Chapter Three:
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The bright lights from the streets of Manhattan streamed through the open curtains of the condo's main window. It had been some time since Layla had seen actual starlight at night. Her last clear memory was when she and Sora had trained out in the desert for the Legendary Great Maneuver. And as usual, her thoughts drifted back to the determined Japanese teenager that had barged into her life.
"If you keep staring out that window, you'll never memorize your lines," Yuri said, moving to stand behind her. His strong arms wrapped around her waist and he rested his chin upon her shoulder, hugging her close. "Are you done for the night?" His warm breath, smelling a bit like the spearmint gum he favored, blew across her ear and sent shivers down Layla's arm.
"I was just wondering how the stars look back in California," Layla said. She leaned back against Yuri, enjoying the way she seemed to fit perfectly against his frame.
"Ah, you mean you're wondering what Sora will do after tonight's last performance," Yuri said. He squeezed his arms around Layla briefly before stepping back and settling on the edge of her desk.
Layla acutely missed his warmth. She folded her arms under her breasts and turned away from the window, looking back at her long-time partner. "I am curious. She's come a long way in a short amount of time." She laughed, a fond smile upon her lips, and shook her head, sending her blond curls tumbling down her back. "The kid doesn't know any basics and yet can master the most impossible of maneuvers!"
"First of all, she's not a kid any more," Yuri pointed out. He stretched out his legs, crossing his ankles casually. "Between the two of us and Leon, Sora's been through a great many ordeals."
"Have you seen the two of them?" Layla asked. She went to the premiere performance of Swan Lake, excited for Sora, but also a little sad for herself that an important chapter in her life had fully been closed. The most astonishing part of the performance hadn't been Sora and Leon's chemistry on the trapeze, but seeing the emotions that danced in Leon's eyes every time he looked at Sora. She knew that look. Yuri looked at her that way.
"I'm not sure if he sees her as Sophie or as Sora, but his attachment to her is like nothing I've ever seen," Yuri said. He closed his eyes and sighed deeply. "I know he still blames me for what happened to Sophie, but I would never have toyed with her if I knew the consequences."
Layla pressed her lips together. She had disagreed with Yuri's tactic those years ago. No woman wanted to have her heart toyed with and it would take a heartless woman to allow it to happen to another without protest. She closed the distance between her and Yuri and laid her hands on either side of his face. He opened his indigo eyes and stared at her, his brow creased in confusion. "You can do nothing about the past, except wallow in it and allow it to consume you. You must look to the present and do all that you can to keep such mistakes from happening again."
Yuri smiled. "Is that a line from your show?"
"What? No," Layla said frowning. "It's a remake of Madam Butterfly. In the original story, that poor woman does nothing but dwell on the past. And then when that horrible man that used her shows up and tries to take her child she gives up!"
"Okay, well, I don't think that's exactly the point. She didn't give up. She sacrificed herself for her son to have a better future because she thought he would have it with his father and his new wife and not with her. Her self-sacrifice was the last thing she could do to keep her honor. Maybe you should ask Sora about it since you don't understand the Japanese culture. Now, let's stop dwelling on what a jerk I used to be and let's focus on your lines," Yuri said. He reached out and tugged playfully on Layla's ponytail. "I'll call Kalos later and find out if Sora and Leon renew their contracts."
Layla shook her head. "No. I'll Skype Sora later. I've been meaning to invite her to the premiere of my Broadway show. Regardless of whether she renews her contract or not, she'll have a few weeks of down time. I'll offer her two tickets so she can bring whomever she wants."
Yuri rolled back his shoulders and cracked his neck to either side. "Well, I for one hope she doesn't bring Leon."
"And if she does?" Layla asked, arching an eyebrow and cocking her hip to the side. She propped her hand on her waist sassily.
"Fine, fine," Yuri said, rolling his eyes. "I'll be civil, of course." He clapped his hands together once. "Now, let's get to those lines. You won't be able to leap across the stage like usual, so you'll actually need to know your part."
"Yeah, okay," Layla agreed, relaxing. She snatched up her script and scanned through to the fifth scene. It was an interesting take on the opera. The acrobatics and the twist of the Madam being able to transform into a butterfly and fly about were certainly creative changes in the classic.
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The Kaleido Stage's final performance of Swan Lake was sold out. Sora finished her final stretches and ignored May's pointed questions. She entered the stage and the awed cries of the crowd inspired her.
Sora performed her first acrobatic trick and felt that with every spin, kick, and flip that the crowd was completely engaged.
The time passed quickly and the performance was both smooth and energetic.
