Vic raised her eyebrows as if waiting for an answer to the initial question. Clearing her mind the way she might before shooting a pivotal scene, Sophia surveyed the room once more, but it wasn’t completely dark yet.

She needed more time in the space to know for sure, and yet more time with this woman might also be the exact opposite of what she needed. When conflicted between her personal life and her goals, she always chose her long-term plans. Only, in the moment, the two had intertwined, and she needed to untangle them as quickly and clearly as possible. “I do think I should stay a bit longer.”

Vic’s smile spread in a way that suggested she’d read exactly what Sophia hadn’t wanted to convey. “As you wish.”

“I mentioned earlier how much this film means to me, not just in the moment, but for the future I’ve been working toward my whole life. These scenes have to be flawless. I don’t have any room for error, or even distraction.” She wasn’t sure if she’d made the statement for Vic’s benefit or her own, but she searched the blue eyes before her for any hint that her meaning registered with at least one of them.

“I admire your dedication to detail,” Vic said seriously, then with a lighter tone added, “And if our first encounter was any indication of the dedication you have to your craft, I’ve no doubt you’ll slay the role.”

The reminder of their first meeting cracked some of the wall Sophia had been trying to build between them. She worked to reinforce it quickly. “I was merely trying on the voice for the character. I assumed you were another employee come to harass us. I wanted to see if I had what it took to convince someone I belonged in the place.”

“Oh, it was a compelling performance,” Vic confirmed. “Were I to rate us both in that exchange, I’d say you actually appeared more convincing as a haughty castle dweller than I.”

Sophia shook her head, trying not to be too pleased.

“I do believe at one point you nearly had me questioning my right to be in my own home, which is quite a skill.”

Warmth spread through Sophia, both at the compliment and the earnestness with which Vic delivered it. Why did she have to be so disarming?

“Will you be character acting through the whole film?” Vic added a playful grimace. “I’m asking only to know whether or not I should hide all the swords and pistols in the armour room after you leave tonight.”

Sunlight began to stream through Sophia’s shoddy defences as she lowered her guard. “No need to fear for your limbs or my sanity. I’m not like that all the time. I promise not to remove anything from the walls and wield it against you.”