[Cam knocked gently on Lavish's dressing room door and stepped inside, finding Mason laying on the floor.] Are you... okay?
Yes. This is how I do my thinking. [Mason declared, staring up at the ceiling for another moment. He'd had way too much to think about lately. Schuy and Jax splitting up, his siblings still in turmoil, and his old and new friends caught up in some painful love square he wasn't allowed to speak a word about to anyone. It was all very bad.]
It's a very good things our new bosses did such a thorough cleaning when they came. Otherwise I would not be laying down there. ....so. Were you gonna come out and help me or...?
[Mason hopped easily to his feet. At least he was still limber.] I'm ready. I assume there won't be a lot of choreography with this particular song?
No, but I'd still like to know how to... you know, move around the stage so I'm not just standing there awkwardly. [Cam explained.]
[Mason smiled at that and nodded in understanding. He started leading them out to the stage. It was a little weird being here when it was just the two of them, but they'd come this early for that very reason.] I really think you'll be more of a natural at this than you think you will. You go up there every night.
I know, but this is different. I need to concentrate on not sounding awful at the same time.
We'll make sure that doesn't happen. [Mason assured him.] Do you have a costume?
Not one specifically for this. I was just gonna wear one of my usuals.
[Mason shook his head.] Something that fits the theme better will help you get into it more. Trust me, dress rehearsals change everything. Maybe we can borrow-- actually, Luke might have just the thing! I'll text him. But let's run through the song first and see how you're sounding. Or... hear how you're sounding. You know what I mean. I'll use my phone for the music, obviously it'll sound better night of.
Conner's too worried about disappointing me for it not to. [Cam smirked, stepping out to the middle of the stage. He waited for Mason to start the music and just let himself sing, not worrying about technique for the moment. Just to see how it felt.]
[Mason sat himself down with his legs crossed on the side of the stage and watched Cam intently. He couldn't help but feel for him. It was clear he was hurting. Plus he sounded really good.]
[Cam sucked a large breath in when he finished, rubbing at his chest.] I know that wasn't perfect--
This is a drag club. They don't want perfect, they want emotion. And you've got that in spades. [Mason insisted. He got back to his feet again and helped move Cam around the stage while he played the song again.] I think we should start with a stool with a cushion on it, then you can move around some. Then towards the end, grab the cushion and toss it towards the end of the stage to sit on, tuck those legs around the side. Very chic, many feels.
You kids and your lack of words. [Cam chuckled.] But I think I can pull that off.
Let me go grab those and we'll go through it again. [Mason decided, slipping backstage again to retrieve a stool and cushion. His own chest was aching, knowing what a mess this would eventually end up. Vitya couldn't keep doing what he was doing. It wasn't fair in the first place and now it was just hurting even more people. He really needed to talk to him as soon as he could. He returned to Cam's side with a tired smile and their needed props.] Here we go, just go with what feels right.
[By the time Cam was done running through it the second time, Mason found tears on his cheeks. Cam looked down at him with slight concern.] I can't be that bad.
[Mason quickly shook his head.] No, it's lovely. Life's just... a lot right now. And musicals make me cry.
Well, that I certainly understand. [Cam said as he came and sat with Mason on the stage.] Do you think I'm an idiot for doing this?
No. It's how you feel. I hope you're as wrong as she was. [Mason offered.] You're gonna bring the house down.
