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#Post#: 2754--------------------------------------------------
Those With Gypsy Souls
DIR By: Maggie Flannery
Date: August 5, 2013, 6:03 pm
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Still working on a better summary for this one so I have to
apologize. I also apologize about not having character summaries
up. All that aside I must say Rob's quite excited over this one
as well as my previous one, haha.
Author's Note : *Disclaimer* - Please know that this is a work
of pure fiction. I'm but a humble writer and I don't make a cent
from these works, I just write them for my own and the enjoyment
of others. I do not mean in anyway to infringe upon the famous
individuals/characters that are mentioned within the work. I
only own the original characters unless otherwise stated. If you
would like to post my work please contact me and I will gladly
grant permission as long as my name is mentioned and the
disclaimer (above) is posted along with the piece. I don't bite,
I promise. :-)
HTML http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/hh628/mcohen3/ThoseGypsySoulsbannerfinished_zps8d6014cc.jpg
Theme:
HTML http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNUT0lXrm5s
Attire:
HTML http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/collection?id=2802153
Summary:
The life of a gypsy is a lonely one, unless you find a fellow
kindred soul somewhere along the road. One never truly feels at
home anywhere, unless you're always on the move. Annie Lane's
been hired to photograph life on the road of a rising rock band.
Through bumps, breakdowns, getting dumped and wrong turns she
finds the last thing she's looking for, love in the most
unexpected place.
Playlist
Dreams -Fleetwood Mac
More Than A Feeling - Boston
Tiny Dancer - Elton John
Kashmir - Led Zeppelin
A Case of You - Joni Mitchell
Blackwaterside - Sandy Denny
Sugar Man - Rodriguez
Sara - Fleetwood Mac
Ramble On - Led Zeppelin
The Chain - Fleetwood Mac
Home In Your Heart - Solomon Burke
Baby's House - Steve Miller Band
Get It While You Can - Janis Joplin
Bitter Wind - Moby Grape
Dark End Of The Street - Percy Sledge
Going To California - Led Zeppelin
Somebody's Watching You - Arthur Lee & Love
#Post#: 2755--------------------------------------------------
Re: Those With Gypsy Souls
DIR By: Wolfy
Date: August 6, 2013, 6:55 am
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Am I allowed to propose to this piece? I know it hasn't yet
begun, but I love your banner, theme, outfits and playlist. I
fell head over heels for your playlist so I'm going to have to
propose somehow ;) and the outfits.. I wish I could dress like
that and pull it off. All those purple's <3 Very happy to hear
your Rob is excited for this one and I can't wait for the first
update :D
#Post#: 2756--------------------------------------------------
Re: Those With Gypsy Souls
DIR By: Maggie Flannery
Date: August 7, 2013, 6:37 am
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Of course you are! And the answer would have to be yes :) Aww
why thank you so much! Believe it or not the playlist gave me
some grief, haha. Was there too much purple? I was worried about
that. Dear Rob's plotting out a second update as we speak, still
not sure where it's all going but I've got a feeling we'll both
be surprised. I'm so sorry if this is a bit bland.
*Disclaimer* - I own nothing, except the original characters.
(Although Rina's based off of the lovely Wolfy's Lottie) I make
nothing from these written works and I mean no infringement or
ill will toward any of the living characters. It's just a work
of pure fiction brought on by a muse. If you would like to post
my work elsewhere please feel free to contact me. I swear I
don't bite.
July 1973 Los Angeles, CA
"Have you got your lenses and cleaner? Will they let you take
that on the plane? What about socks and oh! Don't forget your
toothbrush!"
My morning was going just fine until I answered the knock at my
tiny apartment door and my dear sweet sister, Corrina came in a
whirling bundle of nerves as her ever loving ginger headed
boyfriend came in behind her with a small smile on his face
shaking his head a bit.
"Please tell me you'll write me every chance you get. Oh..and
you've got everything you'll need right? Because if not we can
go back and get it or we can mail it out to you..oh god why is
this so hard?"
I had gone into the kitchen and poured out two cups of coffee
for them as Corrina went through her carefully constructed
mental checklist aloud.
"Will you be traveling with them? Are they meeting you at LAX?"
My mind was whirling and I couldn't help but shake my head a
bit.
