No one expected the chicken leg to make a comeback.
Not after Part I, where Aria stole a catering worker's drumstick with the speed and precision of a trained operative.
Not after the chaos that followed.
Not after the new "NO POULTRY NEAR MISS LANE" rule Mason handwritten and taped onto three different doors.
But fate is cruel.
And catering is forgetful.
And Aria… is Aria.
The Setup: A Peaceful Afternoon on Set
Aria was behaving.
Suspiciously well.
She wasn't running.
She wasn't stealing props.
She wasn't sniffing out hidden candy caches.
She wasn't terrifying the cameraman (today).
She was simply sitting in a folding chair, legs crossed, reading her script, eating a respectable—and quiet—apple slice.
Daniel whispered nervously to Julian:
"This is the calm before the storm."
Julian smirked.
"She's allowed to be calm."
Then Daniel pointed dramatically.
"No, Julian. Look at her. She's too calm. TOO calm. That means a disaster is choosing its moment."
Julian laughed under his breath.
"You're being paranoid—"
And then it happened.
Catering walked by.
With a tray.
With chicken legs.
Fresh.
Golden.
Glazed.
Steaming.
Aria's head snapped up like a predator scenting prey.
Daniel screamed.
The Chicken Detects Movement
Aria slowly put down her apple slice.
Stood up.
Took one step forward.
Theo whispered from across the room:
"She's locking onto the target…"
Marcus added,
"God help that catering tray."
Julian stood quickly and gently grabbed Aria's arm.
"Aria," he murmured,
"remember professionalism."
Aria's expression was calm.
Serious.
Focused.
"…I am being professional."
Daniel shrieked,
"NO YOU'RE NOT, YOU'RE ABOUT TO COMMIT A CRIME!"
Catering Worker is Blissfully Unaware
He walked across the soundstage humming, tray balanced perfectly.
Aria watched every step.
The chicken legs glistened.
Steam rose.
The aroma wafted.
Julian quietly whispered,
"Aria… don't do it."
Aria whispered back,
"It's calling me."
Daniel fell to his knees.
"OH MY GOD SHE HEARD THE CHICKEN."
The Fatal Moment
The catering worker paused to check his clipboard.
Aria moved.
She approached slowly.
Quietly.
Politely.
Everything seemed fine.
Then she extended her hand—
Daniel: "NOOOOOO—"
And took one.
Not stole.
Not snatched.
Just took.
Gently.
Like she was selecting a book from a shelf.
The catering worker didn't even notice.
Julian whispered:
"…She improved her technique."
Daniel burst into tears.
The Confrontation
Director Mason burst out of nowhere.
"MISS LANE—DROP. THE. DRUMSTICK."
Aria blinked at him.
"I took it professionally."
"THERE IS NO PROFESSIONAL WAY TO STEAL POULTRY!"
Aria considered.
"…I asked."
She did not.
Julian coughed.
"She didn't."
Mason wheezed.
"PUT IT DOWN."
Aria looked at the drumstick.
Looked at Mason.
Back at the drumstick.
Back at Mason.
"…No."
The room collectively screamed.
Julian Intervenes
Julian stepped forward, hands raised peacefully.
"Aria, listen. We talked about this. There's a time and place for eating."
Aria nodded thoughtfully.
"Yes."
"And this… isn't the time."
She looked down at the drumstick.
Then back up at Julian.
"But it is the place."
Julian pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Aria…"
She paused.
Then extended the drumstick.
To Julian.
Daniel gasped loudly.
"OH MY GOD SHE'S FEEDING THE MOVIE KING."
Julian blinked.
"Why are you giving it to me?"
Aria said nothing for a moment.
Then:
"You look hungry."
Julian stared at her.
A bit too long.
Then laughed softly.
"…That's kind."
Daniel screamed,
"NO IT'S NOT! STOP ENCOURAGING HER!!"
The Crew Takes Sides
Faction A (Aria Worshippers):
"She's so thoughtful!"
"She feeds her co-star!"
"Queen behavior!"
Faction B (Survivors):
"The chicken has corrupted her further…"
"No drumstick is safe…"
"We must protect catering."
Mason screamed at all of them:
"STOP FORMING CULTS AROUND POULTRY!!"
The Catastrophic Finale
The catering worker finally turned around.
Saw the missing drumstick.
Saw Aria.
Saw Aria holding the drumstick out to Julian.
And yelled:
"HEY! THAT WAS MINE!"
Aria calmly handed it back to him.
"I didn't eat it yet."
The worker blinked.
Then looked at Julian.
Then at Aria again.
"And you—gave it to him?"
Aria nodded.
"Yes. But he didn't want it."
The worker stared.
Director Mason stared.
Julian stared.
Daniel stared.
The entire set stared.
Aria blinked.
"What?"
Mason pointed dramatically at the heavens.
"WHY IS SHE LIKE THIS?!"
Aria's Final Statement
"I followed the rule.
I didn't eat during filming."
Dead silence.
Then Mason screamed:
"THAT'S NOT WHAT WE MEANT!!"
Aria took a thoughtful bite of her apple slice again.
Calm.
Completely unaffected.
Chaos incarnate.