"Well, she is a Granger," he pointed out, even if only be marriage. "She probably doesn't need the money." He couldn't help but grin at a particularly evil thought. "So make sure you give her a good raise." Though he thought there were likely a few in their employ who could really and truly use a little more money in their pockets.

She snorted with laughter, cackling at the thought of what Vicki Granger might do to her if she did just that. "Whatever we do, it'll be fair, across the board," she said decisively. "Everyone will get a raise, but I think we can definitely raise the lower bracket by a significant degree."

"Agreed. A few of the corps have been grumbling about not being promoted to principals, but I don't think they're ready yet," he remarked. Though it didn't have much to do with their paychecks, maybe if they received a significant raise, there would be less grumbling.

"Well, they do know the answer to that grumble," Taya pointed out. "They can always go elsewhere, but they won't rise to principal unless they dedicate time and energy to it. All we can really offer them is a comfortable wage and job security if they're not at the level of principal yet. It's a tough business."

"They're just jealous. They'll get over it." Most dancers didn't become principals until they were in the mid-twenties, not their teens. The girls needed to mature a little more and grow and develop as dancers before they could reach the level of Anya and Josette and Merethyl. "So, that takes care of some of the money. What else would you like to do with it' I'm thinking maybe it's time for an original ballet."

"Hey, the ballet is your problem," she laughed, shaking her head. "I have three other areas to deal with here, dude." But it felt good to have agreed at least something with the general fund they had suddenly accumulated. It was odd, to be in a position where the whole theater was suddenly absolutely secure, and it was entirely thanks to the generosity of Rhy'Din's citizens.

"It's what you said about bringing in a composer. What would you think about an entirely original ballet' It kind of takes the classic out of classical, but I doubt anyone will mind. Oh, I meant to tell you ....We're going to need some children for The Snow Queen. I was thinking about using some of the students from the STARS program."

"Well, you have to think about what makes a ballet classical," she pointed out helpfully. "I mean, The Snow Queen isn't, strictly speaking, classical, but it fits. And I like the idea of you getting your tights on and making something completely original. It's about time." She chuckled, poking his arm playfully. "I'm sure the kids in STARS would be interested. I can find out on Saturday for you, maybe arrange some time for them at the studio to go through the basics if they don't already know them."

"Sounds good," he admitted. "I can draw on the ballet school, too, but I'd like to feature a few of the kids from STARS." He frowned momentarily before going on. "You know I would have volunteered to help if I wasn't so busy," he told her, feeling a little bit guilty about it, though his realm was ballet, and they weren't really offering ballet classes on Saturdays. That was what the ballet school was for.

"I know you would have," she assured him, her smile fond. "But you have a lot on your plate, and I have a whole team of people making sure I sign the right things and go home on time. Besides, ballet is a discipline. What we're doing with STARS ....it's more about confidence, really. Teaching kids how to express themselves, how to be themselves, through dance, and music, and acting. Some of them might take it all the way, sure, but most of them won't. Doesn't mean they won't get something out of it, though."

"Does Bristle Crios have a dance program in place for the ballet?" he asked curiously. Most children who were serious about becoming a dancer attended a performing arts school and some even went on to higher education before joining a company or troupe. He wasn't really sure if there was anything like that in Rhy'Din, and if there wasn't, there certainly should be.

"I don't know, actually," Mataya admitted. "I haven't spoken to them about it, but I will definitely add it to the list of things that need discussing before we come to any concrete arrangements. Any full time performing arts' tutelage would have to start at sixteen - that seems to be the age for the school switch here in Rhy'Din, and it gives a good four to six years of intensive training."

"It's just a thought. If the ballet is going to be successful, we're going to need to train dancers for the future, or we'll have to keep going back to Earth for them." He wasn't talking about anyone with the troupe at the moment, necessarily, but he was trying to think of the future.

"I know," she nodded, smiling once again. "And it's something to think about, definitely. But we just had a hell of a lot of money dropped on us, and we should do something constructive with it right now. So pay raises, safety net, you're thinking about a composer, I can afford to have the sound system updated and lay in separate mics and packs for the theater and rep companies ....it's a good start."

"There's one more thing," he interjected, another thought coming to mind. "We should really do something to thank them, don't you think" Besides listing their names and running advertisements in the playbill. Maybe some complimentary tickets. Or ....What if we offered discount tickets and priority seating" Something that would not only thank them for their generosity but help encourage ticket sales, too."

His sister looked at him thoughtfully, snagging a pen off his desk to scribble that down on the edge of the financial report. "You know, that's not a bad idea," she complimented him. "The theater's not big enough to be able to have corporate boxes, but priority seating and discount for their employees ....that works. You think our amazing sponsors would go for that?"

"Why not?" he asked with a shrug. "I imagine they don't want their money going to waste. They're basically investing in the theater, and that means they want it to be successful. What better way to promote their own businesses and show support of the theater than by offering discount seats for their employees?" It made sense really - everyone came out a winner here.

"Going by the list of sponsors, that's most of the city," she giggled, but that didn't stop her from finishing the scribble with an exclamation mark or two, just to underline what a good idea it was. "No, I think that's a great idea."

"I was also thinking about a free show or two to some of Rhy'Din's needy. Maybe some visits to the hospital or the orphanage. Nothing too crazy or elaborate. A little sample of what we have to offer to cheer them up. And it's good publicity," he suggested further. The running and upkeep of the theater itself was more her thing, but he had a few ideas of his own.

"We've done a cut down show in a hospital once," she mused. "A friend of mine got hurt and missed a few weeks, so we ran up three days worth of afternoon entertainment for the day room on the ward she was admitted to." She chuckled. "That was kind of fun, actually. We could get the kids more involved in that, too. Smaller versions of the on-stage productions done for free in places that don't get much in the way of entertainment."

"I like that idea. It not only promotes the theater, but the arts," he replied. He didn't really think of himself as a businessman, but he seemed to be slowly learning his way around running a ballet. He had big dreams for the ballet, but all in good time. "I'm not sure that put much of a dent in your fourteen million," he remarked with a grin.

She laughed, sitting back comfortably. "It's a start. Besides, we shouldn't spend it all in one go. They might think we don't appreciate them." There was the kilowatt De Luca smile, flashing brightly as Mataya pushed herself up and out of her seat, bending to hug her brother affectionately. "Okay, ballerino, decisions made. Now I get to go and bounce all over Charles. Wanna come see" Alex hasn't experienced me yet."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world," he replied, grinning up at her and touching a kiss to her cheek before moving to his feet. "Would you like to join me for lunch after" I know this place that makes the best cappuccino in Rhy'Din." Of course, he was talking about their sister Elena's place, but she probably already knew that. The half-eaten sandwich and cold cup of coffee weren't very appealing anymore, and his plans for The Snow Queen weren't going anywhere.

"Only if you let me pay," she teased him cheerfully. "Now I'm not having to shore up this place, suddenly I have money burning a hole in my pantyhose. Wonder who made that happen?" Sticking her tongue out at her brother, she picked up the financial report and headed for the door, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

His smile softened as he watched his sister, who seemed to be walking a little bit lighter now that she didn't have to worry so much about how to pay the theater bills. Even though he couldn't really take credit for the idea, it felt good to know he had helped in some small way and that the community had come out in support of his sister's theater. In the end, that's what it was. She deserved all the credit for opening the place and keeping it going all these years. He knew how hard she worked at it, and it was good to know the community appreciated all her hard work. Now they just had to make sure the community knew how much the Shanachie appreciated them.

((Really, honestly, cannot thank the sponsors enough for their amazing generosity. Rest assured, the Shanachie will make the most of the money, promise!))