"Hmmmm... no probably some where between paper cuts from hell and hamburger.â€
Marie made a little face considering that mess. But it that thoughtful moment didn't last too long as there were other much more interesting things to watch, listen to and think about.
She could almost believe Alex would try finger yoga classes, but she was a little more inclined to attribute that comment to her boss' understated sense of humor. Although, Marie also was fairly certain if he thought that it would be a viable and profitable class Alex probably would try and slide it in.
"Tuesday afternoons.†She teased softly. "I can work a few extra hours to cover for you.â€
And it wouldn't cut into the odd little over lap between when Eiryk woke up and Alex went to bed.
It was just sort of funny to watch the musicians disappear into the dugout. It was just... well they were two very different skills. Still team 'sports' though. She wondered how many of the musicians had been picked last for their teams in school and called band geeks and what have you. Maybe it felt good to get to go into the home team locker room, fulfilled some day dreams. That would be nice.
Popping open the soda she did her best to conceal a grin as Alex took some pictures. She had, or thought, she had a good idea where they were headed. Marie didn't know Eiryk well, but she knew that Ysabel and Ambrose could both be up during the day and tended to be awake by the afternoon.
"I could get a picture of you with the instruments in the background if you want. He might like that.â€
Music in the Park
It was a sunny Sunday afternoon; the weather was just about perfect. The heat of summer was fading, giving way to the cooler air of fall as the year drew toward a close. Today was pleasant; a light breeze, temperature in the mid 70's, not a cloud in sight.
Neither Marie nor Alex had really invited the other out. They'd gotten to talking at work earlier that week after a rep from the Nachton Symphony had come by asking if she could hang a sign in Alex's storefront. It had been an invitation to this concert, Music in the Park, a one-time showing. Alex always liked supporting his community so it made sense to not only display the flyer but attend as well. Marie had expressed her interest, so they'd decided to come together.
The difference in their ages didn't bother Alex really; Marie was a mature almost-twenty and he was still pretending thirty hadn't happened. They always seemed to have plenty to talk about and Alex knew Marie counted him as 'safe' to be around, probably because of his sexual orientation. That didn't bother Alex either. He was used to being the classic 'gay friend.' He would admit to liking it. He'd far rather hang out around a group of women than a bunch of straight guys.
He looked down at the baseball field, which was set up to house the orchestra for the time being instead of hosting a game. There were crowds in the bleachers but Alex and Marie had opted to sit by third base, which was simply a grassy hillock overlooking the playing field, where they could spread out a blanket and unpack their own food.
"Look good?"
He turned to Marie inquiringly. The view wouldn't matter much, but they'd be sitting behind the violin section at this angle. It was the sound that mattered and Alex suspected the symphony had enough technology to make themselves heard even in this open-air environment.
Alex set his backpack aside, which conveniently had two full sets of utensils and place settings rolled into it along with their meal, and helped Marie to spread out the old comforter from Alex's rarely-used upstairs apartment.
Marie
13 years ago
Alex Aristos
13 years ago
Alex laughed and shook his head at Marie when she picked up the light humorous theme. "I'll get back to you on that. First I have to invent it," he said.
He sat up enough to help himself to a few more chips with some of the salsa as the musicians followed the conductor off their improvised stage.
"Okay, sure," Alex said when Marie offered to take a picture of him against the backdrop of the instruments. "I can do the same for you if you want."
He went to sit at the edge of the blanket and then considered. "Maybe... like this."
The ground was relatively flat here; Alex carefully found just the right spot and bent over, touching his toes. Placing his palms down on the blanket he made sure they were secure and then kicked both feet up into a solid handstand. Slowly, he lowered himself to rest on his elbows and forearms and then bent his knees until he could rest his feet on his head. It drew some attention from the people close by, which he generally didn't like, but he sort of liked having yoga pictures from all the places he had been.
He sat up enough to help himself to a few more chips with some of the salsa as the musicians followed the conductor off their improvised stage.
"Okay, sure," Alex said when Marie offered to take a picture of him against the backdrop of the instruments. "I can do the same for you if you want."
He went to sit at the edge of the blanket and then considered. "Maybe... like this."
The ground was relatively flat here; Alex carefully found just the right spot and bent over, touching his toes. Placing his palms down on the blanket he made sure they were secure and then kicked both feet up into a solid handstand. Slowly, he lowered himself to rest on his elbows and forearms and then bent his knees until he could rest his feet on his head. It drew some attention from the people close by, which he generally didn't like, but he sort of liked having yoga pictures from all the places he had been.
Marie
13 years ago
"Well I'm happy to help with the invention, or be a ginnea pig or something."
Marie wasn't terribly creative and even if they were just playing it sounded like fun to help invent something. Upward facing piggies, downward facing piggies; wait, piggies were toes. She'd have to think about this a little bit more but it would be entertaining.
"Oh no, that's OK I'll pass thanks."
