Marguerite Blakeney is clearly beyond scruples (blazeinhereyes) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2019-07-20 22:55:00 |
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Hadestown.
MJ couldn’t really afford tickets, not with her income being so stretched as of late, but she still had some friends and asking for tickets had amazingly worked out. When Marguerite had whisked back into her life, MJ had realized how badly she’d missed having a best friend. With everything that happened after May with Peter and the divorce, it was easier to retreat into herself and not say a word. Smile, when people asked how her husband was doing. Shrug, when asked about her next role.
It was a good thing she was an actress otherwise someone would have realized how very much not okay she was.
Which is why she was currently outside the stage door, a bouquet of flowers in hand, waiting to see her friend. Dropping in might have been a gamble but so was moving across the country on a whim. Hey, if it worked for young 20 year olds, it had to work for a woman in her 30s, right? There was nothing wrong with this plan (or so she kept telling herself).
And when Marguerite came out the door, MJ couldn’t help the squeal that escaped. “You were amazing!,” she shrieked, heading for a hug. “That was phenomenal!”
All the work and once again, the show which came together was amazing. Not that Marguerite was remotely shocked by this fact. Even if Andrew hadn’t pulled his magic to get actual Broadway legends in the forms of Brian Stokes Mitchell, Heather Headley, and Terrence Mann to be their Greek Gods, Marguerite knew that between the music, the story and the talent he always managed to pull together, there was no other way the show could go but amazing. But it was amazing to be able to cross off performing in a show with Terrence Mann off her bucket list….
And there would always be that rush of being on stage. Of hearing the audience react - the gasps and murmurs in the audience as Orpheus turned around even as the myth was well known, that the show started with the fact they were telling a tragedy. There was so much about it that Marguerite knew she would never get from anything else - and she had done TV spots while in New York, right of passage and all.
So while stagedooring was not as much a thing in Orange County as it was in New York, it did still occur and it was something Marguerite always tried to do. What she hadn’t expected was to suddenly be hugged by a surprise MJ. Not that she was complaining and luckily it seemed the others at the stage door were talking with some of the other cast.
“MJ, what are you doing here? I mean thank you, but wow, hi!”
Because really, what other response was there than that when caught off guard by a sudden reunion?
While that was a completely fair question, MJ found she didn’t want to get into the details while standing at the stage door, other fans looking at her quizzically. Belatedly, she realized that she might have set a precedence, so she was glad that at least her friend looked happy. Even if the stage manager was shooting her daggers.
“I moved here,” she blurted out, brushing her hair back behind her ears. “Surprise?” It wasn’t until she got the words out that she realized what that sounded like. She knew the next question would be ‘why’ or ‘what about Peter’ or ‘what are you working on’, all questions she had no answers for. “I needed a change, and thought why not? You sold it so much when we talked last, and I realized I needed some sunshine and cheer in my life.”
Another shrug and a slight smile curled on her lips. “”And I really really missed you.”
The blurted out response was met with a brow quirk because there had been no signs of MJ wanting to move back in February. Not that there had been all that much time to go into such matters in between scenes during rehearsing and then performing all in the span of a day. Though at least she had already run into Peter, so she knew about that particular change. Though if MJ didn’t know he was here..
Giving the stage manager a look to say it was fine, Marguerite nodded some at the rushed explanation. While she definitely did want some more details, she also knew that this wasn’t exactly the place for it.
“I mean, you can’t go wrong with sunshine.” There was a lot about Orange County she hadn’t gone into back when she lived in New York or in February because it was something that could only be experienced… but no matter. “Well I missed you, too, and am definitely glad to see you. If you don’t mind waiting around, we can go get coffee or something once I’m finished here?”
Since well, a bunch of other people who wanted to talk to Marguerite and all.
MJ nodded before suddenly remembering the flowers in her hands. "And you'd better put these in water too," she added. "I can wait here until you're ready."
She didn't want to admit to her friend that her phone had been cut off. Even though Peter had assumed all their debts, it was surprisingly hard to get back on top again, especially considering her own coping mechanism was drinking and partying. Too much money was spent on stupid things and not enough went into practical things.
The phone was a must though and she had already made arrangements to get it turned back on in the next day or two.
"No rush either." Cue her trademark grin, dimples included. She didn’t want her friend to worry.
Taking the flowers, Marguerite smiled with a small tilt of her head. “Thank you. And I can definitely do that.” There had been a time when she wasn’t so good at the flower care (and undoubtedly one of the reasons Armand always left an orchid in her dressing room on opening night - not too difficult to take care of) but she had gotten better at it. Plus, Percy could always help with that as well.
