Story?

Orias‘ had been on his own very early in his life and at that time and barely got by doing odd jobs. One day, as he was running some errands, he came across a small stage on the side of the street. Nothing big, with just enough space on top for two dancers who didn‘t even look very special, but the joy on their faces stayed in Orias‘ memories. From that moment on, he wanted to dance, too. And it wasn‘t just a simply want, it quickly evolved into a need, almost an addiction. Well, he had to realize pretty soon that he had practically no talent and everyone wonderer where he got all the scratches and bruises from. But giving up wasn‘t an option! He sneaked into bigger shows and burned the movements into his brain, and trained again and again until his muscles hurt so bad that he couldn‘t move. 

After years of truly hard training, all by himself, it finally bore fruit. He finally dared to show himself to others, even if only on the streets. He didn‘t even have any fancy clothes, but little by little he earned himself enough money to buy himself things, make-up, clothes, even some cheap jewellery. And then he got invited on a bigger stage. His rise to fame began.

He got known better and better, he had fans he saw quite often and quite a few admirers. Orias also began earning more and more money and could now live a very luxurious life, almost drowning in all the fancy dresses, jewellery and last but not least, expensive wine. At this time, he only savored the taste of maybe a glass before bed and sometimes a bit more with friends. But his passion was always to dance. He never got close to anyone, he never even had any interest in any relationship. He had dance, what else did he need?

But of course, it couldn‘t just stay like this. He didn‘t get a happy-ever-after. 

At first, it was small things. Torn outfits, missing jewellery, spiked drinks...well, every famous person has that, don‘t they?

It was a group show were the worst finally happened. Orias and around a dozen other more or less famous dancers were to dance together on a stage, the rehearsals all went well and then the day of the show began. At first, it was a dazzling performance as always, with Orias being the center of attention. 

And then, something went horribly wrong. At the climax of the show, Orias somehow fell -no one saw how- down the very high stage, directly on a glass table. The table shattered under him with hundreds of shard digging themselves into his legs. Orias himself didn‘t even realize what was happening until people started screaming for a healer.

Even with his legs heavily bandaged he still believed he‘d be up and dancing again in no time. He acted like he didn‘t see the pitying looks of the doctors. He tried his best to not give up. He really did.

After he couldn‘t even walk without pain months later, his hope began to slowly shatter. His dream slipped away under his fingers, and the oain in his legs never ceases to remind him of that.

His former friends disappeared one after another, all having preferred the cheerful diva Orias, but not the hopeless and depressed one...until his only companion was the wine he still loved. He could forget his pain for a few hours if he just drank enough of it, and he thought that even the most terrible hangover was worth it. Orias withered away, being either drunk or depressive for weeks on end, loosing any will to live. Why live, if you couldn‘t do the one thing you wanted to do?

(Some former disciple managed to drag him out one day, still feeling responsible for the wreck of his former teacher. Orias even refused to walk or use his legs at all and it was honestly quite hard to stay with the moody and grumpy old man at this time. But some had not forgotten his former glory just yet, and that would become his salvation.

Orias had always loved going shopping and so the disciple wheeled him through a market with his wheelchair, constantly talking and trying to get his teachers attention. But only when they came upon the small stand of at first cheep looking ornaments Orias finally showed some interest, much to the disciples surprise. But that one piece of jewellery attracted him so much that he just had to buy it at once, immediatly. His companion even had to put it on him the moment he had brought him home again, and much to his surprise, Orias seemed livelier the longer he wore it. Hope finally showed in his eyes again. 

Not long after he commissioned countless people to look for ways for him to dance again, even with his irreparably damaged legs. And soon, the research came up with a pair of orthosis. They were made to fit him like very high stockings, taking all the weight away from his legs but reacting to the slightest movements, making it possible for him to walk -and dance- again while almost being painless.   

Orias felt like he was reborn, and he was endlessly happy being able to dance again. His second rise to fame is just starting and he is more than ready for it!)