Even though she was eighteen and legally her uncle had no hold on her any longer, that and she just -knew- Ysabel would keep her safe, Marie tended to shun pictures or anything that might some how get back to her uncle. It was undoubtedly paranoid but she'd rather be safe than sorry, at least to her mind.
It never ceased to amaze her the shapes that Alex could twist himself into. Apparently other concert goers were equally amazed, they couldn't help but stop and stare, or at least look twice. It took a second for her to work out the camera on Alex's phone, which was fancier than hers, but once she did Marie quickly took a few pictures, just to make sure it came out well.
"Next time you'll have to wear a T-shirt with the store's number on it. I'll pet you could have gotten some new clients. Or you could get a hat for people to throw money into."
Marie wasn't terribly creative and even if they were just playing it sounded like fun to help invent something. Upward facing piggies, downward facing piggies; wait, piggies were toes. She'd have to think about this a little bit more but it would be entertaining.
"Oh no, that's OK I'll pass thanks."
Even though she was eighteen and legally her uncle had no hold on her any longer, that and she just -knew- Ysabel would keep her safe, Marie tended to shun pictures or anything that might some how get back to her uncle. It was undoubtedly paranoid but she'd rather be safe than sorry, at least to her mind.
It never ceased to amaze her the shapes that Alex could twist himself into. Apparently other concert goers were equally amazed, they couldn't help but stop and stare, or at least look twice. It took a second for her to work out the camera on Alex's phone, which was fancier than hers, but once she did Marie quickly took a few pictures, just to make sure it came out well.
"Next time you'll have to wear a T-shirt with the store's number on it. I'll pet you could have gotten some new clients. Or you could get a hat for people to throw money into."
Alex Aristos
13 years ago
Alex laughed. "A willing guinea pig, okay." He grinned at Marie. "I'll let you know when the inventing process had progressed past the formative stages and is ready to be tested on human sacrifices. I mean, volunteers."
He nodded when Marie declined the offer of pictures and took his phone back. Clicking on the new pictures he sent those to Eiryk as well and then turned as he was approached by one or two younger people who wanted to know what he had just been doing.
Alex answered all of their questions as best he could. He wasn't sure if he'd make new clients out of them but it wasn't critical; business was doing well and he just liked talking shop with anyone who was curious.
Before long the symphony had returned with their conductor. Alex clapped with everyone else as they all bowed and took their seats, and then struck up a chord. With that the music began again and they settled back to listen once more.
He nodded when Marie declined the offer of pictures and took his phone back. Clicking on the new pictures he sent those to Eiryk as well and then turned as he was approached by one or two younger people who wanted to know what he had just been doing.
Alex answered all of their questions as best he could. He wasn't sure if he'd make new clients out of them but it wasn't critical; business was doing well and he just liked talking shop with anyone who was curious.
Before long the symphony had returned with their conductor. Alex clapped with everyone else as they all bowed and took their seats, and then struck up a chord. With that the music began again and they settled back to listen once more.
Marie
13 years ago
"Human sacrifices? I think this music is starting to get to you."
Marie pretended to muse as she watched Alex send the pictures off, presumably to Eiryk, and answer some questions. She very happily faded into the background as he talked to a few people who seemed interested. Maybe he didn't need a t-shirt with a phone number on it after all. She, however, always kept a few cards for the store on her and discreetly handed them to at least one person who seemed extremely interested.
When the music started back up she sat back down with Alex. She watched as other couples as they leaned up against each other, or hold hands. Even though they weren't under the stars she supposed it was indeed romantic. But Marie was just as happy to be here with Alex, he'd become a good friend along with her boss.
The next piece she recognized from a movie she'd sort of accidentally watched with Ambrose. It had been a night Ysabel was at the historical society and Marie had been on her way to the kitchen and got distracted by the film and wound up finishing it. The chase across Mount Rushmore had been quite dramatic.
"I guess they can keep the theme going for a full show." She laughed a little. "And we still haven't gotten a program."
Marie pretended to muse as she watched Alex send the pictures off, presumably to Eiryk, and answer some questions. She very happily faded into the background as he talked to a few people who seemed interested. Maybe he didn't need a t-shirt with a phone number on it after all. She, however, always kept a few cards for the store on her and discreetly handed them to at least one person who seemed extremely interested.
When the music started back up she sat back down with Alex. She watched as other couples as they leaned up against each other, or hold hands. Even though they weren't under the stars she supposed it was indeed romantic. But Marie was just as happy to be here with Alex, he'd become a good friend along with her boss.
The next piece she recognized from a movie she'd sort of accidentally watched with Ambrose. It had been a night Ysabel was at the historical society and Marie had been on her way to the kitchen and got distracted by the film and wound up finishing it. The chase across Mount Rushmore had been quite dramatic.
"I guess they can keep the theme going for a full show." She laughed a little. "And we still haven't gotten a program."
Alex Aristos
13 years ago
"I thought we were bravely passing on the program until the end of the show," Alex pointed out to Marie. "I can still go get one if you like."
He didn't recognize this song at all but Marie seemed to. "So what movie is this one?"
