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Their Lives As One

New York

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a part of Their Lives As One, by SaxyLady15.

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SaxyLady15 holds sovereignty over New York, giving them the ability to make limited changes.

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Default Location for Their Lives As One
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New York

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New York is a part of Their Lives As One.

5 Characters Here

Sammie Tyrant [13] "Thank the heavens we left."
Ellie Wicks [12] "Finally time to start anew."
Benjamin L. [8] "Bonjour, mon cherie."
Gigi Fontaine [4] "If you want a slice of Wonderland, Gigi is the name." (Slight WIP)

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Setting

2 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Sammie Tyrant Character Portrait: Ellie Wicks
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Sammie felt a rush of happiness hit her as she ran about the apartment. Her eyes caked with a happiness only the holidays could bring to the simple girl. She squealed, bouncing in place as the oven made the all too familiar ding! and a warm aroma of sugar cookies thickened in the air. Moving quickly, she shoved her hands into oven mitts and retrieved the hot pan of delights, shutting the oven door, and breathing in the scent that awakened a guilty homesick feeling in her gut. She swallowed it down. It was easier now, than it had been when she first fled those people who'd nearly ruined her whole hometown reputation. Between everything with her ex-best friend, and now long distance boyfriend, she was clearly biting off more than she could physically chew.

Her phone was playing the all too classic, Here Comes Santa Claus, on a loud volume she was sure Ellie would have something to say about. Ever since that night at that horrid club, where Sammie accepted the poor girl who'd been chewed and spit out of the mouth of Khloe, Sammie hasn't been able to not do everything with her. They're practically sisters, closer than Sammie ever was to anyone, and she's loving it. Ellie is everything Sammie wants in a best friend, and she does her best to return the favor to the sweet woman. Since they're both still 18, they've been figuring life out together, and she couldn't imagine it any other way.

"Fuck!" Sammie screeched as she had accidentally let her arm touch the hot cookie sheet, and she frowned in response. "I always do that.." She mumbled, and sighed as she ran some water over her arm, her mitts resting on the cold stove top. "Ellie?" She finally called out as she realized her little elf wasn't helping her prepare for the party, at least not in her immediate vicinity, where the most help was needed.

Their apartment, thanks to yours truly, had been completely re-decorated in Christmas cheer. There was a tree in the corner of the living room, attractively suited with appropriate ornaments. Sammie, being overly excited, had already wrapped and thrown gifts under the tree. There were a few for Ellie, one or two for Steve, and a few for some people coming over for the hopefully Annual Christmas Party Sammie had planned out. She hoped it'd catch, and she'd be the hostess every year. She couldn't even begin to describe the excitement pulsing in her veins as she squeezed out some icing for the fresh batch of cookies, drawing faces, and then going back and adding Santa hats on their heads.

Setting

2 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Sammie Tyrant Character Portrait: Ellie Wicks
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New York City was a place the girl had never expected to be a part of. It was bustling and bright...much too lively for a girl of such quiet and placid proportions. Although she trudged across the cement with a serious expression, she couldn't help but smile on the inside. Snow was falling from the sky, and it wasn't the kind that burned your cheeks and nose. No, it was pleasant and soft, much like the feathers found inside expensive pillows.

Still, the snow brought a whirlwind of terrible memories that Ellie had tried desperately to repress. Ever since the events that had happened at the Jersey shore a few months ago, her anxiety had grown worse, and at an alarming pace as well. Although she had Sammie Tyrant on her side to help quell her bursts of paranoia, it seemed as though the girl's subconscious would not stop playing tricks on her. It was as though she couldn't trust herself anymore. Society, unfortunately, could not trust her as well. Her therapy appointments had been changed from once every two weeks to once a week, and the sessions themselves were much longer. (She was coming home from one of these tedious sessions right now.) It was infuriating not being able to function like a normal human being, and every day, Ellie would keep asking herself why God had picked her to keep living such a fucked-up life. Now that she was a diagnosed bipolar, every day became more and more challenging.

Still, she had a lot to look forward to, as well as a lot to dread. There was colleges to apply to, a job to find, and other skills to learn. Sammie would help her through some of them. The rest she would have to tackle herself...

Life was finally beginning, and the first chapter of the journey would start today.

Finally finding her apartment building, Ellie entered through the double doors, made her way up the staircase, sped through the halls, and found her room. As she fiddled with her keys, she could hear a loud "Fuck!" echo through the door.

"Dear god," she thought as she quickly turned the lock, frantic about what was happening. "Ellie?" she heard as she twisted the knob and stepped into the living space. She took off her winter bomber hat, hanging it on a coat rack nearby. There was Sammie at the kitchen, washing red hands at the sink. Something smelled absolutely delicious. Upon further inspection, Ellie noticed that there was a fresh batch of sugar cookies resting gently on a sheet.

"I'm here," she replied, approaching her friend with haste. It was then that she noticed the ornaments on the tree, gifts underneath the tree, and overall Christmas cheer that surrounded the room.

She furrowed her brows. "Did you decorate this place while I was gone, or do I just have a really bad case of memory loss?" she asked. It was so festive, that it felt like every breath she took was laced with peppermint.

It was then that she remembered why the apartment was decorated so beautifully...it was the celebration that Sammie had been talking about, and the party that Ellie had been dreading for days.

