Chapter Text
The sun wouldn't be up for another hour but that meant nothing to Evie Grimhilde scrolling idly through her phone. She had another fifteen minutes before she could rinse off the rejuvenating mask. She made a face at herself in her vanity. If only the gossip columnists could see her now, hair in a sloppy bun atop her head, red clay mask on her face, over sized hoodie and yoga pants. First thing in the morning Evie Grimhilde was as far away from the pristine, put together princess the magazines made her out to be as she could get. She sipped her water through a straw as she scrolled through the tabloids. "What do you have to say about me today." she mutters.
Evie sighs as she scrolls, household names dotting the screen as she awaits her brewing coffee. Coffee was an integral part of her morning ritual, taken with a splash of soy milk and, of course, stevia.
“Is Evie Grimhilde having an affair with her manager?!” She reads quietly, under her breath. “Evie Grimhilde pregnancy, Evie Grimhilde quitting Hollywood to finally settle down! Blah, blah, blah...”
She sighs, shaking her head as another catches her eyes, her face slips into a frown as she reads it quietly.
“Is Grimhilde making a return to rehab?: This week we’ve heard reports of Now!Hollywood’s Sexiest Woman of the Year returning to her old habits. Has Evie really fallen off the wagon yet again? Our sources say that since beginning filming for her newest role alongside Scottish heartthrob Harry Hook, Grimhilde has found herself under intense mental and physical strain resulting in malnutrition, stress and poor sleeping patterns. Her diva mentality is also reportedly making life on set difficult for her crew and cast mates. Does this girl ever stop?!”
Evie dropped her phone in disgust. The supposed journalists who wrote that drivel had no shame. She tried not to let it get to her, her every move mapped out in black and white, dissected and scrutinized. It really was just too much! As she moved to the sink she couldn't help but wonder which one of the production team had been feeding the tabloids this time. She found herself rinsing and scrubbing the mask off with a little too much vigor, her face hot and pink from the efforts.
The one thing they did get right was that filming with Harry Hook was straining and stressful. He was a total maniac, an up and coming method actor who was the current 'it' man at the top of every casting directors list.
It’s wasn’t that Evie disliked him, she didn’t know the man well enough to even try to formulate an opinion, nor did she care much to. It was his technique, his quirks, his idiocy and his cocky attitude that made him completely exhausting. She left every shooting day feeling like she’d run three marathons, with a desperate desire for the closest bottle of white wine and pains in her cheeks from pursing her lips so tightly. Plus, the film itself was taxing, a hefty pile of emotional turmoil paired with action sequences? She was barely able to keep up. But she did, she always did.
Evie sips at her coffee quietly as she sighs at the time. Today would be a slow day.
As she sat, her script lay off to the side, mocking her. Scripts always became bibles, never far from her grasp on any shoot. The binding was well worn and, to her annoyance, the once pristine white cover was marred with smudges and stains. She thought of picking it up and reviewing upcoming scenes but she'd fallen asleep doing exactly that the night before and the thought of hitting it so early was exhausting. Instead, she continued in with her tried and true morning regimen. Each morning, before her coffee (she swore she’d once read that caffeine was supposed to be anti-aging!), she drank two bottles of water, each with one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. She took her vitamins - and her length list of perscription medication as an afterthought - and rubbed various serums and creams into her skin. In the midst of thinking of applying her third moisturizer her phone "binged" at her. A quick glance indicated it was an email from her mother. Just the slight mention of her mom made Evie's palms sweat. Her heart fluttered anxiously. She couldn't, no, wouldn't deal with her now. Maybe she'd ask Carlos, her manager, to take care of it for her.
Evie tossed her phone to the counter, pushing it away with a flick of her wrist. She decides to busy herself by going to get ready for her day, she takes her coffee with her as she moves to her bedroom to get dressed. She sighs to herself, though she wanted desperately to stick to her jumper and leggings combo, but she knew that if she looked anything less than pristine the papers were going to have a field day. She pulls out her Chanel dress and slides it over her slender frame. A sumptuous, deep blue that compliments her dark hair and adds a glow to her pale skin. She pairs it with high boots and a tailored coat. She turns in the mirror, admiring the outfit. She loved fashion - lived and breathed for the glamour of it all. She’d receive invites to every show of New York, London, Milan and Paris fashion week. Plus, the rep of the resident fashionista was one she was happy to uphold.
