On Point

Agreste Christmas Gala Announced

By Rena Rouge

Stop the presses! The Agreste Company has finally announced the showcase for their Christmas Gala.

After a lot of speculation, it has now been confirmed that The Agreste School of Ballet will be performing a rendition of Pyotr Tchaikovsky's 'The Nutcracker' choreographed by Plagg Fu (38).

As always, the rumour mill has gone wild with speculation and the talk of the town is who Gabriel Agreste (50) will choose to front his performance in the famed parts of Clara and the Nutcracker, along with the ever popular pas de deux by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Prince.

Rumours have been gathering that Adrien Agreste (22) will take the lead part of The Nutcracker, with either Lila Rossi (20) or Chloé Bourgeois (20) dancing the role of Clara.

However, that leaves the world's most famous pas de deux to be performed by members of the ensemble, or of members of The Agreste School of Ballet. Insiders have indicated a number of up and coming stars, such as Luka Couffaine (21) and Alya Césaire (20), both favoured to represent their company on stage, along with the possibility of long time company member Rose Lavillant (21) or Lê Chiến Kim Ature (22) grabbing one of the lead roles too.

In other news, we now have confirmation of what happened in New York during the run of Swan Lake. Hold onto your hats people!

Zoé Lee (20), has taken the dance world by surprise as she apparently stormed out of the New York ballet company after an argument with the dance master about time off between performances. There is no news as to what she intends to do from here, however, we hope the removal of herself from the company wouldn't have an impact on our opportunities to see the dance star perform elsewhere.

As always, we will be on the case and reporting the news when we hear it.

*****

The studio was abuzz with excited chatter as Kim read out the latest article from 'On Point'. They hadn't been told about the gala yet, but it wasn't very often Rena got the gossip wrong.

The Nutcracker!

They were going to be performing The Nutcracker!

And although it wasn't certain whether the newer school members would be allowed to audition for leading roles, Marinette was still excited to think she could possibly perform in the corps de ballet. She'd always wanted to perform in this specific show, practising around her bedroom as she watched YouTube videos from the tender age of 10, and knowing how close it was to happening made her stomach twist and turn in anxiety. She just wanted to start rehearsing now and finally living one of her childhood dreams.

"So, are you going to audition?"

Alya came to stand beside Marinette as she grabbed her bag and threw it over her shoulder. As much as she would have loved to have said yes, and even committed to the yes, there was no chance Marinette would put herself out there like that. She was still trying to pull herself together after Adrien's berating and the thought of it happening again was demoralising. She was focusing on keeping her head down and training hard. Blend in, not stand out.

She hadn't slept a wink the night after her duet with Adrien and with her anxiety at an all time high, she was almost certain Gabriel himself was about to march down the corridors and drag her out the studio. Luckily, a week had passed and she was still here. Though, Adrien wouldn't even look at her. She'd tried giving him friendly smiles but he just seemed so vacant. His body was there, moving as wonderfully as always, but his eyes were void of emotion. Almost like a marionette being controlled through the motions.

Adrien had been placed dancing with Chloé for the most pas de deux classes, which had started as a blessing but Marinette couldn't help feeling slightly jealous, especially since comments had been made that she danced with him better.

"I think I'll be happy just being a part of it. Even if it's just as a stagehand. Maybe they need someone else in the costume department?"

Alya rolled her eyes. "Oh, please! Come on, Marinette. Just at least try to think you could do it. You're amazing, girl, I wish you'd believe in yourself."

Marinette smiled back, incredibly honoured to have Alya believe in her so much. "We'll see, there's still a couple of weeks, so who knows what will happen."

"Miss Dupain-Cheng." Plagg beckoned for Marinette to come and join him at the front of the studio, all the other girls in the class packing their belongings away and exiting the studio probably thinking she was about to have the next mark placed firmly against her name.