He was sort of impressed by the symphony. He had expected something maybe kind of dull and plodding and boring, and this was definitely not that. If they were trying to drum up more patronage this seemed like a pretty good way.
"Shouldn't be hard to keep it up," he added. "There are tons of scary movies left to play soundtracks from. I haven't heard anything like Nightmare on Elm Street yet or... I don't know. Something else scary. Like... Spice World."
Alex wasn't sure what that said about him, but that was really the scariest movie he could come up with on the spur of the moment like that.
He didn't recognize this song at all but Marie seemed to. "So what movie is this one?"
He was sort of impressed by the symphony. He had expected something maybe kind of dull and plodding and boring, and this was definitely not that. If they were trying to drum up more patronage this seemed like a pretty good way.
"Shouldn't be hard to keep it up," he added. "There are tons of scary movies left to play soundtracks from. I haven't heard anything like Nightmare on Elm Street yet or... I don't know. Something else scary. Like... Spice World."
Alex wasn't sure what that said about him, but that was really the scariest movie he could come up with on the spur of the moment like that.
Marie
13 years ago
Oh yes, she'd forgotten. Marie nodded quiet agreement to the passing the program and immediately shook her head 'no' she didn't want one. It probably looked a bit comical as she did both so close together. She hadn't -intended- for it to be amusing it just worked out that way.
"North By Northwest. Hitchcock used the same composer for a lot of his movies... ummm... Bernard Hermann I think."
Or was it something Bernstein? Marie couldn't remember too clearly but the Hermann sounded right to her. She'd only looked it up because she'd been impressed by how well the action and the movie tied together.
Any more musing on the subject stop cold as Alexander said something about 'Spice World'. She might only have been four when the movie was released but pop culture, even -bad- pop culture just didn't die. She turned slowly to look at him torn between shock and laughing hysterically and being very scared.
"You are going to have to tell me about this Spice World fetish of yours. If it is too scare I might need to look for another job."
Not that that was ever likely to happen, at least not while she was still human and still in school. But she could make the threat, no matter how lame and idle it was.
"North By Northwest. Hitchcock used the same composer for a lot of his movies... ummm... Bernard Hermann I think."
Or was it something Bernstein? Marie couldn't remember too clearly but the Hermann sounded right to her. She'd only looked it up because she'd been impressed by how well the action and the movie tied together.
Any more musing on the subject stop cold as Alexander said something about 'Spice World'. She might only have been four when the movie was released but pop culture, even -bad- pop culture just didn't die. She turned slowly to look at him torn between shock and laughing hysterically and being very scared.
"You are going to have to tell me about this Spice World fetish of yours. If it is too scare I might need to look for another job."
Not that that was ever likely to happen, at least not while she was still human and still in school. But she could make the threat, no matter how lame and idle it was.
Alex Aristos
13 years ago
"That's impressive," Alexander said, arching his eyebrows at Marie. "I've never been a big Hitchcock guy myself. Never really looked into his stuff. Maybe I will. after I read what I'm supposed to read anyway."
Alexander never would have remembered the name of the composer, however. He probably wouldn't have even bothered to look it up. Marie was much more curious than he was apparently.
"Hey wait a minute. I said it was scary, how does that make it a fetish?" Alexander nearly yelped.
He knew he should have chosen a different scary movie. He'd so rather be accused of having a Jack Nicholson fetish.
"Don't they teach you vocabulary in school?" Alex said, teasing back. That sparked a spirited yet friendly debate on semantics that lasted for the rest of the concert.
When they left they hadn't identified all that many songs, but they picked up a program on the way out and did indeed spend a few minutes kicking themselves for not having known some of the more obvious ones. All in all they both had fun; Alex thought maybe he was smarter for having attended a symphony. He could hope. At the very least he could recommend the symphony to Eiryk. They'd enjoyed the opera together, why not this too? How cultured he was becoming! Next thing you know, he'd be learning French Country design.
Okay.
Maybe not.
((ooc: Alex and Marie out))
Alexander never would have remembered the name of the composer, however. He probably wouldn't have even bothered to look it up. Marie was much more curious than he was apparently.
"Hey wait a minute. I said it was scary, how does that make it a fetish?" Alexander nearly yelped.
He knew he should have chosen a different scary movie. He'd so rather be accused of having a Jack Nicholson fetish.
"Don't they teach you vocabulary in school?" Alex said, teasing back. That sparked a spirited yet friendly debate on semantics that lasted for the rest of the concert.
When they left they hadn't identified all that many songs, but they picked up a program on the way out and did indeed spend a few minutes kicking themselves for not having known some of the more obvious ones. All in all they both had fun; Alex thought maybe he was smarter for having attended a symphony. He could hope. At the very least he could recommend the symphony to Eiryk. They'd enjoyed the opera together, why not this too? How cultured he was becoming! Next thing you know, he'd be learning French Country design.
Okay.
Maybe not.
((ooc: Alex and Marie out))