Lonely Dancers

And the thing that made it absolutely terrifying was that Hamlet was the only one who reacted. He was cowering, and covering his ears with both hands, and yelling to be heard over the noise.

And no one else seemed to know why he was doing that. The other actors didn't even raise their voices.

If they let their expression slip, someone will ask if they’re okay, and if they do that, their voice will get caught on the lump in their throat, and then they’ll get The Look. The pitying, “oh you poor thing” look. And that will break them fully.

They don’t want pity, they don’t need pity, they just need a bit of help, if anything. Just, some time alone, some painkillers, maybe a sandwich, just let them fix themselves and it’ll be fine. Crying didn’t do anything but it was like their body couldn’t help it, so best to avoid anything that might set them off.

Scattering stars across the sky ✨