Caroline Forbes is full of light (miss_mystic) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2020-04-24 11:12:00 |
|
|||
Entry tags: | !complete, caroline forbes, marguerite blakeney |
Who: Caroline Forbes and Marguerite Blakeney
What: Spa day
When: Recently
Where: Spa
Warnings: Low
Status: Log | Complete
Between Marguerite’s show schedule and Caroline taking care of her mom while trying to get her career up in running in Orange County it made finding time to hang out a little difficult. They had managed to get a quick coffee between Marguerite’s shows and of course Caroline attended the performance. But it wasn’t exactly enough time for a proper catch up. Now that Marguerite’s show was done Caroline cleared her schedule so she could have a much needed spa day with her best friend.
Caroline slipped her feet into the pedicure tub ready for some much needed pampering. “You were amazing,” Caroline commented referring to Marguerite’s performance of course. “I’ve definitely missed that.”
It had been far too long since Marguerite had done a proper spa day. Her makeshift ones where she just utilized bath salts and oils and the like? Sure. But a proper one? Far too long, and after finishing a dance extensive show and two weeks of two shows a day to make up for the missed performances from the middle of the run? She definitely needed it.
Plus it meant more time with Caroline as opposed to a brief coffee date when the younger woman had first come back (once they were allowed in public again of course). And spending time with friends was always an important part of one’s life.
Following suit, Marguerite leaned back into the chair and smiled.
“Well thank you, it was quite the production I must say.” Between the script being pieced together from different versions of the show into a version that fit to the cast (so allowing a bit more sarcasm from Marguerite even though she still got to utilize more subtle mannerisms and concern and to allow for Jane Seymour to appear more self aware than in more current versions) and just how nonstop the show was. “Didn’t get around to seeing shows after I left?”
Marguerite wasn’t the only one that needed a day of pampering. Granted she probably needed it a lot more than Caroline, especially the massage part with what she had to put her body through for Six. Caroline could use a spa day too, more for mental health reasons. Taking care of her mom was taking more of a toll on her than she expected. And just the craziness of adjusting to a new life.
“Oh, I saw a few,” Caroline replied. How could she not when she was so close to Broadway? Caroline loved theater herself too. She thought about going out for a musical back in high school but her schedule had already been overloaded with cheer and student council. “But it’s different when it’s your best friend performing.”
Marguerite well remembered what it had been like when she had first come back to Orange County six years before in order to look after her mother and the stress of that, so she could appreciate the need for a mental health day as well as anyone. She hadn’t even joined Valar until after her mother had passed so she had at least been unaware of the insanity during that time.
“I was going to say, I’d almost be offended though flattered if I was the reason why. Though yes, there is definitely something different when it’s someone you know.”
Admittedly anytime Marguerite tried to go see a show she’d been in to support a friend, she ended up as a last minute fill in. So there was that minor issue but c’est la vie.
The shows she went to that Marguerite wasn’t in she of course enjoyed. But when she watched a show with Marguerite it was not only entertaining but also a sense of pride for her friend. Not to mention just the awe of seeing someone she knew take on different personalities and sing and dance so beautifully.
“Trust me I definitely made time for shows,” Caroline assured. As busy as her life back in New York was she could always make time for that. “I have just missed seeing you perform.” It was a whole other experience really.
“Anyway. How have you been? Are you recovering?”
As much as Marguerite would love to get back to Broadway, she also was happy where she was. If life took her and Percy to New York once more, well? She wouldn’t complain. But why focus on what might happen when she had life to live in the here and now? Exactly. Still, she could appreciate that there was also a difference between seeing a show and seeing a show with someone you know in the cast. Admittedly a bit different when Marguerite was so in tune with the theatre community writ large but no matter.
“I’m glad to hear it. And well, I can’t argue that! As for how I am? Getting used to not having rehearsals or performances and yes, definitely recovering. I haven’t even looked at upcoming auditions yet.”
Caroline nodded as Marguerite spoke. That all made perfect sense to her. “You totally deserve some time off after that.” Caroline didn’t exactly know first hand how grueling it was to do a regular show. But she had heard about it. She couldn’t even imagine how straining doing multiple shows a day consecutively had to have been.
“Knowing you as soon as you audition you’ll book something,” Caroline said confidently, fully aware of how talented her friend was. “No need to rush it.”
It had been exhausting just because there were three days of double shows. Then it became two weeks worth to make up lost performances. Either way? Marguerite was in need of a break.
“We’ll see how long it lasts, I’ve never been known to take too long a break between performances. But for now? I’m enjoying the break.”
Smiling some, the actress looked over to the blonde.
“And how about you? How are you doing with everything.”
That made perfect sense to Caroline. While Marguerite definitely deserved a break she could also imagine there was a huge rush of adrenaline that came with performing. It had to be difficult to be away from that for too long.
