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Sora stretched her body out on the swing.
Good thing there are multiple practice rooms with swings. May would probably hog it all to herself if there was only one.
Both girls were following Kalos' advice and training whenever there was a break in between the shows. Sometimes Leon came in to watch her, but then he'd leave soon after coming. She didn't take his leaving as offensive; she actually liked that he stopped by, seeing as she had cut her time with him during the day in order to get ready.
No one was sure when Kalos would finally tell them what the competition was.
She was doing the splits upside down when the door to her practice room was opened. She smiled, thinking that Leon had come in again even though he had stopped by earlier.
She blinked when she looked down and found Ken staring at her.
The boy snapped himself out of his daze. "Uh, sorry for interrupting, but Kalos wants to see you."
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Seeing as she was still sweating, she left her sweat towel around her neck and entered Kalos' office with Ken close behind.
May and Leon were already inside, but the shimmering blonde hair of Layla's caught her attention.
Sora was about to smile and call out her name, however, she soon recalled their more recent interactions in New York and how the blonde had put Sora's feelings below the success of the play. I know I'm not her partner anymore and productions come first before an individual, but that still hurt.
She hadn't expected that coldness at the time.
Sora's eyes drifted over to Leon and she felt herself cheering up a little.
"Is anyone going to explain why Miss Layla's here?" May said with some irritation. Kalos and Layla refused to say anything until everyone needed was present.
Kalos pushed his glasses up. "Two days ago, the invitations for the International Circus Festival were given via online; however, none of your names was on the list."
Sora blinked in confusion. Leon's eye at twitched at the name of the festival.
"So what? Who cares about some festival?" May huffed out.
"You should care," Layla stepped in with a stern voice, "the International Circus Festival invites only the most talented; the fact that none of you made it means that your skills are lacking."
That statement shut May up.
"Circus Festival," Ken repeated in thought, "Miss Layla, was that the competition you and Yuri performed at?"
Sora's eyes widened in recollection. That's right! That's where the Golden Phoenix became legendary! She had forgotten that information, what with the other things that were going on in her life.
"Three years ago," Layla started, her eyes a little unfocused in memory, "Yuri and I had been invited to perform there." She slowly blinked and she was back into the present. "Because we won, I am able to give this," she held up a single envelope with a golden insignia on the back, "to Kalos."
"Layla's Phoenix tickets," Kalos picked up the conversation as Layla looked over the two girls, "will allow us to send representatives to the festival." Kalos folded his hands over the envelope Layla gave him, "Since the Kaleido Stage focuses on the trapeze, the maneuver showcased will be on that."
"Which means two people can go," Ken said as he realized what those words meant for the performers in the room.
Layla turned her focus over to the aloof man leaning against the pillar of the room. "You will be one of the partners; given that, you will be the one to choose who will be your partner." Layla's intense gaze fell on May and then on Sora. "Though," she said as she turned back to Leon, "I'm not positive which one would be better, based on their performances in New York."
Sora's cheeks burned with shame, but not because she was afraid of what Layla thought of her. No, this time, she was afraid what Leon would think, having just heard those words coming from her once mentor and role model.
"I'll prove myself!" May quickly said after shaking off the embarrassment from Layla's assessment, "I'll take any test, any chance you throw at me and you'll see who's worthy to be your partner for the festival!"
Sora opened her mouth to claim something similar, however, Leon's quiet words made her pause.
"You are assuming I want to go."
Everyone turned to look at Leon, surprised at his statement.
"You…don't want to participate?" Ken ventured to ask, the shock clear on his face.
Given the way the man had been insistent on having May or Sora for a partner when he first arrived at the stage, Ken thought that the man was looking to compete somewhere and eager to showcase his skills.
Kalos stayed quiet, but was attentive to what was being said.
"No."
Layla narrowed her eyes on Leon. "I'm surprised Leon. I didn't take you for a coward."
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AN: AU and Canon are mixing! Oh no!