"Come in already," Fakir says, and although the words are sharp, the tone has very little of his usual impatience.

Now for the dégagés; Fakir lifts his pointed foot off the floor with every sweep, front, side, back. (He hasn't brought his slippers; he's dancing barefoot.) Maintaining balance away from the barre is much harder than usual; good. He needs the difficulty.

"You can practice too. If you want."