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 Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2010 11:46 am
There were more people attending the audition than Paris had been expecting. He glanced around at his competition as he stretched, carefully watching, making sure he knew who to look out for. The assembled group ranged in ages as low as their early teens and as high as their mid-twenties, all trained dancers, all vying for the same parts. If they looked especially confident, Paris made sure to note their faces, the tones of their hair, the colors of their leotards, so that he could remember and watch them later – a silent judge. He paid close attention to the girls, as they would be his primary opposition.
He wore a leotard and tights himself – black and pale pink, respectively – with his dance belt beneath and a thin skirt in pink over top to further conceal his gender. There had been no dress code, and while Paris was normally one to enjoy drawing attention to himself, he’d settled on a more classic look for fear that anything brighter and more elaborate would detract from his dancing. He wasn’t here to show off his clothes, after all. He was here to show off what he could do.
With Christmas fast approaching, performances of The Nutcracker were occurring in all corners of Destiny City, some by professional companies and others by local groups and schools. Auditions for this particular performance were being held quite a bit later than most, but it had worked to his advantage – he’d had more time to prepare. Whether or not his dance instructor had pressured him to sign up, Paris would have done so anyway. He was going to get a role this year, and it was going to be one to garner attention, not some minor role of little notice.
Continuing to look around, he wondered who else was similarly determined.
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Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2010 3:47 pm
Lily was literally pushed into the area with the other dancers, her instructor shooing her onward, much to Lily's annoyance. She did not know why the woman insisted on coming, but the fact of the matter was that she was here and she would be keeping her eye on Lily. Lily moved forward slowly looking for a space with enough room for her to stretch and spotted a small girl with blonde curl dressed and black in pink. She was stretching and their seemed to be good enough space for Lily so she went over.
"Hello," she said to the other as she took a spot and started to stretch.
Lily was dressed in a simple black leotard with white tights, her multitude of red curls pulled back and pinned to her head. She was calm as she stretched, not at all worried whether she would get a part, but not because she was confident, but because she did not really have time to be in the ballet and was still having a mental debate on the issue. Her instructor had taken a serious interest in her as of late, saying that Lily had finally showed the one thing she had been looking for in the girl over the years, so she had pushed for Lily to audition and her parents were estatic.
Lily hummed lightly to herself as she stretching, the tune to the dance of the sugar plum fairies. She did love the nutcracker it was a beautiful ballet, so really she would not mind to terribly being in it and it would be a nice legitimate excuse to take a break from senshi patrol.
She smiled thinking about it and decided finally it might not be such a bad thing.
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Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2010 2:40 pm
Paris watched the girl enter with her instructor, snorting at the idea of his own instructor coming with him. She took enough interest in him to teach him and make sure he didn't slack off, and curse under her breath at him in Russian when he wasn't at the top of his game. The thought of her watching an audition of his was laughable, though he expected she'd attend the performance just to make sure he didn't humiliate her in front of a packed audience.
He looked the girl over as she approached to sit by him, observing her carefully while trying to seem disinterested. It would be easy to remember her, in any case, what with all that shocking red hair. It was a nice color, actually; he might have commented on it at any other time, but he was too focused on his objective to take much time to compliment others.
"Hi," he said, figuring he may as well respond to the greeting. While he usually preferred to keep to himself during auditions, he knew he would be expected to work with these people once he got a part, so he'd need to seem at least somewhat approachable.
Of course, when she starting humming that song, he looked at her a bit more critically. That was his song and his dance, and if she thought she was going to take the opportunity from him somehow, she had another thing coming.
Immediately on alert, Paris tried to seem natural as he spoke to her, fishing for information. He wanted to know how much competition she would pose. "So is this your first audition?"
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Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2010 9:17 pm
Mid stretch the others girl's voice floated to her ears for second time after their greeting. Lily raised her head and smiled, but continued her stretching. "No," she said, "this isnt the first time, but I have not audition for many large parts so that will be the real first for me."
Lily sat up and looked over to the girl her smile still in place, before standing to continue her stretching. "I do believe this the lastest audition I have been to, but my teacher insisted. She and my parents wish me to dance the part of the sugar plum fairy." Lily rolled her eyes as she spoke the words. She would rather dance as Clara, but she feared at 5'7" she was simply too tall. It was a sore point with her, but she was optimistic, hoping there was a slighty possibility. "Truthfully," she started, "its not the part I really want, even if it is a very lovely part."
