28 A Sea of Flowers

When I get back to the set, I hit the ground running with lunch in hand to see who sent those flowers. No one should know I'm here, so how did I get a bouquet of flowers? When I walk into the set, I see a sea of yellow roses. What do yellow roses have to do with a hydra? Oh there's Will. I run over out of breath.

"I came back as soon as I could. Where's the bouquet?"

"Look around." This is the bouquet.?

"All of them?"

"Yes, all of them."

"How many are there?"

"About 500."

"500! What am I supposed to do with 500 roses?"

"Hell if I know. Here's the card."

Remembering why I rushed here so quickly, I take the card with shaking hands. I think Will notices my reaction but doesn't say anything. I don't want to draw it out and tear the envelope open.

"Astra,

Congratulations on your new job. I am so happy that we have the opportunity to get to know each other again. I look forward to seeing you around.

Sincerely yours,

Alexi

P.S. If anyone gives you a hard time let me know and I'll handle it for you."

I want to cry in relief. Thank God it's just Alexi.

"Who's it from?"

"It's from Alexi."

"Who's Alexi?"

"Xander Alaric. He sent the flowers as a welcome to the company. Though I don't think he realizes that I can't keep 500 roses."

"Just throw them away."

"I can't do that. These are really nice flowers and he must have put a lot of thought and money into this."

"Then what else are you going to do?"

While I look at the people on the set a lightbulb goes off over my head.

"Will, how many people are working on this set?"

"About 500. Why?"

"Perfect!"

I grab an armful of roses and start giving one to each member of the wardrobe team and thank them for their hard work.

"Astra, what are you doing?"

"Can't you tell? I'm giving everyone a rose for their hard work and dedication."

"Just throw them in the trash."

"Why would I do that? Even if it only brings joy to one person that's one person who has had happiness brought into their life for the day."

"Fine."

Will then grabs an armful of the flowers and helps me pass them out thanking everyone for everything they do.

"Oh, you don't have to help, Will. I can do it."

"The sooner it's done the better. I need you to help me with lines after today so you need to look over the script."

"Yes, sir."

Headed over to the camera crew I start to hand them the flowers but an ornery older man objects to taking a rose.

"Do I look like the type of man who takes flowers?"

"Johnny, did you wear one at your wedding?"

"Yes but-"

"Then you're the type of man who takes flowers."

"I am not."

"Are you married sir?"

"Well, yes-"

"Then your beautiful wife deserves a flower that's almost as beautiful as her. If you don't want it, bring it home to her. She deserves it."

He hesitantly takes the flower from my hand.

"I'm only doing this for my wife not because I like flowers."

His stubbornness amuses me, and I can't help but laugh.

"That's fine. I would never assume otherwise."

We spend the next hour handing out flowers to the cast and crew and expressing our gratitude for their hard work. They want to take pictures with us, but the director says it's time to get back to filming. I count the roses left over and there's ten left. I know exactly what I'm going to do with these ones. I put them in some water so they don't wilt during filming and grab the script to look over it while they continue filming.

They start to hook Will up to a harness, and they place a dummy where the child originally was. They pull and make adjustments to the harness and wiring to make sure that the equipment is secure.

"Excuse me, miss."

Looking down, I see the young girl who is playing the child Theo is going to save. She looks to be about nine years old with red curly hair, ocean blue eyes, and a sprinkling of freckles across her face.

"Yes? Is there something I can help you with, sweetheart?"

"I wanted to say thanks for the flower."

"It was my pleasure."

"I'm Joy. What's yours?"

"I'm Astra. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you too! I love flowers but so does my mother so I gave her mine."

"That was very kind of you."

"Anyways, I just wanted to say thanks. Have a great day!"

With a grin she skips off to her mother and tries to coerce candy out of the cameramen. She's so adorable I decide to give her a surprise. I walk over to the bouquet I have set aside and grab nine of the flowers from it. Holding it behind my back so she doesn't see, I walk over to where she is and tap her shoulder.

"Miss Joy, I have a surprise for you."

"Is it candy?"

"I'm afraid not. I guess I'll just have to take these back then." I say as I show her the bouquet."

She squeals in glee and grabs the bouquet.

"Oh, thank you thank you thank you!"

Out of nowhere she gives me a hug. I'm surprised for a second but I return the hug.

"Why don't you go and show your mother what you just got. I'm sure she'll love it."

Skipping her way over to her mother, I start to chuckle. Remembering I'm still on the clock, I head over to the greenscreen with script in hand. I know that it's not likely that someone here would steal it but I'm not taking that chance. Though I'm inexperienced I check his harness to make sure it's secure.

"You have the sword?"

"Yes."

"And the blade is dull?"

"Yes."

"And you remember what to do in case the equipment fails?"

"Yes."

"And you know that if you fall and get hurt, I will abandon you without a second thought?"

"Yes. Wait-"

"I'm kidding. Just wanted to test you. You failed."

"That's cold."

"Just like my heart." I say with a chilling smile.

Hearing the director starts making the calls, I step off the green screen and we give each other a thumbs up.

"And action!"

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