Marguerite Blakeney is clearly beyond scruples (blazeinhereyes) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2017-01-18 13:20:00 |
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In a way, it was strange to be back in Orange County following both Broadway and then Paris. Marguerite really hadn’t considered moving back. Oh, she had her friends in the area, Armand was starting law school and she missed her old home, but it wasn’t something she had really put much thought into. Things changed though. Performing on the stage of her literal dreams, running into Christine and Meg while in Paris of all things and then a phone call about the show she was now in and everything came together and here she was once again.
The dreams had left a particular mark on her. Nothing dreadful, of course not. They had worked out and while they’d been stressful, they weren’t nearly as traumatizing or confusing as others had been for her friends. But they had shown Marguerite perhaps a part of herself she hadn’t known existed. How far she would go depending on the circumstances and what was at risk. She carried guilt for things a version of her had done but she also understood it. She had seen the darkness of man in a way that was becoming disturbing in the current political atmosphere as it had been validated at the highest level.
Yet through it all, she remained hopeful, even if the fire of fighting against injustice had welled up in her. She continued to live life day by day, what happened would happen and there was no use to dwell. Just move with the wind. It was what had brought her back after all. But the fact remained that once you knew something, you couldn’t necessarily unknow it and that was something she would continue to live with. It was also why, while she did what she could in order to protect those now at risk, she was doing her best to push down any urge to recreate the storming of the Bastille. She would learn from the mistakes of that particular past even as she watched disturbing trends rise up all around.
Currently though, her thoughts were not of dreams or Orange County peculiarities (the snow after all was normal for the past few years), or even the anger and hate that had been whipped into a frenzy. No. That night’s performance was over and once she finished up in the dressing room, the red headed actress went to the stage door to leave so as to order an Uber. Really one thing that she had not missed about California was it’s less than stellar public transit. Or that was the plan except for the fact that she had inadvertently run into someone as she’d been in the process of ordering an Uber as there weren’t usually people at the stagedoor for this particular theatre.
“Oh! I am so sorry!”
The west coast was definitely far different from the east coast of this country. Until recently, Percy had spent most of his time in New York City when he was in America. He’d had an apartment there, though he’d sold that and moved here a short time before. What had brought him to California specifically, he didn’t really know. Though perhaps it was because he wanted out of NYC which was suddenly a hot bed for all things political that he wanted no part of. Being a businessman, he had ideas for opening a branch here in America, but like hell was he going to put it in NYC now.
So going west it was, and something about Orange County appealed to him. He’d like to say it was the weather, but he didn’t think southern California was supposed to get snow? It was a good thing living in London and NYC he had some coats in his wardrobe. A wardrobe which possibly had some tendencies towards the ridiculous depending upon what social function he was attending.
But he hadn’t come here just to expand his business, no. He’d planned to open a charity. And that was what he was looking for first. He was going to spend a little time immersing himself in the culture here and finding out where help was needed the most, then he was going to do his part to provide it.
That evening, he’d decided to attend the theater, having a deep love for the arts, and it seemed like a good way to get a better look at people here. Except for the fact that the moment the performance began, Percy forgot about schmoozing with people and he was completely enraptured by one of the actresses. Marguerite was her name, as the program said. Her performance was positively brilliant and blew him away, which was why he decided to wait by the stage door and see if he could catch her on her way out.
What he hadn’t expected was for her to literally run into him. He didn’t stumble much and he simply smiled at her.
“No no, it’s perfectly alright. Possibly my fault for standing where I am standing. Forgive me, but I simply needed to congratulate you on a positively magnificent performance tonight!”
It was there, in the back of her mind, a feeling of familiarity. A tug. But Marguerite didn’t pay it all that much mind. She was the type to live and let live, see where the moment took her. So all she saw the tug as was intrigue. That and it wasn’t all that well lit, on top of the fact that fashion from the 18th century was vastly different than it was now. Even as the smile, the voice, it was all familiar. But familiar was ignored for the time.
“I must say, I very rarely get people at the stagedoor here. So let’s just say it’s a draw there.” When she’d been in New York she had. Not so much the Comedie Francaise. It usually depended on the show and which theatre she was performing at. For whatever reason, this one didn’t tend to get people coming to the stage door and so she’d been distracted as Armand would have let her know if he was coming to a show. Which he had opening night despite his studies.
“But thank you, you’re very kind.”
Playing a 19 year old, caught up in life and love and passion, all things considered? Not that much of a stretch for Marguerite, and she got to go through the gauntlet in terms of emotions because of the passionate 19 year old role. And the fact the show had come together so well despite the fact she’d only been in rehearsals for a month given she’d flown in straight from Paris at the end of October. But that was theatre. High ho the glamorous life.