Lily bent forward stretching her back, a few of her curls coming loose and falling around her face. She looked to the other girl, her face slightly obsurded by her curls. "What about you? It this you first audition or are you a seasoned pro. You do not seem at all nervous."
Lily stood up straight and went about methodically fixing her hair with a practiced precision and neatness, making it look better and more evenly placed than it had been and without so much as a glance for a mirror. Her mumble was quick, but the words should have let me do it, were distinctly clear.
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Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 10:09 am
He frowned lightly, not all that enthused by the girl's response. So she was competition then. He'd make sure to keep that in mind. Whether or not she wanted the part, she would still be auditioning for it. If someone who didn't seem to care all that much about landing the role got it and he didn't, he was was going to be furious. He hadn't put all that time and effort into it to be snubbed.
"I've been doing this since I was five," Paris said, standing to continue his stretching as well. He was a bit vexed that she stood four inches higher than him. She might be a little on the tall side, but it gave her a look of elegance and grace. As someone who'd always been short, Paris would have loved to have her height.
"Of course, I've only been in minor performances before, but I feel good about my chances," he continued, trying not to seem as if he were considering her to be any sort of challenge. He was amazing, he had to keep telling himself. He'd been practicing and working hard for this, and he was going to make it. "I'll be going for the sugar plum fairy, too," he decided to tell her, seeing no reason to pretend otherwise.
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Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 11:20 am
Lily gave a small grin to the other girl as she pinned her last curl back in place, "You should feel confident. I would be more confident if I had started dancing when I was five. You have two years experience over top of me."
Lily friendly as always gave a bright smile, not at all upset her competition stood a better chance at the getting the part than she did. "Good luck," she said bright, seeming truly excited for the other.
Lily extended her hand to the girl, "I am Liliana Jacobs. It's nice to meet you." She figured they were talking so it would be nice to know the other girl name.
Lily moved a bit closer to the barre before lifting her leg unto it and stretching forward to stretch her fingers wrapping another her slippered foot, her tummy and head lying flat against her leg. She turned her head to the other girl, a calm easy look on her face. "Do you know if it is true that they have already cast the part of the nutcracker prince? My instructor says that she heard it was the nephew of the director, tall and handsome, but she wasn't sure of his age."
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Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 6:53 pm
"Yeah, you too," Paris said in response to the girl's wish for luck, though it didn't sound all that genuine. He caught himself quickly, realizing he was allowing his expression of ease to slip and show the suspicion and the anxiousness he felt beneath. He was confident -- he knew he was talented -- but he also knew how people were likely to respond if and when they discovered he was a boy. The role wouldn't come to him as easily then.
He blinked when the girl stuck out her hand and introduced herself, and held back the compulsion to roll his eyes. He was always careless and forgot to make the necessary introductions before starting up a conversation. "Paris," he said, leaving off his last name, as he frequently did. He took Liliana's hand to shake it lightly, before releasing it and watching her approach the barre.
Paris followed her slowly, continuing to conduct his exercises. There were other dancers all around them, some on the floor, some joining them at the barre, some whispering in the corners of the room and looking around nervously.
"I have no idea," he responded honestly, prevented from observing anyone too closely when Lily voiced her question. "I wouldn't be surprised. Nepotism crops up everywhere. If it's true, he'd better be good, otherwise it wouldn't have been worth the director's effort to get him a role. We'll see if he's handsome or not." Paris would definitely not be against judging the potential prince's appearance, and if he happened to be as good looking as Lilly said, well, all the better for it.
Any other time, Paris would have begun to formulate plans on how to lure a handsome boy into his best. At the moment, he was putting too much of his concentration into doing well during the audition to care. He could worry about things like that later, after he'd gained his success.
"Maybe he'll be sitting in the audience during the auditions," he mumbled under his breath, "and all the others will look like fools trying to impress him."
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Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 8:06 pm
Lily did not comment on how other girl's wish of luck was not so enthused, but she suspected it was because they were after the same part.
She did, however, smile at the offered name. It was very pretty much like the girl was and suited her well. "Paris, is a lovely name."
Lily stretched her other leg, while Paris spoke, then moved onto her exercises, going through the positions with practiced ease. She started for the moment with just the basics.
