Demeanour | | Joseph Quinn

Chapter 4

A new contract was sent within days outlining the expectations for playing the role of Amelia Faulker along with the very nice increase in salary. It was a stressful, yet exciting 24 hours following as Annalise spent every waking moment with Antony, reviewing the new contract and making plans. He had advised her about needing to get a manager in place for after filming since she'll be doing the rounds for promoting the series and will hopefully be on everyone's radars as someone to watch.

Due to the lack of a manager at that present moment, Antony helped Annalise arrange details around travel and accommodation for the filming dates. It turned out filming would be taking place predominantly in Bath and Edinburgh, two cities she hadn't had the chance to properly explore before.

The script for the rest of the season was sent to her and the rest of the cast following her signing of the contract. They also included the announcement of her taking Amelia's role in the email. Annalise read every last word in a single day – in a single sitting. Her stomach tightened at some of the more intimate scenes she a Joseph would be filming together.

Nicola followed her across all social media channels the day the directors sent out the announcement, along with a majority of the other cast members, including Joseph Quinn. It wasn't long before she and Nicola exchanged mobile numbers and started meeting up regularly in London.

Annalise loved how easy and natural being Nicola's friend was. They ended up getting together multiple times throughout the weeks before filming started. Either having drinks and a laugh, meeting up with some of Nicola's other friends or even working on lines and character-building for Demeanour. The two were practically inseparable, which is why it made sense that Nicola wanted to post a picture of them two with their scripts to her stories.

"Oh, please no," Annalise jumped up from her seat to try and grab the phone away from Nicola.

"What? Why not? It would be good promotion," She held the phone out of reach while she questioned her new friend.

"Yeah, I know that but–" Annalise sat back and started nibbling on her bottom lip as she found the right words. "You're already successful, Nicola. People know your name and they know your talent. I'm new, and...and I want to make a name for myself through my craft, not through who I happen to know and be friends with."

"Anna, you sweet wee thing. I completely understand," Nicola grabbed her friend's hands, stopping them from fiddling with her rings anymore. "You know, you might be more like your Amelia character than we originally thought, what with all this determined and ambitious – albeit stubborn – talk."

A month flies by and Annalise found herself at Paddington Station, boarding the train set to take her on the journey of a lifetime.

She wandered her way down the narrow passage, her large suitcase in tow until she found the First Class carriage. After struggling with her suitcase in the holding bay for what felt like minutes but in reality, was likely only seconds, Annalise carried on to find her seat. She immediately recognized a few familiar faces from the reading day in London, including Joe, who was sitting next to Daniel. Joe gave her a soft smile and wave as they locked eyes before she eventually found a seat to herself.

After an hour into the hour-and-a-half-long journey, someone plopped down into the seat next to Annalise, causing her to jump slightly and grasp her chest. Low and behold, it was Joseph sitting there with an apologetic look on his face.

"I am so sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you." He raised his hands as if he was going to console her but quickly placed them on his lap.

"Oh no, no, no. It's perfectly fine. I was just off in my own little world, thinking. Not your fault at all."

"What were you pondering in this little world of yours, then?" The friendly yet curious expression she saw a month before appeared on his face again. She smiled at him shyly before averting her gaze down to her hands, toying with the rings on her fingers.

"Um, that this all feels a bit surreal," She looked back up to him, nibbling on her bottom lip. "Just over a year ago, I was still sitting at a desk in a 9 to 5 office job, and now..." Her gaze drifted back down.

"Ah, imposter syndrome. I know all about that." Again, they locked eyes. "I've had that feeling since the moment I got the call about Stranger Things, all through filming, and even now after all the promoting and traveling has finished. I don't think it ever goes away, really."

"I suppose that's a good thing, to some degree."

"How so?"

"Well, it's better than thinking you're God's gift to the earth and deserve every wish your heart desires."

"Very wise words, Rigby," he said softly, a small smile playing on his lips. His gaze quickly changed to confusion before he continued. "Wait, a year ago? You've only been acting for a year?"

Annalise slowly nods.

"Fucking hell," he looked up briefly before looking back towards her. "With that much talent and progress in such a short time, I'm actually a little scared of how brilliant of a career you have ahead of you."

They both beamed at each other before settling into a comfortable chat about nothing and everything for the remaining 20 minutes of the train journey.

Nicola was waiting on the platform for them at Bath Spa Station. She had spent the week prior in Ireland visiting family and had made her way to Bath a few hours before they had. She helped Annalise lug her suitcase off the train tarmac before bumping her shoulder.

"Nice journey in? Everyone seems to be buzzing about what's ahead." Nicola smiled at Annalise.

"I'm honestly not even sure if I'm ready for it."

"I don't think anyone ever is." They both laugh as they head over to the black cabs waiting to carry them off to the hotel they'll be calling home for the next five months. 

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Word Count: 1041