Work Before Play

The Convention

We did almost nothing all day but prepare for the convention. The guys were packing while I was worried about what to wear.

"Mark!" I called from within the walk-in closet.  Mark's head poked in.

"How businessy should your assistant be?" My eyebrows arched.

"Umm.. Not too much and not too little?"

"Okay!"

After dinner everyone was talking about how excited they were. Sean was happy that Mark's signing table was next to his. Matt and Ryan were hoping to film a lot and start their channel back up with some vlogging.

I was more worried about the schedule for Mark and Sean. I sat Sean down and made him a schedule because he was having trouble strategizing and managing his time. I made sure both guys had time for food and personal leisure other than what they asked for, in case they wanted bathroom breaks or to check out the convention overall.

We all went to sleep early that night for once.

Today was the day. Convention time.

I stood in front of the mirror staring at myself. I had fitted business casual dark jeans and black pumps. My shirt was white with a black blazer that flared out near my abdomen. I put on my teardrop diamond necklace. I assumed my day would be busy so I tied my hair to the side in a pony tail near my ear. I curled it to make it look more causal but also official.

After looking past my outfit, I looked into my eyes. The emerald orbs staring back were wide and looked scared. To be honest, I kind of was. I'm used to LA now, but the thought of managing Mark's crowd made me very nervous. I rolled the blazer sleeves up to my forearm because I felt a wave of nervous heat roll off my body.

Arms came around me and I looked past me green eyes to see brown.

"Hey." I said quietly.

"You're scared, aren't you?" Mark asked.

"Yeah..." I replied shakily. "Are you going to tell them..?"

"No, no, no." He said closing his eyes and shaking his head lightly. "I won't tell them anything until you want me to. Besides, I know they will love you either ways. You're amazing." He said kissing my forehead. "You look great by the way."

"Thanks." I said slowly. "You do too." I took in his Markiplier shirt and jeans. "Very causal. Should I change?" I asked nervously.

"Nah, this way you look more official as a manger and all." He grabbed my butt. "Besides, I like how these jeans fit."

We both laughed and went downstairs to drive to the convention. Mark had my car registered for the event so we could take it around back and park closer.

I followed what the valets told me to do and shut the engine off.

"Ready, everybody?"

Yells and screams is 'yes' echoed in my car. We were given different lanyards to where and were directed to booths.

I was setting up at our booth when a very tall man came to me wearing a purple shirt and had glasses. He was followed by a shorter guy wearing a big 'W' on his t-shirt.

"Uh, hi?" I asked them.

"Who are you?" The W guy asked.

"Wade, that's rude! Maybe Mark hired a personal assistant for this convention because last year's was a disaster for him." Purple shirt guy said. "Hello, I'm Bob and this is Wade." The purple guy gestured.

I stuck out my hand to shake both of theirs. "Lydia Greenbriar." My accent slipped slightly.

"Oh, where are you from?" Wade asked.

"Missouri. And I am Mark's roommate and also filling in as an assistant for him today."

"That's great! You'll be a big help for him then!" Bon said happily.

"I assume you are both YouTubers?"

"Yes." They both replied.

"Bob! Wade!" Mark's bassy voice boomed behind me.

Mark three his arm around my waist, instantly the boys looked at the sudden contact between Mark and I.

"Yeah, she's mine." Mark exclaimed proudly. "Mark, you said you'd be quiet about it." I whisper yelled at him.

"Don't worry, Honey. These two are very close friends of mine, they won't tell anybody about is until I say first. They know what's it's like to have significant others being harassed and the sorts."

"Oh, definitely. Your secret is safe with us." Bon said smiling. Wade nodded in agreement.

Mark and the guys chatted while I set up the last of Mark's merch for charity. I checked the time. "Hey, T-5min until doors open." I called to them.

Bob and Wade ran to their booths, I assume. Sean jumped in excitement. Mark leaned to kiss me one last time before things got crazy.

People flooded to booths everywhere. Some were dressed normal and others were jawdropping for the uniqueness of their costumes.

While Mark was greeting fans and taking pictures, I felt something tug on my pants leg.

I looked down to see a all child, maybe 6 or 7 years old. I bent down to his eyes level. I realized he was dressed like Wilford Warfstache.

"Hi, there Buddy. Your pink mustache is adorable." I said tapping the 'stache.

"Thank you. Are you Markiplier's girlyfriend?" He asked sweetly.

"Umm... Why do you ask?" I asked the kid nervously.

"You are pretty and Mark sometimes looks over at you."

"Well, Mark and I are really good friends. I'm helping him today." I said kindly. But then something dawned me. "Sweetie, where are you parents?"

"I don't know. I was going to ask Markiplier to help. But you are prettier." Tears began to form in his eyes.

"Oh! Don't cry! We will find them!" I stood up to look for security. "Here hold my hand." The little boy gripped tightly to my index and middle finger.

I grabbed him a Markiplier pink mustache plushie that was signed and a JackSepticEye Sam plushie that was also signed. "Here you go, Hun."

I waved at security and told them the situation. They left the boy with me, turns out is name is Sam! Sam and I talked and laughed until security brought over a young mother. She was crying when she laid eyes on her son.

Mark and Sean took pictures with little Sam and sent the kid with his mother on their way.

The day began to wind down. I just stayed out of Mark's way and handed out items that people purchased. I walked with Mark to different panels he wanted to see as well. I hung out with Sean at his to help hand out items for him too.

"Thank you so so so much for your help today, Lydia! I though I had t all covered but a lot more people showed up than I was expecting!" Sean exclaimed at me.

After the convention was over, I grabbed some leftover stuff to take to my car in boxes. I mixed Sean's and Mark's in one box because there was so little left over.

"Do you need help?" Mark asked closing the box with tape.

"No, it's just one box. I think I got it, thank you though!" Mark reached over and kissed me on the cheek. I blushed deeply and looked around making sure no fans were around.

"Mark!" I smacked him lightly.

"Oh it's fine, go on!" He said sweetly.

I carried the sole box to my car, only putting it down to open my trunk.

"Hey!" A woman's voice yelled at me.

I turned to see a woman rushing towards me. "Um, can I help you?" I asked. She closed the gap between us and was only a few feet from me.

"Yeah, I saw you kiss Markiplier!" She yelled at me.  "Uh, no. Mark kissed me on my cheek. I didn't kiss him."

"Shut up, you bitch. He's mine!" She screamed at me.

Then I saw sunlight glint off a blade in her hand.