Marguerite Blakeney is clearly beyond scruples (blazeinhereyes) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2017-11-28 16:26:00 |
|
|||
Entry tags: | !complete, marguerite blakeney, percy blakeney |
Who: Marguerite and Percy
What: Closing up the theatre after rehearsal
When: Mid November
Where: Theatre The Scarlet Pimpernel will be at
Warnings: Low
Status: Log | Complete
It really was surreal to be cast in this show. It wasn’t even that Marguerite was shocked to learn that her dreams had a version (well more than one actually) that was known to the general public. Still, it was one thing to know that and another to be cast… as herself… in one such iteration. And of course it was the version she had initially dreamt of. Even so, they were now rehearsing on the actual stage and while they weren’t in costume yet, there were costume corsets over shirts and long skirts to practice in.
It was rather strange how natural it felt thanks to the dreams.
That evening, things had been going normally enough. It was near the end of rehearsal that the actor playing Percy (really, so strange, especially as her boyfriend was in the audience since it was near the end of rehearsal) got an emergency phone call and had to leave. Which was how Percy was sitting on the block that would be replaced by a chair so that they could finish up the rehearsal as he was believed to have been helping her with her lines.
“I think, if you look in his eyes, you will recognize him.”
It was also rather easy to tap into that feeling of isolation, confusion and pain that she had felt at this point in the dreams. Four sets of dreams now and being at that point? There was plenty to pull from.
“When I look at you
What I always see
Is the face of someone else who once belonged to me
Still I can hear him laugh
And even though that melody plays on
He’s gone
When I look at you
He is standing there
I can almost breathe him in like summer in the air
Why do you smile his smile?
That heaven I’d forgotten eases through
In you
If you could look at me once more
With all the love you felt before
If you and I could disappear into the past
And find that love we knew
I’d never take my eyes away from you
When I look at you
He is touching me
I would reach for him but who can hold a memory?
And love isn’t everything
That moonlight on the bed will melt away
Someday
Oh you were once that someone
Who I followed like a star
Then suddenly you changed
And now I don’t know who you are
Or could it be that I never really knew you from the start?
Did I create a dream?
Was he a fantasy?
Even a memory is paradise for all the fools like me
Now remembering is all that I can do
Because I miss him so
When I look at you…”
While Marguerite easily was able to slip into her roles during rehearsals, there really was something different about this. It wasn’t quite so easy to slip out of it even though she knew how everything worked out. Each movement was second nature even as there hadn’t been singing like this in the dreams.
“Well. I think we can call it a night.”
Snapping out of her thoughts, Marguerite nodded.
“Percy and I can lock up.”
“Are you sure?”
Nodding, Marguerite smiled to the actress who was playing Marie and the director (who she knew was worried about his wife, hence the offer) to show it was fine. There wasn’t too much that needed to be done after all and she had a key to the theatre as well.
Percy had to say that it was extremely odd that their lives were known to the public. So it was a bit strange to watch his girlfriend play herself. But it also gave more meaning to some of the scenes, and he could tell she wasn’t acting. She was drawing from the real emotions of what she had dreamt about. To anyone else, she was acting, and clearly just fitting into the role better than most people probably thought she would. But to Percy? He could see where the acting stopped and Marguerite’s true feelings came into play.
Such as when she sang that song. It was all he could do to not let his emotions get the better of him as he stood in for the actor that was playing, well, him, but he managed. The Scarlet Pimpernel was going to be a surreal experience once everyone was in costume and everything came together for the performances. And it would feel so incredibly wrong that Percy himself wouldn’t be on stage, instead watching some other person acting out the things he had lived.
Really, he held himself back from giving the Percy actor pointers on how to play something. It was really very hard to keep his comments to himself, but he’d managed thus far! He wasn’t the director, though if ever he was asked for pointers when sitting in the audience, he would give them from an audience member’s point of view.
When Marguerite said that the two of them could lock up, Percy gave a nod and smile to the director. “It is no trouble at all, sir,” he said politely. He’d been around the theatre enough to know where things went after rehearsal and all of that.
