And... Action!! (ATTN: Sea, Splatter, Action, all)

[portiabuckworth]

Portia closed her lavish, purple-velvet curtains and snuck a glance at her doors, even though her new crew wouldn't be arriving for at least another quarter of an hour. The theatre was spotless... well, except for the jumble behind the curtains.
Portia giggled excitedly and practically danced to the kitchen to finish the snacks she'd prepared earlier. A full crew was a happy crew in her experience. Oh! She had almost forgotten the music! Whipping up a presentable table for the food, Portia switched on the music with her horn. Chill, but catchy tunes filled the air as Portia snitched a celery stick and began to munch on it.
Hmm... Something was missing...
Portia nodded and trotted to the grand windows, whipping open the curtains and letting in the glorious spring sunshine. There, now everything was perfect.
And just in time, too. A knock sounded on the door as Portia swallowed the last of her celery stick. How silly. Didn't the pony, whoever it was, know that theaters were always open to the public? Of course, the building also acted as Portia's home but she, like her theater, was also very open... and also often playfully putting on a show.
Portia shook her mane to make sure it was in place before opening the door.

"Well, I must say, you certainly are punctual."

[splatterpaint]

Splatterpaint tightened the strap to her pack. She had been looking forward to this for quite a long time. This would be so much fun!

She called out to her mother as she opened the door, preparing to leave, "I'm leavin', Ma!". Her mother trotted into the hall, beaming, "Alright hun, be careful. Don't talk to strange ponies!"Splatterpaint restrained a laugh, "I talk to strange ponies every day, Ma." she reminded her. "I know, I know," her mother laughed, "You know what I mean. Have fun!"

Splatterpaint trotted in the street, a bounce in her step. Oh, how fun this would be! As she approached the theatre, she spotted Portia bustling around inside. Laughing, she walked up to the door and knocked.

"Oh, good, I am on time! I was afraid I was late. How's it going, Portia?"

[delavegaprimo]

Action awoke to the ringing of his alarm clock as he slammed a hoof on the bells to shut it off. He stretched his limbs and rolled out of bed. With a large yawn, the messy black-maned stallion made his way into the kitchen and grabbed an apple from his refrigerator. He took a bite and made his way out the door.

"Oh Smoogleberry, it's rather warm today!" He looked around and noticed some of the snow melting. Is it already Spring?! Seems like it was only yesterday when I started hangin' with Portia and the others. I wonder what's she's got in store for us today? Action let his thoughts linger as he made his way to the theatre. He took a large bite of his apple and noticed the door had been opened up.

There stood Portia in the doorway, excitedly chatting with Splatterpaint. Action smiled as he held the apple with his mouth and trotted over to the two unicorns.

"Good morning ladies! It looks like I'm right on time!"

[portiabuckworth]

Portia grinned at Splatter and opened her door wider. "You know, you don't have to knock on the door, this is a public theatre. Oh! Action! I'm so glad you could make it! Come in, both of you. Sea won't be able to make it, I'm afraid. She had other things to take care of."

Portia practically pranced to the table, just barely favoring her previously injured hoof. It was so nice that it was pretty much healed now. "The snacks are on the house. I was concerned you might not have been able to eat breakfast before you came, so I laid out a little something. The cast should be here later. I hoped to give you time to set up and, perhaps, Splatter, get some of your advice on the set."

Portia glanced at Action and suddenly found herself blushing. What in Equestria? Scatterbrained, clumsy, odd, she knew she was many things, but embarrassed she most certainly was not. So what was with her inability to look him in the eye? Portia shook her mane again to clear her mind, jumping up on the stage and opening her curtains to show a jumble of props, canvasses, and other junk laying about in an unorganized fashion.

[splatterpaint]

Splatterpaint turned as he heard Action Shot's voice, "Hey Action!" she greeted, a big grin on her face. She turned back to Portia, and her face fell when she heard Sea wasn't coming, "Sea Swell won't be here? Aww. I hope it's something good for her career!" Splatter trotted in, relishing the warm-hearted feel of the theatre. She hadn't been in the theatre since that night when she met the three, so it was good to be back.

Spotting the food made her stomach growl, "You're right, I'm starved! Thanks, Portia!" Splatter scurried over to the food and took an apple before joining Porita. When she heard Portia tell her that she was going to hopefully explain about the sets, Splatter nodded enthusiastically, "Sounds awesome!" she crowed, her goofy smiling returning to her face.

Splatter's jaw dropped as she spotted the curtain reveal a jumble of objects. So many things! Splatter looked at everything, particularly the canvases and set items, with awe. "Woah! There's so much stuff!" Ideas and colors rushed into Splatter's mind as she began to imagine what she could do with everything.

[delavegaprimo]

As Splatters gleefully relished in the intricacy of the stage's equipment, Action spotted a feverish Portia. Her face had a quiet pink pastel as she beamed towards Action. Action wondered if she was feeling under the weather, but suddenly, the feeling had caught up with him too. He began to feel light-headed, his heart pounded, and his legs locked up momentarily. This feeling had been just like the first time he was at the theatre, something about Portia just made him feel like she was just the right pony to talk to.

But, as quickly as Portia shook off her flustered look, Action shook his own feelings off and regained focus. There was nothing more distracting than to have a case of Cupid's arrow when he was set to work. He didn't know if she wanted him to bring his equipment, but from what she had told him, she did have access to videography. Did that mean she had a camera? There was only one way to find out. Not to mention it would keep him out of the Portia's siren-like spell.

