Los Angeles: Blood Moon - ❌💀🌙🟩ch7-uneasy-burden

Chapter 7 Location: Close to the heaven location of Jean-Paul Players: Jean-Paul @Jean-Paul du Toit (Lucas) ST: @!Your Hyennaes @Slinar [Alexander Montferrier] Previous: #❌🌙ch6-volcanic-rendez-vous (edited)

Jean-Paul always gets home driving his corvette, trying to look as cool as possible, with the wind blowing against his hair and all that.

Driving closer to his new heaven Jen Paul noticed that one same car was following him for a pretty long time. It was a Dark-green Toyota of the very medium class.

"I really should have brought my bodyguard with me this time" Jean-Paul speaks to himself in French when he notices that. He will look for the nearest crowded place where he can stop by and get off his car there.

The car followed him with enviable constancy. He needed to drive a little further by the highway to see there's a big 24/7 shopping mall. There he could definitely make a stop.

He will go to the shopping mall, but he will try to look for a parking spot outside before having to go to the parking lot, since it'll be more crowded outside, more likely.

The Toyota followed him into the parking. When Jean-Paul went from huis car. The pursuer stopped not so far but no one yet went out. The red 'eyes' of break flashlights were still on. Jean-Paul could already feel the attentive sight on him.

He will leave his car, trying to look as confident as possible, and pick up his phone from his pocket, to call his ghouled bodyguard. He will try to walk into the shopping area with his phone and pretend like he isn't noticing the obvious sight on him.

The silhouette in the car seemed weird. Not tall, not completely detailed to define if it is a man or a woman, but he definitely noticed the look in the back mirror right to his own eyes. It seemed like pure hunger. - Hello, - the guy answered pretty fast.

"I need you to come to this shopping mall as soon as you can, I don't care if you get speeding tickets, I'll pay for them" Jean-Paul will give the address of the mall. "Meet me at the main entrance, I'll explain what's going on when you're there" He will pick up the pace and head to the entrance of the mall, trying to make sure to get to the most crowded area of the mall he can before the person approaches him.

- Sure. Will be there as fast as I can. He waited for any other instructions and disconnected. Well, it was still some time till he will appear. Maybe very long time indeed. The figure went out of the car. It was hard to see the face behind all these people, Jean-Paul almost knocked off an old woman with the shopping cart and listened the unpleasant mumbling of hers. The pursuer was slow but consistent as hell. Blueish-violet short hair, grey t-shirt and simple jeans. The distance began to shorten between them.

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Jean-Paul is not a very athletic man, he knows he won't really be able to outrun anyone. But at least it seems to be a place with enough people around, so his pursuer won't try to do anything too obvious. He will stop by a large store and call his ghoul to let him know of the new position within the mall, and confront his pursuer instead of keeping running away.

Waiting for the unknown Jean-Paul spent a few long seconds. The creature of the very human look moved much closer. It was a woman. Not specifically pretty, but the feeling of the danger from her hungry eyes reminded that you never know who you dealing with. The stranger went right to the toreador looking at him as she knew him long ago. Probably not under the best circumstances.

Jean-Paul will do his best to look confident, lean on a wall and just wait for the person to get to him as if he's not even noticing it, although it's kind of obvious. He will keep his hands in his pockets, just to make it seem like he's ready to reach for something... which he isn't.

It didn't make the woman confused. More of that. She stopped right in front of him probably waiting to be recognized. She was around 25, dissatisfied gaze, she with hunger under nicely arched brows dug in Jean-Pauls face. - Hello Jean-Paul, - she greeted him with soft little crackling voice.

"Good evening" He is now even more confused. Sure, it did seem like she knew who he was before, but to even know his name, with that kind of gaze... nothing is making sense. "Can I help you?"

- Oh I HOPE you can, - she shrouded, - don't tell me you don't remember me...

"OH, OF COURSE I REMEMBER YOU" He doesn't, but he will act as if he does. He will place his arm around her shoulder, bringing her closer, very friendly-like, to leave no doubts. "It's been so long, I just had some trouble recognizing... maybe I need some glasses" He laughs. "How have you been?"

