Screaming Trees - Les Noir

Double-face

This portion of the story contains a violent scene involving weapons. Please be advised.

The subtle changes began even before Richard Paschal's death. The world of the twins accelerated into the madness of the Entertainment industry's machine. Ri once explained how the machine chewed up the weak, how it stripped the talent out of people leaving empty vessels of puppets trained to perform. For Larry, the newness of being his own boss meant being part of something that he never really wanted. His soul ached to see his daughters again, to be back at the square in London dancing with his brother and to encourage the youth at programs like they'd done in the past.

Leading the infamous Unicorns counsel tried to consume his attention. Nights were restless. The file folders on his bed replaced the warmth of having intimacy. The phone started to ring constantly. People he'd only known about on TV or in the media knew who he was. They asked his permission to start their tours. They asked for his advice about who to connect with for collaborations. The people knew that he'd become the replacement for the most powerful human in the world. What they didn't know is that Larry didn't want the stress of trying to run the machine. What he didn't know is that the target on his back just became larger.

Their music producer, Swissco's, reactions to them let them know the extreme power Ri left to them. Every place Larry and Laurent went in Cali proved that people knew who they were and not just as dancers. Invitations to the most elite parties started pouring in. The way Hollywood embraced them wasn't the same for other celebrities. Larry walking the red carpet at movie premieres with Laurent by his side made people look at them with something other than admiration, a certain amount of fear. The meetings with top agencies wanting to manage their career put them inside previously closed doors. Larry stepped up to the challenge starting with making sure their music was ready for the release date.

In the meantime, Laurent and Gabe worked out their schedule. When Larry decided to use one of the agencies that Ri recommended in his notes left to them, the already busy schedule filed with engagements day and night. Laurent insisted that Gabe schedule some workshops so they could connect with their younger fans. It had been months since they'd done anything special for them.

Gabe's fragile emotional state deteriorated day by day. Laurent noticed the changes in their assistant. Gabe's once beautifully coifed hair had grown out in soft golden curls that started to touch his shoulders. His gentle-blue eyes were always holding back from bursting loose in tears. A darkness consumed him showing up as a disheveled mess of a man who missed his dear friend immensely.

Laurent felt partially responsible for the beautiful young man's heartache and guilty for coming onto the man when Ri was still alive. Having him plan the youth workshop seemed to give him something to work on beside sulking around the house sobbing all the time. Laurent's attitude towards his brother changed from desiring his attention to being wary of even touching him. The moments where Larry stroked his hair or danced close enough to touch him always sent him spiraling into his twin's emotions, an uncomfortable feeling for the man who once was underneath his influence.

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The day of the workshop several troublesome things happened. Laurent walked out of the shower trying to get ready for the day. He'd just tucked the towel around his waist walking to the window to let in some fresh air when he felt eyes on him. Gabe stood in the doorway to his bedroom. Laurent turned around quickly, the towel slipping from the corner of his hip. Gabe stared, mouthed agape, looking at him from head to toe.