The Lantern Festival (Part 7)

Each member of the Graceland Orchestra was poised in their respective sitting arrangements. It never ceases to amaze me how two worlds so effortlessly meet. When it comes to dancing woth accompaniments, I particularly am biased towards the string section since the movements in ballet gel more symbiotically with the sweet and sharp sound of the strings. But as a normal individual, I like the percussion section as well, it's the drums draw me in. I even attempted to learn how to play the drums and I covered the basics up until I had to stop because I was coming back here in Astoria. I plan on continuing if I have time and opportunity. I know you'll probably say that "you're a princess and princesses should play the piano, harp, violin or something more classical, demure and lady-like." Well this is what I like and I will stick to the things I like but it doesn't mean that I don't value public opinion or that I am above everyone and I should be allowed the things I like but being a public figure should not mean that every side of me should be showcased to the public. But I will keep in mind that I am still royalty and must not try to ruin my name and reputation even before the public gets to know me. After all who wants to see a princess banging on drums like some tomboy. This may be the new generation but still old standards that bound the royal family before will also be applicable to me if they will ever meet me as the missing Princess Nicolette. The royal ministry did not want the public to call me by my name Christienne as it seemed to promote one religion when Astorian Royal Family at that time were like the European monarchs who were Protestants. My mother simply named me after one of her great aunts who was Catholic and so to prevent controversy with the new born heir to the Astorian Throne they opted to use Nicolette to refer to me when I was still a child and when Nana and I lived together she was adamant that I never use Nicolette in any occasion or I might jeopardize our safety.

There I go again running away with my thoughts when all I wanted to say was that it was such an amazing environment to be on the stage and looking at the Orchestra and the audience seats. I love this thrill and these crazy jitters on my bones.

Clap! Clap! Clap! "Okay dears we thank the Graceland Orchestra for giving us time to practice with them today so do your best and make it worth their time." Mr. Michael's voice was loud and clear within the private theatre. "Positions please dears, Maestro we're ready when you are." He further instructs.

String section comes alive then the woodwind, the brass and lastly the percussions. As the music moves our bodies moves along with it. The swans portrayed by the corp the ballet dance lively and elegantly while they play along the lake with each other. They frolic and play around unknowing of that the Prince (played by Chase) was slowly stalking them for the hunt. He was stealthily walking around the overgrown bushes sneaking at the playful swans. He carefully selects his target, a small swan near him. The Prince quietly loaded the arrow into his bow and was about to shoot the unsuspecting swan when all the swans quickly gathered at one spot and seemed to be bowing down. He takes a look at the sudden commotion and saw me (the Swan Queen). In my sudden appearance the mood changes from frolicking to an eerie hunting mood to one of romance. The lighting as well as the music also adapts and changes along with the changes of the tone and mood of the scenes which was handled by the drama club for us. The Prince slowly being entranced by the Swan Queen's gentleness and beauty that rivals and tops that of the swans. He tries to come closer and closer but one wrong step and he was found by the swans who quickly gathered around their Swan Queen to protect her and he could not get closer. The Prince tried to appease the swans by putting down his bow and arrow on the forest floor but he was unsuccessful the swans including the Queen was still afraid of him. They have a long and painful history with hunters like the Prince, too many of their friends have fallen prey to selfish human hands so they were wary of the Prince. With a loud scream from the swans they fly upwards and leave the Prince, and the Swan Queen slowly retreated into the deep forest but the Swan Queen could not help but sneak a last peek at the stranger in their sacred sanctuary. Their eyes met and they fall for each other the Swan Queen with the Prince. Up to this part we were doing fine but I was afraid for the next part because I have to show the look of falling in love in my eyes and in my movements with Chase as the Prince. I was confident with Anthony because we had a lot of time to practice together but Chase and I barely had a few days to practice together so I don't know how to do it with Chase. I see him and all I can see is my dear friend. I have to fake it to make it. We take a quick breather before we go again as the scene changes to the pas de duex of Odette and Prince Siegfried as they fall for each other despite of not knowing each other well, they answer the call of love.

Chase probably saw my nerves acting out and he approached me.

"Hey! (Stroking my back as if to soothe a crying child.) Don't worry you'll get the feel somehow. Don't worry about it. Even I am struggling on how to show love when my heart is breaking right now."

