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 Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 2:55 pm
 Name: Julianne Hofstadter
Age: 17
Race: Human
Occupation: Waitress and Barista at Espressos, Singer on LimeLight Night once every 4 weeks
Background: Anne was born into a family of wonderful artists. Her parents are both music professors at Julliard College of Music. Her older brother plays bass in the pit for Broadway and her sister is often found up on stage. Anne is the runt of the family, not very graceful in any respect, let alone talented enough to play an instrument. With her family so busy all the time she is finishing her last year of high school while living in her own lovely apartment that her parents pay for and visit when they're in town. Julianne aspires to become wonderful.... but hasn't yet found a way. The closest she gets is singing karaoke at her coffee shop on weekends....
 Name: Celeste Brigarde
Age: 19
Race: Human
Occupation: Freelance Artist
Background: Celeste never really had anyone. Her older brother cared for her for a while after their parents vanished in a mysterious 'soda can' incident, and she's been on her own ever since her brother got married and moved away. They never really had much, so Celeste was used to being hungry sometimes, but now things have gone from bad to worse. An amazing painter, Celeste used to be able to get by just by painting portraits on street corners and putting her art up at auctions. But now, with winter coming and the rent going up for her large loft, she's not sure she'll be able to make it through the season, when people are less likely to buy her work. Also feeling frustratingly uninspired as of late, she hopes that at some point, she'll just... find her muse, just like that, and paint a picture to last a lifetime. C:
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Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 3:17 pm
Geez... I'm starving... Celeste thought, wrapping her scarf tighter around her neck. It was starting to get dark, and since the girl didn't feel like walking all the way back home on an empty stomach, she was walking around Manhattan trying to find a place to grab something warm to eat, and maybe thaw her frozen fingers for a while around the smooth ceramic of a coffee cup. "Hey, hey you!" "Hm?" Cel wondered as a man ran up to her, waving a flyer. She took it, looking at the illustration on the cover curiously. LimeLight Night? she wondered as the man started babbling something about getting out of the cold. Live entertainment? Talent seekers? ... free hot beverage with every meal? Hm, sounds like my kind of place... She smiled at the man and began heading in the direction of the cafe where this 'LimeLight Night' was being hosted. Feeling around in her pocket, she pulled out a few dollars and hoped it would be enough to buy something decent. The cafe wasn't far; she made it there in less than ten minutes and walked inside, grateful for the warm blast of air that greeted her on the way in. Sitting down at a table in the corner, she ordered a coffee and a hot soup -- the only thing she could really afford -- just in time for the announcer, who came out onto the stage to announce the show. This should be interesting, Cel thought with a curious glance as she pulled a small sketchbook and a pencil out of her messenger bag. Always seeking inspiration, this place would be no exception.
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Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 3:49 pm
Anne shook her hands nervously, looking over to Aden as they hung out in the kitchen of Espressos. A few of the acts were out on stage, hoping to get some recognition before being booted off to make room for the finally act of the night. Aden was playing with the strap on his guitar, tuning the steel strings until they hummed in perfect harmony. "Julianne, you are going to be fine. I don't see why you make such a fuss over this every month." He sighed, bring a hand to his head and running his fingers through dirty blonde locks. Anne fixed her hat and looked down at her shoes. He didn't get it.... how important these shows were to her. Forever Green finished up their last number and said some thank your before coming off stage. The high fived Aden as walked back in the kitchen, wishing the two of them good luck. Anne fixed her hat before taking a deep breathe and walking out. It was never a big crowd, thirty people max at any given time but it was still nerveracking, getting up and singing. Anne took the mic off the stand and sat next to her coworker on the stools, "Hi everyone. My name is Julianne and this is Aden. We call our little duo Swallow Sky are here every month by what I guess is popular demand. So... yeah...." Anne started tapping her foot on the bar of the stool, "This is 'The Moment I Knew.'" http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=m4d6IbhxeDQ
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Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 5:08 pm
"This is, 'The Moment I Knew'..."So far, none of the acts had really caught Celeste's attention. As she haphazardly finished doodling the hat of the last singer, she looked up as a normal-looking girl walked nervously onstage, announcing her song. Blowing a strand of hair out of her eyes, Cel squinted against the dim light and sighed. It didn't seem like there was anything special about her, so there probably wouldn't be much use in drawing her... still, Cel decided to put her pencil to the page and start sketching, the image of the young singer already engrained in her mind.
"And what do you do when the one who means the most to you... is the one who didn't show...?"Cel hummed along softly; she knew the song, and as she finally recreated the last detail on Julianne's sweater, she looked up and clapped, a broad smile on her face. The crowd fell silent as Julianne prepared to depart from the stage, but Cel stood, waving her sketchbook. "Wait, wait!" she said, causing the entire cafe to turn around to look at her in awe. Cel looked straight at Julianne, smiling broadly. "Hey, you... nice song. Will you autograph this drawing for me? It wouldn't be complete without something from you, would it?"
