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Realistic or Modern Thank you places! (a 1x1 rp)

EclecticSpica

EclecticSpica

ദ്ദി(˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧
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Iris Starling
“We promised to never let go.”​
cf401ef3f965baf627593ece242e0ccd.jpg
Iris glared down at the printer. The ancient, off-white hunk of plastic groaned and rattled, its slow, choppy whirring filling the dimly lit office like the death rattle of a machine long past its prime. The overhead fluorescent lights flickered slightly, casting a dull yellow glow over the cluttered desk stacked with scripts, worn-out highlighters, and half-empty coffee cups. The whole space smelled of paper, dust, and the faintest hint of mildew—just another reminder of how much this theater was falling apart.

The printer had jammed twice already. Now, as she stared at the streaky, vanishing ink staining the last sheet of paper, she knew what was coming next. The damn thing was out of ink. Again. Iris clenched her jaw. Of course. Just another sign that today is cursed.

Father wouldn’t dare show up on a rehearsal day, would he? she thought, squinting her green eyes into a darker glare as if sheer willpower could force the printer into submission. It responded with a final pathetic stutter before flashing the dreaded warning light: replace ink.

No, no. This isn’t a bad omen. Just another reminder of this failing theater and another mess to clean up, she reassured herself. Gritting her teeth, she yanked at the half-printed paper—only for it to tear halfway through, lodging itself even deeper in the machine.

With a frustrated grunt, she kicked the side of the printer. The whole thing shuddered, let out a mechanical wheeze, and finally spat out the paper, its edges crumpled beyond saving. She sighed, shaking her head as she gathered the stack of sign-in sheets, adding the task of fixing this piece-of-junk printer to her already endless mental to-do list.

As she stepped into the dimly lit backstage hall, the scent of sawdust and old fabric filled the air. The walls, lined with faded show posters and peeling wallpaper, carried the weight of decades of performances. Somewhere in the distance, a door slammed shut, followed by the familiar buzz of voices—a mix of actors, crew members, and distant stagehands calling to one another. The sound echoed through the high-arched ceilings, where exposed beams held together a century’s worth of patchwork repairs.

Iris had already been here for hours—like always. Being a stage manager meant she was the first to arrive and the last to leave. It also meant turning everything on in this aging theater, making sure the ancient sound system didn’t blow a fuse, greeting the ghosts (or at least, acknowledging the odd drafts and flickering lights as a part of life), feeding the rats, and prepping the stage for today’s events. Today was just another rehearsal. Nothing grand. Nothing unusual. A normal day.

Her outfit reflected her expectations: a long skirt with deep pockets, worn brown boots, and a plain black t-shirt tucked into the waistband. Normally, she’d wear her favorite oversized sweater, but it was still stuck in the dryer, thanks to last rehearsal’s unfortunate paint mishap. She grumbled at the memory as she passed through the narrow corridor, her blonde ponytail flicking out in an unkempt frizz.

The hallway opened into the green room, and with it came a wall of smells—stale coffee, cheap hairspray, old upholstery, and, most notably, donuts. The long table in the center of the room bore the telltale evidence of last-minute bribes: a box of assorted pastries, a pot of questionably warm coffee, and a stack of paper cups that always seemed to go missing when needed. Folding chairs were haphazardly scattered around the room, and a tattered couch, permanently indented from years of exhausted actors, sat beneath a flickering light.

Iris stepped inside, slapping the crumpled sign-in sheet onto the corkboard with an unceremonious thud. The hum of cast and crew filtering in echoed from the main hall, but for now, she was alone.

Her gaze flickered toward the donut box. She knew full well that if any of the actors caught her indulging, they’d never let her live it down. But after this morning’s streak of bad luck… screw it.

She lifted the lid, tapping her fingers against the table as she studied her options. Glazed, chocolate, powdered sugar—then, finally, her savior: a strawberry-glazed donut. The moment she took a bite, her eyes softened, and a quiet hum of approval slipped past her lips.

“Thank you, sugar,” she whispered, shielding her mouth with her hand as she savored the rare, fleeting moment of peace.

 



lead actor





theo skordilis

















Theo was living his dream right now. To start his successful journey he moved from Greece to Austria to enter the musical branche, had some great years there being the youngest actor to get various lead roles in the passing years, then had multiple musical tours and travelled around Europe, getting to know lots of other actors and now he was settled here, getting another lead role. Of course the theater director was fascinated by him but as Theo was new here, he didn’t know there was another guy, who wanted the lead role very badly and now was kind of jealous to just be the understudy.

Well, if it wasn’t a dream to get up at this hour to get ready for rehearsal. As his alarm clock struck seven in the morning, Theo groaned and snuggled up in his fluffy blanket.
"Damn it.."
With one hand he tried to hit the off-button on the clock and…succeeded after at least five tries.

Though now he was too awake to go for another little nap and after all he had to get ready. So slowly Theo got up, rubbed his eyes and yawned. It didn’t take him too long to get ready, the usual stuff and then just some more minutes to get his hair done. Then Theo got some clothes out — something comfortable fitting for rehearsal. Some beige pants, a white shirt and a beige pullover over it.

Then it was time for the best part of the morning — coffee. He had already turned his coffee machine on before getting ready, so now it was done. After adding his specieal ingredients — a shot of almond milk and a teaspoon of cocoa powder, it was ready to drink.

He sat by the window and scrolled a bit through his phone, while drinking his coffee. Resting a bit before he had to go.

After about ten minutes he was ready to go and it was also time to go. Theo grabbed his things and went out. His apartment wasn’t too far from the theater, he just needed about ten minutes to get there by foot. The city wasn’t too busy yet, just some people with dogs, joggers or people with their groceries passing by.

His way to the theater was very pretty. Cherry trees and Magnolias and Black Willows painting the scenery. Some birds chirping here and there and ducks swimming by on the nearby lake. He really loved this way to the theater, it was almost never too overcrowded and only a few cars passing by or those big sightseeing-busses.

Theo and some of the other actors always met before going in, they were a little group now that became friends on the first day. After everyone getting there and greeting each other, they got in. Talking about their days.

Theo breathed in the old, wooden smell. It spoke of years of existence and memories and Theo was happy to be a part of it now.

Walking through the main hall, they also greeted the other actors. Normally their group was one of the first to be there but sometimes there was one of the older actors already in.

While the others already went to their rooms and to sign in, Theo stopped by the crew members room. He knew one of them from previous days, being on tour together. They had great memories from annoying each other, when getting ready for the show to shenanigans in the bus, while Theo wanted to sleep. Almost felt like being brothers.

But for now he had to get ready and sign in, so they can start on time with rehearsal.











 

Iris Starling
“We promised to never let go.”​
cf401ef3f965baf627593ece242e0ccd.jpg
Iris continued her blissful moment with her chosen donut, her smile only growing as the sugar hit the base of her skull like a slow, warm hum. It spread through her limbs, nudging away the tension that had been clawing at her since this morning. The stress, the omens, the printer—that damn printer—all of it faded into the background. Right now, there was only the soft chew of dough, the sticky sweetness of strawberry glaze, and the fleeting moment of peace that rarely found her in this decrepit old theater.

She had just taken her last bite, savoring the way the glaze melted on her tongue, when a deliberate throat-clearing shattered her moment of escapism.

Iris froze mid-chew, eyes widening slightly. Her lips, still sticky with sugar, parted just enough to let a sharp exhale escape before she turned toward the sound.

The understudy.

The young man standing before her was a near mirror image of Theo, the main lead this year, but just a few inches shorter—maybe an inch and a half? Is that an okay thing to notice? Probably not. She swallowed quickly, smacking a hand up to cover her mouth as she finished chewing. But the way he was looking at her, head tilted slightly, sharp eyes gleaming with curiosity—like she was something new and intriguing, a toy a housecat had just found—set off every internal alarm she had.

“Good morning, Iris,” he greeted smoothly.

And just like that, the bliss was gone. Her shoulders tensed, and her frown deepened behind her hand as she forced a curt nod. Without another word, she darted past him, slipping out of the green room before he could say anything else.

“Such a creep,” she hissed under her breath, licking the glaze from her fingers as she made her way down the hallway.

The further she walked, the more the sounds of the theater came alive around her. A low murmur of conversation from distant dressing rooms. The soft rustling of costume racks being shuffled through. And then—her favorite part of the morning.

A harmony, rising and falling, echoing through the cold, dusty corridors.

The voices, rich and layered, curled through the walls like an unseen warmth, filling every crevice of the old building with something alive, something grander than the cracked paint and frayed curtains could ever suggest. Iris let her fingertips graze the wall, pausing mid-step as she felt the vibrations hum against her skin. It was like touching the heartbeat of the theater itself, a quiet, grounding pulse amid the chaos.

She let the music guide her, following the sound down the winding halls, walking slower, letting the echoes lead her toward their source.

Sure enough, she soon found a cluster of cast members huddled together, their warm-ups blending into playful banter as they slipped into more comfortable rehearsal clothes. A familiar scene. A necessary ritual.

But something was missing.

Or rather, someone.

