Aric awoke to the soft light of dawn filtering through his bedroom window. He blinked groggily, feeling the warmth of his blankets around him. His mind, however, was already buzzing with the tasks ahead.He stretched his hands and legs, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. With a sigh he sat up and looked around his modest apartment. The faint glow of Lumina on the bedside table caught his eye."Morning, Lumina," Aric said, rubbing his eyes.["Good morning, Aric. Did you sleep well?"]Aric nodded, though the exhaustion from yesterday's training still lingered. "Yeah, I did. But I have to get ready for work now."["What kind of work do you have today?"]Aric swung his legs off the bed and stood up. He walked over to the small closet, pulling out a simple, worn-out suit. As he began to dress, he explained, "I work at a small theater in the city. It's not glamorous, but it's what pays the bills and help me survive. I handle various tasks there—stage setup, lighting adjustments, and sometimes even acting as an understudy when needed."He glanced at a calendar on the wall. "I'm scheduled to help with stage preparations for a new play today. It's a lot of grunt work, you know. I also do some administrative tasks like scheduling, ticketing, and making sure everything runs smoothly."["It sounds demanding but essential."]Aric nodded, pulling on his shoes. "Yeah, it's not exactly what I dreamed of when I was a kid. But its close enough."After bath, he standing in front of the mirror and looking at himself.He wore a fitted, dark green doublet made of sturdy yet soft fabric. The doublet, with its high collar and buttoned front is suitable for his work in the theater. The sleeves were slightly puffed, tapering down to fitted cuffs.Underneath, he sported a simple, white linen shirt with a high ruffled collar that peeked out from the doublet's neckline. The shirt's billowy sleeves were cinched at the wrists with fine leather bands.For trousers, Aric wore dark brown breeches that ended just below the knee, secured by leather straps. The breeches were practical for the physical demands of his job, allowing for ease of movement while maintaining a sense of style.He had sturdy leather boots that were well-worn but polished. The boots had a slight heel, providing both practicality and a subtle hint of formality.After seeing that everything is done, Aric grabbed his bag and headed for the door, ready to face another day of hard work at the theater.---Aric stepped out of his modest apartment and made his way through the winding streets of Vinez. The morning sun cast a warm glow on the cobblestones and the city's characteristic canals shimmered with reflected light.He navigated the narrow alleyways with practiced ease, his dark green doublet catching the light with each stride. The bustling streets gradually gave way to the quieter area around the small theater.Upon reaching the theater Aric pushed open the heavy wooden door and entered the dimly lit foyer. The scent of old stage curtains and varnished wood greeted him. His colleague, Marcellus, was already there, adjusting the props on the stage. Marcellus looked up and greeted Aric with a broad smile."Ready for another day of rehearsals?" Marcellus asked, his tone friendly and upbeat.Aric nodded, returning the smile. "Ready as ever. Let's get to work."The two men moved together towards the stage. The dim light of the theater illuminated their faces as they busied themselves with final preparations. Marcellus set down a stack of scripts while Aric checked the stage's props and set pieces."So, what's on the agenda today?" Aric asked, glancing at the scripts."We're running through the final scenes of 'The Tempest's Whisper,'" Marcellus replied. "The lead, Bianca, is supposed to make her dramatic exit. It's quite a scene, you know? full of twists and turns and like that.""Ah, Bianca," Aric said with a nod. "And who's playing the part of the villain today? I heard something about a last-minute change."Marcellus chuckled. "Yes, it's Roland now. He's taken over from Leandro. Apparently, Leandro's been busy with some... personal scandals. I hear he's been caught in more than a few compromising positions."Aric raised an eyebrow. "Really? What did he do, get caught dancing on tables at the mayor's ball?"Marcellus laughed. "Something like that. The rumor is that he was caught in a scandalous affair with the mayor's niece. Quite the mess. Roland's filling in until the dust settles.""Well, I suppose that's one way to make headlines. At least Roland's got a solid reputation." Aric shook his head with a grin."True," Marcellus said, adjusting a prop. "Let's hope he keeps it that way. We've got a full house tonight, and we need everything to go off without a hitch."The two continued their preparations. Other staff members began to filter into the theater. Stagehands bustled about, adjusting the lighting and ensuring that every prop was in its proper place. The seamstresses arrived next, carrying costumes that shimmered with vibrant colors, carefully arranging them in the dressing rooms.Aric and Marcellus worked alongside them, offering a helping hand where needed. The camaraderie among the staff was visible. The vibe is good, it all filled with friendly banter and shared jokes easing the workload.A few hours later, as the sun reached its zenith, the preparations were finally complete. The stage was set, the props meticulously arranged, and the costumes hung neatly, ready for the actors to don. The theater now stood in quiet anticipation, like a giant taking a deep breath before a grand performance.As the clock struck noon, the actors began to arrive. Their voices echoed through the backstage area, a mix of excitement and nervous energy. Bianca, the lead actress, entered first, her long flowing dress swishing with each step. She greeted Aric and Marcellus with a warm smile."Ready for tonight?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm."As ready as we'll ever be," Marcellus replied with a grin.Roland walked in next. He was a newcomer actor who had quickly captivated audiences with his charm.Roland entered with a timid, shy smile. Despite receiving many compliments, he remained humble and always referred to himself as just a new actor. But his aura was undeniable.Aric realized that this was something he lacked.---