Katarina somehow felt like she had stumbled onto the wrong side of town. She had been admiring the docks and large ships through the light rain, turned through a series of alleys to avoid the warehouses and the business that was at play. The longer she walked, the more she had a feeling she was somewhere she did not want to be.

She pulled her hood further past her face to cover herself from as much rain as possible. The fall was light, but soon the cool chill and the water swept around her long skirt to give her chills. Maybe the best idea was to turn around and head back the way she came. Liking the idea even more with each passing step, she turned on her heels swiftly and started in the other direction. A few turns to backtrack her steps, and found that each new turn was just as unfamiliar as the next.

"I'm na lost." She mumbled over and over under her breath, her steps slowly taking her closer to the front of buildings instead of in the middle of the cobblestone street. She read each sign she past, praying to find something that could keep her out of the wet and cold until she was composed enough to ask for directions back to the inn.

La Barre

Her steps slowed as she came across the sign that read "The Bar". Thrilled that her misadventure could have led her to a studio, she tried to peer through a window, but found them to be darkened so that she could not see. Shrugging to herself, a cold hand reached out to pull the door open, hearing the chime of an old bell as she stepped through.

The room was larger than she had expected, though it did not fit her expectations at all. There were tables and chairs spread throughout, with a long bar and stools to the right. She barely had time to look more before she heard a voice coming from the swinging doors past the bar, "Who be here? We're nah open yit." Through the swinging doors came a short, balding man with a shiny and round face.

She looked down, caught and suddenly feeling nervous, "I'm - I'm sorray. I did na know... I though'.." She stopped, and tried to slow her words down, "Yer sign, I though' it mean' somethin' differen'. I'm sorray." She repeated, wanting to retreat but was frozen in place.

His red face scrunched up as he openly studied her. "Ya know French, lassie?"

"Nah, jist a little. I'lla be leavin'-"

He waved his hand, hoisting himself up onto a barstool, "Me, I don't know no French, but me wife does." He seemed content to relax and leave Katarina still standing in mild fear by the door, "She said som'in 'bout it and dance."

A slow nod, "Yea, la barre is common in ballet. I dun mean to come in na welcomed. Th-"

"Ya dance too?" His shiny face altered the light as he smiled, "Me wife has a place upstairs. Wanna see?"

She did, but her green eyes still trailed towards the door, "Well, I-"

"Who ye be talkin' to?" She heard a females voice trail down from somewhere.

"I ain't gonna hurt ya, though ya bein' around here ain't too bright, kid." He beckoned her towards the swinging doors, slipping off his stool and awaited for her to follow.

She had little choice but to satisfy her curiosity.

"Yer werin' tha?"

Katarina frowned, and looked down at her dress. The black bodice filtered down into shades of green, ending in a light shade around her calves. She wore a short, but long sleeved cardigan that tied in the front to conceal her feminine curves. Black flats seemed to offer maximum comfort, and she looked back up to Mac, "Yea, whay? Does it look bad?" Perhaps her simple makeup was not enough, or her hair being bound up into a simple bun made her look awkward. Just her thoughts alone was enough to bring a gentle flush to the exposed areas of her skin.

"Nah, it be verra flatterin'. I hope me boys dun try ta disgrace themselves." He wiped some of the sheen from his brow, though Katarina wondered how anyone could be warm in the bar that had no fireplace, "Mayhaps ya should nah wear frilly things when commin' ta tend me bar."

Hands went to her hips, and she huffed, "I always wear wha' I wan'." Settling the argument, she replace the fleeting smile, "Now. wha' do ya wan' me ta do bafore ya open the doors?" She brushed her moist hands on her dress, disguising the gesture as smoothing the lines out. She was nervous, not of the attention but of being unable to perform her duties fully

"Well, ya could --" a small bell was triggered by a moving thread, and both of their eyes went up to the upstairs. "Why don't ya see what she be wantin'. Besides, we're almost ready anyway.?

With an obedient nod, she turned and started for the swinging doors that revealed the spiral staircase. It still wobbled, but it did not shake and tremble so much that Katarina feared for her existence. It was the first thing that Vera demand that Mac fix, much to Katarina?s delight. She had polished the black metal to high shine, and enjoyed the smooth texture if she kept her hand upon the railing. Once walking up to the studio, there was pleasure in the work that had already been accomplished. They had decided to cut the room in half, so some of the flooring was torn up, some was replaced with sprung flooring that would eliminate the metal springs and have no fixings, creating the more bouncy, floating feel. They had agreed to add a new barre for last, so that Katarina could investigate what resources were available to her.

Vera?s thin figure was clad in dark brown from the top of her neck to her ankles, causing her dark reflection to bounce from the fixed mirrors. ?What did you do in here. To these?? A bony hand gestured to the three walls that did not have the bar, that were covered from top to bottom with new mirrors of a high shine.


?I asked Mac if I could add more mirrors. It?d be helpful ta have yer relfection fra? all sides. ?Pesically with havin? studen?s.? She felt another flush start, and her gaze turned down. She should have asked Vera if she wanted to update her studio in such a fashion, and braced herself for her cold confrontation.

There was an uncomfortably prolonged silence, before Vera spoke, ?A wise choice. That is all.?

Katarina nearly curtsied, but caught herself, ?Thanks.? She barely mumbled, before heading back down the wobbling stairs. Once she reached the base, she took a moment to collect herself, and prepare her mind for the skills that she would need. It was just like performing, and illusion created to stun and awe. With a smile on her face, she started through the swinging doors with confident strides, and began the production.