hammers fall on the pieces. . . {open

[conner gregory.]

<sub>He wouldn't deny, he knew his way around a theatre. He'd worked everything from soundstages to lights, and then made it on stage and found his home. So, it was no surprise that he was sitting on a stool in the middle of the stage, the lights in the house were dimmed or turned off, and only one light was on on the stage itself. The young male's shaggy brown hair was pushed back out of his eyes, and he sat, looking out at the empty seats, with a script in his hand. It was a play he was planning on using for his competition piece. Macbeth, when he is contemplating suicide. Closing his eyes, he let the words that he now knew by heart fill him, knowing every word and every beat he needed to hit. In truth, it was a depressing part of the play, but, it was one that Conner had been able to grasp a lot easier than many of the other scripts he'd read through. No, he didn't contemplate suicide, it was just that, this piece would pierce through the hearts of those who heard it, and they would take him seriously as an actor, not think of him as some lame highschool student.

Opening his eyes, he could almost feel the atmosphere in the theatre grow colder before his voice rang clear through the hall. To be, or not to be: that is the question: Whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or take arms against a sea of troubles.</sub>

[/b] Conner could feel Macbeth's character swelling inside of him with just the first few lines read. And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep; No more; and by a sleep to say we end, The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks. That flesh is heir to, 'tis a consummation. Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep;[/b] He paused, stepping off the stool and walking across the stage, into the shadows, the stool still lit aglow by the light of the spotlight. He never could get past how eerie it was to be in the theatre alone, especially after hearing all the legends that would fly during his first few weeks of classes back when he'd first started coming here.

His dark purple shirt accented his tan skin nicely as he walked back out into the spotlight, his eyes downcast towards the script, making sure that he was getting this right. To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub; For in that sleep of death what dreams may come, When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, Must give us pause: there's the respect, That makes calamity of so long life;[/b] He paused, looking back out into the house, he could almost swear he was being watched, no he didn't know for sure, but, he thought he could feel eyes on him. Letting his colourless gaze look about the dark theatre, he sighed. Maybe he shouldn't be reading a suicide speech in the middle of the dark, at dusk, in a theatre. . . Walking back over to the stool, he sat down, coughing slightly, looking from the script back to the theatre and then back to the script, his arm resting lazily on his knee that was brought even to his chest by the rung on the stool.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/sub]

[Lamia Zoya Smirnov]

Anyone could act, but to act well was something else altogether. Lamia had a drive for the art of drama for other reasons. Not because she liked pretending that she was someone else but to become someone else. Also to because she had never heard of a blind actress or actor. Someone who truly was blind and not just playing a part. Perhaps she could be the first, to pave way for others who couldn't hear or see or even speak. Maybe giving them a drive as well.

Lamia trailed her hand lightly along the wall as she walked down the hallway. Her brother was in yet another boring teacher meeting had she hadn't wanted to go home, so she was here waiting for him. Her school bag was still slung over her shoulder, with the ever present unseen eyes within. The click of her own steel toed boots echoed in her ears. It was quiet in the halls this time of day. Running one hand absently through her dark brown hair. The crimson read streaks falling lightly into place beneath her fingers then pulled her jacket tighter around her shoulders. She wore her brother's hooded leather jacket because she'd accidentally left her at home. Her last two classes today had been cold so she'd gone after Criss'. He of course didn't mind.

A voice came to hear ears, Lamia paused listening quietly. She smiled lightly then, she knew the words the famous 'To be or not to be : that is the question..' She'd studied and read the play over many a times herself. Staying where she was the the moment Lamia was totally quiet. She found herself hanging on every word that was spoken. He had the lines down by heart he felt them, it was almost as if he truly was feeling the emotion Macbeth's character. She smiled her eyes where bright behind her dark shades. As he went on she slipped quietly in the back and stood near three steps that lead up to the stage. Still hanging on his words wondering if he'd go through the whole scene. She stood there hidden easily enough, not totally because she wanted to be. But because her clothes were dark, enough to blend into the shadows around her. Her dark denim jeans and her dark green t-shirt. Not to mention her brother's black jacket. If she didn't make a sound she very likely could go unseen through out his entire performance if she so desired.