"Well, good morning to you too. Rina, calm down! It's not like I
haven't traveled before. I'm going to be just fine and yes,
everything I need is already in my bags. I'll be meeting them
like any other time I've been out on a commission. From what
I've met of their manager I'll be in excellent hands. It was
just over the phone but still, I'm in good hands. Now, will you
two please sit down and at least have a cup of a coffee with me
before we leave?"
Rina looked at me with watery eyes and heaved a shaky sigh. I
could tell she hadn't slept well the night before and poor thing
was about to crumble before my very eyes.
"But...what if something happens to you?"
My heart broke for her, since our mother passed away three years
ago the only thing we had was each other. I pulled her in for a
hug and calmed for a bit.
"Nothing's going to happen to me, I promise. Besides, you and
Will are going to have a blast here. You'll never want to go
back to Ventura ever again. You can sight see and by the time I
get back you two are going to be like locals. Just one thing."
Rina sniffled a bit and looked at me with wide soft brown eyes
as she peeked out beneath her wavy hair.
"What?"
"No wild parties...well if you anything does happen...name it
after me."
Will let out a laugh and Rina blushed a bit.
"You're incorrigible, Annie, really you are. But please just
call when you land and get settled, okay? You know how I am."
"She's going to be fine, Rina. She's done this a thousand times
before. Besides, she's traveling in a private plane. How much
more safe can it get? What's Hugh say about all of this? We've
been meaning to ask."
Will asked as he took a sip of his coffee as Rina sat down next
to him absently twirling a lock of her hair. I gingerly snapped
a photo of her and nearly got swatted at in the process. Hugh
Fitzgerald was my boyfriend for the last two years, a true
miracle for someone like me. We still hadn't quite worked out if
we were ever going to move in together or not but the
arrangement we had suited us just fine. I grinned as I caught
Rina in just the right light and snapped a second picture.
"Oh now that's just mean, Annie! You know I look a mess."
"Hugh's..Hugh, Will. What more can I say? He told me to go and
enjoy myself. Something still tells me that he's not letting me
in on something though. Oh well, if he's upset he's hiding it
well. Oh Rina, it's just one for the road and when I get it
developed you'll be on the same roll as the band. think of it
that way."
Rina gave me a look that said a thousand words. She knew what
Hugh and I had been going through these last few months and
hadn't clued Will in on any of it because we both knew he'd beat
Hugh to a bloody pulp and leave him in the gutter outside to
die. A flicker passed over Rina's face as she changed the topic.
"I don't care if I'm next to the Queen of England herself on
that roll, please don't take pictures of me when I'm not
prepared."
I pulled her in for a one armed hug and sighed whispering a soft
thank you into her ear that Will missed.
"You know you're going to miss it for the next two months. Hey,
if you're lucky you won't have to worry about hearing that
shutter for an entire year maybe two!"
Rina's eyes welled up with fresh tears again and I immediately
regretted ever making light of the situation. Rina was always
the softer one of the two of us, she was always the caring one
who would always ask how things were going and take a genuine
interest in a person. I guess you could say we both were but
goodbyes were never her thing.
An hour later we were crammed into my tiny Datsun and headed
toward LAX. I'd been told by the band's manager that once I
pulled up into the general parking area I could show my pass and
be lead out onto the tarmac where the private plane would be
awaiting not only myself but the band who were evidently late
risers. As I swung into the tiny parking area off of the tarmac
Will and Rina got out to help me with my bags and enveloped me
in hugs. Rina had already started to cry again and I tried to
calm her the best I could.
"You won't even realize I'm gone! I'll call you every night and
I'll send you post cards and letters, it'll be like I never
left."
Rina hugged me tighter and all but squeezed the air from my
lungs. Poor Will could barely pry her from me as I picked up my
bags and camera case before I hugged them each one last time and
walked straight out to the plane just the band's manager met me
and passed my bags over to the in flight staff.
"Nice to meet you! You must be Anna Lane. I'm Peter Grant, the
manager for the boys. I believe we spoke over the phone."
I smiled as this huge hulking man with a chrome dome held out
his hand and gave it a good firm shake.
"Please call me Annie, Mr. Grant. Indeed we have and I thank you
and your boys for taking me on. Now, what exactly is off limits
photo wise, sir?"
