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#Post#: 3135--------------------------------------------------
Faith/Dreams/Lust/Love
DIR By: Maggie Flannery
Date: January 13, 2016, 12:21 am
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HTML https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1624/23719041033_270ccfa177_c.jpg
*A/N* : This is a work of pure fiction, characters within the
text are not meant to defame or infringe upon the persons based
upon them. I do not personally know Jared or Shannon Leto and
have taken the liberty to change their shared surname to avoid
any confusion. Helene Starling is the creation/ fictional being
of the amazing and lovely Wolfy and she is on loan. ( big big
huuuge thanks hun! ) Colleen is my own original fictional being.
Please do not repost this work without my consent, thank you and
enjoy. ;D
Summary: One man looks for faith, long lost after a hard
scrabble existence as a musician. Down and out and utterly alone
the emptiness/loneliness is maddening. Another tries to overcome
lust and temptation and forge more meaningful relationships with
his family and the world at large. A woman just wants to fulfill
a life long dream long shelved away while taking care of others
first and the other just wants a committed relationship with a
man that won't use her and throw her away like yesterday's news.
Chance meetings occur and the fates are stirred. Each is the key
piece to the other’s puzzle - they just don’t know it yet.
Theme:
HTML https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTWV7bjhP_Y
Poly:
HTML http://www.polyvore.com/faith_dream_lust_love/collection?id=4904971
Playlist:
HTML https://open.spotify.com/user/highlandfling22/playlist/5JyCCFbsH7tkLH9AwJFa21
#Post#: 3136--------------------------------------------------
Re: Faith/Dreams/Lust/Love
DIR By: Wolfy
Date: January 13, 2016, 6:10 am
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My first response when I saw this on my phone this morning was
to cry, so I cried myself awake! I am so prepared for this one
to begin, but I don't know how patient I can be this time around
;] your summary makes me want to jump right in and, by the way,
those polyvore sets are gorgeous? the ladies do know how to
dress! also.. I love the jobs you've given each of the
characters and the playlist is in my favourites/also following
it as the story progresses. I am so excited for this *-*
#Post#: 3137--------------------------------------------------
Re: Faith/Dreams/Lust/Love
DIR By: Maggie Flannery
Date: January 14, 2016, 2:22 am
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Oh my hun! *hugs* I'm so so so happy you're excited for this one
and I'm writing as fast as I can, still ironing a few things out
plot wise. I tried with those Polyvores ;) and I tried to give
each a day job that would suit them, I found those scrubs and
thought 'That's Helene!' I'm afraid for poor Jared though,
outside all day seems like it'd be a good idea but all that salt
water and his hair, gah! You have no idea how happy I am that
you're enjoying the playlist - I tried to go a bit different
this time. I know I say this every time but I owe you - so much
my dear. You give me a reason to create these characters and
share them. Without you they'd just wither away, as would I. I
do have to admit though that the Shan muse is strong and he's
got some sticking power, he seems quite smitten with Col and she
with him. I might have to ask for a crowbar to pry them away
from one another. ;) *hugs tight* again the muses and I thank
you!
#Post#: 3142--------------------------------------------------
Re: Faith/Dreams/Lust/Love
DIR By: Maggie Flannery
Date: January 18, 2016, 2:15 am
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The minutes ticked by and she could have sworn her heart
stopped. Colleen Murphy had just been put through the ringer
during a hellish fourteen hour flight from Sydney that she was
told was detrimental to her actually staying employed with the
mega firm of Lynch and Stone. One of LA’s most prestigious law
firms that dated back to the early 1930’s, they represented
almost every recording artist, actor and director in Hollywood
these days - the pay was more than she needed but it gave her
security and peace of mind. She had just shuffled herself out of
business class and grabbed her bags when she’d felt her phone go
off.
“Hello?”
“Hey stranger, long time no talk. How was the Land Down Under?
Please tell me you met some hot surf instructor or a something.
Did he look like Bodhi from Point Break?”
Her oldest and dearest friend’s laugh came at just the right
time, the sweltering California sun beat down on the parking lot
as she finally found the row where her beat up little Corolla
was parked. Hel’s sense of humor was always welcome more so now
than ever.