Pulling the jacket tighter around her she felt a chill then too. Not just of cold but of the voice he had that charisma about him something that made his words seem so very real and spooky. Feeling as though she were there with the character feeling the chill on her as he spoke to the skull in his hand. She frowned when he paused, silently she wondered if he could feel her presence there. There was a debate then within her, to go quietly as if she'd never been there or applaud him for knowing the lines so. But fate didn't give her the chance to decide what to do, as just then it decided for her. Something tickled at her nose, fighting the urge she failed. Ahhachoo!

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[conner gregory.]

<sub>Conner ran his hand through his hair, looking down onto the stage, his golden eyes burning a hole into the floor. Rubbing the back of his neck, his eyes caught a sign of movement, but, before he could look up to search for what it was that had caught his eye, a sound echoed around him. A sneeze? Moving easily to his feet he stood his ground, but, it was a lazy stance, but, not exactly relaxed. Who's there? He wasn't exactly thrilled to find out that someone had been listening as he'd reherresed. He didn't mind people listening to him, twas the way of an actor, just didn't like someone being there while he practiced his competition piece. . . .

Looking around the auditorium, he finally spied the source, a young girl, dark hair, and wearing sunglasses and a black jacket. Tilting his head, he looked at her, he didn't recognise her, but, then again, he wasn't the most observent of guys when it came to remembering faces. Bless you, by the way.</sub>

[/b] There was an easier note in his tone, he stepped towards the edge of the stage just slightly, turning only for a moment to drop the script on the stool and then crossed his arms and looked down upon the girl standing there. A few questions came to his mind, but none reached his mouth, he wouldn't intrude on things like that; but, questions like Why is she wearing sunglasses in the middle of a dark auditorium were the main ones.

He recognised the girl all of a sudden, Lamia Smirnov. He didn't know much about her, simply that she had a family member who was a teacher, and she was an acting student. Beyond that, he knew very little. As he stood there, one of his hands moved up and looped a finger through his necklace, running the charm up and down the cord, he was curious now.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/sub]

[Lamia Zoya Smirnov]

Lamia took a step back as if she might leave. It was rude her just listening to him. But she sneezed. It scared even her she jumped. Her cheeks colored as she blinked trying to see his face not just the blurred figure. "I.. I am sorry I did not mean to sta.. listen." She said her voice shook slightly. She'd started to say stare that wasn't accurate for her. "I did not mean to be rude." She added, still not giving her name. Not because she didn't want to, but because she was a little nervous at being caught.

Sighing lightly she trailed her hand along the railing as she made her way slowly up the three steps then stopped there. She knew who he was, his voice anyways. She heard him before, rehearsing. They were both acting majors after all. Only he was a senior an she was a sophomore so there was very little chance he even knew she existed of the typical rules of the upper class men applied. "Thank you.." She said softly her accent thick in her voice. Though Lamia couldn't see his gaze truly she could tell he was looking in her direction his posture was a little unnerving not to mention that she could 'feel' his eyes on her. The question too had he ask was easily answered. She was blind.. mostly and the dark shades helped ease her light sensitive eyes. It was at this point that she truly wished she could disapear, or that her big brother would suddenly appear and they could go home before she made this any more embarassing than it already was or likely could become.

Lamia tensed as his arm moved, she saw the blurred movement. "I am Lamia. .. I think we maybe have a class together. I have heard you around." Her voice came out her Russian accent heavy to her voice no matter how she tried to suppress it among other things it didn't quite work as she wished. She wanted to blurt out something more. Like; 'You are really good..' 'I love your voice..' But she contained her tongue for the moment. Glad that she wasn't risking humiliating herself even more than she alread had by making her presence known to him.

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OOC : Soo very short sorry I have Buffy the Vampyre Slayer in my head. Watching the series through. ^^

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[conner gregory.]

