slightly cheerier

who: cheyenne and elle
where: cheyenne's place
when: afternoon

Standing outside Cheyenne's place, Elle took a deep breath a she stared up at the building. She wasn't sure why she felt nervous. The woman had been perfectly nice when they'd met. Nicer than she had needed to be to some girl hounding her for an autograph. Nicer than someone with her looks needed to be. She smiled a small, private smile at the memory of the gala. She hadn't imagined it would have turned out to be quite so good.

Rather than simply show up and hope that Cheyenne was home, Elle had asked her father's housekeeper to make a call during one of her routine visits to the household. Luckily, she was a woman used to dealing with comings and goings that required discretion. She had learned long ago not to ask questions or comment beyond what was necessary and automatically applied that ruling to anything. It was often best to remain somewhat ignorant to what the DeWinters were up to. Elle had listened intently as the arrangements were made, insisting that the housekeeper relay everything that was said.

After smoothing down her hair and clothes, she pressed the door buzzer. She quickly straightened her outfit and hair out again, wanting to make sure she looked presentable.

Cheyenne wasn't having the best of times. She had gone back home after her encounter with Danny, and not left since. When the door chimes went off, she let out a short little startled yelp, clapping a hand over her mouth for a moment. It's just the fucking door! she snapped at herself internally, before she headed for the door. She did so quickly, looking out the peephole before she opened up the door, and it took her a few moments to even click with who she was seeing.

She was relieved at first that it was a girl. Her stalker was definitely a man. So a woman. That was a plus. whew. Then as she started to unlock the chain, the deadbolt, and the normal knob lock, she was wracking her brain for where she'd seen the girl. But it clicked when she finally opened up the door and got a proper look at her. She smiled, though she wondered if she looked harried or not. "Hi!" she said. "I met you at a party a while back, I remember you work at the theater...I'm not a hundred percent on your name. Sorry about that! What is it?" she asked. "And come in!" she added, stepping back so the girl could enter. And so no one who might be lurking outside or down the stairwell could do anything like catch a glimpse.

Elle's smile was uncertain. She couldn't help but notice that Cheyenne looked somewhat fraught. Perhaps she had been in the middle of something important and had now been disturbed. That and the other woman couldn't really remember who she was. A small sinking feeling swirled around in her stomach. But she shrugged it off by widening her smile, making it that bit brighter, and followed Cheyenne in. At least she hadn't completely forgotten her.

Thankful that going to the notebook gave her an excuse to look away, she started to write. The awkwardness she felt was reflected in her posture; the notebook balanced in the crook of her arm that looked as though it might slip, the angle at which she put pen to paper. It was all a bit off-kilter.

It's Elle. I asked you for an autograph. Thank you again for that. The autograph was safely tucked in a drawer at home. Not that Cheyenne needed to know that.

"Elle!" Cheyenne said, reaching up to tuck her hair behind her ears, and she fussed with it a little, suddenly sure she looked a fright. "That's it, sorry. And yeah, I remember you. I just couldn't place your name, sorry about that. How're you? I went by the theater a bit back but they said you weren't in at the time. Do you want some coffee?" she asked, now fretting about being a terrible host. She knew how to do this better than she was at the moment.

Elle nodded in response to the coffee question. She couldn't resist having a quick peek around, curious but making sure to be subtle about it. It was never good to come across as nosy. I'm alright. Things have been kind of busy, she wrote. Thank you for asking. There was a tiny pause before she carried on. How are you? The question was intended to come off as casual. Although she was concerned, prying went hand in hand with being nosy.

Cheyenne's loft was pretty nice, all things considered. It definitely spoke of the fact that she did come from money, and she did pretty damn well with her modeling career. Unfortunately, the thing that sort of was out of place was the fact that there were prints of the mystery stalker around sort of all over. On the coffee table, on the countertops, on the dining table, a few on the couch, on top of her record player...everywhere. Some even on the floor. "I'm....I'm y'know..." Cheyenne answered, looking away as she answered the question, tugging her fingers through her hair. "Still kicking." she landed on as an answer. "Coffee! I was getting you coffee. Have you been good-busy?" she asked, heading for the kitchenette area, so she could start coffee up properly.

Elle tagged along behind Cheyenne,close enough that the notebook could still be read while keeping a respectable distance. Some of it was good, she replied. Other parts hadn't been. The speech therapy that had been a bust. The disappointment that had come with it. Not only her own but that of her father's, who had such faith in these things and guilt that needed to be relieved somehow. There were far worse things in the world than silence.

Toying with the pen, she also toyed with what to say and how to say it. Are you alright? she asked eventually. I know we don't exactly know each other very well but if you ever need someone to talk to I'm a good listener. She smiled, a small gag at her own expense to lighten the query a little.

