love is love is love

“Everything is funnier in retrospect, funnier and prettier and cooler. You can laugh at anything from far enough away.” -- Chuck Palahniuk Hello, I'm Tobias Rossi. I'm the Duke of Rome. Don't actually call me Tobias though, if you could avoid it, I really prefer Toby. I live with Gwen Moreau in London, and I go to Oxford. I don't know what I'm majoring in yet, I'm still sorting that out, so, don't ask me about it. I can play guitar and piano, and I can cook too. I like to read a lot, nonfiction mostly, but I love a good poem. I don't really know what else to tell you, so, uhm, you can get to know me through experience, yeah? Come say hello.

[misterclaremontdiaz]

[thetristanhunt]

Of course I would. I think you should get your own venue. I’m not really ready to meet your parents, but I will because I support you.

[duketobiasrossi]

If you’re not ready, you don’t have to come, really. We can do it some other time... It’s just, I think it’d be a lot easier if you were there with me, because you’re a lot better with words than I am, and I think my parents might be a tad bit more receptive of the whole I-have-a-long-term-boyfriend thing, if they can actually see you. I mean, chances are they’ll still be absolutely ridiculous about it, but I mean maybe it’ll go down just a bit easier. If you’re really not ready though -- I don’t want to rush you. 

[thetristanhunt]

I’m sure you have friends that could lend you the money, but if you really want to speak with them - You might not want to do this over the phone. I mean this sounds like the kind of thing you’d want to discuss in person. In a public place of course, so they can’t cause a scene even if they wanted to. I could go with you, or not.

[duketobiasrossi]

You’re right. I really -- I really ought to talk to them about this in person, but I’m barely getting up the nerve to call them about it.  Would you really go with me? If I wanted to go, you would really come with me?

[duketobiasrossi]

So, I've just decided that I'm going to try and get in touch with my parents. Talk to them about... you know, stuff. I mean, not even just us, but like maybe opening a restaurant out here. I mean, I've been working at Lou's for a while now, but I don't really think I'm gonna have enough money to buy a venue on that salary... Uh. So, you know, wish me luck. 

And... Maybe, talk me into actually calling them.

[thetristanhunt]

That was beautiful. Nobody’s ever written a poem for me before.

[duketobiasrossi]

Well, uhm, I thought... I was thinking about you today, and it just sort of happened.

 I'm glad you like it so much.

[gwenmoreau]

That makes a lot of sense, it sounds like you’ve been rehearsing that speech for a while you should probably tell Gwen. 

You did? Awh, that’s sweet. Okay, let’s hear it.

[duketobiasrossi]

Oh. I'm reading it to you, am I?

Okay, right. Hang on. Let me dig it up and read it off my phone. [Clears his throat loudly.] Uhm, okay. Be warned it's not perfect but.. It's.. You know... I don't know... Here's uh, here we go. 

"There’s something in your eyes that glistens and gleams, something that flickers behind your brilliant irises,  like wildfire, burning so bright, and so rampant, all the water in the world, could not extinguish it.

There’s something in the way that you talk,  in the way that you laugh, in the way that you carry yourself, that screams your need to see the world, to follow your dreams, to be alive.

There’s something in your smile,  that resembles kindness, that resembles fragility,  and insecurity.

There’s something in your soul, a part set apart, hidden in the darkest corners, designated to the deepest worries, and the fiercest loves of your life, that bleeds through and shines on the surface, in the most unexpected moments.

And there’s something in your fragile bleeding heart, I can’t identify,  that reaches out to something deep inside, my own." 

So... There you go. 

[thetristanhunt]

For now, so I’ll cherish it as long as i can.

I can’t remember when I had a really bad one, it definitely was when I was just a kid though. I’ve always worn appropriate sun protection ever since that point.

Did you find the flaw in Gwen’s souffle recipe? There must be one,I don’t believe it’s entirely her fault they never work out. But go ahead, tell me.

[duketobiasrossi]

I have actually found the flaw in Gwen's souffle recipe, although it's not technically the recipe itself that's the problem. More like the way she executes it. Every time she makes it, she doesn't whisk it well enough, and she bakes it for too long. I'm gonna try and teach her how to do it properly this weekend. Additionally she tends to put too many eggs in because she seems to think that'll make it fluffier or something and it turns out runny. 

But, that's actually not what I did today. What I did do, was write you a poem.

[gwenmoreau]

Feeling strangely tired and nauseous lately.

[gwenmoreau]

Yes, of course. You never know when you’ll get totally drunk and need the comfort of having your back rubbed. I think I should probably learn, you won’t always be around when Henri is - and I was going to start sorta searching for my own place. It might not happen right away, but you’ll probably want me out of your hair now that you’re dating and so am I. Again it won’t happen right away, but I figured I should at least be browsing. The point is, you should teach me some kid friendly yet healthy dishes. Kraft Dinner  and rice krispie squares is probably getting a little dull for him.

