My head and my heart are colliding chaotic

Jacque reached the signature line as Frankie rejoined her. She looked up as the other crossed over to her seat and smiled a little. “I love them-” She sniffed the air and grinned at the sandwich, reminding her of a bakery she went to the first week she arrived to town, but forgot to rediscover after gaining a functional kitchen. “I’m always running late so I never have time to stop for breakfast. Always granola bar and fruit city. I should invest in one of those alarm clock that have wheels on them,” she laughed. “But um… right.” She smiled a little and drew out her signature next to the penned date she filled in beforehand. “There we go. And there’s a copy for me to keep, yeah?”

"Was there anything that needed clarification?" She asked, gesturing to the papers that had already been signed. "Of course, and I'll sign each copy as well..." She gently took the papers from Jac and signed. On her part, it was mostly a confidentiality agreement. Along with a lot of legal jargon about how she couldn't be forced to keep a client should the client make her uncomfortable in anyway, and that the client had the right to choose a different attourney at any time. Frankie knew the papers by heart, even before her employment in Harmony. They were covered by the many things her parents had taught her.

Maybe this could be settled quickly. Maybe all it would take would be a phone call and the company would realize they would be dealing with the queen of sharks if this went to court. 

"Of course, I'm almost positive we have some apple danishes." She nodded. "I'll be back in a few moments- take your time." She headed off, leaving the young woman in the office to read over the contracts. A page in there for Jacs to keep also included pricing so she would know before signing. It was all laid out and Frankie made her way to the small kitchen that was laid out with a coffee maker and pastries of all sorts. In fact, in the fridge there were a few sandwiches from the bakery that they ordered from. Frankie set one of those to warm in the microwave while she poured two cups of coffee - one in a to go cup so Jacs wouldn't feel obligated to stay after she was finished. She grabbed a plate and neatly set the sandwich and apple danish on it before deciding on a croissant for herself. She greeted a fellow lawyer who was there to kill time- both of them had the same practice of allowing clients to read in private. So the chatted shortly, while allowing their clients time. Eventually though, she carried the goodies back to her office, the door being opened by her fellow lawyer. (Who tried to help but knew not to argue with Frankie when she turned him down- she was a stubborn do it yourself kind of woman. He knew that.) "We had some sandwiches as well, if you like bacon egg and cheese..." She set the plate with the sandwich and apple danish on it next to Jacs and rounded the desk to her own side, coffee and croissant coming to rest in front of her.

He could remember kids mocking him about it, his own brothers –in foster homes– saying he was crazy and needed help, that he was a liar since he couldn’t prove what he said. But as time went by, he got used to it, to the mockery, to hide his gift until he was older. Or only telling those he really trusted, though at times it would just slip randomly with people he felt comfortable with, like with that sweet blonde girl he’d talked to a while back. This time, with Frankie,  was one of the rare exceptions under curious circumstances.

He could understand her reasons to become a lawyer, he didn’t have any pressure from his parents, of course for obvious reasons and the way his life had turned came out of inspiration rather than someone else’s wishes for him. He grew curious though, to know about what she had wanted to be before discovering music.

She wasn't bullied- thankfully. Nor was she a bully. She was a bit of a loner. She was however, many times the one to stand up for those being bullied. In fact, one time she'd punched a boy in the face for calling another boy names... she got in trouble but her parents only gave her a scolding. To them, that was a sign of her aggressive lawyer side manifesting. It just took the wrong way out as she was still a bit too young to really understand how to harness it. At least, that's what they said then. Now... well now she was still a bit overly aggressive in many cases.

"Astronaut... that would be fun." She chuckled. "I wanted to be a singer when I was really young... then I wanted to be a police officer... it was a more physical version of upholding the law... you know, like my parents wanted me to do... but that was about when their pressure got the better of me and I stopped dreaming. I stopped trying to plan my own life and let them guide me." She sighed.

She chuckled at Jac's reaction to the idea of money, realizing only then that Jacque Lourez hadn't intended to make money... just to get the well deserved credit. "You're very welcome. I enjoy helping the honest." She smiled sweetly and stood after Jac directed her attention towards the papers. "I'm going to grab coffee and a pastry to let you read over these in private. Would you care for anything? I'd be happy to bring you back something. The firm buys fresh every morning." Frankie offered both in kindness and because she didn't want Jac to feel like she was watching her or being overbearing. She liked giving clientele space to read at their own pace.

