pin

Bryoni had heard tales similar to Pin’s a million times over before. But, that didn’t mean she didn’t laugh. They were still funny stories. So, she smiled and nodded and laughed. “I get it. That’s fair,” Bry nodded slowly. “Oh I work in an antiques restoration store. I — help restore antiques.”

“Antique restoration.” He repeated. Now that sounded different from any customer service job Pin had ever heard of. “That sounds much more relaxing than what I had in mind when you said customer service. That actually sounds like a really interesting job. What are some of the most interesting pieces you’ve come across?”

“Oh um-” Dora paused as pondered over the question. Dancing seemed like alot of effort, she wasn’t exactly the most energetic person to begin with. But speaking publicly let alone trying to do it convincingly sounded a little like a nightmare. But she didn’t want to admit that both ideas sounded a little - well scary- to her. So instead, offering a soft smile she spoke with a light shrug: “I think both sound.. umhm- pretty great.”

“Well of course they’re both pretty great.” Pin replied with a grin. “I may be a little biased, though.” He added “But do you think you’d have any preference? I mean dancing lessons would definitely be more of an upbeat experience. Acting feels more personal to me, though I know many people who feel the same way about dance so it just depends on your preference.”

“I was planning to audition for Viola but they’re asking me to read for Olivia - so I guess that’s the plan.” She smiled, encouraged by his excitement. “You would by my absolute hero if I could borrow that. I’m completely hopeless at understanding - no matter how hard I try. I really want to get this part.”

“Olivia is also a great part.” Pin nodded. “Honestly any part is a great part in this wonderful show. And of course, I don’t mind at all, I can bring it to you later or sometime tomorrow. Just let me know, I’m free and I would also love to run lines with you if you need it.”

Barbie’s pasted on smile quickly grew to a real one. “Oh, epic. I’m auditioning for a role.” She rifled through her clutch to produce her phone, pulling up the sample of the script on her phone. “Like a suburbia retelling. I got through the play but I’m pretty sure I only understood like 40% of it. I wanted to watch She’s the Man, but the director said she’s trying to put as much distance between herself and that movie as possible. Also, Amanda Bynes spilled ramen on me once and I don’t want to look at her face. So then I tried to find the No Fear Shakespeare version of it, but they’re sold out like everywhere, I can probably thank your students for that. So basically what I’m saying is please help me.”

“You’re auditioning?” He asked, his hands clasping together by his chin and there was no hiding the grin plastered across his lips. Pin loved all theatre but he especially loved acting and the whole process of auditioning. Though it was the most stressful part for some people, Pin loved his usual rituals himself and he loved even more to sit in on them and see what people could do in one of their most vulnerable moments. “Okay so who are you auditioning for? Anyone specific? Are you trying for Viola? Oh you’d be so fun to watch, an-” he stopped himself before he rambled on anymore and shook his head. “Okay no, no Amanda Bynes allowed up in here. I actually have a few extra copies of the No Fear, my copy at home is already marked up with some notes in the margins to make the No Fear translation even easier to understand because goodness knows that’s what my students need always. Anyway, I could lend that copy to you? We’ve already studied Shakespeare.” 

“To be honest,” The blonde sighed. “Probably acting. I’m not really in many situations where proper dancing is needed whereas with acting, I guess it could actually help with my job - Customer service and all that.”

“Customer service,” Pin repeated with a nod. “You know that is one job I never quite had the patience for, I tried it but .. honestly most days after work I just cried. Gosh that makes me sound soft but confrontation is my least favorite thing. But I can imagine you’re probably already a better performer than you think solely because of that job. It takes a lot of stamina to put up with humans all day. Where do you work?”

“ Acting. I mean… I come in like a wreaking ball with my thoughts, zero filter applied and there’s no point in lying when I have zero ability to do so. But maybe an acting lesson would help with that? Not that I’d change for people but it might stop my face saying ‘I hate you’ before my mouth does. ”

A grin tugged at the corner of Pin’s lips as he listened. It was fun to hear the thoughts from someone else. “That’s a good way to look at it, I think,” He nodded slowly, “Think of acting as a tool that you could use for yourself and not really to change yourself. That’s good, I’ll need to share that with my students..” He trailed off, “But yeah, no actually being a bit of a wrecking ball and not having a filter isn’t a bad thing as an actor, I mean, as long as you use that in a positive way, of course.” 

Barbie tucked her clutch under her arm and slid into the booth, sighing. “Hi,” she said, pasting on her signature smile. “Do you happen to know anything about Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night? Like, anything at all?”

“Cute clutch..” Pin muttered under his breath as Barbie slid in across from him. Though he wasn’t sure she heard him. He just smiled and listened. “Twelfth Night? You mean the one with Viola and Sebastian. The one where they each think the other is dead but everyone else they come into contact with thinks they are the other sibling. The one with Duke Orsino, the love of my life? Barbie, of course I know. I teach it to my students every year, you’re so cute.” 

Astrid had found what she believed to be a quieter part of the park. She had been taking photos in the hopes of filling up a new photo set for her wall but she’d clearly gotten herself distracted.

“ With an outfit like this I could actually post myself on Insta for once. ” Mostly she used it to dedicate to the plants and animals she found in the park.  

“For once..” Pin repeated. “Girl, while I absolutely adore your park plants and animals aesthetic, you really should sprinkle a little more of yourself throughout it. You always look so great, and the world needs a little more park ranger chic.”

“Of course black is a spring color. It’s spring and I’m wearing it, therefore it’s a spring color.” 

“Oh, Peggy please tell me you’re at least planning to spice it up a bit.” Pin replied, eyeing the blonde. “You know, maybe with a few greys, or a dark blue or burgundy? Of course you know I love the darker shades myself but am a huge supporter of being bright and loud in your own way.. So while black is badass, we’re going to throw in a pop of color, yes?”