Grant looked at me totally surprised that I was asking him what
I wanted and calling him sir.
"Call me Peter or G, the boys and everyone else on staff does.
You're the first shutter bug to ever ask that. Nothing dear girl
is ever off limits if you ask and use your charm. You'll be with
the boys through out the tour so expect to be treated like one
of them."
Peter looked over my shoulder and grinned as he motioned to
someone over my shoulder.
"Here they come now. Well, good morning boys. This our newest
staff member, Anna Lane."
I cringed at my full name and held out hand to each of the
towering band members. We went on down the line starting with
the percussionist and working our way up to the vocals.
"Annie, these are the boys. That's John Bonham, drums and beat
keeper. Jimmy Page, guitarist extraordinaire, John Paul Jones,
bass and keyboardist expert, and this is..."
The tall lanky blonde with a lion's mane that stuck out amongst
the others dark hair and all but glimmered. I could tell I was
in for it with this one.
"Robert Plant, Golden God with the golden throat my dear. The
pleasure is all mine."
Oh sweet merciful mother the man's surely full of himself!
I thought to myself as I felt a blush start to creep up into my
cheeks. The blonde bugger could sense it too because he all but
preened when I attempted to get a group shot of them in front of
the plane. Forget the idea of doing a one by one, it just wasn't
going to happen. We were ushered into the plane by Peter just in
time to scramble for seats. To the rest of the band it was just
old hat as they settled in and prepared themselves for the
flight. The only one that seemed to be going out of his way to
impress me was Mr. Golden God himself who I had the great
fortune, and I use that word sparingly, of sitting next to.
"So, tell me about yourself, Miss Lane...it is Miss isn't it?"
"Yes, it is but I'm involved, Mr. Plant. What would you like to
know?"
"I'd like to know why on earth you're behind the lens when you
should be in front of it."
I tried to keep my laughter in check but I failed, here we were
taxiing off the runway and he was using every cheesy pick up
line he knew to chat me up.
Robert's band mates exchanged looks between themselves and shook
their heads.
"This is going to be an interesting tour, I can just feel it."
The drummer John muttered as he lit a cigarette while shaking
his head slightly. I took this opportunity to repair Robert's
visibly wounded pride.
"Thank you kindly for the compliment, Mr. Plant. But I'd much
rather be the one to take in the beauty of things. I've always
been that way. Now, say cheese!"
I ended up snapping a good-natured grin that would almost
forever be present in nearly all of my photos of him.
"So, have you toured before with bands are we your first?"
Jimmy, who was situated to my far left ask as he poured out
drinks, something nearly unheard of to me since it was just
after eight in the morning.
"Yes, I have. I've been on the road with a few bands, nothing to
your magnitude but I've have practice. Mostly just venue stuff,
nothing touring wise. I've also traveled nearly halfway around
the world snapping photos for everything from the UNICEF to
travel brochures. But when I'm back home I actually have a small
studio where I do family portraits."
Robert looked at me with renewed interest as he asked to look
through my portfolio. I gladly passed it to him before snapping
a few more shots.
"Well, I'll be damned. Not one squalling child in the lot of
them. I guess that look at the birdie trick does work after
all."
Robert said as he passed the portfolio around causing the others
to laugh.
"Oh that's a load of crap, unless you've got a real bird...I've
been known to use puppets or just jangle my bracelets a little.
It'll coax a smile out of anyone. It's also about tone of
voice."
The quiet one, John Paul let out a snort and asked me to try it
out on someone. Robert had spaced a bit on me and a wry grin
spread across my face as the "fasten seat belt" sign clicked off
and we were able to move around a bit. I grabbed the Polaroid
camera from my bag and settled in a few feet back from where
Robert was sitting. I raised my left arm a bit and gave my
bracelets a jangle. I resorted to using what Rina and Will
called my "sugar coated voice" to draw out his attention a bit
more.
"Robert. Robert, over here! Big smile!"
A click and whir and the picture was taken, big smile in place
by Mr. Plant. As I shook out the newest photo of my handy work
Robert shook his head. As it developed I passed it around
getting more grins from the rest of the band and Peter.
"With a voice like that and those damn bracelets I couldn't help
but smile. Take note of this John, she could photograph the
newest Bonham come January."
"January? I thought this was only a four month tour."