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Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 5:30 pm
Anne paused, holding her breath when a girl came and ran up asking for her autograph. She had never had a fan like this before... just simple applause or, 'I love your voice...' Anne took the sketchbook and looked at it, her eyes widening a little when she saw herself on the paper in such perfect detail, "Wow... Umm... this is really good." Scribbling down her name she passed the book back, before looking to Aden who was smirking, knowing how she how she wasn't too fond of being the center of attention. Finally Aden stood up and tapped Julianne on the shoulder, "Well, we have to get back to work. Thanks for coming tonight everyone! Tell all your friends and come back again!" He grabbed his guitar and left the stage. Anne stayed for a second before setting her mic down and jumping off stage. "Hey ummm.... You are really good, and Im not just saying that. I wish I could draw that well." Anne said to the girl as she headed back to her table.
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Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 5:46 pm
Celeste couldn't stop smiling as Julianne signed her picture; a naturally cheerful person, Celeste often smiled for hours at a time without having a reason to. She just... liked smiling, a lot, although sometimes she tended to get rather awkward when people complemented her art. "Thanks," she said casually as Anna handed her the book back. "That was a nice little tune you sang there, real powerful and all. I liked it." She took a step back as Anna jumped off of the stage and began walking over to her table, talking about how she wished she could draw like Cel could. "Oh please," she said with a modest wave of her over-sized, paint-stained sweater. "I can't sing to save my life, so I guess we're even, huh?" Grabbing her soup and her coffee off of her table, Cel moved over to where Anne was sitting and sat cross-legged on one of the chairs. "So how long have you been singing, Julianne?" she asked, casually taking a sip of her soup and ignoring the stares she was getting for her rather eccentric behavior.
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Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 6:05 pm
"Oh there's no way you can't sing! You have such a pretty voice." Anne seated herself across from Celeste before realizing this girl knew her name but she couldn't say the same. But for the mean time she figured she would keep up with the conversation, "I've been singing at LightNights as long as I've been working here... 4 years now...?" Anne tried thinking back to how old she was when she first applied for the job, "But I've been singing my whole life. Music is kind of a huge deal in my family... I would have probably been kicked out had I not taken up something in the music category." Anne said this laughing a little, trying to come off as joking, but the fact was that she was telling the truth. When Julianne had failed to show any instrumental talent her parents had considered calling up boarding schools and other relatives, thinking it would be too much of a burden to keep her around. "Anyway, I don't think I caught your name..."
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Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 6:22 pm
"Oh, ha, thanks," Celeste replied, realizing with a frown that her hot soup was empty. "I mean I've tried a couple of times in the shower, but if I had a chance, my brother basically shot it down by telling me I could raise the dead." She grinned. "Four years, huh? Sounds neat. I wish I could stay committed to something that long... the only thing I've been doing that long is painting, and I've been doing that since I was a kid, so I don't even think it counts as a commitment... it's more of a lifestyle, really~" She was ranting, but in a bubbly, casual kind of way as she downed the last bit of her coffee. Right then, Anne asked her name.
"Oh, right," she answered, as if it were the most obvious thing on the planet. She bonked herself on the forehead before sticking out her hand. "Celeste Brigarde, the First. I have a little art gallery up on Fifth Avenue and Eighty-ninth... Stop by if you ever want your portrait drawn or something. I'll shoot you one for free."
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Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 7:06 pm
Julianne thought for a moment, finding the apartment to be only a few blocks away from her own complex. When she mentioned a free portrait Anne only shook her head, "No way, the one you just did was my free one. Next time I'll commission you just like anyone else would... I've got spare cash from the tips tonight, so no big deal." Anne didn't want to come off like she was flaunting her wealth. After this next year when she graduated, she would finally be on her own and her parents would make her start paying rent to stay in their place. "Ummm.... Look, I get off work early tomorrow since it's Sunday. I'll swing by your place.... say 4? Does that work?... I mean... like any time after 2. I don't want to impose if you have other plans."
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Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 7:30 pm
ItamiMerodii Are we time-skipping after this? Celeste answered with a dismissive flick of her wrist. "That's just doodling right there, seriously. Don't even worry about it. You paid me by singing a pretty song." She smiled at Anne right there, and then smiled even broader when Anne offered to stop by. "Seriously? You'd actually come by?" she asked in disbelief. "That would be awesome, yeah! Oh, and..." she grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of her head. "Forget the whole commission thing, you know? I'd rather you brought me something to eat, instead." Celeste wasn't ashamed about being poor, but asking someone who you'd just met for food was pretty pathetic, all aspects considered. On the other hand, she'd be painting for it, so technically it wouldn't be freeloading, would it...?
