Inca joined me today when I went to check on Myrtle. As I thought she would, she liked Myrtle a great deal.
“There is strength in her, and such fierce independence,” she said, watching Myrtle lead a discussion with the other dancers before their rehearsal. “No one will ever control that one.”
It made me laugh, but it was an interesting point that the thing Inca most admires about Myrtle—and indeed, what I admire, too—is what has caused most of the troubles I have had between Myrtle and Jaquinn.
But then there was no more talking, as Avery suggested a run-through of the routine as it stands right now. Inca was just as captivated by the dancing as I was. I was glad that she could see it—as a Guardian, she sees little enough of the beauty of the stolen Earth.
“Coming along just fine,” Suprima said when they were finished, breathless and pleased. Inca and I both felt that it was an understatement.
“Where were you thinking about performing this, Myrtle?” Avery asked, grabbing a water bottle.
Myrtle shrugged. She was perfectly aware that that was the expectation the others had, but the truth is she hasn’t quite decided that she is ready to show it in public.
“There’s a competition next month in Albany,” Ashton said. He jumped up from the place on the floor where he had fallen and went to dig in his bag. “I actually brought you the information for it. Deadline to sign up is not for another week.”
Myrtle took the flyer he held out to her. She skimmed the requirements—a small entry fee, but otherwise it was an appealing option. There were impressive prizes, and the descriptions said that agents from dance companies often attended this competition.
Still Myrtle hesitated. “I don’t know,” she said, trying to hand the flyer back to Ashton.
Glancing at me for permission, Inca went to Myrtle and put one wing around her. “Do not be afraid of your artwork,” she murmured. “It will never have true life until it is seen by others.”
The result was immediate, which is not surprising, Inca knowing more than I ever could about how to give humans strength and reduce their fear. Myrtle stiffened her spine and took another look at the flyer. “But then again,” she murmured, and looked at Ashton with a smile. “Might be interesting to win a competition with you instead of against you.”
He laughed at that. “You’re just glad you don’t have to go head to head with me again.”
That caused quite a reaction, but it was all in fun, and the group broke up in laughter. I am pleased to say that Myrtle went straight to Jaquinn afterwards, and after a brief conversation in which he was very encouraging, she went to the website to sign up for the competition.
I am excited for her. Perhaps it is my own bias, but I believe she has done excellent work with this piece. And this competition could be an opportunity for her that may change her life.
It is also gratifying to know that Inca and I work so well together. She was quite helpful today—I might have been able to do the same, but not nearly as quickly and easily as Inca could. We truly do have different strengths that can make a great difference to one another. I look forward to seeing what more we can do.