Iris’s brows drew together in an instant. Where is that idiot?

Scanning the group, she expected to see the familiar mop of Theo’s hair poking up somewhere in the crowd. When she didn’t, an annoyed groan slipped past her lips.

“I swear,” she muttered under her breath.

Without hesitation, she stomped down the hall, her boots thudding against the aged wooden floors. Each sharp turn of a corner was accompanied by the sound of doors snapping open—uncaring of whatever (or whoever) she might interrupt. If someone was mid-change? Too bad. If a couple had snuck off for a makeout session? Also too bad. Right now, her priority was finding her lead, and everyone else could deal with it.

Her search brought her closer to Theo, as made evident by the growing chorus of groans and hurried warnings.

“Iris is coming.”

“She’s on the warpath.”

“Dude, run.”

She didn’t slow.

Finally, she reached one of the back rooms, the usual haunt for the crew. Without hesitation, she shoved open the door.

And there he was.

Theo.

Iris’s glare was immediate and unrelenting, her green eyes burning with unspoken threats. If not for the lingering smear of strawberry glaze at the corner of her lips, the look might have been downright terrifying.

“Theo,” she snapped, her voice cutting through the air like a whip.

The crew members, smartly, ducked away, scattering back to their tasks before they could be dragged into whatever wrath she was about to unleash.

“How many times do I have to tell you?” she continued, stepping forward. “Leave the crew alone and get ready for rehearsal in your own damn room. I shouldn’t have to run around like a chick with its head cut off trying to find you.”

She exhaled sharply, her frustration bubbling hotter as the earlier sugar rush faded into something sharper, more agitated.

“The crew is busy, actually busy,” she pressed on, rolling her eyes as a sudden clamoring of tools and boxes echoed from behind her, almost as if to prove her point. “They’re supposed to be fixing the list of things I gave them before rehearsal starts, not entertaining your distractions.”

She crossed her arms, tapping her foot expectantly.

Theo had about three seconds to make the right choice before she made it for him.


 



lead actor





theo skordilis

















While Theo was still talking to the crew members, the others had changed, were signed in and now starting the warmup. Usually Theo was a part of this but he was also very talkative, so once he started a conversation it was hard to stop him.

Right now instead of having a real warmup with the others, Theo was just snooping around his friend and the others, while quietly humming. The crew members were busy with getting the microphones ready right now, even in rehearsal they did the usual mic check and it was kind of good that Theo was here. So one of them was already checked now.

But as they were still talking and Theo quietly singing already, while the crew members started their work, time went on. And he wasn’t the guy to really check the clock. From back here you couldn’t really hear the loud steps or the growing tension in the backstage rooms but suddenly the door slammed open.

While the crew members were smart enough to look busy, Theo just froze like a deer in the headlights, looking at her with his chocolate brown eyes. That was kind of unexpected. Did he spend that much time here ? Wasn’t it just a few minutes ? Well no, it was almost ten minutes.

While Iris just seemed to get more and more annoyed by him being here, Theo stayed quiet. He knew it was best not to argue. He heard about stories about other actors arguing, which were kicked out. Some calling her the Dragon of the Theater. And Theo wasn’t exactly looking for a fight either. Maybe you could even say he was a little intimidated.

When she finished her lecturing, Theo quickly grabbed his stuff.
"Sorry"
, he quickly apologized with a small and slightly embarrassed smile. The dark-haired squeezed by her, making his way through the door and down the hall as quick as possible. Woah, that was scary. He had never seen her this frustrated. Well, not to him at least. He stopped by his room, putting down his stuff and trying to fix that one stubborn strand that always had his own will. He had just seen it in the corner of his eye but now it annoyed him. And he knew the only way to really keep it down was hairspray and hours of combing it down — which he had no time for with an already frustrated Iris watching him.

He did his best to keep the strand down and joined the group. They all smirked at him with knowing looks. By the way he came strolling to them, they knew he just had received a not so friendly reminder to not distract the crew members with his love for talking.

"You survived..?"


A sarcastic concerning remark.

"Probably better to stay away from the crew room for now, she has some kind of build-in-sensor, when someone’s snooping around there."


Okay okay, good to know. Probably better to avoid setting off that sensor now.

After the voice warmup, they already rehearsed some of the songs. Especially the parts, where Theo and the female lead role had their duet. Their voices blended together like a perfect mix. Both soft and warm like some would imagine honey. Her voice also had this kind of angelic touch, while Theo's had that soft and dark rasp. It sounded like a gift, heartwarming and pure. But he could also easily change into sounding perfect for a villain role. Even though it had only been some weeks of working together, they sang just like they had sung their whole life together.

After everyone did their individual or group warmup, they gathered in the green room. Theo and his group obviously standing close to each other, while the understudy was on the other side, glaring at Theo. Even if he didn’t show it too often that he was indeed jealous, you could see it by the way he sometimes tried so hard to be better or by the looks Theo got, when they were walking past each other. Theo, the little ray of sunshine, was just way too oblivious to see it already. And it probably also hurt his ego that Theo was slightly bigger than him. Though it was a real wonder someone could be even smaller as Theo was already small, most of the women here being at least two inches taller if not more.

But next to his talkative attitude, it was also his charme that made him popular around the other actors. They love his positivity and that he always had a joke or some witty remark. Or the creativity to just change something up in the script, even though it was by accident but making it much better and remarkable.

This rehearsal was fortunately without costumes or at least not full costumes today. He still had his problems with his last quick change, not making it in time yet and his singing partners dress as he almost fell because of it last time. But with practice they would definitely make it.

As soon as they got the plan for today’s rehearsal, Theo stood quiet, looking at Iris. He couldn’t allow himself another slip up today — well at least not in the next few hours. He was still way too intimidated by the way she looked at him a few minutes ago. The one strand yet again standing in the wrong direction after he took off his pullover in the warmup.











 

Iris Starling
“We promised to never let go.”​
cf401ef3f965baf627593ece242e0ccd.jpg
Iris nodded in approval as Theo finally left the crew’s room, though his pitiful “sorry” nearly made her waver. She bit the inside of her cheek hard, reminding herself that caving now would only spell disaster. Pity is weakness. Hesitation is weakness. Her father’s voice echoed in her mind, a lifetime of lessons drilled into her bones. If she softened, even for a second, respect would slip through her fingers like sand.

Still, as she watched Theo’s retreating form, she caught herself chewing at her thumbnail. Nope. Nope. She shook her head. The second you give the lead actor a different reaction, the second rumors start spreading. Groaning, she tapped her foot against the floor, then gave a final, decisive stomp. No.

With renewed focus, she stormed back into the main theater, setting up for rehearsal. The cast trickled in, their conversations a low hum of energy. Iris flipped through the director’s notes without looking up. “We’ll be going over act one, scene four’s blocking today.” The room filled with the sound of scripts rustling. “We’ll pause occasionally so lights can get a feel for what to expect.” Finally glancing up, she caught the lighting director’s thumbs-up, allowing a rare smirk before returning her attention to the stage.

“If you aren’t already, might as well take a seat and relax. This one’s going to be boring.” She swept her gaze over the cast, mentally checking each person into place—until she locked eyes with the understudy.

Their glare was like a knife’s edge, sharp and deliberate, cutting through the otherwise routine morning. Iris didn’t need to guess who the look was for. Oh, for fuck’s sake.

The understudy stood stiffly, arms crossed, jaw tight. Their eyes followed Theo’s every move with barely concealed disdain, like a predator circling a weaker rival. The tension was thick enough to choke on, the kind that made people shift uncomfortably, pretending not to notice.

Iris exhaled sharply through her nose. “Hey.” Her voice cracked like a whip, drawing attention whether she wanted it or not. “If you’re gonna start throwing daggers with your eyes, at least do it during an actual fight scene.”

The understudy’s gaze snapped to her, but Iris didn’t flinch. Instead, she stepped forward, arms folding across her chest in a silent challenge. “Unless you plan on breaking a leg to get that role,” she continued, voice dropping to a low, cutting tone, “I’d suggest you drop the attitude and focus on your job.”

Silence stretched between them, a taut wire ready to snap. The understudy’s lips parted like they wanted to argue—but Iris had already turned away, dismissing them as easily as flicking dust off her sleeve.

“Everyone, positions.” Her voice was sharp, final.

The understudy hesitated for a fraction of a second before moving, tension still lingering in the air like a storm waiting to break.

Iris sighed, running a hand through her hair before turning back to the rest of the cast. “Let’s start, please,” she ordered, just as the radio buzzed to life, signaling a delay.

Because of course it did.


 



lead actor





theo skordilis


















Theo was very relieved that she didn’t seem to hold a grudge against him much longer as she just let him go. Honestly with being the youngest of four kids and only having three older sisters, he almost perfected the puppy eyes to get out of dicey situations. And his brown soft eyes got him even a plus point.

The crew members watched Iris for a second, seeing her debate of almost giving in to Theo's charme. There was just a slight hint but noticeable enough for them. But then they quickly retreated to their work, if Iris would notice them watching, they would get even more work. And they had to make everything work for the big day.