Clothing set, and signature red lip on, she goes about fixing her hair. She’d be damned if she ever left the house with uncombed hair. Standing in front of the window that overlooked the canyon behind her house, she began the tedious task of running her brush one hundred strokes through her hair, not one more, not one less. She counts them out silently to herself. It's a task she hates yet finds utterly calming. Her hair feels glossy and smooth under her hands. Not a hair out of place or a snarl to be found. It would make it easier for the girls in hair and makeup to work with. That was another thing about making a drama like Temptation . She spent so much time in hair and makeup it was absurd. While she loved watching period romances she suffered through the unique challenges in making one. Temptation was no different. It was a retelling of the Camelot fable that focused on Lancelot and Guinevere's infamous forbidden romance. It was one of Evie’s favourites, a dream role so to speak. Though she bet she could life without spending the better part of her mornings getting her trussed into the different layers of gowns and various other garments that made up Guinevere's wardrobe only to spend an equal amount of time escaping them at the end of the day. She was nearly ecstatic to be filming the love scenes in the next few days as she wouldn't be required to slip into five different layers of dress. Granted, love scenes brought their own challenges. She'd been watching her food and water intake for days knowing she'd need to look flawless. Nothing less would do, the studio expected the film to be a blinding success due to the buzz that had surrounded its production and it’s all-star cast.
She glances at herself again in the mirror, tilting side to side to make sure she looked perfect. She was a tad bloated from all the water. The girl hums as she touches at her stomach likely, hoping it would pass by the late morning. She grabs her bag, packs a banana for the day and her water-bottle. Carlos calls her as she’s collecting up her script and keys, setting a pair of wide-lens sunglasses sitting atop her head. The irritating buzzing stops as she answers, hands full and eyes set on the door.
“Morning sunshine,” he laughs when she grumbles her greetings into the receiver, “I’m outside."
“I’ll be right there.” Evie replies, locking up with her phone tucked between her ear and her shoulder. “I got an email-“
“From your mom? I got it. I’ll summarize on our way.”
Evie was beyond grateful for her agent, he was her rock. The pair had been friends as child actors before Carlos, the son of infamous French designer Cruella De Vil, decided to leave acting to pursue a degree in management and planning. Evie hired him in his first year when she was only sixteen, letting him work around his studies. She was just grateful to have someone who wasn’t her mother in charge of her schedule. True to his word he was waiting in her driveway holding the passenger side door open with a smile and a brown paper bag in the other hand.
"That's not what I think it is??" Her finger pointed accusingly at the brown paper bag as if it's mere presence offended her. Carlos’ smile falters subtly.
"E, it's your favorite: Applenut muffin from Balducci's." When she takes the bag she gets the faintest whiff of warm apples and cinnamon. He was right it was her favorite. She sighs getting into the car and tucking her legs under her while he closes the door behind her.
She stares out the window as they back out of the driveway.
”You know I can't eat this." She states. Carlos gives her a firm look.
"You're not eating enough."
"Says the one who doesn't need to film any nude scenes in the coming week." She glances over and sees his grip tighten on the steering wheel.
"I worry about you, ok?" Carlos sighs, eyes on the road.
Evie softens slightly, "I'm fine Carlos. Really, I'm in control."
"That's what I'm worried about" he says quietly, her eyes narrow.
"And what's that supposed to mean?"
Carlos simply shakes his head, "Nevermind. Forget I said anything."
Evie feels guilty. It wasn't his job to worry about her like this. She reaches in the bag and breaks off a small hunk of muffin. She chews it daintily. It's still warm and absolutely delicious. He really knew her too well. A few minutes of silence pass between the pair, morning radio humming low in the background.
"Oh, I didn't tell you!" she began, removing her sunglasses from her head to fix them over her eyes, "Apparently, I’m having your love child."
Carlos spits coffee out with the force of a pressure washer before both of them fall into a fit of laughter.
