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Post by Dahlia Lenil on Jun 25, 2016 19:06:13 GMT -7
As much as she hated making nice with the other rich kids, it often proved to be a necessary evil to keep up the needed appearances. Especially when her mother's technology company was in the middle of sealing a very important deal, seeing the 'children' getting along was sometimes the pushing point for pushing forward a working cooperation. Every smile had to be sweet and genuine, compliments given freely and all impulses to gag held at bay. Sometimes the most important part of a business was making your partners feel they were the most important factor, even when they could be barely a blip on the radar. When the twins she was supposed to be entertaining mentioned a play they were wanting to see, it was supposed to be a way out. Lia could sit through whatever mediocrity they picked out, exchange a bit of polite small talk and enthusiastic lies, and all her obligations for the evening would be done. A play, no matter how awful (and just shy of plagiarism) the title was, meant that she wouldn't have to talk to her company for the entire duration. That in itself was a blessing. How on earth had she been supposed to know how awful it was? The twins had sung its praises as a cult classic, with a powerful message and compelling story. All that Lia saw was a poorly mashed together cluster, it's plot points so scattered she couldn't even tell what the overarching story line was supposed to be. It was around the time that the characters started talking about finding the Foyer of Prayers within the Garden of Lucidity that her eyes started to glaze over. She needed to get out of here now, but they'd only barely finished the first act. If she didn't do something soon, she was sure that her brain mush would simply start to drip out of her own ears. The moment the intermission started, she turned to her companions to excuse herself for a moment. They barely paid her any mind, close to tears from some sort of shocking development and blathering on about theories for the second half. Lia headed away from the room at a brisk pace, not sparing a single glance back as she walked towards the concessions. The line would be hell, but surely not more so from whatever mess she'd just pulled herself from. Going back in may be the hardest thing she'd ever done. Shane Mcloud |
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Post by Shane Mcloud on Jun 25, 2016 19:24:08 GMT -7
Shane had the most accursed luck when it came to his family. He had always appreciated what little attention he could get in the beginning, but now he really didn't care that much and actually enjoyed when he was ignored as it appeared all he got was criticism about his life. This time it wasn't about him not taking over as potential head for the Mcloud Machinery company...nope he was apparently too uncultured and so he was required to sit through a play they had heard about at one of their many meetings. Now usually this wouldn't have been problem, he didn't see them often but he could enjoy a classic here and there, Shakespeare had some of his favorite comedies...course he heard the name and had to repressed a shudder. "Dying Poets' Ossuary" there was some hope it could be a parody, I mean who names their play something so plagiarist and awful and doesn't make it stupidily funny...WHOEVER THE HELL WROTE THIS PLACE THAT'S WHO! But it was okay, he had counter measures for this, two cans of soda, and phone full of music...once again Lady luck spat him as he had misjudged one thing, the length of the accursed thing that outlasted both of his sodas and battery life. So when he heard the intermission come up, he didn't even bother to ask as he made his escape. Overpriced caffeine here Shane comes.
Making his way towards the line, he noticed a slightly familiar face, he knew he had seen her a few times at meetings and the like but never actually talked with her. Hell only knew her name began with a D and she was in a kinda cool tech company...was it worth potentially bugging someone that could cause a partial collapse in his company, just for a mere distraction from the play.
"Sooooooo...Pantry of bleeding...must've taken a creative genius months to come up with that one huh?"
Yes it was extremely worth it, even if he handled it a bit awkwardly and may get slapped, maybe he could fake injury and escape. Oh how one could have a little hope.
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Post by Dahlia Lenil on Jun 25, 2016 20:23:02 GMT -7
Her eyes were glued to the head of person in front of her, staring blankly at their hair as the line trudged forward. Did this many people honestly thing that the snacks were worth the steep price? It hardly mattered to her, but waiting so long just for a small bag of stale popcorn seemed as if it would be disappointing to anyone. If this wasn't her current excuse for leaving Lia wouldn't have even thought to waste her time.