Then she and Leon shared the stage — Odette and Prince Siegfried. He took her hand, his gaze never strayed from hers. There was so much electricity blazing in his lavender eyes. That performance, even more than usual, she felt as if she could read Leon's mind. When he ad-libbed, she followed along as if it had been the original choreography.
May as Odile, entered the stage and seduced Leon's character. The moment that Sora and Leon were separated, Sora felt as if she'd had an appendage ripped off. She'd done this performance so many times, but never before had she felt such a keen longing to be on stage alongside Leon.
The play ended with Leon trying to reach Sora, who had now moved beyond him due to his betrayal. Instead of the usual ending, Leon used the prop sword to fake stabbing his gut to symbolize death. Then he tossed aside the fake sword, grabbed the trapezes Sora had just vacated as she started to swing off stage into the distance, and he caught up with her.
Leon shared Sora's trapeze and landed on the support pillar's platform with her in his arms. He
raised his hand and cupped her cheek, his fingers threaded through her hair. The crowd was completely silent, either in confusion or in shock at the unexpected ending.
Leon looked up from Sora and scanned his serious eyes over the audience. "You'll have to forgive me, I couldn't let Odette slip away from me again." He then turned back to Sora and smiled softly at her. She was so confused by his actions, that she felt her heart stutter in her chest when Leon brushed his lips over hers.
Sora was overwhelmed. This was her first kiss!
The crowd started to roar their approval. Sora felt Leon's lips curl into a smile against hers.
Sora wound her arms around Leon's neck and kissed him back.
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"You really know how to shock and awe!" Kalos said, clinking his champagne glass against Leon's. "I really thought you'd lost it again." He glanced past Leon's shoulder towards where Sora and Rosetta were sitting together on a nearby couch. "You seem to lose it a lot when Sora is involved."
"Watching Odette fly away from the prince so many times, I felt it only fitting that he go after her on our final performance," Leon said. He glanced over his shoulder to where Sora and Rosetta were conversing. Both young women were rather animated with their hands speaking more than their words.
"You and Sora do ad-lib well together, but you must know that's the nightmare of any producer. I never know what to expect with you two!" Kalos said. He drained his champagne and then handed the empty glass to a passing waiter. "Now, neither you nor Sora have talked with me about your contract renewals."
"Ah, Kalos, this is a celebration and here you are speaking business," Leon scolded. He sipped at his champagne casually. He enjoyed the way the liquid bubbled over his tongue, but not nearly as much as he enjoyed the feel of Sora's lips moving against his. He wanted nothing more than for this party to be over and to speak with her privately. They'd not had a moment alone together since the final scene. He wanted to explain himself.
"I could go ask Sora," Kalos said. He started towards Sora and Rosetta, but Leon stopped him with a hand upon his shoulder. Kalos looked at him over his shoulder with an arched eyebrow. "Did you want to say something?"
"We won't be renewing," Leon said. "We'll be taking some time off — several months. I intend on us visiting Japan and seeing Sora's family. We'll be training for the European Showcase."
Kalos frowned unhappily and drained his second glass of champagne. "I see. I hate to see you go, especially Sora. I can't guarantee that your positions will still be here when you decide to return." Kalos was experienced enough to know when the talent could be convinced to stay and when nothing could change their minds.
"We are aware of the competition," Leon answered. "This is something that we both must do."
"Together?" Kalos asked.
Leon's jaw clenched. "I am grateful that you convinced me to come to Kaleido Stage. And you were right about Sora. She's special. She still needs additional training in the basics and I'll be happy to continue that training."
Kalos snorted. "Who are you trying to convince?" He poked Leon hard in the sternum with his index finger. "She's still a kid, Oswald. You treat her with delicacy and care. I can't argue that she should spend some time with her family, but after that stunt you pulled tonight, I'm not sure she should be spending so much time with you. You know the risk you run becoming romantically involved with your partner."
Leon was very aware of the complications romantic entanglements caused in their line of work. He didn't care. In Sora he'd found the perfect partner in more areas than just on the trapeze. "Thanks for the advice, Kalos. I better go make the rounds."
The Beaucamps quickly surrounded Leon once he parted from Kalos' company. He agreed that he and Sora would visit them in Montreal. They were still speaking with him when he started to walk away from them. Rosetta had been led away by May and Sora was alone for a moment on the couch. It was the perfect chance to talk with her!
At least, it would have been the perfect chance, except Ken Robbins swooped in and was instantly engaged in conversation with Sora. Leon grimaced and resisted the urge to pick Ken up by the scruff of his neck and toss him aside.