Money was a fickle thing like that. While she had never truly struggled in this life, she had five sets of Dreams of growing up on the streets that had she not been decent with money, she definitely would have gotten better about it thanks to those lessons. Even with Percy’s wealth, Marguerite still had her independent streak and much of their money went towards Pimpernel Outreach as it were.
Still, there was nothing peculiar about MJ saying she’d wait there. After all, she knew how the stage door was. It wouldn’t be more than an hour at most and depending on where she was staying? Well, it probably made more sense to wait around.
“Sounds good.” Was there something off about the smile? Hard to say. But Marguerite would figure it out later once they were alone. Which seemed to be a half hour once it was all said and done and Marguerite walked over to where MJ was waiting.
“So, where would you like to go?”
The half hour flew by fast. MJ had always been a social person, able to talk to anyone about anything and naturally, the topic at hand with everyone was Hadestown.
It was nice, talking about a show she wasn't connected to. It brought her to the same level as the fans, which in itself was humbling. In a way, it reminded her of the passion she used to have.
When Marguerite came over, MJ was flushed and her eyes were bright from the conversation. With a small laugh, she shrugged. "I wouldn't even know where to suggest. Somewhere we can talk, where a cup of coffee doesn't cost 10 bucks. In New York, the coffee is cheap but the cleanliness is always questionable...seems the opposite is true of here."
“Fair enough!” Some people had plans for what they wanted to do when they first got to California, so it tended to be safer to ask. Then again, Marguerite didn’t actually know when MJ had gotten there as she’d been in tech/dress/preview/performance mode. It led to a lot of things being a complete blur and missing things unless someone directly reached out to her.
“But I definitely know a place.” There were certain cafes in the area that stayed open later than others and it was important as someone in the theatre to know where those were. Which meant that she ended up taking MJ to the same cafe Natasha had ended up recruiting her for doing spy work. But that was something that would remain secret. Part of the spy/intelligence gathering after all.
Once they had ordered and found a place to sit, Marguerite turned her attention to MJ.
“So tell me, how have you been?”
"Now that, my friend is what's known as a loaded question." MJ chuckled softly as she reached for some sugar packets. It was strange, feeling so nervous, and she wanted to have something in her hands.
"First off, I need to say I'm sorry for being such a shitty friend. I should have tried harder after you moved to Paris, and I didn't." She blew out some air and gave another half-hearted smile. "And secondly....I don't even know where to start." Again, she fidgeted with the packets, shaking them and playing with them when her coffee gratefully appeared. Staring down into the black liquid, she wrapped her hands around the hot mug. "Peter and I.... we got divorced."
That sentence would never get easier to say.
"We've been separated for about a year and a half, signed the papers in January. I tried to make it work in New York but...." she trailed off. It was too hard with all the reminders of him. It would be so much easier if she didn't still love him. "I needed a change and you just spoke so highly of this place....so here I am. A 34 year old divorcee with no plan, no job and a room I have for a month. After that?" Another self deprecating chuckle. "Know any shows looking for chorus girls?"
As MJ mentioned her question being a loaded one? Marguerite just remained quiet to let MJ figure out just what she wanted to say. And while she was about to protest that it was on both of them and that the distance had made Marguerite lose touch with a lot of people? Well. She figured it would be better to not stop the train of thought. So it was just waiting it out and taking it all in. It wasn’t like she had gotten any actual information on the divorce or how long it had been. She’d just noticed the lack of a wedding ring on Peter’s finger and moved the conversation on.
Once her friend had gotten that all out, Marguerite took a moment to digest what was said. Not too much, there was a lot that had been in the silences as well. Why a change was needed was simple enough to make sense of. She could still feel the grief from her Dreams of even thinking Percy was dead before realizing it had all been a way to trick Chauvelin, of how she was relieved she was going to die so as not to be constantly reminded of him… wanting to escape the memories made perfect sense to her. It also made sense why - even if there had been time back in February to catch up - MJ wouldn’t have mentioned the divorce given how it had just gone through.
“Well on you being a shitty friend, I fell out of touch with a lot of people while I was in Paris and then got caught up with life here, so you’re fine. Especially given what you’ve been dealing with.”
Which she had already known…. Just no details.
“What happened? Sorry. You don’t have to say, I just….” At that, Marguerite just shrugged because it seemed unfathomable to her in a sense. That no matter what issues there had been, they would have managed to work through them.