"Now, I'm sure Jay would be surprised to hear that" He says, mopping at the coffee on his pants with his sleeve. As Evie smiles to herself, she sighs. Carlos' boyfriend was sweet, always looking out for his boyfriend, even when Evie was to busy to. Guilt filled her yet again, Carlos was supposed to be both her friend and manager... but being so busy she knew lately she'd been slacking in the friend department. She actually couldn't remember the last time she asked him a direct question about something that didn't relate to her work. She opens her mouth, but the boy in the driver's seat cuts her off.
“You know your scenes for the day, yeah?” He asks, looking across at her as she nods.
“Upside down and inside out.” She reassures, snuggling into the chair as she sighs at the beginnings of the sunrise beyond the horizon.
“LA is pretty in the early morning, isn’t it?” Carlos muses, tapping at the steering wheel gently.
“Everything is pretty when you’re half asleep.” Evie mumbles, pulling out her script as she sips at her bottle of water.
She flips through the scenes for the day, having marked them with little tabs the previous night, ever the one to be prepared beyond belief.
After a few moments of peace, Carlos sighs.
“Evie, Your moms email...” Carlos starts, making the girl’s shoulders tense, her stomach flipping viciously. Evie's hand freezes in its place over the dialogue. After eight years it still amazed her how much anxiety bubbled up at just the mention of her mother. She felt her hands begin to sweat and her heart speed up minutely.
"Let's hear it." She encouraged duly, "Hit me."
"She's got a new night serum recommendation for you."
"And why is that?" Evie asked, alreadying knowing she wouldn't like the answer.
Carlos sighed. "Because at the hospital fundraiser.. and I quote: 'your dark circles had dark circles!"..."
Evie nodded stiffly, "What else?"
"She wishes you would reconsider her... offer... to take you back as a client. She feels I'm leading you astray."
The actress rolls her eyes, "Well, It'll be a cold day in hell before that happens".
Her manager reaches over giving her hand a squeeze. He hates the defeated look she gets when they talk about her witch of a mother.
"The rest really isn't important." He says, pulling up at the front gate of the studio and flashing his credentials.
“What did she say?” Evie asks quietly, biting at her lip. She didn’t want to know, but she had to hear it. Her desire to please her mother still lived within her somewhere; though hidden deeply by her pride.
“Well, she thinks you should take that TV gig, says you should try to work with Calvin Klein again for the new season... and she wants you to find a boyfriend.” Carlos sighs, “Believes you’ll come across as less of a...” He hesitates for a moment before mumbling the word, “Slut.”
Evie winces as he pulls into a parking pace.
“Noted.” Evie mumbles, nodding to herself as she gathers up her belongings and shoved them into her bag.
“Evie, you know what she’s like.” Carlos reassured, “You’re not a slut. You know that! Don’t mind a word she says!”
“Lets leave it, shall we?” Evie offers, giving him a little nod as she climbs out of the car.
“Evie, Hey. We can talk about it, if you’d like.” Carlos offers when he catches up to her stride, his voice is quiet as he puts a hand on her back, stopping her with a worried crease in his brow.
Over the years she has become a master of compartmentalization when it came to her mother. She'd simply push all the awful words and feelings they brought about down deep within her. She'd get through her day and than she'd give herself time to be upset by the vile woman she had been gifted as a mother.
"I'm good. Really." She nods, plastering on a cool smile. Carlos looked unconvinced but she continued to deny any problems as they headed to her trailer. She was in control. Or at least that's what she told herself.
As Evie rounds the corner, walking the row of trailers with Carlos by her side she spots two far too familiar faces. Harry Hook, her darling costar, stood leaning against the hair and makeup trailer just two spaces down from Evie’s own. Next to him, with a hand on her hip stood Uma, his trusted manager and lifelong friend.
“I told you not to drink whiskey, why do you never listen to me?” Uma huffs, handing the man clad in gleaming aviators and day-old stubble, a bottle of water. He gives her a lopsided grin in return.
“Well, If I listened to you I’d be boring.” Harry muses, glancing to his left when he feels eyes on him. Evie eyes him, folding her arms as she stops at the bottom step of her trailer, pursing her lips.
“Well, if it isn’t my beautiful Guenevere.” Harry hums, shooting Evie a smirk, “You look lovely today.”
