Briar Rose

“That’s true. Maybe you can add in the extra songs that didn’t make it the final project in an upcoming soundtrack? People would love that.” He asked her. “Maybe I can help you find a musician for your musical? Call in anyone I know who has connections with a musician. They may not be Amadeus, but will definitely help you with your musical.”

“Well, yeah, I mean, I already have Sally to make costumes, Moana to work with the dancing, and I’m thinking about asking Snow’s help, that girl surely knows how to play piano.”

“Well even if you don’t get on stage I still want to get to hear you sing the song at some points.  You don’t have to write all of them, you can get a partner to help you out.  I’ll try and see if I can get you in contact with Amadeus if you’re that stressed,” he reassured her.  “I am a man of my word.  I’ll give you a massage or whatever else you want, dear, I promise,” he murmured before leaning in and kissing her.  “I think it sounds interesting.  Oh so you’re drawing a little inspiration from home,” he said chuckling.  

“I’m not, I think the whole concept of love triangle is so... Two thousand lame, we’re in 2017, the world is changed, and people who are different and have this kind of relationship should be more represented, don’t you think? We just happen to be one of those couples I mentioned.”

“See! That’s one problem solved already.” She smiles, hoping to be reassuring. “Oh, I’m sure no one will even think about that. Especially not if you ensure that the plots are different. And even still, being perhaps a little derivative isn’t a bad thing.”  She can’t count how much she’s read that has the familiarity of another story. “I don’t know if I would use the word genius to describe me.” Marian’s positive that the word ‘genius’ ought to be reserved for people far smarter than she could ever hope to be. “But thank you. I’m glad I could help.”

Taking her friend’s hand into her own, a smile etched on her features, “thank you Marian, you know my aunt Flora always used to say the only problem we can’t solve is death, and well she’s right, I can see how you think alike with her, always trying to be logical, most of the time I just... Don’t know what I’m doing, does it make sense?” Furrowing her eyebrows the blonde just shook her head, “you are darling, accept it. So, I heard Robin is in town. Artemis is crazy so they can practice archery together, have you two already catch up?’

She giggled again, letting her joy show unabashedly. She loved the blonde girl so much and was honored beyond belief to be doing her costumes for this passion-project of hers. “That’d be the dream” she sighed, thinking about her dream of opening up her own business and making a name for herself outside of the House of De Vil. She loved where she worked, but she wanted to branch out too. “That and making your dresses for all those awards you’ll get!” she grinned. “We need to promise never to let ourselves go this long without seeing each other!” she reached out for Briar’s hands when she heard what she had to say “Oh my god what?! How???!” Sally half screeched, she could barely imagine dating one guy, let alone two “Well your news blows mine out of the water!” she settled in closer to her friend “Right, tell me everything. All the details - how did you end up in this poly-amorous relationship?” 

“And it will come true, love. You’ve been putting up with that hideous Cruella for ages now. I’m certain you have the experience enough to open your shop, and I can always help you, now that I’m dating two lords I’ll have plenty of parties and benefit events where I’ll always use your dresses, mark my words Sal, it’s going to happen, just trust me.” The blonde nodded to herself in agreement as she took the toothpick with olives from her martini eating them both. Squeezing her friend’s hand the blonde looked at her with an amused grin. “Well, I cannot say I can perfectly remember it, it all happened so fast... Since I lost my memory Adam was always there to me, he’s been my friend, a real good friend, he never treated me poorly. Then I met Philip and I fell for him right away, I met him at a time I needed someone and he was just there you know. So, when the two of them fought one another I couldn’t not be worried with Adam, Philip slammed his head in the wall, and I just knew... He was more than a friend to me. Things got a bit messy after that but the three of us decided to be with each other ever since.”

“Well if you’re half as talented at writing and producing as you are performing, I’m sure it’ll be a smashing success!” Marian hopes to fill her friend with confidence; Rose will undoubtedly need it if she plans on creating her own show. “Actors and dancers can’t to be too difficult to find in this city. You would just have to hold auditions once you’ve gotten more written, right? And you could set it to orchestral music?” She offers. “Oh of course,”she nods, listening to Rose speak of her friend. “You could always call or write him asking for advice until he returns? And otherwise, trust yourself and your talents.”

“I counting on that to be honest, I mean, having a lot of actors and singers. I think it can be a good idea but at the same time I’m worried with the orchestral music, what if press thinks it’s a bad copy of The Phantom of The Opera? It certainly wouldn’t be a good review, and unfortunately everyone seems to consider reading the news before taking any decisions when the subject is entertainment.” Rose tilted her head to one side, considering her friend’s words, she was indeed right, “That could actually work, Marian you’re a genius.”

Sally’s hands flew to her mouth as she gasped. She was so honored that Brair asked her that, she loved making costumes for her, and she had a certain passion for anything the blonde did and she knew this would be an amazing chance to work with her dearest friend “Are - are you sure? I mean I would love to. I mean if you’re serious about that then of course!” she bubbled, letting her words tumble over herself, hardly able to contain her excitement. She giggled lightly and sighed a bit  “Briar, does it feel like it’s been a lifetime since we’ve seen each other?”