"If it is the directors nephew I do not doubt he will be watching. I really just wish to see how tall he is. I do not really care for his looks, I guess. Handsome or not, I just hope he is tall and dances well. My teacher is 4'11, though she swears she 5 even, and her opinion of tall is a bit skewed. She said he was tall, but 5'2" is tall to her."
Lily looked around to girl's practicing and standing about. One girl had just come in and she swore the girl was crying. Her eyes roamed back to Paris as she moved to go through a few more advanced moves thinking on her routine in her head.
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Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 10:50 pm
"Thanks," Paris said in response to the compliment he'd received about his name. It wasn't the first time anyone had said that to him and it probably wouldn't be the last. He didn't particularly agree, if only because it had been his bother who'd named him, but at least having it complimented was better than being teased over it one way or another.
"At least your instructor seems willing to talk to you about guys," he said, copying most of the same moves she was making, not because he was attempting to mimic her, but because it was simple practice. There was a certain order to be followed. "Mine would rather I not bother with boys at all," he added.
Fat chance of that happening, but what his instructor didn't know wouldn't hurt her. Madame Volkova was about the only person he didn't mention his many flings to, for fear of being thrown right out of her studio and straight into the icy street, most likely directly into the path of an oncoming vehicle. She was very adamant that outside of school, he should focus on ballet and nothing else. Boys were a waste of time, in her opinion, and a distraction he couldn't afford.
Paris obviously thought differently, but he'd given up arguing with her.
"How many of the girls do you think are going to try to flirt with him?" he asked nonchalantly, trying to keep the conversation going for the sake of seeming friendly, when he was really just fishing around for more information about the girl to see if she was a serious threat to his chances. "I admit tall, dark, and handsome is kind of my thing, so if he's dark haired I might be in trouble," he joked.
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Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 3:34 pm
Lily laughed lightly at the comment as she practiced her arabesque making sure to turning away from Paris as not to kick her. Oh that would be embarrassing.
"Well there our guys in our class, so I guess she is use to all the boy girl nonsense that goes on around her. Not to mention until recently I thought she thought I was a lost cause. A fine enough ballerina, she said, but I need more. Apparently as of late she found whatever it was she was looking for. She even wants to increase my lessons, but I refuse. I do not think I will be able to handle that and singing, on top of a senior class schedule."
She started practicing a few pirouettes moving first a little further from Paris just in case she lost her balance, though she did not think she would. Since Paris was going through her exercises as well she decided to focus on one of the more stationary objects in the room, but this did not stop her from talking.
"I bet most of the girls, will try to flirt with him," she laughed," but that is not what I am here for. I am here, to land the role of Clara, despite what my instructor. I just wish to make sure the prince is taller than I."
She stopped facing Paris giving a bright grin, "if he is just you type than imagine for a moment he is someone else and I am sure you will not be distracted. You will land the part of the Sugar Plum Fairy for sure and hopefully I Clara and we will be triumphant. Yes? You can flirt after the audition is over."
Lily stretched lightly going up on her toes and looking to see if she saw a clock. "I wonder if it is nearly time," she said aloud.
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Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 12:26 am
Paris frowned at Lily's comment about not wanting to increase her lessons, seeing it as a lack of dedication on her part. He spent most of his afternoons at the dance studio, practicing and working on routines with his instructor -- sometimes with other dancers, and sometimes privately. It appeared Lilly had other activities that she was a part of, but even still... he couldn't imagine putting aside dancing for something else.
"I won't be distracted even if he does turn out to be my type," Paris said confidently, continuing to move through his exercises at a steady pace. He would be focused enough on his dancing that he probably wouldn't even notice the boy was there. Once he got on stage, it would easy for him to ignore everything else and just do his thing. "And anyway, I'm not sure how well he'd take to flirting. Fifty percent of male dancers are gay or bisexual. He might not appreciate the advances of a pretty girl."
Which would work well for Paris, though he would hold off on beginning a conversation with him until later, after he'd successfully gotten the part and could feel more comfortable around the others who would be in the production with him. If it turned out the prince shared his preferences, Paris wouldn't mind trying him out. It could be fun.
