#Mérdette

[lau-tje96337]

I agree but even Louis Mérante made a noice/sound before he kissed her on the cheek :)

That little "oh!" noise Odette makes when Mérante kisses her

Reblog if you agree

[ballerina-leap]

This? This right here?

Was the sweetest, most romantic kiss I have ever seen.

Ever.

[aragornjinn]

Dance With Me

Guys this movie (Ballerina/Leap!) gave me a shit-ton of shipper feels, so I decided to write something. Please excuse me while I fall into this hole of Mérdette (? is that the ship name?) Anyways… bubye.

The steady sweeping of the broom accompanied Odette as she effortlessly swayed, occasionally spinning as she swept, oblivious to her audience. 

Her movement was elegant, but there was an aura of sadness around her. It engulfed her. Sweeping and dancing was something that became a coping method. It was what made her so beautiful to watch. It helped her live after the loss of her dream; her passion was evident in her movement.

Louis Mérante sighed contently. Odette’s skill and technique were perfect, even after eleven years, and she possessed the grace of a swan, true to her name. He felt the sudden urge to join her, even if she she probably wouldn’t let him. He wanted to assist her in her grieving and take all the pain away; he wanted to tell her how much he admired her, and how much he knew she didn’t deserve this.

Mérante was not quite sure how long he had been standing there, and had long since lost track of time, but after a while, he became aware of a presence behind him. It was Félicie. He suppressed the urge to roll his eyes. She could be very sneaky when she wanted to. Grudgingly, he admitted to himself that he had grown quite fond of her. What she lacked in technique, she made up for with enthusiasm and passion.

Thinking that it would probably best if he broke the silence, he told her, “She even makes sweeping look graceful.” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Félicie beaming at him, as well as Odette freeze for a moment. Obviously, she had not noticed his presence.

“She was a good dancer, wasn’t she?” The young red-head asked.

“Not just a good dancer,” he answered, unable to tear his eyes away from Odette as she continued sweeping-dancing, “the best of her generation.” He paused to sigh again, this time a sad sigh. “But then there was a fire on stage.” He stopped, unable to explain anymore. At the time, he had been twenty-two, and was mortified at the notion of Salle Le Peletier setting on fire, but his terror had intensified when he heard that Odette had been there and was injured. They were very close friends in 1873, and he could not deny that he had feelings for her.

Odette had stopped dancing to make eye contact with him. Her eyes were so full of sorrow, Mérante almost broke down right then. 

He took an unconscious step forward. 

“Odette,” he said, his voice soft, as if he was scared of frightening her away. 

“Odette,” he said once again, walking towards her. Once he reached her, he offered his hand. “Dance with me.”

At his request, Odette did not even look up. The choreographer tried again. “Please?”

She raised her eyebrow. “Why would you want to dance with me?” she asked. Sighing, she then looked down at her feet, “I can’t even dance properly,” she muttered. 

Mérante merely smiled sadly. He lifted her chin slightly so he could look her in the eye. “Because you are beautiful,” he answered truthfully.

Then his wandering hands proceeded to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, feeling her skin heat at his touch. Placing one hand at her waist, and another clasping her hand, he lead her into a slow waltz.   

[livehorses]

They initially were called "Mérdette", but *coughs* that sounds like a french swear word so they changed it for "Mérette." I personally call them "Mérandette" while others prefer to call them "Louidette." Is up to each one's choice.

So my sister made me watch Ballerina (or "Leap!") 2016 and let me tell you this, you can literally unfollow me now because I will be obsessing over Odette and Merante for a while now. The movie itself in my opinion was full of cliches and don't get me wrong it was okay and enjoyable but it was nowhere near perfect. But these two? The potential they have? *chef's kiss*

You don't understand how much I loved their barely existent dynamic and I have literally no idea why???? I immediately opened tumblr and voila!!! The only posts about this movies is just them!! Did every single one of us watched this movie and immediately shipped them and literally saw nothing else???