Whenever Percy came and sat in on the rehearsals, Marguerite always did have that part of her that worried her boyfriend would try to give pointers. That would just be beyond awkward and they had enough things that were hard to explain thanks to Orange County, no need for a businessman to suddenly be giving acting advice.
As both Marguerite and Percy said it was fine that they would lock up, the director nodded and left the theatre, the few who were still there packing up their own things and leaving until it was just Marguerite and Percy.
Shaking herself from the last remnants of bleedover from the dreams, Marguerite got out of her practice skirt and corset to put them on the rack that was in the wings before coming back to the main stage.
“Okay, there’s not too much we need to do. Get the blocks to their normal place, make sure there’s no trash left out. Bring out the ghost light and turn off the lights and then lock up.”
Of course there were plenty of times when Percy wanted to give pointers. Or to blurt out that something wasn’t ‘correct.’ But he managed to hold his tongue, largely because he wasn’t an actor nor was he involved with the production. Also he couldn’t exactly explain the reasons as to why he thought something should be done the way he said without sounding like a crazy person. So he just did his best to overlook those and just focus on Marguerite in those instances.
“Easy enough,” he said. At least there wasn’t anything like cleaning beyond getting the trash. Percy grabbed a block and moved it to where it should go. “This must be quite the surreal experience for you to perform in this musical.” He hadn’t really asked her how she felt about this role, but he knew that it couldn’t exactly be easy. It was hard enough to dream of it, let alone watch their dream lives be played out like this on stage.
“From the rehearsals I’ve sat in on, I’ve wondered what our other lives would have been like with the singing.” Most likely more ridiculous in places, but Percy had never thought of himself as a singer. Sure, he sang along with his favorite songs, sang in the shower and such, but he didn’t have the desire to sing for audiences.
Marguerite got enough comments about how her boyfriend’s name was Percy and her brother’s Armand ever since her brother had shown up. That was hard enough to explain, having Percy trying to interject his comments would have been even more complicated to explain. Amusing happenstance had worked thus far for the similarities in names, no need to add more questions.
Moving the easel that was being used for ‘Marie’, Marguerite paused at the comment about it being very surreal for her, “It is.” What more was there really to say about it? Life had worked out weirdly in this instance. True, Orange County in general led to weird but this? This took the cake. Though it also wasn’t as if they were the only ones to learn that there were fictional renditions (but were they really fictional when they played out in the same way?) of their dreams. However, Marguerite didn’t know of anyone finding themselves performing the role of themselves.
She did have to laugh some though.
“That I don’t know.” Even though music rehearsals had been interesting when they’d been going over the end of the first act’s song, ‘The Riddle’ given the nature of the lyrics.
“You actually sang one of the songs before, or well.. Parts of it.”
At least they could pass off Percy and Armand being amusing happenstances. After all, Percy could arguably be a relatively popular name in England (it was subjective there, really), and Armand also a popular name in France, it could easily be passed off as that. Also to his credit, Percy didn’t act like either the Pimpernel or him playing the part of a nincompoop. That would undoubtedly just give him away. Or at least make it extremely weird and difficult to explain away.
“That is true, I did. Wasn’t even completely sure what song I was singing at the time, but now I know.” It was still odd to think of their lives as being public knowledge in this world. Of course, they weren’t the only ones in Orange County with that, but he supposed most of them found it to be extremely strange as well.
“So tell me, my dear, do you think I sang it well? Or do I need some work?” Percy asked, mostly out of curiosity.
Thank goodness for happenstance explanations and a general ‘let’s not really talk about it’ mentality that sometimes would float through Orange County. It was necessary in order to get through the day to day with all that happened. Question it too much and someone would really feel like they were insane.
“I’m surprised I didn’t put it together before.” Mostly because she had done a number for Wildhorn musicals, which this one was as well. Even as it remained being a version of her dreams that was out there for people to know.
“Honestly? I wasn’t really paying attention. I was more focused on making sense of it and responding.” Given the emotional charge of the conversation, Marguerite had been less focused on vocal technique and more on just trying to get through it all.
