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Missing Causes.
4 Characters Here
Wendy Collins [6] "And above all else, to thine own self be true."
Jean-Louis Gage [6] "How do you go on knowing that you will never again - not ever, ever - see the person you have loved?"
Ashleigh Carey [4] Was it real... or was it all in my head?
Benjamin LaFonte [0] I do not think anyone can walk through the world in a state of vulnerability, can they?
Start Character Here »
Date: (2) years before the accident. May 9th, 2003.
Place: New York City.
Plot: Ashleigh and Jean-Louis are prepping for a gig in a small-time bar hoping to catch the attention of someone, or just simply pay the rent for that week. Wendy soon shows up to help with equipment, per Ashleigh’s request.
Ashleigh was a little nervous, to say the least. Sure, they’ve done a handful of gigs together, but none quite as ‘big-time’ as the one they were about to. It wasn’t necessarily ‘big-time’ by any means of the terminology, she just hadn’t actually been on a stage, like ever. She takes a deep breath, pulling out her pre-paid phone, the kind that you have to buy your texts individually.
To: Wendy Bendy
“ Hey, just making sure you’re alright to help us take this stuff down after the gig? I know you’re busy, so no pressure! Xoxo”
The brunette-blonde then turns to find her partner, Jean-Louis. He was such a charming guy, and she had to admit, he had a nice aura about him. Even if he did act all ‘mysteriously foreign’. She hums, coming towards his stature, and biting her lip. “Nervous? Because you know I am. Always. Probably enough for both of us-“ The girl forces herself to cut off, and her hands wring in and out of themselves. Bright, curiously dark eyes search over all of the equipment that he usually handled, mostly alone. Ashleigh could really only hold herself accountable for the microphone plus stand, and then maybe an old amp. She was lucky to not forget it half the time.
“Also, major apologies for forgetting the amp last go-round. I know it threw off the sound, and as musicians we rely everything on our hearing nearly, and I’m just- I’m really sorry, still. I know it’s silly. I just.. I guess I just take all of our performances way too seriously, but it just makes me feel so good. Wanted, needed, someone’s out there listening to you and me harmonizing and making this beautiful aura of feelings through a bunch of vibrations and it can brighten their day, you know? It’s just.. I’m amazed at your talent to match anything I do. It’s a real blessing that I found you in this time of need.” Ashleigh simmers down, and scratches her arm with her opposite hand, fixing her hair a little. “Wow, sorry. I’m always talking your ear off before these things, yeah?” The girl laughs, and after a few minutes they’re given a brief announcement as they come up onto the little stage in the bar, neon lights behind them in the shapes of beer bottles and cans. Ashleigh chuckles as she introduces them, and their song, before they dive right in, her voice harmonizing with his strings beautifully.
▪️Dear No One▪️
The gig is over as soon as it begins it seems, and she takes a long breath, hands still a little shaky after she puts the microphone back into it’s little stand. She casts worried eyes at Jean, and then looks in the crowd, seeing the smaller blonde girl in the audience, making her lips twitch into a satisfied smirk. ”I’m glad you could make it. Especially with your schedule.” She purses her lips as she looks over the smaller-framed woman, and smiles tenderly. She’d missed Wendy, from their old run-ins on the streets doing whatever nonsense they needed to get just that much closer to their individual dreams. ”Oh, where are my manners? This is Wendy, Jean. Uh, Wendy, Jean. Jean is my guitarist now, finally had enough to cut him in these last few times. And Wendy is well, she’s my friend, and extraordinary actress.” She smiles humbly, letting the two mingle as Ashleigh herself started pushing her stand down, and picking it up so she could unplug her mic. ”Maybe one day we’ll get a sound guy..”
Place: New York City.
Plot: Ashleigh and Jean-Louis are prepping for a gig in a small-time bar hoping to catch the attention of someone, or just simply pay the rent for that week. Wendy soon shows up to help with equipment, per Ashleigh’s request.
Ashleigh was a little nervous, to say the least. Sure, they’ve done a handful of gigs together, but none quite as ‘big-time’ as the one they were about to. It wasn’t necessarily ‘big-time’ by any means of the terminology, she just hadn’t actually been on a stage, like ever. She takes a deep breath, pulling out her pre-paid phone, the kind that you have to buy your texts individually.
To: Wendy Bendy
“ Hey, just making sure you’re alright to help us take this stuff down after the gig? I know you’re busy, so no pressure! Xoxo”
The brunette-blonde then turns to find her partner, Jean-Louis. He was such a charming guy, and she had to admit, he had a nice aura about him. Even if he did act all ‘mysteriously foreign’. She hums, coming towards his stature, and biting her lip. “Nervous? Because you know I am. Always. Probably enough for both of us-“ The girl forces herself to cut off, and her hands wring in and out of themselves. Bright, curiously dark eyes search over all of the equipment that he usually handled, mostly alone. Ashleigh could really only hold herself accountable for the microphone plus stand, and then maybe an old amp. She was lucky to not forget it half the time.
