"Edel, truly." Autor looked less than impressed. "I thought you said she had used herself for kindle."

"She did," Fakir stared at the pile of books on the desk in the library. "Someone's pulling strings here. Whoever's spinning the current story is familiar with Drosselmeyer's work."

"It's not like it's an unknown story around here," Autor pointed out. "It is local, even if people in town don't remember it actually became reality."

"There is the problem that spinners aren't common," Fakir added sharply. "It's likely not another descendant of Drosselmeyer, since this particular one is familiar with Chibiusa's home too. Edo is actually a real place. Or at least was, given that it's a historical version of itself."

"And these Japanese legends keep popping up," Autor skimmed over the titles of the books on the desk. "Ones that have been translated to German as well."

"Even the obscure ones, like the Dream of Akinosuke," Fakir separated the books to indicate the collection where he'd found the legend. " But what bothers me is that this spinner also has a familiarity with Chibiusa's home and her friends. Have you noticed anyone unusual in the library lately? Someone who doesn't belong?"

"Not yet," Autor shook his head, "though someone keeps tracking in leaves. I really wish they'd be more respectful of the books."

Leaves. Why did they keep appearing all the time? There had to be something about those leaves that was a clue to what they were dealing with. Fakir pulled a few books from the shelves, flipping through them, but one caught his attention. "Why is this story missing?"

"That's a good question," Autor stared at the book. He picked it up, flipping to the table of contents. "The title's been removed. Whatever was here was important. I really do wish people would stop defacing books. It's a travesty."

Fakir frowned in concern. "Do you think it's the book men again?"

"Still no movement from the old bookkeeper," Autor shook his head. "Actually, he hasn't moved much at all. It's like he's a background character. Likely whoever's spinning this tale is trying to keep the book men out."

Fakir frowned a bit more. "If it's not the book men trying to keep the stories from becoming reality, then who or what is defacing these books?"

...

"Starting today, we're going to have an art competition," Miss Kitter announced. "I'll be creating teams according to your art skills, and you'll be competing with each other to create the most intriguing art collection. You'll also be competing with the other art class as well. So gather up with your assignments and start planning."

Chibiusa skimmed over the list she was given at the start of class as she looked for her name. "Momo! It looks like I'm on your team!" She smiled at her friend brightly.

"So are Kyusuke and Sorano," Momoko added with a smile. "Though I imagine Kyusuke isn't too happy about an art project."

Chibiusa stared at the paper for a moment. Sure enough, the names of her two classmates from Tokyo were listed on it. She couldn't recall seeing them before today. It really was like Duck and Fakir had said. People are suddenly joined to the story world without explanation, as if they'd always been there in the back of class. She glanced around the classroom, easily spotting Shobolan and Artis on the opposite side of the studio with Crocodette and Malon. That would be a challenging team. All four of them were really good.

"Don't make it sound like such a chore, geez," Kyusuke complained, scratching at his head.

Chibiusa nearly fell out of her seat. Nestled in Kyusuke's mop of messy brown hair was a pair of ears that looked like they belonged on a shiba. He also had a tail. She had to clamp a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing at how silly it looked. Sorano standing next to him at least looked like the usual, nerdy, bespectacled Sorano.

"Besides, we could create art about something athletic!" Kyusuke added.

"What about ballet?" Chibiusa suggested, swallowing her giggles. "I bet Fakir, Duck, and Helios would help us out."

"I'm not sure that's really athletic," Kyusuke objected.

"Have you seen the moves they do?" Sorano protested. "Those lifts, those poses, the ability to spin on one foot for so long. That's not only artistic, that's athletic."

Kyusuke frowned at him a bit. "When did you get so knowledgeable on athletics?"

"Ballet is a fascinating subject to study," Sorano replied.

"I think that'd be a great idea," Momoko agreed with Chibiusa. "We could do so much with ballet as our subject."

"I mean, I guess," Kyusuke conceded. He couldn't argue with all three of them wanting that to be the subject.

"That's such a stupid subject." The criticism came from one of the taller students. He was almost completely red skinned with splashes of white and black streaked across his face. On his forehead protruded a peculiar pair of horns. Beside him stood two others who looked similar, though they had white and blue skin with the same painted markings.

"It's a great subject, Daemon," Momoko nearly stuck her tongue out at him.

"There are so many stronger subjects," the blue one added snidely.

"Ogretta, Oniel, Daemon, do you have something that you actually want?" Kyusuke fussed.

"Only to tell you that you'll lose," the blue one, Ogretta, taunted.

"Yeah, that subject is so lame," Oniel, the white one, agreed.

"Whatever," Kyusuke folded his arms. "We'll dance circles around your art."

"We'll just see who the victor truly is," Daemon declared. "Let's leave these losers, team Oni. We'll crush these ballet wussies without a problem." They cackled boisterously as they strode off to the opposite side of the studio.

"Those three really get under my skin," Kyusuke frowned, pressing his shiba ears back against his head. "We're gonna art the pants off them. Let's find those ballet friends of yours."

