Thane Astris: The Starborn Wizard

It had been two grueling weeks since they began working on the script, and finally, the last word was written.

Amelia couldn't believe the transformation she had witnessed during this time. What started as her guiding Thane through the basics of scriptwriting had evolved into a remarkable collaboration. Thane's mind had taken to the craft like a sponge soaking up water. The pace at which he absorbed and applied knowledge astounded her. In just a fortnight, he had become a skilled storyteller, far beyond a novice.

When the script was completed, Thane surprised her yet again. He asked if she wanted to see a scene from the climactic final act, and she hesitated, wondering what he could possibly have in mind. But when he began, Amelia found herself completely entranced. Thane performed with an emotional intensity that left her speechless. His delivery, nuanced and precise, captured every aspect of his character. The rawness, the emotion—it was all there. Amelia had seen the best actors in the business, but Thane's performance exceeded even her highest expectations.

She found herself staring at him in awe. "That was.…" she trailed off, unable to put it into words.

Thane gave her a playful smile, almost shy in the wake of his performance. "Well, it's your script, after all. You taught me the basics."

She shook her head in disbelief. "You didn't just learn the basics, Thane. You made it your own. I'm proud of you."

Now, they were preparing for the next step. Today, they were flying to America to present the completed script to James.

After they landed in America, they were greeted warmly by James at the airport. He pulled both of them into tight, familial hugs, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"It's been too long," he said, holding Thane at arm's length. "Look at you. Every time I see you, you get taller, smarter, more talented. What's the secret?"

Thane grinned, enjoying the affection from his father. "A lot of hard work," he replied, his voice light.

James's eyes softened as he turned to Amelia. "And you, my love, you're looking radiant as always."

Amelia smiled back at him, her heart warmed by the ease and comfort of being with her family. She loved the way James still made her feel cherished, even after all these years.

They drove home, the conversation flowing easily, with James catching up with them and asking all about the script and the progress they had made. When they finally settled into the living room, James wasted no time diving into the matter at hand.

"So, what do you think, James?" Amelia asked, watching him closely as he put down the script.

James leaned back in his chair, eyes wide with disbelief. "If you hadn't kept me updated on the process, I wouldn't have believed that our son wrote this. It's such brilliant work. I'm sure it's going to be a blockbuster…" He stared at Thane, almost as if he had just discovered he wasn't human.

Amelia raised an eyebrow, arms crossed. "James Astris, what kind of gaze is that?"

James quickly chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Haha… Darling, it's a joke! Just joking!" He was quick to backpedal, knowing full well that when it came to Thane, Amelia could be even more fearsome than a T-Rex on a bad day.

Amelia rolled her eyes but let it slide.

"Alright, enough with the theatrics. Now, we need to focus on project planning. What do you think, Amy? Who should we choose as the director?" James asked.

Thane, who had been quietly listening, leaned forward with a spark in his eyes. "Um, Dad? Can I suggest something?" he asked, his voice full of anticipation.

James shot him an encouraging smile. "Of course, genius. Tell us what you've got in mind."

"We all know just how good of a director you are, Dad," Thane began, looking at James with a thoughtful expression, "but this is a kids-centric movie, and you're more of an expert in Action, Romance, Sci-fi, and Thriller films."

James nodded, already knowing what his son was getting at.

"I think we should talk to Chris Columbus," Thane continued, his voice filled with confidence. "He's the screenwriter behind Gremlins and has directed a movie that's set to release this year. I'm suggesting him not only because of his script qualities, but also his connections with Spielberg. He's relatively new, so we could sign him for a trilogy without paying too much upfront. As we both know, if this film does great at the box office, any director would want a much higher salary."

James was silent for a moment, processing Thane's words. "Where did you get all this information, Thane?" he asked, genuinely curious, as even he hadn't paid much attention to these things.

Thane looked at him, a hint of pride in his eyes. "Well, Dad, since we're going with my whims for this film, I wanted to do everything I could to make it a huge success. So, I spent the last two weeks researching this stuff with Mom's help." He told the excuse he had prepared in advance.

Amelia smiled at her son's determination. He had already thought about the critical aspects of the project, and she had helped him by letting him watch movies and learn the ropes of scriptwriting and acting. It was clear that Thane was fully committed to making this movie not just good, but legendary.

"Alright, I'll look into it and see what I can find about him," James said, clearly impressed by Thane's thoughtfulness. "But it seems you're already sure about this movie's success. While I do think it will be a hit, son, don't get too ahead of yourself. We won't know the real results until we see the box-office numbers."

Amelia nodded in agreement, offering a quiet but supportive smile. "James is right, Thane. We've seen a lot of promising ideas, but it's the audience that will decide in the end."

Thane took it all in stride, his calm demeanor unwavering. "I understand, Dad. In fact," he added with a glint of excitement in his eyes, "I already have another idea for a movie, but we'll talk about it once this one succeeds."

Amelia raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Another one already?"

Thane nodded confidently. "Yep, but we'll focus on this one first. No distractions."

James chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief at how quickly his son was growing and taking charge of things. "Well, keep your feet on the ground, son. I'm looking forward to seeing this all unfold."