He looked around when Lily glanced around for the time. Paris was curious himself. He'd lost track of how long he'd been here. Fortunately, they didn't have to wait much longer, and they were soon called out on stage one at a time, in order of their last names. Paris drew closer to the stage to watch, though he made sure to keep out of sight, wanting to view each contestant's audition.
"She's not very good," he commented a little while later, during one girl's disastrous performance. "I think it's safe to say we won't have to worry about her getting anything," he muttered, watching her dash off the stage in tears.
As they were being called in alphabetical order, Lily ended up taking the stage before him. Paris didn't smile at her when her name was called, but had instead adopted a severe expression, feeling his anticipation grow. "Break a leg," he told the red haired girl before she went on stage, trying to seem supportive, but he didn't think he would have minded if she happened to get injured. That would just be one less person he'd have to compete with.
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Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 11:27 pm
Lily smiled happy to hear Paris wouldn't be distracted but adopted a curious expression when she mentioned the little fact about male dancer. "Oh," she said, "I did not know that." A bit of her innocence for such thing was visible in that moment, but another moment later they were being called to the stage.
Lily followed Paris eager to watch the others dance, but frowned at Paris statement about the girl who was failing miserably in her performance. "I think that girl was crying earlier, poor thing. I think she let herself get to worked up. Never a good thing, it isn't, letting your nerves overwhelm you." Lily of course gave the girl the benefit of the doubt, hoping it was the nerves that messed her up and not a lack of skill.
Lily gave a nervous smile to Paris as her name was called, feeling butterflies flutter about her stomache and mentally scolding herself for it. She gave Paris a nod, "yes, yes. Thank you," she said before heading out and taking her place of the stage before the directors. She was asked if she was ready and with a nod from her told to begin.
With the start of her music and a deep breath she was up on her toes. She started with a few chaînés into a few pirouettes, 1, 2, 3, before going up and slower more controlled pirouette. She danced across the stage with the music, as it sped up slightly going into a side leap, landing and leaping once more before dancing to the other side of the stage. Attitude, step, step, pirouette, bounce, bounce, pirouette. She made her way back to the center of the stage as the music slowly. She danced about the center, jump, jump, pirouette. The music slowed considerably and Lily ended abrabesque as the music halted.
She stayed for a moment before turning to the director, who gave her a nod to head of the stage. She gave a curtsy and heading back to Paris to wait for her turn from behind the curtains.
"That was intense," she said beaming, "but fun and I think I did well. Yes, I did well."
More girl took the stage and gave their best, some good, some not and soon it was Paris's turn. Lily turned to the boy she believed to be a girl and gave a smile, it was her turn to give well wished and unlike Paris they were genuine. "Break a leg," she spouted grinning eager to see Paris dance.
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Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2010 1:06 pm
Paris's frown remained on his face, his arms crossed over his chest, as he watched Lily's audition. She was good. Actually, she was very good. It galled him to admit it, if only because she gave off an air of disinterest; she took dancing seriously, at least, but there were things she enjoyed better, perhaps other talents she would rather be showcasing. Paris felt a quick shot of jealously bubble in his stomach. He had no other talents himself -- just dancing and sex.
He didn't bother to smile when Lily was through, nodding when she returned and commented about her own performance but saying nothing. He figured she would assume he was growing nervous, seeing as he would soon be taking the stage. He wasn't nervous, not really, though the anticipation to get out there and prove himself was growing with each audition he watched. He was better than half of these people -- more than half; as good as any girl and better than all the boys, if only because he could dance both parts.
He nodded again when Lily returned his wish for luck once his name was called, making his way onto the stage to take his place in the very center, effortlessly positioning his arms and legs correctly and waiting for the music to begin.
He didn't see any of the directors, or the handsome young man sitting with them. He didn't see the group of girls and boys peeking out from backstage. He heard the music and felt his limbs moving in time, but as he danced it was as if everything else faded away. He was the center of all things, and he was beautiful and graceful and worthy. Dancing was second nature to him. He'd started learning as soon as he began to walk. As soon as he'd mastered a routine in practice, he hardly had to think about it anymore to execute it. His movements were fluid, perfect. He jumped, spun, and rose to the tips of his toes, looking for all the world as if he were walking on air. Before, he'd been frowning, but as he danced he smiled. The Sugar Plum Fairy always smiled.