When they reached the table she was grateful- it was a bit nerve wracking... helping him back to the table. Not because of him but because of everyone else around. All the people moving about- going for the stage. All the people moving round would make anyone nervous if they were in charge of someone else's safety.

"I've heard of synesthesia before... but I can't say it's been something I've researched greatly or anything... Perhaps you should look into it? It may be able to be managed if it's something else... might make it a bit easier if you ever wish to do something like that. I can understand how it would be overwhelming thought..."

“Let’s get back to the table then and I’ll tell you what this is all about, though I bet by making you wait makes it sound like a mysterious thing when it is actually a thing of statistics” he chuckled, “I’d love your help, I’m getting there slowly but it’s better to prevent any accidents” 

“Yes, that’s right.” She opted to responds audibly rather than not her head like she was nearly inclined to do. It was just a habit, nodding when within line of sight to someone else... often used in court or some such thing.

She listened as he explained about it and tilted her head, guiding him as they headed towards the table. “Synesthesia.... that sounds... interesting but overwhelming... especially in cases like this... guess it kind of rules out most parties or concerts huh?”

“Thank you, yes I’ll explain to you later” he smiled, trying to act as normal as he could but still he couldn’t see properly even as the clapping began to cease around them. “I can step this way yes” he smiled softly, squeezing her hands gently in gratitude.  Without further problem the stage was left behind, people calmed down and went back to mind their own business, at least until the next brave one came to step up on stage and sing. 

There was no familiar faces within the room, but for those he had met that night and maybe, if they saw him they’d have been clapping as well. But for the meantime he had to focus and recover his sight. “Thank you so much Frankie, I’m sorry for that” he smiled sheepishly. “I bet you’re wondering what this came from all of the sudden don’t you?” 

She led him off the stage and to somewhere they were safe to stop without being in the way or bothering anyone. “Don’t worry about it. It was not trouble for me.” It really hadn’t bothered her. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t wondering... it’s not everyday I’m asked to lead someone off stage... Excluding the fact that I’m not on stage everyday.” She chuckled.

“Let’s head back to the table and you can explain better there while we wait for our drinks?” She questioned curiously. Hoping he would indeed explain but knowing full well she wouldn’t ask him to if he didn’t seem to want to.

“I can help you the rest of the way if you’d like- just in case.” She offered in case he seemed to get the idea in his head that he shouldn’t ask. She truly didn’t mind helping, in fact that was what her job entailed more often than not. except it was in a less physical sense.

He followed along when Frankie pulled him further at the view of the crowd, bowing along as well with a huge smile plastered on his face. It had been fun this of playing and singing, although a couple of lines, in front of such a crowd like that one. Perhaps his heart wasn’t racing as hers, he could see the adrenaline in Frankie’s excitement. But it didn’t take away the emotion of happiness that seemed to flood his soul. 

At that precise moment he was now just basking in the full array of colors that the crowd was giving his senses, more like a Pollock dropping and splashing colors all around in front of him with his gaze being a canvas. Dabbing paint here and there with every clap… The whole thing was beautiful yet overwhelming and he was left to stay in his place for a moment until he heard ( and saw ) Frankie’s whisper about exiting the stage.  “I was about to do so until you pulled me along” he chuckled and bit his lower lip. “…Would it be too much of a trouble if I asked you to lead me to the stairs? I… uh.. I can’t see much right now…” 

“It’s just for now” he began to chuckle “I’m not used to the crowd applauding so much, they all just overloaded my sight” That might not make much sense to her at the moment but he’d later explain. 

Frankie loved the crowd’s response, she adored that they were happy... but it was so strange- so intimidating being on the stage without someone she knew in the crowd cheering her on that she knew before hand. Namely Charlie... or one of her friends from her home town. Now shew as somewhere new, without anyone really... save for a few coworkers. But she spotted none of them in the crowd.

