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Marguerite Blakeney is clearly beyond scruples (blazeinhereyes) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2018-06-12 19:49:00

Who: Laurence and Marguerite
What: Meeting officially!
When: After a performance of Newsies
Where: La Miranda Theatre
Warnings: Should be low
Status: Partner Thread | Complete

It had been far too long since Laurence had seen a proper theatre production, and he was glad he had come to this one. Not only was it a pleasant way to pass the evening, it had also been a wonderful show. After the show, he had ordered himself a glass of wine, and had taken to mingling with some of the other members of the audience while they waited for the cast to emerge, which they did to applause.

Laurence caught sight of the red haired woman who played Katherine, though he waited until it seemed as though she wasn’t busy to approach her. “Marguerite,” he said, to draw her attention. “I must say that was a brilliant performance.” And then added, so she knew, “William Laurence. We spoken over the network.”

To say it had been a whirlwind of emotion the past few weeks would be an understatement. She had died, both in the dreams and out of them and it was only because of Freya she was alive now. Then she and Percy had decided that life was too short, they were basically married already so they’d grabbed Armand and gone to the Hall of Records and made it official. And then the opening of Newsies, all in the span of a week. And now it was just the rush of performing six shows a week.

There was a certain high that Marguerite got after a performance and tonight was no different. She was used to different people calling her for her attention and did her best to respond to each person so when she heard someone call her name in a lull she went over.

“Why thank you.” And then she got a name and her face lit up with recognition. “Yes, I remember! I’m glad you were able to make it.”

“As am I,” Laurence said. “I really must thank you for posting of it. It’s been a long time since I was last able to make it to the theatre, and longer still since I saw a production that was that enjoyable.”

“High praise indeed.” Smiling, Marguerite brushed some hair behind her ear, “Well, I do try to post about my shows to get the word out. It usually averages out to two or three a year.” Because that was Marguerite for you. Always involved in something. Even when she wasn’t, there were classes to stay on top of her skills plus the work she was doing for Pimpernel Outreach.

“And is that common for an actress?” Laurence asked. “That seems like quite a lot to memorize. I certainly couldn’t do it myself.”

“I suppose it depends. Most audition notices I see give about… a month, month and a half of time before a show is performed so I like to give myself some time between shows as well to work at my husband’s nonprofit or volunteer elsewhere.”

Or do information gathering for Natasha but that was something that wasn’t spoken about as much.

“There are also cabaret style shows or Broadway by the Bay type performances as well.”

“That’s admirable indeed,” Laurence said, pleasantly surprised to hear what she did between productions. Though he didn’t know the details, most any volunteer work was to be commended “And what is it your husbands non-profit does?”

Smiling some, Marguerite paused at the question of the nonprofit. “It helps women and children who have suffered domestic abuse get back on their feet. Jobs training, resume help, resources, immigration help if necessary, law help.” Then there was the stuff that they were beginning to build to help those the system had failed, however that was only to be known to a select few.

“That’s wonderful,” Laurence said earnestly. He was reminded, briefly, of Miss Hobbs, the girl that he had fallen completely in love with around Valentine’s Day, and had just as quickly realized what a fool he had made of himself.

Laurence himself had sometimes thought of volunteering, though he had always been consumed with the rigors of his work and had never made time. But now that he was stationed in California, it seemed to him as though he had nothing but time. “If you and your husband were ever in the need of assistance, I think I would like to offer mine.”

Marguerite really could say nothing about falling in love with someone quickly, she and Percy were probably the definition of love at first sight. True there had been difficulties in the Dreams that came from it. Even so, they had worked through them and came out stronger than they’d been before. She also knew all too well about the insanity that had been Valentine’s Day thanks to Logan’s stalking of her which had led to blows between him and Percy. Good times, good times.

“That would be wonderful. The nonprofit is Pimpernel Outreach,” because of course Percy would pull something from the Dreams into it. But it was fitting and completely in line with the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel - only instead of saving those slated for la guillotine, instead they focused on those getting out of domestic abuse. “And there are a number of volunteer opportunities if you find you have the time.”

“I find I have nothing but time these days,” Laurence said. It was near maddening for a man who was used to running a ship. “I admit that I have no experience in such matters, but I hope that I will be able to find some way that I can help.”

“Well, no wonder you’re in look of shows and places to volunteer.” Goodness knew Marguerite didn’t do well without something to do. Even so she smiled, “There’s always something so I’m sure you could find a fit there.”

“I’m afraid I don’t quite know what to do with myself while I’m on land,” Laurence admitted, a touch sheepishly. Over the last eighteen years, he’d certainly spent more time at sea than he had on land. “But I’m sure I will be able to as well. Though I’m sure you’re eager to return to your fans,” he had no doubt that she had made quite a few tonight with her performance. “I suppose it would be better to get in touch when you’re not so occupied.”

“We all know where we’re best suited and finding ways to spend the time when we have it can be difficult.” Marguerite tended to at least be a bit better at that. She knew to take time for herself, made sure to even. But she knew it could be difficult for some. “Well there are many so I probably should make the rounds. I look forward to hearing from you though when there’s more time to talk.”

Laurence couldn’t agree more with Marguerite. When he was only on shore leave for a short amount of time, he never had any amount of trouble finding things with which to fill his time before heading back to sea, but he was woefully unprepared for the longer stint that he had been forced into, but he hoped that by filling his time with worthwhile pursuits, such as volunteer work, it would stop him from feeling so useless.

“As will I, Mrs. Blakeney,” he said. He nodded his farewell, and turned to leave. “Until the next time we speak.”