“And that’s what matters,” Caroline agreed as the nail technician began to scrub her foot. She had to suppress her laugh at the ticklish feeling. “When you stop enjoying it time to go back.” Though she was sure Marguerite already knew that.
“Okay as I can be.” Because it would be a lie to say she was completely fine. “It’s a lot, but I’m glad I’m home.”
It really was. As stressful as it could be sometimes, Marguerite wouldn’t change her work for anything. And besides, there were things she could do that didn’t involve acting either. That was just where her passion was.
“Exactly.” Not that she could ever see herself losing the joy of performing.
“I know how that goes, and you know you can always reach out if you need me. But so long as you’re okay, that’s what matters.” It wasn’t like Caroline would be any help to her mom if she herself wasn’t okay and able to take care of herself as well.
Caroline meant enjoying the break. Because she was right there with Marguerite on that one. She didn’t think her friend would ever stop enjoying performing.
“Well duh!” Caroline said lightening the mood. That’s what best friends were for after all. “Same goes for you.” Caroline knew that Marguerite had been through the same thing already. And while Caroline wouldn’t wish this pain on anyone she had to admit it was helpful.
“I’m okay. Promise,” she assured her friend. “Work keeps me plenty distracted whenever I start to feel like it’s too much.”
Enjoying the break, well she had other things going on of course, but she was enjoying the downtime. She would know when it was time to start auditioning again.
And lightening the mood was definitely a good thing given the territory the conversation had gone. It made sense though given why Caroline was there and Marguerite wanting to make sure her best friend was okay and not burying her emotions to appear strong. That could only work for so long before it blew up in her face.
“Good. That’s all I wanted to hear.” Smiled some.
Caroline was very good at putting on a smile and looking at the bright side of things. And while that was probably a good way to live her life, it also meant when sad things happen she often brushed it off until it all became too much. Which she may or may not be doing at the moment. But when things got too heavy, when she couldn’t brush it off anymore, she knew she could turn to Marguerite.
“So how’s everything else? How’s life here? Do you miss New York?” Of course she knew some things about Marguerite’s life back in Orange County from the times Marguerite had come back to visit or when Caroline had come home for holidays. But still she wanted to know everything.
It was a tough balancing act and Marguerite knew she had a tendency to do the same as well. It also came with being an older sister. Yes, Armand often was the one who acted more like an older sibling, but Marguerite often hid things that would stress her brother if at all possible. But she also knew you couldn’t just push either so she instead left the door open for whenever Caroline would need it.
“Oh, I miss New York, of course I do. But I love the shows I do here. As for life here? It’s life. Percy has his business and Pimpernel Outreach where I usually help out when I’m not in rehearsal, Armand is in his last year of law school… so we’re all just living our lives.” Nothing too exciting. There were typical Orange County things however that was a whole different conversation and honestly Marguerite half the time missed them or forgot about them because well, Orange County. Nothing major had impacted her recently at any rate.
Caroline had to imagine performing on Broadway was a whole different experience. But still a show was a show really. And as long as Marguerite was happy that was what mattered. Caroline was just glad she was going to get to see her friend perform on a more regular basis now. Even if she was on a break for the time being, the both knew that wouldn’t last long.
“Oh that’s right!” Caroline had heard Marguerite mention the Pimpernel Outreach before. She had no idea why she didn’t think to reach out to her or Percy when she was looking for organizations to work with. “I’m actually trying to do more charity based event planning,” she told Marguerite putting her foot back in the tub at the technicians request. “You think Percy would be interested? I could help put on fundraisers, galas, auctions, that type of thing.”
Broadway truly was a different thing, just as Paris had been. But for her, it was more the stage and performing than the location though. Even if Armand still felt she should go back to Broadway. But for now, she was happy where she was and that was what mattered in the end.
As for Caroline’s question?
“I’m sure he would be interested. I mean, we don’t do that many events but the need for fundraising is always there.”
“That’s just because you haven’t found the right coordinator,” Caroline replied with a confident smile. Even if it was something low key and small it would still bring people in and raise a lot of money. Not all of Caroline’s events had to be over the top. “But really, I’d love to help out.”
That and it wasn’t really their whole thing and it often would seem weird depending, however there was always the need for raising money so who was she to say it wouldn’t work. “I’m sure that is definitely part of it.” But small would probably make more sense in general for the outreach, “I know Percy would definitely appreciate it though.”
“Great,” Caroline said totally confident that she could help out the outreach and remain true to the organization. There was a lot to be said for low key events and it could raise a ton of money. “I’ll stop by the office this week. But for now,” she gestured towards her feet and the pampering they were supposed to be enjoying. “No more talk about work.”