Chapter 2 – Reading at the Audition
Darcy removed her coat and scarf, settling herself back into the chair and pulled out her copy of the play, scanning through to the section she hoped to read; assuming the hubbub ever died down…
As she read the soliloquy she imagined herself performing it. The way she would move, inflections in her voice, immersing herself. So much so that she did not hear the voices draw near.
Irritated she looked up, rudely awoken from her musings, to find the almighty Thor sitting on the edge of a sofa to the right of her, his jean clad knees bumping playfully against her armchair.
"Look Volstagg, look at the way she was reading, completely lost" his round rugged face placed far too close for comfort.
"Excuse me?" Darcy pulled back, trying to regain some of her personal bubble.
"Sorry love, didn't mean to interfere. You're new here aren't you? I've not seen you before and I certainly would have notice a lovely little thing like you around. What part are you going for love?"
He pulled back straightening his back, pushing out those incredible pecs. Darcy's eye lingered across the strained grey tee a little too long. Thor noticed. Chuckling he flashed a wide grin and winked down at her.
"Don't worry love, I have that effect on ladies." Darcy cringed internally. How dare her traitorous eyes look at his chest? It was only because he was sticking it out so far, like a proud crow. Damn him!
"When did you start using Fandral's pick-up lines, Thor?" A stern female voice came from behind the blond, whilst sniggers came from the sofa Thor was perched on.
Darcy craned around to see the woman for herself, intrigued to see who would tease a man that everyone worshipped not five minutes ago.
She was athletic and tall with jet black hair swept up in a high pony tail. Hazel eyes locked on Darcy's and her frown shifted to a warm smile.
"You blundering beast Thor, leave the poor girl alone. She's probably nervous enough about the auditions without you hitting on her."
Grabbing his upper arm she coaxed him away back into the main room.
Sighing in relief at his absence Darcy went to have another slurp of her coffee, finding instead cold dregs.
"Bleurh, time for another"
She got up and flashed a scowl at the lads sitting on the sofa, still chuckling and making jokes under their breath. They looked like triplets with all wearing heavy metal tees and dark jeans, the new addition a blond guy with a goatee. He noticed her looking at them and winked at her.
"Oh for heaven's sake, are all the guys' randy little buggers around here?" Darcy muttered to herself as she refilled the kettle at the sink.
"Oh I assure you, Miss Lewis, we are not"
Raising her head to face the wall, forgetting the water running from the tap, the well-spoken soft voice ran up and down her spine. Mostly down to be honest.
"You may want to turn off the faucet, the kettle is definitely full Miss Lewis"
The voice was closer. She could almost feel his breath on her neck. His body sending off alarms in her personal space.
"Thank you"
Quickly turning off the tap and draining the kettle of some of the extra water, she turned to face the guy that every stand of her soul hoped was Loki. Her gall wasn't strong and she stared at the linoleum floor instead.
As she turned around the black loafers moved back. She slowly moved her eyes up the black well-tailored trousers, the dark green button up tucked in, all enclosed in a long black woollen coat. Moving up she noticed a smirk on the soft lips. His gaze met hers head on. Clear green eyes bore into her smoky blue ones. The gaze between them felt eternal, surprisingly easy.
"Ahem! Darcy, it is time" Rugged tones ripped them from their trance. Darcy looked to the floor and rushed to her script, embarrassed by the odd moment she had shared with a practical stranger. She rushed into the main room towards the seated Odin.
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"Hard luck bro, she's all mine." Thor reached over the counter and punched his little brother in the arm.
"Whatever Thor. She's got more class than to be with you"
Loki flicked on the switch to the kettle and waited to make himself a cup of tea.
"Well I'm the one she was checking out, you just scared her with your staring emo crap."
Loki felt a knot grow in his stomach. Did he scare her? He didn't mean to be so intense but she was beautiful. He felt somewhat uneasy talking to her with everyone else around. She seemed to respond but maybe her silence with him was simply an inability to tell him to back off?
She had checked out Thor, who wouldn't. He was the older brother, more successful, better job at Dad's company. He was ripped and Loki was just lean, always had been. He had tried to bulk up, to be more like Thor but he wasn't designed to be that way. His mother had had to step in and get Loki to stop training, apparently he wasn't looking too well. Dad didn't care either way.
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"Lovely, we'll start with reading the Courtesan in Act 4, scene 3."
Darcy flicked through to the corresponding page. "Would you like me to start from my first line or will others be reading in?"
"Sorry my dear, I had the boys here a moment ago, Thor! Fandral!"
Thor strode down accompanied with Fandral who had handed him a script at the right page. Fandral winked at Darcy again. Thor pulled Fandral close to his ear and whispered to him. Fandral was clearly uncomfortable and looked sheepishly at Darcy.