While all the actors were strolling in, Theo already found a new victim to chatter with. One of the other male actors, he was two years younger but they actually knew each other from a musical tour. He was just a substitute for another actor for one show, because the other actor wasn’t feeling that well that night. Since then they hadn’t seen each other till now, so there was a lot to catch up on — though maybe that topic was better to discuss in a break.

They gathered around Iris in a half-circle, all of them having their script ready and quickly flipping it to act one scene four, when she announced that. It was a scene with the two lead actors, the understudy in his other role and another side actor. One of the scenes Theo already almost had fully memorized. He always was quick to memorize things, it was a blessing — not only in school but also now with memorizing the script and songs.

While everyone was definitely feeling the tension, coming from the understudy, Theo tried his best to just ignore it. He didn’t have to deal with other jealous actors till now, normally and especially being with musical actors on a tour, they were all very happy for each other, celebrating when someone improved in the multiple roles they had to perform. But right now, Theo figured it was best to just ignore him.

Theo was already discussing the scene with the lead female actor — where they had to stand and who had to start, when suddenly Iris' sharp voice cut through the crowd. Everyone's eyes shot up to her, scared of who was the victim of her frustration this time. Fortunately not Theo.

But when they saw that it was the usual troublemaker, everyone quietly sighed. Everyone, who was already working with the theater before this production, knew that he always wanted to have the lead role, but just did his acting too lazily to actually get it. There were people putting in much more effort — Theo for example.

They knew he also tried to get the lead role with more or less questionable actions. But it just would’ve been unfair if this time he actually got the role.

All the actors just watched in silence, too scared to make a move. The understudy didn’t answer and for some seconds it was silent enough to hear a pin drop. Though when Iris' voice ringed through the main theater, sharp like an order, the other actors quickly went to the side and the ones acting in this scene shot a last glance at the script before getting into their positions.

Beside Theo's quick change before that scene it actually quite easy. The female lead role and the side actor were already on stage, the understudy had to get in from the other side. For now they would probably practice without costumes, later with to actually practice the quick change. Theo had about two minutes to get out of the suit and tie he had before and into the coat he then had to wear.

But with enough practice they would get it eventually, though last time they practiced with costumes and two crew members were helping with the changing, they almost stumbled over each other behind the curtains, making Theo trip and fall right down through the entrance. Luckily they didn’t break anything but Theo felt the bruise on his knee the whole night.

Everyone was on their position, looking at Iris, as it seemed like not everything was going according to plan. But that was what rehearsal was for. Better to have a delay now than on their actual big day.














 

Iris Starling
“We promised to never let go.”​
cf401ef3f965baf627593ece242e0ccd.jpg
Iris let out a low sigh as she observed Theo from across the room. His hair was falling out of place again—he had that lock of it perpetually tumbling over his forehead, and no matter how many times he brushed it back, it always seemed to find its way out. She hated how much it annoyed her, but something about the constant stray lock made him look like he wasn’t taking things seriously.

Her fingers itched to fix it, but she stopped herself just short of making the same mistake twice. Instead, she fixed her gaze on the rest of the cast, arms folded across her chest, ignoring the brief twinge of something she couldn’t quite place at the back of her mind.

The set around them felt… wrong. The lighting was too dim in some places, too bright in others. The props felt off balance, like someone had moved them around or tampered with them, but nothing obvious enough to be caught. It was the kind of shift you felt in your gut—the kind of feeling that made you pause and look around even when you knew there was nothing to see. The last thing they needed was to deal with a malfunction now.

“Everyone, positions,” Iris barked, her voice cutting through the room. No time for distractions—she wasn’t about to deal with whatever was bothering her right now.

The rest of the crew shifted into action, but Iris kept her eyes on Theo, her focus still sharp. Of course, the moment he noticed her attention on him, he adjusted his hair for the umpteenth time. He probably wasn’t even aware of it, but Iris couldn’t help but frown.

"Seriously?" she muttered to herself, stepping closer to him, not wanting to draw attention but unable to keep herself from fixing the damn hair once more. With a sigh, she reached up, her fingers brushing his forehead gently as she tucked the lock of hair back into place, just a little more firmly than necessary.

There. Done. Now maybe he could focus, too.

She stepped back just as quickly as she’d approached, eyes scanning the rest of the room to make sure no one else was looking for their moment to shine. The understudy, though? He was still lurking off to the side, shooting glares at everyone like the role he wanted was being ripped from him.

Iris resisted the urge to snap again. They’d already had their moment, and she wasn’t going to waste any more energy on that. There were bigger things at play right now, like the set that felt like it was on the verge of falling apart. She’d have to check it later.

“Let’s get this done,” Iris said, trying to ignore the nagging feeling as she called out again. Then she heard it—the shuffling of feet, whispered conversations, and then that creak. Not a normal creak, not the usual creak of the old theater, but a creak that spelled something wasn’t in the right spot. Iris stopped, coiled, ready to dart. Her eyes scanned the room, but then the creak made a clash, and in the next second, a light fell from above, crashing down onto the step just prior to where Theo was meant to be in place.

Iris stiffened, her arm held out. If she hadn’t stopped Theo, if she hadn’t adjusted his hair, he would have been under that light. “Is anyone harmed?” she snapped, her eyes darting around, checking for injuries as she paused to glance above. "Theo?" she asked looking back to him, besides herself and one other cast member they were the only ones close enough for glass shards. "Any injuries?" she asked again squinting over him, then the female lead, then herself. Always the cast and crew first, her last.


 



lead actor





theo skordilis


















That damn strand was really stubborn today, normally it would stay in it’s place at least for as long as it had to but today was just different. Maybe he did something wrong while styling — or maybe today was just a bad hair day. Though the rest of the brown mop was neatly in its place. The more he pushed it back, trying to just keep it in place, the more often it seemed to just fall back down, weirdly good in place to not obstruct his view.

For a moment now it stayed in place, while he was busy quickly discussing something with the other lead role. In this scene he had to turn her and as they sometimes switches the turn direction, he just wanted to know what her preferred direction was. They had to set the direction at one point or things could get confusing.

That way Theo didn’t even notice Iris was eyeing the set, having a weird feeling about it. Well, he didn’t notice something out of the ordinary. But then again, he only knew this theater for a couple of weeks, while most of the other actors and especially Iris knew it for years.

"Everyone positions" — the order was clear, so after they decided on the turn to be right, they quickly got into position. But of course the strand didn’t withstood the practice turn. At first the brown-haired didn’t even notice, but feeling the green, sharp eyes on him — like an eagle watching over his territory — he quickly pushed it back. Today just had to be the day, that only made a worse impression after already being caught and escorted out of the crew members room.

Just in the blink of an eye she suddenly stood in front of him. For a second his chocolate brown eyes met her rich green eyes, before he quickly turned his gaze down. They were nearly the same height, so it was quite hard not to look at her, while she was fixing his hair. While she pushed the stubborn strand back and pressed it down hard enough to stay in place for now, Theo stood as still as he could. Didn’t want to annoy her more if he even could. But it felt quite nice — something he would never admit out loud.

Just as they now wanted to get into their positions and finally start — with the strand still in place this time — a loud creak, something extraordinary. Theo shot a quick glance to the lead actress and then over to Iris. They seemed alarmed.

And next second it happened.

The light falling down. Right in front of them.

Theo probably just barely escaped this thing falling on him because of Iris. Maybe that damn little strand had something good to it after all. Just saved him from being killed by a light — maybe not that serious…but definitely hurt by it.

Theo had just pulled the lead actress a little closer by her shoulder — if it wasn’t for her safety, it was definitely from Theo's shock. Brown eyes staring at the broken light in shock, he only snapped out of it once he heard Iris' voice. This definitely wasn’t the multifaceted he meant, when he was dreaming to do this job.

Looking over to the blonde, he quickly nodded.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
, his voice sounded still a little shocked and eyes wide but he seemed fine. The other's quickly shook their heads, when being asked for injuries. No one got hurt. But that really seemed like a bad omen.

Like someone had planned that today would happen something bad. Like the production was cursed ? Just a few weeks in. Maybe that wasn’t the last attack fate (or someone in particular) would bring them. But right now, probably all the attention went to the broken light in front of them than any speculations about bad omens. Well, the only one that seemed to remain calm was — who else — the understudy.











 

Iris Starling
“We promised to never let go.”​
cf401ef3f965baf627593ece242e0ccd.jpg
“What the hell is going on up there?” Iris’s voice rang through the theater, bouncing off the walls with sharp authority. Her neck craned as she squinted up at the catwalk, searching for any sign of movement from the stagehands. When no one immediately responded, she took a step forward, scowl deepening.

A sharp exhale left her lips, cheeks puffing slightly as she blew out her frustration. Perfect. Just what I needed. This has to mean nothing but things. What other explanation could it be? At least people are safe.

“I suppose the beam might have rotted,” she muttered, her mind already racing through the logistics. How much will this cost? How long will repairs take? Can we even get a replacement in time? Stress tightened her shoulders as she knelt down, twisting the broken light to get a better look at the floor beneath it. Yup. That’s a hole.