"Give the lady some space," Jacques suggested, laying his hand over Leon's shoulder. "Let's discuss the arrangements for your travel. Then you can interrupt the young man's blatant attempts to woo the damsel with important updates on your itinerary."
"That's brilliant," Leon said, blinking at Jacques. A slow, mischievous smile spread across his lips. "I'd hate to interrupt whatever conversation she's having with Ken, unless it was something very important I had to say with intimate details."
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"And then I can arrange the pulleys so that you can do a triple bounce," Ken said. "And I'll use the mirrors to make it seem like you're on an endless parade of yous bouncing."
"That's fascinating," Sora said, somewhat confused by the picture Ken was painting in her mind. "How much champagne have you had?"
"Not enough," Ken said. He grabbed a handful of carrots from the snack tray on the table to their side and dipped them in the bowl of hummus. He held out his hand and Sora waved the offer away. He shoved the snacks into his mouth and began to chew awkwardly.
Sora cringed, feeling sorry for her friend. He was acting more nervous and strange than usual. She looked past Ken and caught Kalos' attention. He nodded his head at her slightly and she realized that Leon already spoke with him of their plans. She smiled at him, so grateful for all the chances he'd given her. She would return to Kaleido Stage! She would keep her promise to Leon and take some time off and prepare for that showcase he was so excited about and visit her family. Then in the next spring, she'd try out for the circus again.
"This is a pretty awesome song. Do you want to dance?" Ken asked eagerly.
Sora stared at his hands, they were covered in food. "Uh—."
"Sora! We should talk about our travel plans," Leon said, smoothly interrupting them. He held his hand out to Sora and she took it without thinking.
"Travel plans?" Ken wiped his hands over his pants.
"You might as well hear it from us," Leon continued. He settled onto the couch right in between Sora and Ken, still holding Sora's hand. "We're taking time off from performing to visit Sora's family."
"I'd like to go to Japan," Ken said, his brow furrowed, and his eyes focused on Sora and Leon's joined hands.
Sora swallowed nervously and pulled her hand from Leon's grasp.
"You two will be traveling together?" Ken asked. He leaned past Leon to see Sora more directly. "I'd be happy to take some time off and go with you to Japan. I always wanted to see the Land of the Rising Sun." He smiled eagerly.
Leon slid his arm over Sora's shoulders casually. "It's only natural that she'd go with me. I am her partner."
"Oh boy, Sora!" Fool said, materializing on Sora's knee. His dark eyes swung between Leon and Ken. "You have both of them fighting over you!" He jumped towards Sora's chest and buried himself in her bosom. "I'll miss you so much!"
Sora leapt up from the couch and flung Fool away. She startled both Leon and Ken with her abrupt movement. She chuckled nervously. "I— uh, I think I had too much to drink. If you don't mind, I think I'll retire for the evening." She nodded her head in a brief bow to them both and started away.
"Wait," Leon called out. He was at her side in an instant. "I'll walk you back to your apartment. I've had enough of a celebration myself." He leaned close to whisper in her ear. "Besides, I want to talk to you about what happened on stage."
Sora's cheeks burned at the memory. "That was an unexpected ad-lib," she murmured.
"I shouldn't have taken such liberties," Leon apologized quietly. "It's just, you were so beautiful and ethereal. I couldn't stand back and watch you fly away from me again."
"It was a performance, Leon," Sora said, turning towards him. He stared at her with such an intensity, that it brought about a deep concern for his wellbeing. "The prince lost Odette due to his betrayal."
"I will never betray you," Leon swore.
"Wow, this one's got it bad," Fool said. He floated alongside Sora, hovering at about the level of her shoulder. "Good thing you're taking him with you. You won't be able to visit with me when you're so far from the stage, but at least I don't have to worry about you not having someone to ogle you!"
Sora flicked her hand back and swatted at Fool, but he dodged her attacks.
"I know you won't, Leon. I didn't mind the kiss." Sora stared down at her feet and chewed on her bottom lip. "It was nice."
Leon breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm glad. So, I'll be by your place in the morning around ten. Try to be packed and ready. Our flight leaves in the afternoon."
"To Japan?" Sora asked.
"By way of Montreal, if you don't mind the detour," Leon said. "I already have the tickets. And they are non-refundable."
"Then I guess we'll be going to Japan by way of Montreal," Sora said with a smile. She wasn't going to think about things too much. Life was too short to dwell on all its oddities. She felt her head spin as the alcohol she drank earlier hit her. She reached for Leon's hand and gripped it tight. "How far is Montreal from New York?"
He entwined their fingers together, steadying her beside him. "Not too far at all."