Evie hums, dropping her sunglasses to the tip of her nose as she does, “Likewise. Pathetic and hungover suits you.” She snarks back, flicking her hair over her shoulder as she ascends the steps to her trailer, Carlos following behind after politely shooting Harry and Uma a nod each. Harry's grin never leaves his face as he takes a chug from his water bottle.
"I'm not entirely sure I deserved that" He muses, sending a flirtatious smile at a passing makeup artist. She blushes in return before hurrying to her trailer.
"Just ignore her,: Uma says, motioning for him to drink more water, "She's got no clue. Pathetic and hungover is your least attractive look." She wrinkles her nose in distaste, "God, Harry, how much did you drink? It's seeping from your pores."
Harry makes to pat her hair reassuringly with his hand, she catches his wrist, glaring at his playful smirk, "do it and you'll pull back a nub, Hook."
Harry had known about Evie Grimhilde's reputation long before he took the part as the Lancelot to her Guinevere. He also knew she was a fabulous actress, it was one of the reasons he took the part, truth be told. He'd hoped they'd get on well together but when his initial attempts at flirtation were coolly rebuked he'd changed to merely wanting to annoy the piss out if her. He got better results from that.
Uma glances at her phone "I'll be so glad when filming wraps. That princess gets on my last nerve"
Harry looked solemn "Now Uma, darling, try not to judge. If you had a stick shoved that far up yer arse you'd be a bit of a bitch too." Uma coughs out a laugh, shaking her head at the boy.
"She’s a hautey little princess, yes." Harry reasons, smirking as he straightens up, leaning in to her, “But she’s a brilliant actress.”
Uma nods, sighing, “I guess. Makes you look good on screen.”
Harry nods, taking another mouthful of water. “For now, we should get a move on. I have a role to play.”
Harry and Uma head up the steps and into the makeup trailer, ready for an hour of glam-squad fun. “Morning girls.” Harry smirks to each of the artists. They all give him flirty grins as Uma smirks to herself, shaking her head subtly. Hook was a charmer and every girl in the crew was a fan of his flirty gazes and winning smiles; how he always made girls fall under his spell so fast she would never know.
Harry plopped down into his assigned chair, grinning, "Esmeralda, yer looking particularly ravishing today."
The older hair dresser smiled gently at him. He felt she'd probably seen his kind before but he couldn't help himself. Each smile and blush was a reward and he loved feeling validated. Harry shoots her a charming grin as he continues.
"If ye ever decide te leave yer husband and run away with a younger man, please think of me.”
The other girls were watching as she leaned in close enough to whisper, "Niño, you couldn't handle me".
Harry let out a bark of laughter while she forcefully straightened his head toward the mirror.
"Ye may be right" he continued to laugh, "... but I'd certainly try."
The other girls giggled at him while they laid out their wares.
"Who else've ye got this morning then ladies?” he asked curiously, one of the girls grimaced, “Evie's due in a bit."
They groan.
Esmeralda, obviously the boss, shushed them all. "You leave that poor girl alone."
Harry eyes the older woman as one of the girls, a brunette Harry couldn’t remember the name of, mutters under her breath.
“She’s a bitch!” The girls giggle as Esmeralda huffs, frowns at her, shaking her head wordlessly, fighting an eye roll and muttering something in Spanish as Hook smirks.
“How do you stand her, Harry?” Julia, a blonde, hums, stroking her fingers, coated in product, through his hair.
“I consider myself lucky, girls. She may be a complete demon, but her acting talents are unrivalled. She makes me work harder.”
“You outshine her, anyway.” The brunette smirks, winking at him through the mirror.
“Not that it’s difficult when she’s about as radiant as a storm cloud.” Julia adds, making each of them laugh
A soft cough startled the girls, who all turn, spotting Evie standing in the open doorway, her script tucked under her arm as she glances between them all. She’d hear them all, even Harry’s backhand insult-compliment hybrid.
“Good morning.” She murmurs, looking to her shoes as she passes by them. Harry chews his lip, looking up at her through the mirror as she bites at her lip. Harry frowned, her usual bitchy response absent. He almost wanted to entice one from her with further teasing, but the look on her face as she takes a seat in the far chair at the bottom of the trailer shuts him up, along with everyone else in the room.