I uttered almost shocked as I sat back down and collapsed the
Polaroid and slipped it back into my bag.
Peter let out a hearty laugh and shook his head.
"Oh, I'm sorry I haven't told you. We're booked on through into
the new year. There's scheduled time off but nothing
substantial. The record label's willing to pay you double for
your time. Take a look at these numbers and see if we can't come
to an agreement. If they like this set then you're hired for
subsequent tours in the future."
Peter passed me a notepad from one of the execs he's spoken to
presumably earlier this morning and my jaw dropped and my
eyebrows shot up toward my hairline.
"That’s...that's...this is just fine. More than fine. This is
awesome."
"Just wait until you're stuck with us toward Christmas, love.
You'll want to be anywhere but here. Especially when a bus
breaks down or the plane's stuck on the tarmac. Or, when they've
put us up in a dive motel."
I thought I'd seen everything traveling had to offer but sadly I
was wrong. That night when we checked into the hotel just
outside of Atlanta things seemed to be off to a rough start. We
ended up having to stop somewhere over Mississippi due to
electrical issues and were nearly grounded due to a
thunderstorm. By the time we touched down in Atlanta is was
nearly nine at night local time, three hours ahead of LA. Will
and Rina were probably out to dinner or something but I tried
calling anyway.
"What do you mean you're booked with them through the New Year,
Annie!? What about Christmas?!"
Rina was nearing a break down and I felt downright guilty. I
flopped down on the bed with the phone still clenched in my
hand.
"The record label's willing to fly you guys out to wherever I am
so I can spend Christmas with you. By the way it looks the band
will be over in Amsterdam and I hear it's lovely right around
Christmas time."
Rina let out a groan as she paced through my apartment.
"Oh great, we'll be spending time in the Red Light District and
try one of those legalised cafe's."
"Now, Rina. I never knew you were into that sort of thing! What
would Will say?"
"Oh shut up, Annie. Give me some time to think about it, okay? I
love you and we miss you already you know that right?"
"Of course I do! I miss you guys already too. Look, don't worry
about me. I'll be with the band the entire time and they've got
some really big security guys with them on detail. Not to
mention their manager's huge."
"What about the band itself? Aren't they all heathens?"
"I wouldn't know just yet. I'll call you tomorrow when we land
in Tampa, okay? Give my love to Will and thank you for house
sitting sister dear. I owe you."
We said our final goodbyes and hung up. For the first time I was
alone, with my thoughts and that was something I couldn't stand.
I busied myself trying to get comfortable and since the band
didn't have a show tonight I thought I'd just curl up and try to
get rid of the jet lag that plagued me. I had finally found a
soft spot on the bed and was just about to nod off when there
was soft knock at my door.
"It's open."
I called not wanting to get up and was surprised to see Robert
standing at the foot of my bed.
"I got kicked out of my own room. Jimmy and John are playing
poker and I just need some peace and quiet. Do you mind if visit
with for a bit?"
His front man facade was down and I smiled as I moved over to
the other side of the bed and gestured for him to sit down.
"Of course you can. I've been answering questions about myself
to you all day. Now it's my turn to play twenty questions."
"Are you sure you really want to know the answers?"
"Now you're challenging me. Of course I do."
This one certainly isn't a heathen. Unless he's trying to get on
my good side.
I thought to myself as Robert opened up a bit to me and the
hours ticked away.
#Post#: 2757--------------------------------------------------
Re: Those With Gypsy Souls
DIR By: Wolfy
Date: August 7, 2013, 11:36 am
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Your first updates always manage to put a smile on my face. I
wish I had that skill; making the first bit interesting and
making sure the reader wants to keep on reading. I'm now bopping
up and down on my chair rather impatiently. I love how Rob
immediately took to chatting her up! that really made me laugh
and I've no doubt I'm going to learn a lot more about the man he
is through this story :] loved this bit <33
#Post#: 2761--------------------------------------------------
Re: Those With Gypsy Souls
DIR By: Maggie Flannery
Date: August 12, 2013, 3:09 am
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Oh you've made me blush over here! Thank you so much! You do
have that skill my dear, I've never ever not wanted to read what
you've written so please please don't sell yourself short. Rob
was quite the chatty little thing wasn't he? Oh there's plenty
to learn about him as well as Annie and not to mention dear Rina
and Will. (I'm so sorry for lacking them in the story. :(
They'll have much more presence in later chapters, I promise.) I
have to apologize for this next update, it seems that things
evolved quite quickly between Rob and Annie. Even I was shocked,
I just hope this doesn't make it seem hum drum. Although I do
hope you enjoy it, there's plenty more to come. I've included a
video for the song used in a key scene, I hope you don't mind.