“Perfection,” she hissed, pure sarcasm dripping from the word.

Rising to her feet, she rubbed at her temple, utterly unaware of the thin trickle of blood starting to bead at her heel, staining the edge of her skirt. A stray shard of glass had sliced into her, but the stress buzzing in her skull made the pain insignificant.

“Alright,” she exhaled sharply, rolling her shoulders back. “We need to check the damage up top.” Her gaze swept over the gathered crew. “I need an extra set of hands to walk up with me.”

Silence.

She turned on her heel, already moving toward stage left, where the narrow, metal spiral staircase wound its way up to the catwalk. Of course. No one wants to be the one to deal with this mess.

Pausing at the base of the stairs, she glanced over her shoulder, arching an expectant brow. Fine. Bribery it is.

“Whoever comes,” she said, forcing a smile, “I’ll buy them lunch.”

Still, no one moved right away. Her fingers drummed impatiently against her arm.

“Last chance before I start calling people out by name,” she added, her voice carrying just enough bite to snap the hesitation out of at least one unlucky volunteer.


 



lead actor





theo skordilis



















Iris' voice made its way through the whole theater, sounding like whoever was responsible for this would not just get a little lecture but probably kicked out of here. Fired, without hesitation. But it seemed like no one was infact responsible for this or at least didn’t reveal himself.

The way the blonde female just seemed to get more frustrated, no one of the actors really dared to even just breath to loud. They were still in shock. Well, it wasn’t every day that there were lights falling from above.

The first one to really make a noise was Theo, he took a step closer to Iris, the sound of his foot against the floor echoing through the main theater.Eyeing her, he saw the hole in the floor. Oh, that seemed bad. Wasn’t this floor material like really expensive ? Made for not slipping too easily — though some people still managed to do so. (Not looking at anyone of course)

As Iris got up again, Theo took the step back again. Didn’t want to be too close in her space and maybe get the frustration first-hand experience. The other actors, still stiffly in their place, watched Iris' every step. She really didn’t seem pleased about this whole situation. Maybe today was just a bad day. Maybe they should only go over their lines and songs again, but then again they only had some weeks left till opening night and rehearsals were important now. Everything had to go smoothly now, but somehow it just wasn’t.

'We need to check the damage' was enough to make the whole crew freeze in their positions. Maybe if they just stayed still enough, maybe they would go unnoticed. Of course not. But they were actually a little scared. No one wanted to die on rehearsal day.

Everyone's eyes slowly followed her to the spiral staircase, still frozen in their positions. Especially Theo was a little hesitant to move, he was the one that almost died here.

No one really fell for her bribery. They looked at each other but no one dared to actually step forward and take the offer. Wasn’t like they didn’t want to help her, but being up there with possibly another lamp falling. Big No.

Finally, Theo took one for the team and stepped forward. No one liked calling people out, so well of course, he was the one to help. The others looked at him with wide eyes, but were also relieved to stay down here.

The brown-haired followed her a little slowly looking up to where the light came from and then to Iris. What was the first that could happen ? Another lamp falling and pulling them off with it ? Or the stairs being magically slippery, so he would fall and break a leg — probably something the understudy would wish for.

Coming closer, the brown-haired also noticed the little bloody stain on her skirt's edge. Probably a shard ? As they walked up the stairs, Theo quickly let her know about the little wound.
"You should get a plaster for your heel after this. I think a shard of the lamp hit you."
He didn’t want to interfere in her decisions, so he kept it neutral, but there was still a little glimpse of worry in his voice. Genuine concern. His chocolate brown looked into her eyes, kind of searching for a sign to calm his concern. Even such a little wound could get some people off their track, maybe it wasn’t the best to climb up here then.











 

Iris Starling
“We promised to never let go.”​
cf401ef3f965baf627593ece242e0ccd.jpg
Iris tilted her head, waiting for someone—anyone—to step forward. If this is about heights again, I swear—

Before she could roll her eyes, movement caught her attention.

Theo.

His gaze met hers as he stepped closer, and for a fleeting moment, surprise softened the usual sharp scowl that graced her lips. A rare sight—a smile. Small, but unmistakable.

“Thanks,” she whispered as he reached her, already making his way toward the stairs. She fell into step behind him, completely unaware of the thin trail of blood she was leaving behind. Well. Until Theo pointed it out. She froze mid-step, eyes dropping to the offending streak of red.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake.”

Her grip on the metal railing tightened until her knuckles turned white. She stayed there—silent, still, presumably screaming in her head. Then, without a word, she started moving again, muttering a string of barely-audible grumbles under her breath. “I’ll deal with it after we check the damage," she said, her voice taut with irritation—but not at Theo. She was trying not to be too harsh, though annoyance lingered beneath the words. “Maybe there’s still a first aid kit up here from last season’s musical.”

Not that she had high hopes.

She sighed, tugging up her skirt slightly to make climbing easier before flicking a switch. The overhead lights crackled to life, illuminating the crisscrossing beams of the catwalk. The old wood and metal—a clash of the past and present—had always felt oddly comforting to her.

Still, the moment didn’t last. She leaned over the railing, barking orders down below. “I want to hear lines while I’m up here!” Her voice cut through the murmur of actors still shuffling about. “Stay off the stage for now—use the green room or, I don’t know, go outside. Touch some grass. Absorb some sunshine.”

She exhaled sharply, rolling her shoulders back before turning her focus upward, scanning the catwalk for signs of structural damage. “If you see anything marked with a Hello Kitty sticker, that means it’s not stable enough for more than one person at a time.” She glanced sideways, gesturing toward a beam with a bright, obnoxiously pink sticker half peeling off. “See? One at a time if we need to go that way.”

She turned back, her voice softer now, the usual harsh edge dulling slightly. “Just follow my steps if you’re nervous.” Without hesitation, she pressed forward, moving with the confidence of someone who knew exactly where she was going.


 



lead actor





theo skordilis


















The slight smile was…nice..? He couldn’t really place it yet, still a little intimidated by her normal demeanor. But it was good to see that she could actually smile. Maybe she wasn’t so grumpy after all. But one at a time, Theo didn’t need to push it to far.

Iris seemed to be quickly back to her usual expression. When she stopped, Theo did as well, looking at her. He quickly grabbed the railing — just to hold onto it though. He felt a slight shake on the steps and maybe, just maybe he rediscovered that heights weren’t his thing after all. When the blonde woman began to move again, he let her go by, following like a lost puppy. He didn’t need to make a fool out of him self in going first and seeming visibly tense from getting up higher and higher.

"A first aid kit ? Up here ?"
, he asked a little confused, trying hard to mask that uneasy feeling, which showed in a slightly wobbly voice. Wasn’t a first aid kit better down there ? Though maybe if the crew members hurt themselves while repairing things up here it would be a good thing to have it up here. Hm, who was he to judge.

Finally the staircase found its end and they both were up there. While Iris already got to work, Theo looked around for a moment. Never in his life he had been up here in any theater. It was kind of intimidating to be so high up but the illuminated catwalk seemed kind of nice.

And then the orders were back again. Everything pretty normal except for the difference in everything seeming much smaller down there. Everyone quickly obeyed to her orders, leaving the stage. While the group of the actors — except the understudy — supposed to act in the scene they wanted to rehearse today went outside to practice, the understudy went into his room to practice and the others gathered as another group to take over the green room as their stage.

Honestly, right now Theo wished to be outside with them than to be up here and try to play it cool. Maybe it was just a thing of getting used to. Hopefully…

When Iris mentioned Hello Kitty stickers, the brown-haired blinked in confusion. But an example for it followed quickly. That was…creative ?
"Okay, okay."
, he replied and nodded. Mentally noted, only one. Had to stay back, when she was there.

Theo was kind of relieved that she seemed calmer now. Was she feeling that he was kind of freaking out inside ? Well, he probably seemed very tense and stiff, when taking a step.

Oh yes, he was walking clumsily — almost like a little duckling taking his first steps. He was so relieved the others were gone and Iris had her back turned to him. Slowly but surely he made his way after her, looking down to make sure he wasn’t magically falling off than to look up and search for what caused the light coming down.
"Y..You know what we’re looking for, right..?"
, the brown-haired asked carefully before his whole body went back into its tense state — biting his bottom lip, eyes focused on the ground beneath him like it would vanish if he would blink for just a second.











 

Iris Starling
“We promised to never let go.”​
cf401ef3f965baf627593ece242e0ccd.jpg
“Not really, but I’ll figure it out.” Iris answered honestly, ducking under a metal beam wrapped in a black spray-painted pool noodle. She glanced back, catching Theo’s anxious expression, and couldn’t help but snort softly. “First time up this high?” She tilted her head, her gaze sharpening as she assessed his nerves.

Oh, yeah. That’s fear.

Iris let out a small sigh and tapped his arm gently, her hand warm against the cool metal of the catwalk. “We’re totally safe up here. This place is designed to hold tons of pounds of electricity—heated to even hotter degrees.” Her voice softened, a rare gentleness in her tone that only the newer stagehands got to hear, before the familiar command came back. “Try to relax a little. Focus on something else. Height’s not the problem.”

