Chapter 15: Intermission

*Warning: Picture heavy (but it's mostly because of the ballet).*

Tonight is the big night. Everyone is dressed up and sitting in the audience prepared for my performance as Odette in Swan Lake and for the first time in a long time I actually feel nervous. Not so much about my performance but the fact that he will be here, watching. I told him it was no big deal and he didn’t have to try and make an appearance for my sake but he said it was something he wanted to do. That it’s nice supporting a friend in her choices especially since it will be my last dance. And he’s right about that. I’ve decided that I don’t want this ‘career’. I want to be able to write whatever I want, whenever I want without fear of being reprimanded or treated like a child. 

I’ve never had the courage to do what I’ve wanted but I’m finding that the more I’m around him, the more free I feel. He’s a wonderfully talented artist forced to hide himself from the world because of his appearance yet he has never stopped doing what he loves. I truly envy that. And here I sit, one of the privileged—a child of massive wealth and endless resources yet I can’t even do one thing I want! Well that ends with tonight’s curtain call. I will no longer be the Silverman that dances. I’ll be the famous author sans my birth name. Hmm, that reminds me; I will need a suitable pen name. But that is a concern for later. I hear the minute bell; the show must go on!

                                                                                                                         - NS                                    

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The growing darkness proves the enemy for the hunting party and Prince Siegfried finds himself separated from his friends. He calls for them but hears not a sound as he makes his way through the quickly dimming light of the forest. Pausing momentarily he notices just beyond the brush movement and prays he has found his companions. But beneath the looming shadows of the moon, a flock of swans land in the crystal blue waters of the lake.  

Perhaps the night will not be a total loss, he thinks as he quietly watches the fowl. Mist swirls over the water as Prince Siegfried draws near, his bow at the ready an arrow freshly plucked from his quiver. He takes aim at the larger of the group, pointing the sharpest edge of the arrow at the swan’s heart. Siegfried takes a breath, slowly releases it and just before he lets the arrow glide from his fingertips, a bright light floats just over the water and he takes in a magical sight.

Odette, Queen of the Swans, walks apprehensively ashore and approaches Prince Siegfried. He promises her no harm and she begins to explain that she and the other swans are actually beautiful, young maidens transformed by an evil sorcerer named von Rothbart. By day they take the form of swans but at night they return to human form when the waters of the enchanted lake, a creation of Odette’s mother’s tears, caress their feathers. 

Prince Siegfried swears to destroy von Rothbart and his evil magic but Odette quickly explains that if von Rothbart dies before the spell is broken it can never be undone. Taking her into his arms, Prince Siegfried becomes enchanted by her eyes and she confides that only one who has never loved before and pledges his undying love to Odette forever can break the spell. For the next few hours the two become acquainted, enjoying one another’s company. Enthralled by her beauty, Prince Siegfried trusts that he can be the one to undo her curse as he has fallen in love with her. As dawn arrives, the spell once again looms over the flock. Odette bids farewell to the Prince and she and her companions return to the lake as swans for the day. Prince Siegfried falls to his knees in defeat and vows his eternal love and fidelity.

“Judging from the huge grin on your face I can hazard a guess that you’re enjoying yourself?” Nick asked as he and Blake exited the hallway for intermission.

“She’s wonderful! Don’t you think so? I mean, wow! She moves so gracefully across the stage and the speed her legs were kicking…I just—I’m blown away!” Blake watched as the doors started opening and bowed his head to conceal his face from the crowds of people flooding out of the theater.

Nick noticed his change in mood and looked at his wristwatch. “Twenty minutes. And I suppose you want to spend it outside in the cold away from prying eyes?” Blake growled becoming suddenly agitated and Nick jumped back slightly.

“Dude! Your eyes!” Nick warned and Blake immediately hurried towards the exit and pressed his back to the wall. Blake closed his eyes and breathed deeply a few times as Nick stood beside him acting as a shield blocking him from view. 

“What’s the matter? You going all Prince Siegfried preparing to rescue your fair Odette from the evil clutches of von Rothbart?” He smirked at his friend’s frustrated scowl and watched the normal hue of Blake’s light green eyes return.

“Funny.”

“That was pure gold! But seriously Man, what was that?”

“Something’s not right; someone’s here that’s…like me.”

“Wait what? Another wolf?” Nick whispered and followed Blake’s train of thought.

“Yeah and I can sense that whoever it is they’re up to no good.”

“You can sense that?”

“I have increased vision, sound, taste, touch and smell; I can sense A LOT, trust me.”

“Oh wow, that’s…interesting. Tell me what else can your super Spidey senses tell you?” Nick half joked as he waited on Blake’s answer.

“Dude, what you do in the privacy of your own bedroom is none of my business.”

“Wha-ha-ha-what’s that—what’s that supposed to mean?” Nick asked nervously and straightened his tie.

“Right. Don’t worry; I’m sure it’s perfectly normal. And your secret is safe with me.”

“Um…so this other wolf you ah, you think he’s after you?”

“I don’t know. He might be one of the wolves that attacked me back at my place.”

“Well if that’s the case wouldn’t he be after Natalie too?” Blake’s eyes shot up to his friend’s and he immediately rushed back through the doors they’d exited. 