With what Chase just said it made me feel that I may be having trouble but someone else right now is having more trouble than I am. In a way it made me feel like I should woman up and take it head on.

The harp starts playing indicating the pas de duex's beginning. I go for my entrance and follow the tune of the harp. In this part I move like I am day dreaming about the Prince with slow whimsical turns and elegant leg extensions unknowing that I have an audience as Prince Siegfried has come back and was watching me from behind a huge tree. I dance carefully and try to show softness tinted with the hint of falling in love if it could be expressed into movement it would be sweet and innocent, so slow and delicate movements that require much control is necessary. I tell you, it is easier to move with power and precise points because the rhythm naturally takes you there but to be delicate like a flower is harder for me. Slowly my steps mimic that of a ballerina dancing with an invisible partner the first jump and turn showcases this and in the next the Prince recognizing that I am imagining a partner, steps in and lifts me up as I close my eyes and prepare for another jump. Here the Prince and the Swan Queen begin their courtship through a compelling pas de duex. The Prince insists on the two of them dancing together and that they are a good match for each other but the Swan Queen is unsure. She still is unsure of the Prince's true intensions so they do a little cat and mouse chase on the dance floor of the stage. The Prince eager to prove himself showcases both powerful, elegant and delicate gestures towards the Swan Queen. The Swan Queen herself moves hesitantly around the Prince but steadily grows bolder and bolder until in the middle of the pas de duex their movements meet and they dance lovingly together until the pas de duex ends with a kneeling Prince Siegfried holding one hand of the Swan Queen as if proposing to her then the curtains fall.

It was an electrifying set and an exhausting one I might add, this prolonged pas de duex between the two leads was part of the variation that Mr. Michael added. In his opinion the courtship between the two leads is very important and should shine more as it is supposed to display anyone could be hit by love and be powerless to resist it, and that foolish love could also hurt us more than anything since in the next pas de duex of the Swan Queen and the Prince, the Prince foolishly mistakes Odile as Odette so it begs to differ whether love at first sight really is superficial or can it be said that true love springs from it after all.

The rest of the practice with the Graceland Orchestra was exhilarating, it puts the whole performance into perspective and kind of gets you excited and nervous at the same time. Even if this was just a practice days before the Gala night I felt like I stood on that stage and danced for an entire crowd even if the only once who applauded were the helpful people from the drama club. They even came to greet me after the practice.

"Uhm. . . Are you the one playing Odette?" A petite brown haired girl sheepishly asked.

I turn to look at the group of girls and boys that were gathered around me. "Yes, I am actually the understudy it was an original role for Ms. Amelia but due to certain reasons she could not come today." I did not want to disappoint them that I was the one who was going to dance in place of Amelia on the Gala Night since I was instructed that I must guise the fact that I am dancing instead of Amelia.

"We. . .we. . Would like to wish you best of luck in the Gala Night. You were amazing during our practice today. I . . .have never seen such a graceful dancer as you." The girl next to me spoke.

"Me, too. I am looking forward to our future productions together with the GABC most especially with you." A male member of the club mentioned.

I felt overwhelmed with their support and appreciation. "Thank you for your kind words. I also look forward to working with all of you guys." I smile and do a reverence that ballerinas do as a sign of respect and everyone was amazed and in awe and we all laughed while talking until Anthony my unofficial body guard stood behind me scaring them away.

"Uh. . .uh. . . We'll go on ahead, thank you again mademoiselle Christie." The leader of the group mentions my name with an honorific "mademoiselle" which I thought was only reserved to those who have proven their worth in the Arts Department of Graceland Academy. I was stunned but I could not help myself from smiling genuinely. I wave my hand and nod my head at them and looked as they disappeared from my view.

"Pinch me will you Anthony."

"Nooo. . . Why would I do that your majesty?"

"I must really be dreaming, that girl just called me 'mademoiselle'." I speak as if I was dazed and confused.

"Really now? Well, you deserve it and more. Come now and we have to get back to the studio for a short meeting."

"O. . .okay. . ." I say as he ushers me towards the studio.

Who knew that being admired and loved like this is intoxicatingly happy. I wish I was always this happy. I wish everyone, like Chase could be this be happy.