“Oh ha ha and no. No scrumptious Aussie Bodhisattva’s were to be
had this go around. Not even a half decent Rick Springfield I’m
sorry to say. Although I did happen to be lodged in a very nice
micro metro lodge right by the airport. Got about four hours
sleep the entire time. How goes the new schedule? Isn’t it nice
to join the land of the living once again?”
Hel’s day job at SoCal General made for some very interesting
conversations but when her hours got switched around she ended
up working six months on the night shift and they barely got to
see one another. But thankfully the Administrator set her
schedule to rights and she worked days once more.
“It’s a damn rude awakening but a welcome one, the high point
being actually able to hang out with you dear sister. Not to
mention actually start going back to the beach during daylight
hours. Those night jobs just weren’t cutting it and the huge ass
can of mace you gave me was just too heavy. By the way, why you
didn’t tell me I couldn’t leave it in the trunk of my car?”
Colleen was totally perplexed as she threw her carry on and
duffle bag into the Corolla’s backseat and then slid into the
driver’s seat ever so carefully and failing. Scorching leather
met her stocking covered legs and she yelped in pain.
“Yoo-Holy mother of sin that’s fecking hot!”
Jamming her keys into the ignition she turned the engine over
and adjusted the AC once more before continuing.
“You should have been able to, it didn’t explode…did it?”
“Yes! I go out on my only day off and pop the trunk to get my
work out bag to get laundry done and the damn thing blew up and
foamed all over the place. I damn near went blind from the smell
alone and now my car reeks of it. It’s like I’m driving a pepper
grinder on wheels. I’ve been taking the bus to work.”
“I-..I’m so so sorry Hel..I’ll pay to have your car detailed,
okay? Hell, I’ll even do it myself if you want me to. The
package said that it should be fine in all weather…Hang on a
second Hel. I’m switching you over.”
She shifted her cell into the hands free holder and slipped on
her seatbelt before carefully backing out of the space and
turning to go into the roundabout and out into traffic.
“See, and you said you’d never use one of those ‘damn hands free
things’. Can I say it?”
Hel asked with a hint of glee in her voice telling Colleen that
she had a good natured ribbing coming her way, deep down she
knew she deserved it.
“Alright but only this once, Helene.”
A series of claps could be heard along with Hel’s squeal of
excitement.
“I told you so!”
Colleen heard Hel sing song as she turned down onto Ventura.
Even after all these years it never ever got old, Hel’s laugh
was infectious and she was as sweet and humble as she was
beautiful. It didn’t seem possible that they had known on
another since they were still in diapers. They’d always called
one another ‘sister’ because that’s simply what they were. Not
by blood but by bond, twins souls really and always joined at
the hip. No matter how hard things got for one the other always
had her back.
“Alright, pipe down Starling. Wouldn’t want your surprise from
the Sun Burned country to accidentally fly out the window now
would we?”
It was Col’s turn to give Hel a ribbing. A quick ‘No!’ was heard
on the other end of the line as Colleen turned left onto Reseda
ave and drove past a slew of gyms and tanning places that
advertised themselves as being open twenty-four hours. As she
pulled to a stop at the light her stomach let out a rather loud
growl.
“Dear God, when’s the last time you ate, Col?”
Colleen thought for a second and let out a nervous laugh. It had
escaped her for the past two days to actually eat something
besides complimentary pretzels and drink something other than
crappy conference room coffee.
“Uh…I want to say right when we flew over Fiji?”
“Colleen! How many times do I have to tell you that in order to
live you’ve got to eat! I know your route by heart and I want
you stop the car immediately at the next right. You’re going to
eat at the little Bistro I was telling you about and you’re
actually going to be a sit down meal that isn’t something from
the frozen section of the grocery store. I’m talking a protein,
a few veggies a starch. Proper. Fucking. Food. Got it girlie?”
To Colleen’s own amazement she turned right and found a parking
spot and pulled in. It was as if her own body had betrayed her
and she groaned as she got out of the car. She wasn’t one to
really change things up, especially not after her last break up.
Routine was something she had always been comfortable with but
eating at new places not so much. Slinging her purse over her
shoulder and letting her hair down she hurried across the car
park and ducked into the bistro eyes widening as she spotted Hel
still dressed in her purple scrubs sitting at one of the booths
beaming at her and waving.
“Col!”
The next thing she knew her friend was up and out of her seat
and rushing at her arms outstretched with an even bigger grin
spread across her lovely face.
