Chapter 2
Aubrey sat in her makeup chair and chuckled at her phone. Her dark red lipstick and smokey eye had been touched up. It wasn’t the look she imagined when she initially signed on to play Death incarnate, but she knew the gore would come later on.
She read the text over again. It was quite the coincidence that Kathryn had fallen upon such a witchy poem. She decided to keep her answer light.
Hmm, I mean you’ve assembled quite the coven. Wouldn’t be surprised if we conjure something up 😈
Aubrey thought about how the poem could be interpreted by Rio as an appreciation of her work. An acknowledgement that the cycle of life was a gift and that the end wasn’t something to fear but a reminder to enjoy what came before she arrived.
This part felt like it was meant for her. Getting to play a witch was cool enough. Getting to play a witch who was also Death? A dream. But the bigger details about her character had come after she was already signed onto the project. Of course the character and the story she was pitched excited her but really, it was the star of the show that got her to sign on the dotted line.
She had wanted to work with Kathryn for so long, it was just a bonus that the character she got to play was also a badass witch.
And after the first scene they had together, she had no regrets.
________
She made her way to set, and saw her co-star idly scrolling through her phone, still clad in her butched-up detective look. Her sleeves roled up to her elbows, the muscles in her forearms moving as she tapped away. Aubrey couldn’t help but notice the veins on her hands slightly displace with every flexion and extension of her fingers…
She cleared her throat audibly.
Kathryn’s blue eyes peared up from her phone. “Well hello there stranger. Where have you been hiding?”
The younger woman smiled and took a seat next to her. “Oh just getting glammed up. It takes a lot of work to look this cheap” Aubrey said, pointing at herself as her hands swayed through the air.
Kathryn raised an eyebrow at her, “If I didn’t know any better I’d say you were fishing for a compliment.” She uncrossed her legs and leaned over to rest her chin on her hand, tilting her head toward the raven-haired woman next to her.
Here we go.
Aubrey chuckled under her breath and leaned back in her seat. “Well, a girl can try can’t she? They seem pretty hard to get around here” her tone dripping in mock innocence. She huffed playfully, and turned away waiting for the older woman to respond.
There was a loaded silence between them for a moment until Kathryn broke it, her lips curling into a mischievous grin. “Oh honey,” her tone filled with fake sympathy sending a chill through the younger woman. “Have you been feeling neglected?”
Aubrey looked at her co-star with an exaggerated pout, nodding her head.
The flannel-clad woman sat back up and looked her co-star up and down until blue eyes landed back on brown. “Well” she cooed, “You look like the most expensive thing here by a mile.”
The younger actress stared with wide eyes for a moment too long, a hint of pink creeping to her cheeks. Kathryn was beaming with a satisfied smirk on her face. Aubrey tore her eyes away to the floor, and fiddled with her suit jacket, which suddenly felt out of place.
“Places everyone!”
Oh, thank god.
She quickly stood up and gestured toward the set “Shall we?”
It was Kathryn’s turn to feel the ache of banter ending too soon. But she had won this time. She got up and flashed a smile making her way to set.
Aubrey didn’t find herself at a loss for words very often but the woman walking away from her seemed to know exactly what to say to throw her off balance. And she loved it. They always had a playful dynamic as friends but being on set, with the history their characters shared, it brought the chemistry to another level.
She shook her head and focused on the scene. She was handed a pizza box as she approached the door of Agnes’ house.
“ACTION!”
The large blue door swung open.
‘What?!” the detective spat before freezing in place upon seeing who was on the other side.
Aubrey delivered her lines without wavering. Rio didn’t want to intimidate Agatha in this moment, she wanted to be let in, to break down her walls further.
She pulled the pizza box from behind her back and smiled koyly. “Hungry?”
Kathryn silently giggled at the gesture, it was delivered so genuinely she couldn’t help it.
As they moved to the living room for the next shot, Kathryn nudged Aubrey’s shoulder with hers. “That was adorable, how could I not let you in?”
The younger woman stuck out her tongue at her, turning away before she started to blush, taking her seat for the next scene.
The detective walked in holding two beers and casually popped the tops off while telling her cop story. Aubrey couldn’t help but notice the muscles of her hands and forearms again as the bottle caps popped off. It looked so effortless. As she was handed one of the bottles, their fingers brushed lightly. A slight chill traveled up Aubrey’s arm, clearly from the coldness of the bottle she’d been handed and nothing else.