Esmerelda shoots a look at the the rest of the trailer, Harry included, that promises swift retribution for any further problems caused as she flutters over to Evie. She bends behind her chair and whispers something in her ear that Harry can't hear. Whatever it is it brings a small smile to the younger woman's face, she whispers a low, "Thank you Ezzie."
Evie visable seems to soften as the older woman fawns over her, brushing her locks before curling and pinning them into place. Harry hasn't realised he's still staring until Evie's cool eyes look up and meet his own, full of a strange mix of curiosity and disconcertion. Julia clears her throat bringing Harry's attention back. Her voice is low as she speaks.
"She always requests Esmerelda." She says as if explaining. Harry not sure but he thinks he senses jealousy in her tone.
"Aye?" He asks quietly. Julia takes it as a sign to continue.
"Apparently she's known her since she was a child. I hear she's just as rotten as her mother." Evie's eyes flicker in the mirror towards them but Julia seems to neither notice nor care, her voice is still far too loud as she continues. "A real bitch that one. Abusive."
Harry catches a flush of red on his costars face in the reflection. He actually feels a little uncomfortable. He's relieved when Uma pops in, coming over to crouch next to his chair.
"So, CJ's in town" she says looking at her phone. Uma had been representing Calista Jane Hook for just shy of a year. She had a budding career in music and acting though she'd begun life in the industry as a model. Harry hums noncommittally. "She said to ask if you wanted to get up with her for dinner."
Harry glances at Uma in the mirror, "She can't ask me these things herself?"
“Apparently I’m the go between.” Uma mutters, shrugging at the lad. He rolls his eyes, nodding.
“Of course I’ll meet her. I miss her for God’s sake.” He sighs, wiping a hand over his jaw as Julia fixes at his fringe.
“Girlfriend in town?” She asks, a hint of desperate curiosity slathering her words.
“Little sister.” Harry hums, “She’s a model turned actress. And she’s a bit of a diva, but I love her.”
“She’s not a diva - she just knows what she wants.” Uma smirks, nudging him as he shook his head with a chuckle, making Julia giggle.
"Aye, she wants to be a diva!"
Evie bites her lip, uncomfortable sitting in on the conversation.
“Your tense, mi niña.” Esmeralda murmurs to her, touching her arm gently. “What’s the matter?”
Evie looks up at her, sighs softly, “My mom was in touch.” The older woman nods, going back to her pinning. She knew all about Evie’s mother, they had been family friends for years.
“I’ve told you not to pay her any matter. That’s why you’re a little bit fragile today, hm?”
“I know.” Evie nods, giving her a soft smile as she shook her head, almost to convince herself, “I’m fine, really.”
It doesn’t sound believable.
When Evie’s hair is pinned in a soft upstyle, curls perfected and covered to keep them safe before filming she almost runs out of the trailer, pausing only to thank Esmeralda with a gentle kiss to each cheek and a soft voice. Keeping her head down and her mouth in a tight line, she passes by Julia, Uma and Harry wordlessly. His eyes follow her out the door but if she feels them follow her she doesn't let on. He found himself doing that more and more the farther into filming they went. Without even thinking about it, his eyes sought her out, watched her when she was unawares. Uma cleared her throat giving him a strange look.
"What?" He asked as Julia flits off.
"Don't you even think about it."
"About what, lass? Yer making no sense."
Uma's eyes traveled to the door. As Esmeralda walked up behind them.
"She's not one of your conquests Nino." She hums quietly, a tone of admiration in her voice. Uma nodded her head in approval.
"I wasn't thinking anything of the sort." Harry defends, suddenly feeling as if he'd just been reprimanded by a parent. The truth was, Harry had a reputation for wooing starlets and co-stars alike. He just couldn't help himself, and usually, neither could they. He'd fallen in bed with half a dozen different women this year alone and it wasn't even Halloween yet.
Uma scoffs, “You were giving her the face.”
Esmeralda nodded, “It’s true. I saw the face.”
Harry frowns, defending himself, he shakes his head at them, “I was not givin’ her a face! I don’t have a face!”
Uma hums, rolling her eyes.
“What happened to you and that pretty redhead anyway?” Esmeralda asks, moving in to poke at his hair, fixing it to perfection as Julia starts his makeup for the day with gentle brush strokes.