She twisted her head upward, her fingers tapping against the ceiling with a confident rhythm, knocking three times to show just how close they were to the roof.

“If we were lucky, it could’ve been raining. The sound of rain up here, mixed with the voices of the show happening below? It’s impossible to describe.” Iris let her words hang in the air, folding her hands back over her waist, keeping her arms still for the moment.

“But since it’s sunny today, we’ll probably hear the scratching claws of birds,” she shrugged, her tone casual as though the idea didn’t bother her. “Not as fun. But there’s a pair of birds mating right now—the male’s gonna start singing any minute to try and convince her.” She smirked, the lightness in her voice returning, despite the chaos she’d just left below. “It’s pretty cool to hear.”

Iris sighed, turning to continue walking but paused, slowing her steps as she waited for Theo to catch up.

As they entered the area of the catwalk that was strictly Iris’ domain, her surroundings told a story of neglect. A small bookcase crammed with mismatched boxes, props left long past their prime, snacks scattered about—all remnants of time, waiting for someone to deal with them. But she ignored all of it, her focus zeroing in on the spot where the light had fallen.

Her scowl returned in full force.

“What the hell…” she whispered, eyes narrowing as she studied the beam. Nothing looked broken, not at first glance. But then she spotted it—the screw, lying innocently on the catwalk floor.

That screw was supposed to be holding up the light.

Iris picked it up, examining the small piece of hardware, and then glanced down over the railing, her thoughts spinning faster than she could follow.

This day…

She puffed out a breath through her cheek, a deep groan of frustration escaping her. “God, this is one bad omen after another.”

With a grimace, she massaged her temple, the weight of the situation settling in. There was no quick fix here. She’d have to find a replacement light, reprogram it, and deal with the floor damage. Who was the last person to touch these lights? Could it have been a new stagehand, someone still getting the feel for the job? Iris’ gut twisted at the thought.

The stress hit her temple hard, and she rubbed it absentmindedly, trying to stave off the headache threatening to overtake her. This day was really testing her patience.


 



lead actor





theo skordilis


















Theo nodded, while following Iris, ducking under the metal beam as well, but still clinging to the railing for dear life. If that didn’t sound promising. When she looked at him, their eyes met for a second.
"Well of course, normally I'm supposed to perform down there."
, the brown-haired answered — his voice a mix of fear and trying to sound as normal as possible. This time it definitely wasn’t as easy as usual to hide being nervous or anxious.

"If you say so."
Theo's lips curled up into a small smile, trying to seem more relaxed now. But it was still kind of freaking him out, to be up this high. It was actually a little weird to hear Iris' voice calm like this, though it somehow calmed his nerves. Maybe she wasn’t always like this ?
Commanding, rough and grumpy.
But maybe you needed to be like this, when handling a wild herd of actors — grownup theater kids.

Focusing on something else. Sounded easier than it was…

But Theo tried, at least a bit. He focused on Iris, listening to her. That sounded actually nice to imagine. Maybe he should try it out some time. But then again, being up this high was not a part of this nice thought. He could take over the part of making the show happening for her though. Either with a group or alone, Theo just loved belting all kinds of songs for fun.

When she told him about the birds, he also smirked slightly.
"Sounds like a nice alternative."
, the brown-haired acknowledged, his smile growing a little more fond. Somehow it just seemed to be much calmer up here, her tension was almost gone. Their surroundings feeling not so pressed.

Theo slowly stumbled after her, trying not to look down while walking. Though he seemed to get more comfortable with being this high up the longer he was up here. Maybe it wasn’t too bad.

For a second Theo's gaze flicked to the little lived in looking space, seemed like she was really comfortable up here. But then he heard her voice and his eyes followed her gaze. Looking at the beam, he couldn’t seem what had to be wrong with it apparently. Well, he wasn’t good in repairing things either, so maybe that just was something similar.

When Iris picked up the screw, Theo got an idea of what was wrong. So it was manipulated and not a natural disaster ? He got a little closer to her, taking a look at the screw. Overall it seemed fine, just like it got randomly taken out of its place. Weird.

And suddenly the old Iris was back, frustrated and pessimistic. But Theo was naturally a very positive person.
"Maybe it was just an accident ? Isn’t there like an extra light to fix this ?"
, he asked, looking at the blonde women with an innocent look on his face. Oh, he had no idea how much time it would take to replace a light.











 

Iris Starling
“We promised to never let go.”​
cf401ef3f965baf627593ece242e0ccd.jpg
Iris bit the inside of her cheek, holding Theo’s gaze as her green eyes searched his face. He looked so damn innocent—like he had no idea what kind of mess he might’ve just walked into. She debated it. Was it even worth explaining? This wasn’t just an accident. She could tell.
For one thing, the screw was practically new—untouched, unscratched, nothing like the worn-down, overused hardware that littered the theater. It still sparkled as she twisted it in her fingers, catching the dim light like a taunt. And yet, somehow, it had just… fallen? With no one up here?

Bullshit.

Someone had to have unscrewed it. Let the light dangle just long enough for it to drop at the worst possible moment. To look like an accident. But accidents like this didn’t happen here. Not in her theater. Because if they did… her father would come. The thought alone made her stomach twist. He’d show up, take one look at this place, and then everyone would see. See the real owner. The one she’d kept hidden from them. They were all too kind, too fragile in her eyes to deal with a man like him. Iris swallowed hard, her confidence flickering like a dying spotlight. “I… y-yeah,” she stammered, shaking her head as if trying to shake off her own thoughts.

She latched onto the problem at hand instead, rattling off the steps like she was reading from a script. “I mean, we do have a light, but it won’t be easy. We’d have to go to prop storage, dig out the spares—they’re like fifty pounds each, by the way—haul it back up here, hook it up, get the lighting crew to reprogram it, replace any bulbs or films that were over the last one…” She trailed off, realizing she was just babbling now. Like Theo even cared about the logistics. Like it even mattered compared to the fact that he had almost been splattered all over the damn stage.

Iris clenched her jaw, debating her next words.

“Theo… have you been…” She hesitated, feeling an unwelcome heat creep up her neck. God, why was she even asking this? “…sleeping around?” She leaned in slightly, whispering like they weren’t thirty feet up with no one around to eavesdrop. “Look, jealous lovers in show business aren’t exactly unheard of,” she muttered. “And I know you talk to a lot of people. You’re not—not unattractive, so it wouldn’t be shocking if you’ve had a little fun in the sheets… and the streets.”

She waved a hand vaguely, then sighed, twisting the screw between her fingers before holding it out toward him—a little more accusatory than she meant. “But do you have a jealous ex I should be concerned about? Someone who might sneak in, unscrew one of my lights, and take out one of the best lead actors we’ve had in a long time?” She forced a smile, hating everything about this conversation.



 



lead actor





theo skordilis

















Theo tried to keep up with Iris running through all the steps in double time speed, nodding and sometimes blinking in confusion. For him this didn’t sound too bad. Something that would take like a day, right ? He could definitely help with getting these things up, hook them up with her together and the whole programming thing could happen after that. Meanwhile they still had time to rehearse — a light wouldn’t distract them too much. Well, maybe they would need a little help with fifty pounds — Theo may looked defined but even with going to the gym and all, getting fifty pounds up there twice would be a challenge.

But he seemed ready to start off with that task.

Though the brown-haired wasn’t really ready for her next question. And at first he didn’t even understand, what she was implying ?
"What ?"
A little sheepish smirk came on his lips together with a small huff. It wasn’t in a 'You stepped over a line'-way, more in an embarrassed 'I didn’t understand that'-way.

But then he seemed to understand. When she came closer, Theo looked at her — his eyes constantly switching between her eyes, the space next to them and maybe just maybe for one short time her lips, while she was talking.
"No, I didn’t."
Wait, did she call him attractive ? But. No! No freaky night in the last months.
"I promise you, I had no one with me."
, he added to underline his earlier words. And he actually sounded honest.

"No jealous ex in the past few months. I'm all clean."
Too be honest, he haven’t had anyone since being on his last tour. There was just no time and most potential partners had problems with him being away for so long and the only option being FaceTime to see each other. But Theo was also really fine with being by himself, meant more time for his job.

Wait! She called him one of their best lead actors! Oh my goodness! There was a soft blush working its way up to his cheeks. The grumpy stage manager, everyone secretly was scared of, just complimented him! He was flattered. Really flattered.

Okay, relax. They still had to find the culprit for the light and fix it.
"Maybe it was one of the crew members ? Do we have newer ones in the house ?"
The brown-haired really didn’t want to blame it on them, he knew how much work they had already and that they also only knew her harsh treatment, but maybe it was just a little accident. Maybe someone forgot to screw it back in after a check up ?

Theo gently took the screw out of her hand, twisting it in his hand while looking at it. Seems perfectly fine. Maybe fingerprints ? Well, useless now that they touched it. Cameras ?
"Do we have cameras around here ?"
, he asked, looking up and over to her, his chocolate brown eyes glimmering with hope. Though in such an old theater, maybe that was also a no.











