Becky Baker

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paciniis

       “ uh — not really !  i grew up catholic, but my dad wasn’t, like, super strict about it or anything, ”      she tried to explain.      “ i don’t think i could ever do it though. what would i even give up ? …  theatre ? no way … makeup ?  definitely not … my switch ?  no. — see ?  it’s just so hard to pick something ! but if it’s something your into, you should def go for it. ”

Becky perked up, happy to hear that Lola had been raised Christian as well - it was a relief to know that there was at least one person here who wouldn’t judge her for her relationship with God. “Giving something up can be hard, especially when it seems like it isn’t benefiting anyone,” she agreed, nodding sympathetically. “That’s why I’m thinking of giving up my Saturdays - setting that time aside to help the needy, I mean. That way it isn’t a sacrifice so much as an opportunity to help others! Even if it’s not exactly what’s intended, I feel like it still honors the spirit of Lent, don’t you?”

[healedminds-deactivated20201121]

‘  audition season ,  finally .  ’     a grin ,  he’s been preparing for this for long enough .     ‘  i’m not even nervous .  i know i’m better than half the people around here .  ’     he’s been here long enough ,  everybody knows he’s good .     ‘  plus ,  rent will be totally fun .  ’

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“I’m so excited to audition! I think it’ll be a lot of fun regardless of the show we’re doing.” Becky was excited about the audition process generally speaking, but she couldn’t fathom why Tristan thought Rent specifically would be fun. “Who are you hoping to be cast as?”

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mileshcllingswcrth

miles was hardly listening to becky. religion wasn’t his thing, nor did he really care about about the practices of them. but, he was good at acting like he was listening, while retaining the important parts of the conversation if he would like to reply or just walk away. he’d done that before, or just acted like he was super busy. he was trying not to do that anymore. “sure, becks, we could do that. i’m not sure how much help we’d get. with the planning, auditions, and play stuff going on. we have quite a busy schedule coming up”

“Don’t worry, I’ll handle it myself! I may need to brainstorm a little, but I’m sure there’s something I can come up with that would have a minimal impact on the theater’s productivity - of course, anyone who has time to help and wants to will be more than welcome!” Becky got the sense that Miles wasn’t fully invested in this conversation, but that certainly wasn’t about to slow her down - she just might have to get a little more inventive with potential projects to make sure Miles had no reason to say no based on the theater’s time constraints. “I’m sure you’re very busy, so I’ll leave you to it for now - but I’ll make sure to run what I come up with by you before I start on anything, of course!”

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itskatiematlin

“well i don’t know about a little more time but maybe since were doing rent and it could sell well some of the proceeds of the tickets could go to the homeless or something.” Katie said slowly trying to figure out if they could budget that. “But you’d probably have to run that by miles or Eli though.” She wasn’t about to agree to an idea so huge on her own. “Do you mind? That way I can figure out catering for when were here in all day rehearsals.” She knew there was restaurants near by but she thought having some sandwiches around might be an idea at least.

“Not a problem! I’ll ask around and get back to you with any Lent-related dietary needs - and I’ll ask Miles and Eli about donating some of the ticket proceeds while I’m at it. Such an inspired idea!” Becky enthused, relieved that some good might come of the theater’s decision to put on this particular musical. “Is there anything else it’d be helpful for me to ask anyone about, while I’m out asking?”

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mileshcllingswcrth

miles raised a brow at the other girl and shook his head “no, we’re not really religious. i wouldn’t even know what that is. i guess if you want to observe it, go ahead. what are the points?”

“Lent is the six weeks leading up to Easter,” Becky began, eager to help explain. “Typically, Catholics and some other Christian denominations observe it by making some sort of personal sacrifice during that time, and Catholics don’t usually eat meat on Fridays during it. Baptists don’t usually observe it, but the argument was that instead of using it as a time to sacrifice something personally that doesn’t impact anyone else, we could observe it by sacrificing time and money to help the less fortunate. Which got me to thinking, this might be a great time to host some sort of fundraiser or can drive. If people can be extra giving in the time before Christmas, why not Easter too?”