Also the kiss!!!! I fucking screeched at the tiny kiss!! It was such a soft precious kiss I swear to god it makes me smile so hard I LOVE IT.

JUST. I HAVE SO MANY FEELINGS ABOUT THEM OKAY. AAHHHH~

[ballerina-leap]

“There was a fire on stage…”

That’s it?

That’s all we get of Odette’s backstory?

Like everyone else, I’ve been wondering just how a little fire caused someone to become crippled. Anyone else craving a flashback?

On the plus side- theories galore!

“A fire on stage’ could mean different things...a prop is on fire and falls on her, or Her costume catches fire, or the stage lighting sets off a gas explosion and/or the opera house burns down.

... ok, let’s talk about that last one.

This here is the Salle de la Peletier, the previous home of the Paris Opéra (also known as Opéra Le Peletier). This is where Mérante (and likely Odette) would have danced and Mérante began his career as choreographer.

On the night of November 29th, 1873 it burned to the ground.

This was just one of hundreds of theaters that burned down during the 1800′s from the new gas lighting. Some interesting notes about this fire...

Burned for over 27 hours

Source of the fire- unknown

Injuries/deaths- none (???)

Other theater fires resulted in the deaths of hundreds, injured thousands. It’s possible I just haven’t found the right source, but so far nothing, and that’s unusual.

Also note the timing- this would have happened about 10 years before the movie. Remember who’s been working with Mérante for 10 years?

So, one theory for that ‘fire on stage’

                  ... might have been an understatement.

[ballerina-leap]

Want to see more of the real Louis Mérante? 

(Hell yeah)

So this is him with the Italian ballerina, Amalia Ferraris (1828-1904). 

This picture above was most likely taken between 1856-1859.

I lied! This is actually Angelina Fioretti, taken in 1870.

Mérante danced in many ballets alongside the greatest ballerinas of the time. So while I don’t think he would have done the most fouettes in a single performance (I’m leaning towards that not being true) he was a principal dancer and apparently damn good at it.

[ballerina-leap]

History time!

So this guy, right here? Louis Mérante

So this dude was a real guy. Maybe French people know this, probably anyone in ballet knows this, but I was SHOCKED. Like, he’s just running around in this weird fictional version of Paris where teen inventors can fly like it’s no big deal and little girls can just float ten feet in the air, nbd.

He is one of three of the major influences for this period of ballet and was a danseur, choreographer and later Ballet Master for the Paris Opera at the Palais Garnier (aka the Académie in the film)

[ballerina-leap]

So for those following along, you know we’ve got some characters in the movie that are actual, living people. Not inspired by, not related- these are actual people.

There’s Louis Mérante, Rosita Mauri, and also one more (but that’s for another time) So, if they’re real… what about the rest?

Specifically, I’m talking about Odette.

What is her deal? Why did they leave her backstory so vague- she doesn’t even have a last name. And a dancer that was ‘the best of her generation” but no one’s ever heard of? Who is she?? Of course they easily could have created a character solely to be Félicie’s mentor, and don’t stress on the history.

However…

If you go back a few years, there’s a certain dancer with a strikingly familiar story.

One who could have been the next shining star of the Paris Opera. Noted for her gracefulness, her incredible skill. And her tragedy.

Wait and see...

[ballerina-leap]

Just published my first fic for this fandom, I hope others enjoy it. 

But no matter who reads it, it was such a joy writing for these two characters, and I am so desperate to read what others coming up with. And  I know this is just the start.

Here it is- Pas de Deux

http://archiveofourown.org/works/11183484

[tvitr]

Fanfic for MérDette ❤ Méranette rather ❤

Well I don't know what you mean but I can give you a preview of a fanfic :^DHer glare became more intense. Félicie stared at her shoes guiltily. “... I was in the rafters. Above the stage.”Odette’s glare changed in tone, as did her voice. “How often do you go up there?”Félicie gulped sheepishly. “... Every day.”“Well, that explains why your technique has been slacking.” She drew a deep breath and sighed. “So... you saw Monsieur Mérante and myself then.”“... Maybe...?”