HTML http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9OzNxhAtOw
P.S. Still working on updates for this as well as Slips Away To
Grey.
#Post#: 2762--------------------------------------------------
Re: Those With Gypsy Souls
DIR By: Maggie Flannery
Date: August 12, 2013, 3:37 am
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August 12 (New Orleans/ The First Official Weekend Off)
The course of a month had flown past us, the boys were finally
granted a weekend off as we touched down in New Orleans, much to
their relief and mine. I'd learned very quickly that when they
were subjected to a nightly "lock down" all hell broke loose.
John, or Bonzo as he was called by the rest was inclined to run
up and down the halls screaming at the top of his lungs and
throw massive fits while in his private room. Jimmy was given to
inviting various groupies up to his suite, John Paul, or JP
would take in the local sites with Peter and Robert, well Robert
would always end up in my room playing twenty questions. Slowly
it was becoming apparent that he was quite the curious fellow
and quite interesting too. We shared a taste for Tolkien and
mythology as well as gardening. Their shows verged on epic each
night they took the stage and I was given the chance to get it
all on film. Each night I checked in with Rina and Will they
seemed more and more interested in my travels and the shared
antics of the band, so much so that they requested to meet them
the next time the band was passing through LA. An impromptu
photo shoot was set up in the hotel lobby and then it was off to
the hotel bar for a few bracers. I had been to New Orleans once
about two years ago to get some photos for a local travel
brochure during Mardi Gras and it was interesting to say the
least. I still hadn't told Rina where or how I got all those
beads I had dangling from my drapery rods back home in LA.
"Alright, one more and I'll cut you guys loose. John, chin up a
bit...good. Finger down, Jimmy. There!"
I snapped the final shot and sent them on their way while I
grabbed my bags and ambled through the lobby and up to the front
desk requesting my room key.
"I'm sorry ma’am but your room key's already been picked up. I
believe the gentleman said he was your traveling companion."
I sighed in disgust and let out a groan.
"Can you point me in the direction he went, please?"
The desk clerk pointed me out toward the pay phone area and
there stood a rather smug looking Robert holding up my room key
with a smirk on his face. I rolled my eyes as I trudged over
lugging my bags along with me.
"One of these days you're going to pull that on a desk clerk
that knows exactly who you are and then it's curtains for me and
my photos, Robert."
I gave him a sour look as he held up my room key and dangled it
above my head. My five feet was dwarfed by his six foot two
inches ultimately making the height difference almost comical.
"How many times do I have to ask you to call me Rob? And who
cares? You're working for yourself the only people that can fire
you is the record company and they've been enjoying the shots
you've sent them so far. Besides, I thought you didn't go for my
type. The preening prancing rock god."
Perhaps in our evening chats I'd divulged a bit too much about
myself. In my defense I had to say that Robert was a very keen
listener and didn't push for details. I respected that and did
the same. Over the course of our time together I'd come to think
of him as a rather close friend. I felt my cheeks color slightly
as we headed toward the elevators.
"That makes me sound like some sort of superficial two bit. I
never meant it like that. I just meant that I haven't had the
best of luck with the musician type. I like to keep moving.
Well, what about you? You said you never wanted to settle down,
you wanted to experience the world and all it had to offer."
We waited for a second and as the doors opened Robert looked at
me for a moment.
"You make me sound like a man **** when I simply stated that I
couldn't see myself settling down with anyone right at the
moment. I take it Hugh's a musician?"
I cringed as soon as his name left Rob's lips. The letters I'd
written to him had been bounced back with a big glaring Return
To Sender stamp and I had yet to pin down a working phone number
to actually speak to that man that supposedly loved me.
"Oh, no no. I've dated a few musicians and they never were quite
good with dating someone that's a shutter bug. Hugh's an
investment banker for Bank of America. He's away...quite a bit
so he's never home the holidays. Like our
anniversary...Christmas...New Years...my birthday."