“Also, major apologies for forgetting the amp last go-round. I know it threw off the sound, and as musicians we rely everything on our hearing nearly, and I’m just- I’m really sorry, still. I know it’s silly. I just.. I guess I just take all of our performances way too seriously, but it just makes me feel so good. Wanted, needed, someone’s out there listening to you and me harmonizing and making this beautiful aura of feelings through a bunch of vibrations and it can brighten their day, you know? It’s just.. I’m amazed at your talent to match anything I do. It’s a real blessing that I found you in this time of need.” Ashleigh simmers down, and scratches her arm with her opposite hand, fixing her hair a little. “Wow, sorry. I’m always talking your ear off before these things, yeah?” The girl laughs, and after a few minutes they’re given a brief announcement as they come up onto the little stage in the bar, neon lights behind them in the shapes of beer bottles and cans. Ashleigh chuckles as she introduces them, and their song, before they dive right in, her voice harmonizing with his strings beautifully.
▪️Dear No One▪️
The gig is over as soon as it begins it seems, and she takes a long breath, hands still a little shaky after she puts the microphone back into it’s little stand. She casts worried eyes at Jean, and then looks in the crowd, seeing the smaller blonde girl in the audience, making her lips twitch into a satisfied smirk. ”I’m glad you could make it. Especially with your schedule.” She purses her lips as she looks over the smaller-framed woman, and smiles tenderly. She’d missed Wendy, from their old run-ins on the streets doing whatever nonsense they needed to get just that much closer to their individual dreams. ”Oh, where are my manners? This is Wendy, Jean. Uh, Wendy, Jean. Jean is my guitarist now, finally had enough to cut him in these last few times. And Wendy is well, she’s my friend, and extraordinary actress.” She smiles humbly, letting the two mingle as Ashleigh herself started pushing her stand down, and picking it up so she could unplug her mic. ”Maybe one day we’ll get a sound guy..”
═══════════════════════════
xxlocation: barxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxoutfit: here
═══════════════════════════
xxx"and we’ll never be royals,
xxxit doesn’t run in our blood,
xxxthat lux just ain’t for us
xxxwe crave a different kind of buzz."
For the first time in... well, a long time, things were starting to look up for Wendy once again. They hadn’t been sure how the gender swapped Hamlet would be received. But in advance of it’s release, three months away, people were already talking about it. Which meant that Wendy’s name was also getting attention. The press junket was coming up, and soon, people were going to know her face and her name. Her agent was optimistic that she’d start getting more and more jobs once the film itself was released. But in the meantime, Wendy was still trying to juggle her two part time jobs and her acting career.
And yet she’d still managed to find a free night to come see an old friend play a big gig. And, well, help pack up afterwards. She hadn’t been sure if she would have actually made the gig, so she hadn’t made any promises. But she’d managed to get the morning shift at the coffee shop and swap her shift at the theatre with a friend. So, a nap, coffee, and pill later she was ready for the gig. As usual, the universe didn’t want to make her life easy, and even though she was cycling there, she still got stuck in traffic. Having mentally sworn out a few cops and dumping her bike by the side of the bar, she made it in just as they started.
They were good. Sure, the inexperience showed in their nerves and the occasional technical glitch, but they had talent. And Wendy beamed with pride, applauding and cheering as they finished, already making her way to the side stage to congratulate Ashleigh as she came off. “Hey! You were amazing, oh my gosh!” She said as she climbed onto the stage. She rolled her eyes at the comment about her schedule. “And it’s only going to get worse,” she muttered, nearly more to herself than anything. Then she grinned at the handsome guitarist beside Ashleigh. God. He really was pretty.
She laughed a little at Ashleigh’s introduction of her. “If you could please tell that to any casting agents you know of, that would be great, thanks. I also moonlight as an usher and barista,” she added with a wink as she started unplugging speakers and coiling cable. “And tech girl, it appears,” she added. “But hi, Jean, it’s lovely to meet you. Both of you were incredible, you should have agents and label reps fighting over you in no time.”
And yet she’d still managed to find a free night to come see an old friend play a big gig. And, well, help pack up afterwards. She hadn’t been sure if she would have actually made the gig, so she hadn’t made any promises. But she’d managed to get the morning shift at the coffee shop and swap her shift at the theatre with a friend. So, a nap, coffee, and pill later she was ready for the gig. As usual, the universe didn’t want to make her life easy, and even though she was cycling there, she still got stuck in traffic. Having mentally sworn out a few cops and dumping her bike by the side of the bar, she made it in just as they started.