“You have no idea just how much I’ve missed you. I’m sorry I
yelled at you over the phone but I had to.”
Helene exclaimed as she pulled Colleen in for one of her
patented bear hugs that always lifted her mood.
“I missed you too, Hel. More than you’ll ever know.
Really…besides someone has to keep on the straight and narrow…”
Colleen’s words got stuck somewhere between her mouth and her
brain as Hel gently walked her over toward the booth and flagged
down one of waitstaff. Helene gave her friend the once over and
noticed that the light in her eyes that had always been there
was starting to dim. Helene knew Col hadn’t been herself after
her last breakup but she thought she would have bounced back by
now. Reaching across the table her held Col’s hand and gave it a
pat.
“I know you have, girlie. Now, whatever are we going to do about
you and this moping and the long face, huh?”
Colleen shifted for a moment, did she really have that much of a
hang dog face on these days? She knew that her screwed up sleep
schedule had mad her look haggard some days but she the look Hel
was talking about. She now had a habit of constantly furrowing
her brow and raising her eyebrows as if she were deep in thought
or always surprised. Add that lovely look to the dark circles
that were starting to form under her eyes along with the bags
and she was a surefire hot mess.
“I..I-I have no idea Hel, really I don’t. Maybe with time..”
“Col it’s almost been a year. You’ve got to get out there again
and start meeting people.”
Colleen shifted in her seat once more and and started to fidget
once more.
“I..I meet people..It’s not like I’m a complete shut in, Hel..”
Helene furrowed her own brows and gave her friend a long look
before crossing her arms.
“You get your groceries delivered from Whole Foods via internet
ordering and have a gym in your spare bedroom. You consistently
work late and whenever I invite you out I can’t even get you to
leave the couch.”
Colleen shot her friend a look and crossed her own arms before
continuing.
“It’s not my fault I…had…stuff…to..what?”
Brown eyes met hers and Colleen’s words stopped.
“I’m sorry but sobbing into your pint of Coco Loco while
watching Titanic and The Notebook and crying in a cold bubble
bath listening to sappy songs don’t count as things to do, hun.”
“Hey..it wasn’t that bad..”
“Colleen, sweetie…it was Celine Dion and it was All By Myself.
It just doesn’t get any sadder than that. Might I remind you
that you still haven’t changed your profile status from ‘It’s
Complicated’ to ‘Single’ yet? Honey, we’ve got to get you out of
that condo..which is why we’re going out tomorrow night. Just
you and me.”
Before Colleen could object their food had arrived and she was
taken aback for a moment. Was she so jet lagged and out of it
that she could hardly remember ordering food?
“I took the liberty to order for you, girlie. I wanted to see
you eat something besides a garden salad with dressing on the
side. Now, dig in.”
While they ate small conversation was made and the subject of
Hel’s trips to the beach were brought up. Both women thought it
was good idea to switch to something light after bringing up
Col’s taste in sappy music and coping skills - or lack there of.
The side salads were huge and the portions of the pesto
tortellini were even bigger that both ladies had a feeling that
they would be going home with doggie bags.
“I see you’ve got a little bit of color going on there, Hel.”
Colleen chided her friend good-naturedly while they finished up
their desserts, two slices of very decadent cappuccino
cheesecake.
Now it was Hel’s turn to turn a light shade of pink as she took
a small bite and chewed slowly.
“It’s true, I have been hitting the beach a bit these days..”
“Is there a reason?”
Colleen asked with a smile as she took a sip of her ice water.
“N-nooo…”
“Helene Marie I can tell when you’re lying..”
“Oh alright, there’s a lifeguard there. Most gorgeous thing I’ve
ever seen in my life, okay?”
“Ooh! Hel’s got a crush..details lady details! You know I live
for them.”
Colleen said with a grin as she leaned in her chin resting on
her closed left hand and nearly put her right sleeve into the
decorative chocolate drizzle that was left on her dessert plate.
“Oh there’s nothing to really tell, Col..”
As jet lagged as she was Colleen resisted the urge to reach
across the table and shake her friend by the shoulders for more
details. She was living vicariously through Helene even she
didn’t want to admit it to herself.
“Well, do you know his name for starters? Or a description would
be good, sweetie.”
