms and planted more kisses into the one she knew she loved. She wasn't waiting anymore. She wasn't content with living with compromises. This Nina knew what she wanted and knew how to get it. Lily would never complain about her change of philosophy ever.
For both of them the Swans had finally taken flight.
Who knows where they would land?
- Fin -
A/N: Wow... so we're done. I can't believe it. :) I am very happy to see the fandom growing since this was published. For the most part I got what I wanted to say about Nina and Lily from the film... in my own need to have a happy ending way. They're my favorites... and I am happy they're alot of people's favorites. For everyone that supported this... this whole story was for you. :) It feels really good to get support as an aspiring writer.
Look for the sequel at some point in time.
Lily and Nina sitting in a tree...