She looked at Alya, the dancer shrugging in response. What had she done wrong this time? Heading towards her master, Marinette accidently bumped into someone - that someone stopping from the impact.

"Watch where you're going, newbie." Lila Rossi stared at her, her eyes burning through whatever resolve Marinette had left and causing her to cower slightly under the Prima's gaze. Without waiting for a reply, Lila made her way out the studio and directly to Luka. Since when had he been standing there.

He looked at her as Lila sized up next to him, his eyes meeting Marinette across the studio, as she gave him a small smile.

"Marinette?" Her attention turned to Plagg, her guards coming up in defence of what he was about to hadn't done anything wrong today... in fact, she'd done an awful lot right and she was most certainly going to state the facts.

"Are you okay?"

She was staring at Luka. A realisation hitting her hard as she continued to watch the guy she was seeing talking to the girl that she disliked.

"Yes. Sorry, I was just lost in thought." She quickly looked away from Luka, placing her full attention back on Plagg.

He nodded his head to the side, indicating for Marinette to follow him as he made his way across the floor and towards the stereo where his own bag rested.

"I saw you in the studio last night."

An ice block made itself at home in her stomach. As part of the school's rules and regulations, it was forbidden for dancers to take part in any other style, unless monitored by one of the dance masters. Ballet was a true, independent art form - stated by old fashioned Agreste - and any other style was seen as an infection of the purity.

"I promise it won't happen again. I was just practising and I -"

Plagg held up a hand, a clear cue to stop talking. Marinette quietened down and grasped her fingers in front of her. This was it! The final mistake that would see her being kicked out.

"As far as I'm concerned, I didn't see anything untoward. However, if you do feel like experimenting, I suggest you do it elsewhere and keep it to yourself."

Marinette felt her cheeks blush, the embarrassment causing her insides to stir and her heart to beat rapidly. Plagg didn't sound happy, or sad, or anything really, but he was clear in his statement - if it's not ballet, don't do it here.

"I'm sorry," she suddenly announced. "I promise I won't do it again."

"Just be glad it was me that spotted up not old prickle pants. Anyway, can you grab that piece of paper, please?"

As Marinette turned in the direction of the unit Plagg was pointing to, she noticed a lone square with an address and time on it.

Miraculous Studios - 8pm Tuesday.

"Here you-" As she turned back to pass it to Plagg, he was already out of the room, walking past Luka and Lila and down the corridor. She looked at the paper again, did he want her to take it?

"Hey."

The sounds of Luka's soft voice caressed her ear, her hand automatically hiding the paper in her palm.

"Luka, hi! How was practice?"

"It was great! Listen, I don't suppose you want to come to a party tonight. Training is later tomorrow so it wouldn't matter too much what time we're back, plus Chloé's throwing it and it sounds like most of the school are going to be there. It could be fun!"

Not everyone. She most certainly had been missed off the guest list, not surprising considering who was throwing it. A party at Chloé's though? Could she really stomach more time with those stuck up snobs? If she wasn't invited, they obviously didn't want her there so why was she willing to put herself through that and go?

Because of the Angel in front of you, that's why!

"I - um - I -" She couldn't find the right answer for this. Going would most likely lead to some kind of drama, however, not going could be suicide in terms of singling herself out in the studio. She stuck out enough as it was, not attending this party would just cement her as an outcast. "Sure."

If you can't beat them, you may as well join them. Luka lifted his bag on his shoulder, his smile remaining bright and vibrant on his face.

"Great! Shall we go together?" He shuffled awkwardly on the spot. "Like together?"

Marinette nodded the fake smile now mimicking one of a clown. Luka Couffaine was asking her out again - even after she fell asleep. "Sure, sounds great."

She looked up at the clock, she had an hour to get ready - a quick shower and change of outfit - easy.

"Can I walk you back to your dorm room?"

She giggled. "Sure, especially as you sleep there too."