"That's rather unfortunate that Sea Swell couldn't make it, but I'm sure she's pretty busy these days. Music's a way of life. In any case, I didn't know if you wanted me to grab my film equipment back at the studio, but I do recall you said something about 'videography' the night we met? Does that mean you have a camera I could operate if need be?" Action looked toward the sky as the sun peaked over the edge of the theatre's roof. His expression was indifferent, but his eyes twinkled at the opportunity to work with Portia.

What in Celestia is happening to me?

[thatncisgirlamy]

Winter Mist had been strolling through the city of Manehattan for a few hours, trying to find her way around her new home. She had only arrived in the city a few short days ago, thanks to the money her Uncle Howard had left her. So far, she was greatly enjoying her time. However, much to her disappointment, she had yet to happen upon the theatre. Being an actress, that was the thing she was most looking forward to finding, and it made her quite uynhappy not to havew found one yet.

Winter Mist turned around a corner, and her eyes lit up with excitement. There, a short way down the road, was a theatre. She quickly galloped a few strides before launching herself into the air, her wings flapping quickly as she soared towards the theatre. Landing with a thud, she cantered to the door and flung it open, only to discover three ponies standing inside.

"Excuse me, am I interupting something?" she asked.

[portiabuckworth]

Portia opened her mouth to respond to Action's request when, out of nowhere,

CRASH!!

Portia's footing slipped from the stage in surprise and she toppled backwards to the floor. Thank Celestia she had made certain her theatre had carpet instead of hardwood. Those doors, on the other hoof, were much too loose. She'd have to tighten those hinges one of these days or soon, every time an eager student came through, the doors would rattle the windows right onto the floor.

"Oh for hoof's sake! Why couldn't I have been born with wings?"

Portia snorted and rolled over before standing up. She'd banged her previously injured hoof on one of the open storage doors under the lip of the stage. Wonderful, simply wonderful. She thought without holding back on the sarcasm, but beamed nonetheless at her new guest.

"Not at all, my dear, do come in. I'm afraid you're a bit early, so we're just now setting up. Do please take a seat and feel free to help yourself at the snack table." Portia then turned to Action Shot. "I do have some equipment here somewhere... It's nothing fancy and most likely completely out-of-date, but it will probably do for auditions, of course."

Portia took a few steps, then paused, shaking her hoof in an attempt to get rid of some of the soreness that still lingered. "Erm, it's cabinet four, next to the kitchen entrance at the back."

Celestia! Her hoof hurt! But Portia remained smiling, determined not to solicit any kind of pity from the other ponies.

[splatterpaint]

The sound of another pony made Splatter's head turn. Ohh, was she one of the actors? She had never seen her around before, which meant she would be making a new friend. How nice! She shot a friendly smile over at the new pony before beginning to get out her painting supplies...

The crash made Splatter jump. She looked over to see Portia on the ground. "Woah, Portia, are you okay?" she asked, hoping her friend hadn't hurt herself. Atleast the floor was carpeted. But it looked like her hoof was hurt. Splatterpaint frowned, but deciding against going over to Portia and asking if she needed any help. Splatter didn't want to insult her or anything.

Returning back to removing her brushes and paint, Splatter began to wonder: What would she be painting? She wasn't even sure what this whole play was even supposed to be about... she probably should've figured that out before coming.

[delavegaprimo]

It happened like lightning. Action's question was just about to be answered when a sudden crash through the door startled him so much that he ended up rigid, completely stoic. His mind blanked out momentarily, not seeing the reactions of the others, as a Pegasus he was not familiar had stormed into the theatre, bubbly as an overloaded tub. He regained awareness however when he heard Portia's voice.

Snapping back to attention, he averted his gaze towards the newcomer. Well that was a doozy. I completely blanked out! Good thing Portia got such a cute voice... These thoughts lingered on and then he suddenly noticed the hoof she injured during the fall in the lake was slightly throbbing. What the hay did I just miss? Disregarding the matter though, he noticed he hadn't been listening to Portia the entire time! He tuned back into the conversation as he caught "...nothing fancy and most likely completely out-of-date, but it will probably do for auditions, of course."

What wasn't fancy and completely out of date? Do what for auditions. Action had completely derped. The random Pegasus that just barged in had given him mental whiplash. Smoogleberry! What do I do?! Calm down Action...why are you here? You're a filmmaker, right? What would Portia want you to do? Of course the answer was obvious...FILM! She was referring to her camera equipment!!! Action smiled to himself gleefully at this notion and then he caught wind of Portia's final words, her smile equally as bright as his.

"...Near the kitchen you said? Cabinet four next to the entrance in the back. Gotcha!" Action saluted as he happily trotted to the designated area without heed. He reached cabinet four and proceeded to open it. His eyes lit up. She had a PONY HDR-XR160!

"An XR160 -- nnY!!! I haven't seen one of these things in a long time. This variation's at least 3-4 years old, but I think it'll do," exclaimed Action excitedly. He stuck his muzzle into the cabinet and gently grabbed the camera by the hoof strap. He also grabbed a small role of film labeled "20 MINUTES" and closed cabinet four with a hoof. Trotting back over, to the new Pegasus and Portia, looking concered.

Setting the miniature camcorder onto the ground, he inhaled and smiled as his head rose.

"Hey, how's the hoof healing up? I just feel like I should ask since haven't seen you for a while."