[curtaincallbb-blog]

rivxs

Oh fuck. This was not going anywhere close to where Zoe had expected. Why did she have to be the responsible one here? It would have been easier if they had just kept fighting. “There’s a difference between thinking that your friends look pretty, and being attracted to your friends.” Scrunching up her forehead, she considered what she could say that might not make everything worse. “Hey, like I said, there’s cool people who are into organized religion that get that it’s not a choice. I just… can’t.”

It wasn’t often that Becky was at a loss for words - but for the first time in a long time, she genuinely did not know what to say right now. It had never occurred to her that there might be a difference between thinking her female friends were pretty and being attracted to them. Even though it definitely should have, since she thought guys were handsome all the time, but she didn’t -- no, she wasn’t even going to finish that thought. She vaguely heard Zoe say something about organized religion and people getting that sexuality wasn’t a choice and opened her mouth to argue, but no sound came out. “That’s... nice. That you’ve met cool people,” she eventually said, too shell-shocked to care or even notice how stilted she probably sounded. “I, um. I just realized that I have some things I need to take care of at home, so. I need to go.” She made her way towards the exit,  mentally assuring herself that she wasn’t lying - she did have things to take care of. Lots of praying, for starters. “I’ll... see you tomorrow.”

[rp-meme-glaceon]

The Return of Unusual Questions

🌡- What television programs do you watch when you’re home sick?

🎂- What’s your opinion on over-the-top competition shows like Chopped or The Amazing Race?

🍖- How much food does it take to make you feel completely stuffed?

💐- Do you like aesthetic posts/blogs? What would you say your ‘Aesthetic’ is?

💃- Can you swing dance?

💎- What would it a suitor have to do to win your hand in marriage?

👻- Do you enjoy Halloween? What do you usually do during the holiday?

📬- How excited do you get when you get a letter addressed to you (that isn’t a bill or junk mail)?

🎞- Do you or your parents have any baby pictures?

📲- How often do you get texts/calls from your mother?

🗜- What’s the worst injury you’ve ever gotten? How bad was it?

☁️- Describe a dream you’ve had that’s always stuck with you.

🌜- What’s your favorite bedtime story/lullaby?

🍏- Is there something you refuse to eat no matter what?

☃️- What’s your opinion on snow days? Do you bundle up and play or it an opportunity to sleep in?

🦀- When you travel, do you like to try local cuisine and flavors? Or will you stay within your comfort zone?

💮- Have you ever been a ‘Good Samaritan’ to a total stranger or acquaintance? What happened?

👗- What outfit will you wear out on a date?

🅱️- Favorite meme?

🐺- If a witch cursed you, what creature do you think they’d turn you into?

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rivxs

Zoe enjoyed arguing for the sake of it, but she was not stupid, and she was not heartless. “Uhm, no. Pretty sure by now that most people don’t have, ugh, what you’re calling ‘same sex attraction.’” It sounded so clinical and strange when phrased like that. Something still felt off about what Becky said, and she wanted to nail down what it was. Forcing herself to calm down, she asked, “Could you explain to me why you specifically wouldn’t be surprised about everyone having to deal with that?”

Becky fidgeted, suddenly looking quite uncomfortable. “Um. Because it seems pretty common these days, even if you only include the people who are open about it? I’d imagine the numbers would be much higher if we were able to count everyone who’s had feelings like that but hasn’t acted on them,” she reasoned, more trying to convince herself than Zoe. “And besides. Everyone thinks girls are pretty, right?” This, she was a little more confident on - girls were always telling their female friends how pretty they looked, after all.

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rivxs

“Yeah, Becky. A threat.” Zoe rolled her eyes, and tried to figure out if this was a genuine apology or not. It was difficult to tell if Becky wore her heart on her sleeve or was secretly out to get her. For now, she was going to have to assume the latter but tread lightly. “I’ve met Christians who are decent people, but I can’t feel comfortable around them anymore until I know that they’re not going to pull out that choice bullshit. Not that it’s any of your business, but I already tried to play straight. Didn’t work.” Zoe felt pathetic instead of right.

“Oh, Zoe,” Becky sympathized, all frustration gone from her tone. Clearly Zoe didn’t want this lifestyle for herself. This, she knew how to handle. “It’s going to be okay. Struggling with same sex attraction is more common than you’d think - I wouldn’t be surprised if everyone deals with it on some level.”

[curtaincallbb-blog]

What worries you the most?