<sub>he tried to hide the fact that he had noticed her blush, but, when she spoke, there was just something that caught his attention. didn't mean to sta-listen? was she about to say stare? but then, why change it to listen? hrm. but, he couldn't help but notice that her voice was shaking. tilting his head lightly in slight confusion, he listened as she amended herself. he studied her as she walked up the stairs, her hand on the rail, by the time he'd stepped forward to offer her a hand, she was already on the stage, watching her through her dark sunglasses.

when she softly thanked him, he smiled easily at her, still trying to remember who she was. she introduced herself only moments after he remembered, he'd been right - lamia. her voice was heavily accented, russian, he could recognise. yeah, i recognise you, i'm conner, conner gregory.</sub>

[/b] he considered offering his hand, but something in his mind told him not to, he wasn't sure what, just figured it probably wouldn't be the best idea. rolling questions around in his head he shifted on his feet, you're a sophomore right? he was just trying to start a conversation, any conversation, he wasn't mad that someone had been eavesdropping anymore, he was actually calmer than he'd been in a while.


ooc;
haha, so yeah, compared to my post, your's ain't short. =] [/blockquote][/blockquote][/sub]

[Lamia Zoya Smirnov]

She didn't know he'd noticed the color to her cheeks. She could only hope that he didn't. Lamia had changed it because she couldn't 'stare' being blind but he didn't know that. She hoped he wouldn't question her. She was relieved that he didn't. Her hand ran lightly along the rail as she moved. The dark shades covering her steel grey eyes. Had Conner offered her a hand she would have only just seen the movement and very likely wouldn't have realize it was to help her.

Lamia chewed her tongue lightly as a slight smile crossed her face. She was still embarrassed that he'd caught her listening it perhaps wasn't a big deal but still
bugged her a bit. "You are good really by the way. The lines you know well, like you really feel them." She told him. Her eyes rolling upward behind her shades lightly as she bit at her tongue again.

Nodding likely, "I was not sure if you would. I had heard you around the halls. Glad to know it, Conner better than to yell 'Hey you' in halls eh?" She told him with a laugh. Again with the hints that she was blind. Lamia cursed cursed herself mentally, glad it hadn't come out aloud or else it woudl have been a string of Russian words she wouldn't have wanted to explain. Lamia nodded, in a 'yes' "Sophomore yes.. you are upper class yes? Junior.. senior?" She asked not sure what grade he was in. She guessed him a senior but wasn't sure honestly.

....
OCC: No worries, ^^ This is post BTVS so I have some muse.. but very little luck eh. Hopefully we'll both pull our muse(s) back.

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[conner gregory.]

_{conner could tell that she was uncomfortable with something, he could only guess that it was the fact that she'd been caught, but he wasn't positive. but, when she complemented him, he looked down at his feet slightly. er, thanks.}

[/b] he shifted from one foot to the other, looking back at her, only then did he realise just how quiet his thanks had been. clearing his throat, he smiled, thanks, that's really nice to hear.[/b]

when she nodded at his comment, he couldn't help but chuckle at her response. but there it was again, heard, not seen. he'd have to ask about that eventually. when she asked what year he was, he glanced out to the house and then back at lamia. senior, last year here.[/b] his last statement was a bit of a sigh, but he was kind of enjoying being the top of the pyramid. it was different, that was for sure. leaning against the wall calmly, he looked at her, not in the creepy stalker way, but the curious way. his hand had finally dropped from his neck, looking over at her, he glanced over at the stool that was still sitting in the middle of the stage.

i know this might sound a little strange, and you needn't answer if you don't feel comfortable, but, are you. . . er. . . is something wrong with your sight?[/b] wow, that sounded a lot point blank than he'd intended. i'm sorry, that sounded a bit bold. . .[/b] he rubbed the back of his neck, glancing over at her awkwardly, his hand returned to his necklace, he did that when he wasn't comfortable, but, he'd connected a few of the dots, and all that he could come up with was that she couldn't see. . . for once he wasn't quite as oblivious as he normally was.

ooc;
muse level - gettin' better =]
other - lol, hrm. nope, nothin' at the momento.[/i][/blockquote][/blockquote][/sub]

[Lamia Zoya Smirnov]

Lamia didn't quite understand why she was nervous either. She was never one to be like this around guys, or anyone at least not so openly. She was but usually she was better at hiding it. He spoke the reply wasn't loud, she figured perhaps she'd embarrassed him with the compliment. She could him him shifting from one foot to the other. It wasn't as if it was loud really, but when one sense fails the others fight to make up for the loss. Lamia smiled lightly when he spoke louder. "You are welcome." She replied back then let her teeth fall back once again, unseen, upon her tongue.