There was no pang of familiarity for Percy, no inexplicable reason as to a feeling they might have met before. Instead, he felt an intense intrigue towards her. Something about the way she portrayed her character had enraptured him. He just couldn’t quite put his finger on what had drawn him in about her.
“A draw it is, then,” he acknowledged with a nod. Percy had a public persona, one he typically used to purposefully throw off the media about him. While some may think it would be irritating to have a lot of untrue talk about him, Percy didn’t. He sort of enjoyed it, loving the fact that he could see how wrong people could be. The people that mattered to him knew otherwise and that was all he needed. He didn’t like the focus being on his family name and money and what he’d do next. He didn’t want focus on people comparing him to his father. So he gave them other things to talk about.
But here and now, he’d dropped the facade and was simply himself. An adoring fan, even if this was the first time he had seen her perform.
“You are welcome. Though if you don’t mind my saying so, your accent is French, is it not?” It wasn’t all that strange to meet someone from France all the way here in California, but he himself was a foreigner here despite the dual citizenship he held.
Being Marguerite, she was all for just following the instinct to speak to someone, to see where she was led. Yes, it had a tendency to also blow up in her face, but what was life if she wasn’t willing to take some risks? So instead she would see how this conversation went, while not even paying mind to that sensation of familiarity.
Instead her smile brightened as he acknowledged that they were at a draw. It was a good one and she instead noted the accent. She had to laugh some at his comment on her own accent. Despite growing up in the area, it wasn’t that odd that her accent sometimes came out. Between the dreams and then having just been in France until a month ago, well… when she wasn’t focused as she would be in a show? It had a tendency to sometimes come out.
“It is actually. I grew up here, but was in Paris for about half a year performing so it seems like I will have to readjust to my surroundings. And yours is English, is it not?”
She could throw the accent questions back. Not like they even mattered. She just knew that she felt completely at ease around this mysterious Brit. “You were at one of the cabaret tables!” It was something she enjoyed about this show, how close they got to the audience, sometimes interacting with audience members, as well as joining them at the tables. There was one area, between ‘Natasha & Bolonskys’ and ‘No One Else’ where she ended up in a similar area, the first joining one of the tables and then the next where she’s singing to Andrey while right next to the railing that separated the stairs/stage from the set of cabaret tables.
One of the things Percy was good at doing was talking. And he was good at seeming like he was talking about nothing, but was actually talking about something. It was an excellent method he used in public or when reporters liked to ask him personal questions that he didn’t want to answer. He definitely had a public persona, one that typically served him well to keep prying people out of his personal life. But it was also one that tended to help bolster the reputation for his charities and his business at times.
“It is, yes. Born and raised in and around London.” He had an easy smile, and he was definitely just himself. The public persona need not come out for a conversation like this. Then his grin brightened when she recognized him. “Indeed I was! Have to say I was a bit surprised at the interaction with the audience that came with the performance, though it was a pleasant one.”
Perhaps he should have anticipated that when he’d arrived and taken his seat at the table. Nevertheless, he enjoyed surprises and good performances. What he had not anticipated at all had been how enraptured he’d been by Marguerite’s performance. “It must be quite the change to go from Paris to Orange County in terms of where you perform.”
It would seem both were good at talking. Marguerite was an actress and outgoing, so it did come easy to her. Sometimes it may not seem like it, or that she spoke of inconsequential things but she was able to (usually) articulate her thoughts. She just happened to have a lot of opinions. Either way, she could already tell that there was an easy rapport between the two. While she was indeed used to the stage door and talking with many people, she could also always feel if it was going to be a more normal rapport or just small talk. Which okay, this was at the moment but there was a difference.
Because there wasn’t all that much to say when it came to being born and raised in London, all Marguerite did was nod. It wasn’t like it was super impressive. You were born where you were born. So instead she asked the next question, “Well, you certainly are far from home. What is it that brought you here?” But as he mentioned the surprise of the interaction, Marguerite smiled brightly, “I am glad you enjoyed it.”
And then the comment on how different it was to perform in Paris versus Orange County.
“It is. However, I enjoy the change. And when you’re on stage, it really isn’t so different at all.”
Different people got a different manner of speaking out of Percy. Right now he was a little more on the small talk side of things, but he at least had taken off the public persona for this conversation. It was a start, but he was already feeling drawn to her. Percy just didn’t want that to come off as him being creepy or something. There were enough of those kinds of people in the world, after all.