Good question, anon! I try not to worry too much though, and leave what I can’t control up to the Lord.

I always say the wrong thing, people get mad at me... and I don’t always feel the way I’m supposed to. What if something’s wrong with me?

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rivxs

“United States of America. Canada is part of North America, you know,” Zoe said just to be nitpicky. She was already feeling insecure since being out was a matter of baby steps. Every single time it felt like an ordeal. Given, she thought talking with Becky was an ordeal in itself. But an entertaining one- like watching a television show not quite to your taste because of how bizarre it was. “It’s kind of like a threat when you throw it around like that all the time. Yeah, I asked, but maybe it’s not worth asking if it’s always the same answer with you. It’s not like, ‘Zoe, why can’t you come to this event?’ ‘Oh, it’s because I’m gay.’”

“A threat?” Becky asked, stunned. It had never occurred to her that someone might see her Christianity as a threat, nor could she comprehend now how Zoe could possibly think so. “I would never threaten anyone. I’m sorry if I made you feel that way, but I’m not going to lie and pretend I don’t believe in God just so you can feel comfortable with your choices.”

[tmcries]

“so, like, i’m so excited to start making cute costumes for the plays! i hope we pick one soon” 

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“I can’t wait either! I’m sure your costumes will be amazing. Have you gotten any hints yet on what time periods you might be working with?”

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rivxs

“Who are ‘they’? That’s not rhetorical.” Zoe wondered if her communication skills were really that lacking. Rubbing her temples in frustration, she gave up on affability and said, “No, I don’t mean, like, government liberal or whatever you’re on about. I’m trying to explain that a lot of us are gay or otherwise LGBTQ. You bring up Jesus in literally every conversation. It’s weird and off-putting.”

“They are... Americans?” It wasn’t a question, but Becky couldn’t help but feel uncertain about it - why was Zoe so upset? Was she one of the gay people she was talking about? “Sorry, must be the Florida in me. America is described as a melting pot because of all the different perspectives different kinds of people have, and it seemed like too good of a metaphor to pass up on! It wasn’t a religious thing, and I wouldn’t have mentioned church just now if you hadn’t asked me where I got my start in acting. I don’t mention Jesus that much,” she pointed out. “Well. Maybe I do bring up religion more than average, but if other people are bringing up being gay or otherwise LGBTQ, why can’t I bring up God? My religion is just as much a part of who I am.”

[curtaincallbb-blog]

[curtaincallbb-blog]

fmk: jake, zig, miles

I’m going to be honest, I’m not really a fan of these - I’ll answer if I’m allowed to do so the way the teens at my church back in Florida always used to do, though!

Friendship: Zig

Marry: Jake

Kick out of my house: Miles, because I know he’ll land on his feet!

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rivxs

Seeing as church had never done much to make her feel anything good, Zoe wanted to say, ‘What the actual fuck?’ However, she did not always listen to her first impulse. “Curiosity. We wound up with such different perspectives. You… know this is a pretty liberal theater, right?”

“Well, you know what they say! Different perspectives make for a great melting pot, don’t you think?” Becky asked, not waiting for an answer before continuing on. “I didn’t know, but that’s great to hear - I think it’s so important to show support for social welfare, government-run and otherwise.” She wasn’t really certain if that was the particular aspect of liberalism that Zoe was referring to, but chose to believe it must be.

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skatenjake

Jake’s brows furrowed at the blonde’s question, “Observe lent?” It was the strangest question he’d ever been asked. “Like, from your pocket?” he asked, suddenly checking the girl for the tell tale signs of him not being the only inebriated one. “I’ve never observed it before. Tell me more about this…. Parish guy and why he thinks you should. It sounds like he and I would have a lot to talk about.”

“What?” Becky asked, confused, expression clearing somewhat in understanding when she realized that Jake must have misheard her. And that she’d misheard him - he must have said lint, not Lent. She smiled - it had been awfully kind of him to play along rather than call her out for seemingly advocating for observing pocket lint. “Oh, no, I said Lent, not lint,” she clarified. “Lent is a time of fasting and abstention practiced by some Christians in the weeks leading up to Easter,” she explained. “My church is Baptist, so we don’t take part. The argument was that maybe we should, but with a focus on using the time give back to others instead of fasting.”