She was slipping up, she hated telling people that she was blind that something wasn't 'normal' about her. She prefer only those who had to know know. Criss, her brother obviously. Her teachers and the staff. Amelia but they were friends, suggested that they talk because they both had there impairments. "Senior.. you sigh. Is that good or bad?" She asked her head turned towards the sound of his voice, her eyes lingering on him yet unseeing.

The dark hair Russian continued to bite her tongue hoping she'd stop with the hear and stare listen.. she wasn't one to share what made her different why was she so lose tongued with him? As he spoke she had a gut feeling he was about to ask. She heard it in his voice. Lamia cringed inwardly and hoped it stayed inward an that he didn't see it. Chewing at her tongue again hesitating long enough for him to speak again. "No it is.. okay I do not usually, I uh.. Yes, I am.. er there is. I am blind almost.. You.. all of this it is blurred." She answered, sounding embarrassed and almost ashamed of it. Normally she wasn't either, she had long since excepted her lack of eye sight. But there were many a time that she wished she could see clearly and now would have been one of them. If only to not be having this awkward conversation.

....
OOC: Yea for the muses then. ;p lol 'Tis a miracle after a Buffy an' Faith fight I can think.

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[conner gregory.]

_{conner wanted to get away from the uncomfortable-ness of this whole encounter, somehow, someway. he hoped that it would disappear when he asked about her grade, but, then she commented on the fact that he'd sighed. hm. how to explain. i guess i just. . . i'm not ready to leave this place.}

[/b] his own slight hint that something was wrong with him. when he got out of here, odds were that he'd be admitted to the hospital fairly quickly. if not before he graduated. inwardly shaking his head, conner watched the underclassman, she appeared to be chewing on her lip, lip or tongue, nervous habit? or was she just as uncomfortable as him. . . yeah, hm. normally he wasn't this bold, normally he could turn any situation from awkward into something comfortable, and yet he was having his difficulties with this one.

when he heard her speak, he heard her stumble over her own words similarly to as he'd done. so, she was blind, 'ey? that would explain the sunglasses inside, and why she used her hearing more than sight. now he felt bad for submitting her to that uncomfort. ah, and i'm going to guess, again, that the sunglasses are because of the light in here?[/b] honest question, but one that he could fix. he looked around the stage slightly, and then turned his golden eyes back onto lamia, waiting for an answer. once they got off this topic, he'd work to figure out a way that they could both be comfortable. with the conversation.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/sub]

[Lamia Zoya Smirnov]

Lamia did too. She half wondered if she could just turn and leave without looking like a total idiot. She doubted very much that she'd get that lucky. She hadn't meant to pry about it his schooling. "Most want out of school quick. I know I do some days, I understand though." She truly did understand. Some days she just didn't want to leave school, it was what she knew being out would be strange but she'd deal she didn't have much choice in the matter. Growing up was never easy for anyone. The biting of her tongue. Was a nervous habit, brought on by the conversation it's-self. Lamia wanted to walk away too to get away from this awkward conversation.

For Lamia she always tended to stumble over her words. English didn't come easily for her, so it was her effort to speak full English and not let her native Russian slip out. Plus she felt a wave of nerves wash over her, she wasn't sure what or where it came from. Lamia nodded lightly, "You are good with the guess. The lights hurt my eyes yes. I see very little an all blurred much." She answered him. she too hoped for a conversation change. her mind was a rush as she too tried to think of a more comfortable conversation for the both of them, or just to leave without either of them being rude. "The .. the piece you were working on, rehearsing or just like the piece?" She said the first thought that came to her mind hoping it might help ease the conversation.