She turned her gaze to Sammie, a look of pale dread plastered onto her face. "It's today, isn't it?" she murmurred, "We're actually seriously doing that, aren't we? People are actually seriously coming over soon?"

She had thought Sammie had been only expressing a deep, unachievable desire for a Christmas party these last couple of days. As she gazed upon the tinsel and trim, Ellie knew that all of her assumpations had been wrong. She should have known that when Sammie wanted to do something, OF COURSE it would be done.

Setting

2 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Sammie Tyrant Character Portrait: Ellie Wicks
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Sammie giggled with an uncanny amount of glee. "Oh, Ellie! It's going to be amazing!" She squealed like a child, and licked her finger that had a bit of red frosting. "I only invited people we know. So, it's not going to be too nerveracking." Sammie went on talking. She had become quote confident sine she's been attending shoots from some local magazine. But like her agent reminds her, "You've got to start from the bottom to get to the top."

She, as she spoke, managed to finish the cookies. "Don't look so blue." Sammie poured out her lip, as she reached up and squeezed Ellie's cheek. "Think of all the pretty lights tonight. It's going to be amazing. I promise." She sealed the empty promise with a quick peck to Ellie's forehead, and carefully arranged the cookies on a plate before cleaning up the kitchen. "I think Steve might even be coming. It might be nice to see an old friend." Her smile was distant as she thought of the boy who was currently playing with her heart.

Before she could count to ten, Sammie was scrambling to get ready as the doorbell seemed to constantly be singing with the alarm of visitors. It was mainly a bunch of models Sammie had introduced to Ellie, whom she met while shooting. But, there were a few tag alongs they'd so kindly brought. One of which, seemed to have an eye out for Ellie.

Setting

2 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Sammie Tyrant Character Portrait: Ellie Wicks
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"Oh, Ellie! It's going to be amazing!" Sammie squealed as though she were a giddy middle school girl, "I only invited people we know. So, it's not going to be too nerveracking."

Ellie gently bit her lip. There was a stark contrast between Sammie's friends that she knew, and Sammie's friends that she had merely been introduced to. Unlike her roomate, Ellie Wicks was not interested in the star-studded modeling scene. Fame, fortune, and all that jazz had never interested her in the slightest. Art was something she practiced, appreciated, and thoroughly enjoyed, but it wasn't something that she could see herself making into a career. She didn't have the talent. She didn't have the time. She certainly didn't have the charisma. She was much more suited to fade into the background with the rest of the drab colors painted upon the canvas of life. Sammie and her vibrant friends, on the other hand, had the potential to be seen and respected somewhere near the foreground.

Still, now wasn't the time to be a complete hermit. Even though she didn't know these guests well, her roomate did. She liked them, and Ellie would have to as well. Besides, they gave Sammie this bright, undiluted confidence that her friend had not seen in many months. "Don't look so blue," she said as she finished her batch of sugar cookies, taking the time to affectionately squeeze Ellie's cheek. "Think of all the pretty lights tonight. It's going to be amazing. I promise."

She then gave a quick peck to her forehead, making the broken girl return the action with a big smile. Ellie turned to grab a sponge in order to wash the kitchen counters down. It was then that Sammie said, "I think Steve might even be coming. It might be nice to see an old friend."

Ellie gazed at her, eventually revealing a grin. "Oh my gosh! That's great! You two will get to see each other again!" she said with glee. However, from the way Sammie's smile retained a distant, withdrawn look, she could tell that her friend wasn't exactly feeling the same amount of excitement as she was.

A few minutes later, the doorbell repeatedly chimed, sounding the arrival of visitors. While Sammie was off getting ready, Ellie (who was still draped in a grey double-breasted trenchcoat and a matching scarf,) greeted the guests as they filed into the apartment. There were girls dressed in gourgeous, sparkly party dresses and super high heels, while some of the guys had on expensive fedoras and lavish overcoats with cashmere vests. Every single person, with their chiseled model-faces, looked like a Greek god or goddess. Compared to their charming personalities and attractiveness, Ellie felt like a frumpy satyr.

While the young adults mingled, laughed, and snacked, she retreated to the fireplace, where she began to light a spark. Christmas wasn't complete without a homemade Yule log. As soon as she turned her head, she realized that a mysterious man standing on the other side of the room had his eyes trained on her. She transfixed her irises on his, expecting him to avert his gaze in another direction once he realized that he was looking right at her. Much to Ellie's surprise, however, he didn't budge, and she was left with furrowed brows. Didn't this man know that it wasn't polite to stare?

Slightly uncomfortable, she sat down at the sofa, and let the pleasant sounds of Baby It's Cold Outside captivate her eardrums. She debated whether or not to change into something more appealing. It would be more socially acceptable to get dressed up, still, she was super comfortable in her casual clothes that she almost didn't want to take them off. Ellie didn't know how long this party would last, but she hoped that it wouldn't be too long of a wait until its conclusion.

Setting

3 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Benjamin L. Character Portrait: Sammie Tyrant Character Portrait: Ellie Wicks
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Sammie knew she was being rude, but decided to pretend she didn't hear Ellie's squeal about Steve. Yes, her and Steve had been dating since the trip the group took back then, but, it wasn't feeling right lately. Steve hardly returned her calls, much less even sent her a card. Her birthday was just in a few days, and she'd silently decided that if he didn't come for her then, when would he ever come?

