"Da-dum dum dum, da-dum dum dum..." Sharp choreography punctuated the dancing rhythm, and Katarina liked to add the melody out loud for the time being. It was still out of pitch despite the piano's hard work, but it was more out of enjoyment than concentration. Others though, did not find it very helpful.
Alik's jaw was clenched, much to Katarina's delight as he twirled her in close only to be snapped away again. One of many permanent additions to the troupe, Katarina had sulked for about an hour before deciding he wasn't worth her time and energy. She would just punch the lights out of him if he put even one hand out of place. Content with that image for now, she just snickered to herself as her quiet melody was irritating to his ears.
"Da-dum dum da-da-da-da da da da-dum!" Alik's grip was just a little too tight for comfort on the next swing around. His tense movements were enough to have madame wave her hand to the pianist and stroll over to him.
"No, no.. it's a spanish dance. It's all in the hips, and you're as tense as a kite string." Without pause, she placed her hands on his hips, and forced him to rotate, "You're trying to woo the woman, for heaven's sake. Take ten and try again."
Katarina watched, trying to maintain a blank face as Madame exited the room, and Alik close behind. Looking over her shoulder as the other dancers moved around to mingle among themselves as Andy strolled over with a curious look, "What did you do?"
She shrugged innocently, "Nothin'." With the practice room door opened, the opera singers could be heard, even from down the hall. "What'cha thin' it's gonna be like, havnin' 'em sing durin' th' ballet?"
"I think it's more of what they think of us making an opera a ballet and then inviting them to partake." Andy crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, listening for a while, "At least they're good. Maybe we'll learn a bit of Italian this time around."
Katarina smirked and rolled her eyes, "Like I could understan' ''em th' firs' time 'round wit' th' opera. I'm just gonna hope they dun burs' my eardrums, singin' all righ' 'n my ear."
He reached out to tug on one of her earlobes playfully, "I think your ears will be just fine. Besides, Carmen doesn't come off to me as someone who cares all too much about loud singing."
"Yeah, she's go' too many men ta worry 'bout." She glanced down the hall and rolled her left ankle more out of habit than to ease any pain. In fact, her ankles had been fabulous for the past week. It was a good sign. When the singers began to sing the habenera, the part Katarina had been singing earlier, she perked up and mouthed along, including the rather high-pitched climax.
The year was taking off to a great start.
Alik's jaw was clenched, much to Katarina's delight as he twirled her in close only to be snapped away again. One of many permanent additions to the troupe, Katarina had sulked for about an hour before deciding he wasn't worth her time and energy. She would just punch the lights out of him if he put even one hand out of place. Content with that image for now, she just snickered to herself as her quiet melody was irritating to his ears.
"Da-dum dum da-da-da-da da da da-dum!" Alik's grip was just a little too tight for comfort on the next swing around. His tense movements were enough to have madame wave her hand to the pianist and stroll over to him.
"No, no.. it's a spanish dance. It's all in the hips, and you're as tense as a kite string." Without pause, she placed her hands on his hips, and forced him to rotate, "You're trying to woo the woman, for heaven's sake. Take ten and try again."
Katarina watched, trying to maintain a blank face as Madame exited the room, and Alik close behind. Looking over her shoulder as the other dancers moved around to mingle among themselves as Andy strolled over with a curious look, "What did you do?"
She shrugged innocently, "Nothin'." With the practice room door opened, the opera singers could be heard, even from down the hall. "What'cha thin' it's gonna be like, havnin' 'em sing durin' th' ballet?"
"I think it's more of what they think of us making an opera a ballet and then inviting them to partake." Andy crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, listening for a while, "At least they're good. Maybe we'll learn a bit of Italian this time around."
Katarina smirked and rolled her eyes, "Like I could understan' ''em th' firs' time 'round wit' th' opera. I'm just gonna hope they dun burs' my eardrums, singin' all righ' 'n my ear."
He reached out to tug on one of her earlobes playfully, "I think your ears will be just fine. Besides, Carmen doesn't come off to me as someone who cares all too much about loud singing."
"Yeah, she's go' too many men ta worry 'bout." She glanced down the hall and rolled her left ankle more out of habit than to ease any pain. In fact, her ankles had been fabulous for the past week. It was a good sign. When the singers began to sing the habenera, the part Katarina had been singing earlier, she perked up and mouthed along, including the rather high-pitched climax.
The year was taking off to a great start.