They were good. Sure, the inexperience showed in their nerves and the occasional technical glitch, but they had talent. And Wendy beamed with pride, applauding and cheering as they finished, already making her way to the side stage to congratulate Ashleigh as she came off. “Hey! You were amazing, oh my gosh!” She said as she climbed onto the stage. She rolled her eyes at the comment about her schedule. “And it’s only going to get worse,” she muttered, nearly more to herself than anything. Then she grinned at the handsome guitarist beside Ashleigh. God. He really was pretty.
She laughed a little at Ashleigh’s introduction of her. “If you could please tell that to any casting agents you know of, that would be great, thanks. I also moonlight as an usher and barista,” she added with a wink as she started unplugging speakers and coiling cable. “And tech girl, it appears,” she added. “But hi, Jean, it’s lovely to meet you. Both of you were incredible, you should have agents and label reps fighting over you in no time.”
JEAN-LOUIS GAGE
___________________________________
____________________________________
A Bar in New York City
#821122
____________________________________
Jean toyed with his sleeves and rolled them both up just past his elbows. The room felt too small, and he swore everything was a bit too loud. God, he hated crowds and people and all of it. Except that rush he got on stage. The little burst of energy that overcame him when they took the stage and began to play was incomparable. The build-up, however, was gut-wrenching.
His reverie was broken all of a sudden by Ashleigh’s appearance at his side. Jean jumped slightly, but it was masked by him suddenly turning to face her as she spoke hurriedly.
”Yes…” he finally said, giving a soft, breathy laugh. ”A little nervous, I suppose.” Jean looked back to her and forced a smile on his face as he watched her wring her hands. But his smile began to falter as she started speaking once more. The speed of her words raised his heartbeat, and he swallowed nervously. Jean forced out another soft laugh in a desperate attempt to soothe himself.
"It's...ah...it's alright." His accent colored his words, coming in more thickly as he clung onto his persona with everything he could. Jean looked down at his guitar and lifted it up, throwing the strap over his head.
When they went onto the stage, he fell into a sort of spell, losing himself in the music. They were beautifully in sync, his guitar complementing her voice and creating something altogether entrancing. He was almost sad to hear the song end until the sound of applause reached his ears.
Jean slipped his guitar back into its case and buckled it up before he heard Ashleigh's voice. He looked back up and noticed her speaking to another woman. He walked back up onto the stage to stand beside Ashleigh just as she was introducing him to the woman. Wendy.
"A pleasure to meet you, Wendy," he replied, extending his hand to her and leaning a bit too much into his accent. He wasn't an idiot - he knew Americans loved it far too much. "It's lovely to meet you as well."
"I can only hope so. Someone with her talent deserves to go far." He looked back at Ashleigh and gave a slight smile.
His reverie was broken all of a sudden by Ashleigh’s appearance at his side. Jean jumped slightly, but it was masked by him suddenly turning to face her as she spoke hurriedly.
”Yes…” he finally said, giving a soft, breathy laugh. ”A little nervous, I suppose.” Jean looked back to her and forced a smile on his face as he watched her wring her hands. But his smile began to falter as she started speaking once more. The speed of her words raised his heartbeat, and he swallowed nervously. Jean forced out another soft laugh in a desperate attempt to soothe himself.
"It's...ah...it's alright." His accent colored his words, coming in more thickly as he clung onto his persona with everything he could. Jean looked down at his guitar and lifted it up, throwing the strap over his head.
When they went onto the stage, he fell into a sort of spell, losing himself in the music. They were beautifully in sync, his guitar complementing her voice and creating something altogether entrancing. He was almost sad to hear the song end until the sound of applause reached his ears.
Jean slipped his guitar back into its case and buckled it up before he heard Ashleigh's voice. He looked back up and noticed her speaking to another woman. He walked back up onto the stage to stand beside Ashleigh just as she was introducing him to the woman. Wendy.
"A pleasure to meet you, Wendy," he replied, extending his hand to her and leaning a bit too much into his accent. He wasn't an idiot - he knew Americans loved it far too much. "It's lovely to meet you as well."
"I can only hope so. Someone with her talent deserves to go far." He looked back at Ashleigh and gave a slight smile.
“Alright, alright. Enough complimenting. I feel like we’re all uncomfortably forced to be here, but we’re not. We all somewhat know each other.” Ashleigh teases with a bright smile, nodding to Wendy and then keeping eye contact with Jean for a good second. “I’m sure someone will post something eventually, and everything will start snow-balling rapidly.”
Oh, if she only knew about the taped performance someone had just taken of them.
“But until then, we’re here, all together as friends. Now, let’s get this sound stuff up in the car and I’ll take you two out for some drinks?”] She smiles and hums, patting Jean’s shoulder as she moves around him a little close, squeezing between his side and the wall, to get to a speaker.
Oh, if she only knew about the taped performance someone had just taken of them.