Crowds of people had already began piling out of the theater for the intermission and he found himself pushing his way through the throngs of those milling about the bathroom lines. “Wait, hey you can’t go back there,” Nick grabbed Blake’s arm as he started towards the backstage area through a door labeled “Employees Only”.

“Watch me!” he growled and rumbled forward. Actors and dancers of the like were rushing around the area in the middle of costume changes or overall water breaks. A few of them even stopped for a smoke and chat which surprised him considering the fact that many of these dancers were believed to be health nuts.

Noticing Brody standing guard beside a doorway he assumed it to be Natalie’s and thought up a distraction in order to slip past him. “This is crazy,” Nick whispered behind him. He turned in surprise but the shock melted into a warm smile as he hatched a plan. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I need you to go and say hello to Natalie like a crazed fan.”

“Uh…there’s security on the door.”

“Yeah but that shouldn’t be an issue for the Nick DeLong! Come on, be a pal,” this time Blake smirked at Nick’s frustration and watched him move forward. He got into a position that would easily allow him to sneak into the room once the guard’s attention turned and waited for Nick to do his part. He noticed a vase of roses sitting beside him and plucked one free, inhaling the scent of its petals as he did. The second Brody turned towards Nick, Blake made his move and quickly, silently, shut the door behind him.

“Blake!”

“Shh,” he motioned with his hand as he locked the door and moved into the light.

“What are you doing?” Natalie whispered watching him slink forward. “You know you’re not allowed backstage right? I can’t tell you what security would do if they found you.”

“Oh right. Like you’re one to give me a lecture about being someplace I’m not meant to be?” Natalie grinned and turned back towards her mirror as she finished removing the first Act’s costume jewels from her hair and face. “So uh…how are you uh doing?”

“I’ve been ok I guess. What about you? Are you any closer to figuring out who came to your place?”

“Not really, no. Has anyone made contact with you? Have you seen anything suspicious or out of place?”

“No. But I can’t say I’ve actually been looking either.” Natalie stood and moved towards him with a smile. “I’m glad you came to watch my show.” 

“Anytime,” he smiled. “Well seeing how it appears a flower truck dumped its entire inventory on your floor I don’t think you need anymore. But um…” he pulled the flower from behind his back and presented it to Natalie with a smile. “I got something for you.”

Gently she removed the stem from his fingers and took a deep breath of the fragranced plant. “The others are from strangers who’ve come to watch me perform and give their thanks. I have no idea who half of them are and Mom always throws their gifts in the trash at curtain call. She says that gifts from strangers never lead anywhere pleasant. This one I’ll cherish always.” She sniffed the flower once more, walked over to her diary sitting on top of the coffee table and placed the rose between the pages before returning to Blake.

“You looked great out on that stage. I don’t get how you can say you don’t love it. When you dance you look so fluid and natural; like you were born to perform.”

“I used to think that. But like I told you before Swan Lake is one of my favorite ballets to dance so that might be the reason why. It’s the story of true love conquering all. Odette and her Prince Siegfried up against the evil von Rothbart, struggling to overcome the odds against the magician and win her freedom; it’s beautiful, classic. The Prince’s love for his Swan Princess broke the magical spell the sorcerer had her under and they lived happily ever after. It doesn’t get any better than that.”

Blake noticed the way Natalie’s face lit up as she spoke about the ballet and her role as one half of a couple sworn to fight against her oppressor and win no matter the stakes. “Well when you put it like that, what’s not to love?” He caught himself staring at the excitement laced within her features and cleared his throat as a distraction to wake himself from his daydream.

“You look nice. I love the lilac.”

“Thanks.” Blake smiled as she spotted the color he’d specifically chosen just for her. He knew it to be her favorite and was hoping that she’d notice. “It’s um, Nick’s suit.”

“Well it fits you nicely. You should keep it. Tell him I said so,” she giggled sweetly, brushed a piece of lint from his lapel and straightened his tie. A bell sounded in the hallway and Natalie glanced towards the clock on the wall. “Five minutes before the curtains open again. I need to finish getting myself ready.”

“I won’t keep you,” he paused and turned back towards her. “Although, I’m not sure if I can get past your bodyguard without him seeing me.”

“Oh right.” She started towards the door and stopped just before turning the lock. “Wait, how did you get in here?”

“Nick. He has a few uses it would seem,” he joked and waited for her to remove her guard from the door so he could retreat out the back again. Blake closed the backstage doors and rushed towards the exit again but was jerked into a corner as he entered the hallway.

“How’d it go?” Nick asked with expectant eyes as Blake straightened himself and pushed up against the wall.

“Fine. She’s doing well. She looks great and smells so…”

“I meant about the wolves. Did she mention seeing dark shadows following her or anything?”

“Oh uh…she said she didn’t notice so I’m not sure. Either way I’ll keep my eyes peeled for anyone. Come on, it’s almost time for Act III and I don’t want to miss it.”

Nick followed after him whistling the child’s rhyme “Sitting in a tree” and Blake turned with a frown. “What? I’m in the mood for music.”

“Well cut it out or else I’ll start singing about what goes on in your bedroom nearly every night.”

“Blackmail! Dirty, that’s real dirty Bro!”

“Sue me,” Blake grinned, took his seat on the third balcony and waited for Natalie to make it back to the stage.

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