CYRUS: This was really nice, guys. I’ve been really stressed with everything that’s going on. The album, the gala, and you know, Julianna..
JONESY: Oh yeah the galas coming up really soon isn’t it?
CYRUS: Yeah, they’re doing the last of the prep today and tomorrow actually.
ACE: I’m sorry, gala?!
CYRUS: Yeah, big charity party I do every year. Help put some money into local LGBT organizations and other good causes. Though we mostly focus on the community.
GINO: That’s amazing. I didn’t know you did that..
CYRUS: *chuckles* Not so one note.
GINO: I never thought you were.
JESSE: So you’re going to be gone again? To go to the gala, I mean.
CYRUS: What? No. It’s going to be a group date. Got fancy duds for you guys and everything. You’ll get to meet some of my more presentable friends. We’re making a whole day of it. Should be a fun time. Booze, music, and tons of people showing off for a good cause. *chuckles*
JONESY: Same guests you usually have?
CYRUS: A few of the regulars. Couple news faces who want to get in on the fun. I heard Bella Goth is gracing us with her presence this time.
JESSE: So it’s a pretty big deal then..
CYRUS: Eh, not really. But we do hope to bring in a good amount of money this year.
FRANKIE: Wait can be back up a second. You got clothes for us? Can we see?!
CYRUS: Sorry, love. Gotta wait for the big reveal. But you’ll all be red carpet ready.
FRANKIE: So how’d it feel to be pile drived by that massive hunk of man?
ACE: *cough* I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.
FRANKIE: Oh come off it! I KNOW you’ve fucked him too. You’re so obvious.
ACE: Too? You mean..?
FRANKIE: No shit Sherlock. Best lay I’ve had in a WHILE.
ACE: Fuck. I know, right?! I mean I figured he’d be aggressive, dude’s jacked, but Jesus..!
FRANKIE: I KNOW!! I thought I wasn’t gonna be able to walk after!
ACE: *chuckles* Guy’s a monster.
FRANKIE: You should try some yoga with me in the mornings, it’ll help keep you… limber.
ACE: I don’t know.. Yoga’s a bit… low impact for me.
FRANKIE: Oh really?? Check this out. *crazy yoga pose*
ACE: Shit. I bet you’re fun.
FRANKIE: *giggles* You have no idea, dollface.
JESSE: Hey does Cyrus seem off to you? It might just be the jetlag, but he’s been really quiet for a while now…
ACE: I mean a lot of stuff has been happening all at once recently. Maybe it’s pressure about the album?
JESSE: I don’t know, I feel like if it was that he’d be crazier. Try to relieve the stress, y’know?
ACE: Well he has been locked up in the studio most of the last few days…
JESSE: I think he’s trying to hide from something….
JONESY: He is.
JESSE: What?
JONESY: Not jetlag, not stress, he hates himself and he’s trying to get that out before he does something he’ll regret…
ACE: *long exhale* fuuucckk…
JESSE: Shouldn’t we… do something?
JONESY: Not much we can do...
FRANKIE: No. Fuck THAT. We’re doing something. Jonesy, go steal his credit card and order the worst takeout you can think of. Go change into comfy clothes, get any self-care shit you need. No drugs though, good coping only please. Send Gino to the living room and then stay the fuck out until I call you.
ACE: Is that all?
FRANKIE: No. You three idiots get to figure out how to make the man leave his studio booth while we work. Have fun!
CYRUS: Hey, I’m really sorry about them. I know they can be… a lot.
ACE: It’s fine.
CYRUS: No, it’s not. Trying to maintain order at an event like tonight mean I usually have to put up with things I’d rather not. I know they won’t apologise, so I’m doing it for them.
ACE: I said it’s fine.
CYRUS: You can vent a little if you need to. I know X is a shithead of the highest calibre.
ACE: Shouldn’t you be getting back out there?
CYRUS: No. Right now, I’d like to be here, with you. Though you seem to want to be literally anywhere else.
ACE: *deep breath* Sorry, just.. brings me back to times I’d rather leave in the past.
CYRUS: Wanna talk about it?
ACE: *laughs* Not particularly. It uh- It just takes me back to my bootcamp days.