Cheyenne looked over at the note, and her face fell a little bit, and she sighed, finishing setting the coffee up to percolate, and she looked back at Elle. "I'm that much a mess, huh?" she asked rhetorically. "I'm really sorry. I've...things have been kind of hectic." she said. And by 'hectic' she meant 'totally bad insane that is wearing me down'. "It's really good of you to ask, though." she said, smiling faintly at the girl. Pretty and sweet. It was a good combination.

Elle shook her head quickly from side to side, answering the question anyway. It's difficult for anyone when things get crazy, she replied, expression sympathetic. She could understand that. The fact that Cheyenne was still charming enough to entertain visitors made her something other than a mess. At least in Elle's opinion. She smiled back and gave a nod. It's alright. Everyone needs to know they've got someone to talk to. If they ever need to, I mean.

Looking at Elle for a long moment, she looked like she was wavering. She didn't really have anyone to talk to. Not really. Not anymore, anyways. What had been her best friend growing up had sort of pissed off somewhere, without a word. And Cheyenne's life was full of hangers on...but few on real friends. it was something she was feeling pretty harshly of late. "I don't really want to dump my issues on you." she said, though it was clear that she was looking for the alright to do so, that it would really be okay to talk.

I don't mind. Really. Her smile widened in a reassuring way, granting Cheyenne the permission it seemed like she needed. Resting the pen inside the notebook, marking the current page, she closed it and rested her hands loosely upon it. A gesture to show that Cheyenne had her full attention but leaving the notebook accessible at the same time. She didn't want to have to fumble with it if and when she needed to write.

"You really are the sweetest thing." Cheyenne said, tone genuine. She drew in a breath and let it out slowly, not even sure where to start anymore. "I think someone's been following me. Or, no, scratch that, I know someone has been. I've gotten his picture, but not on purpose. It's just, I like taking pictures of the surrounding area, and I looked through all of my prints, and he's there. Sixteen times. And I don't know who he is, or why he's following me, and my family doesn't believe me, and there was this cop..." she sighed and dragged her fingers through her hair. "He's creepy too, and seems like he's been following me, and I just...don't know what to do anymore." she said, that overwhelming 'at a loss' feeling crushing down on her with the aloud admission.

Elle wasn't sure what she'd been expecting to hear but it certainly wasn't something like that. Creepy was an understatement. She reached out to pat Cheyenne's shoulder lightly, trying to be comforting. Have you been to the police? she wrote finally. Although it sounded like the cops might have been an issue all of their own. Not all of them were good guys, she knew that much. The pictures would count as evidence, wouldn't they? She bit her bottom lip in thought and added, Maybe the police are already aware so they've got someone following you? To make sure your safe and investigate. Maybe he seems creepy because - Faltering in mid sentence, she paused to find a phrase that sounded right. - he doesn't want to seem too obvious and compromise the case. It was better than considering some of the alternatives.

"There's one cop who knows, but he's...he's just fucking creepy too and I don't know what to do with anything. I really, really don't." Cheyenne admitted, that feeling of being at a loss really well projected right now. "If anyone was meant to follow me, they'd have to notify me so it didn't scare the shit out of me. If not, then that makes no sense at all." She sighed. "I don't know. I just...don't know. I'm really sorry. I don't mean to be..." she made a vague gesture.

Elle's gaze went down to her paper as she nodded. You're right. About it not making sense. Out of embarrassment she continued with, Too many movies. This wasn't Bogart or everything nicely wrapped up by the end of the run time. She smiled a small smile. Don't be sorry. You're not being anything, anything bad that is, and even if you were I think it's okay under the circumstances. If it were her, she was sure she'd be a nervous little wreck. If there's anything I can do, let me know okay? There probably wasn't but it couldn't hurt to ask. Even if only to provide Cheyenne with some assurance that someone believed her.

Cheyenne did feel better that someone appeared to believe her. That there was something resembling an outside, sympathetic ear. "Thank you. You really are just...sweet, aren't you." she said, shaking her head. "Honestly just listening's been nice. And believing me. Not telling me I'm just a crazy, irrational freak helps too." She gave a weak half smile.

You're not a crazy, irrational freak. Another small, though sincere, smile was offered in return. On Elle's scale of crazy, Cheyenne didn't register. Though she was aware her scale may have started up a little higher than most people's. You seem like a pretty tough person. Strong tough not scary tough, she wrote back. And that's not just to be sweet. A part of her felt bad that Cheyenne thought that about her. There were times when she'd been anything but sweet. But no one was nice all the time. Particularly when they had good reason not to be. Worried that she might have been lost in her own world, she quickly smiled.

"Well, thank you. That makes me feel better." Cheyenne said honestly. "So, anything new going on with you? Anything fabulous you could distract me with? I'd love you forever for it." she said, tone drawn out as if this should be really tempting an offer.

