IN
IN
IN
Thursday afternoon, her plane landed in New York.
Sora slipped her light jacket on as the east coast weather made her a little chilly. Maybe when I'm actually in the city it'll be warmer.
From the airport she took a cab to the address Kalos had given her and from there, she stood in front of the small performing theater that Layla was a part of. The upcoming play, Salome in Vegas, was advertised with a lovely and somewhat sensual image of Layla's character half lounging down on a recliner.
Wow.
She hadn't seen that kind of expression on Layla's face before. Then again, the Kaleido Stage was more of a kids and family friendly sort of place.
At least, it used to be.
She frowned a little at that.
"Sora," someone called out.
She blinked out of her daze and looked to her left, where a young woman on a bike was making her way over to her. She could not see the hair color for it was tucked in the helmet, but the striking blue eyes of her old partner left no doubt of whom the cyclist was.
"Layla!"
IN
After the short reintroduction of partners, Layla ushered her friend inside.
"How was the trip? Was there any turbulence?"
"Not really," Sora responded with her grin still on her face, "just a little when we were descending."
Layla ran a hand through her hair as she gathered it up for a ponytail. "That's good to hear." She led the redhead over to a woman with short, light cherry hair. "This is Cathy, the director. She'll be giving you the overall laydown of the scene we need you for. Cathy."
The director turned around from her note writing. "Layla, you're just in time! I was just getting the stage crew to put the props and scenery out." Her pale blue eyes moved over to Sora. "Oh, a newcomer? You must be Sora Naegino!"
The woman put a hand out and gave Sora a firm handshake.
"Thanks again for coming on such short notice! Little Miss Goldilocks over here," her eyes narrowed at Layla in accusation to which Layla easily shrugged off, "decided that our previous acrobat was no good and fired her."
"Don't act like you weren't there when it happened," Layla smoothly intoned, "You went along with my decision."
"Why do I even bother?" Cathy threw her hands in the air. "Divas I tell you! Nothing's right until they 'ok' it!"
Sora was wide eyed. I don't think I've ever heard someone talk to Layla like that. And the blonde wasn't saying any biting comment back to it.
"In any case," Cathy continued after a long sigh, "we appreciate you coming."
IN
After practice, Sora had dinner with the rest of the cast.
The young man that played Johan proved to be really funny despite the somewhat serious character he played.
"It's all about balance," he told Sora with a wink, "Sometimes I feel like all my jokes need to be counterbalanced with serious roles every once in a while or else I can be a little obnoxious."
"Just a little?" asked another actor.
That brought out some laughs from their table.
IN
Sora walked down the hallway of the hotel they gave her. She mused on the differences between the theater arts and acrobatics
I never really thought about it like that.
Most of her roles were adjusted to her personality or she made them more fun like her version of The Little Mermaid. While there was a storyline to the shows, the acrobatic tricks and maneuvering was the focus of their performances.
I guess that's why my performing's in line with my personality.
Her focus and concentration were on the maneuvers; it would be harder for her to alter the emotion of her performances to something that was not in her to begin with.
She paused in front of her door for longer than necessary.
It's probably why Leon's Dracula is so frightening.
Her eyes narrowed in memory of Wednesday. Roughly, she swiped her room key card and entered her room with her roller suitcase following close behind.
IN
IN
IN
AN: Miles away, and he's still on her mind...