She was busy.
Her whole life has been spent on the stage. If a ballet wasn't in motion or in progress, life was simple but boring. Ballet stole energy but it also created it. It sparked creativity and life to create a pleasant harmony for Katarina.
This wasn't anything like that.
The Living Pictures project was well underway, and every available actor, dancer and singer of the theatre was helping in anyway. Makeup artists needed to test their latest rendering, rehearsals needed to be scheduled which meant people needed to be contacted, and most of all props needed to be made. Even though eventually the backdrops would look near identical to famous paintings, if the paint strokes were broad then Katarina was painting it. Many times she looked across the way to Andy and he wore the same tired expression.
One of the major directors, Syd was usually out delegating work or in his office. He was also the biggest person Katarina had ever seen. It at least helped the long days go by when she could watch him from under her lashes, and the little blonde Kazzy catering to his commands and needs.
"Katarina?" The Count, who now remained in his office most days, peeked his head out to the theatre to see the prima ballerina painting the same green background for the third time, "Can you grab Alik and Andy and meet in my office, please?" Not expecting any objection, he returned back to his office.
Sighing, she still set her things aside so that she could find her male companions. Even though she still refused to say much to Alik, she would rather deal with him and the Count together than paint anymore. Andy nearly jumped out of his corner of costuming to join her. Alik was more difficult to find. Katarina was never quite sure where he went, not that she kept track anyway.
Once the three of them were in Christophe's office, Katarina sat down in the large chairs and nearly sighed. All the bending and painting was beginning to strain her back.
The Count was quick to get straight to the point, "The Ballet Troupe needs to put on a production. We have been too quiet over the past few months."
Andy's frown could be heard in his voice, "I don't think that's going to work out well, with all of us working so hard on Living Pictures."
"And that is why not everyone is going to do it, at least not until the end. I was thinking of something that justs features the three of you."
Katarina didn't hide a sneak glance over to Alik. The last time she did a smaller production, it did not end well, "Wha'cha hav' 'n min'?"
The Count chose to ignore Katarina's obvious distrust, "I was thinking Petrushka, with Alik as Petrushka and Andy as the Moor."
"You want me as Petrushka?" There was a hint of unusual surprise in Alik's voice. Usually he seemed to always be under the shadows of the Count, never surprised by his next move and never in the spotlight.
"I think it is time that we premiered Alik as one of our main dancers. And Andy and Katarina dance so well together, I think this will be a perfect combination. You will abandon most of your duties to Living Pictures by the end of the week, and will start with Madame then."
A sigh of mixed relief, Katarina didn't linger, "As ya say, boss." A slight shiver ran down her spine when she felt eyes on her back and knew that it wasn't from the Count's direction.
Her whole life has been spent on the stage. If a ballet wasn't in motion or in progress, life was simple but boring. Ballet stole energy but it also created it. It sparked creativity and life to create a pleasant harmony for Katarina.
This wasn't anything like that.
The Living Pictures project was well underway, and every available actor, dancer and singer of the theatre was helping in anyway. Makeup artists needed to test their latest rendering, rehearsals needed to be scheduled which meant people needed to be contacted, and most of all props needed to be made. Even though eventually the backdrops would look near identical to famous paintings, if the paint strokes were broad then Katarina was painting it. Many times she looked across the way to Andy and he wore the same tired expression.
One of the major directors, Syd was usually out delegating work or in his office. He was also the biggest person Katarina had ever seen. It at least helped the long days go by when she could watch him from under her lashes, and the little blonde Kazzy catering to his commands and needs.
"Katarina?" The Count, who now remained in his office most days, peeked his head out to the theatre to see the prima ballerina painting the same green background for the third time, "Can you grab Alik and Andy and meet in my office, please?" Not expecting any objection, he returned back to his office.
Sighing, she still set her things aside so that she could find her male companions. Even though she still refused to say much to Alik, she would rather deal with him and the Count together than paint anymore. Andy nearly jumped out of his corner of costuming to join her. Alik was more difficult to find. Katarina was never quite sure where he went, not that she kept track anyway.
Once the three of them were in Christophe's office, Katarina sat down in the large chairs and nearly sighed. All the bending and painting was beginning to strain her back.
The Count was quick to get straight to the point, "The Ballet Troupe needs to put on a production. We have been too quiet over the past few months."
Andy's frown could be heard in his voice, "I don't think that's going to work out well, with all of us working so hard on Living Pictures."
"And that is why not everyone is going to do it, at least not until the end. I was thinking of something that justs features the three of you."
Katarina didn't hide a sneak glance over to Alik. The last time she did a smaller production, it did not end well, "Wha'cha hav' 'n min'?"
The Count chose to ignore Katarina's obvious distrust, "I was thinking Petrushka, with Alik as Petrushka and Andy as the Moor."
"You want me as Petrushka?" There was a hint of unusual surprise in Alik's voice. Usually he seemed to always be under the shadows of the Count, never surprised by his next move and never in the spotlight.
"I think it is time that we premiered Alik as one of our main dancers. And Andy and Katarina dance so well together, I think this will be a perfect combination. You will abandon most of your duties to Living Pictures by the end of the week, and will start with Madame then."
A sigh of mixed relief, Katarina didn't linger, "As ya say, boss." A slight shiver ran down her spine when she felt eyes on her back and knew that it wasn't from the Count's direction.