They both laughed warmly at the punchline that Kathryn delivered.
The awkward silence that followed was charged as they both sipped their beers. Aubrey sat with her legs crossed, observing the woman in front of her whose legs were spread impossibly wide on the couch, making it seem like only one person could ever fit on it. Aubrey couldn’t help but smirk.
After absentmindedly tapping on the bottle that was precariously placed between her legs, Kathryn looked at her. “I have a lead in the case.”
The raven-haired woman leaned back in her chair, responding with a small tap on her own bottle. “That’s not why I came over.” She took a deep breath as she saw the confused look on the other woman’s face. “But go ahead.”
Kathryn slipped into presenting the evidence she’d found, her theories on “the case.” Her voice grew more gravelly as her character was trying to make sense of the whole situation. Aubrey felt like she was watching a masterclass. This woman was so good, flowing in and out of Agnes’ delusion and her uneasiness, flashes of realization and doubt subtly conveyed in her facial expressions. It was remarkable to watch.
Were her legs spread that wide before?
Aubrey’s lips suddenly felt dry. She licked them as she leaned forward. “Can I ask you something?”
Blue eyes filled with what looked like genuine curiosity stared at her. “Yeah,” the brunette answered as those eyes quickly flickered downward to the top buttons of Aubrey’s blouse.
“Do you remember why you hate me?”
Kathryn took a moment, allowing the realization to hit and morph her reaction slowly. “No.”
“Are you hiding evidence?” the raven-haired woman asked with a slight knowing glint in her eye.
Though her answer was the same, the delivery was completely different. A breathy “No,” followed by a sip of beer.
Aubrey was impressed at how quickly her co-star was able to shift. Without breaking eye contact she grinned. “Well, you’re only lying to yourself.” Glassy, challenging eyes glared back at her.
“CUT.”
__________
The day was finally over and only an hour or so later than planned. Aubrey decided not to take off her makeup right away since she was planning on going out for a bit with some of the coven. She traded her suit for a white t-shirt with an oversized striped blouse left open over top, paired with simple black jeans.
As she was about to start leaving, she saw someone out of the corner of her eye walking in her direction. She knew exactly who it was, her presence unmistakable.
Kathryn was gliding toward the exit. Her hair was down now, face clean without makeup, a pair of large, dark-rimmed glasses lying elegantly on her nose. She had shed her plaid for a thick woven sweater, straight legged jeans, and black vans. The outfit was casual yet looked perfectly tailored on the actress.
Aubrey stared for a moment before speaking. “Hey Hahn,” she waved down her co-star. The brunette turned her head and smiled when she saw who was calling to her. They made their way toward each other.
Kathryn came in for a hug immediately. “You were amazing today, really. You’re an awesome scene partner” she said, giving a small squeeze to her co-stars shoulder.
Flattered, Aubrey rolled her eyes jokingly. “Oh come on, I just had to bring my A-game to match yours. You’re driving those scenes, I’m just along for the ride.” Kathryn laughed and shoved her playfully at the remark, trying to push off the compliment.
The younger woman raised her eyebrow at the gesture but decided not to press further. She’d surely spend plenty of time complimenting her co-star throughout this project, she’d let her get off easy this time.
“Anyway, a couple of us are grabbing a drink and we’re gonna try to force Patti to sing karaoke. You in?”
Kathryn smiled ear to ear “Oh my god, I would love to see that, but…” an apprehensive look follows. “I have a marathon of a scene tomorrow so I think I'll take a raincheck.”
Aubrey felt a clang of disappointment run through her but grinned, not wanting the other woman to feel bad. ”I didn't know you were such a professional when you worked, the perfect leading lady.”
She got a hearty laugh in response. ”Psht! As if! But the costume and makeup department have been planning for ages to get this scene done, so I figure the least I can do is give them a decent canvas with a good night's sleep.” Kathryn was always giving credit to everyone around her, it was endearing.
Aubrey chuckled, ”So I've heard.” The other woman’s stance changed, placing a hand confidently on her hip and straightening her posture in challenge.
“Laugh it up while you still can Plaza, but make sure your head doesn’t spin too fast when you see what’s in store tomorrow.” The older actress then turned on her heels and started swaying her way to the exit, waving her hand in the air towards her co-star as she did.
