Demon Marcus, Sunday

[myownface]

Yeah, Sparkle was here. He was here mostly because the bars didn't open first thing in the morning and he couldn't stand to be in his room any more. He wasn't doing anything. He'd pulled up a chair behind the counter and was mostly just staring at the stock around him. Occasionally he felt the urge to just... something. Break things. Something.

He didn't, though.

He did, from time to time, just slam his fists down on the countertop before retreating into the back room for a few minutes, here and there. Whether it was to drink some of Callie's old alcohol stash, cry, or throw up was his business and nobody else's.

[OOC: Open store, but Sparks isn't going to be terribly helpful today.]

Comments

[sharp_as_knives]

"Was it enough for him?" Hannibal asked, curious. "You would want more in your life, but did he?"

[myownface]

"Dunno," Sparkle admitted, shrugging. "He was still pretty new at it. Maybe he would've gotten bored eventually. He liked having Amelia around, but he didn't... didn't care about her the same way I... you know."

He picked up the wine glass again, putting the handkerchief down between them.

"Serves me right for getting attached, I guess."

[sharp_as_knives]

"Yes," Hannibal answered. "Would you rather you hadn't?" There was no judgment either way, but you got attached and missed people, or you didn't.

[myownface]

"Wouldn't hurt so damn much right now if I didn't," Sparkle muttered. "She was my little sister, you know? Should've known better."

[sharp_as_knives]

"People often disappoint you, whether they intend it or not." Hannibal weighed how much to say, but Sparkle knew he had been an orphan himself, so.

"That version of me from France, he grew up with a family, too."

[myownface]

Sparkle looked up at that, biting his inside cheek and taking a moment to take that into consideration.

"It... makes a pretty big difference, doesn't it?"

Apparently families fostered an appreciation for the arts and a chipper attitude. Who knew?

[sharp_as_knives]

Also, they apparently tended to be a disincentive towards cannibalism, but nothing was perfect.

"Apparently I would have turned out much more rebellious and interestingly dressed," Hannibal answered, chuckling. "Not to mention pierced and paint-splattered." He cocked his head. "A bit more like you, in fact."

[myownface]

Sparkle actually cracked a faint smile at that.

"Weird," he settled on. "I mean, it just... made a lot of difference. But I think maybe you were like that for different reasons than I am? Something to say, and maybe even saying it the same way, but it was coming from a different place."

[sharp_as_knives]

"Possibly." Hannibal sipped his wine thoughtfully. "Growing up with my family in Paris, I think I had a reason to rebel, and a security to do so. We were still quite wealthy, but I had never experienced anything else, never felt the drive or hunger for anything but my art. As with your other version, I took it for granted."

[myownface]

"I was going to go to theatre school," Sparkle shared. "It was just a given. I mean, I figured I'd have to apply around, audition a few times, but it was going to happen. Of course it was. Me not making it into one wasn't even a consideration."

[sharp_as_knives]

"Because you had the confidence that comes from having people to rely upon, having had people tell you that you are good enough. It's harder to jump if you know the fall will hurt; there is a reason such a network of family is called a safety net."

He eyed Sparkle as he drank. "Is that something you would want for yourself - theater school? Or any school? If you had that safety net."

[myownface]

Sparkle's shoulders hitched up a little.

"I don't know," he admitted. "It's not the first time I've thought about it. I had one teacher who offered to loan me the money, if that was what was keeping me from trying."

This place was really weird for that.

"But it just didn't seem like it was something that could be real. I don't have the marks for most schools. Karina gave me some stuff to study and I work through that here and there sometimes, but I'm not really like made for academia exactly."

Plus the idea of actually getting anywhere was frightening,too.

[sharp_as_knives]

"Perhaps another wager?" Hannibal offered. He looked at Sparkle for a moment longer, then reached into his bag.

"I had, it seemed, looked into a number of options last week." He pulled out a brochure. "This is an intensive summer program. Acting, voice, and movement. It would give you a chance to see if it's something you would enjoy, and I have no doubt would help with your confidence even if you decide that it isn't."

He set the brochure on the table and slid it toward Sparkle. "Auditions are in mid-June. If you would like help before then, I would be willing to find you a tutor. If you get in, I will pay for you to attend."

[myownface]

Sparkle looked over the brochure quietly, biting his lip as he did so.

"This is like three weeks of full-day workshops," he noted. It wasn't like a dealbreaker or anything. Hell, it could even get him away from the island for a bit, which he wanted. "I'd miss like half a summer term, wouldn't I? I'm going to have to think about it, maybe. If that's okay."

He wanted it. He wanted it a lot. He'd have to run it by Lewis first, though, since he'd probably want to know that Sparkle was giving a middle finger to school work for a chunk of the summer. And he wouldn't be able to stay in the dorms if he wasn't attending classes. But still...

He'd be an idiot to say no.

[sharp_as_knives]

"Six weeks, if you like." Hannibal corrected. "This wager would include both workshops.

"As to your classes here, I can't speak for the other instructors, naturally, but you would be welcome to take as much of my classes as you're able, and make up any work you miss. And if the commute is too difficult, I will find you an apartment close to the theater."

He smiled. "You may take as long as you like; I will impose no deadline on your acceptance, beyond the school's and the theater's."

[myownface]

Sparkle swallowed at the lump in his throat. And then nodded and washed it down with some wine.

The apartment really just upped the ante a little more, didn't it?

"I have to ask Lewis," he said, honestly. "But I... I think I want to try."

[sharp_as_knives]

"Of course." Hannibal nodded. "If it will help, I will write him a letter formalizing it. I imagine he may be skeptical otherwise. And we should probably get you into the classes in your own world rather than mine, so he can verify it."

He'd have to move a good deal of money into the other Baltimore, as well. But it never did hurt to diversify.

"I have no doubt that you are capable of this," he said firmly. He was even willing to go to lengths to ensure it, though he suspected he wouldn't have to. "If you decide you would rather not, I won't be offended, and I would welcome counter-suggestions. If you do decide to do it," he grinned, "I look forward to proving myself right."