They quickly gathered some sketching materials, tucking them into their bags, and headed across the courtyard to the dance building. Classes were still in session, but fortunately the balcony in the studio was open to whomever wanted to watch.

The quartet quietly entered in the side door, leaning on the balcony railing. Below them, the ballet class had begun to practice. It was Duck's class and they were working on learning how to dance in pointe shoes. Some of the advanced class was there to assist.

"I had no idea dancing on those shoes was so hard," Chibiusa observed. "Illia makes it look so effortless." So did Princess Tutu, but she kept the secret identity secret for now.

"Maybe... maybe I was wrong about ballet not being athletic," Kyusuke hesitantly admitted.

Down in the studio, Duck was suffering. She'd finally progressed enough as Duck herself to earn her first pair of pointe shoes, and she was beginning to regret her accomplishments. Dancing on pointe as Tutu was so effortless and easy, but as Duck, it was suffering and misery. But she had to do it. She wanted to dance more like Tutu, and be a good partner for Fakir. Even though he probably would say You dummy. Dance like you. She wrinkled her nose, losing her balance for a moment and tumbling forward.

"That's a good first attempt," Illia caught her in the tumble. "You just need to work on your balance."

"That's kinda a problem," Duck frowned a bit. "See I'm kinda sorta unbalanced all the time."

"I'm sure with some practice, you'll do great," Illia reassured her.

"Oh look at you, Duck!" Lilie gushed, ensnaring her friend and squeezing her tightly. "Getting compliments from Miss Illia!"

"Li... Lilie... I can't breathe!" Duck attempted to squirm out of her grip until Lilie hugged her tighter, and Duck thought she was going to snap in half. As she bent backwards, she noticed the familiar rabbit-eared pink hair peeking over the balcony railing. She offered a strained wave at Chibiusa.

"Miss Lilie, Miss Duck, stop goofing off!" Mr. Cat hissed. "Or I'll have you M-M-M-M-M-"

"Oh I'm sorry, Mr. Cat, I was just so proud of our little duckling!" Lilie interrupted him, releasing Duck from her grasp.

"Mmmmmmrrrrrr," Mr. Cat growled, reaching for a mouse toy in his pocket. As he glanced up, he noticed the visitors in the balcony. "Miss Chibiusa and friends. What brings you here to this class?"

Chibiusa attempted to hide, but her hair was a pretty dead giveaway. "I'm hoping we're not interrupting, Mr. Cat," she stood on her tiptoes to peer over the balcony railing. "We... Well we have an art assignment. We were hoping that we could use ballet as our inspiration."

"Well what are you standing up there for?" Mr. Cat beckoned them downward. "Come, ballet should be shared with everyone."

None of the quartet had expected an invite down into the studio, but thus far, Chibiusa has had good interactions with Mr. Cat. He seemed a lot friendlier than she'd expected, despite the threats to marry him. The quartet entered the door on the main floor with their sketchbooks in hand, pens and paint brushes peeking out of their bags.

"We were trying not to interrupt," Momoko protested.

"Nonsense," Mr. Cat waved off the concern with the flick of his paw. "How can you truly study ballet from up in the rafters? What is your project exactly?" His tail twitched a bit as he played with the shiny mouse toy with his fingers.

"To create an intriguing art collection," Sorano replied, adjusting his glasses. "Chibiusa suggested ballet, and after our study of movement, I definitely agree this is a great subject for a collection."

"And an incredibly athletic subject too," Kyusuke added, peering around Mr. Cat to watch the ballerinas work on releve-ing with their pointe shoes.

Chibiusa was starting to wonder if he'd been written into the story with nothing else on his mind other than athletics.

"It requires a lot of strength and skill," Mr. Cat nodded, motioning towards the ballerinas. "This class is just starting on learning the art of pointe. It requires a great deal of strength in the legs and the core be able to stand on the toes of those shoes."

Chibiusa turned her attention back to Duck. Her friend was struggling badly with the movements, but she showed no signs of surrender. There was pain and determination on her face. Duck didn't want to give up, no matter how difficult it was. Tutu made it look so effortless, but Duck made it look real.

She turned back to our group. "I have an idea of what we should do for our project. We should show the journey of ballet, from learning pointe all the way to performing in a troupe."

"That's a really good idea!" Momoko agreed. "It always looks so effortless, but we could definitely portray the journey to reach that point."

Chibiusa peered up at him. "Do you think you could help us, Mr. Cat?"

"Of course," Mr. Cat agreed. "Please feel free to observe the classes for your inspirations."

"We really appreciate it!" Momoko smiled.

Duck glanced over at the quartet. It sounded like they had a good project on their hands. She offered Chibiusa a big grin when she finally managed to releve with straight legs on pointe. And then she teetered, careening into Lilie who simply hugged and squeezed her. Duck had a ways to go, but at least Chibiusa being there made things a little better.

...

Author's ramblings

Pointe is really hard, and that's definitely something the anime really portrayed. It's difficult, it's painful, but damn is it pretty.