CYRUS: Oh fuck. I am such a moron…
ACE: No arguments here. But it’s not your fault or anything. Those pretentious shitbags don’t got nothin’ on my old drill sergeant. Man could make God feel worthless.
CYRUS: I bet you still gave him a run for his money.
ACE: Bet your ass I did. But everyone.. uh- everyone breaks eventually.
CYRUS: Yeah, they do…
ACE: We should probably, *clears throat* probably head back out, huh?
CYRUS: In a minute.
ACE: Sorry. Not getting anything else outta me tonight.
CYRUS: *chuckles* It was nice while it lasted. I look forward to the next time you let the walls down, even just a little bit.
ACE: I will when you do.
CYRUS: Touché
ACE: Can only expect so much without givin’ any in return.
CYRUS: So I’ve heard.
ACE: So?
CYRUS: *deep sigh* What do you want to know?
ACE: Is it worth it? Being clean I mean.
CYRUS: Honestly?
ACE: No I want you to lie to me. Yes, honestly!
CYRUS: *sigh* Until pretty recently I would have said no, and even now I can’t fully say yes. Pretty hard to run from yourself when you can’t get away anymore. And I’d be lying if I said it didn’t feel… *chuckle* really good. But uh- you just get tired, y’know? It wears you down until there’s just… nothin’ left.
ACE: *mumbles* sometimes that’s what you’re hoping for…
CYRUS: What?
ACE: I just hope you get there eventually. To the point you can say yes.
CYRUS: *deep sigh* Thanks, love. For what it’s worth, you help make it a bit easier.
OCTAVIA: And I’m telling YOU, that that’s derivative and I will not be a part of it.
X: You wouldn’t know REAL creativity if it fucked your husband right in front of you. It will be my greatest work yet!
OCTAVIA: You will not defile the fine art world with the nonsense, X.
X: I don’t remember asking for your permission.
CYRUS: Hey! My two favourite artists! Don’t tell Mai I said that.
OCTAVIA: Thank god, maybe you can talk some sense into this mad man.
CYRUS: X? A mad man? Never!
X: Thank you. See? At least SOMEONE here understands my vision!
OCTAVIA: He doesn’t even know what it is yet.
X: Cyrus can just appreciate a fellow genius.
ACE: *snickers*
X: I’m sorry, who are you exactly?
ACE: Sorry, name’s Ace. Just… uh the thought of someone describing this dumbass as genius? *laughs*
CYRUS: Rude.
X: Genius is never appreciated in its time, darling. But what exactly do you do? Who are you again?
CYRUS: He’s one of the contestants on my show.
OCTAVIA: Oh yes, the bachelor thing. So you’re just tonight’s arm candy then?
X: So, not a creative then? Then please stop speaking. I’m trying to share my genius.
OCTAVIA: Yes, sweetheart please give us a moment. The adults are talking.
*Ace stiffens*
CYRUS: Ok, ok. Calm down. What’s this idea?
X: I will create a work which highlights man’s apathy and indifference to the world.
CYRUS: Doesn’t sound too bad so far.
OCTAVIA: Just wait.
X: I will do this by creating vignettes, little windows into people lives which become progressively more violent or cruel for people to watch as they walk through the exhibit. Followed by a massive sign at the end saying, “WHAT DID YOU DO?” It will be just marvellous.
CYRUS: Sounds… extreme.
OCTAVIA: Gratuitous is more like it.
X: Good art is always controversial.
CYRUS: I’m not sure it’s the best idea. Especially if it’s a live performance. Isn’t that illegal?
X: Performance art always teeters on the edge of ‘acceptable’. It MUST be extreme in order to get the point across.
CYRUS: Well… good luck. I look forward to reading the scathing reviews. Oh, Octavia, I believe your husband was looking for you. Something about wanting to double your donation?
OCTAVIA: Is that so? I guess I’d better go look for him. If, you’ll excuse me.
X: Of course. We’ll continue late then.
OCTAVIA: Eheh, of course, darling. Later.
CYRUS: We’ll have to be going as well. Many more people to greet still.
X: A genius’s work is never done, I understand. Though I hope we’ll be able to speak again before the night is done.