Aubrey swallowed dryly, staring like a deer in headlights for a moment at the sudden shift in energy. She quickly snapped herself back and called out “Yeah, yeah, I’ll make sure to film Patti doing karaoke”
__________
The next day on set was a bit of a whirlwind. Aubrey had to admit they had probably stayed out too late, but she only had one scene to film and she had very few lines to deliver. Rio was coaxing Agatha out of the spell but it was the purple witch going through a tornado of transformations.
She was back in her fitted suit, sleeves roled up to her elbows. Waiting on set, she sent a text to Kathryn about the night she missed and fell back on the poem she had received. While she reread it, there was a sudden buzz on set. Kathryn walked in dressed ready for winter with a jacket and scarf. Hair in the same low ponytail as the day before. She definitely looked well rested, her skin was glowing.
Aubrey could tell she was focused so she kept to herself, watching the lead actress be directed by Jac about where and how to hit her marks. This was the big moment when Agatha snaps out of the spell with Rio’s guidance. They had discussed how Agatha would transition through her looks from Wandavision as she broke through the layers of the spell. Aubrey was excited to see how it would be executed.
Everyone was getting into position, an assistant led Aubrey to her mark. She didn’t have many lines, and was looking forward to being an observer. Then, she looked at her co-star. Kathryn, who had been nothing but focused since she walked in, looked at her and flashed a sly smirk her way. She mouthed “You ready?” and gave a quick wink.
The younger actress gulped inadvertently but quickly responded with a mouthed “Bring it on.”
“ACTION!”
Kathryn walked into the morgue, confused, looking for answers. Approaching the body on the table, she listed off the characteristics of the victim, her breath shaking. She tentatively touched the toe tag on the body and as she took it in, a single tear rolled down her cheek and her breathing grew frantic.
Fuck she’s good.
There’s a pause as Aubrey adjusts her posture to appear nonchalant, leaning against the body-laced walls of the morgue.
“Case closed then?”
Panicked blue eyes met hers.
A whispered “How did she die?” fell from the detective’s lips.
Aubrey grounded herself, leading the woman in front of her to the truth. Rio is not playing games here, she needs Agatha out now, the grips of the spell are slipping.
Kathryn began to pull at her scarf. Her breathing grew heavy.
“Is it hot? Are you–”
“–Yes,” the raven-haired woman spat without thinking. “Claw your way out” she finished, jaw clenching.
The detective began to shed her layers revealing a purple sweater and letting her hair loose.
“RESET!”
Suddenly, hair and makeup are all over Kathryn as she gets escorted off set for a bit and comes back in a new long wig and a track suit.
The actresses made it back to their marks. Kathryn faced Aubrey as the costumer placed her purple sweater on just so that it could look like it was taken off in one, fluid motion.
“ACTION!”
Aubrey re-centered herself with a deep breath.
“Good.”
And at that, the woman in front of her lifted the sweater over her head, letting her long tresses fall out. She turned slowly, revealing the word “NAUGHTY” across her ass to her co-star, whose jaw dropped.
Kathryn turned to her and raised an eyebrow before framing the word behind her with her fingertips.
Aubrey was speechless, face flushed.
“RESET!”
The scene continued on this way, Kathryn being swept off set and walking back in with a look from a new era. Each one somehow hotter than the previous.
Then, it was the last shot, skipping straight to her 50s housewife look from the 70s maude she had on. She sported a cute coiffed bob and simple but bold makeup.
Aubrey went back to her mark, buzzing with excitement to see her co-star realize this last transformation. She felt like she was getting a private show for herself with each new look. Rio would definitely feel that way.
“ACTION!”
Kathryn made her way up from the floor, clawing at the autopsy table, immediately flouncing her hair playfully, a nod to the nosy neighbor she was introduced as.
Aubrey watched intently.
“There are two Jane Does in this case, and you know her name, so what’s yours?”
The purple witch grabbed the toe tag behind her. Her posture suddenly shifted to something more domineering. She turned to look at the green witch with a confident glint in her eye and grabbed the top button of her dress and pulled. Each tug revealed more skin and brown eyes kept following her hands with each movement.
Look, and look again.
This world is not just a little thrill for the eyes
Aubrey’s breath hitched and she shook her head. Suddenly she felt warm, and a twinge of shame crept forward until she looked back up.
After releasing an exalted breath, the camera panned up and Kathryn stared right at Aubrey with a familiar grin and mouthed, “I warned you.”
“CUT!”