Of course you have, that tends to happen when you start dating someone amazing. I know you both would help out, but I’d probably just buy those paints and markers that only work on the special paper.  I’ve had fleeting thoughts about it in a few relationships of mine, it’s normal. Ah, so you’re going the surrogate route. That’s a good plan. 

[duketobiasrossi]

Exactly. Yeah, well, that and I think you sort of owe it to your illegitimate children, you know. You could at least have the common decency to cook for nephew if you won't bother cooking for them. I can teach you all the basic stuff. Well, there's no pressure, I think I'd be perfectly satisfied living with you until I'm married, and even then I'm not completely convinced you'd have to leave. 

Yeah. Oh, that'd be nice and clever. Or one of those like really washable sets of markers or whatever. You should have a whiteboard wall in your house. That'd be cool for the kids... and Jeremy, frankly. Yeah probably. I just really would like my children to look like they're my children. 

[thetristanhunt]

Right, two years. Well I guess I can always wait, it’s not like I have to wait that long to taste your cooking.

They are great, they’re all great. I think Lily and Steph just got back from driving down to some beach for spring break. Lily got a pretty bad sunburn on her back, I guess she fell asleep or passed out or something. At least nobody left a inappropriate image on her back using sunscreen. 

[duketobiasrossi]

But do you wanna know what's actually sort of cool about it? You have me all to yourself, so I can basically be like your personal chef. 

Good. I'm really glad to hear that. Oh, sunburns are awful. I had this really terrible sunburn on my legs one summer that made it like near impossible to walk.

So, do you wanna know what I did today?  

[thetristanhunt]

Exactly, it’s the little things that you really appreciate even when you’re having a bad day at work. So when should I expect your restaurant to open? I’ve never been to a really fancy restaurant before. 

Well cross your fingers for me and when you see the clock hits 11:11 make a wish. That’s what I told my family when I was talking to them. Here’s some free life advice as well, never - ever talk to three people in one phone call. It’s one big free for all, I’ll never do it again. It might be easier with skype, but for now I’m recovering. 

[duketobiasrossi]

Exactly. Well, not for a while, I think. Unless, by some magic I come up with a restaurant concept, menu and staff overnight. But I wouldn't imagine it's much farther away than say... two years? I don't know. Depending.  

Well, I can definitely do that. Oh, I can imagine. People just trying really hard to talk over one another to say what they want to say. Yeah, really. How's your... family? Lily doing well?

[gwenmoreau]

Feeling strangely tired and nauseous lately.

[gwenmoreau]

No, no trust me. I’m fine. My stomach is recovering now. I just need to take it slow. I wouldn’t do it for you either so don’t worry about it. If you had long hair I would hold it back for you though. Yeah when I’m better I’ll let you teach me how to make soup. I think the cool aunt thing is wearing thing when it comes to Henri, he’s going to start expecting me to serve him tasty and yet deceptively healthy food soon. 

Probably a little bit of both. It was a little, but most women have at least one in their lifetime. You’re lucky you’ll never have to experience that panic. The last one, before Jeremy. Sam. We parted on not so great terms, so I was stressed. Oh great, that means I’ll cleaning crayons off the walls and floor for years. It’s really a shame you can’t choose if you have a boy or a girl. Not that I would, it’s just cool to think about. Do you know what you’d want, if you ever want to have kids?

[duketobiasrossi]

Good, then. Understandable. I feel strangely supported, actually. I appreciate the sentiment. Will you rub my back while I vomit though? Because that's an important gesture in a friendship, I find. Ah, see I can teach you how to do that as well, if you have something particular in mind. Or you could just have Remy keep him out of the kitchen, and you can hide while I do the cooking for you. 

Yeah, I'm sure they do. I am really lucky that way, I'd never considered that. I will never ever have to worry about getting somebody pregnant. That is such great news. Probably, but I'm sure Jeremy will help you out. And I probably will as well if you ask me really nicely and fly me out. That is a bit of a shame, yeah. Oh god. I don't know. I've actually been thinking about kids lately. I don't know why. But... I think it'd be good to have some little people to raise. And if I had my choice I think I'd like an even ratio of boys and girls. So like, two kids, one boy, one girl. Or something. And they'd have to look at least a bit like me or my husband. Just so we'd look like a really nice, cute family. 

[thetristanhunt]

Well, you basically just said it all. I like the atmosphere of being backstage and organizing everything and making sure the cast is all ready and the set is okay and just the crazy whirlwind of it all. 