It was only when a voice came from over her shoulder, carrying a vaguely familiar note, that she was pulled from her extended case of brain fog. The guy standing there was... someone. She was almost certain she'd seen him somewhere before, but it was hard to ring a bell. At some business meeting? Some other family associate she'd long forgotten about? No no, it felt a bit fresher than that in her mind. An image of the beach flashed into her mind, on a hot day with a Popsicle nearly landing on her face. Her gaze actually softened a bit at the realization, her guarded malice shifting into a more approachable boredom.
At least someone here seemed to recognize how god awful this thing was.
"Personally, I find myself drawn more towards the Necropolis of the Skull," she shot back, keeping a completely straight face as if her criticisms were nothing but honest. "It's truly the work of a genius that fit in such a needless amount locations in, while still managing to give the characters nothing a script of nothing but one-dimensional cliches."
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Post by Shane Mcloud on Jun 25, 2016 20:23:44 GMT -7
Shane had to hold back the internal cheer and dance he was having. A fellow tortured soul in this pit of boredom and desolation, it was a bloody miracle and one he was going to take. As he stared a bit more, recognition finally kicked in of his most recent memory, a popsicle and beach...well she uh didn't seem mad and was going along with what was hopefully a joke, so this attempt was a success in his book.
"Indeed it must truly be difficult for the public masses to appreciate such a genius who could create the Kitchen of Amnesia or Park of Cold and Secrets."
While she was keeping a straight, Shane had gone for snootiest tone he could muster, even raising in his hands and shaking his head as if in mock pity.
"Who could forget and not appreciate the emotional trauma of John walking into that Kitchen and forgetting he went there to make a sandwich, such sweet sorrow and drama that matches the likes of William Shakespeare himself."
It was getting increasingly harder and harder for him to hold the snooty face, as bits of laughter threaten to burst out.
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Post by Dahlia Lenil on Jun 26, 2016 17:33:48 GMT -7
"Ah, but you forget the very important significance that sandwich held to the overarching plot." She couldn't really help it, the corner of her mouth creeping upward into an amused smirk. Part of Lia had been worried that everyone willfully sitting through this garbage was enjoying it, but there was at least one person remaining in the world with common sense. "John had been crafting the meal for his dear sick mother, who'd been locked away for years in the Crimson Chamber of the Sapphire. The incident with the sandwich was clear foreshadowing of her fate, to be erased from history entirely."
Rolling her eyes, she finally broke her deadpan expression in favor of obvious exasperation. She'd been doing enough pretending for her guests tonight, and doing so for someone she barely knew wasn't the most appealing thing at the moment. At least he agreed with her, making the wait towards the concessions a bit more bearable.
"Honestly, I lost track of the play's sad excuse for a story ages ago. You could start making up jumbled phrases from the top of your head, and I'd have no choice but to believe you." Letting out a quiet huff of laughter, she took a single step forward in the line. "The beginning of act two could feature a dinosaur breaking through the far wall, and I'm not sure that I would bat an eye. I'd be far too focused on staying awake to manage."
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Post by Shane Mcloud on Jun 26, 2016 17:47:24 GMT -7
Shane let out a snicker or two as she continued along, a little proud of himself that he saw a smirk break through, and nodded his head in agreement.
"Of course how could be like John and forget such important metaphors and symbolism."
He couldn't hold back any longer and began laughing aloud, around his stomach this was too much. It was almost worth seeing the god awful travesty just to tear it to shreds with someone else. Almost, being a very key word, they still had another act and he was in agreement, they could pull any old thing out of the writer's ass and he wouldn't question or care about it...even a dinosaur bursting through wasn't that interesting.
"Never thought a dinosaur bursting through could be boring, but I don't doubt this playwright's ability to make it a snoozefest...can I take a wild shot in the dark and say you were dragged here as well?"
He was slightly curious about his cynical companion and why she was here, more so than even what the hell her name was funnily enough. But hey if she was this great all time, maybe he could have a fellow partner in crime while sitting through meetings and fancy parties.