“As for shows, um...well I’ve obviously been a bit preoccupied with Hadestown so I’m not sure about any current auditions but I’m sure you’ll find something soon.”
“It’s okay,” MJ said, taking a sip of her coffee. Nope, still too bitter. She added another sugar and creamer and tried again before deciding it was perfect. “I don’t mind talking about it. I think this is good. I haven’t really talked to anyone about it...maybe if I had …” Oh she was not about to get caught in those what-ifs.
“I mean, I guess it was a long time coming. After May died, Peter … he just couldn’t get out of that depression. And I tried… I did, but I didn’t know how to help him either. We’re both to blame,” she said hurriedly, lest Marguerite think MJ was one of those spiteful ex-wives. “And it is what it is. I haven’t talked to him since we signed the papers, and I just … yeah.” She looked up and gave a shaky little smile.
“It’s just me now. I guess it’s a good thing we didn’t have any kids, hey? Would be kind of hard to just ...move them across the country.” She cleared her throat, trying her best not to dissolve. Instead, she sat up a bit straighter. “Anyways. I’m sure I’ll find work soon. I have an amazing resume, and if I have to start at the bottom again? I can do it. I know I can. And I’m so glad we’re able to reconnect. How’s you? How’s Percy? Tell me everything.”
That did tend to be the way of things. Needing to talk things out. Sure there were those who locked it all away and yet a lot could be said about trying to talk things out with perhaps someone who was more neutral. Alas, there wasn’t much that could be done now besides lending an ear to a friend, even as she considered both MJ and Peter her friends. And it wasn’t like there was one at fault. Depression was a hell of a thing, there was only so much anyone could do.
“I can see how that would make things difficult….” The comment on not having kids was an intriguing one though the actress filed it away for later. Not like that was something in her future. But no matter.
“Yes, moving a family across country would be difficult. You are aware that Peter is here though, aren’t you?” Because seeing at how they hadn’t spoken since the divorce? It would be very awkward for them to suddenly run into one another without any warning. “As for me? I’ve been well. Alternating between shows and helping at Percy’s non-profit. He’s also fine. Keeping busy.”
Leave it to Marguerite to drop a bombshell and keep chatting away. MJ stopped and watched her friend talk. The words were leaving Marguerite’s mouth but they weren’t processed at all.
Peter was here.HerPeter.
He left New York, just like she did, a move she would have found laughable a few years back. They had always said they would never leave, bred and born New Yorkers to the end.
“Wow,” was all she could get out. Orange County was huge though -- what were the odds they’d bump into each other? They could have bumped into each other back home and rarely did. No, it would be fine. She wasn’t going to worry about it. And she was going to drink her coffee and smile. Which she did. “I’m really glad to hear you guys are keeping busy, and that his non-profit is doing so well. I don’t know how you balance it all, Marguerite. On top of your career. You’re amazing.” She smiled broadly. “I hope you have time to fit me back in.”
It was a habit that Marguerite had never quite broken. But then again, she was of the live your life as you only have one. Which sometimes meant jumping between topics when talking with someone. Especially as a question had been posed to her. She did note the reaction though and well, the actress felt bad for the news but she knew how Orange County could be. You think it’s big but ten….. Best to be warned. She would need to warn Peter as well now. Oh lord this just got complicated.
If she hadn’t been thankful for how seamless she and Percy worked with one another - had worked with one another ever since he came to the stage door a little over two and a half years ago - she definitely was now. He managed to quiet the chaos in her and well…. Seeing at how things were now for MJ and Peter and would be because Orange County was Orange County….
“It’s a lot of work and a lot of shelters in the area closed recently, so there’s been an influx of people in need of help. But it’s good work. He and his friend from university put it together,” and she definitely worried more about Freya taking on too much than either herself or Percy. They were better at the life-work balance than the witch was. “I wouldn’t say I’m amazing. But I will easily be able to fit you back in. I always make time for my friends.”
MJ gave a real smile, even if it was small and slightly tired. She knew Marguerite would be there for her, absolutely. It gave MJ a little strength to know that this was the case. She wondered about her other friends that had moved here … would they feel the same? Care was here, she knew that much. She’d message her when her phone was up and running.
“Well, you’re basically stuck with me anyways,” she said honestly, “so I’m glad it works for you too.” With one of her trademarked winks and smile, she brought her coffee mug to her lips, blowing carefully before taking a sip.
It was strong, and exactly what she needed since she wouldn’t be sleeping a wink tonight.
Not with wondering what the odds were….