“I didn’t want to just run off...” She muttered with a slight shrug. Which was true, she didn’t want to run away and if she’d left immediately it’d be unlikely that she’d be able to keep herself from physically running off the stage. At least now she could manage a fairly normal pace.

She blinked a bit at his request and glanced at the stairs behind them. “Uhm... Sure?” Frankie was, admittedly giving him a very confused look but she wasn’t about to just abandon him on stage in case whatever he was saying was actually true.

“Thank you,” Jacque breathed out the words then proceeded to follow the kind lawyer to her office. She didn’t know what this would cost her in the end, but that didn’t matter as much as her name and stolen work did. Debt never scared her as much as it should. Following the attractive lawyer to her office, she took the chair offered and sat up straight while crossing her ankles, sitting still and attentive. It was almost unbelievable how easily she could get this into action. She had almost all of what was asked: emails, a video sample with her dancing along, and time stamps to go along with photos and the videos. Realizing that the wiser of them two paused, Jacque nodded her head quickly and cleared her throat. Grinning, she felt a swell of calm flow through her and she relaxed slightly in the seat. “That must be fun even if you can’t see the color in their faces drain when you say it.” She breathed in, “but, yeah… yeah! No, I have…a lot of evidence when you put it that way. We did tons of chatting on Facebook and sent a few emails back and forth. And I actually do have a video of… half - I think - of the routine. I sent it in an email so that would count for a date stamp…” she trailed off, biting the corner of her lip to stop herself from grinning ear to ear. “Sorry, wow. My name’s Jacque Lourez.” She stood and offered her hand over the desk. “Are you… Frankie Lockhart? There’s not many female names out under the firm’s attorneys sign.” Jacque could think of very few things she wanted more than to run around the desk and give her a hug.

Frankie let the other girl talk, she seemed to relax as she realized she’d have everything needed. That would make it easier to, simply pointing it out to the company themselves that Jacque had gone to an lawyer. Had evidence and was going to pursue actions... they’d probably be asking to settle before a single call was out. Hopefully. It would make her happy, even if it wasn’t a huge case. It was going to help this young woman on her dream. Hell, getting a routine stolen was actually pretty damn good brownie points if you handle it well and the company recognizes you. Sure it sucks but when you get the recognition it adds a bit to your intimidation factor. “That’s great actually- it’ll be perfect. If you could get me copies of all of that, including the video itself and the email sent to them it would be great. Though I’d make sure you have them but don’t start copying them... with that much going against them they may just ask to settle....” She laughed lightly, it wouldn’t be the first time. It would be stupid to fight. Just give the girl her credit. “Frankie Lockhart, yes.” She chuckled, she had introduced herself but the girl had been a bit frazzled at first. “Yeah it’s a male dominated job... what can I say, I like a challenge.” She laughed. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Jacque. Beautiful name.” She reached over and shook the young lady’s hand. 

“How do you even know I can sing?”

“Because you’re at open mic night, sweetcheeks,” he replied with a wink, and then, of course, she came out with it, and he backed away a step with a half-smile and a wave to the stage. Get up there, he seemed to say without saying. He didn’t have a song in mind–they weren’t at his club, after all, he shouldn’t have to be in charge right now–but that hardly mattered. “Doing something bright and pop-y. Get them singing along.”

Otherwise this drab night off was going to be a complete waste of his time, and he would have been better off opening Crescendo up and shaking off its Sunday-night dust for an employees-only rave. This place had been chosen from a recommendation and its death was slowly draining his own life out of him. He wouldn’t be left alone with a pulse in this place if it was the last thing he did! He wasn’t up for taking the stage, and he was in no mood to move to a new situation by now. He would have twenty people linking arms and singing along for him, or he would go down swinging, easy as that.

“If you can’t liven them up, I’m leaving,” he added impulsively, eyeing the pathetic stage where the lone mic stood. It was sad, really; some places simply did not know how to market their product. He turned his head towards her before darting brown eyes towards her. “No pressure.” Tight smile, yes pressure, he wasn’t in the mood to fuck around right now.

"I could be here for the show, sweetcheeks.” She responded with a bit of a smirk. Though she could say, this man was awfully, amusingly, presumptuous. “I’m not usually that kind of performer...” She quirked a brow. “Why don’t you get up there?” It was said playfully, despite the honest question in it as she headed towards the stage. Not really expecting an answer and not waiting for one. She thought on her way up of a song that could possibly get the crowd going.

