The message had come early in the week, Alice had requested his presence for the theater again, though it didn't say for what, in Lucian's mind he had expected it to be another summon to be a stagehand and just like the last time it would be an easy payday especially considering that he knew exactly what to do this time around, there would be no need to interact, just get in and get out. Walking into the grand auditorium, he couldn't help but notice that there was an extreme increase in number from the stagehands from the previous production. There seemed to be no lack of bodies capable of working all the necessary parts available unless they were simply putting on a such a grand play that they needed every hand on deck, then he wasn't here to be a stagehand. Maybe, word had gotten out about his status as a mage and thus they wanted to use him to add some sort of mystifying element to the scenes or such, though granted that wouldn't work out for them as his magic wasn't the type for just practical effects. Maybe as some sort of protection and bodyguard, seeing as Ms. Alice has become increasingly popular in the last few weeks with her repeatedly stunning performances. That would be a drag considering that the woman was a complete waste of a person and time and there wouldn't be anything enjoyable about protecting such a desolate individual.

As Lucian strolled forward, the director turned and exclaim, he seemed to become enthralled with Lucian's measurements calling for aids to quickly come with measuring tape. Lucian growled as the people picked and prodded around his body, was he being cast?!

"What's the meaning of this?"

"Oh, such aggression, you're gonna have to lose some of that to play the darling Romeo in this week's play, my boy."

"Romeo?! Gah."

Lucian's rage seemed to fluster those around him, the aides stepping back like that from a wild animal, his eyes fell upon the coy smile of Alice. He didn't know her motive for this but he knew this was her doing and her choice alone. Growling, Lucian knew that the payment he wanted awaited him on the other side of this bs play.

"I'll do it. Let us get this over with."

And so the week went by and it finally came time for the performance. Of course with Alice playing Juliet it was nothing to follow her lead, Lucian's inner disdain was only countered by the idea of how his mother would've enjoyed watching him perform. Gathering himself together, Lucian walked out on cue, his mind taking him to a place he had never been. As the play went on, some of the locals in the crowd who had seen him around were genuinely shocked at how well he was performing.  When finally he and Alice laid dead side by side on the stage and curtain fell, Lucian came out of his trance. Looking out to the crowd, they gave a standing ovation and Lucian sheepishly accepted it.

Walking backstage, the team rallied together to celebrate their accomplishment. High fiving with a few, Lucian quickly went to Alice's room, without a word from him, she gave another envelope. Storming out, Alice called out to him in his exit.

"Thank you for doing so well dear and being so reliable!"

Damn you.

568/500