 

Iris Starling
“We promised to never let go.”​
cf401ef3f965baf627593ece242e0ccd.jpg
“You.” Iris folded her arms, arching a skeptical brow at him, disbelief written all over her face. “Mister ‘I’ll chat up anything with a pulse regardless of what’s between their thighs’ hasn’t diddled or jumped into someone else’s sheets in months?” A small snort escaped before she could stop it. “Not just one month—plural. M-o-n-t-h-s.”

Her grin was something else entirely—something rare. It softened her sharp edges, made her look almost approachable. Hell, it even brightened her eyes, turning them into their true shade of green. She hadn’t felt this much joy in years when it came to teasing someone.

Not since—

Nope. Not thinking about that.

Iris had her own demons when it came to love. Her last boyfriend? Bought off by her father like he was closing a business deal. One stack of cash, one well-placed threat, and the guy had bolted. That kind of thing did a number on a girl’s self-esteem. But this? This was different. Theo struggling—through no lack of trying, most likely—made her want to pick on him. Not in a cruel way, but in a flirty one. Just a little. “Man, I thought my game was bad,” she said, tilting her head with a theatrical wince. “But to think Theo Skordilis has even less?” She tutted her tongue, clicking it in mock pity before another round of laughter bubbled up. God, this was way funnier than it should be.

‘I really need to socialize more often.’

It wasn’t until she noticed his stare—and the red creeping up his cheeks—that she cleared her throat, quickly twirling a strand of hair around her fingers in an attempt to do something with her hands.

Right. Focus.

“I thought it might be the crew,” she said, her voice shifting back to neutral. “We always have a few new ones—college kids joining the union, trying to pad their resumes. Free labor, but ‘experience,’” she said with a shrug, idly tapping her nail against the strands of her hair. “But even then, I make sure none of them are left alone. Especially with projects like these. Accidents happen, and they’re a hell of a lot more likely with newbies.”

Her lips pursed as she let out a sigh, but the moment of focus shattered when she felt a tug at her skirt.

Damn it.

She frowned, spotting the dried blood on her ankle now crusting onto the hem of her skirt.

Great.

Iris twisted away from Theo, turning back toward the bookshelf, scanning for something useful. “Maybe you’re right,” she muttered, running her fingers along the dusty spines. “Maybe I’ve read too many Agatha Christie novels or something. Probably just an accident. Nothing malicious at all. Just a very costly accident.” Her huff of frustration was punctuated by her hand closing around something small and familiar. A pencil case. Pink and purple, with a taped-on label that read FIRST AID in smudged black ink. Finally, as she dug around for a band-aid, she threw a glance over her shoulder at Theo. “For now, you’re free to head back down. Just wait for me near the prop door.” Then, almost as an afterthought— “Oh, and make sure to say goodbye to the ghosts before you leave.” Unlike the rest of her teasing, there was no humor in that last request. No trace of a smirk. She was dead serious.


 



lead actor





theo skordilis

















Theo just stared at her with his usual innocent expression. But then he cracked a little smirk.
"Hey, don’t make it look bad. I was a busy man with real work."
, he tried to defend himself. In the first place it didn’t even sound bad to him. Now ? Mhh, maybe a bit. But when you are on tour all around Europe, there wasn’t much time to jump into the sheets with another, when your whole day was getting up for breakfast, then sound check and rehearsal, the show and then at almost midnight completely exhausted back to bed — sometimes exploring the city or lots of just sitting in the bus and getting to the next spot. He was mostly just around the other actors and actresses and well they were friends. Besides most of them were taken.

And after getting here, his main priority was still work. He didn’t spend much time getting to know other people. Just chattering here in the theater and nothing more. He had his talkative reputation here and the one or other coworker probably wouldn’t turn him down — finding him cute.

Looking at Iris though, he let her have that genuine laugh. It was actually quite nice to see her like that and not always grumpy and dark. Made him smile a little too and flush in a soft pink. The green in her eyes seemed so much brighter than usual, really shiny — like a meadow tinted in a soft summer sunset. One that was perfect to have a picnic on, with lots of fresh flowers.

His last girlfriend was like one year of relationship, they left on good terms. Both musical actors, they decided they were better off alone — just being friends — as both of them went to other destinations. She had signed a contract on the other side of the world and he was off to constant touring. So no way that would’ve worked out healthy and happily.

"It’s not that bad, okay ?"
, he tried to defend himself with a little chuckle.
"I just leave my cards open and avoid trouble."
, the brown-haired added, trying to sound sarcastically innocent and to look serious. But her laughter made him crack and he had to smirk a little as well.

Seeing her this open also gave him a great chance to actually let his eyes go over her for a little longer than the usual glance.

But then they were back to business. Hmm, college kids. And beside making sure, they weren’t left alone, would you let such young people work up here ? Probably not. So maybe crew members were out of the guessing game again ? The brown-haired twisted the little screw, watching it reflect the light. But who would get up here and mess with the lights if not the crew members ?

Theo didn’t really look to Iris, still focused on the little shiny thing in his hand. Well, there was no way of knowing who it was without eyes or ears that caught something. He ran a hand through his brown hair, sighing.

As the blonde looked at him, Theo finally looked away from the screw.
"Alright,"
he nodded and eyed the first aid kit for a second.
"And you’re fine here ? Don’t take too long or I'll get withdrawal symptoms of talking all the time."
The last sentence had some sarcasm in it, him delivering it with a cocky smirk.

The brown-haired already turned, taking his first step back to the staircase, his plan to go down. But Iris' request made him stop in his tracks.
"What ? What ghosts ?"
, he asked. A smirk wanting to get out but seeing her so serious, he immediately swallowed it down.

This didn’t seem like fun. She was serious. Ghosts ? Okay, he probably had to go along with that one. Theo slowly leaned against the railing and looked around.
"Well, then I say goodbye ghosts."
Theo tried to sound as polite and genuine as possible and then looked over to Iris. Was he good to go ? He still couldn’t believe there were ghosts up there but she should know, it was kind of her space here.












 

Iris Starling
“We promised to never let go.”​
cf401ef3f965baf627593ece242e0ccd.jpg
Iris flicked her wrist in a lazy wave as Theo disappeared down the metal staircase, his footsteps echoing through the rigging.

With a sigh, she turned her attention back to her ankle.

The alcohol wipes did little to tell her how bad the wound actually was, but the bleeding had stopped, so a single band-aid would have to do. Her laundry would suffer more than she would. She stuffed the trash into her skirt pocket and trotted after Theo, but not before whispering—

“Goodbye, Claire, Thomas, Roger, and Little Emily.”

Old habits died hard. Years of working here had taught her not to skip the ritual unless she wanted doors slamming, props mysteriously going missing, or sudden, inexplicable drafts in a room with no open windows. As she hit the last step, she took a moment to survey the stage, a small smile tugging at her lips. The crew was already at work patching up the hole. When a few of them met her gaze, she gave a simple nod of approval——and nearly laughed when she saw their shoulders drop in relief. ‘No way one of them caused this,’ she thought, her smirk faltering into a thoughtful frown. But… accidents happened. Right? Pushing the thought aside, she made her way through the back halls, heading for the staircase that led into the prop storage—a pit of forgotten costumes, relics from past productions, and furniture that should have been thrown out years ago.

She found Theo waiting at the door, and as she reached into her other pocket, a keychain the size of a small animal tumbled out—a ridiculous, oversized pink pom-pom separating the keys. Iris knew which one was which, but that didn’t stop her from fumbling through them like it was a new puzzle every time. The silence stretched. The only sound was the metallic clinking of keys. Then, suddenly—“What do you mean you ‘keep your cards open’?” She cast him a glance before finally shoving the right key into the lock. The door swung open with a relieved sigh, but the moment she flicked the light switch—

Nothing.

Well, almost nothing.

The old fluorescents barely did their job, casting a dim, flickering glow over rows of forgotten props. Shadows stretched across the walls, warping mannequins and puppets into something far more sinister than intended. Iris, for her part, made a point not to walk too close to the shelves that held them. “Are you afraid of commitment? Is that what that means?” she mused, stepping deeper into the room as if they weren’t surrounded by a graveyard of old productions. “Or maybe you’re just a doormat in relationships?”

She didn’t even bother looking at him as she spoke, stopping here and there to pluck up smaller props—a flask, a pocket watch, anything that might fit the current show. “I once dated a guy who was all about ‘free-thinking vibes,’” she continued, making air quotes. “But the moment I wanted a serious conversation, suddenly he had no opinion on anything. How do you date someone with no opinions? That’s like—like dating a bowl of oatmeal.” She finally turned, leading them down an aisle lined with old hats. Without hesitation, she started grabbing different ones, holding them up to Theo’s head, assessing.

“Sorry, if we’re going to be down here anyway…” She tossed one hat aside before squinting at another, winking as she did. “The costumer thinks your act two hat clashes with your skin tone and eyes,” she explained, still critically examining him. “I swore I saw the perfect one down here, but I haven’t had time to dig through the mess.” Then, with absolutely no regard for personal space, she leaned in closer, tilting her head, really studying his face. “How do you feel about feathers?” Because no matter what, Iris would always find a way to bring work into the conversation.