When the music ended and he came to a stop, Paris came back to himself. The directors and the boy who would be the prince appeared before him, sitting comfortably in the chairs that would hold the audience. The prince whispered something to one of the other men, who frowned and whispered back. Paris knew he'd given them a great performance and felt not a single shred of nervousness. He dipped into a curtsy before turning to make his way off stage.
He was stopped by the voice of one of the directors, one of the whispering pair. "Paris LeFay," he called his name.
Paris stopped in his tracks and turned back, curious and confused. "Yes?"
"You are auditioning for the part of the Sugar Plum Fairy," the director commented, more a statement than a question.
"Yes," Paris said again.
"The Sugar Plum Fairy is traditionally danced by a female," the director continued. "You are male."
Paris had nothing to say and so stood there silently. He'd thought he'd done a good job concealing his gender. He was thin framed and built more delicately than most boys, so the clothes didn't look ridiculous on him. He supposed the dance belt and skirt could only conceal so much, and thought that perhaps during one of his moves there might have been a few moments when his gender came into question, if someone was actively looking to out him. The self-satisfied smile on the prince's face was enough to clue Paris in on who that someone had been.
"Yes," he repeated his previous answer. He had a feeling no other explanation was required.
The directors looked between each other before looking back at him. "We will inform you of our decision in due time."
Paris nodded, unable to keep another frown from crossing his face, and turned back to rejoin the others waiting back stage. He should have known he wouldn't be able to hide it forever. It was probably best that they'd found out now instead of mid-way through their preparations for the show. Turning him down now would be easier for all of them instead of wasting the time and energy on him, only to replace him with someone else later.
He didn't look at Lily when he returned back stage, or anyone else for that matter. Instead, he went and found a chair to sit by himself, bitter and angry and cursing everyone and their stupid traditional performances.
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Posted: Sat Dec 25, 2010 7:12 pm
Lily had been mesmorized by Paris's fluidity and had watched the girl's every more. She did not notice Paris's gender at all, just how very perfect her dance was and how Paris seemed lost in the performance. She wanted to clap for Paris once her dance had been finished and was beeming as the Paris turned to head off the stage.
Lily was suprised to see Paris stopped, but even more surprised to hear the Paris was a boy?!? Lily jaw dropped, much like the rest of the girl's behind the curtain. She could hear the other's instantly break into whispers, some curious, most cruel. She was shocked yes, but wow some girl were just mean.
Lily tried to stop Paris as he came past in a huff and took a seat. The boy seemed very upset and for good reason. Lily shook her head, turning to look at the prince, who had outed Paris. She glared at him, not realizing the boy was watching and could see her peek out from behind the curtain.
She turned in a huff and went of to Paris, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. Lily looked down with bright duel colored eyes, "You performance was truely amazing. You must really love to dance. I can tell it is your heart. I do not think you really have to worry. They would be truly insane not to cast you, you were clearly the best. The most passionate by far. Even if you are a boy, you will be the Sugar Plum Fairy."
Lily was smiling softly and her voice was sincere. She truly meant what she said. It was fair the reaction the of the director, the other girls. Paris probably could not play a boy part anyway, he simply looked to much like a girl. Lily wasn't sure looking at the boy that he could actually pass for a boy with those lashes, pouty lips and pretty curls.
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Posted: Sun Dec 26, 2010 11:48 am
Paris glared when Lily approached him, not really in the mood for company, especially when he could hear what some people were whispering about him. Screw them. He was better than they were anyway. They were jealous, that was all, jealous that he was a boy and could do their dance ten times better than they could.
His glare softened just a little bit when Lily spoke to him encouragingly, though he continued to frown. He didn't believe a word of what she said, but at least she wasn't mocking or taunting him. He could appreciate that even if they were competing against one another.
"Don't be stupid," he said. He debated whether or not to shrug her hand off of his shoulder; in the end, he decided she could leave it there. "They won't cast me after that. Aside from the fact that I'm a boy, I also lied to them. I registered for this audition as a girl." He'd thought he could get away with it, and he would have if the prince hadn't opened his big mouth. He wasn't sure how willing to forgive the lie the directors would be.
"Surprised?" Paris asked, glancing up at the girl. She was lucky. She was pretty and tall and graceful -- talented, too. She probably didn't have anything to worry about. "I didn't think anyone would find out. I sure made a fool of myself, didn't I?"
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