I blinked back a few tears that hadn't been shed in the past few
months of my relationship deteriorated. Here I was in New
Orleans with a rising Rock God spilling my guts about the jerk
I'd left behind.
"Well, here's my opinion of Hugh. He seems to be some sort of
man child that uses women to his advantage and when he's done
with them he leaves them high and dry. You deserve much better
than that."
I raised an eyebrow as I looked Robert's way and found him
giving a sympathetic smile and a pat on the back.
"I had the female version of Hugh in my life two years ago. I
sometimes wished she was as dedicated to me as she was to her
job. When she found out I wasn't going to be home to keep the
home fires burning she dumped me on the spot. When's your
anniversary?"
I blushed slightly and let out a sigh as we reached the fourth
floor.
"August 20th but I doubt anything will come from it. I've got a
card for him that I might as well throw out. How about yours?"
We each grabbed our bags and hefted them out into the hallway.
"What a coincidence! The twentieth’s my birthday, you'll
certainly have a good time then, I'll make sure of it. Eight
days to go and dare I say I'm dreading it? My anniversary was
the First of November. I would go all out and she'd either be
out on work or just completely forget about it. By the way,
we're big on birthdays around here, when's yours? You want some
help with your bags?"
I hadn't realized that I was struggling or if he was just trying
to be a gentleman but I handed him one of my bags and went to
unlock the door to my room. I made a mental note to pick him up
a birthday present somewhere along the line.
"Oh so you're a Leo, huh? Now I know why your hair reminds me of
a lion's mane of all things. Mine's the seventh of September.
Please, don't make a huge thing about it, just a simple Happy
Birthday would mean the world to me."
A shimmer from the ceiling caught my attention and I sighed.
"Oh, lovely. It's got a mirrored ceiling, that makes three so
far."
I muttered as I threw my bags down and turned to thank Robert
who was standing there looking at me with an odd look on his
face that I couldn't place.
"How very Virgo of you to say that. You Earth signs are so very
grounded. Well, you never know, you might end up with a bit of
company while you're in the Big Easy. The road's a lonely place
you know? I hear one of our bodyguards has a thing for brunettes
as do some members of the band."
A slight wag of his eyebrows told me who the "members" in
question were. I rolled my eyes and sighed. He certainly was
full of himself today.
"Oh good lord! Nope, sorry to disappoint but I won't be bringing
anyone back to my room. You're the only guest I've had and I
quite enjoy our talks. Thanks for the help, Rob. What? Do I have
something on my face? My hair's gone frizzy? The lighting in the
room's that bad?"
Robert laughed and shook his head as he adjusted his own duffel
bag back onto his shoulder.
"For a fleeting second I actually had the courage up to ask you
if you'd like to go out to dinner sometime or do some site
seeing. But I'm thinking you'd shoot me down. I mean it's not a
date or anything..just two people sitting at the same table
enjoying a meal and some enlightening conversation or a walk
around town. Totally platonic."
For a split second this larger than life rock and roller, this
rock god was totally unsure of himself.
"Alright, you pick the place and the time and I'll clear my date
book."
Robert looked a bit taken aback and then gave me a cheeky grin.
"Well, that settles in then. How about tomorrow night after a
day of sight seeing? I'm quite keen on visiting some of the book
stores and smaller shops I spotted as we drove through. Meet me
in the lobby say about nineish tomorrow morning?"
"Sounds lovely. I'll meet you in the lobby then."
We agreed and said a quick goodbye before I shut the door and
leaned against it for support. I'm not entirely sure why my
heart was pounding but I surly thought it was going to beat out
of my chest. Next door I could hear the door creak open and the
sound of bags being thrown down and then a familiar whoop I'd
heard from the stage each night that I was taking photos. I
couldn't help but laugh until my phone rang.
"Hello?"
"It's not polite to laugh at people, love."
"I couldn't help myself and I wasn't aware that you were right
next door to me. What a coincidence, huh?"
"Saves having to walk all the way down a dark hallway to get to
your room. Besides, I thought it might make you feel a bit safer
now that you know one of the bodyguards has the hots for you."
"Well, thank you it does make me feel a bit better. If I see him
skulking around I'll give you a call."
