| “ | "When you shatter the chains of this world and forge the next, remember that art is as vital as food to a kingdom. Without it, a kingdom is nothing, and will be forgotten by time. I have amassed enough money in my miserable life to not need any more - so you will understand me clearly when I say that wherever you set your throne, no matter how long it takes, I will come to you, and I will bring music and dancing." | ” |
–Madame Florine to Aelin Galathynius | ||
Madam Florine is an esteemed dance teacher and a retired dancer. She was the most celebrated dancer in the empire, and then its most valued teacher. Prior to Celaena's capture and sentencing to Endovier, Madam Florine served as her dance instructor. In Queen of Shadows, she helps Aelin infiltrate the Glass Palace to rescue Aedion at Dorian's birthday party, after which she and many of her dancers fled Rifthold.
Physical description[]
Madam Florine is described as aging but beautiful, with chestnut hair, hazel eyes, tan skin, and thin lips. Her movements are very graceful.
Personality[]
Madam Florine is very strict, earning her the nickname "Instructor Overlord" from Aelin. However, she is a very talented dancer and teacher, and her stringency yields great results in both her own dancing and that of her students.
Despite Madam Florine's sharp tongue and blunt manner of speech, she is generous and kind. Deeply loyal and courageous, Madam Florine does not abandon her morals or forget her friends, and she is willing to risk her own safety - and that of her students - to do what she believes is right.
Biography[]
The Assassin's Blade[]
Madam Florine is briefly mentioned as Celaena's dance instructor. She is aware of Celaena's financial circumstances and benevolently allows her not only to continue taking lessons for free but also to stay in the studio after lessons and use the pianoforte to practice.
Queen of Shadows[]
Aelin dancing in the "Handmaidens of Death" in Queen of Shadows. (Art by arz28art)
Madam Florine plays an essential role in Aelin's rescue of Aedion Ashryver, whom the King of Adarlan is having executed at Dorian Havilliard's twentieth birthday party. Arobynn acts as a liaison between Madam Florine and Aelin, as Aelin does not wish to risk arousing suspicion by being seen with Madam Florine. Likewise, Madam Florine does not pack to circumvent suspicion, planning to flee only with what she can carry to the performance.
Aelin disguises herself as an understudy in Madam Florine's dance troupe, who will perform the "Handmaidens of Death" dance from a popular symphony for Dorian's birthday party. Madam Florine has uniformly altered the costumes by raising the bodice's open back to cover Aelin's scars and adjusting the costumes to accommodate Aelin's weapons and supplies. The dancers all wear heavy cosmetics and body paint, which further serve to disguise Aelin.
Aelin casually begins a conversation with her to ensure that every element of the plan is clear and in place. Madam Florine eyes Aelin's scars and begins to avow that she had nothing to do with Aelin's capture, but Aelin cuts her off and assures her that if she had, she would be dead by now. When Madam Florine expresses surprise that Aelin is trusting her, Aelin remarks that she believes Madam Florine likes money more than she likes the king. They share outrage over the closure of the Royal Theatre and the execution of the conductor Pytor and his musicians.
As they wait to get inside the glass castle, Aelin recalls Madam Florine's kindness towards her after she left the Assassins' Keep. Aelin asks if Madam Florine remembers the preparations for escape laid out by Arobynn - a ship hired by Arobynn will be waiting for Madam Florine and any of the dancers who wish to flee with her - to which Madam Florine affirms that she has.
When Aelin makes a scene to obtain water so she can wash away the Wyrdmarks, Madam Florine plays along, demanding water from the guard (one of the guards who is privy to the plan) and scolding Aelin for crying and ruining her makeup.
Madam Florine lectures her dancers before giving them each a black glass flower filled with reactive powder upon entering the Glass Castle. She then quietly tells Aelin that she will find her to bring music and dancing to the newly rebuilt Terrasen before dismissing the dancers to their performance.