Whirlwind

5. Scoops and Pancakes

“Odette? Are you still awake at this time of the night?” Ashtyn questioned, stress and worry etching on her tone evidently. I rolled my stinging eyes, which is still tingling from adjusting to the abrupt brilliance of lights caused by the dimness inside the acoustic bar.

“Ashtyn, stating the obvious much? Of course, I’m still awake.” I shivered involuntarily, the breeze enveloping me tenderly rather than bitterly as I moved past the aligned lamp posts and romantic iron benches.

A tiny hanging lantern swiftly catches my attention, charmingly lighting a crooked corner and possibly attracting individuals to step closer to the cornered spot.

So, I did. I moved towards it, resting my arm on the coarse surface of bricks.

 I tried soaring down, taking in a few seconds to appreciate the widespread of vast land and space, plotted with gargantuan buildings and roadways.

“Yeah,” she mockingly retorted, “why the hell am I not surprised? Excuse me Madam, but what are you still doing at 2 AM in the wee hours of morning? For fuck’s sake, you have rehearsals tomorrow!  How are you going to practice accurately if you’re gobsmacked half-asleep? I demand you to go home right now and to go to sleep. Urgently.”

Yep. Her name’s Ashtyn, the sole assistant director and chief producer of the upcoming stage play “The Swan Lake”, where I’m starring as the lead female role and vocalist. When it comes to handling situations, Director Cifarelli would be the conflicting side of her.

We bonded a lot first at a get-to-know-your-workmates (acquaintance) party. From the way she was in that party, I’ve observed that she’s very vocal, socialized, and very work-driven.

I tried to ignore her, given her extreme extrovertial traits, but how could I when she’s one of the most vital in the theatrical crew?

And aside from that, when it comes to real rehearsals, her mantra for us would be what’s work would only be focused on work, no more and nothing else. She’s the one who sets up our inner drive and fervor in full steer.

Director Cifarelli, on the other hand, doesn’t really mind though, whenever Ashtyn acts like that because Director Ci hates to do all the scolding and all the demands. Director Ci only does that though, when somebody tests her temper, which really doesn’t happen much.

The good thing that everybody likes about Ashtyn is her sensitivity and the way she perceives other people’s emotions.  She always knows remarkably when something’s not going right, like sensing someone who’s undergoing deep troubles and problems and then after a bit of a talk with her, she calls that certain person a day or a week off. That’s how Director Cifarelli keeps up with her. That’s how she maintains her connections with people, and one of the reasons why on how they could still keep her.  

I considered replying with ‘You sound like Dominique’, but immediately, I trashed the thought. One rule she never literally said to us was to never compare her to something worse than a pesky publicist, even though she’s obviously acting like one. As if the irony’s wasn’t enough, she’s very good friends with lots of PR’s, many of them not taking any offense from what she’d secretly affirmed.

 “Fine, Mum. “ That would be better.

“What?”

“Nothing,” I waved off needlessly, “You want to talk to Dominique? She’s inside—“

“You’re with Dominique? She should be scolding you, not m—Wait.” Ashtyn cuts off again, now cutting off her thoughts, and pauses for a moment, “Don’t tell me she’s been drinking again.”