She bit back a remark though, as he told her if she couldn’t do it- he was leaving. She was wondering exactly how it was her problem if he left or if he stayed. He was attractive, she’d give him that. But it wasn’t as if they’d been talking before he decided to shove her up on stage. A small defiant part of her cried out to tell him off and leave instead. But she knew if she did get up there and lighten up the crowd it’d make one hell of an impression on anyone who was here.

Alex was the first one to start with a long, loud woo for the toast clapping his hands forcefully together to get the cheer going for her. This was his specialty, after all. “Cheers to that!” And he knocked back some beer, coming up with a grin and starting the cheer all over again.

For an Open Mic Night, this place was dead and everyone in the room knew it–only for the most part, they were politely trying to ignore it and pretend it would get better as the evening wore on. Alex was done with lying to himself, thankyouverymuch.

He pulled himself up from the table the way a puppeteer might drag a marionette up, back straighten and and legs gliding up behind him as–drink in hand–he made his way towards the girl (young woman, emphasis on the young) and slinging a companionable arm over her shoulder as he quietly stole the limelight out from underneath her.

“This girl–what’s your name, honey?–this girl gets it,” he announced to the room, not giving her an opening to answer his question. “There’s twenty of us here and there may as well be two; liven up, people! Look sharp! Live it up!” And another swig of beer, for good measure, before he bent at the waist and addressed the girl eye-to-eye.

“Let’s get you onstage, hot stuff, and put an end to the goddamned power-ballad-hour already.”

Frankie was not expecting anyone to respond. She’d mostly just been talking to herself. Trying to pipe herself up. She actually laughed slightly at the way this man just took control and suddenly he had the attention of the whole room around them. And he was dragging her into it. Dear god what had she gotten herself into?

She down the rest of her drink as he spoke, fully expecting him to just talk for a minute as he didn’t actually seem to need her name or anything else. Setting the empty glass aside she grinned when he was talking directly to her. “How do you even know I can sing?” She rose a brow at him. He could be making the worst choice int he world and he didn’t seem to care. What if she wasn’t a musician. She was amused that he either wasn’t concerned, or she gave off an aura of musician. Which would be brilliant in her mind.

“Lucky for you I can sing just about anything... what’ve you got in mind?” Which was true. As a child, the more classical songs had been okay, but then even those were silly. Then her own attention led to her and her- rock ballads. She’d done just about every type of song there was at least once.

He kept going, accompanying her with the melody to her voice, to her colors. So in awe with the atmosphere, the song, Frankie’s voice. He thanked her for encouraging him to sing and most for sharing stage with him, hoping that if all went well they could share a smaller one at that bar. 

As she continued singing, the end of the song came to his mind and he found himself wondering about how she’d end it. Would she be true to the movie song or give it a twist of her own? Whatever she chose he knew she’d make it, that little he had to already believe in her when it came to singing.

She did it, it had been wonderful in Drew’s ears, forgetting any other thoughts he’d had throughout the entire song, his mind focused in the last words coming from her lips while his hands coped with the harmony, making the notes match to the remains of her voice echoing in the room until both faded and there was complete silence within the crowd.

He looked up at Frankie with a smile, before daring to look at the crowd and wait for their reaction. They started to clap and a few to hooray at them in the background, Drew’s smile grew and he stood to bow gently before joining the clapping towards Frankie. 

Frankie took a breath to help calm herself. To ease her heart rate, to ease her mind. Bowing up there before she turned and grinned to the crowd. She couldn’t believe that she did it. She’d actually sung the entirety of Think of Me to a crowded room full of people. Many of which had been singing pop music all night. Which was fine, but it was definitely something they were going to remember her by. She hoped that it’d be a good memory for most of them. Surely she wasn’t that bad if this was the reaction she was getting.

She grabbed Drew’s hand and took a bow with him, because it was a group effort more than anything. She couldn’t have done it without it. She couldn’t have gotten up on stage alone. No... it would have been just another night sitting alone. Instead here she was. Plus- there was something fun about having a proper piano playing behind you on a song like that for once.

