Elise had warmed up in the ballet studio, spending more than enough time stretching her legs and back. She slid in and out of her splits, relishing the deep pulling she felt in her muscles as she transitioned positions. Rolling her head around to loosen her neck, she hoisted herself up and positioned herself in front of the mirror. She had the room all to herself, a perk she received for subbing elementary classes here and there. She took her time crossing the room, leaping higher and longer. She still wasn't happy with her flexibility, however, and worked herself harder to get to be where she needed. Once she could feel the strain and burn in her legs and hips, she moved on to turns. They were the area she most needed to improve on, and she had a hard time being patient and forgiving with herself. It was easy to say she should practice harder and longer and discipline her body to move like it should and not how it is. She fell out of a turn and huffed out an exasperated sigh, looking at herself in the mirror. She didn't have the right body type for dancing, some would say. A big Imp tail would impede her turning momentum and the height she could reach when jumping. Her wings were large and unwieldy, getting in the way when in class with others. It would be easier to give up now and find something more physically suitable for her. She had considered it more than once when she was feeling low. She had to remind herself that it didn't matter what she looked like; that dancing was her passion and that she'd never stop dancing voluntarily. So she picked herself back up off the floor and spun into a turn, letting the familiar movements take over her mind and body.wordcount: 311
