[ota] Welcome to the 38th Annual Shakespeare on The Green

[maskofhearts]

There were a few things that Master Henry always kept as a tradition- the Annual Shakespeare on the Green productions being but a part of them. It was the biggest day of his year, though it was not his only production of the year, it was the biggest. The stage was built for this one night, and on this night Master Henry introduced the play as he

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On The Green- Meet And Greet.

[maskofhearts]

Most. Awkward. Date. Ever.

[so_complicit]

The play was, of course, brilliant. And you know, Davin didn't only think that because his nephew was the lead.

But he hadn't, perhaps, paid as close of attention as he could have, not when the woman beside him had seemed...well, rather off her game. And somehow, he'd managed to not learn the news that had her so quiet, had made her uninclined to the usual flirtatious conversation he was used to from her.

And somehow, he didn't think it was the presence of Laureline also in the audience.

He just wasn't certain what it was.

So he settled for being a stolid presence beside Avery as they head over to the meet and greet, not pushing, if only because they were out in public.

You're a good(ish) man, Davin Bernard.

[uncutclarity]

She'd gotten the news in the morning and composed herself before first reporting to Säde, then Silas, and then finally Rachel. Then she'd worked, burying herself at her desk until afternoon when she'd had to stop. And get ready.

Avery had decided when she'd been brushing her hair and pinning it up that she wouldn't mention this to Hadyn. Not today. It was, after all, his twenty-first birthday, and there was a rumor that he and Sieben had once been some sort of item. If he hadn't gotten a letter, she wouldn't ruin the day. So she just firmed the mask and smiled at Davin when he came to her door. She wouldn't be at all surprised, though, that he'd seen through it.

Which...perhaps is why she stopped him with a hand on his arm before they get in earshot of the actors. "I need to tell you something." It was possible, of course, that he knew.

[so_complicit]

Well, those were words that never boded well. But he'd still stop and look at her, waiting for what she had to say.

It can be assumed that what she actually has to say is likely one of the last things he'd expect to be what is bothering her.

"Okay. What's on your mind, Avery?"

[uncutclarity]

There is probably no good way to say to someone that their Jack has committed suicide, but Avery paused, searching for a less shocking way to break the news.

There isn't one. "Your butler brought me a letter this morning," she finally said, looking up at him. Her expression barely changed, but her eyes darkened. "Sieben is. Dead. Suicide. I hadn't said anything, because," and she stopped for a moment, her eyes dropping for a moment before she looked back up at him with a rueful not-quite smile on her mouth.

"I don't want to ruin Hadyn's day."

[so_complicit]

Davin, of course, had never been close to the Jack. Certainly, they'd passed each other in the halls, said a few polite words from time to time. But that had really been the extent of it.

But still, he was the Spade Jack. And that did mean something. So he stared at Avery for a long moment, not quite comprehending her words, thinking maybe she had actually said something else and it had filtered through out of order.

But no. That's what she'd said, she couldn't have said anything else. And, he remembered of course the things that had been said about Avery and the Jack.

"Oh. I. That's-..." words were insufficient. But gestures...he isn't sure how that would be received either, so he pushes on through. "That's very kind of you."

[uncutclarity]

That's sort of the blessing, she supposed. The fact that she was the Deck's favorite soap opera character meant that she never actually had to tell anyone these things, and the only thing more awkward than telling a man you've recently slept with - begun sleeping with, perhaps, she wasn't sure yet - that his Jack is dead would be telling him that you were sleeping with his Jack, occasionally.

Davin's words, at least, produced a raw chuckle, a slightly more real smile. "Well, you only turn twenty-one once," she said. "And the body paint is probably going to make it suck enough as it is."

[so_complicit]

Maybe he was going to say something else. Maybe he was going to offer to pull her into his arms. Maybe he was going to do a lot of things...but at her words, Davin stills, staring at her in a whole new sort of shock.

"Body paint?" Did he sound a little weak?

Laureline might have to murder....someone.

[uncutclarity]

At least Laureline wouldn't have to murder them. Avery had had a difficult day already; she wasn't sure she was up for being eviscerated publicly. But someone's rendering of Moschino on skin would probably keep them both....relatively safe.

She nods, stepping closer and pointing. The actors are coming out, and there's a quiet roar of shock at the sight of the Prince of Denmark; Master Henry, for his part, looks like he wants to cry. "Henry," she said, "should really never tell Hadyn to dress in something respectable. I think it brings out his rebellious side."

Hopefully they could slide up to speak to Hadyn and then slide out again. Hugs honestly wouldn't go amiss, but people would just...ask.

Which made the whole Diamond mask kind of moot.

[so_complicit]

Wearing ridiculous clothing was one thing, to express himself.

Actually wearing paint that only peripherally resembled clothing....

Davin sighed. "I'm going to need a drink."

More than one. And for more than one reason.

[uncutclarity]

"You and me both, sugar," Avert said dryly. "Possibly enough vodka to drown several lesser people,"

But that was later, and she sighed as she slipped her hand in the crook of his elbow. "Come on. Let's put on our amused-but-perturbed looks and go say hello."

[so_complicit]

He nodded and gave her his best effort at an amused-but-perturbed look, "here we go."

They weren't, at least, the worst Hadyn would have to deal with, that was for certain.

[fiddlerjohnny]

Johnny had sort of decided to come to the play at the last minute after hearing a few other Hearts talking about it. Shakespeare's maybe never really been his forte but he's still glad he was here as the show was certainly worth watching.

So that's how he ends up sticking around for the meet and greet to shake Hadyn's hand and give him his congratulations.

Though what Hadyn comes out wearing (or not wearing, as the case may be) has him raising his eyebrows rather high, indeed.

[maskofhearts]

"Hey," Hadyn said as he blinked at Johnny. Not that he shouldn't have expected to see him- there were a lot of people there, after all. There usually was at the Shakespeare On The Green.

Though this year seemed to be lacking certain faces more than usual.

"Did you like it?"

[fiddlerjohnny]

Johnny smiled and held out his hand to shake as he approached. "Yeah, it was good. And you did a really good job."

Though his words are a bit awkward because he's still distracted by Hadyn's ensemble.

[maskofhearts]

Well, that was the point of it. Or the lack of it, as it were.

"If you don't think about it too much, it isn't nearly as disturbing as you think."