The applause faded as Elara wrapped her first scene, the energy of her performance still hanging in the air like an unspoken enchantment. Amara, having watched every moment intently from the sidelines, felt a rare, genuine smile tug at her lips. Elara had more than just talent she had presence, that intangible pull that could hold a room captive. And yet, as she stepped off-set, Elara looked almost startled by the applause, as if the praise wasn't something she was accustomed to.
Seizing the moment, Amara walked over, keeping her expression measured. The last thing they needed was to appear too close in front of the crew, especially with Lorenzo, the director and writer, prowling around to assess everyone's performance with his critical eye. She handed Elara a bottle of water, her gaze lingering just long enough to be sincere without crossing any lines.
