#anywhere

And Sylvi is off in search of Colton. Things are busy and chaotic backstage, and she can hear the rumble of the audience in the theater, and she tries really hard to stay out from underfoot of the actors and crew. Wow...I kind of _am kind of the crew, for the moment, anyway!_

And she finds Colton , wiping off his glass arm.

"Hey," she says. "What happened?"

"Spill... note to self, don't try to catch liquid. It's okay. I am just cleaning it off."

He grins "How has it been for you?"

She pulls him close and claims another kiss. "You are the most amazing boyfriend in the whole wide world."

He returns it, ardently, then parts "Thanks. I kind of owe it to Tove for cluing me in on your new interests in the first place, the rest was..well, just me helping a dreamer. I do that all the time, but RJ doesn't like being in debt and Kollete was very insistent so I thought of what I could get out of this... and then when I found out what Kolette does for a living... " Sheepish "Yeah, I thought I might have a way to wow you. Glad it worked."

"Thank you," she whispers, heart-felt. "I really didn't...this is more amazing that anything I might have guessed we were going to." Then she looks around. "Kollete could still use help with make up fixes during the show...." she trails off.

"Well, gosh. I guess I'll just have to let you do that.... and save the tickets for next week to watch it." A grin. "Poor me."

A blink. "You don't mind? Really?" Clearly she's eager to get back to it. to learn more.

"I might, exccept it obviously makes you happy..." Then a smile, "Also, this almost guarantees I have a better chance of getting you in that little swimsuit at the lake sometime this week... mind you, you're a faster swimmer so I may not get to catch you, but at least I get to chase right?"

A smirk. "You know I like wearing that little swimsuit, right? But if it makes you feel like it's a special treat for you...well...maybe I'll wear it, and maybe I'll be just a bit slower than normal...." She nuzzles noses with him, smiling.

He gives her a squeeze, "You're too kind." Their bodies definitely enjoy the mutual contact. The tingles that can be fun to play with are...well.. she knows he feels it too. "You better go back to work before Dame Umbrous has to throw me out for harassing you" A deep sigh

"Well, we're kind of harassing each other, but...yeah..." she whispers, then gives him a quick kiss. "See you at intermission." And she's off, hurrying back to Kollete's station.

Kollete is indeed touching one girl up, it's harder for kids. "It's okay, everyone rubs their eyes now and then... and you caught it in time. Off with you"

Then she sees Sylvi, "Hey. Half way expected you guys to be in the high seats watching the show"

"He's got tickets for next week, so we'll be back, but right now I'm on the job!"

"Then on the job you shall be... Collete, I think she's got it in her blood now. Must be our enthusiasm" She says to her sister.

Collette is stuffing the top of one of the adult characters and yanking strings closed to catch it with a grunt "Living the dream"

Sylvi smiles. She knows Collete is being sarcastic, but...well, it's true. She's got the backstage bug. "Kollete, would it be okay if I mentioned this on my next YouTube video? I don't want just anybody thinking they can get this same privilege, but...well...I'd like to talk about it, if it's okay?"

"Are you kidding? Stirring up interest in our show here? RJ will probably squee at that sort of free promotion" A pause "Well, not squee. Not sure she's ever squeed"

"The Bernadette Peters incident" her sister reminds.

"Oh wait, yes, she has squeed." Agreement

"Geez, I'd squee if I met her."

"Girls' got taste" Collete admits.

"Kollete, do you need anything cleaned or...anything?" Sylvi's nearly bouncing with enthusiasm to help.

"Absolutely, while we wait for returning faces ... I want you to clear the station, see what's running low... we've got over 20 faces here... how are you at inventory?"

Sylvi might thank her mother's training!

Sylvi smiles. She checks to make sure there are no mortal ears about before saying, "My mother's Hearth of our Lodge. I pretty much learned to do inventory before I learned to write my name."

"I may just abduct you," The boggan says with a smile...and that's how Sylvi ended up juggling the inventory on the make up table

Sylvi does her best, though it's hard to know exactly how much of what has been used and will be needed...and her mind is full of possible internship opportunities for the next summer. And if I can be emissary to EarthRunes at the same time...and Colton's here....wow....

Kolette warns her when she's about to throw something away too soon "Wait, I can squeeze more out of that. " and "Yeah, we'll need TWO more of those" But doesn't expect her to know without knowing. The music plays in the distance.... and the song, the singer, the stage, the clothes, the make up... the illusion! For one moment, becomes real... and a wash of glamour streams about like a monarch butterfly invasion.

Collete actually smiles as some of it settles in her hair.

Sylvi inhales deeply at that. Oh, yes... that's.... "Wow...." she breathes.

"The hits at the last part of a show are best" Kolette says, "When it all comes together, the whole story from start to finish... and you've taken that story and you've slipped into every mind out there? Oh that's the best."

A few murmers of agreement.

"Is it like that for every show?" Sylvi whispers almost reverently.

It's not just the audience being mused either. Each person seems to be delving into their own creative aspect. That is its own reward.

It's a definite buzz, and Sylvi coasts on it as she tries her best to help do easy touch-ups on the performers as they need it. She learns a few of their names, and some of them might even know hers before the show is over.

Indeed, a few of them are kinain and Kith.. and weirdlY The performer playing the main villainess is... just a sweet heart!

Sylvi's impressed by that. "It's gotta be so hard to play the person everybody hates. I mean...doesn't that kind of rebound on you?"

"Oh it can be cathartic," the woman smiles "In a way I'm mocking every cruel person I've ever known, I'm taking the bits and pieces of the worst folks and holding them up for the world to see. Sometimes they're pathetic, sometimes they're scary, but by wearing their skin I steal a bit of their power... and I let the crowds out there see, depending on the show, that they can be beaten.... or at least walked away from. Also villains can get the best songs."

"Huh...I never thought of it that way," Sylvi ponders as she touches up a 'wrinkle'.

"And there's the practical side of things... if you can play a lot of villains, you'll find a lot of demand for your services. " She looks at the face work, "Thanks, Sylvi. Time for me to go torment the kids. Oh.. my daughter loves your channel." A wink and off she goes. Not having told Sylvi she watched it until just now.

Sylvi blinks and stammers, "Th-thanks!" Then she stares at Kollete. "Her daughter loves my channel? I mean...I just launched, like, a week or two ago. I know I've been getting subscribers...." Her stunned look transforms into a happy smile.

"Well, Colton spoke about you to us when we first set this up. We've all at least peeked" Kollette grins.

And yes, the villainess is singing on stage "This school, of late, has started reeking-
Quiet, maggots, when I'm speaking!
Reeking with a most disturbing scent...
Only the finest nostrils smell it,
But I know it, oh, too well.
It is the odour of rebellion
It's the bouquet of dissent!!"

Ooo she just drips control freak... and in such clear powerful notes!

"You have? Wow...."

And she listens appreciatively to the performance. "Ohhh, she's good. I mean, good at being bad," she adds with a smile.