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Post by Dahlia Lenil on Jun 26, 2016 18:20:53 GMT -7
Lia's fingers tapped against her arms in a steady rhythm, her eyes glued only to the wall in front of her. Having someone there helped ease her frustration a little, but it felt like every second still inside the building grated on her nerves. "In a way. I agreed to take my guests here to keep them occupied, under the impression that the worst scenario would leave me mildly bored. As it turns out, I was utterly wrong in nearly every way."
Sighing, she wondered how anyone besides the two of them seemed to stomach the travesty that was happening on that stage. Could they see the humor in the ridiculousness? She couldn't help but doubt it, with the lack of laughter that came after the worst lines she'd ever heard.
"Just a few siblings, heirs to a very important company that are in the city for the weekend. It's up to me to play nice, keep them happy, and apparently torture myself with their awful taste in theater. What sort of merciless beasts have brought you here, rather than anywhere even lightly tolerable?"
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Post by Shane Mcloud on Jun 26, 2016 19:13:10 GMT -7
Shane let out a sigh in sympathy, he had to play that social game a few times but growing he had someone else who could handle it so it wasn't as often. But now he was in the same sort of boat of frequently putting up with it, much to his chagrin. He also was in mild disbelief that no one else in line was laughing or talking crap about the play, there's no way they were the only sane ones in the building...actually scratch that it was very likely if they were all as 'upper class' as them.
"Not everything can go according plan, trust me I think I'm a living example of that to my parents."
With a shrug at the slightly depressing quote, Shane nodded and couldn't help but laugh at the 'merciless beasts' quote, she wasn't wrong that's for sure.
"Parents, if you can believe it, thought I was too uncultured and using technology too often so I should return to a simpler time and appreciate it...not my fault my job requires I have some understanding of tech and that I actually enjoy it...I wouldn't mind that much if this was ya know...Actually freaking art."
He had said the first half in the snootiest tone he could muster, wagging a finger in a very disaproving manner before letting out a tired sigh and rubbing the back of his head. Why the hell were they going to have to go back to the torture called 'art'.
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Post by Dahlia Lenil on Jun 26, 2016 19:54:16 GMT -7
Lia nearly had to bite her tongue to keep from responding to his comment about parents, thoughts of her own mother flashing through her head for a moment. She knew all to well what it was like to be at the end of a disappointed glare, knowing it was her own fault for not being better. There were certain obligations someone in her position had, and neglecting to meet even a single one meant she didn't deserve any of the precious time that had been wasted on her.
"If appreciating technology was somehow a bad thing, my own family would have gone bankrupt ages ago. While there are important things to be learned from looking at our roots, we cannot move forward if we don't embrace the inevitable future." At this point it sounded like she was quoting from the back of some brochure, looking down at her perfectly manicured nails with a bored expression. "That's ignoring the fact that I'd call the latest smart phone far more cultured than whatever they're trying to pass off as a play. If anyone tried to call that thing art with even the slightest hint of sincerity, I might just vomit then and there."
To think, she'd sold one of her own paintings to this theater a few months back. She'd liked to think that they had at least a small eye for talent due to that, but perhaps they simply were willing to support any trash thrown their way. She hadn't even seen where they'd hung up her work, likely in some disused corner as proof that they were all about the Local Artists.
"Art is a lot of things. I could have a whole rant about the nature of art, ranging from the literal to more figurative. I might talk myself in circles just trying to nail down even the slightest edge of the concept of art, but I can tell you one thing for certain. What they are showing in there? It's not art. I'd sooner call that red mess downtown from a few weeks ago art than that play."
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Post by Shane Mcloud on Jun 27, 2016 1:44:40 GMT -7
Shane was thankful this distaste and annoyance was aimed at the play and not himself, he could see a lot of withheld fury in that speech. Only one who considered them self an artist would have such heated passion for this subject, and he actually respected it a bit, also her defense of his love of electronics was quite nice as well.
"Thanks, it's nice to finally meet someone of somewhat similar mindset in this upper class bubble, makes me feel less insane. I try not to pretend I know art, and I'm glad to know that my opinion of that garbage is at least spot on."
