Lights, Camera, Action!

Chapter 15: Script Writer Needed

At least with all expenses paid for, Beauty was free to hire whoever she chose yet they had to be right. She would of course have the overarching control of the script, but their creativity and way with words would make the scenes come alive. It was a massive undertaking and a huge responsibility. This was where Petal's wonderful skills with finding just the right people had the spotlight. Beauty needed at least two new writers to fill the gaps of her previous, chatty employees.

Petal's first port of call was to scout the studios for any undiscovered talent she'd missed in previous scans. Branch was great at telling stories, she knew that and it would allow him to feel more included. After the tragedy befell him and Honey, he'd promised to keep her safe. Petal had been trying to do that for nearly twenty years so the two had bonded over his difficult she could be. Yet the stories he told were often at night in front of a fire and small childlike fairytales to lessen the sheer fear of their childhood predicament. He wouldn't do although he may know some people who could. Petal found Branch in the stunt gym with the new girl, Blaze, teaching her how to punch correctly.

They'd both worked up a sweat but smiled when they saw her. "Hey Petal, how can we help?" Branch handed Blaze a drink who gleefully gulped it down.

The older assassin hadn't expected the actress to enjoy the physicality of her job yet she appeared to be relishing in it. "We need new script writers. Do you know anyone?" Branch may be a bit of a coward and slightly illiterate but he knew a lot of people.

He thought for a moment as he considered the people in his life. "You can't hire ghosts, can you?" Reluctantly, Petal shook her head with a bittersweet smile. "Then I would suggest either the Twins or Athena." Blaze was still stuck on the ghost thing but Athena was a name she'd yet to hear.

From the look on Petal's face, it was the same thing. "And Athena is...?" She rolled her hand for him to elaborate.

"A prostitute." Branch said it plainly enough but the shock of his answer caused Blaze to choke on her water. He patted her lightly on the back a d she smiled softly in thanks.

Petal nodded. "Yeah okay, where can I find her?" Blaze blinked at her in surprise, surely she couldn't be possibly thinking of hiring a prostitute? Even the word made her shudder slightly.

Branch gave her Athena's address and they were both set to go on their way but Blaze had to interject. "You can't seriously hire a prostitute? That's ridiculous!" Petal spun slowly on her heel to face her and Branch raised an eyebrow.

"Why is that ridiculous?" He asked slowly, gauging her reaction.

Blaze went red as she realised this was a conversation she probably didn't want to have. "Well you know, they sell their bodies. It's kind of a crime. Plus you know, they drink and wear exposing clothes. I just don't think if we want to run a successful and good reputation then hiring a prostitute is a bad move." She hadn't meant to get so forceful but some things just tugged at her mind.

While Branch's brow was furrowed, Petal's lip curled despite her eyes showing amusement. "For some women they don't want to do that, but have to out of necessity. Plus, you've seen our boss kill two people rapidly in cold blood because they interrupted her. Honey and I are assassins and she drinks like hell. The Twins to crazy, probably very dangerous science experiments and Amy lives here up in the attic. This isn't your conventional work place. The sooner you accept and understand that, the sooner you will be happy here. Also, last I checked, I was in charge of hiring, casting and firing." Petal spoke that last word with a hint in Blaze's direction to prove her place wasn't safe yet. "Everyone can be replaced." Then the women left to talk to the Twins and left Branch and Blaze alone again.

A chill wind blew through the window which had opened on it's own accord and Blaze shivered. Branch noticed but didn't care so ignored her. The actress blinked at the sudden coldness and wondered if he was okay. "Branch? Something wrong?" He turned to look at her and barked out a laugh yet it was devoid of all warmth.

"Is that really what you think? In general? Or do you just think people like that aren't good in a working environment?" There was an edge in his voice and Blaze felt a shiver run through her spine. The sharpness in his voice sounded very similar to that in Honey's.

She considered her words carefully. "Is she still a prostitute?" Blaze didn't have a problem with people who were once one thing but were now another.

Branch clearly felt differently. "What should it matter if she is? Athena is a really kind person who's great at working in business. You shouldn't dismiss her simply because her life as aired on a slightly more moral ambiguity than yours." Blaze could see some merit in the idea but there was a difference between being a childhood bully and someone who sold their body.

Realising that they wouldn't see eye to eye on this anytime soon, she started to make her way to leave. "I think I'll go and find Shadow, he and I can go over our characters."

"Terrible characters if we don't get any script writers." Branch called out after her as she shut the door. He sighed as he heard her leaving for he'd considered that maybe Blaze wasn't as bad as Honey had complained she was. Branch nudged his forehead and muttered to himself. "Stupid brain." He should know by now: Honey was always right, regardless of the topic.

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A couple of hours later, Blaze had come to know Shadow a lot better. She'd found him under a tree just outside the studios, cloud watching. After discussing their roles for a bit and Shadow continuing telling Blaze some stories of his childhood, she'd revealed the discussion she'd had with Branch and Petal. "Am I the one in the wrong here?" Blaze asked him as her co-worker made a daisy chain to go in her hair.

Shadow was silent for a moment as he considered his words. "It comes with experience. Frankly, I understand your point but I've come to realise now that in darkness, some of the brightest lights can shine." Realising he'd lost her with the metaphor, he rephrased. "Don't judge people based on their backgrounds. And if you do, don't let it interfere with your work. This company comes first, any personal opinions you have are kept to yourself. Otherwise they replace you. Simple." Shadow had merely repeated what Petal had told her but for some reason, Blaze understood and accepted his words more.

She'd soon gotten comfortable with the heat from the setting sun and the warmth radiating from his body. Blaze had honestly tried to stay awake but her body bested her mind and sleep hugged her tightly. Blaze woke up a couple of hours later with a slight stiffness to her body. Looking up, she stared directly into the beautiful ruby eyes of Shadow. "Were you watching me sleep?" Blaze hadn't thought people actually did that.

Shadow looked sheepish and rubbed the back of his neck. "I didn't want to wake you. There wasn't much else to do." He grinned at her before loud laughter drifted towards them from the buildings. He noticed Blaze looking curiously at the noise and sighed. "Athena has agreed to be our script writer. I spoke to her briefly as she arrived. She seemed nice, wise as well. She, Honey and Branch are probably having a reunion." He said it kind enough but Blaze picked up on the bitterness in his voice.

She shrugged and snuggled back into him. "Who knows? Maybe I was wrong to judge her? It wouldn't be the first time." Shadow nudged her to elaborate but she shook her head and felt her eyes begin to close, the gentle rhythm of the rise and fall of his chest lulling her back into a comfortable sleep.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter, a nice amount of Shadaze at the end. I think Athena will be an interesting character and the difference in opinion Blaze had with her co-workers. I'll update again tomorrow most likely, adiós.