"As you should, I can be quite intimidating when I wish to be.
Part of being a Leo and all. Oh! Before we part ways for the
second time are you by any chance feeling up for some takeaway
while we chat? It seems Peter's taken every precaution not to
let me go out tonight. I've got about ten or twelve different
takeaway menus sitting here spread out on my dresser."
"My my, two dinner prepositions in one day? Sure, but I'm
covering this time. You paid in Tampa. You pick."
"Ahh, taking charge are we? If you insist my dear. See you in an
hour then."
"Sounds like a plan then. Just come on in."
We said our goodbyes for a second time and I was left with that
same giddy feeling all over again.
No! No! You're not falling for him. He's incredibly sweet and
interesting but no. Never ever mix business and pleasure, Anne.
I thought to myself as I dialed my number back in LA only to
find that Will and Rina were out, probably enjoying themselves.
I couldn't blame them so I ended up writing a letter and setting
it aside to post tomorrow. I headed off toward the bathroom and
settled in for a bubble bath to attempt to calm my already
rapidly frazzled nerves. It had been a very very long time since
anyone had shaken me up quite like Robert had. Not that I'd ever
admit that to him, or anyone else for that matter. But then
again maybe he already knew.
"So, tell me more about the midlands. I've only ever traveled to
London."
I asked as we lounged out on the small balcony sitting area over
looking Bourbon Street and taking a sip of the wine Robert had
paid Grant off to pick up for him along the way with the food.
Robert was sprawled out next to me on the other chaise lounge
looking very much the picture of rock royalty. His own wine
glass in one hand and a cigarette in the other. The sun was just
starting to go down into the horizon giving everything a golden
glow.
"There's not much to tell, really. Where I grew up it was mostly
a farming community, lots of country kids trying to break out of
a place that they're tired of. Not much of a music scene
really. My parents thought for sure I'd become an accountant
like my Dad. What about you? I always thought America was so
much more interesting and free than home."
With a flick of his wrist the cigarette's stub went over the
balcony and into the small planter that was just below it for
decoration.
"Oh I'd give anything to see the English countryside. I grew up
in a tiny house by the beach in San Francisco, Ocean Beach if
you're interested to visit it sometime. We were only a trolley
ride away from the city so it was a bit urban. It was an amazing
place to grow up, my sister and I would always be out looking
for shells or dodging the waves. There were so many nights that
I fell asleep to the sound of the surf. My Mom was seamstress
and Dad, well Dad wasn't around much after Corrina was born. I
only remember pieces of him, I was about two went he packed up
and split. We didn't have a lot but we were happy there."
"Then why in the world did you move to Los Angeles?"
"Well, our Mom passed away three years ago and Corrina and I
didn't think we could stay in a place that had so many memories.
So, she went out to live in Ventura with her boyfriend, Will and
I settled in LA."
A few flashes went off down below and I cringed. I had a sinking
feeling that those weren't lightning bugs. As much as I loved
taking photographs I hated having my own taken.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. There goes my mouth again..."
I reached over and patted his hand in reassurance. He looked
genuinely sorry and certainly needed my reassurance that no harm
was done.
"It's fine, trust me. What isn't fine is the fact that there's
about ten or twenty photographers from every local paper from
here to Shreveport down below trying to get a money making shot
for tomorrow's variety section."
Robert leaned over the railing and waved a bit giving them a few
grins.
"Could you do us a favor and bugger off? We're trying to have a
decent night in."
Well, that declaration did it, the flashes came a bit faster and
shouts were heard from four stories down.
"We? He's got a girl up there! Who is she?"
"Oh god, now you've done it! I'm going back in before some idiot
with a zoom lens can get a shot of my face."
I said before downing the rest of my wine and making a hurried
retreat back into the room. Robert was at my heels carrying the
remains of the wine and our glasses. I had scattered a few
incense burners about the room and went about lighting them
before settling in on the bed.
"For a photographer you really don't enjoy having your picture
taken do you?"
He asked as he lounged now at the foot of my bed giving me a
wry grin as I leaned against the headboard.
"No, I really don't. I'd rather be behind the lens capturing
life and it's images as they go by than be in front of it all."
"Well, you can't always let life pass you by."