 



lead actor





theo skordilis

















Right after he thought he was okay with saying his goodbyes, Theo walked over to the staircase, quickly making it down and back to steady ground. He couldn’t lie but he was relieved to be back down here. And maybe, just maybe he released a breath he didn’t know he was holding. It was good to be back down here, were his actual performance was needed.

When walking back to the prop room, the brown-haired took a short glance at the crew members, already busy with fixing the floor. That was quick. He didn’t even notice them, when they were still up there. Hm, quick and quiet — like a mouse.

His walk to the prop room got interrupted though, as one of the staff members he knew happened to walk by in the right second. With no prying eyes in sight, he took a minute to have a quick chat with Theo. They all liked talking to him. Well, when the time was right. Sometimes he was also babbling their ear off, when they were really really busy. But everyone was just too nice to stop the little chatter mid-flow.

They talked about bits and pieces, the lamp accident, them having to fix it as quick as possible and also the constant reminder that there wasn’t much time left before everything had to be done for the first big show. Though when they heard steps — right now unknown to whom they belonged to — they quickly stopped their talk and headed their original ways again.

It was a little hard to find the prop room though, Theo was never there before and it wasn’t exactly the place, where everyone met. So he followed the signs. Was a little confusing to begin with but after getting the hang of it, he found the door with a small sign saying 'Props' in big black capital letters.

He didn’t have to wait long for Iris to follow, so fortunately he wasn’t too bored while waiting. Theo eyed the huge pom pom, while she was fumbling with the keys. Her words caught him a little off guard though. And as the door swung open, he thought he maybe didn’t have to answer.
But no, he would have to explain himself.

At first it seemed like an old dark shed, dimly lit. But as his eyes slowly grew more comfortable with the little to no light, the brown-haired saw more. It was like a big treasure chest, just a little scary to be honest. He stayed close to the blonde, walking after her while looking around.

"No, no that’s not what it means. It’s more like I…"
He had to think about his words for a second. What did he want ?
"I want to wait for the right person now. Rather concentrate on my job for now and be open for everything else. If someone comes, I'm ready for it but if not I'm also totally fine."
So in short, if it felt right, he was down for something real but right now he concentrated on his job. And a little jump in someone’s sheets was always open with being single, so he really had his cards open for everything.

He had watched her the whole time while talking, it was interesting what she just picked up and took with her. Sometimes Theo could see the vision with it — other times totally not. But she was the experienced in that part.

The 'bowl of oatmeal' got a small chuckle out of Theo.
"Well, that sounds like a hell of a boring guy. Opinions are definitely important in a relationship."
Even if they were different, then you had to find a compromise or accept it — depending on the topic.

The turn came a little sudden, but he still followed her like a good little puppy. Seconds later, Iris was holding a thousand different hands into his face, making him a little confused. But seemed like she was on a mission, so Theo tried his best to be her model.

But then she finally elaborated on her hat mission. Oh, alright. Well, then they definitely had to fix that. Feeling her much closer now, Theo stayed still, observing the blonde as she seemed to study his every feature.
"Uhm..I think feathers are good..?"
It was a mix of a question and an answer, because he wasn’t quite sure what she was going for.

Most things looked fabulous on him — at least they said so — and feathers shouldn’t be the problem here. He had to see her idea though.

Then he just grabbed a fedora — in a lighter brown — and put it on his head.
"Looks wild, doesn’t it ?"
, the brown-haired said jokingly and smirked. Probably, but it didn’t fit the vibe of the second act.












 

Iris Starling
“We promised to never let go.”​
cf401ef3f965baf627593ece242e0ccd.jpg
"If that is your version of wild, I shudder to think what you define as tame."[/B] Iris shot back the remark with ease, her smirk clear despite the dim lighting. Still, she seemed to approve of the fedora, placing the discarded options to the side before smoothly scooting past Theo, heading toward the back storage area.

"So, you’re merely just… waiting," she muttered, circling back to their previous conversation as she reached a pitch-black door. The sign, white and worn, marked it as storage. She went back to her keys, fumbling for a second before finally finding the right one. With a grunt, she slid the heavy door open, the metal groaning in protest.

"I once thought I found the right guy," she added, voice even, but the way she patted her hands off on her skirt—a fresh streak of black dust marring the blue fabric—betrayed something sharper underneath. Tiptoeing inside, she squinted at the walls beside the door, blindly feeling for the light switch.

"He was bought out easily, though. Convinced to leave with just enough money and fame, I guess," she huffed, her tone laced with something close to spite. "I wonder if he’s like you now, choosing to just wait for the right person to fit his new life—" she flicked the switch once, twice, nothing. "—or the persona he’s claimed." There was a beat, and then she grinned to herself. "Or hopefully, he’s regretting it every damn day." The image of her ex sobbing in a corner was a deeply satisfying one.

Iris flipped the switch again, scowling when nothing happened. "Granted, he might have been wise—leaving this dusty theater," she admitted, wiggling the light a few extra times. "I swear, I fix one thing, and ten more break in its place—"

A flicker. A low buzz.

The soft orange light finally sputtered to life, casting an eerie glow over the massive, endless concrete space. Walls stacked high with costumes, sets, forgotten props—every single item needed to keep this place from falling apart.

Iris nodded for Theo to follow as they wove through the maze.

"Then again," she mused, stepping around a half-dismantled set piece, "it’s kind of rewarding, seeing how much this place has improved. When I first arrived, you couldn’t even walk through this storage area—let alone find anything prop-wise." A shudder crawled down her spine at the memory. "I don’t even want to think about the spider fiasco," she muttered, rubbing her arms as if shaking something off. "Never was scared of spiders before that. Now? Can’t stand the fuckers."

 



lead actor





theo skordilis

















The brown-haired chuckled softly.
"Well, you would be surprised."
, he replied with an even bigger smirk and watched her scoot past him. At least she didn’t seem to hate the hat ? Right ? So Theo just left it on, following her through all these props. The hat was a little big to be honest, though. Always sliding into his face. But at least it kept the problem with the stubborn strand away for now.

"I wouldn’t call it waiting."
, he answered, a little in thoughts. Would he consider it waiting ? No, not really. If you had to define it more like taking it if someone put it in his hand. Nothing he would initiate himself if it wasn’t necessary. Watching her, the door seemed like it was really really heavy, so he quickly put his hand on the door as well to keep it open — at least long enough for the both to slip in.

Oh, the right guy. He knew the feeling. Well, in a different way but still. He had thought the same twice but after all it wasn’t. Luckily they always parted ways in a good relationship though. No jealousy or hate or greed between them.

"Oh well, that sounds awful. Hate such gold diggers."
Theo's position was clear on that topic. But his positive side quickly sparked back in despite standing here in the dark. And perhaps he saw regretting it in a much more positive light.
"Maybe he is indeed regretting leaving you. I mean who doesn’t want you, right ?"
There was actually some genuine glimpses in that sentence. Theo could imagine Iris was great to be around, remembering those moments up in the theater. Maybe you could really laugh around her more freely.

The brown-haired had to blink a few times to get used to the new light, before he answered.
"Hmm, though staying and doing something to make it better, sounds much better, right ?"
A little soft smile appeared on Theo's lips to underline his words.

And that smile only grew bigger, when Iris seemed to agree with her words. That definitely sounded like there was a lot of progress already. And Theo was happy to be a part of that now, to make the theater successful with their production and bring a smile to the audience's faces.

Though the spiders…

Oh god, spiders…

His whole body was tense all of the sudden and there were soft goosebumps all over his body.

Spiders were actual hell for him. He couldn’t stand them. Didn’t know why, but they always freaked him out. Both the big and the small ones. They were just so quick and crawl-y. Good thing, he didn’t see one in his apartment yet, otherwise it would be everyone's problem.
"Yeah, can definitely see why."
, he nodded and looked at her.

Then the brown-haired went scooting around in the storage room, stopping in front of a mirror. It was about his height, the wood showing under the chipped golden paint. A soft film of dust covering it. Theo carefully swooped his sleeve over it, checking out the view — him — in the mirror.
"So you said feathers ?"
He turned, shoving the fedora a little back.
"What would you say, which color fits me best ?"


The original goal was already out of his mind. The storage room was just so big — like a treasure. You could probably get lost in it, not only with directions but also with ideas. The blonde already took so many little things with her, they could do so much with it.












[/div]
 

Iris Starling
“We promised to never let go.”​
d59ccda6bba0933dc1a10999e312328a.jpg
Iris nodded in approval at Theo’s agreement, her gaze flicking toward him—only to snap forward when she caught just how openly he was staring at her while she walked. A flicker of heat crept up her neck, her brows knitting together as she debated whether he did this every time she looked away or walked ahead. Was that what made people so drawn to him? That quiet, unwavering attention? She sucked in her cheek, nibbling at the inside of it as they walked, lost in thought. He was easy to talk to, that much was certain. It was strange, though—she hadn’t talked to anyone this long in… well, she couldn’t remember when. Most of her conversations were clipped, businesslike, tethered to work and nothing more. This? This was different.

