Musician x Muse Plot Ideas:
An intern for a small folk record company is tasked with hunting down a reclusive artist. When she finds him, she expects it to be a piece of cake to get him back to the city but what started as a simple task soon devolves into madness, & it’s going to take more than a positive attitude to get him to cooperate.
Could be a romantic plot, but could also just be a kind little Enemies to Friends situation.
What would you do if a time traveling musician found their way to your doorstep?That’s exactly the situation Muse A is faced with when, on an already hectic morning she runs into an odd stranger standing at her doorstep. Muse B insists this is their apartment but Muse A begs to differ, having just signed the lease a week ago, and brushes past him making sure to lock the door as quickly as possible before making her escape. However, upon Muse A’s return home they notice Muse B has disappeared but their after work relaxation is soon interrupted by a crash from the Bathroom. It seems Muse B isn’t out of their hair just yet.
I see Muse B having a key, and since its an old building the lock hasn’t changed and as it turns out thats easily proven when Muse A compares their key to B’s.
The traveler could be from any era, preferably 60-70′s for peak folk vibes. Muse A likely works in the music industry but has become jaded, no longer able to see past the money hungry nature of an industry she once adored for its honesty. Muse B comes from a time when crummy values were just starting to be reflected in the industry, and instills A with a sense of hope.
I know this could tread into Manic Pixie Dream Girl territory but god am I a slut for time traveling musicians.
Potential plot points:
Muse A finds an old record, and realizes its a Muse B release
Muse B has to decide whether they should find a way back or stay with Muse A
Muse A busks outside of Muse B’s place of work, almost every day they stop to enjoy A’s music trying their best to offer up some change when they can. One night, Muse A is late getting back to their little apartment when they spot Muse B. Unfortunately, Muse B is attacked, and while they struggle to free their bag from the muggers clutches Muse A steps in and whisks them away to a quiet corner to hide. Still shaken by the attack, Muse A brings Muse B to a 24 hour diner, buying them hot chocolate and hash browns to give them a distraction. Muse B finally begins to speak again, trying to laugh off the situation and mentioning how stupid it was for them to be working so late. The two find comfort in each other, and though they are worlds apart they have more in common then they might expect.
Muse A could be homeless, but honestly I know a lot of musicians that busk when they need some coffee change.
Muse B is a musician themselves, but have struggled to continue with their passion as generally they’re too exhausted after a day in the office.
Maybe there isn’t even an attack, maybe Muse B catches them cleaning up or they don’t show up one day and the next time they’re there Muse B checks in and makes sure they’re ok.
An established couple, one of which is the “struggling musician”-trope, while the other has a long term job. Basically just a general romance plot where they’re trying their best but their best doesn’t exactly support Muse B to the extent that Muse B supports A.
Could end in Muse A getting famous OR the continuous struggle between the two.
Record Store Cutie: Muse A is the assistant manager at a record store known for hosting open mics in the coffee shop that the store shares their space with. She’s seen it all, from ridiculous double acts to their personal synth hell. That is, until Muse B performs one evening. Their voice is soothing, and it feels like they are singing to A and A alone. They start to perform at the open mics more consistently, and Muse A starts making sure they’re working just so they can catch their sets.
In House AU’s:
Muse A pines and pines and doesn’t know what to do with themselves when Muse B comes to the counter to pick up a record ordered for him.
Muse A goes back and forth, considering asking Muse B to coffee once they start spending more time but is disappointed when the barista stops by and reveals the two have been dating for a while.
I’m a sucker for pining and melancholy.
They share flirtatious glances, but nobody makes a move until its TOOOOOO LATE.
She donates like 20 dollars to his bandcamp thinking its anonymous but as it turns out, her email address gave her away. He approaches her and asks her if they can get a drink and things move on from there.
Muse A has been trying to get a music career started for the past five years but nothing ever seems to work out. Drummers quit, practice plans fall through and it seems like no matter where they turn they’re left hanging by people that they trusted. Cue Muse B. A talented pianist, guitarist and just about any other instrument you can think of who answers Muse A’s final attempt at putting on a show. ‘Last minute gig, must have own guitar’. And like that, a momentary band.
They play together and expecting B to just disappear like everyone else Muse A treats them like trash, ending the arrangement immediately after the show. Muse B, isn’t going to take it and tries to contact them to continue. It’s hard to deny they played together well and suddenly, it’s like all the pain was building up to this. They start booking gigs, playing around town and eventually get to open for a larger band but there’s one problem...Muse B seems to be getting all the attention, and what started as a solo project is ending as one...it’s just a question of whose project.
Oh Brother!: Muse A is in town for a wedding but their hotel is cancelled unexpectedly. In a mad dash to get a place to stay, he contacts the groom who offers up his sisters couch as an alternative to the luxuries of a Hilton. Muse B is the grooms sister, and boy is she surprised to find a stranger in her apartment when she gets home. Initially peeved with her brother for offering up her apartment without her permission, Muse A turns out to be quite the interesting character and as the big day closes in and A makes themselves at home in B’s apartment. They soon find they have more in common then they thought, both A & B are musicians by trade and both have been struggling to keep the passion for their music alive when a day job sucks up their energy. For that week, the two grow closer and even sing a song for Muse B’s brother at the wedding. But soon, the two must go their separate ways and what seemed like the perfect match begins to deteriorate due to long distances between them, and the one thing that brought them together falling to the back burner for work.
This can go one of two ways, be a melancholy split and maybe get some serious Like Crazy vibes or perhaps they grow closer over time, their music keeping them together and their passion growing with every tune they write for one another.