They made their way back, Marinette's thoughts preoccupied by the nugget of information Plagg left her with. Miraculous Studios. She'd never heard of it, yet the address was so close to her parents' bakery, she couldn't help but wonder how she'd missed it. She thought she knew all the central Paris studios.

Finally reaching their apartment, Luka and Marinette stopped outside her room.

"So, what do you say?"

Marinette attempted to recall what Luka had just been talking about, and, to be honest, she hadn't even realised he was talking at all, her head was too preoccupied by a small square of paper. Was he still on about the party? He must be.

"Um - yeah, ok," she said, Luka's face pulling into an even bigger smile.

"Okay, that's great, wow! I thought it might be a little soon." He reached up and ran a hand through his hair, his whole body radiating with relief. "I'll let my dad know I'm bringing a plus one, he'll be so excited."

Wait? What? A plus one?

...And what had his dad got to do with Chloé's party. Unable to go back on her words, the only other option was to fully commit.

"Yeah, totally."

Luka looked ridiculously happy, Marinette too afraid to go back on her word. Her heart began to beat rapidly and she was worried she'd just committed to giving his father one of her kidneys .

Leaning forward, Luka pressed a soft kiss on Marinette's cheek before walking in the direction of his room, promising he'd be back in half an hour to 'pick her up'.

Her hand moved effortlessly to her cheek and caressed where he'd just pressed his lips. He was such a sweet guy. Kind and caring, and totally into her.

She'd never experienced this wanted feeling before and it was addictive - nice. She smiled, reaching forward and opening the door - the piece of paper still in her hand - and only 30 minutes until she needed to be at the venue.

Finally tearing her eyes from Luka, she made her way into her room and prepared for what the evening might have in store.

If all else failed, at least she was getting a second date out of it.

*****

Adrien looked in the mirror and sighed, he really didn't want to go tonight, but for his own mental well being he had no other choice. Not turning up at one of Chloé's pre-casting parties meant he'd be paying for it for the rest of the year, plus it seemed like everyone was attending and he already stuck out like a sore thumb - one more reason to make him stand out was a reason too many.

He rolled his sleeves up, fastening the strip of material around the gathering to allow the sleeves to sit just below his elbows, he finished with a quick spritz of eau de toilette and grabbed his jacket. It was time to face the music and dance.

It took Adrien precisely 10 minutes to realise standing out as the odd one in the studio would have been a much better option than to be here. Everyone was already drunk and making out, or drunk and on drugs, and all he could think about was where to hide next to make sure Lila, Chloé - or anyone else - couldn't find him.

He hadn't seen her outside of the studio since he took his break a year and half ago. Everything about her had the hairs on the back of his neck stand on edge, his nerves ready to snap from the idea of her being near. Their face off a week again still lingering around in the back of his mind.

"Hey!" He passed through the lounge, nodding his greeting to Kim, before finding the fridge and taking a bottle of beer from the back. They were currently in Chloé's hotel suite, her own private apartment with a surrounding balcony. It had such wonderful views and all he ever wanted to do was sit out there and think.

Think about his career...

Think about his break up from Lila...

Think about his mother...

He sighed and pushed through the crowds already outside to get some fresh air, finding himself, alone, in the dark corner away from everyone else. Knowing this area like the back of his hand, Adrien settled against the wall on an upturned plant pot, a beer bottle hanging between his legs and head lulling down. He looked at his watch, wondering how long he would have to stay before he could politely say his goodbyes and leave.

His face seen and a clear statement he was one of them displayed to all.

He didn't belong here, these weren't his people. He shouldn't have come.

Dropping his head in between his legs, he rotated his beer bottle in a circular motion causing the darkened liquid to spin in circles and hypnotise him. The bright lights of Paris reflecting in the beer and giving him something to focus on. Something that wasn't dancing.

He hated this, and he hated what he had to do for his freedom, but everything was drawing closer to the end. He just needed to keep his chin up and push forward, praying he wouldn't mess it up.