“But until then, we’re here, all together as friends. Now, let’s get this sound stuff up in the car and I’ll take you two out for some drinks?”] She smiles and hums, patting Jean’s shoulder as she moves around him a little close, squeezing between his side and the wall, to get to a speaker.
═══════════════════════════
xxlocation: barxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxoutfit: here
═══════════════════════════
xxx"and we’ll never be royals,
xxxit doesn’t run in our blood,
xxxthat lux just ain’t for us
xxxwe crave a different kind of buzz."
Wendy had to all but stop herself from batting her eyelashes when Jean spoke. She'd always had a weak spot for French accents, and Jean's voice was just... She couldn't think of a way to describe it other than sexy. She shook his hand, before going back to coiling cable.
"Are you buying? My next paycheck is a while away yet and I just paid rent," she asked, but grinned at Ashleigh. "And don't worry about me being a third wheel, I'll just start flirting with every handsome stranger I see," She added with a wink. It was good being able to hang out with Ashleigh like this. When Wendy had hit rock bottom, she would have killed for a night like this. Except she probably wouldn't have even been able to spare the taxi fare in.
"So, what have you guys got lined up next? Madison Square Gardens, or are you going to keep it on the downlow?" She asked as she attempted to pick up a speaker. "Jesus Christ, these things are heavy. If I put my back out, you can deal with Mike, he won't much like the idea of having to deal with me doped up on painkillers while we're doing the press junket," She teased as she readjusted her stance and lifted it with a bit more ease. "Where are we bringing these again?" She asked, turning to look at Ashleigh.
"Are you buying? My next paycheck is a while away yet and I just paid rent," she asked, but grinned at Ashleigh. "And don't worry about me being a third wheel, I'll just start flirting with every handsome stranger I see," She added with a wink. It was good being able to hang out with Ashleigh like this. When Wendy had hit rock bottom, she would have killed for a night like this. Except she probably wouldn't have even been able to spare the taxi fare in.
"So, what have you guys got lined up next? Madison Square Gardens, or are you going to keep it on the downlow?" She asked as she attempted to pick up a speaker. "Jesus Christ, these things are heavy. If I put my back out, you can deal with Mike, he won't much like the idea of having to deal with me doped up on painkillers while we're doing the press junket," She teased as she readjusted her stance and lifted it with a bit more ease. "Where are we bringing these again?" She asked, turning to look at Ashleigh.
JEAN-LOUIS GAGE
___________________________________
____________________________________
A Bar in New York City
#821122
____________________________________
He felt color rush to his cheeks as he sustained eye contact with Wendy. She was definitely attractive - he couldn't deny that - and her sustained gaze shook him. He tried so hard to avoid attention, but for once, this attention didn't feel that bad.
Her comment about third-wheeling certainly didn't help, and he ducked his head to look at his shoes as Wendy started coiling the cables. It wasn't until Ashleigh spoke up that he looked back up again and gave a slight laugh.
"What? Like YouTube famous or something?" He looked between the two women. "Isn't that a bit of a....ah...'pipe dream'?" He gave a slight smile, realizing he was coming off a bit too pessimistic for his tastes. "Don't want to kill the mood. It could happen, but it's just kind of a one in a million thing."
He reached out towards Wendy, holding his hands out to quickly busy himself lest he receive backlash for his comment. Jean's nervousness was beginning to show, and it was making him a bit anxious. "I could take that speaker if you want. They make them way too heavy - and I don't think we have time to deal with this Mike in our busy tour schedule." Jean smiled at his comment, hoping he'd lightened the mood once more.
Jean jumped slightly as Ashleigh ducked behind him to grab another speaker, mumbling apologies for being in the way. He helped transport everything out to the car, and when it was all said and done, he looked back at the bar again and smiled for a moment.
"I'd say it's about time for those drinks."
Her comment about third-wheeling certainly didn't help, and he ducked his head to look at his shoes as Wendy started coiling the cables. It wasn't until Ashleigh spoke up that he looked back up again and gave a slight laugh.
"What? Like YouTube famous or something?" He looked between the two women. "Isn't that a bit of a....ah...'pipe dream'?" He gave a slight smile, realizing he was coming off a bit too pessimistic for his tastes. "Don't want to kill the mood. It could happen, but it's just kind of a one in a million thing."
He reached out towards Wendy, holding his hands out to quickly busy himself lest he receive backlash for his comment. Jean's nervousness was beginning to show, and it was making him a bit anxious. "I could take that speaker if you want. They make them way too heavy - and I don't think we have time to deal with this Mike in our busy tour schedule." Jean smiled at his comment, hoping he'd lightened the mood once more.
Jean jumped slightly as Ashleigh ducked behind him to grab another speaker, mumbling apologies for being in the way. He helped transport everything out to the car, and when it was all said and done, he looked back at the bar again and smiled for a moment.
"I'd say it's about time for those drinks."
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