Sammie threw on her outfit, which consisted of a shorter than her mother would have approved of glittery gold dress, and she pulled on a smooth to the touch tuxedo jacket over her shoulders. She accessorized with all black jewels, a big ring on her middle finger and a bracelet chunky on her wrist. Her overall outfit seemed sleek, and her hair was pulled back into a tight, yet adorably sexy ponytail. She clunked out of her bedroom, which she shut the door quietly, and joined her friends in all their christmas glee. They had all helped themselves to the alcoholic beverages Sammie knew she shouldn't have around the apartment, but did anyway, despite Ellie's unsettling acceptance.

All of her dear friends she'd made via the shoots and constant commercials she'd done had shown up, and they'd all brought gifts for each other, and Sammie couldn't of been happier. Until she turned around, and saw Ellie, just sitting on the couch. Her lips pursed into a stern frown, and she made her way over to her unruly friend. "Guys!" She continued as most of them stopped clinking glasses. "You guys remember Ellie, don't you?" The group of actors and models smiled at the girl, all of them nodding heads, and saying their hello's and how do you do's. As Sammie did a quick glance of the room, the man who was obviously intently studying Ellie straightened his stature against the doorway into the living room.

"Benjamin." Sammie felt her lips tug into a somewhat forced smile, as she looked towards the man, and she drug Ellie over to him. The most interesting idea appeared in her mind, but she hid it with her eyes twinkling at her friend. "Ellie.. this is Benjamin. He's a simple man, owning the cafe downtown we certainly crash at between shoots." She turned towards the man, and gave her best smirk. "Ben, this is Ellie, she's my room mate. So, please, talk to her instead of giving us all chills." Sammie, as the last word left her mouth, turned, and left the two of them to get acquainted, as she giggled amongst her perfect friends.

They all were constantly taking shots and playing the silliest games as if they were all in high school again. Thinking of her earlier years, Sammie shuddered, downing that much more alcohol to make her forget of her past.




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Benjamin was quiet fellow, he didn't quite want to socialize. He was here simply because his therapist urged him to, and he of course, damn it, had a good conscious. So, just an hour or so earlier, he managed the energy to dress himself. It was fairly simple, a deep shade of crimson colored his long-sleeved sweatervest over a white button-up, with a pair of black dress slacks, and dress shoes. It wasn't the warmest of outfits, but he did alright in the chilly New York Christmas weather.

As he first arrived to this social greet and meet, he noticed it was mainly models and actresses, specifically the ones who were in his cafe every afternoon precisely at 2 P.M. sharp. He had all their orders down by memory now, and he smirked as he noticed a female whom he'd hadn't seen at his cafe before. Her hair was a deep chocolate brown, and he itched to see her face as she turned around from messing with a Yule log, a primary aspect of Christmas he decided.

When she turned, and he saw her face, she proceeded to stare back at him, until she grew annoyed and plopped her being on the couch cushion. He felt nervous, but couldn't stop taking in her features from afar. He silently wondered if she was like the damsels in distress he so commonly wrote about on his weekend writing-thons. Often, he found himself unable to sleep, so he just sat at his burgundy desk, and let the pencil mark the paper.

He was soon drawn from his thoughts, as the girl he'd taken to be known as Sammie approached him, hastily introducing the two of them. His grip tightened on the cup of whiskey he'd helped himself to earlier, and managed a smirk in Sammie's direction. At her comment of him being some type of pedophile, he held back a forced smile, and watched as the girl strutted off towards the popular crowd.

"I suppose I do owe you an apology for my.. unreasonable being of a pedophile. " His lips were pursed into a sly smirk as he glanced down at his drink quickly, not wanting to make an unwanted contact of their eyes. His french accent seemed to stick on his tongue as he continued speaking. "I didn't mean any harm. I just.. didn't recognize such a beauty that I haven't seen in the daily visits I am so privileged to have with the usual group of models and such." Benjamin smirked uncanningly, and he held his cup with both hand now, instead of one being lazily rested in his pant's pocket. He cleared his throat as if he was anxious, and his eyes darted up to hers, studying their color. He then, noticed his hand had left from the side of his cup to reside behind his left ear where his finger was unconsciously scratching at. Benjamin nodded in apology as he broke the gaze and returned his hand to the mug.

Setting

3 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Sammie Tyrant Character Portrait: Gigi Fontaine Character Portrait: Benji Pennington
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A slender silhouette appeared at the door. Like a bolt of lightning, Gigi Fontaine walked onto the party scene with energy and impeccable style. Even if it was just for a moment, everyone in the apartment was drawn to her vibrant red frock as though it glowed like Rudolph's nose. She was definitely a character; a presence to behold. Of course she needed a captivating outfit to match her reputation.

She strutted across the kitchen as though she were still on the catwalk, all the while saying 'hello' to the friends and strangers who waved at her. But it wasn't until she saw Miss Tyrant's darling face that the French woman ellicited a powerful response.

"Sammie girl!" she squeeled, tromping in her six-inch heels as she opened her arms and enveloped the eighteen-year-old inside them. "Merry Christmas, my little lovebug!"

After giving her tiny pecks on both cheeks with her large gingerbread-scented lips, Gigi's eyes danced around the apartment in whimsicality. "My, my...what a dazzling setup you've got in here. Classier than a penthouse party, that's for sure."