He smiled appreciatively at his fellow critic. He actually thought that red mess was cool, but that a bit of a personal bias on his part and he really didn't want to ruin this potential friendship over an argument like that. Though he did rub the back of his head in embarrassment before holding out a hand awkwardly.
"And I uh realized I don't know your name...ooooooor have told you mine, I'm Shane Mcloud it's really nice to meet a fellow sane person."
Smooth as a bloody gravel road Shane.
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Post by Dahlia Lenil on Jun 27, 2016 19:47:01 GMT -7
"I can claim to know art and get away with it, but for the most part everything is very subjective. Something that may mean quite a lot to one person won't have nearly the same effect on someone else, no matter what the true quality of the piece is. Though even if I say that, some pieces of fiction supposedly meant to entertain are just so horrid that anyone who likes it is simply wrong. There isn't another way to look at it."
Finally managing to look at the other again, she offered him a genuine (if a bit awkward) smile. Even given how often she had to play the social scene with other rich families, it wasn't often that she held a real conversation with someone. In fact, this was the first she could remember in a long time that didn't feel entirely forced on both ends. It was honestly a bit refreshing.
Maybe it helped that they both were trapped at such a bad play, building bonds through mutual suffering. Lord only knew that she was terrible enough at talking to new people, even with that given handicap.
"My name is Dahlia Lenil," she introduced, primly holding out one hand to shake. "Though I think you'll find that even fewer people than you assume are truly sane. That's a word I find to be even more relative than art."
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Post by Shane Mcloud on Jun 27, 2016 20:13:28 GMT -7
"Sanity, normality, and art are terms that are held in a state of relativity, one of which few but the truly sane or enlightened would acknowledge such a fact."
Shane quickly recited the quote in response to her statement about the sane before blushing a bit with a grin, giving her one hand one brief shake before rubbing the back of his head. That poetic side of him didn't come out often, especially at formal stuff like this, but it was nice when it did. An extremely good sign that he was a bit relaxed or at least comfortable.
"Sorry for that uh tangent, I kinda agree with ya on the whole relative thing, but at the very least we appear to be on similar wavelengths of insanity so that we can acknowledge that atrocity of a play and not want to kill each other."
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Post by Dahlia Lenil on Jun 28, 2016 16:46:56 GMT -7
"I think anyone who walks out that door is likely to have murderous impulses, no matter their level of supposed insanity. It's lucky for you, and the other innocent patrons, that the majority of mine is currently aimed at the script writers."
Dahlia hadn't even noticed this time when the line shifted towards the concessions, staying exactly where she stood as the others moved a bit forward. It was strange, but she was starting to let herself enjoy the conversation as they were. Most of people both in the upper class and her age group were insufferable, while anyone of lower status seemed to put in the effort to be universally boring. Shane was surprisingly bearable, while still somehow managing to keep her interest.
"Fancy yourself a poet?" There was a full smirk on her face now, the light teasing evident in her voice. "Never had much of a skill for the spoken word myself. Paint has always been my medium of choice."
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Post by Shane Mcloud on Jun 28, 2016 17:16:22 GMT -7
"Well uh kinda poet philosopher or comedian, I'm fairly good with the spoken word as i never shut up, gives me a loooooooooooot of experience."
Shane replied a light embarrassed blush on his face when he saw the smirk on hers. Oh please don't let her be like the one of the annoying pricks who-, oh thank god she's just a painter. He had had enough teasing from others in their social class whenever he revealed it and it would quickly piss him off when he did so...course he couldn't punch worth a damn and even if he could that wasn't exactly a good business strategy. No longer focused on that slight amount of anger and annoyance, he once again got lost a bit in the conversation, also ignoring the line in favor of listening to her.
"Paint's a fun one, if could I would get into it because of all the different and likes in it which make it really cool. It's like being a scientist and artist at the same time, and now that I've said that it makes sense why leonardo enjoyed painting."
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