After the Play: Paxton and Ashton and OPEN
Ashton attended both nights of the play. He was still nursing a bruised ego from Paxton winning the playwright contest from Ms. Edouard when his own hadn't even had the chance to be submitted. However, Ashton had read Paxton's script before it even went into rehearsals, and he'd liked it. Seeing what he had read on the page come alive with actors and actions - however good or bad - Ashton had felt envious all over again that Paxton had had this opportunity instead of him.
After seeing Kana erupt into fire, her true form visible for all to behold, Ashton knew it was not what she meant to happen and a protectiveness rose up in Ashton strong enough for him to get up from his seat to make his way backstage in search of where she had run to.
There had been no sign of the girl, but as the actors filed off the stage, congratulating one another, some crying with emotions of relief, some simply relieved it was over, Ashton stopped some to ask where Kana had gone. Surely one of them would know. She was the main character in the play and nowhere in sight at curtain call.
The dragon spotted Paxton, surrounded by cast members, and stalked up to him. "Where is Kana?"