“Oh, well... I’ve been busy.” Harry mutters, “Filming, And the like.”
Uma shook her head, laughing at her client and best friend. He was harmless, a hopeless romantic obsessed with beautiful women. He was a circumstantial, accidental heartbreaker.
“He means he got bored.” Uma clarifies.
Harry frowns, “Eh!”
Uma rolls her eyes at him as he launches into an explanation.
“Look, Lancelot only has eyes for his Guinevere. It’s the first time he’s never had his eye roam” He tries to explain, his reasoning is weak even in his own ears. “I can’t be distracted by a delightfully foul mouthed underwear mode if I’m to be romancing a Queen.”
Harry turns his attention back to Esmerelda, batting his eyes at the hair stylist, "Now for you, mi amor, I could change my ways". Uma gave him an exasperated look.
"Someday Hook. You're going to meet your match. And, God, do I hope I'm there to see it."
An alarm sounded on Uma's phone and she looked down with a frown, "Well shit, I have a meeting with marketing and promotions in five."
She leaned in giving him a quick peck on the cheek, "Please behave yourself."
"I promise nothing!" He declared.
Julia swatted his shoulder, "Hold still now! You're going to smudge my handiwork."
The last Uma saw before ducking out if hair and makeup was Harry turn his one-hundred-watt smile on the hapless blonde.
Later on, after pocketing a scrap of paper with Julia’s number on it and returning to his trailer to get into his costume, he makes his way to set with his script in hand. He’s already in character, smiling at everyone he sees and walking with a prideful gait. He spots Evie as her outer dress is fixed just off to the side of the main set for the day. She was wearing a stroking crimson gown that made her figure look sinful and complimented her skin perfectly. Harry caught himself as he relaxed into his chair awaiting his set call. He could appreciate her from afar couldn’t he? Esmeralda’s earlier words rang through his mind.
“She’s not one of your conquests, niño.”
Harry shrugs it off, not caring enough to dwell on the thought. Evie was barely an acquaintance, let alone a friend or possible conquest. She’d utterly squashed any attempt at flirtation or even friendship with her cold indifference and, at times, outright hostility.
Her chair has been placed by his, both near where director, Gaston Legume, would be directing traffic from. With the final touches on her wardrobe and a small fleece blanket thrown around her bare shoulders Evie made her way towards him. There was a nip in the air and he imagined the dress she was in would be rather cold. There were sleeves but the whole thing was off the shoulder and low cut. The corset she been cinched into made her already attractive cleavage all the more eye catching. While he didn't believe it was period appropriate he knew why they did it. You couldn't have the sexiest actress in Hollywood and not show her off. She doesn’t make eye contact as she wiggles into her seat, her voluminous skirts puffing around her.
"If yer cold, ye could use my jacket?" He offered, maybe some of Lancelot's valiant nature rubbing off.
She didn't look at him as he spoke, "I'm surprised you'd want the demon bitch touching it." She smiled lightly as a crew member gave her a small wave.
Evie hops from the seat before he has a chance to respond. Her dress flutters after as she struts to the crew member who would brief her on blocking. Harry feels his cheeks heat up as she saunters away. She really had heard everything the girls had said. Part of him felt a twinge of guilt for it, he knew what they’d been saying about the girl had been unkind. Harry is pulled from his thoughts as he’s called over to his spot. The director claps his hands together, calling out to everyone for attention.
“Okay! Evie, Harry... this is the first time you pair have met since Lancelot planted one on Guinevere outside the palace walls. You’re both conflicted, but hot as hell for each other! Got it? Harry, I want to see it, I want to see you undress her with your eyes and Evie, darling girl, I want to see everything you have in this. I want flirtation, I want desire, I want emotion. Ready?"
Harry doesn’t miss the wince Evie lets loose at his words before she nods, taking a deep breath - as deep as she can in her corset.
It's amazing to him to see the cool reserve in her eyes shift the second 'action' is yelled. One moment she is Evie, icy and indifferent, and the next she is Guinevere, lovely and soft. He didn't work that way. When he took a part he always took on at least a little of that character. He needed to be inside their head, needed to know their motivation, their wants. Watching the woman in front of him fascinated him. She was truly Guinevere and he was her Lancelot.