Something fabulous. She wasn't sure if she could do fabulous but she might be able to shoot for interesting. I met a priest. He was quite funny. Funny ha ha, not odd funny. It might be me but I never really thought of a priest as being funny. He knew some nice poetry as well. That was something different. There must have been something better than that, something a bit more grand. Something more on the level she perceived Cheyenne to be. Nothing immediately sprang to mind. One of the other stagehands discovered a box of costumes that looked like they'd been forgotten. There were some quite dramatic things in there. Pretty things, at any rate. If they have been cast aside, I might see if I can claim something. Her smile was playfully conspiratorial.

"An amusing priest, yeah, I never thought of them like that either." Cheyenne admitted. She usually thought of priests as very stern. Well. Not that she'd had extensive dealings with the religious community. Still, though. "And ooh! Interesting costumes, that sounds good. Maybe I'll head down to the theater sometime soon and we can raid costumes, and maybe do some shoots with the stage, before the night's performances?" she suggested.

I suppose they're just people, really. Underneath the uniform and all. Uniform wasn't really the right word but it would suffice. Finishing with a gentle shrug, she made sure she paused before addressing the next part. Seeming too keen might be weird, especially given Cheyenne's current troubles. I'd like that. It'll be nice to see you in action, see your work. I'm sure your pictures are great, and I don't think anyone would really mind if we used the space.

Cheyenne laughed lightly. "It'd be nice to have something to do that I really want to do." she said. Really, she needed it. So the idea of hopping onboard with the photoshoot sounded absolutely goddamn fabulous at the moment. "I hope the pictures are up to par, with the amount of faith you seem to have in me. And cool, we'll set it up then." she decided. yes, she was going through with this. The stalker couldn't end her life. He couldn't just take it and ensure she wasn't allowed to do anything she enjoyed anymore. She wasn't going to let him.

Beaming with a sunny smile, Elle nodded. Despite telling herself that she wouldn't let enthusiasm get the better of her, she couldn't help letting it show through. Don't worry, I'd be happy with having a picture that's just nice. Not that I'm saying that they would be just nice. Sometimes, only sometimes, she considered her mutism to be a blessing - it prevented her from completely stumbling over words and then overcompensating. I don't think I really have any recent photographs of myself, she continued, changing the subject slightly. It'll be fun to see what the outside world sees. Mirrors aren't really the same.

"They aren't." Cheyenne said, agreeing with that sentiment entirely. "So yes, it should be interesting. I promise I'll get you a lot of them, so you won't be able to say you don't have a recent photo anymore!" she said, smiling. "It'll be nicely mysterious as well, considering it'll be something more than a snapshot." Especially with costumes.

Elle tried to imagine herself looking mysterious and dramatic. It wasn't an image that came readily. Or rather, an image sprang to mind but she doubted it would be echoed in reality. Still, the idea itself and the thought of seeing it was exciting. How much would you like for the pictures? she asked. If she was going to take up Cheyenne's time and resources, it was only fair.

Cheyenne laughed. "Oh, lord, nothing." she said, waving the offer off. "You'd be doing me a favor. Plus, you know, traditionally, it's the models that get paid for their time, you know." she said. "So...I should be asking you how much you'll like for the session." she pointed out, arching a brow as she waited for the answer.

Eyes going wide, Elle quickly shook her head. There was no way she'd expect Cheyenne to give her anything for it. Nothing. I'd be happy with just some pictures. And spending time with someone, doing something fun. Whether she realised it or not, Cheyenne was doing her a favour too. With a smile that was slightly shy, she added a, Thank you.

"Then we'll call it a day just of having fun." Cheyenne said. "With something to show for it. Sound good?" she asked. She was feeling at least a little better, that was good. And after a moment she figured she should share that. "Thanks for coming by and everything, I am actually feeling better right now and that's all due to you."

Smiling brightly, she gave Cheyenne an enthusiastic nod. It definitely sounded good to her. Cheeks tinging pink with a gentle blush, the smile became smaller, more shy. Though she was secretly pleased by the comment, glad that she had helped in some way. It's okay. It's nice to think of you being happy. Again with the blushing. That probably sounded kind of stupid. It sounds like you deserve a break from things, she added.

"Well, I don't know about deserve or anything, but it's nice to feel less like everything in my world is cracking." Cheyenne said honestly. "But again, thank you. So...when is it you want to try and get together? So I know when to show up and it'll be less out of the blue."

Elle wrote down a date, punctuating it with a question mark in case it wasn't suitable. That and she was still just a tiny bit intimidated by Cheyenne. Or starstruck. Perhaps a little of both. It'll be good, I promise, she jotted and followed it with another enthusiastic round of nodding.

Cheyenne took it, and smiled. "I'll see you then. And don't be too good." she said, winking at her. "I'll see you then. I'll come with cameras, and you, my dear, will be beautiful."