It wasn’t just the fact that it was an amazing play, It was also my first real taste at the backstage world.I had been backstage on a few high school productions before, but nothing real like this.  I crept backstage during intermission, and I was very lucky I didn’t get caught and escorted off the premises. I would have been banned from Broadway forever. This really helps, what would I do without you? I hope I get to spend my summer working at the Globe, it would be amazing.

[duketobiasrossi]

It's the little things you really fall for, isn't it? Not really the whole thing, or the idea of the thing. More like... the little things you just really enjoy. Like, I actually really like the smell of cooking wine, for some reason. And... I like the sound fennel makes when you chop it, and the way there's sort of a rhythm involved in cooking, that I can just sort of fall into, that makes me feel like you know I was born to do it. 

We just don't know, Tris. We just don't know. That would be really cool. I hope you can do something like that. 

[fyshowtunes]

Visit Original Link

Enjoy the Trip | Bring it On (Original Broadway Cast)

[gwenmoreau]

Feeling strangely tired and nauseous lately.

[gwenmoreau]

Don’t worry, I’m pretty fast. And the bathroom is less than ten feet from my room. I’m also fairly sure I’m past that point. That would be lovely, but try to keep your distance. I won’t be able to cook nice soups for you if you get sick, or if I did it probably would make you feel worse.

Yes actually, I have about six illegitimate children that were all adopted by families all over Europe. It was hard to keep that many stories out of the papers let me tell you. But no, I just had a scare once before. I was overreacting though, I just went through a breakup and well yeah - it was an emotional time. Oh, I know - Henri would be a trip to the spa after being with whatever kind of child I would have with Jeremy. Whoever the father of my future children is, I hope I have girls. They are easier than boys. 

[duketobiasrossi]

Good. Should I put a wastebasket in your room? Like right by your bed? It might be more convenient if you get worse. By the way, if I do that, I am making it your responsibility to toss out the sick when you're feeling well again because I am not going to do that. Yeah, you'd probably inadvertently give me food poisoning or... salmonella. I could maybe teach you how to make soup. When you're feeling alright again. For future reference. 

Oh, that's lovely. I can imagine, did your father have to kill anyone to keep it out of the press or was it just enormous amounts of blackmail? Right, I see. I imagine that would have been scary. Which boyfriend was this with? Oh, definitely. It would be the spunkiest most positive and artistic child that ever lived. Girls are apparently easier to potty train, so. You know, yeah. Daughters is a good idea.

[thetristanhunt]

Uh just you know, why am I interested in theatre and what experience from my life got me interested in it. It’s just frustrating because I didn’t just wake up one day and think - Hey, I think I want to direct stage plays. I think it was more of a gradual thing, that led up to when I just happened to see Next to Normal on Broadway. I guess I could just say I saw that and it changed my life, and leave out the boring stuff but It feels like lying.

[duketobiasrossi]

Well, maybe you should just start with talking about what sort of... makes you want to be a director, what sort of makes you fee like, wow, that's what I want to do with my life. You know, like... things like that. Like, for instance, I wanna be a chef, and maybe run my own restaurant one day, because... I like to cook, I like being surrounded by the smells, and the sounds that go along with it. I like tasting foods that I've made, and watching other people eat the foods I've made, and seeing their faces light up when they realize that it's actually good, and you know, I like feeling validated in that way. You know things like that, things like... the things that you love about it. 

And then go on to talk about when you saw Next to Normal and how you feel like it was influential in your decision to pursue it for real, and how it made you feel and why it was important to you. You know that sort of thing. I don't know. 

[gwenmoreau]

Feeling strangely tired and nauseous lately.

[gwenmoreau]

I don’t think so… I’m pretty sure the room service guy at Disney had some kind of flu - he was looking really pale the last day we were there. 

No, I’ve learned my lesson. I think I’ve been on the pill since I was eighteen.I do not want children before I’m married, so even if something goes horribly wrong I have a plan in place.

[duketobiasrossi]

Ah, I see. Well, try not to throw up on anything, and I'll go ahead make you some chicken soup and gelato. Tea as well, if you'd like. 

What lesson did you learn? Do you have a secret child or something? You just accidentally got pregnant and then shuffled off your baby to some orphanage somewhere, didn't you? Well, that's good. I don't think I'm quite prepared enough mentally to be "Uncle Toby" and look after a you/Jeremy hybrid. Which by the way, would probably be equally as beautiful as it would be terrifying because the amount of energy that it would have to have would just be absolutely tremendous. 

[thetristanhunt]

I need to finish this application for a work placement, but there’s nothing worse than having to write an essay about your life experiences.

[duketobiasrossi]

What're they asking about? 

Maybe I could help you brainstorm or something.