Even for those ‘in the know’ of the whole insanity that happened in Orange County, it wasn’t worth questioning too much. There were things that had happened here that Percy would rather just not think too deeply on, such as the demons a couple months prior. Other things like Star Wars invading was just strange to an extreme while being oddly fascinating at the same time.
“Perhaps, but Orange County seems good at directing attention away from these things with all the insanity that goes on here.” The invasions and other random happenings did tend to divert one’s attention away from everything else. And then one needed to deal with whatever fallout came of them. The dreams as well. “Still, to realize our lives seems to be public knowledge here is, well, not exactly easy to come to terms with.”
Percy gave a little nod. “Of course. It was a very emotionally charged moment.” Thinking back on it, the song had come right after he’d dreamed that part. It made complete sense, even if he hadn’t known what exactly he’d been singing. Until Marguerite had been cast in this production.
Which was still an odd thing to say, but there it was.
Marguerite was more used to invasions than she liked to admit, however she was now better able to protect the theatre when things like that happened. Or how she had managed a light saber. Orange County was odd like that.
“It really does. Not sure what that says about those who believe it. Though it’s probably easier to believe the cover stories than it is the truth.” The truth could be hard enough to accept even while in the know. Always something that went beyond what was already expected. “But no, finding this out? Definitely one of the stranger things to come to grip with.” She could at least move past the weird events. This had a lingering effect that would never quite go away.
Finishing up with what she’d been doing, Marguerite moved to the back of the theatre that connected with the shop and pulled out the ghost light and brought it to center stage and turned it on.
“Only slightly.” And by that, it had been quite emotionally charged and Marguerite had only been able to guess what was going on and respond.
“I’m sure this place is wonderful fodder for conspiracy theorists or something of the sort.” Percy didn’t pay attention to that sort of thing, but he could only imagine that some people were having a field day with the things that happened here in that light.
“Agreed. It’s not easy knowing that such things are just...out there for others to freely know.” It would be one thing if it was a story that only focused on the Pimpernel’s work in France and didn’t include personal details about their lives. Yet even that would still be a bit weird considering Percy was the Pimpernel.
After finishing up with his part of cleaning up, Percy stepped out onto the stage, watching Marguerite bring the ghost light out. He looked at for a few moments before he turned his attention back to his girlfriend. He stepped closer to her.
“Indeed. Not the way I intended to breach that particular subject, but at least we were able to move through it.”
“I stay away from any and all conspiracy theories.” Given the current occupant of the White House, there was plenty of conspiracy theories coming from the highest office in the country. Why seek it out, especially when you knew there was some truth to the whispers and suspicion as there was no way to explain what was really going on.
“No, it really isn’t.” It didn’t surprise her that their more private moments were also put onto stage. After all, as thrilling as the Pimpernel’s heroics were, a play needed drama and angst as well. So why not those moments that were supposed to be theirs.
“I really should hope so. Some conversations really just need to happen.” Not like they had as many issues because they were more open about the dreams than they were in the dreams. “I’ll be right back.”
Heading to the elevator backstage, Marguerite went up to the catwalk and headed to the light booth and turned off the lights so that the only one on was the ghost light on stage, which cast its glow across the stage and against the back wall of the theatre as they didn’t have a backdrop up yet. With the booth locked up, Marguerite again made her way across the catwalk and to the elevator, turning off that light as well before returning to the stage and her boyfriend.
“Do you know why they call it a ghost light?”
As much as she loved performing, Marguerite also loved the quiet of the theatre after a show or rehearsal was done, the glow of a solitary ghost light on stage while everything else was dark.
“Good. There’s no need for conspiracy theories, really.” Percy didn’t seek them out himself. There was little point in getting involved in such things. Too much of a headache to deal with. And given the current state of the White House, this country already had more than enough conspiracy theories being thrown around.
“I tend to prefer conversations to songs. Sometimes songs can say what we can’t, but it’s just easier not breaking into song.” That weird singing thing had taught Percy that if life was a musical, it would get really irritating, really quickly. Watching musicals was one thing. Randomly bursting into song in real life was very much another.