In an instant, her arms frazzled with liveliness, indicating that she had something rather exciting to say. "So when I heard that you were aspiring for a job in the music industry, I went absolutely bananas! I mean, if there's anyone who's got spirit and talent to be an excellent performer worthy of a Grammy, it's YOU, Sammie darling. So I called everyone I knew in the business and I said, 'listen you hotshots, my girlfriend Sammie's got a get-together coming up, and she shines so brightly, there's no doubt she'll be a star sometime in the next month or so. You better collaborate with her while you all can'. Well..." she chuckled, "Most of them would rather drive down to their parents' house for the holidays, but one guy found your story interesting, and he wants to meet you tonight! He said he'd be here soon, but...OH!"

As if on cue, an enigmatic-looking young man with a Christmas-colored plaid shirt and a sharp fedora marched through the doorway. He stood tall and proud, as though the law of gravity had no effect on him. His hair was as black as the feathers on a crow, and his smile as sleek as the edge of a knife. Whoever he was, he looked like the dictionary definition of freedom.

"Oh, Big Ben!" she hollered in a sing-song voice, "Get your cute little butt over here and meet my friend!"

He chuckled in the distance, and with his hands in his jean pockets, smoothly walked over to the two girls.

"Sammie Tyrant, may I introduce to you the elusive Benji Pennington. Believe it or not, he just signed a deal with Richcraft Records yesterday morning!"

Gigi then turned to Sammie with glistening cat eyes, and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Benji Pennington, this is my good friend, Sammie Tyrant. She's a wonderful performer just like you."




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With old-fashioned charm and grace, he gave her a gentle smile and extended his hand to her. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you," he said over the shouts of the tipsy guests that littered the kitchen. "Gigi's been telling me all about you! It's nice to finally see you in the flesh and not mentioned her obnoxious, chipmunk voice."

With that, the wheat-haired woman gave him a playful punch on the shoulder, and squinted her eyes in fake malice. "Well, I'm going to leave you pretty people to it and go get a drink. Want anything, Benji?" The young man shook his head, "I'm good, thanks." he said. With a saccharine grin and a wink at Sammie, Gigi left the conversation and joined the circle of guests flocked around the alcohol.

With a breathless chuckle and smirk, Benji gave a flawless eye roll and drew a bit closer to the girl in front of him. "She was wrong, y'know," he said, his voice as smooth as silk, "I didn't sign with Richcraft Records yesterday morning. I signed with them a week ago. You have to watch out for that girl; she's always had a tendency of exaggerating the truth, even if it's just a tiny bit..."

He took a step back and glanced at his surroundings. The atmosphere was quaint yet undeniably modern. It was an environment he found himself enjoying more and more with every milisecond that passed. It was all so warm and cozy, and the brilliant brown eyes possessed by the girl in front of made the scenery even more spectacular.

"So," he started, "I heard you're looking to become a performer, eh?" Benji placed his hands in his pockets again as he gazed down at Sammie Tyrant with a soulful smirk. Everything about his facial expressions and posture seemed abstract. "What kind of music are you into?"




Setting

5 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Benjamin L. Character Portrait: Sammie Tyrant Character Portrait: Gigi Fontaine Character Portrait: Ellie Wicks Character Portrait: Benji Pennington
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Sammie had been laughing away her worries as she stood in the middle of Christmas Wonderland of a living room. Suddenly, a whirlwind of vibrant red and gingerbread scented perfume, Sammie was engulfed in the woman's stick arms. Her accent coated her tongue as she spoke to the girl, and Sammie couldn't help the smile plastered on her face, as if she was a little girl seeing her Idol.

"Sammie girl! Merry Christmas, my little lovebug! My, my...what a dazzling setup you've got in here. Classier than a penthouse party, that's for sure."

Sammie, with that ugly grin superglued on to her face, took in Gigi's exciting orbit, and suddenly began to hyped herself. "Gigi! I'm so glad you could make it tonight!" She bit her lip as Gigi seemed to be still talking, as the toys that you wound up and wouldn't stop for anything, until they ran into the wall nearby. She bit harder as Gigi got more into her story. Gigi had talked her up to agents? What.

"...but one guy found your story interesting, and he wants to meet you tonight! He said he'd be here soon, but...OH!"

And just like that, Sammie practically fainted from excitement. Someone actually listened to Gigi, as crazy as the woman seemed, and how she'd made Sammie so scared when they'd first met. Suddenly, in a whirlwind of light-hearted insults, and Gigi's infant voice, Sammie found herself standing alone in front of the most gorgeous man she'd ever laid eyes on. She had just shook his hand with a steady grip, but knew if he tried to do anything, she'd be weak in the knees, just by looking at his jet black hair, hiding under that slick fedora... and the way that plaid shirt made him seem so.. Sammie shook her head a little, as her eyes wandered to find Gigi, which wasn't too hard with her infamous red.

"I didn't sign with Richcraft Records yesterday morning. I signed with them a week ago. You have to watch out for that girl; she's always had a tendency of exaggerating the truth, even if it's just a tiny bit..."