“Well, he’s got longer light brown hair..actually it’s more of
an hombre sort of thing going on, really nice high cheekbones
and those eyes…God Colleen he’s just so…I’ve never seen anyone
like him.”
Colleen watched as Helene’s face clouded over as she was lost in
a memory. The check was quietly deposited on the table which she
felt the need to take care of. Helene had come all this way just
to see that actually ate a decent dinner so the least Colleen
could do was pick up the tab for the meal. A contented sigh left
Hel’s body as Col set down her credit card to clear up the tab.
“It’s already been taken care of, Colleen.”
Helene was back from her daydream but still slightly dreamy
looking as she passed Col’s credit card back to her.
“Alright then, let me at least drive you home, Hel..or would you
rather spend the night? You can tell me more about your
lifeguard.”
Colleen urged as they grabbed their bags and walked out into the
slowly cooling Los Angeles evening. The sun was just starting to
set and the streetlights were coming on.
“Ooh, a slumber party just like old times!”
Helene said happily as they made their way out to the car. The
lights flashed and a dying honk sounded as the doors unlocked
via Col’s keyless entry fob.
“The seats are probably like lava right now so brace yourself.”
The women slid in and exchanged looks as Colleen fumbled for the
keys to try and start the car so the AC would come on.
“You really ought to invest in one of those shade things for
your windshield, Col.”
Helene panted as the engine whirred to life and a few cold
blasts of air came her way.
“I know, I know. Now, you never did tell me if he had a name.”
Helene rolled her eyes as they slipped their seat belts into
place and Colleen backed ever so carefully out of the tiny space
and pulled onto Palm Ave and rolled to a smooth stop at the
traffic light.
“Jared. His name’s Jared.”
Helene said as she let her hair down for a moment and enjoyed
the cool air coming her way. Her right hand fiddled with the
radio dial trying to get the perfect song on the radio and she
stopped on an Alt Rock station and the sound of the Stone Temple
Pilot’s filled Col’s car. Taking them both back to their college
days for a moment.
“Very cool name, don’t tell me he’s local or something. Surfer
boy born and raised?”
Colleen asked as she fiddled for a moment with the AC setting.
“Nope, his family’s from Louisiana. Colleen he’s so sweet. He
said he dabbled in music but just couldn’t make it so he and his
brother came out here for a fresh start. He’s got a dog named
Bartholomew. I just don’t have the stones to ask him if he’s
single but oh god I wish I did.”
Colleen gave her friend a pat on the shoulder. For the first
time in her life Colleen was absolutely unsure of what kind of
advice to give her sister.
Meanwhile a hunter green Range Rover was just approaching Palm
Avenue the brothers MacCubbin were having the very same
discussion.
“Oh come on Jare, you can tell your big brother.”
The elder brother teased slightly as they barreled down Reseda
and turned onto Palm. His brother had been starry eyed for the
past week and Shannon was dying to know why. In all of his years
he’d never once seen Jared in such a state. A dreamy sigh was
heard from the passenger side of Shannon’s ancient SUV. The
younger MacCubbin took a breathe and closed his eyes momentarily
recalling the last encounter he had with his dream girl.
“She’s got these big brown eyes and this smile that just lights
up the beach. She’s got amazing legs and She just started out a
morning runner but I always noticed that she’d wave to me. You
know how many people don’t even notice me when I’m up in that
stupid chair? But she did. Then she’d swing back around after
her run and we’d chat. She’s nurse over at SoCal General. She’s
got a cat named Fiona.”
Shannon couldn’t help but chuckle, his little brother had it
bad. But maybe that’s what he needed? For the past three years
he had watched Jared wander almost aimlessly trying to find
something. The light in his eyes had burned down to almost
nothing and his song writing had stopped completely and his
guitar sat in his hall closet untouched for ages. Until a month
ago, Shannon had just gotten back from his shift at Royale’s
Cafe and he could have sworn he’d heard Jared fiddling around
with the guitar. To say that it made him smile would have been
an understatement of the year. The Range Rover slowed a bit as
they came to a stop at the one and only stop light to the right
of a tiny powder blue Corolla.
“I just wish I had the balls to ask her out, Shan. Knowing my
luck she’s got a boyfriend or something.”
“Oh bro, you’ve got it bad. Does she jog on the weekend? If she
does ask her out then.”
