Oh wow. God. Merlin's Mushrooms, even. The curtain drew back from its closed position, and the actors of the play came out in sets to do their bows. Sofia was trying to keep down her sniffling and wipe off smeared makeup in between bouts of clapping.

The love interest and the pretty boy came and bowed, to large applause, and finally the titular character himself-and apparently it was a standing ovation. The actors then got in one large line and did a final bow.

"I don't know if it was really worth all of this excitement, but I guess it was a dec-" Amber's voice caught as she actually looked over at her sister. "Sofia! I… We should get you to the washroom."

Sofia huffed a laugh. "Is it all that bad?" Amber didn't answer. "All right, that's probably a good idea. No need to look so worried, though."

"Worried? No, of course, I'm not worried, just… Are you all right? Did… Did something happen, while you were traveling, that…?"

Sofia blinked away a few stubborn tears, but smiled and shook her head. "Like this? That would be something. No, no just… Emotional. I'll clean myself up, but I don't need to have my hands held." She gave Amber a loose hug-making sure to keep her still-damp face well away from touching the fussier girl-and made her way to the theatre's restrooms.

There, she found Clio, with most of the other princess's makeup deposited on a wet towel. "Oh, uh he-pffft, nice." Clio couldn't help breaking into a smile as she saw Sofia. "I was embarrassed for a moment, being caught without my face made, but it looks like you had it about as bad as I did."

Sofia smiled and shook her head as she moved to wash her own makeup off. "Yeah, I was crying pretty good. It kinda feels like poppycock, but that didn't keep the floodgates closed."

"Oh, for sure! Why exactly do you say that, though?" She was squinting and leaning forward to apply eye shadow now.

"Well, this is supposed to be all for Roxanne, right? Cyrano's so caught up in his self-loathing, he can't see… well, beyond the nose on his face. He can't comprehend that Roxanne could love him, but also doesn't even seem to value her enough to let her decide. ...Though I suppose as someone who grew up in a village but gained princessdom, I'm a little… unusually close to the whole. Agency issue." Sofia took a breath, and realized she hadn't been doing anything with makeup while she spoke, focused too much on her frustration… Though, look at that, a few more tears. At least she wouldn't have to wash off any progress, then.

Clio nodded and listened throughout. "I can't relate to the last bit personally, but I see what you mean." She paused to apply a small amount of rouge to her lips. "And that's a very good point, but I don't see why the conflict of choosing was necessary at all. So Christian isn't the brightest spell in the book; talk to Cyrano for the eloquence, enjoy Christian's looks and dedication, and eventually-if he lived-he probably would have become comfortable enough to be the witty man he was when he first joined Cyrano's company."

Sofia was silent as she listened, but not nodding as Clio had, just thinking. She didn't speak up directly after Clio stopped talking, either, and they applied makeup in silence for a few moments.

"I hadn't thought of that. That's… so different than anything I've heard, but what a good point." Clio nodded as Sofia paused. "No one's a paragon of perfection and ability, not really. Pinning your everything on just one person… But no, delegating tasks out, like anything else…" Sofia applied her own lipstick, rubbed her lips together to smooth it down, and grinned at herself in the mirror. "We didn't spend much time together, when we were younger, but I think I'd like to change that. Maybe discuss Cyrano more? Or see other plays? I haven't seen or done much theater since our days together in Royal Prep, and having a buddy to go with would be really nice. And maybe, someone to cry with who won't judge me for looking like I'm melting, heh."

Clio smiled back, and put a hand on Sofia's shoulder. "That sounds great, Sofia. But for now, let's get back out there. Especially you, everyone's dying to know how you've been, hardly anyone's talked to you since you've been back."


Amber followed Sofia to the bathroom at a distance, given it was on the way out of the box anyway. Satisfied when Sofia made it without issue, Amber decided to mingle as planned. Shortly after she made it to the common area, though, Hildegard found her way to Amber's side.

"Good evening, Amber," she said with a smile. "Is Sofia around?"

Amber shook her head. "She will be in a bit, but she had to use the washroom first, poor dear. A little over-wrought on the tragedy for me, and I don't see why Christian and Cyrano didn't just kiss each other, but she was in a bit of a state."

Hildegard let out a held breath. "That's- actually, that's helpful. Amber, I-" She looked around and leaned in a bit closer, continuing in something between a whisper and a stage whisper. "I didn't know how fond of Sofia I was until she was gone, but even then, well, it faded after time. I thought I was over her, but-seeing her again, I… Amber, I have no idea how to talk to her. I never bothered to actually learn what she likes to do, I was always focused on me, and now I can't seem to focus at all regarding her." She took Amber's wrists and squeezed a little too tight. "I want to, to attempt to court her-officially this time. But I- it still kills me to say this, but I need help. You're the only person I trust enough to ask, even besides being her sister. Please."

Amber blinked. "Hildy, darling. I-" She paused to collect herself, taking a deep breath and closing her eyes. When she opened them again, she smiled and slid her arms down to take Hildegard's hands in her own. "Of course I'll help you." She gave Hildegard's hands a squeeze. "You seem a little too tipsy tonight, and only likely to make your first re-impression on Sofia worse."

"Oh, no! Did I really-"

"You're fine. ...Not ideal, but fine. I wouldn't know what to do tonight anyway, she didn't really write much. I need to get to know her again, too." Amber looked away and shrugged a bit. "What you need to do is… probably head home sooner rather than later. Get some sleep, and stay hydrated. Come visit me for tea tomorrow or the next day, and I'll have some sort of plan. All right?"

Hildegard smiled and hugged Amber, tight and with feeling. "Thank you," she said by Amber's ear.

Amber's smile had fallen just a bit behind Hildegard's face, and her brows knitted, but she said, "Of course. That's what friends are for."