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[conner gregory.]

<sub>and the uncomfort prevailed. great. although, he did reveal a smile at her response. he'd wanted nothing more than to just get out into the world, get out of school, away from teachers. . . all that. he'd wanted to do that for so long, always in the fast lane and never looking around. but, some times you got into a bit of a wreck, and you learned to just slow down and watch as people passed. it was a nice feeling. . . but, when he asked about the lighting and her eyes, he had an idea. shifting on his feet, he glanced once more out into the house, a glint in his golden eyes. but, he'd wait for a moment before he implemented it, wait for the right moment. what ever.

when he heard her ask about the piece he'd been working on, he looked over his shoulder at the long-abandoned stool, the script seeming to be considering whether or not it wanted to fall to the stage. actually, a little bit of both. the chicago fine-arts competition is coming up soon, and one of the teachers told me i should go for it. the reason i chose that one was because people can really connect to it.</sub>

[/b] he was much more comfortable talking about this, and it almost seemed, on his end at least, that the tension was evaporating with every word. i mean, in just about everyone's lives, they've had a time where they just don't believe it's worth living. . . and yet, if they're able to listen to the words, then they've over come it.[/b] he paused, glancing at her, he knew he got a little carried away when he was talking about different plays and such, he was completely aware of this. and you can tell me to shut up any time you'd like.[/b] he chuckled at this, rubbing the back of his neck, not really out of discomfort, but more like embarrassment.

wait here, walking to the edge of the stage, he didn't even brake stride as the stage dropped off into air over the concrete floor. he walked over to the side door that led into the stairs and pushed it open, listening as the hinges squeaked and shrugged. jogging up the rickety metal stairs, he made his way up to the sound and light box that was nestled in the metal walk-ways. opening the black wooden door, he made his way into his original home in the theatre. with familiar ease, he dimmed the lights, not to where it was pitch black, but maybe so that it was a little more comfortable for her at least. and then he made his way back to the stage, this time using the stairs to get back onto the stage itself rather than just free-falling the whole 4 feet. is that any better?[/b] he asked, he was just being his normal, eager-to-please self. [/blockquote][/blockquote][/sub]

[Lamia Zoya Smirnov]

Lamia chewed at her tongue it was almost to the point that if she bit any harder she'd end up drawing blood. Her canine teeth did have a point to them, very much like fangs, so it was no surprise that she could actually draw blood. She couldn't see the smile smile on his face, had she it might have made her just a little bit more comfortable. For her when it came to school, it wasn't that she wanted to leave it all. But she wouldn't mind being free to follow her own dreams and path Acting and writing. They were her truest passion. She had doubts like anyone, if she could make it with her eyes as the were. It would make it harder but not impossible.

Nodding lightly Lamia was quiet otherwise listening. A smile even came a little to her lips. "Good luck, I heard about it. You should do well." She told him truly believing he would. He was amazing what she'd heard. Lamia was relaxing too, her bite on her tongue between words was easing which was a relief because it was starting to hurt. "Yes yes, it is. So many look at old plays an think it is not worth the read. But it is not true everyone can relate if they open themselves up." She agreed. She liked the older plays and writers better, the modern stuff was just to modern there weren't always morals or lessons. The older writers the had those answers. "I would not do such." She said with a light smile. "I do not mind, I can go on at times too."

As he spoke telling her to wait here, she nodded lightly looking more than a little confused. But didn't question him. She listened in the silence around them she heard his stems as he walked away. Each step and movement didn't go unheard by her. The squeak of the door then the difference of sound from the concrete floor to the metal stairs. The opening of another door. Then something else came.. the lights dimmed. Lamia blinked, she hadn't expected him to do that. She smiled brightly though he wouldn't see it just then. She listened eagerly as his foot steps came back to her, then he spoke. "Thank you much, yes. But forgive that I do not take off the shades. My eyes make people sometimes nervous." Lamia replied. Thinking it very sweet of him, his willingness to go through all that just for her comfort.
....
OOC: I am amazed you gave such a good reply back from my rambled crud.. O.o ... Kudos!

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