Her thoughts scattered when his voice cut through the still air. Iris twisted around, her steps slowing as she searched for him, only to find him lingering in front of an old, dust-covered mirror. She stepped up behind him, her gaze catching on their reflections. They were the same height. Huh. That’s actually kind of nice. The realization softened something in her posture, her shoulders loosening ever so slightly. Then, she turned her attention to his question, considering it seriously.

Tilting her head, she studied his reflection, lips pursing. Then, without thinking, she leaned forward just enough for her forehead to thump lightly against his shoulder. She squinted at him through the glass. “I’d pick something loud,” she murmured, her voice thoughtful as her sharp gaze swept over him, absorbing every detail with a practiced eye. “Or maybe something royal… a deep purple, perhaps? Or light blue.”

She hummed, tilting her head the other way, no longer resting against him. “No… light blue might be too soft. Brown would match your eyes, sure, but your hair’s brown too—it might just blend in. Your skin tone, though…” She trailed off, considering. “I wouldn’t even be surprised if you could pull off a dusty rose.” Her fingers tapped lightly against her lower lip as she studied him, a smirk playing at the edges of her mouth. “That being said,” she continued, her tone turning teasing, “anything sparkly would be horrendous on you.” She gave a decisive nod. “Velvet or corduroy would be best. Something rich. Sharp.”

Without hesitation, she reached for his closest arm, her fingers wrapping gently around his forearm as she lifted it. A small, knowing smile tugged at her lips as she flexed it slightly. “See?” She flicked her gaze up to meet his in the mirror. “Even with subtle muscle definition, fabrics like these would bring it out—sequins or glitter would be a crime.” She released his arm, tilting her head as if seeing him in a new light. “Velvet. Matte colors. Maybe even some feathers, if you can charm the costumer into it.” Her grin widened, her eyes glinting with amusement. “That fedora will do for now. But I am not about to suggest making her job harder without a very hefty bribe. We found a nice second option for now. Even if we may have to inflate your head to get it to fit.” A laugh slipped past her lips—light, genuine, adding warmth to her features as she took a small step back, still watching him through the mirror.

 



lead actor





theo skordilis

















Some said it was kind of his gift — making people feel seen, even if they weren’t the center of attention. With Theo in the room everyone felt included, even if they didn’t say anything. That was what probably drew so many people to him. They felt safe in his presence. Someone, that would step in if needed and was always keeping an eye out for everyone. It wasn’t just looks that got him so many fans — especially women — but also the brains and brawn worked their way.

It wasn’t even on purpose that he stared at Iris like this, he may didn’t even notice her blushing. It was just kind of his observation, holding that contact through the conversation to always find a way back without making it awkward. Also one of his gifts. He could chatter on for hours without failing to get a new topic or make the conversation too one-sided and boring.

He may have never noticed if he didn’t volunteer for fixing the broken light, that you could actually talk to Iris like a normal person. If Theo would only know her like this, he would be so confused to why everyone warned the newbies about her and why she had that grim and grumpy reputation. Deep down Iris was actually a very sweet person, one you could talk to without getting bored. At least that was Theo's impression.

When the blonde came into the reflection, he turned his head slightly to look at her. But then turning it back, looking at them in the mirror. It was funny, how they both perfectly fitted in there together. The mirror was just high and wide enough to reflect them both in a pretty pleasing way. The brown-haired's lips curled into a small smile, while he was observing the picture in front of him.

Then her face got more concentrated though, so Theo stood still, following her wandering eyes. She seemed like she was thinking about his question. Studying him to give the right answer. Suddenly he felt a warm presence close to his arm and the touch of nice soft locks. Slowly looking down, he saw it. Iris had leaned her head against his shoulder. Another reason to stay still now.

"Oh, loud sounds good."
, he agreed with a soft chuckle, observing her while she was fully concentrated. The color analysis went on. Multiple colors — purple, blue, brown. Even rose, which definitely wouldn’t have come to his mind as first option but he wasn’t reluctant. Her judgement seemed good.

"I heard red makes me look hot."
, he kind of threw into her concentrated serious trains of thoughts. His lips curling into a smirk, while he waited for her reaction. Red was very brave to begin with, especially shades like cherry red. But no hurdle for someone like Theo.

The 'no sparkly stuff' decision got a little exaggerated gasp as reaction.
"No sparkle ? Oh, that’s going to ruin my life."
He theatrically put a hand on his chest but the sarcasm was clearly showing. To be honest, the brown-haired was okay with her answer, if not positively surprised. Iris had a good eye for this. Thinking about he didn’t own much stuff like that but the things he did actually made him look great. Had to consider buying more of that.

The hands on his arm were very sudden for him but he just let it happen. Even through the fabric, Theo could feel her soft fingers gently squeezing against his skin. For a second he just looked at her, taking in her features while they were so close. But the brown-haired's eyes quickly flicked back down to her hands, when she talked.
"Hmmm, yeah. I think I'm seeing your vision."
, he agreed and then looked at the mirror.

Before he could even think about the proximity — her hands around his arm — they were gone as quick as they came. He would definitely take this into consideration the next time, he went shopping.
"Oh, I can charm everyone though. One switch and the costumer lets me do anything."
, Theo shot back with a smirk. It wasn’t arrogance that laced his voice, just the usual banter. He wasn’t lying, that was certain, but he also didn’t play spoiled brat that gets everything their way with just snapping their fingers.

Hearing that Iris seemed to be fine with the fedora, got a soft smile from Theo.
"Hey, it fits perfectly great. No need for adjustments on me."
And like the hat wanted to prove otherwise, it just slipped a bit into his face in the right moment. Theo quickly pushed it back, a sheepish smile on his lips.
"Well, maybee it’s a little too big, but I'll make it work, when the time comes."
A promise he wouldn’t break. He would make it work. In whatever way possible. Even taping it to his head if needed.

Her soft laugh felt like it lit up something inside him, she sounded so genuine right now. No glimpse of the scary stage manager. He made some space for her in the reflection of the mirror. Not wanting to take up the full space — good manners and all. Though he wouldn’t admit, but Theo liked those warm and soft green eyes on him.












 

Iris Starling
“We promised to never let go.”​
d59ccda6bba0933dc1a10999e312328a.jpg
Iris’s laughter only grew as she listened to his response, the sound light and full of amusement. She rolled her eyes, already picturing him charming the ever-exhausted costumer into doing anything he pleased. The woman barely even looked at Iris when she spoke—if anything, she was the only person in this entire theater who could force Iris into shutting up and listening instead of barking orders. “So, what, you’re some kind of siren?” she teased, shaking her head as her grin lingered. “Just flashing that grin and a wink, and suddenly people are putty in your hands?” Before he could answer, she caught sight of his hat slipping again and had to lift a hand to cover her mouth, muffling the fresh wave of laughter threatening to spill out. God, he really was a mess sometimes.

“I wonder,” she mused between soft chuckles, “is she really charmed by you, or is she just taking pity on you?” Her eyes flicked up to his face, her expression caught somewhere between teasing and fond exasperation. “I mean, first the hair, now this hat—you’re like a walking disaster sometimes.” Despite the words, there was no bite in her tone, only warmth.

With a small sigh, she rolled her shoulders and turned back toward the direction they needed to go, slipping back into the rhythm of movement. “You won’t need to do anything,” she continued, still studying the hat’s slow descent down his head. “Realistically, it’ll only take a few pins. I’ll probably just adjust it the night before—I usually do that for most of the costumes.” She shrugged, eyes flicking briefly toward his arm before settling on the reflection in the mirror again.

Then, seemingly out of nowhere, she muttered, “Red?” The single word carried heavy skepticism, her nose scrunching up in blatant disapproval before she let out a sharp snort. “And the best people could come up with to describe you was just ‘hot’?” she scoffed, shaking her head as she stepped away toward a nearby rack of carefully wrapped costumes. “That’s so uncreative.” A thoughtful hum slipped past her lips as she traced a few fabric-covered hangers with her fingers.

“I wouldn’t dare put you in red,” she went on, her voice easy and confident, like she was speaking an undeniable truth. “Not unless I wanted to give all the matinee show grandmothers cardiac arrests.” With that, she turned and stepped into the storage unit, vanishing into the sea of fabric as she rummaged through the racks. Her voice carried easily through the space. “You in red would be like…” She paused, then continued with casual certainty, “A god asserting his claim on a maiden for the first time—radiant, elegant, dominating.”

She didn’t even seem to realize the weight of her own words, too focused on her search. Then, after a moment, she popped back out, triumphantly holding up a red velvet jacket, wiggling it in front of her like a prize. “Want to see what I mean?” she grinned, the expression almost wicked. “This one’s a beauty from a musical a few years back—prime velvet. But…” She turned it, revealing the inner lining. “The seam got absolutely drenched in fake blood, so we can’t resell it.” She twisted it slightly, displaying the near-comical red blotches staining the fabric. Her smirk deepened as she winked at him. “Totally worth it, though.” She dangled the jacket in front of him, an unspoken challenge dancing in her eyes.

 
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