Benji, as she'd come to find out, had stepped closer to her, and she felt her dignity start to question itself. His voice played through her ears as smoothly as she hoped her future music would to her future, and some current, fans. He seemed.. so soulful, just the fact that he was here must have meant he'd either come to get some type of nightstand with an eager teenager, like so many, wanting to be the next big thing. Sammie cleared her throat, opening her mouth, and couldn't help the smile that took over her as she spoke towards the man, she had secretly already named The Crow. "I'm sure Gigi means well nonetheless. I can't help but feel threatened by her constant push towards something. Like.. she's fighting for something she can't have.. or.." Her eyes diverted to the floor, and at her feet, "It's none of my business, either way." Sammie bit her lip, wondering if he'd take her friendly gossip the wrong way. He could be Gigi's lover for all she knew. She loved Gigi, unless that unsettling voice rattled her insides one too many times.

"I heard you're looking to become a performer, eh? What kind of music are you into?"

Sammie nodded, encouraging his statement, as her lips pursed into a seductive smile, which she didn't intend. "You could call it that. Singer/Dancer, I guess.. a package deal." Her arms were firmly crossed in front of her now, and she felt radiant. "I'm more of Beyonce, than a Jay-Z. I don't think I'd want anyone to hear my rapping rhymes." She let out an innocent giggle, and her eyes drifted up from his feet, and took in all the different textures of his clothing, as well as his rigid shoulders, and that enticing jaw line that she just seemed to imagine herself planting kisses all over it. Stuttering, she broke out of her mind haze, and beamed at the guy in front of her. "If you want.." She looked back at her group, seeing the girls who could sing not being too drunk, at least sober enough to sing back-up. "I could.. show you." She flashed him a wicked grin as she flicked her wrist, three of the girls in the group coming over to her. Sammie felt like the star, she didn't even need a microphone to be heard, and the music was flowing through her mind as she started up her karaoke machine.

She didn't plan this.. she didn't plan this at all...

But, damn it felt so good.

"But let the words slip out of your mouth.." She finished, and her breath was fast, and demanding, and she opened her eyes, taking in the area around her. She didn't know what courage she had summed up to actually do that, but she felt an adrenaline rush pumping through her veins as she bit her lip, clutching her dress at the seams.

Christina Perri - The Words

Setting

4 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Benjamin L. Character Portrait: Sammie Tyrant Character Portrait: Ellie Wicks Character Portrait: Benji Pennington
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Ellie continued to stare into the showy fireplace, her gaze vacant and cold. There was a red solo cup in her hand now, and her trechcoat had been cast away to reveal a red wool sweater, complete with the same plaid scarf she had worn on the way in. Compared to the rest of the crowd, she was comfy, casual, and as ordinary as a button. She took sips of her cheap draft beer every so often, but due to her inactivity, she seemed to camouflauge in with the rest of her surroundings like a miserable Christmas chameleon.

"Guys!" Sammie - who looked stunning in her sexy, form-fitting outfit - shouted amongst the ring of clinking glasses. "You guys remember Ellie, don't you?" Nodding and waving, the soirée of showpeople greeted her with polite 'hellos' and 'how do you dos'. She politely did the same in response, despite the fact that a majority of the guests looked at her with empty eyes. Clearly, a few of them did not know her. Ellie didn't blame them. With the many extraordinary faces these people saw every day, it would be challenging to remember a simple visage such as hers.

She took a long swig of her drink, and out of nowhere, felt a tug at her hand. Sammie whipped the thick-haired girl across the room, almost sending her cup flying and ballet flat-clad feet tripping over each other. It was curt and unexpected, and consequently, made Ellie annoyed. "Hey!" she cried, "Sammie! What on earth are you-"

"Ellie..." her friend interjected, "this is Benjamin. He's a simple man, owning the cafe downtown we certainly crash at between shoots."

Her roomate's head then turned, revealing the face of tall, doe-eyed twenty-something with thin lips, heavy brows, and hair that seemed to be disheveled yet neat at the same time. Despite the fact that his sweatervest and slacks hung on him as though he were a living coat hanger, the black-haired boy had a calm, classy composure that made Ellie wonder why on earth a man of such caliber would be hanging out in the midst of a trashy apartment set up such as this one. He seemed out of place; as though he belonged in one of those old black-and-white detective films with cigarettes, mysteries, and femme fatales around every corner.

"Ben, this is Ellie, she's my room mate. So, please, talk to her instead of giving us all chills." said Sammie, strutting off into the circle of popular people once her speech was complete. And just like that, she was alone with this guy. Alone and wide-eyed and completely out of breath. Unintentionally, Ellie's face went florid. Her cheeks were brighter than the red ribbons that hung upon the Christmas tree. How much more awkward could this day possibly get? The man tightened his grip around the cup he was holding. Instinctively, she did the same.

"I suppose I do owe you an apology for my...unreasonable being of a pedophile." he said. Well, that was one way to start a conversation. Ellie gave a nervous chuckle. He looked down at his cup, and immediately her eyes trained to the floor. "I didn't mean any harm. I just.." he rambled, "...didn't recognize such a beauty that I haven't seen in the daily visits I am so privileged to have with the usual group of models and such."

The unusually poetic words that came out of his mouth made her gaze connect with his. Her brows raised, the girl began to contemplate whether or not he was being sincere. He didn't look like your average dose of douchebag...perhaps he was one of those modest artists only found in the Big Apple; a part of that group as uncommon as a gemstone stuck in the cement. Rare. Unique. Untouched by society's requirement of conformity.

