xp_logs | MsN: Speak the speech, I pray you (Reply)

Karolina sets up the trap that the kids developed and the breadcrumbs that lead to it. Joe has no idea he's been had.

Joe was reaching the end of his rope. At the start, he'd been motivated by his desire to open up a better role within the cast and over the month and a half his grades had suffered between learning everyone's parts and plotting accidents. Unfortunately, no one had dropped out and everything that was happening were being considered 'accidents' instead of the dire consequences of the ancient curse. Now, his goal was to get the performance to close- an injury would even be acceptable now. The problem was, there just wasn't an opportunity for any more mischief. He was trying to think of something up on the catwalk when he spotted one of the mutant students- the one who could turn into a cat, which he considered useless- dashing off down the stairs and out of sight.

Catseye caught his attention, now it was Kare's turn to keep it. Her aura flared out in sunny, warm colors as she wandered back across the stage holding an imaginary conversation on her phone, "Really? I can confirm confirm it, not just like temp confirm? Oh Em Gee, Mom. They're going to totally lose their minds. Yeah. Yeah, I'll definitely... God, yes, I know, okay? Yeah, you too. Mmhm. Bye." She hung up and, like a girl confident that she was alone, spun in mid-air, her costume flaring out around her in a diaphanous swirl. "Whee!"

He'd seen the rainbow-skinned girl around, both while he could be seen and when he couldn't. He hadn't been a social creature for the past few months, seeing as he'd been spending most of his time away from the people who were usually friendly to him. For some reason, he felt compelled to make her aware of his presence- it really made no sense, he was used to not being seen and watching people. "You seem awfully happy about something?"

Karolina gasped and looked around until she'd "discovered" where he was standing then flew over. "You scared me! I didn't know there was anyone here." She smiled anyway, "I was just on the phone with my mom, she and my dad are going to be able to come see the play! Their schedules are just so busy that I...well, I mean, you know. I have to tell Mr. Rodriguez. Have you seen him around? He was talking about wanting to do an extra rehearsal and I think that's going to be...I'm babbling. I'm just so excited. I'm sorry, it's just that they never make it to my stuff." Most of that was even true. It had just taken place several hours before when she'd actually gotten the confirmation of her parent's attendance.

"Why would we have to do an extra rehearsal just because of your parents?" he wasn't sure what her powers were, so he wanted to be careful. Joe was already regretting saying anything and had a no intention of giving himself away as the agent of the curse.

For a moment, Karolina was actually surprised, startled out of her role by the question. How had he possibly missed who her parents were? She was tempted--very tempted--not to tell him. Just to let it go and not ruin his opinion of her. No one ever treated her the same after they knew who she was. But there was a plan and she had to follow through. "Um, my parents are Frank and Leslie Dean," she said reluctantly, having a hard time keeping her excitement level up, "Mr. Rodriguez is a big fan."

So this was the Hollywood kid. He'd heard someone in the cast had famous parents, "I don't know who they are, have they done any theater?" Joe could care less about the fame of someone's parents, it didn't mean that she deserved the role anymore than someone who came from a mundane family. Besides, he didn't watch many movies- he read plays and went to them in his free time.

And just like that Karolina was back on board with the plan, "Yeah, they've both done theater. That's where Mom started out actually after she left Julliard. She likes to fit it in around filming projects. Mostly back home but she's done a turn or two out here. Dad likes the West End better. He says they respond better." Her eyes narrowed briefly then her expression cleared, "Gosh, I'm surprised you didn't know that already. You've been doing theater, like, forever, haven't you?"

"Yeah, but it's not like I know every person who's ever acted in a play. They do movies? I don't watch movies so it wouldn't really stick out to me, I guess. But they're coming here, huh?" He was suddenly energized with a renewed determination to get himself onto that stage. "Which performance?"

Karolina rolled her eyes, "Yeah, that's what I was saying. And they're going to try to come to the opening but they might only be able to make final dress. Which is why I need to find Mr. R so that we can have an extra rehearsal before they get here. Even if you don't know who they are, other people here aren't going to want to ruin their shot to get noticed."

Joe looked down at the stage and into the auditorium. Spotting the director he pointed the hack out, "There he is, good luck with it." The gears started to to turn in his head, he needed to land a role for that night and if he had to hurt someone to get it- so be it.

Gotcha. Karolina beamed at him, "Oh, thanks so much. Look, if you want, I'll introduce you when they're here. They always get a kick out of not being recognized." Without waiting for a reply she zipped off, trailing ribbons of pink and teal lights behind her.

She was nicer than he thought the daughter of someone with 'famous' parents and a Hollywood upbringing would be. If she was going to introduce them, he absolutely needed to get a speaking part on that stage. The only opportunity to strike would be tonight at the special rehearsal. 'Oh yes,' he thought, 'someone is going down tonight.'