Jacki turned away from the wall of pictures and framed achievements to the first person that’s offered her help in the half an hour she had been there. They’re all probably busy. Or too stressed and can’t move from their cha– oooh, cute shoes! Focus, Jacque! Focus! 

“Hi. Actually…that would be really appreciated.” She gave a small smile and cleared her throat. Her hand started to ball into a fist but she stopped it and rubbed her sweating palms on the back of her pants before putting them into the pockets. “I have a concern about a copyright. Or, um, stealing? I… don’t know the legal name of it but– someone sold my choreograph routines without my permission. By the time I found out, it was too late. Music’s for sharing, but now they’re denying that we made an agreement to not sell it or make money off of it without doing it together. Sadly they’re in New York, and I’m here. Stuck. They refuse to return my calls and the company that’s making a killing with the video that used my stuff won’t take my calls.” She paused to take a breath. “I was wondering if there were steps I could take, legally, to get justice or at least some damn recognition- sorry! Sorry. Yeah, I just– it’s not silly either. This is my livelihood and it’s being undermined. You believe me, right?” she winced, only realizing after the word vomit left her mouth that it was a long ramble with few sentence breaks. Lourez couldn’t shake the nerves or how much it killed to be stabbed in the back by someone she trusted so well. It seemed to be a pattern for her as of late.

Frankie smiled, her full attention on he young woman in front of her. She seemed a bit nervous. Hoping to remedy that, she listened intently to the young lady. The young lawyer’s lips curled up in a slight smile as the girl suddenly asked her if she believed her. She nodded gently. “"First let’s hold off any conversation until we get to my office.” She stated simple. “That was it’s private and I can record everything properly.” She motioned to Jacque to follow her and led her down to the neatly organized office. There she pulled out the seat for Jaque and headed around to her own once her new client was seated. “Now, to start things off proper- Yes, I believe you. But we’re going to need some form of proof. Either a contract, or something of the sort. Do you have any videos or proof of you coming up with the idea first? Any proof of contact from you and them would be best. If you have any email conversations... anything like that. Phone records of you trying to contact them. Anything. The furthest back of records of those moves being yours specifically as well would be great. I don’t know if you record yourself or your routines...” She paused, letting the word sink in and the other girl to get her bearings. Hopefully she’d have something that would make it that much easier on the both of them to get this case going. “At the very least, I’m sure they’ll return a call from me... tacking Attorney onto your name really makes people stop and think.”

Lola smiled at the woman after she finished saying her request, “Well, I’m always partial to whiskey, but I know it doesn’t fit everyone’s tastes,” She shrugged, “I know I work in a bar but I’m perhaps a bit biased when it comes to alcohol,”

She grabbed a glass and began pouring some Jack into it, “It works for me. Not always my drug of choice per say, but it can me feel brave for a little while if that’s what I need. I like it because it’s simple and, depending on the person, usually quick,” Lola put the bottle back down on the counter

“I’ll hand it over, free of charge, if you share what’s causing you worry,” Lola tried to guess in her head what was causing the girl anxiety. A bad audition? An awkward run in with someone? Perhaps just another long and stressful day (ironically) in Harmony?

She slid the glass towards the other girl. “If it doesn’t do the trick, I’m sure some bourbon would work,” 

"I’m not picky, I’ve had a bit of everything I just never cared for the specifics unless I was drinking because it tasted good.” She’d had plenty of nights with Charlie, drinking to completely lost in the bliss of drunkeness and the fumbling in the dark that came after. It wasn’t as though she didn’t drink, that was far from the truth.

“That’s what I need- just a little kick.” She nodded. And hopefully it’d kick it by the time she got on stage. “But not enough to get sloppy- you know?” She laughed slightly. She was dressed to kill- having visited here once just long enough to get the vibe. Enough to be able to catch the men’s attention and still look professional up on the stage. 

She smiled when the woman offered her the drink free of charge- she’d leave her a nice tip before she left. Just for the thought. “I’m sure it’ll work fine.” She took a sip, remembering for a moment, whiskey tainted kisses. This was her first attempt at any thing since he’d left her. God it was bringing out the worst memories.