Over the next month, while James dove into the pre-production phase of the movie, Thane became fully immersed in his music training. Amelia and Bree took charge of his musical education, teaching him the intricacies of singing and piano.

Amelia, sharing her secrets of success, explained how her Veela heritage allowed her to channel a bit of her magic and allure into her voice, adding an ethereal quality that captivated listeners. Thane, absorbing this knowledge, practiced diligently, pushing himself to master every note and rhythm. His progress was nothing short of remarkable. Thanks to his Superman abilities, he never had to worry about straining his vocal cords, and with Amelia's magic guiding him, he could focus purely on technique and emotion.

Within a month, Thane had already become a piano maestro, his hands effortlessly gliding across the keys. His voice had transformed too, reaching a level where even Amelia admitted she had nothing left to teach him. That's when Thane decided to branch out, eager to master more instruments. Guitar, drums, and the flute became his next challenges. He tackled them all with the same relentless determination, always striving to improve and expand his musical repertoire.

Despite his rapid learning, Thane never let his newfound abilities make him complacent. He dedicated himself fully, practicing daily, and ensuring he managed his time wisely. Even amidst his intense training sessions, Thane always made sure to carve out time for Amelia. She was preparing for her role as Kate McCallister, the iconic mother from Home Alone, and Thane couldn't help but admire her dedication.

Amelia, despite being an A-list actress, was willing to take on a minor role in this movie, not for the paycheck, but to help Thane make a successful debut. She knew how much the film meant to him, and she understood the importance of boosting its visibility. Thane appreciated her selflessness and support more than words could express, and their time together during her rehearsals became some of his most cherished moments.

As April rolled around, the shooting for Home Alone began in full swing. The set buzzed with energy as the crew set up the McCallister home's living room. Christmas lights twinkled around the room, adding to the warmth of the scene, and festive decorations filled every corner.

Amelia, taking on the role of Kate McCallister, had already spent time in preparation. As an experienced actress, she knew this role was an opportunity to showcase not only her acting chops but her deep connection to the film's heart. She could feel the importance of this scene—the reunion between mother and son—and wanted to give it her all.

Thane, too, was in full focus mode. He'd spent months preparing for the role of Kevin, and this emotional scene would be his moment to shine. The film had already showcased his growth, but this was the emotional core that would allow him to display his true range as an actor.

Chris Columbus, the director, stood nearby, watching with a sharp, discerning eye. He had worked with countless actors, but even he could sense the magic between mother and son. He paced in front of the monitors, clearly focused on the emotional stakes of the scene.

When the time came, he gave the actors their final instructions. "Alright, you two. This is the heart of the film. Amelia, you're overjoyed to see Kevin but also filled with guilt. Thane, you've been strong throughout the movie, but now you let your guard down. I want to feel the emotion in this scene—no holding back."

Amelia nodded, her expression already starting to soften with the weight of the scene. Thane, too, seemed to prepare himself internally.

With a deep breath, Chris called for action.

The door swung open with a burst of energy, and Amelia, as Kate, entered with an expression of pure relief and love. Her face lit up when she saw Thane sitting by the Christmas tree.

"Kevin!" she exclaimed, her voice cracking with emotion.

Without hesitation, she dropped her bags and rushed to him, her movements frantic as she fell to her knees to pull him into an embrace. The room around them seemed to fade as they became the center of everything.

Thane, his expression hardened for much of the film, now cracked open. His tough facade slipped as tears welled in his eyes. "Mom!" he said, his voice hoarse.

Amelia's eyes shimmered with regret and pain as she clutched him tightly. "I'm so sorry, Kevin. I'm so, so sorry," she whispered, her voice trembling with the weight of her guilt.

"It's okay, Mom. You came back," Thane responded, his tear-streaked face softening, a wave of relief washing over him.

For a moment, the world seemed to stand still. The entire room held its breath, and even the crew members, who had seen countless takes, were visibly moved. The sincerity of their performance transcended the scene itself, blurring the lines between acting and real emotion.

Columbus, watching intently, stepped forward after the scene ended. His face broke into a wide, approving grin.

"That was beautiful! Absolutely beautiful. You two nailed it."

Amelia and Thane shared a look of mutual pride and understanding. Their connection, both on-screen as mother and son, and off-screen as family, shone through in every moment of the performance. The crew, too, could feel it—an unspoken bond that made the scene come to life in a way few could replicate.

As the scene wrapped, the set buzzed with excitement, but it was clear that this moment, this scene, had truly marked something special in the production. It wasn't just a film anymore; it was a testament to the raw, unbreakable bond they shared as a family.

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Word count - 2050

Quick Reminder 😊

I just wanted to thank the few of you who've been following along and offering feedback—it means the world to me! ❤️ Just a heads-up that starting with the next chapter, the update schedule will be based on the results of the poll. Whether it's one longer chapter or two shorter ones every 12 hours, I'll make sure the quality stays top-notch!

Your input is invaluable, and I'm excited to keep sharing this journey with you all. Thank you so much for being here from the start. Stay tuned for what's next! 🌟