“Business, actually. I am looking to open another branch, and Orange County seemed to be a good place to do that. Lots of prospects and such.” He of course was completely blind to the oddities of Orange County. Save the obvious snow that was falling. “Though I could’ve sworn that it didn’t snow this far south. New York is one thing, but Orange County is quite another.” He glanced up at the sky momentarily.
“Ah, nothing quite transcends the arbitrary borders of mankind quite like live performance and music, does it?” Those were two of the commonalities amongst every culture on the planet. They tied the human race together, and Percy never had liked the injustices some people did to others.
There was always some sort of start. But getting to speak the the ‘real’ version of a person was always preferable to the persona they put on. Admittedly Marguerite was one to adjust to whomever it was she was speaking. Part of the actress thing. But if someone was real with her, then she would be real with them.
“Ah yes. Business is often to culprit for such moves. However you would be right that there are a lot of prospects here.” She did have to laugh some at the comment on the snow though. “Yes. It takes some getting used to. I was in New York last year but it’s pretty common for a good few years now that we get snow here.” No one knew why. Sometimes it was dream related, other times just Orange County weirdness.
“No there isn’t. Even if you do not understand the language spoken, the emotion and story can still be gleaned and understood.” Theatre and music were far better universals than violence and injustice, the seeking of power and keeping others down. For no matter the call, it was also common that those in power would somehow oppress those without.
Percy responded to people being real as well. He had his public face mostly so he could protect his private life and attempt to keep it as private as possible. The media did so enjoy prying where they were not welcome, so Percy did put in effort to keep his public life and private life very separate. Thus far it had worked. Hopefully by making this move to Orange County and working here some of the time would cut down on the media in his home country prying into his life.
Possibly not, but one could always hope, right?
“Really? This is a common, yearly occurrence?” Percy glanced at the snow, a little perplexed. “One would think scientists would use this to prove climate change is real.” At this point in time, Percy had no reason to think anything in Orange County was supernatural and out-of-the-ordinary. He would probably learn it in time, but as it was he just thought this was something due to climate change.
“Exactly! Good actors will transcend spoken language and draw people into the story. I have been to several performances that were in languages I do not understand and was still drawn in and understood the story they were telling.” He was passionate when he spoke, and he had experienced that this evening, the being drawn into a story by the performance. “Good actors also are able to tailor their performance based on the audience in front of them. It is rather magical when it works.”
That was indeed the nature of the media, they dug into anything and everything, no matter how miniscule, and made scandals out of misrepresentation. It was no wonder those who were more well known tended to try to shield their private lives however they could. Not that Marguerite really had that problem, not many people knew stage actors unless they were part of a major hit on Broadway, generally having created a role.
Looking up at the snow as Percy did, Marguerite shivered and rubbed her arms. Even if she was used to it, it was cold out and she wrapped her scarf around her throat a bit more to protect her voice.
“One would think.” But it wasn’t like people really paid all that much attention. They would deny it if they so desired. Besides, she was a bit more caught up in Percy’s passion as he spoke about the theatre. Yes, Marguerite was the type who could get caught up in many a passion, but there was just something she couldn’t place her finger on.
“So you’re saying I’m magical then?” What? She liked to tease.
Percy disliked that part of the media, the intrusiveness and never letting things simply be at face value. It was part of why he had a public face, and played it up as much as possible. It tended to keep the media busy enough to keep them from actually prying into his private life. Not that he had anything happening in his private life, but nevertheless, it was practice for whenever he did have something happening in it.
At the teasing remark, he had to laugh, a twinkle in his eye. “And what if I am? Would you take offense if I said you were bewitching on stage?” Not that she wasn’t bewitching standing there in front of him, but they were talking about the performance. At least at this juncture. Then he registered the fact Marguerite had shivered. “Though do forgive me, you must be getting cold. Perhaps moving somewhere warmer might be a good idea? If you do not think it strange to speak with me a bit longer, of course. I try not to come off as one of those strange, crazed fans.”
“Not at all.” It was one of the more interesting compliments she had been given and she liked it. Besides, who didn’t want to be told that they were magical in such a sincere fashion. There were reviewers and critics of course, whom she always won over with her performances, but that was different. So she would take the compliment with a smile.
“I don’t think it strange at all, I am quite enjoying our conversation. Though perhaps somewhere warmer would be better.” No need to get sick opening weekend. Oh Orange County, why so confusing with your weather? At least she was a bit more prepared for it having been in the area before. So first it was to a late night diner/cafe though it seemed as though the easy conversation went to closing time, which led to the conversation continuing at Marguerite’s apartment.