Furrowing her eyebrows at her friend the blonde nodded her head dismissively, “what are you talking about, silly? But of course, I wouldn’t trust anyone else for this task, I mean, how could I? You’re the best seamstress in town, and I’m certain that when the world finds out about you there will be lines rounding the corners of the street you opened your boutique.” Nodding to herself in agreement with her last state Rose laughed at Sally’s excitement, the woman is a great a believer in her friend’s work and talents, if there was someone Briar could think about to assemble all the costumes of her troupe would definetely be Sally. “I know right, it seems whenever I’m in town you’re not, and the same applyes for you, I certainly don’t like it. And the worst thing about it is, I have so much to tell you, such as I’m dating two people at the same time... Which isn’t a bad thing because we’re not jealous of one another and whatsoever, but still it is different.”

“Isn’t starting to write something always the hardest part?  Well try not to overwhelm yourself, focus on one step at a time.  You won’t perform?  That’s a shame.  I love hearing you sing,” he said sighing.  “It makes sense there’s probably a lot more going on behind the scenes than performers often see.  Let me know whenever you’re stressed and I’ll try to help you relax.  I’ll run you a bath or give you a massage or something like that.”

“I don’t know if I won’t get in stage, I can try and multi-task like Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible, however I’m not being able to write a few lyrics, I wrote two already, which is good, but not so good, and I seriously need a musician here. “ A smile started to form in her lips, “now that’s sounds promising and you Mr Boudois better keep your word, cause I’ll be one to ask for a massage.” Leaning forward the woman kissed the tip of his nose. “I’m thinking about lovers who try to be together but can’t find a way, maybe trying to rewrite the stars, do you think it’s good? Or even a threeway relationship, after alll we’re in the 21th century.Of course it  would shock the traditional American family, but I think it would be a good surprise.”

“Hm, fifteen’s a bit much. Maybe twelve or thirteen for good measure.” Phil suggested. “How about producing the show? I know it’s more work than staring in it, but think of it as a challenge. You can workshop it, love. For now just focus on the songs and the storyline of your musical.”

“It’s good to have a large repertoire, even if some of the songs don’t get into the final project, don’t you think? I always was a great believer of ‘the more the merrier’, but maybe you’re right.” She shrugged a bit, collecting the papers with her tiny hands, “that’s what I’m doing to be honest, however I do have a few people in my mind to help me out with dancing and costumes. Though I seriously need a musician, I’m a singer, it’s completely different, yes, my knowledge helps me out a lot, but still, not the same.”

He smiled a little at her answer, nodding his head along with it. She seemed pretty excited about the idea of musicals, and while they might not be his go to movie, it was good for her. “I remember commercials for some circuses growing up, sure. It’s not a bad idea, they always seemed pretty cool. High energy and everything. I bet it could write itself.” He laughed at her question before he could stop himself, and shook his head. “Sorry, sorry. Thanks, but I’m no actor. Or singer. I’ll stick to my races.”

“I don’t know about the part it could write itself, since well, writing anything is difficult, alas a good musical, besides can you think what the press would say? And I don’t believe in ‘every publicity is good publicity’, especially in my case, can you imagine? Good singer but bad in producing, hm-mh, not for me Sir.” The blonde scrutinized his face, a smile on her face. “That’s a shame, my ear never betray me, and I’m certain you’d be good at singing.”

“Hey, you never know, you could make a good musical. I don’t get it, but a lot of people love those. What’s it going to be about?”

Furrowing her eyebrows a bit Rose took a moment of consideration before shrugging, " I, for one, love musicals. If my life was a movie it ought to be a musical, even if I'm an opera singer, musicals are my spirit animal." Conviction could be heard in every word she pronounced, a feeling of joy and pride, even if it was a bit eccentric, even for her. "A circus. Do you remember when you were a kid and you would always be mesmerized by the trapezists? Or even the man covered in tattoos? I think it could be a great idea. And wooden legs. I think the sky is the limit here, there are so many subjects a circus can lead to... And plots, I just need a story.... And a new maestro but well.... Have you ever sing for somebody Chad? I have a good ear for voices, and I’m certain you’d make a great leading actor.”

“I’m not sure actually.... But musicals are different, and I don’t even know if I’ll be singing at it or just producing, buuuuut, I do have a job for you, I need someone to sew the costumes. Do you want the job?”

“Ooh that sounds interesting! Maybe I can try to help. What’re the ideas you have so far?”

“I want a circus story. With a tightrope running from one side to another  on the stage, and trapezes. It’s risky, the odds of something going wrong are huge, but I think with rehearsals things should be good. What about you, John?”

“Oh that sounds promising,” Marian replies, words accompanied by a gentle nod of her head. She leans forward into the conversation, hoping to well convey how curious she was about the details. “Who is Amadeus?”

“Well I hope so, I’ve never written or produced anything, I just perform, it is indeed a good change, although more stressing. Besides I don’t even know if I’ll get it out of the paper... I need actors, and dancing, and a band... I’m used with orchestras.” Beneath all those layers Rose felt so scared, the musical could be a complete disaster, or worse. Maybe she was better off just singing operas. “Maestro Forte, you know, Adam’s friend, self proclaimed Scrooge of the new era. When we met he was.... Difficult, but now he’s one of my best friends. He’s in Paris with his parents now. Don’t know when he’ll get back which is a shame, cause I’m certain he would be able to make this entire show happen in just one month.”

“Well even one song’s a start.  That sounds very interesting.  I think it could be very challenging to stage but if you pull it off very visually stunning.  I do think you could write a very successful musical if you tried.”

“Sutre, but it’s not enough. I mean I need actors too. And a lot of others things. Maybe I’ll just produce it this time, you know, I won’t perform anything.” Chuckling a bit Rose shook her head, “you know what’s funny? I always thought that getting prepared for singing was stressing, but producing, is so much more, and I didn’t officially started.”