While Marguerite went to turn the lights out, he waited, taking in the atmosphere of the theatre. It was definitely different when there was no one else around. And it also seem to feel as though if you were the only person there, you weren’t really alone. The quiet and stillness in a dark and empty theatre was unlike anything else in the world.
“No, I don’t. Why do they call it a ghost light?” He asked, looking up at the sole source of light.
The number of conspiracy theories on both the left and the right were absurd and Orange County could be quite the fodder for such things. But that was why she avoided such things, who needed to fall down that rabbit hole? There was enough going on in the world as it was. Real people who needed real help.
“That’s my thinking. You can find songs that put things into words you can’t, but they aren’t exactly good for going over things with another person.” She loved performing in musicals but Marguerite was thankful that the dreams hadn’t been a musical with the songs and lyrics. That would have just been a bit more than she could handle.
There really was a different feel to a theatre when it was open. She loved it. Smiling some as Percy asked, Marguerite absently created shadows as she answered.
“Well, legend has it that every theatre has a ghost and so you place the ghost light on stage to keep them away as they don’t like the light. So it’s always on.”
Orange County was just the epicenter for all things weird. They didn’t need to draw anymore attention to themselves by shedding light on the crazy things that happened here. It was hard enough to explain some of the things away, but the proximity to Hollywood did somewhat help give explanations. Movies filming, things of that nature. Though even Percy got tired of how frequently various beings invaded the county and caused mass chaos. He was far better with perfectly normal, human enemies, like Chauvelin. That he could handle. Demons, monsters, so on and so forth? Not so much.
Percy smiled as Marguerite explained about the ghost light. He turned to face the seats, which faded into the darkness the further away from the light they got. “That’s actually a bit of a romantic thing. Though it’s best to keep the ghosts from attempting to create havoc and chaos with the props and sets at night while there’s no one here.” He turned back to her. “Though what do you think a ghost does in a theatre? Watch and critique every show? Or would they be like the Phantom in Phantom of the Opera and just hang out in the darkness of theatre and be creepy?”
It was adapt or die. Or more aptly move. How many people managed to ignore it altogether was a feat unto itself really. Not that Marguerite could blame them. If people saw and believed all they saw and experienced yet had no one to talk to it about, they might well think they were insane. Self preservation and all that. Even though it could be quite trying once you dealt with dreams to leave and have no one to talk to about them, or always having to use a rapier against whatever new invasion was happening.
“It is, isn’t it.” Legend and myth had a way of explaining things that didn’t make sense in a time where ghost was likely. And it did fit with the mood of actors. Strange and spooky shadows and the like. Though Marguerite had to laugh at the comment about the Phantom of the Opera. “Careful, dear. Armand’s ex-girlfriend was actually Christine Daae. You never know who or what might show up here. Though, I ran into her and her roommate in Paris actually. Poor thing somehow got roped into singing at the Opera Populaire. As you can imagine, she wasn’t exactly happy about that.”
Percy would be first to admit that he wasn’t always the most sane person, but even he had to wonder what it said about all of them who Dreamed and went through all the crazy associated with Orange County and chose to stay here. For the hero types amongst them, it probably had something to do with wanting to protect the innocents that lived here and had no knowledge of other lives like the Dreamers did. But for the others? Who knew what kept them here.
“Really? Christine was here? Fascinating,” he commented. “But don’t worry, I won’t bring that up when around him. Don’t want to hit a nerve or anything. Though poor Christine, is she still singing there now or have you not spoken since you last ran into her?” It was a wonder how this world could have so many similarities to so many different dream worlds.
Marguerite certainly didn’t know what kept people here. Or why they would come back as was the case for her as she came back knowing full well what came with the area. At the same time? She wouldn’t change it for anything. Especially now that she had Percy in her life.
“Mhmm. And no, it was thankfully a one time thing for her. She and Meg were simply visiting at the same time I was there.”