Curled up on the couch with a cup of tea in hand, the actress didn’t even seem to notice as the sky outside her window began to lighten as the sun came out. She instead remained caught up in the conversation she was having with this mysterious man who had caught her attention.
“Oh good, I promise I’m not nearly as strange as I may sometimes seem to be,” he responded with a bright smile. It was a reference to his public face. While he liked to play the fool for the media, when he was working, he was serious and all business. It was almost startling how quickly he could switch from one mode to another.
Though this evening, there was no switching between modes, he was simply himself. When he’d first arrived at the theatre for the performance, he hadn’t anticipated this being how the evening would go. Dinner, conversation and tea with a woman who had caught his attention was a far better way to spend the evening. He didn’t even notice the time passing as he was far too enraptured in their conversation.
Talking came easy to him no matter where he was or who he was with. But for some reason, it seemed to come far easier with Marguerite. He didn’t really know why, but he didn’t focus on it. He just went with it.
“I must say, this was a far better way to spend the evening than I typically do.” If Percy hadn’t gone to the stage door, he’d most likely have gone back to his place and spent the evening alone working.
“I will make sure to keep that in mind.” Again, a hint to what she should have put together, but Marguerite was currently more caught up in the conversation than to take note of the similarities between the literal man of her dreams and the man before her. Usually she was far more clever and aware of these things, but for now it really was just the easy conversation. All she knew was that she was enjoying it and had no qualms with continuing their conversation through a late dinner and then back to her flat.
The conversation really was an easy one, flowing from one topic to another without any seeming rhyme or reason. It was how it was capable to keep travelling between locations without losing a beat or it ever seeming strange that they would keep it going. It was just natural. There was no falling into a role with Marguerite, which she could easily do. Just as Percy seemed to be truly himself and not a persona, the same was true for Marguerite. Oh, she was always passionate and followed her whims, but there was just a complete feeling of calm for her, as if all the chaos that was usually in her mind was quieted. Only Armand could ever get that from her and even then, not always.
It was only as the mysterious blonde mentioned it being a better way of spending the evening than he might otherwise have that Marguerite noticed that the sun was coming up.
“I would have to agree with you on that.” It had been a long time since she had ever just stayed up talking with someone who wasn’t her brother, to lose track in such a way. “I hope that it doesn’t have any sort of negative impact on your day going forward.” Lack of sleep and all.
Losing track of time was not something that Percy did much of. Being in business, he needed to keep track of time, so it was rare that he never glanced at his watch once the entire time he’d been with Marguerite. After all, sometimes he had to hold business calls in the middle of the night for him when he was doing business with someone in another part of the world.
So when he realized that the sun was actually coming up, he blinked and finally glanced at his watch. Luckily he hadn’t had anything schedule for early this morning. He could manage a shower and breakfast before needing to delve into his day.
“It shouldn’t. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve been up all night, though at least this time I wasn’t up all night working.” He said with an easy grin.
Time had a way of doing that. Of course for Marguerite, she had already gone through the dreams which had their own way of making time seem far more confusing than it might be otherwise, what with having memories from a whole different life, all the while recognizing herself and learning what she was capable of when backed into a corner.
It was rather cute though when he seemed to realize, just as she had, that it was actually already morning as opposed to still being late at night and she couldn’t help but smile some as she took a sip of tea. Even as she returned the smile at his comment.
“So I suppose this means I should let you go now? I can’t keep you all to myself after all.” Not that she wanted to, but it was probably the proper thing to do.
Time flies when one was having fun, as the saying went. Clearly Percy had been enjoying himself all night, but there was an added bonus to it all. Percy had connected to someone like he hadn’t connected to anyone in a very long time. Or at least that’s how he felt about it, but considering Marguerite had never kicked him out, she clearly felt similarly.
“As loathe as I am to part company with such a fascinating woman, I do have work to do later.” He heaved a dramatic sigh, attempting to sound very put upon about work. Percy loved his job, though it was the charity work that he loved the most. His day job, as it was, helped to fund his charities when he got them started.
“And I should let you rest considering you have other performances to give!” He wasn’t one to deprive the masses of such a talented actress because she’d been up all night!
Marguerite couldn’t help but smile more as he sighed dramatically. After all, she certainly had been enjoying herself and wasn’t really wanting Percy to leave either. But as he said, he had work and it would be wrong of her to keep him.
“I suppose we must part ways then. At least for me, we’re black on Mondays so I have the day off.”
