The Arcana: Fragments

VI: Improv Acting

Julian x Reader

Backstage, the theater was alive with noise and movement. You found comfort along the walls, leaning against unused props - if anything, it was probably safest if you stayed out of everyone's way. Besides, you weren't even supposed to be here. From where you were, you were allowed a perfect view of the play going on out on stage, the red curtains swayed slowly enough for you to catch long glimpses of the action, and you stood close enough to hear the dialogue.

You rolled your eyes as you caught onto the plot; innocent maiden being saved from some unnamed evil by a brave knight. Peering out at the crowd, you frowned at the realization that you weren't the only one who was bored. Staying modest, you purse your lips to keep your frown away. From back here you saw how hard these actors worked, and you could easily see how stressed they were; Julian had brought up that the theater had been struggling to keep up business ever since the Count had died.

Lucio had had a hunger for theatrics and entertainment, but following his death the people of Vesuvia seemed to avidly shut down all reminders of his presence, the theater was likely the largest of them.

You were brought back to the present by a warm hand on your shoulder, as you looked, a worried Julian stood before you, clad in a black haired wig and white surcoat. "I'm afraid we have a problem, and it's due to that problem that I have to ask a favor of you", he spoke nervously, but his eye shined with a light only an actor has on his performance day. Touched by the passion he had to pull his end of the rope for the theater company, you simply kissed his cheek for good luck and asked him what it was you needed to do.

In the moment, you knew it was the right thing to do. Though, as you realized where you were now, you were wishing you had questioned the details of Julian's favor prior to blindly accepting. The wooden beam beneath you chafed your thighs terribly, from below the play was going smoothly, so at least there was that. Using your magic to maneuver ropes and sand bags, you eyed Julian beneath you, acting away perfectly as you shifted the curtains and backdrops in time with his movements. The black wig suited him well, but you longed to see his fiery red locks more. You couldn't hear the script from this high up, but the deep baritone vibrations of his voice echoed loud enough to be felt through the wooden beam beneath you. For a moment, your mind raced at the thought of his voice going through you in a more intimate way.

That was all it took, that one misstep. Closing your eyes to visualize the moment, your hand soon dropped to catch yourself from slipping. Eyes shooting open at the realization, you watched in horror as the rope slipped from the glowing magic knot your fingertips were holding together. Out of instinct, you reached for the rapidly slipping cord and caught it barely by your fingertips. Gritting your teeth as the rope slid through your hands and tore away at the skin of your palms, you swung the rope around your leg as best you could in an effort to save the worst from happening.

Bad idea.

The sandbag was falling far too fast, and your positioning on the beam beneath you far too unstable. The sand bag immediately yanked you from your seat and soon you were falling.

You saw Julian directly beneath you, sprawled across a mattress of some sort pretending to look infatuated by the maiden approaching him, who was currently monologuing.

Oh Julian, you thought, I'm so sorry for what's about to happen.

Luckily, you refrained from screaming on your way down. With a loud crash, Julian caught sight of your descending figure in the last second. Your collapse was immediately clouded by a cloud of sand, bursting on impact, you felt Julian's knee go directly into your gut as you landed on him. The rope whiplashed you across the cheek, and your hand barely broke the remainder of your fall.

A rush of gasps finalized the whole scene, and you and Julian disentangled from one another frantically. Julian, more shocked than ever, gingerly reached down and felt between his pants, signing in relief at the fact that you didn't crush that part of him. You felt like you were about to break down and cry in embarrassment, but Julian only winked at you and flashed a bright smile at the crowd."So", he began, "If it isn't you, my old friend. Come back from the grave to pay me a visit?" The crowd murmured with a nervous laugh. You looked down at yourself, skin and outfit turned white.

You sure are clever, Julian, you thought to yourself.

"Count Lucio, I'm honored you're here. I'd offer you a drink but it would appear you're in a hurry", Julian grabbed your hips and positioned you on top of him. The actress playing the maiden, catching on, reached for a turquoise scarf and wrapped it around her head, "Oh, dear Lucio, I always knew you preferred swords over sheaths", she said coolly, in a feeble accent reminiscent of Nadias. The crowd giggled.

Trying your best to fit it with the part you do your best exaggeration of Lucio waving Nadia away, the crowd laughs, but you make sure to keep silent - you knew already you could never mimic Lucio's voice. The actress playing Nadia says a few more witty lines before exiting the stage, now it's only you and Julian. "Now, where were we?", he asked. Receiving an uproar of "oohs" from the crowd you did the only thing you felt was right.

Grabbing both sides of his face you bring his lips to yours in an aggressive, Lucio-like way. It's magnetic, his lips against yours. You both had been friends for a while but neither of you had taken things quite this far. Using what little magic you had left you took it upon yourself to begin drawing the curtains to a close, the crowd was still clapping by the time the stage was fully concealed. You both pulled away, breathless.

Other actors rushed onstage to help you to your feet, cleaning the sand off of you and your clothes. "Quite the improv acting y/n", Julian teased, wiping his lips curiously. All you could do was blush, smile, and apologize for causing all the trouble. "Are you kidding?", the actress playing Nadia laughed, "That was the best applause we've gotten in ages!"

After cleaning up your mess and getting a generous change of clothes, courtesy of the company, you and Julian finally departed for the evening and headed off into the night. "So you never ended up telling me, what was it that actually made you fall?" Julian asked after you both had been walking and laughing, remembering the evening.

Breath hitching, you attempted to explain, "Well, I was thinking..", you mumbled. "Oh? About?", Julian took your hand in his and guided you inside an Inn. "A certain person", you admitted. Paying the innkeeper for a room Julian guided you through the building to a single bedroom. "A certain person...hmm..dare I ask who? And dare I inquire on what this person made you feel to cause you such a mishap?"

You eyed Julian as he began undressing right before you, all the way down to his trousers and undershirt, even removing his gloves! Sitting on the edge of the bed he looked over at your open jawed face and beckoned you over. It was all you could do but obey. "You didn't answer my question..", he teased, tugging free the laces of your shirt.

"I-..uhm..", you sighed in frustration. "Tonight, with what happened..with what we..well, you see..we did that thing..you know..", you were stuttering with every syllable. Julian just kept encouraging you to continue by undressing you further, removing the layers of clothing from your body.

"Look", you sighed," I like you. A lot".

"Oh, sweetheart, that's a shame...", he ran his hands up your cheeks and removed the pins from your hair, letting the length fall to your shoulders. "...because I don't like you..... I love you. A lot. I have for quite some time now".

"Wait..what..real-", you were cut off by his lips meeting yours. His soft lips moved with yours as he pulled you up onto him. "Perhaps we should reenact the scene...to jog your memory?", he asked. "Youd like that wouldn't you?", you rolled your eyes. "Well for starters..I believe we need to get in the right position", you teased, " And I know for a fact I started right around here", you entangled your legs around his and firmly pressed your hand against his manhood, earning a moan. "I recall that as well...", he chuckled, then began kissing you again.

[05.18.2019]