New bits possibly chapter to Ava story.. :)
She peeks out at the audience from behind the set, just as she's done since the beginning of the show's run. He's sitting front row-center, which has playfully been designated his official seat by the cast and crew because even during rehearsals he was there.
He never spoke up or interrupted anything, he just wanted to show his support by being there and letting her know that she wasn't alone in the world. She would never be able to find the words to explain to him just how much that meant to her, but she got the feeling he knew. And he did.
For him just seeing her finally being allowed to enjoy some sort of the happiness that life had to offer without being petrified that it would be srtipped from her was all the reason in the world for him to love her and want to support her. She had saved his life, though she may never know it, and in return he wanted to give her something she never truely had. Happiness.
She caught his eye and smiled at him. He mouthed good luck an gave her a thumbs up, then mockingly chastised her for breaking curtain. She stuck her tongue out at him an smiled brightly, the turned and scampered backstage to wait for her curtain call. Just like every show since the beginning of the run.
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There was one audience member who had witnessed this exchange every show, well to be precise, watched her engage in the semi-ritualistic tradition. It was almost like clockwork. Every show she would look to the front row 30 minutes before the first scene. Every time she would stick her tongue out at the man in the front row, then scamper off backstage impishly.
She was such an enchanting person. So gentle and delicate. She radiated vitality, compassion, and charm. There was an almost child-like innocence, and vulnerability to her that would inspire most she encountered to unknowingly try to protect and defend that virtue. A few even did it openly.
But more still, there was a biterness inside her, a raw power that came from being so scarred spiritually. It was conveyed through all of the passion she poured into her works and life. The man shifted in his seat and checked his watch. 20 til 8 o'clock. His eyes shifted back and forth through the crowd of people, which was starting to fill in the venue. Don't rush, you've come too far to blow it now. He thought to himself. She's such a beautiful creature, but she's always nervous until the last act. I wonder if she can sense that I'm here. He checked his watch again. 15 minutes to go. He thanked his luck that there was enough people casted that no one person played more than one character, this made his job so much easier. He would have to wait until the end of the second act to make his move, so there was no reason why he couldn't sit back and enjoy the final show of the run. And at this moment things had already been set in motion. So with that he finally settled down into his seat and waited for the lights to dim.
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Back stage she had to sit in front of the mirror at hair and make-up because her hair had fallen from the pile of twists and curls on top of her head for the thousandth time. She grinned apologetically at Kerry who had taken one look at the hair and motioned for her to sit. Kerry didn't mind at all. She felt lucky to be able to finally work with an actress who was't a prima donna and actually let her do her job without telling her how to. Besides she expected the hair to come down much faster than it had. Ava had always tried very hard to keep all of Kerry's masterpieces intact, for that she was greatful,and always asked Ava what she might want to have done to her hair. Ava respected Kerry and her "works"and always tried to show her gratitude. Kerry was just happy to feel that she had someone who appreciated her work other than the audience and the director. "There you go kiddo," Kerry said as the finished clipping the last ropes of curls to the top of Ava's head. "Now break a leg and stop being so nervous, you're going to do great." Ava smiled warmly and hugged Kerry "Thanks I needed that."
"Oh Ava," Kerry called as Ava made her way to the set. "You should be back here sometime before the end of scene five. If you make it longer than that you'll go in the book of world records" Kerry winked at her and Ava shrugged knowingly.
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The first few scenes went on with only a few minor hitches but as Ava was sitting in front of Kerry's mirror again she was just so uneasy. She was explaining this to Kerry who was rapidly pinning and curling the rogue pieces of Ava's hair. Kerry's face looked at her through the mirror with a noticable bit of concern. "Do you think something's wrong Kiddo?" she asked. "No-- not really. I, I just have this wierd feeling, ya know? I'm probablly just really paranoid. I'll be fine." Kerry wasn't really too saisfied with that answer, she could't quite put her finger on it, but something was defintely "out of the norm" today. "Do you want me to talk to the house manager and see if anything is wrong?" Kerry asked. "No," Ava carefully shook her head. "but can you have someone get me a piece of paper, a pen, and an usher?" Kerry raised a brow inquisitively and nodded. "When do you need them by Kiddo?" Ava thought for a second, "Before I go onstage on page 205, at the latest. Much sooner if possible, we're on 172 right now-- oh damnit! Kerry gotta go I'm about to go on." "Then what are you doing here?" she asked teasingly "And dont worry they'll be there by the time you exit stage." Ava smiled and hurried to her point of entry in time for her cue lines.
After she exited stage she saw Brendon Sarfmon one of the head ushers standing next to her costumes. She scribbled a note and told the usher whom to give it to. He smile and nodded, she hugged and thanked him. She'd known him for months now and knew she could trust that he would deliver the note unread. She silently thanked Kerry and changed for her next scene.
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Bastian had been watching the play and Ava, just as always. But the show felt different this time. There was a nervous energy to it like there was a new hidden storyline tonight. He could see that Ava was uneasy.Though he didn't openly display his concern,because he didn't want to distract her. It was common knowledge that she was always nervous during the first act, but he had spent enough time with her to know that somthing wasn't quite right. He would wait until the first intermission to talk to her.
In the middle of his thoughts he was tapped on the shoulder by a older man he recognized as one of the ushers. What is his name? Bryan, no Brendon...yes Brendon, that's it. Brendon handed him a folded piece of paper and mouthed for him to read it immediately, then left. This exchange was missed by the man in the back of the audience who kept his focus completely on Ava.
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Meet me backstage near the dressing rooms during intermission. Take the second left after the bathrooms and walk behind the fire wall. Try to be as quiet as possble and don't let anyone follow you.
Love,
Ava
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When Ava walked back onstage she quickly looked at Bastian and saw him twich his head in a very discreet nod.
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3 minutes to intermission, The man checked his watch. The show was running a few minutes behind due to a few pauses and mishaps whith her costars. only if you knew the play inside and out would you have noticed anyways. The man did not notice Bastian get up from his seat. If he had, he himself might not have dicided to wait to leave his own seat.