As he cleared his throat, her lips started to curl up into a smile. With bright eyes, she began to laugh, clearly receiving his compliment with grace. "Well, I guess we all get tired of perfect cheekbones and hourglass figures every once in a while." she snarked. There was a part of his shy demeanor that reminded her of her old friend, James. He certainly had James's smirk. The girl tapped the edge of her cup in syncopated rythym as she gazed into the man's eyes. Benjamin and Ellie shared a moment of comfortable silence before she continued.

"Pardon me for asking this, but...are you French?" She leaned her head forward a bit and pushed back her side bangs. "Your accent...it's familiar. My grandpa used to have one just like yours and he was French. Immigrated into the country when he was just eleven. He passed a year ago, but...for my family and I, he's still not gone."

She gave him a gentle smile warmer than the crackling fireplace she had mindlessly stared into just a minute before this wonderful conversation.




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The girl's lips pursed into a hypnotic smile, and despite her crossed arms, she seemed open and pleasured by his presence. "You could call it that. Singer/Dancer, I guess.. a package deal," she explained. "I'm more of Beyonce, than a Jay-Z. I don't think I'd want anyone to hear my rapping rhymes." This made him laugh. Benji nodded in reply, "yeah, I can't rap either," he said, "every time I try to make up something on the spot, my tongue just keeps getting twisted in knots. It's embarassing, to say the least."

He looked away for a moment, laughing at the reckless crowd of drunks before turning his attention back to Sammie. "If you want..." she said somewhat hesitantly, "I could...show you."

His eyes widened in anticipation. "You could? Well I'd be delighted to see! Yeah! Go ahead!" Much to his surprise, it turned out that the young woman didn't even need his words of encouragement. Like a magician, she flicked her wrist, making three sober girls flock in her direction. With a charming grin, she strutted over to a nearby karaoke machine, starting it up and setting it to a song he had never heard before. He was unfamiliar with the works of Christina Perri, but he had listened to a few of her songs, and knew exactly what kind of style to expect.

At first, the chatter of the guests surrounding him polluted the purity of the girl's singing voice. However, as more and more people realized that there was a live performance going on within the tiny space of the apartment, shushes brought the noise down until all you could hear was the slow, gentle music beating in the background. And then he heard her angelic crooning, and like the flip of a switch, he fell in love with her voice. The backup singers were okay, but Sammie's tone clearly outshined them all. She was a natural. An absolute natural. Much better than him when he was her age...

Being the innovative, mellow, unafraid man that he was, Benji began to pay attention to the melody. About the time the bridge rolled around, he began to belt out strong, perfect harmonies that seemed to compliment her performance. Everyone in the room gazed upon the two with wondersome expressions. And then the song finally concluded. The black-haired maiden tugged at her dress in anxiety, but instead of frightening silence, she was met with the loud, booming sound of applause, as well as various hoots and hollers from those who had already consumed way too much whiskey.

Benji was one of the last to finish clapping. A valiant grin on his face, he crossed and his arms and shook his head in astonishment. "Sammie Tyrant," he began, "I hope you know that you just elicited goosebumps and chills out of everyone in this apartment." He removed the grey fedora from off of his head, running his fingers through his jet-black hair. "I...I don't know how else to put it: I am enraptured by your voice." He continued to shake his head, still blown away by her performance. "Me and you. We need to collaborate. Now. Soon. Sometime. You in?" He leaned towards her, eagerly awaiting her response.

Setting

5 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Benjamin L. Character Portrait: Sammie Tyrant Character Portrait: Gigi Fontaine Character Portrait: Ellie Wicks Character Portrait: Benji Pennington
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Sammie had the dorkiest grin on her face as there were hoots and hollers in the apartment from her little stunt, and was actually surprised Benji himself was soo.. surprised.

"Sammie Tyrant, I hope you know that you just elicited goosebumps and chills out of everyone in this apartment. I...I don't know how else to put it: I am enraptured by your voice. Me and you. We need to collaborate. Now. Soon. Sometime. You in?"

She grinned like a cheeky schoolgirl and blushed as she watched his strong hand fork through his delicate hair. She noticed their closeness had shrunk, as Benji seemed to heavily be leaning on his foot towards her. "Of course! I'd love to! " She squealed, and her hands glued together, all her fingers wrapped around each other. She cleared her throat, and nodded awkwardly. "I have an agent, but they're not exactly my 'official' person. I think I'd rather just set this up with you personally." She slyly smirked in his direction before disappearing briefly to get her number on something.

"Here ya go." She smiled at Benji, a hint of curiosity in her beaming brown eyes.



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"Pardon me for asking this, but...are you French? Your accent...it's familiar. My grandpa used to have one just like yours and he was French. Immigrated into the country when he was just eleven. He passed a year ago, but...for my family and I, he's still not gone."

"Oui, Oui." He couldn't help the mischievous grin he flashed towards her, and the glimmer of adventure in his eyes. "I am originally from Nantes, French. I apologize for your loss, bon." He smirked apologetically at her, and ran a sharp hand through his hair. Then, everything suddenly erupted into a new level of 'partying' as Sammie made herself known via the karaoke machine in the living room.

"She's good.. your roommate." He muttered as he envisioned himself trailing a trail of butterfly kisses along Ellie's neck, and hearing a beautiful sound to hear. "If I didn't know any better.." He started rather casually, " that man looks as if.. he's protective of her. He's been really.. physically close all night." Ben eyed Ellie, wondering if she even knew the devilish bloke.