Jared shrugged and looked out his window at the other car. Two
brunettes sat in the car chatting. The driver had long dark hair
and the passenger was titled toward the AC the jets of hair
whipping her hair around before she decided to pull it up. Wait
a second..that woman looked familiar. He sat up and moved closer
to the window and put his hands against it lightly all the while
trying to see the passenger a bit better. Shannon was trying to
get a radio station to come in and finally settled on some
station Jared had never even heard of. Leave it to Shan. He
thought while he sat there all but staring out the window. His
gaze must have been felt by the driver because she looked over
and gave him a slight wave before something else caught her
attention and she rolled her window down and stuck her head out
slightly and motioned for him to roll his window down.
“Excuse me! Hey! Hi. Does the drive know their gas cap is open?”
Jared looked confused for a second and then smacked Shannon to
turn down the music for a minute so he could hear the Corolla’s
driver better.
“Does the driver know their gas cap is open?”
Jared smacked his older brother again and got his attention as
he drummed on the steering wheel.
“Shan, your gas cap’s open again.”
“What? How..do you know? What did I tell you about sticking your
head out the window Jare?” You’d think after last time you would
have learned.
“Because the woman in the car next to us saw it, smart ass. Also
I wasn't the one that got too close to that yield sign now was
I?”
The Corolla’s passenger leaned forward and caught a glimpse of
Jared’s face and smiled before waving and raising her voice in
greeting. Their respective drivers thought that this particular
exchange was adorable.
“Hey Jared!”
“Hey Helene!”
A sound honk came from the cars behind them and a shout was
heard from some car in the back. Both driver’s stuck their heads
out of the driver’s side and bellowed in unison.
“Oh bite me moron!”
Now it was the passenger’s turn to look amused as each vehicle
pulled away and they exchanged one last wave. Shannon turned
left onto Laguna and Palisade and Colleen went right onto
Emerson and Park.
Jared felt his heart skip a beat as they turned down onto Laguna
as a goofy grin spread across his face. Shannon was wishing he’d
had his camera to capture the moment but had to settle for
committing it to memory.
“You’ve got it bad, bro.”
“Well, I think that driver’s right up your alley, Shan.”
The younger brother shot back with a chuckle leaving his older
brother sputtering for a moment. The only thing he’d seen was a
flash of long dark hair and heard her voice. Her reaction had
been the same as his and right off the back he could tell she
was someone he wouldn’t mind getting to know a little better.
Although after how his last relationship left him he thought
better of it. He still couldn't stand Capitan Morgan or the name
Erica.
“Want me to find out her name for you?”
“Nah…”
“She’s got green eyes and I think I spotted a Pink Floyd and a
Police bumper sticker.”
“Na…yeah..yeah I do.”
On the road headed toward the West Creek development Helene and
Colleen were having the exact conversation.
“Since when do you suffer road rage, Col?”
“That jerk behind us was ruining the moment, Hel. Your boy’s
adorable by the way.”
Helene’s face colored slightly as she sat back and sighed.
“He’s not ‘my guy’ Col but hey! He’s got an older brother that’s
single..”
Helene offered to get the attention off of herself for a moment.
“I don’t even know what he looks like and if he was he one that
was driving he’s got a really bad habit.”
Hel rolled her eyes and made a mental note to find out Jared’s
brother’s name just in case.
“You know you always said you had a think for ‘bad boys’, Col.”
“I meant the ones that wore leather and sunglasses and gave the
finger to authority figures not the ones that left their gas
tank’s open to the world. So, I got your last chapter and can I
just say that you really really should consider sacking that day
job of yours, Hel.”
“Oh don’t go changing the subject on me miss Murphy. Wait..you
really think so?”
Colleen pulled up to the tiny parking space along side her condo
and nodded before putting the car into park and turning the car
off.
“Hell yes, I’ll even call an agent for you if I have to, Hel.
You’ve been putting this off for too long.”
“I’ll think about it…”
“Oh and while you’re thinking why not ask that Jared guy out?
That way when you get your book deal he can be on hand to give
you mouth to mouth and revive you because whoever snaps it up is
going to be giving you mass amounts of moola, hun.”
Col said and ducked a swat from brown eyed woman before long a
mini slap fight ensued and they had dissolved into a fit of
giggles right then and there while parked just outside. Maybe
things were starting to look up for them after all.
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