As time passed, their meal was nearing its end.
Bai You leaned back in her chair, patting her belly contentedly, like a kitten basking in the sun after a good meal.
"Drink slowly, don't choke."
Varesa handed her a glass of warm water and ruffled her hair before eating a few bites of her slightly cooled food.
Columbina put down her spoon, gently dabbed her lips with a napkin, and spoke sincerely:
"This is the most comforting meal I've had Snezhnaya. Thank you, Varesa."
"It's alright, as long as you like it!" Varesa blushed and waved her hands repeatedly.
"Oh, right," Columbina seemed to remember something, her light purple eyes gently sweeping over the crowd.
"There's something I'd like to discuss with you. I'll be staying at the theater for about a week; is that too long?"
"No, no!" Varesa the first to respond.
"It's alright, the room is all ready, you can stay as long as you like." Odette nodded.
"Then I'll have to bother you." Columbina smiled, "In return, I can help you with vocal and stage direction."
Varesa tapped the cup in her hand lightly on the table with a "thud," then suddenly looked up, her eyes wide open:
"You... you personally guided us?"
"Hmm," Columbina laughed, "Your voice is very good; the power and emotion in the high register are excellent, but your breathing could be more natural."
" Odette's fundamentals are very solid. We can work together to refine the emotional transitions on stage. I can teach you all when you have time."
Odette's fingers tightened slightly around the water glass, an irrepressible light shimmering in her icy blue eyes, and even her breathing became lighter.
To receive personal guidance from Columbina is an opportunity that countless Snezhnaya singers and dancers yearn for but never attain.
"Thank you." The two said in unison, their voices filled with barely concealed anticipation.
Bai You lay on the table watching their happy faces, and secretly smiled.
Bringing Columbina back was a good decision.
After clearing the table, the four of them moved to the lounge where Odette had once lived.
Varesa brewed a pot of herbal tea, while Odette dimmed the lights, turned on the projector, and the screen slowly descended.
Outside, the wind and snow pounded against the glass, while inside, the stove burned brightly, the projected light and the glow of the fire intertwining to create a warm and cozy atmosphere throughout the room.
"What do you want to watch this time?" Odette asked, flipping through the DVDs.
"Let's watch a musical!" Varesa pulled out a ticket. "I've wanted to watch this for so long, but I haven't had a chance yet."
She came back carrying three blankets, handed one to Columbina, and tossed one to Odette.
Then, quite naturally, he took Bai You and crawled into the same blanket, wrapping himself and Bai You up tightly together.
The movie opens with a melodious song playing.
Bai You nestled in Varesa's arms, covered with a soft blanket, the melody of a movie playing in her ears, and the warm, clean scent of Varesa filling her nostrils.
She secretly reached out and found Varesa's hand under the blanket, then gently took it.
Varesa looked down at her, her eyes softening completely, and then took her small hand into her palm, their fingers intertwined.
Neither of them spoke; they simply held hands quietly and watched the movie.
Columbina sat on another sofa, clutching a blanket, her pale purple eyes appearing especially soft in the dim light.
Her gaze occasionally fell on the two huddled together, then quickly returned to the curtain, a faint, relaxed smile always playing on her lips.
That indescribable feeling is gradually becoming clearer.
It's envy.
She envied the unreserved intimacy between them, and the warm, lively atmosphere in the room.
I envy this kind of down-to-earth happiness—being cared for by others and caring for others in return.
As she pondered this, Columbina felt her condition seem to be deteriorating a little more.
"My power has weakened a bit more, and the world's rejection of me is becoming increasingly apparent..."
Odette sat beside her, watching intently, her body slightly leaning towards Columbina, occasionally whispering a sentence or two about the plot to her, to Columbina responded softly in return.
The atmosphere between them was quiet and harmonious.
Bai You got sleepy halfway through the movie.
So much happened today—flying to Tartaglia, meeting the Queen, becoming the twelfth seat, the tea party, bringing Columbina back—she felt completely drained.
The warm blanket, Varesa's embrace, and the soothing movie soundtrack were like a triple lullaby. Her little head bobbed up and down until it finally nestled completely against Varesa's shoulder, and her breathing became long and even.
Columbina was the first to sense it.
"She... seems to be asleep?" Columbina said in a low voice.
"Hmm, she must be tired." Varesa nodded gently, carefully adjusting her position to make her more comfortable.
" Columbina, I'm sorry, Odette will take you to your room later. That's all for today. I'll carry her upstairs now."
"It's alright, goodnight." Columbina got up and waited quietly for Odette.
Odette turned off the projector, said goodnight, and whispered to Columbina:
"Columbina, come with me, I will take you there."
Columbina nodded slightly and hummed in agreement.
Varesa carefully picked up Bai You in her arms.
Bai You instinctively wrapped her arms around her neck, nuzzled against her sleepily, and mumbled something indistinctly.
"Go back to your room, you little lazybones," Varesa chuckled softly.