Setting

4 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Benjamin L. Character Portrait: Sammie Tyrant Character Portrait: Ellie Wicks Character Portrait: Benji Pennington
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So he was a frenchman. After the boy named Benjamin apologized for her loss, the whole room grew mysteriously quiet. Confused, she turned in the opposite direction. It was then that Sammie's talents shined through her performance on the karaoke machine towards the front of the room. She had a couple of friends sing backup beside her throughout the emotional ballad, but the real icing on the cake came from the unknown man who decided to chip in and belt along with the girl. Their miniature concert was something raw and impassionate, and by the end of the duet, the whole apartment was buzzing with the sound of applause. There was a proud smirk on Ellie's face as she gave her roomate an approving nod.

"She's good.. your roommate." said her new acquaintance just before the girl could finish clapping. "If I didn't know any better.." he started rather casually, "that man looks as if.. he's protective of her." Ellie eyed the fedora-clad man who had just showcased his voice to the audience. His jet-black hair was both alluring and mysterious. "He's been really.. physically close all night." Ben added.

She scoffed. "Well, that's Sammie for you," Ellie chuckled mirthlessly, still turned to face her roomate. "She's always attracting members of the opposite sex. It's like she's a siren. I bet men would die at her feet if she let them. The problem is that she doesn't see the effects she has on people. I guess she's oblivious, in a sense. 'Totally clueless', as Alicia Silverstone would say."

She then pivoted back to Ben, shaking her head and training her eyes down at the floor again. She continued to smile and chortle in utter irony. "While she's always got guys chasing her around like dogs on a leash, I'd be lucky just to have a guy ask me out!"




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Pulling out his slick black iphone from his jean pocket, Benji copied down Sammie's number, repling with smirk slyer than the one she had given him just moments ago.

"I'll be keeping in touch," he crowed, speaking out of the corner of his mouth. "If you're free tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, I suppose we could meet up and start working right away. Maybe a jam session in Central Park, if you're feeling adventurous."

He stuffed his hands into his pockets, and stared wistfully into space, his eyes shining. "People perform out on the streets with taxis and noisy pedestrians. However, the wise know to play amdist the greenery of Central Park. Do y'know why?" he asked. "It's because street performers will play in places where there's a lot of people so that they can earn tons of spare change. True musicians, however, will perform in places of peace and serenity so that those who are willing to find it themselves will discover it through the melodies they play and the craft they put out in the open."

He wanted to take out a cigarette and a lighter right there, but he didn't know whether or not the girl in front of him would mind it. "Now that you know you've got the goods, Sammie Tyrant, I guess it's time for you to figure out what kind of artist you want to be."

He gave her another smirk, this time turning around and heading in the direction of the alcoholic beverages. However, as he did this, he continued to gaze at her. His visage and posture was undoubtedly enticing; it was as though he was inviting her to follow him. If his hopes were favorable, she would.

Setting

5 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Benjamin L. Character Portrait: Sammie Tyrant Character Portrait: Gigi Fontaine Character Portrait: Ellie Wicks Character Portrait: Benji Pennington
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"While she's always got guys chasing her around like dogs on a leash, I'd be lucky just to have a guy ask me out!"

Benjamin smirked his lips into a sly smile, as he scrambled his brain to come up with a good reason to ask the girl on a date. An actual real-live date. He looked at the floor as she did as well, unknowingly mirroring her actions. "I.. um.." He cleared his throat, hoping she might catch on in the slightest.

"I would love to accompany you on such a date." He shyly spoke, and ran his hand through his dark hair, wondering if he'd come on too strong, or if he'd made the right decision generally. He looked back at her casually, and swallowed hard.

"I mean.. if y-you have a gentleman friend or you're talking to someone already.. I-I understand-d." He bit his lip in what his mother described, an 'adorable' manner, and his hands shoved in his pockets as he'd set his drink down a million thoughts ago.



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"Central Park. Got it." She nodded triumphantly, and smiled as she observed the way his eyes seemed to shine in the living room lights. "Isn't it-" Before she got a chance to say, Benji answered the question just as quickly as he asked it, and Sammie couldn't hold back the laugh escaping her red lips.

As the all-too-subtle Benji seemed to whisk to the alcoholic beverages, she pursed her lips into a mischievous smirk, running a hand down her ponytail, before confidently following the mysterious man, she'd only met mere minutes ago.

"Tell me, Benji.." She started, with a somewhat sturdy tone. "What brought you here tonight? I know Gigi's loudmouth wasn't the only thing reeling through that smart brain of yours." Her eyes squinted only slightly, her eyes appearing more voluminous. Thanks CoverGirl.

Setting

4 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Benjamin L. Character Portrait: Sammie Tyrant Character Portrait: Ellie Wicks Character Portrait: Benji Pennington
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In response to her statement, Benjamin shyly gazed down at the floor and gave an expression as though he were wracking his brain to come up with some sort of cordial retort.

"I.. um.." he softly muttered, clearing his throat, "I would love to accompany you on such a date."

Ellie just stared at him for a moment with wide, beady eyes. Sporadically, her lips curled up into a huge smile, and she began to laugh. Loudly. In fact, she guffawed as though he had just told the most hilarious joke New York City had ever heard. And with all honesty, she really did believe that he was messing around with her. But then he began to anxiously digress, and slowly, awkwardly, she realized Ben was being serious.