Watching her boyfriend briefly, Marguerite smiled and then moved and took his hand to start dancing, specifically to make their shadows dance against the wall at the back of the stage and how they grew and shrank and seemed to fall away.
“You know though, despite all the things that come with living here, I am happy I came back. Constant invasions and all.”
“Oh good, it would not be easy for her to remain there long term knowing what she knew of Dreams,” he commented. Percy didn’t know if the Phantom was real or not, but best not to find out for one Christine Daae.
As Marguerite took his hand and started dancing, Percy couldn’t help the grin across his face as he danced along with her. He also caught sight of how their shadows moved against the back wall. Watching shadows move could be intriguing, but he quickly turned his attention back to his girlfriend.
“Are you? And why is that, my dear?” He asked. He wasn’t being cocky, he knew there was more here for Marguerite than just him. Besides, it tended to take more than a single person to bear all of this crazy the county threw at them. It was undoubtedly the people in general here, the friends, and now Armand coming back as well that helped make Marguerite happy with her decision to return.
“No, I don’t think she would have handled that well.” She could recall how paranoid Christine had been after the dreams. Not that she could blame the girl given the whole stalker issue that came from her dreams. Especially as she had two sets of dreams. “I’m pretty sure she was biting her tongue to argue with the tour guide about the Phantom.”
Marguerite did enjoy watching the shadows move and dance. It had been one of the parts she had loved about doing Finding Neverland. The light choreography. There was a sort of magic to it.
Still, as Percy asked his question, Marguerite just smiled up at her boyfriend.
“Because we met. Truly met I mean.” Yes, there was more to keep Marguerite in Orange County than just Percy. Armand was back, she was doing her work with Natasha as well as these shows she loved. And people who understood what it meant to dream which wouldn’t be found anywhere else. But meeting Percy and where they found themselves? That was the highlight of her return and she wouldn’t change it for anything.
“I imagine she did. It is difficult not to say something in such situations when you know better.” Yes, it was definitely a reference to him watching the musical Marguerite was currently in. It was so tempting to simply take all the actors in hand and describe how things should be. But he knew better, for multiple reasons.
Percy smiled warmly back at his girlfriend. “That is certainly a very large perk to this place, I agree. I am more than happy that we met here. Though I do not think I have ever asked, considering you had dreamt before I arrived here, did you have to question whether you were dreaming at first when we first met here?” He was curious, and it was an experience that only Marguerite had been able to have.
Marguerite often had her own difficulties biting her tongue when it came to the actors because of her dreams. Especially as she dreamt numerous versions of her life. Yet she wasn’t the director and it would be just a bit too complicated to explain. No. Let the cast think that the coincidences were just that when it came to her, Percy and Armand. It was easier that way.
Tilting her head to the side as they danced, Marguerite pondered the question briefly.
“Well…. I didn’t make the connection at first, not until you gave me your name. At which point I realized that I was in quite a bit of trouble.” Smiling some, the actress shrugged, “But the type of trouble I enjoy. All I knew though was that there was a connection and that in all the madness that comes with Orange County, I felt a sense of calm when I was with you, even without knowing your name.”
That was the marvelous thing about Orange County and the people who didn’t dream. They seemed to accept coincidences as an answer, and leave well enough alone. Sometimes Percy found it hard to deal with all the things that happened around here. It was why he tended to focus more on helping people during the invasions as opposed to fighting monsters. He wasn’t equipped to fight monsters, but helping people? That was normal, and it helped keep him sane when demons, stormtroopers and who knew what else came rampaging through the area.
Percy laughed a bit. “At least I am the good kind of trouble, in that case. But I am glad that I could give you that sense of calm amidst all of this insanity and chaos. “You do the very same for me, and you give me something normal and grounding to hold on to when things get really crazy around here.”
“Mhmm, you are definitely the good kind of trouble. And it’s definitely nice to know I can help you in that way as well.” Smiling up at Percy as the dance slowed, Marguerite kissed him softly before just resting her forehead against his. They’d have to leave eventually, but for now? For now she just wanted to take in the calm.