CLAIR DE LUNE'S
The Part 32

High on the wall, on the wing over there the stage, there's a window. And through this window—which is also grating—moon shines in such a way that the stage becomes bright, as if highlighted by a spotlight that shines lightly.

Clair-de-Lune looked at him.

Then, slowly, he stepped onto the stage.

The spectator room was a large dark cave; as vast and as dark as the night sky; the stage was a bright room, a space illuminated by the moon, and expanded by it. At a glance, Clair-de-Lune stood upright in admiration, hugging her mother's tutu tightly to her chest.

Then, with a new purpose, he returned to the wings,

put a tutu on the floor, put the shoes on his side, and undressed his sleep. Slowly she unfolded her mother's dress and put it on. He had thought he could not do it alone; but that night everything was easy.

When he had put on his shoes, crossed his ribbons on his ankles, on top of the stockings he had been wearing under his nightgown, he used the barre backstage to warm up.

Then, as a dancer, she stepped onto the stage. It

fold your arms around your chest, then stand in an en pointe position. Then the music started to flow in his mind.

And, now, alone, wearing her mother's tutu dress, in

on the stage where his mother died, he danced his mother's dance—not as before when he was afraid, but because he knew he had to dance it.

It becomes a goose…

And he's dying…

But even though he was dying, he wanted to live. So, he fought her his weak body—, his burden, the inaction that made it difficult

raising his wings.But even if every movement was difficult, he would not give up. Even if the music tells him to give up, sing nina bobo, tell him to rest, rest, not be afraid anymore, rest…

But geese, supposedly, can sing—and only once

in his life he sang, when he was about to die.

So, Clair-de-Lune listened, listening with all her heart. Because this is her mother's dance, and her mother is talking to her through this dance. And while he listened more forcefully, layer by layer that muffled his melted voice. And when everything has been

lumer, that voice is not at all scary.

And while the dance is nearing its end; when

the goose ducked down, eventually losing, and the music said goodbye to her; as Clair-de-Lune slumped to the floor, straightened her legs and stretched out her trembling hand forward, and finally piled her head

in a tulle skirt, she knew what her mother said.

The music in his head stopped. In an instant, Clair-de-Lune slumped on the floor, flooded with moonlight.

Then he lifted his head and looked straight at her

the moon, full of admiration.

But how is it possible? His whisper in the voice of a young bird; towards the darkness. You don't even know that guy!

Like a man who dreams, he rises,

inching backstage, removing the tutu and folding it upside down.

Then he put on his nightgown again, wrapped himself in a blanket, carried all his luggage and left.

He had listened with all his heart; and he had heard something—so clear that it could not be mistaken.

But he doesn't understand. He doesn't understand.

He was so absorbed with his mind that even

not looking back on stage. If he had seen it just once, it would have seemed to him that something was lying on the floor.

A small, shining silver object fell from the tutu of Clair-de-Lune's mother as she danced. Clair-de-Lune's mother used to sew it herself into that tutu layer. But twelve years had passed, the silk had been shabby, and La Lune was also not very skilled at sewing.

that sparkle. But someone saw it. Clair-de-Lune is not alone in the theater. Bonaventure was with him, and from the wing over there, he witnessed everything.

Because on this stage Bonaventure intends

staging his first dance: among all the choices of places, he chose the theater stage owned by the Dance Company itself! Of course, some adaptations need to be implemented. The stage was so big— was too big for a dance troupe

rat. But, Bonaventure expects the presence of so many viewers—because the number of rats living in the area is quite a lot.

So, he plans to make a stage the size of a mouse on the stage, from some shoe boxes— easy to install and easy to take home overnight. The audience will gather around it. The stage will be lit by small candles, and around it will be scattered rose petals. And the staging will take place on the eve of the centenary: it begins just as the last man leaves the theater.

Bonaventure hopes Clair-de-Lune can find a way to be present watching.

But when he saw Clair-de-Lune tonight, he was amazed.

What brought him here, alone, in the middle

the night? He himself was here because there was business; he went back and forth to look at the stage, while his ballet exercises went on. It's necessary

remembering the magnitude of the stage; and absorbing the atmosphere.

But Clair-de-Lune?

When he saw her dancing, he understood. Because he dances in a different way! Bonaventure did not understand the dance performed in the Monsieur Dupoint class. His mind was dancing about mechanical birds, and he did not understand why the dance was so famous.

But, when he saw Clair-de-Lune dancing him

alone…

How subtle! How moving!

Bonaventure was moved, and wiped the tears from his fur.

Sure was! The girl's interpretation was too subtle, though,

too personal to reveal in regular practice! But secretly, in his heart, and here alone, he perfected it; and at night

the performance, the dance will flourish!

When the girl finished dancing, it was almost

Bonaventure could not help but clap. Then he realized, Clair-de-Lune will definitely be disturbed by his presence. So, he just shut up.

But when Clair-de-Lune got up and walked

away from the stage, Bonaventure saw an object falling from his costume.

He waited until the girl was lost on the stairs. Then he quickly approached the object and examined it. Then.. while sitting watching him, his dark eyes became confused.

The object was a small heart-shaped pendulum; and when it fell, the pendulum opened. Now Bonaventure saw the photograph; the photograph for man was small, but for the mouse, as big as the portrait.

There's somethin…

…who known…

In fact…

Bonaventure bowed, staring intently into the silver object.

For a moment, his astonishment made him hesitate.

Then, firmly, he stuck out his hand and closed the pendulum carefully, until

cause a click, so that the contents are safe.

Seriate...