Screaming wasn't the kind of roaring Kelly was accustomed to from an audience. And certainly not before the play was supposed to start. “How has that girl decided to ruin my career today?”
Jeremy, or was it Johnny? Kelly White shushed the man helping fit her into the gloomy matriarch dress for today’s performance of The Haunting of Mouse House before he could answer. His name was as important as any commentary he might have quipped.
All attention needed to be focused on how to use her ten minutes of stage time to make sure the reviews about this play would be all about Kelly White. The screaming wasn't helping her concentration.
The screams spread backstage as everyone prepared for the show.
“Fire!” Yelled one of the young stagehands.
“Then put it out.” Kelly snapped, letting [Influence] leak from her.
Several of those nearest to her moved, spurred to action. Smoke crept in at the ceiling, coming from the stands and exits. “It's magiced!” was the cry, as those who’d moved to find the fire returned.
Fear clawed at the back of Kelly’s mind. Fire could be strengthened in the same way buildings were. Controlled burns supported by strong magic were efficient at clearing rubble with dirtied or damaged spell work.
You could put it out if you were a specialist or strong enough. Usually, those who had at least evolved managed such jobs. There weren't many who reached that height in Hazeldown, let alone those who went to see shows at third-rate theaters like Nuabtown.
The theater's construction wasn't doing any favors. The entrances and exits were all on the other side of the building. Back exits weren't important for a place so cheaply made. Which was why every stagehand, actor, and costumer stood frozen a moment as it all sank in.
Kelly and others moved to look out through the opening curtains, taking in the chaos of the audience and the flames. Fire was climbing the walls. One exit collapsed under the flames, the other one had a stampeding mass of people using skills that fizzled against the fire or were forcing their way out of the bottleneck of people. One person went flying to crash into empty seats as a strength-based class launched him out of the way.
People were getting out at a pace slower than the fire as it traveled along streamers at the top of the ceiling, racing toward the stage and its giant curtains.
Kelly could capture the attention of a calm, receptive audience. This madhouse, though? Maybe if she'd evolved? She shook her head. Dungeons weren't a place for Queens of the Stage, as much as it might be good to show up her rebellious child or gain a few more years of youthfulness.
The somber looks around her showed the other performers had come to the same conclusion she had. The fire reached the top of the curtains.
A heavy thudding, and Kelly felt like her heart would beat out of her chest. With a creaking blast, the backstage floor burst open upwards, sending a shower of dirt, rocks, and wooden splinters.
The woman who crawled out of the hole was a thing of nightmares and beauty. It stood there, leg bent askew, one arm limp, scrapes deep down to the bone that did not bleed, while wearing a maid's uniform shredded from effort. A partially broken mask covered her face. Damaged as she was, she had ethereal grace.
“I have dug a tunnel for retrieval; others are managing the main entrance. I deemed this quicker for you all.” She said in a flat, emotionless voice.”
Desperate, Kelly White turned the full force of her beggar and actress skills on their savior, the kind of whammy she reserved for emergency cases. “You must get me out of her first, my daughter is…”
“No.” All the magic and influence might as well have been hitting an inanimate rock. The cold, dead-eyed look had Kelly flinching back. “Lady White would be disappointed if her mother got priority over others. Use your skills to keep everyone departing in a calm and efficient manner, and we'll get you out in time.”
Kelly swallowed her fear and pride. The younger nimble kids who assisted backstage were already jumping down the tunnel. A new role. Do this, and she'd be a hero. That... and live. The heat rose quickly.
Kelly turned to address everyone trapped by the fire. “Listen up, people, we will all get out of here safely. Jeremy, make sure there are no kids hiding in the props.”
“It's Xander.” He told her, but headed off to do as she said.
This audience of lesser actors and artists wanted to get out of here as much as she did. She could work with that.
The broken maid moved faster than someone with her injuries should, ripping off a chunk of Kelly's dress. The piece of dress in her hands was burning, having caught fire moments before. “Faster,” the broken maid hissed.
Stress creased Kelly's voice, causing it to crack. “Speed-through, everyone. Pick up those cues!”
Bea, true to her word, made sure Kelly was the last living person out, even as she used her strength, durability, and speed to beat back the fire.
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