"Oh..." Varesa drew out the word, smiling meaningfully.
Odette's face seemed to turn red for a moment, but she calmly picked up her teacup and took a sip without answering.
Watching from the side, Bai You quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
This aloof Odette was just like she was in the game. She looked icy, but actually... she was warmhearted.
"By the way, Bai You," Varesa suddenly turned to her, "you don't know what Odette does yet, do you?"
Bai You shook her head.
"She's the prima ballerina of our troupe."
"And the best ballet dancer in all of Snezhnaya."
"That's amazing..." Bai You said instinctively.
Ode seemed a little unaccustomed to such a straightforward compliment.
She set down her teacup and cleared her throat, her tone still even. "It's nothing. I just practice a lot."
"That's how she is," Varesa whispered into Bai You's ear. "She won't say it, but she's delighted inside. Tell her she dances beautifully, and she'll secretly be happy about it for three days."
"Varesa." Odette's voice turned a degree colder.
"All right, all right, I'll stop." Varesa laughed and raised her hands in surrender.
Without anyone noticing, the atmosphere in the lounge had relaxed.
Bai You was no longer as nervous as she had been when she first came in. She picked up her teacup and carefully took a sip.
It was green tea commonly found in Snezhnaya, with a faint sweetness and a herbal fragrance. It warmed her stomach as she drank.
"Bai You," Odette suddenly said, "apart from your name, you really don't remember anything?"
Bai You put down her teacup, thought for a moment, then nodded. "Mm..."
"Big sister Varesa said she was willing to take me in, and I'm already very grateful. From now on... I'll try my best not to cause trouble."
Her gaze was serious as she said this, with a kind of cautious earnestness.
But inside, Bai You was struggling wildly. Bai You, oh Bai You, how did you sink this low?
When Varesa heard Bai You's adorably innocent voice call her "big sister Varesa," her eyes seemed to brighten a little more.
Odette looked at her in silence for a few seconds.
Then she stood up, walked to the coat rack, and pulled a key from her coat pocket. She came back and placed it on the little round table.
"This is the key to the storage room," she said.
"After you enter the room, the bathroom is at the end of the hallway, on the left. There's hot water twenty-four hours a day."
"Also, the theater cafeteria is open from seven to nine in the morning, twelve to two at noon, and six to eight in the evening. If you miss those times, there won't be any food."
"I'll go let them know in a bit, and then you can eat at the theater. If you don't want to eat here, you can go out to eat instead. It's up to you."
She paused, then added, "There are other performers at the theater, and some of them have rather odd personalities. Until you get to know them, try to stay in the storage room, or you can go to my lounge. Don't wander around."
Bai You looked at the key on the table, then at Odette.
"Thank you..." she said softly. "Thank you, Miss Odette."
"Just call me Odette." Odette sat back down, her tone still indifferent, but Bai You could hear a trace of warmth beneath that icy shell, not easy to detect.
"And," Odette said, looking at Varesa, "take her to buy a few clothes tomorrow. Your coat doesn't quite fit her."
Varesa looked down at her own coat on Bai You and couldn't help laughing. "True. Let's go tomorrow, then."
Bai You looked down at her sleeves, her face turning red again.
Varesa yawned.
"Sleepy?" Odette glanced at her.
"A little..." Varesa rubbed her eyes. "I did play all day today, so I am tired."
"Then go rest." Odette stood up. "Bai You, I'll take you to the storage room and see what else you need."
"No, no, no, I'm not sleepy anymore. I'll take her instead. You go practice dancing. I can take care of these things too." Varesa answered quickly, as if guarding a treasure.
Odette: ...
Varesa was just about to stand up when Odette pressed a hand to her shoulder.
"Stay put," Odette said. "You're tired today too. Go get yourself sorted out first. I can take her."
Varesa froze for a moment, then laughed. "I already said I'd do it. Since when were you so eager to look after people?"
"I always have been," Odette said expressionlessly. "I just can't be bothered doing it for you."
"Hey-"
Odette ignored Varesa's protest. She picked up the key from the table and lifted her chin toward Bai You. "Come on."
"All right, then. I'll go take a bath first and come over in a bit. And Odette, watch yourself. Don't scare my little Bai You!"
Odette ignored Varesa and walked out of the room on her own.
Bai You hurried after her.
As she left the lounge, she glanced back. Varesa was leaning against the sofa, winking at her, as if to say she would be there soon.
Bai You smiled at Varesa, then turned and followed Odette.
Odette walked ahead with a light, brisk step, and Bai You had to pick up her pace a little to keep up.
"The storage room is just ahead," Odette said without looking back.
"The conditions aren't very good, so make do for now. Tomorrow we'll give it a major makeover or change rooms."
"It's already very good," Bai You said hastily. "I'm quite content just to have somewhere to stay."
Odette didn't reply.
When they reached the storage room, she opened the door and flicked the switch. The light came on, revealing a small room inside.