| Subject: Chapter 209 - Part 2 (16 and above) (end of chapter 209) |
Author:
KatherineG.
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Date Posted: Monday, October 24, 07:22:50am
In reply to:
KatherineG.
's message, "Dreams in the Dark (203 > )" on Monday, October 03, 07:35:40am
His steely concentration was focused entirely on the scene before him, Sasha managing the director with far more deftness than that man had come to expect. But her newfound abilities couldn't settle his mind, her role in this current film far too telling--her place at the studio too clear. She was here to take Kitty's place, once their enemies had killed the older actress; his gaze narrowed. But he wasn't going to let the bastards use any of them like this for long.
The set he was currently inhabiting was that of *Bundle of Sorrow*, his sister's addition to the cast a last minute change. From what he had heard, the film had been close to wrapping, had only been a few days from the end. But then their bosses had made a decision--and every decision here was always based on money and power alone.
Part of this change was before him, Francks' avuncular direction apparently dismissed for the more dictatorial Petrosian. From his more personal knowledge of the various stars, the threats they faced, Peter understood that the friendlier director had been moving too slowly. Although he wasn't certain that the studio's latest choice could exactly be said to be quick, he was, apparently, more in line with their enemies' ideology. And he would certainly make life on the set far less pleasant for everyone.
This was an expected constant, Petrosian always far more trapped in his own mental quirks than in the technique of his films. But he was proving marginally softer of late, his tactics at least slightly more subtle. He seemed to finally be learning that manipulation didn't always require screaming; Peter's eyes narrowed further. But this fact couldn't be said to comfort the man's observer at all.
Still, there was nothing to be done about any of this--Sasha's brother settled into his role as watcher. But he was none too happy about his sister's part in this film--her newfound success working against her. Now, she would play the girl Michael fell for, the one who threatened his relationship with Kitty. And it was this twist alone which spoke endlessly of exactly what the studio wanted.
This desire of their enemies was almost too much to sanely bear--his disgust overwhelming. That bitch Madeline was trying to kill Kitty, to replace her with Sasha in Michael's heart--as though she could give a grieving child a new puppy to distract him. What it said about the tutor, and her evaluation of her charges, didn't bear thinking about. And the anger it set off in him was almost too much to withstand.
No matter how much he tried, he couldn't settle himself on this turn, refused to. For some months, he had been as much a protector of the threatened pair as anyone--his relationship with their ally, Angie, just making the change clearer. While he was no longer Madeline's toy, no longer had the insights such a position gave, he was still watching over them, was determined to see this through. After all, if Kitty were harmed, his own sister would be next--placed instantly into the role of comforter to a grieving Samuelle. But that was only assuming that the man allowed himself to live long enough to receive such aid.
Peter doubted this now, as did everyone around him, the actor's devotion to his wife almost brutal in its intensity. Even viewing it from afar could make an observer slightly wary, the concern that Michael might take out such ferocity on his gentle partner undeniable; his sigh was quiet. But that, he supposed, was for the future. The couple needed to be alive, if they were going to face the problems of how to conduct their lives.
It was with this added determination that Peter came to the set everyday, his eyes cast not only on his sister. Sasha was growing, after all, was finding her way. But Kitty . . .
Peter's gaze drifted from the coming scene--the first meeting of Michael's character with his wife's competition--to the place where Kitty sat alone, watching it all. He couldn't help but worry for her, her softer ways so challenged by this place; his sigh went deeper. In many ways, she was like his sister--a mostly-innocent brought into a world of lies and deceit. They were going to have to watch her quite closely, if they were to have any chance of protecting her.
He was determined to do so now, had been for quite some while--Sasha's growing maturity finally allowing him the time to fear for others beyond her. And the actress needed watching, the couple's many enemies all targeting her in the most fearsome of ways. If Kitty and Michael were to have their chance at happiness, at smoothing out the actor's rougher edges to form some sort of future, it was up to just a very few people to keep her in sight.
Peter was one of these now, accepted this new role. He was protective by nature, had long experience in it, and one more target of concern wouldn't overtax him. Especially given that two of his main focuses inhabited the same set daily, he was determined to be here to watch over them both.
His gaze settled back on his sister, as his immediate future unfolded before him--the paths which had led him here so clear. His life had taken a great turn, when he had been fortunate enough to gain Angie's love, her maternal concern for so many leading him along in her tender footsteps. And he *would* follow. He had finally learned that living in equal partnership with a woman was not such a danger as the world might believe--and it was a lesson he was going to cherish for the rest of his life.
[End of Part 209]
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