Soft string music played around them, while extras mingled and danced.
He bowed lowly, "My lady, it is good to see you once more." His voice was light but held an undertone of quiet desperation. "It has been far to long since I've beheld your beauty."
Harry had seen Lancelot and Guinevere's kiss as the match that ignited their passion. Now that he'd tasted it Lancelot only wanted more. Evie's Guinevere gave him a soft smile, her large expressive eyes shone only on him, never straying as she offered him her hand. The kiss he lay on her knuckles was feather light and delicate.
"My dear Knight, you flatter me with you pretty words." He rose slowly stepping in closer than decorum allowed but the fair lady did not push him away. There was still space between them but to the viewer it was charged with electricity.
"No words I can offer are so beautiful as to compare to you."
Evie, totally engrossed in her character takes a cautious step back. “We mustn’t.” She whispers, eyes wide, innocent, “The king...”.
She trails away as Lancelot nods, keeping himself proper.
“Then do me the honour?” He asks softly, holding out a hand as she nods softly, her eyes never quite leaving his as he escorts her into the formation of dancers on the floor, the pair blending in seamlessly. She curtseys for him as he bows for her, beginning their dance.
“I thought it wrong at first.” Harry murmurs, eyeing her as they circle each other shoulder-to shoulder. “The events of our last meeting left me with guilt, I should not have kissed the wife of my King... it is the highest betrayal, but, my Queen, I am filled with desire.”
She glances to her husband, sat in his throne at the other side of the room, disinterested and drunk. “Desire?” She questions as he takes her arm and they step around each other gracefully.
“For more.” He murmurs, twirling her body into his before they separate into the next step. Her hand traces his face during their next section of choreography as she looks up at him.
A tiny "oh" of surprise escapes from between her lips. Her tongue moistens them and his eyes follow the movement with rapt attention. Her cheeks are pink and her chest rises and falls gently in sync with the light airy music playing around them. They circle each other slowly the palms of one hand pressed neatly together in the air between them.
"I know of desire" she says quietly looking up at him through her lashes, "Of want and need, but duty, my love... duty and honour care not for matters of the heart."
Lancelot follows her movements with a lidded gaze. Harry catches himself getting lost in the character imagining what Guinevere would look like laid out underneath him. Would she make pretty little sounds or would she be fierce and demanding? She bites her lip inhaling sharply as he pulls her close for another spin, his hand lingers a moment too long on her hip and she chews on her pretty crimson lip.
“Duty cannot tide me.” Harry murmurs, eyes intense on her as the music comes to an end, applause surrounding them. The linger close for a few fleeting seconds, eyes locked before they break and join the applause, stepping away from each other.
As they bow and courtesy to each other, Harry takes her hand in his, as if to kiss her knuckles in respect. Instead the kiss is lingering, soft, full of gentleness.
“Find me in the south courtyard.” He whispers.
She nods, breathless as she leaves him, cheeks flushed and eyes gleaming, she returns to her husband, feeling her lover's eyes on her.
“And CUT!”
Gaston claps as the crew reset, “That’s my girl; one take!” he says stepping up to her and stroking her back gently. Evie doesn’t like the touch but keeps her mouth shut. Harry joins them moments later. He’s smiling from ear to ear. His hand reaches out and cups her cheek.
“Bloody brilliant” he croons. His smile falters as she removes his hand from her face. Her features are stone cold and it takes him a moment to realize that the sweet, innocent Guinevere is gone and in her place is a woman who appears as if she’d just assume cut him as opposed to look at him. she arches an eyebrow at him.
“I suppose even storm clouds get to be radiant now and then.”
Without so much as an afterthought she spins on her heel, leaving him staring slack jawed as she sashays away.
Carlos meets Evie back at her chair. He drapes her blanket back around her shoulders, rubbing some warmth back into her arms.
“I can’t stay for long” He murmurs leaning close to her, “Another meeting with the guys in advertising.” He explains. “You looked fabulous out there.”
Evie shrugs, “He’s going way over the top.” she says glancing at Harry speaking with Gaston across the way, “He is just too much!”
She groans as he looks her way, that damn smirk plastered across his face.
Carlos chuckles lightly, “Hey, think of it this way, you’re only acting.”