IC Voicemail

[despisesthegods]

You've reached the voicemail of Styxx Anaxkolasi. I'm not able to answer for the moment but leave a message and I'll get back to you when I'm able.

[ONLINE]

Comments

[phoenixstrut]

"Ah, that's good, that's good. Ever heard her sing? There's a lot of talent crossing that stage, but I'd bet my girl against any one of them." He smirks. "Told them day one we'd be wasting her just with print."

[despisesthegods]

"I'm sure there is. Dove is very talented." He replied politely.

[phoenixstrut]

"Indeed, indeed.." Here's to hoping Styxx isn't too interested in the next woman's performance, because Stephen's going to just lower his volume and talk through it at him. "The whole modeling thing really isn't too hard, you know, when you've got the looks for it." Might be a bit of a lie, but... he might also still be trying to sway him. "Show up, get pampered, look nice for a while, surrounded by pretty women and fit men. She's a rockstar at it, heh."

[despisesthegods]

Styxx barely glanced at him this round as he answered. "I do believe I've already stated my disinterest, so again, thank you for the offer, but I must decline."

[phoenixstrut]

"What would it take for you to be interested?" He's persistant. "Working with friends couldn't be all bad right, and she doesn't even do the racy stuff." So his wife surely can't get angry with him for it-

[despisesthegods]

"Nothing. It's just not for me."

[phoenixstrut]

Dove's taking the stage next, and he figures he should probably at least pay attention to this one, so he shakes his head and settles back into his seat.

"Ah, I'll have her work on you... For now..."

She sings.

[despisesthegods]

Good luck he thought. The odds of him modeling were pretty much a 0 in his mind.

[phoenixstrut]

Looks like he's off the hook for now, as her agent is now watching her, eyes gleaming as though he can see dollar signs rolling off her skin.

Dove, on the other hand, just looks like she's in her element. It's definitely an angel's niche.

[despisesthegods]

Styxx of course was glancing at her agent. He had to admit, he didn't like him much. He might have to let her know later. He especially didn't like the thoughts coming from him.

[phoenixstrut]

Sweet and savvy as Dove was, her agent, while good at his job, was shrewd. He'd milk this for all it was worth and then some if he could, for 'both' their sakes.

He applauds with the rest of the audience when she takes her bow, then stands to go off and find her. "I'm sure we'll see each other real soon. Nice to meet you, Styxx."

[despisesthegods]

"Yes, nice to meet you as well." Though Styxx doesn't sound as friendly this time. For now, he'd remain in the audience until everything was over at least.

[phoenixstrut]

Her agent glances back and the attitude, then heads out, disappearing through a door and reappearing onstage behind the curtain with the rest of the talent and their agents, should they have them.

Dove watches the remaining performances backstage, then goes throughout the rest of the auditions performing her best and passing each cut. Her duets are extremely convincing with each of the young men she's paired with, and by the last song, it's... fairly clear who the cast will consist of.

She waits onstage for the final casting call and then throughout the information given to each of them, then heads out with the others, slipping her bag over her shoulder and making her way down from the stage.

Looks like her agent has left for now, and while it's later in the afternoon, she doesn't appear to have lost any steam. In fact, she's twice as chipper as she had been when she had walked into the coffee shop, and her smile is three times its original size.

She attempts to rein it in whenever she finds him mingling with the other guests, but it still looks like she's ready to burst. "So? What did you think?"

[despisesthegods]

"That I don't like your manager." Styxx replied instantly. Well, at least he was honest.

[phoenixstrut]

Whoa.

That takes a bit of the wind out of her sails. Gone is the smile as her face falls and she tries to regain her mental footing. "What?"

[despisesthegods]

"I mean Stephan. Your agent, manager, whatever you call him. Sorry. I'm not used to all the terms."

[phoenixstrut]

Still totally not what she's expecting, but now she's curious about the honesty, even if she was sort of expecting praise or at least some sort of comment on her performance. "No, no it's fine. What about him?"

[despisesthegods]

I just don't think he's a good person. He's using you for little more then making money and I don't like that. Whoever you work with should still care about you, not just pretend to.

[phoenixstrut]

"They're all like that, that's what they do," she tells him, mentally backing away a little. "I'd like to think he cares a little bit, but in the end, he finds gigs and I perform. That's just how it works..."

For whatever reason, she's suddenly reminded of how the conversation had ended before the auditions, but shakes it from her head immediately, wondering why on earth it's thought of at all. She's really not used to many people taking up for her much anymore. Not personally, at least.

[despisesthegods]

"I just think you can find someone better. That's all."

[phoenixstrut]

She's quiet for a few moments, trying to process it all. In a way, she's somehow comforted by the fact he's this open and cares enough to speak up about a situation that... blatantly doesn't involve him directly. He had made that much clear before she had even gone into the theatre, but at the same time, she's mildly irritated she'd been knocked off her happy cloud so quickly. That, of course, isn't entirely his fault as he's just looking out for her, but...she is a little proud.

Then there's the fact that she's confused and startled at her own apparent desire for his approval. When was the last time she had been able to pinpoint someone exactly?

She nods and shifts her bag on her shoulder. "I'll keep an open mind. He's one of the best at the agency, but..." She takes a deep breath. "He also won't be involved much with this. He actually wasn't keen on my auditioning for it anyway, because it pulls me out of slates. I won't be able to model as frequently with rehearsals as intense as they are."

[despisesthegods]

He nodded, understanding but.... "Just be careful around him. I don't trust him and my instincts have never been wrong."

[phoenixstrut]

She softens and reaches out to give his arm a quick but reassuring squeeze. "Letting a man take advantage of me again is the last thing I'll ever allow," she assures him. "I'll keep an eye on him."

She trusts Styxx, and while her agent has done well in getting her established... she can't deny the warning flags here and there, but it's nothing dangerous just yet.

That said, she attempts to lighten the mood a little. "For a guy that's so adamantly not interested in me, you're pretty protective." It's accompanied with a good natured grin; she's obviously teasing.

[despisesthegods]

"Finding people that want to actually be around me because of who I am is rare in my life. Even friends are rare. I've had very few and those that I consider friends I protect to the best of my abilities. It's never a good feeling when you lose them."

[phoenixstrut]

Her chest clenches as she's suddenly reminded of the lonely little six year old in her living room not so long ago. How had someone like Styxx grown up with such a life that he reflected that even now?

She's speechless as she studies him, all playfulness drained with just a few words. She can't remember the last time she had been met with such raw and honest words. Her gaze falls to his arms, to the names carved so carefully into the skin.

"Well... Losing me won't be an option. I'd say you're pretty stuck with me after that," she tells him, voice hushed and sweet as honey.