"I mean.. if y-you have a gentleman friend or you're talking to someone already.. I-I understand-d." he said while apprehensively biting his lower lip.

"Oh my god! I didn't realize you were actually...I'm so sorry! I'm such an effing jerk! I-"

Realizing how inaudibly fast she was talking, Ellie quickly composed herself and gave the young man a gentle smile. "I mean, I'd love to!" she ejaculated, "and no, I don't have any gentlemen callers or anything. Well, I guess just you if you count what's just occured at this very moment..."

Defeated by uncontrollable social ineptness, the girl just ran a hand through her frizzy brown hair and placed a hand on her hip. She emotionlessly stared down at the floor until she could conjure something else to say to Benjamin's charming face.

"So um...did you have any place or anything in mind?"




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"Tell me, Benji.." Sammie Tyrant mused with puckered red lips, "What brought you here tonight? I know Gigi's loudmouth wasn't the only thing reeling through that smart brain of yours."

The young musician smiled and laughed rather indulgently. "True, she wasn't the only thing that brought me here. I guess there are two distinct answers to your question. One is rather simple. The other is a bit more...philosophical."

A glass of red wine was clasped between his fingers. He swirled around the smooth beverage (as well as his many rough thoughts), before giving a coherent answer.

"First of all, I came here to network. A musician needs to promote like a spider needs to spin a web. In this city, you'll never know who you might run into..." He said this while leaning in closer to Sammie.

"Secondly, I came to observe," Benji added after sipping down a few drops of his drink. His breath became laced with the spicy, sultry tang of the luxurious liquor. "There are those who choose to pay attention to tiny morsels of logic that nobody else sees. They then use that logic to fuel projects or get tasks done. Take the fictuous character, Sherlock Holmes for example; he deducts things from small details, consequently using his findings to catch criminals and, generally speaking, save the day."

Benji gazed down at the floor for a moment, and then fixated his eyes back on Sammie. "Now, I'm no detective, but I can perceive something that many others can't. It's a little something called emotion, and believe me when I say that it's everywhere. I use the large quantities of emotion in a room to fuel projects and tasks as well. Those projects and tasks are, as you have probably guessed, songwriting. Emotion is important because it can do so much to just a few bars of notes and some rusty old lyrics. It can make a song rememberable. RELATABLE. It can make people dance or cry. It can tell that kid who thinks he's different that he's not alone in the world, or it can tell the shy girl that she's got what it takes to follow her dreams. Putting feelings - raw, REAL passion - into a song is like writing a love letter to society. And I don't know about you, Miss Tyrant, but I think this twisted society of ours could use a bit of love..."

He gave a gentle smirk, backed away, and leaned himself against a nearby wall.

"And so, those are the two reasons why I have crashed this party tonight."

Setting

4 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Benjamin L. Character Portrait: Sammie Tyrant Character Portrait: Ellie Wicks Character Portrait: Benji Pennington
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Benjamin's pupils dilated more and more as Ellie went from crazed laughter to sudden seriousness, and his nerves couldn't quite take the sudden emotional changes. "I.. um.." He stuttered, words seeming to be the last thing coming out of him, besides stutters.

"D-do you mind if we leave?" He asked as polite as he could. Then, holding out his hand, he managed a small smirk. "I want to show you something. " He smiled, and then as soon as Ellie agreed to go, he pulled them out of the little apartment and down to the sidewalk.

His cafe wasn't too far, it was a walk, but nothing they couldn't handle. He unlocked the door, letting her inside first, before locking the door behind him. "C'mere." He said softly, and motioned towards the stairs in the back. It was circular staircase, and they wound themselves around and around before they came to another floor of the cafe, most likely considered an attic. "This is my safe room." He sighed, looking at her sadly.

"I thought you might like it. You're welcome to hide out here if things get too wild with the models and such." He genuinely offered, running a shaky hand through his hair. "My.. um.. friend tells me that I need somewhere I can always feel safe, and warm." He explained, then rubbed his arm with his now free hand as he looked towards Ellie.

There were bookshelves almost covering every inch of wall in the already smaller room. Then, a cozy bed, with an armchair nearby, and a circular end table next to the chair, where an older lamp sat plugged into the wall.



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Sammie's lips continued to purse into a deeper smirk as she listened to Benji's theories. "Songs of love?" She questioned aloud. "I guess I'll have to find a male counterpart in order to successfully have a love song. Too bad there aren't any eligible males around." She shrugged comically, and sipped on the margarita she'd helped herself too, and scanned the room.

There were way more people than she thought, and her apartment was starting to get a little uncomfortable. No wonder Ellie seemed to have disappear. A pang of worry washed over the brunette's simple face, but she quickly shrugged it off. Suddenly, there was loud scream, and a group of girls, and their boyfriends gathered in a circle. Without realizing what was happening she drug Benji into the circle with her, and before she could object, the bottle landed square on Benji.

"You have to kiss Sammie!" A model's voice giggled through the room in declaration as the bottle landed on both her and Benji. Sammie's eyes grew big, her cheeks turning flush. "You guys are ridiculous, why are we even playing this?" She sighed, and looked at the bottle. Yep, still pointed at the man who had been sending her odd signals all night. She kept her eyes fixated on the ground, slowly looking towards the fireplace.