Still in their conversation, she knew of the work he did and it was important work as well, so as much as she’d love him to stay and continue talking about this that and the other thing… there were others who needed him, so Marguerite regretfully got up to walk him to the door. It was only proper after all. And perhaps an attempt to keep him just a bit longer while appearing as though she were letting him go.
“Ah! That is certainly lucky for you. At least you should be able to rest and recuperate after this.” Percy said with a grin. He envied that, but what could he do? He was a busy man, but he loved his work and it was fulfilling. He’d spoken of the charities he had back in London, and that he was feeling out Orange County and what he could do here in that respect.
Considering the political climate that was taking power here, he was looking into working with immigrants that needed help. There were a million other things on the list as well, but that was where he was going to start.
He reluctantly got to his feet and followed her to the door. He smiled charmingly as he took her hand and kissed the back of it, like a perfect gentleman. “It has been a complete delight to have shared in your company this past night. Perhaps we should make an encore of it some time when neither of us need to work the next day?” It was a suggestion, and he wasn’t certain she’d even agree to it, but he put it out there at any rate.
Marguerite laughed some at the comment on her recuperating.
“Oh, this will be easy enough to recuperate from. I could think of far more interesting things I would have preferred though.” What? She was a natural flirt. And she wasn’t going to deny that she was attracted to him. He was charming, and smart, and full of passion for the work he did, the help he provided. That alone was enough to pull her in, and yet…
And he even kissed the back of her hand, calling forth a memory of a dream, that same familiar feeling and saying words she hadn’t spoken aloud without any thought at all.
“Such the formidable Englishman, so proper.” Her tone was light and teasing, brow quirked in both intrigue and almost a challenge that he should try to be less proper, especially given her previous comment. Now to see if he took the invitation. “As for spending more time together… I certainly wouldn’t be opposed to it at all.”
“Truly? Time permitting, perhaps some of those could be entertained in the future,” he responded with a charming smile. Percy was also a bit of a flirt, so this was going to be quite an intriguing relationship. Not that he expected it to go anywhere beyond friendship, but he couldn’t deny he was attracted to her, and he enjoyed talking with her, hearing about her passions and interests.
The invitation was received and his smile turned into a bit of a smirk. “I could forget my manners,” he commented before he took the invitation, leaned in and kissed her. Percy didn’t forget his manners often, but something about Marguerite made him want to drop them, at least in this present moment. He wasn’t certain where this would go, but clearly it was a promise that this was not a one time meeting.
“Excellent, I should like to see you again. Perhaps next time you may knock me over with the door, hm?” He teased, eyes glittering at her.
“Well, I certainly will look forward to such a time in the future.” Good, despite his formidable Englishman routine, he could respond to the flirtation in kind. And it did indeed intrigue her. If this went beyond flirtation, who knew. Marguerite did tend to live her life as it came at her, no need to try and plan ahead. Life was far too uncertain for that.
Smirks. She liked smirks in this situation. “I should hope so.” And then he kissed her and against that voice in the back of her head said this was so familiar but she pushed it aside to return the kiss. It felt so natural. There was no way that this would remain a one time interaction, not by a long shot if Marguerite had her way.
“I’m happy to hear that. Though it seems in your loss of manners, I never got your name which… is quite unfair seeing as how you had my name the entire time.”
Who knew where this would go beyond flirtation. Percy had his past trysts, but nothing serious and not for a little while. He wasn’t looking for anything serious, but he wasn’t one to turn it away if it happened. If it happened, it happened, and he’d take it. Otherwise, he was simply content on seeing how things progressed with Marguerite.
Especially after a kiss like that. It felt natural and just seemed right. This certainly seemed to be the beginning of something, but what that something was, he didn’t know. Nor did he try to figure it out.
“Oh! My father would have my head for forgetting my manners like this. I’m Percy. Percy Blakeney. It has been a pleasure, and I shall see you again, my lady.” He gave her a bow of his head and a smile before grabbing his jacket and making his exit. The smile on his face was going to remain there the rest of the day. It had been the most enjoyable night he’d had in a long time. And he would seek to repeat it after Marguerite’s next performance.
Percy…. Blakeney. Marguerite never got a chance to even respond to that news before her was gone, down the hall and all she could do was stare at where he’d been standing.
“Of course…. Of course it’s him.”
Who else made her that calm, who else kept her attention for so long? Who else was able to quiet all the chaos inside of her. All those signs that she should have seen…. Just as she’d been about the Pimpernel in her dreams, she’d been blind to it. Almost as if she had purposefully ignored the signs. Closing the door, she slid down against it and shook her head some.
“I’m in so much trouble.”
But she was certainly looking forward to it.