OTA

[prince_of_nymphs]

 The hardest part was keeping the lies straight.

"I thought you were only having one of your eyes done?"

"I did, the other I had done abroad- It was a spur of the moment choice..."

"Your so pale now..."

"The medication, it doesn't sit well with me."

"You're so thin!"

"No appetite. It'll get better though, I'm sure."

He'd anticipated that though. He'd known he'd need to lie and fib left and right, until people just accepted he could see again- And that perhaps he was still a touch unwell. What he hadn't anticipated, however, was the resentment that many of his old friends seemed to  suddenly feel towards him. It was one thing when Fin was a rising star- But pitiable because of his disability. Now, however... Now he was already receiving television and film offers left and right, and that... That apparently upset a few people.

He'd been leaving one of his favourite coffee shops when he nearly walked right into Phil. A man he'd worked with many times in small productions. A good actor, but older- Perhaps past his prime in the eyes of many.

"Oh! Phil, how brilliant to see you," Fin had smiled, offering his hand, and looking puzzled when it wasn't taken.

"Brilliant is it?" Phil replied, raising a brow and ignoring the offered hand. "So posh sounding these days, Fin. I don't remember you being posh- Not when you were sleeping on the streets, begging for parts. ...Wouldn't know you were dragged up in Manchester with that posh voice you put on."

Fin's smile faded slightly, and he forced an uncomfortable laugh. "Bad habit, I suppose," he said awkwardly.

"Not a habit," Phil assured him. "Just as fake as the rest of you, that's all."

Fin's smile faded completely then, aware that people were staring now. "Right," he said awkwardly. "Well, I should... I should be off."

Phil smiled then, a vicious smile. "I suppose so. That casting couch wont get warmed without you. ...Catch something, have you?" he added, looking Fin over with a sneer. "Should be a bit more cautious, Fin. ...Or is it Finlay now?"

Fin didn't answer that, he simply turned away trying to hide the embarrassment he felt as he started walking and brushed off a young woman who tried to stop him for a selfie.

Comments

[jageskro]

"I'll give it my best shot," Jag assured him, although he personally figured lack of cash, rather than lack of practice, might be his main impediment.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin was only teasing though, and he hoped for nothing from Jag but his friendship.

Popping one last bite into his mouth, he polished off his beer.

"I'm glad I ran into you, Jag. It's always a pleasure," he smiled, pulling out his wallet to settle their bill. "Unfortunately, I really ought to head home. I've got to be on set first thing tomorrow. Some of the scenes require busy streets at their emptiest, which means shooting at dreadful hours."

[jageskro]

"I should head back as well, anyway," Jag agreed. "Hey," he reached out to lay his hand on Fin's forearm, before he could stand up to go pay. "Don't sweat it, yeah? You're still you. 's all that matters."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin smiled at that, visibly touched.

"Thank you, Jag. Truly. That means a lot to me," he admitted. "Let's not be strangers, hmm? I'd love to share a beer with you far more often than we do."

[jageskro]

"Well," Jag smiled. "You've got my number."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I'll ring you," Fin promised. "Soon," he added, deciding he'd like to spend more time with Jag.

[jageskro]

Jag nodded in acknowledgement, a small smile on his lips, then stood to go. "Thanks for the beer, mate. Next round's on me, yeah?" Whenever that happened.