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Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 7:42 pm
MitashiUchiha16 Gotta get to bed, I'll respond to whatever you post in the morning ^^ Anne sighed, knowing this girl Wasnt going to accept any monetary amount for her art. When she mentioned food Julianne rained an eyebrow but imagined living off art Wasnt the easiest thing in the world. Her brother had to train for years and years and years before his bass playing was worth anything. Finally Anne nodded and smiled back, "Fine, I'll bring dinner by, but that better be one hell of a good portrait when you're through with it." She pushed her chair and and stood up winking at Celeste before turning on her heel and going into the kitchen to pack up. The moment she opened the door Aden was standing on the other side waiting, "How long have you been there?" She asked, demanding to know. "Long enough to see that you've got yourself a little crush on your number one fan~" he teased. It was true that Julianne didn't have a preference in gender for people she liked. It Wasnt a big deal but Aden always tried to make one out of it. Anne just shook her head, forcing herself not to smile and give him the satisfaction of being right,
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Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 8:39 pm
ItamiMerodii Good night, and... good morning~ xD Celeste answered with a broad smile, standing up as well and grabbing her scarf from the chair behind her. She swung it around her neck, not having any jacket other than the large sweater she was already wearing, and brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes. Best one yet, I think... she realized suddenly, rubbing her arms to warm herself as she watched with glowing eyes, Julianne, heading for the back kitchen. What a pretty girl... and that beautiful face! Cel had spent at least a minute perfecting the angle of her chin and the softness of her lips... something that she usually didn't even pay attention to. Shrugging, she pulled out what little money she had and plopped it onto the table; it wasn't much, but it covered the bill and a tiny tip as well. Reaching for her sketchbook, Celeste carefully tore out the picture she had drawn and wrote on the back, '1098 E89th Street, between 5th and 6th... I'll be home all day. See you tomorrow, honey bean! ~ Cel'. Then, sticking underneath the fake candle centerpiece, Cel waved at the cashier, and walked back out into the cold. ~*~ Hungry... so hungry... Celeste thought, staring at the canvas in front of her. Well... the upside down canvas, anyways. She was hanging upside-down from her couch, trying not to think about food too much. What would Julianna bring? Mexican? Thai? Chinese? Mm... Chinese... with those delicious meat-filled dumplings, and that soup that tasted like heaven... and those spring rolls... "Ungghhh..." Celeste groaned, a drop of drool sliding out of her mouth as her stomach growled. It was no wonder she wasn't selling. How could she produce quality art if she could only focus on food, for crying out loud?? At least she'd be able to focus better once Anne fed her. If she ever got there...
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Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 5:04 am
Anne walked around her spacious apartment, pulling her uniform off as she came into her bedroom and looking for something portrait worthy. Why was she so worked up over this? It was just some girl painting her face in exchange for some dinner. Anne peaked back in the kitchen where the crockpot was simmering away with the pork roast she had prepared the night before. The warm aromatic smell filled the loft and made Julianne's mouth water from all the way down the hall. She changed into a vintage looking dress with leggings underneath it and a cream sweater overtop. Then grabbing a scarf and gloves she pulled the food from the kitchen and piled into her car before taking off. Snow was starting to fall over New York, setting on the ground in a grey-white color, never fresh due to the air pollution. Anne didn't care as she drove through the flakes, pulling in the parking lot behind the building that Celeste had written down on the note for her. She made her way up the steps and knocked in the door, balancing the pot on her knee while she had to use her hand. "Hey hey, open up, it's cold out here!"
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Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 1:17 pm
When Cel heard the knock on the door, she yelped, falling off of the couch with a loud thud and knocking over a can of green paint. "Yah..!! Er... coming!!" she called, wiping some paint off of her face with her sweater sleeve and bolting for the door. Already before she had answered, she could smell the roast Julianne had prepared, and her mouth began to water. Yanking open the door, she smiled, crossing her arms and balancing her weight on one hip. "...hey," she said with a loud laugh before stepping aside and letting Julianne into her apartment. "Ignore the green paint on my face... stuff like that happens to me a lot." Hurrying into her small side kitchen, Cel grabbed two plastic plates and some tarnished silverware before darting over to the covered couch and pulling back the sheet. "Sorry it's such a mess in here," she said quickly, pulling up the coffee table and pushing aside some old dishes to clear a place for the plates. She looked up at Anne with a grin. "I don't really get the chance to clean up. And I've been thinking about you all night," she added casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. She looked up at Anne casually, plopping cross-legged back onto her couch and gesturing for Anne to do the same. She smirked casually. "So... whad'ya bring me?"
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