"Sorry" he mouthed and then looked back to Thor who smiled and slapped him on the back.
"Father, would you like me to read Antipholus and Fandral Dromio?" Thor strode confidently to the middle of the floor in front of his father.
Odin nodded. "Fandral you come in from stage left and then Darcy you come in from stage right. Thor stay standing until Darcy enters then sit on the bench. Darcy you will speak with him and then sit with him. The character is very direct and Antipholus is nervous of you so play on it. This is a funny scene so just run with it."
"We will read this twice and move on to the other characters you would like to read for." Odin checked her sheet. "Luciana and Adriana".
Both Thor and Fandral positioned themselves, leaving Darcy still in front of Odin looking a bit shell shocked.
"It's ok my dear, just try your best, it's ok to be nervous. Try and speak slowly and calmly."
Darcy nodded and moved to stage right. She closed her eyes, steadying herself and concentrated on breathing.
Thor started the opening soliloquy with Fandral coming in after. They both read calmly. Darcy tried to emulate their stances but her heart was hammering in her chest.
As it came to her turn, far too fast, she stalled. Thor looked up at her and smiled and beckoned her over gently. He sat on the bench as directed and Darcy spoke the first line to him, unwittingly with her back to Odin. Fandral carefully with his hand on her back steered her back around.
"It's ok, just breathe, then speak one line at a time." He whispered kindly.
Darcy nervously laughed and looked to Odin for a sign that all was ok, she hadn't already buggered this up. He just looked at her waiting for her to continue.
"Ok, ok, Darcy, pull yourself together"
Her next line was better and Thor patted the bench next to her, taking the direction and feeling better for it, her next few lines felt a lot more comfortable. Before she knew it both Thor and Fandral had left her to do her soliloquy. She had practiced this.
A quick pep talk and she launched into it, feeling that she had done well. Odin didn't show any emotion but asked for the scene again.
Disappointed she looked to Thor.
"You did well Darcy, try and breathe more in the last bit, you went so fast! You are doing well though"
Darcy flashed a wide open grin at his encouragement and helpful criticism which Thor happily returned with a small wink. Darcy felt a blush rise and tried her best to push all emotions down.
The second take was much better for her, she managed to flirt the same way the Courtesan would have and Odin actually looked pleased.
"Right, well done Darcy. Good, good. Let's move to Act 2, scene 2. Boys you stay and read the other roles. Frigga, can you please call down Sif to be Luciana? I want to go from "Time himself is bald" OK Darcy?"
Frigga moved from the open doorway and retrieved Sif from the rec room.
"Sif, please read Luciana, page 15 onwards"
Sif grabbed a script, standing next to Darcy as she located the page.
"Hi!" Darcy tried to engage with the giant of a girl and offered her a smile.
"Hi! Sif acknowledged her briefly before turning her attention to Thor. Thor caught Sif's attention and gave her a quick smile. His gaze moved down to Darcy and lingered. Fandral elbowed him in the ribs to get started on the scene.
Sif was obviously annoyed by the attention Thor paid to Darcy and dragged her into the correct placement. Feeling slightly off footed she stumbled through the scene, well aware of every touch or soft line between her and Thor was being watched intently.
And not just by Sif.
Frigga leaned to her husband's ear and whispered something. Darcy couldn't catch it, the scene taking her concentration.
After the second run through Sif appeared to not be holding onto Darcy's arm so tightly. She had relaxed into her lines allowing Darcy to relax too. However, it didn't stop her from stumbling over the lengthy part of the scene but she was feeling less ambivalent, less nervous. She still had one more part to read for.
With the scene over Odin jotted down some notes.
"Which scene next Father? I assume Darcy will read Luciana also?"
Darcy nodded in agreement as Thor came to her side and pulled her into a small squeeze. Smiling down Thor appeared to have redeemed himself. Darcy felt comfortable and allowed herself to be caught up with the excitement.
As Darcy looked to Odin for the next scene, Thor, still smiling, raised his gaze to look Loki directly in the eye where he stood at the entrance to the rec room. The smile turned more to wolfish grin as he winked at his brother.
"Loki will read with Darcy now" boomed Odin's voice.
Frigga walked up to a stunned Thor, and taking his free hand she drew him over towards Sif and took them both up to the storage rooms insisting that they help her retrieve some items in the wardrobe department.
Loki walked past Thor with his best shit eating grin on giving him a small wave as the small group left the main hall.
"Yes Dad, what scene would you like me to read with the fair Darcy?" Loki asked jovially, his act disappearing as he caught the look on Darcy's face.
She was still looking to where Thor had disappeared, apparently feeling his loss already. Loki's heart fell. Thor was right, she was his.
Please review.
Some lovely pictures for you all:
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Sorry - had to do a spot of editing if you got pinged about this chapter again.
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