The song on the in room stereo changed giving us an ambiance as
the candles and incense burned while the sun went down a bit
deeper in the sky's horizon.
Night comes in
Like some cool river
How can there be
Be another day
Take my hand
O real companion
And we’ll dance
We’ll dance ‘till we fade away
Robert was slowing inching his way up the bed to me and I found
myself rooted to the spot, unable to move or even breathe. Eyes
were locked and totally in that moment. The air smelt of Nag
Champa and Jasmine as soft lips came down on mine. A warm safe
feeling came over me as that kiss deepened.
O the songs
Pour down like silver
They can only
Only break my heart
Drink the wine
The wine of lovers
Lovers tired of being apart
My mind was already reeling as we explored a bit, almost but not
quite urging each other on. Hands were roaming and clothes were
soon scattered about the floor. Shadows flickered about the
walls as the candles burned a bit deeper seemingly expressing
what we felt.
Dancing ‘till my feet don’t touch the ground
I lose my mind and dance forever
Lose my mind and dance forever
Turn my world around
Turn my world around
Air was vital at this point but neither of us wanted to break
the newly formed bond we'd established. Quick short passionate
nips and bites were established and soon a rhythm was formed
that almost reminded me of the waves lapping on the shoreline,
ebbing and flowing in a slow hypnotic state. Time stood still
around us as our hearts beat as one.
O this night
Is like no other
And this room
Is ringing in my ears
And these friends
Will never leave me
And these tears
Are like no other tears
I broke out into a red hot flush as a stars and floating dots
came into my field of vision. Looking quite content with himself
Robert brushed a few strands of hair away from my face and gave
me the softest kiss I'd ever had from a lover in my entire
twenty-three years. A whispered I love you reached my ears and
tears welled up.
"Oh please tell me I wasn't that horrid. I've never had a lady
cry. I haven't hurt you.."
"No, no. It's just that no one's ever told me they loved me
outside of family. Don't you think it's a bit quick to be saying
that to someone you've only just met and known for a month?"
Robert shook his head and gave me a small soft smile as he
pulled me closer to him.
"Sometimes you can meet someone and feel like you've known them
your entire life. I never knew what that meant until I met you,
you know? I never felt that when I met Clare and I was with her
since we were both seventeen."
I settled in next to him, that warm safe feeling slowly
spreading over me again and I smiled. He had a point. I never
felt that with Hugh or anyone else I'd been with but with him it
seemed to radiate between us.
"But you've got to promise me something, Rob."
Robert took my hand in his and brushed a kiss across my knuckles
while looking me in the eye.
"Name it, love."
"We keep this...we keep us under wraps at least until the end of
the tour. I don't want to ruin your career or what we've got."
"Oh my career's going to be just fine. If the fans can't accept
that I've got someone in my life then that's tough. We won't
ruin anything, trust me if anything it'll just keep getting
better and better."
It seemed plausible and I hoped that he was right. Soon enough
the candles had burned out and the incense was still wafting in
the air. A drowsy curtain of sleep enveloped us and we drifted
off together in the middle of the bed listening to nothing but
the sound of shared heartbeats.
#Post#: 2764--------------------------------------------------
Re: Those With Gypsy Souls
DIR By: Wolfy
Date: August 12, 2013, 9:01 am
---------------------------------------------------------
I'm kind of in love with this, as much as I'm in love with them
as a couple. They really seem to compliment one another well and
you've written their bonding so beautifully. I don't think it
was rushed and I actually can't wait to see what's in store for
them both now. Those last few paragraphs were perfect and I
ended up crying as they shared a kiss whilst that song played in
the background. You've really outdone yourself, I loved that
update :]
#Post#: 2765--------------------------------------------------
Re: Those With Gypsy Souls
DIR By: Maggie Flannery
Date: August 12, 2013, 9:09 am
---------------------------------------------------------
I'm so sorry I made you cry! I'm so so glad you liked it!
They're quite the couple, I wasn't sure how their bond would
turn out before hand when I was jotting down plot points and the
song struck me as fitting, I feared it would be too cheesy at
first though. I thought "Oh it'll be a bit of sap." but I'm so
glad you enjoyed it. I'm currently working on another update
for you, it should be up either later today or early tomorrow.
I'd like to thank you for reading and reviewing, it really does
keep me as well as the muse going. <3
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