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- It's been only two months, - she seemed very unsatisfied with him dare to forget the details. Nevertheless she accurately hugged him. - After our first meeting I was trying to reach you, but the studio didn't give me any contacts. So I had to move here with you, - she didn't tell how she found him. Jean Paul could see the remainders of the same fanatic fire in her eyes.

"You could have tried to approach me by normal means... maybe, I don't know, by coming to one of the clubs I go to or something like that? You really scared me by coming at me like this" He laughs. "What have you been up to?"

She raised her voice a little. - That is the problem! I would not approach you any other way! - Obviously she was either lying or not talking all the truth, - I want to be in your movie. My wishes did not change since our last visit. I am so angry at your whoever-his-position-was when they told me I am not good enough!

"But ma cherie, I am not working on a movie right now... I came to the City of Angels to get inspiration, I wish to work on something that will shake the foundations of this art... something that will compete with The Godfather and 2001 A Space Odyssey"

She chuckled. - You're teasing me. No-no-no, I know you're up to something, - she changed the gaze again for the non pleasant one, - I know you're up to something. Or is it because you also don't want me in?!

"No, I am not teasing you or anything like that, I am very serious" He places his hand on his chest to show his seriousness. "I came here to the capital of the world's cinema to get more empirical knowledge, so I can work on my Magnum Opus"

- Well then I want to help if you make me your star!

"Hm... okay, firstly, we need to buy you some new clothes, secondly, get you a new haircut, thirdly, you need to learn how to apply makeup better... but no, that's not what matters, focus, give me your best improv, come up with a scenario right now and I'll respond accordingly"

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- Oh come on! You don't need to try me again in that. Yu know I am very capable. I am ready to change style, hair. Anything! Just if you make me your famous star, - she almost hissed these last words.

"An acteur must be ready for acting at any time, so I will test you whenever I want, start your improv, come up with a scenario right now... or look for someone else"

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- Well um-m... - it took her a few minutes to think. Which was probably not the best quality of hers. Then her face changed for the lost one and she turned to Jean-Paul. - I'm sorry, I guess I am lost a little, - she spoke with the horrible for purpose mexican accent, - Can not find the Gucci store here. You see I have been there just a short time ago and I think left my bracelet there, - she was pretty convincing of trying to play the conniver. Seems not all is lost here anyway.

Jean-Paul is kind of glad she's an actress and not a writer... she sure is lacking in the creativity department. "Oh no, poor you... have you tried asking one of the security guards? Or have all of them been mean to you?" He will do his best to mimic a Californian accent, instead of his French accent for this.

- Uhm, I... Never thought about finding one. Well, can you still help me? She didn't know when she needed to stop, so she just kept the playing. This time it got totally worse.

He took a deep breath. "Okay, well, we're going to need to work on your improv, an actress shouldn't rely just on what's given to her, they need some creativity too... but, not to worry, I'll have something prepared so I can test your other acting skills next time as well, give me your phone number"

She seemed not really glad he didn't have it already but smiled over her unhappiness and told the number. - Can I have yours?

"Art cannot be pressured, I will call you when I'm ready... but I will need a picture of you, do you have any? If not, we can go to one of those stores to take one right now... I need to analyze your looks very closely as well" (edited)

- Let's do some. I don't think I have a lot with me, - he definitely felt she lies.

That's still better for him, at least he can try to figure out what her damn name is when they go take her pictures. "Let's go take your pictures, then, and try to do some good posing" He'll go look for a store where they take pictures at the shopping mall.

Soon the two of them arrived at the shopping mal. Of course, there was a photo cabin. The woman looked at him, with a big smile, before taking his arm in both of her hands. "Would you come with me inside ? Do a little photoshot, me your muse and you, my lo.. My artist ?" The last word made her blush, as she tried to drag him inside the cabin, gently.

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"No, you're the one who's MAYBE going to be in the movie, at most I will be in a cameo" He will pull himself away from her. "Now do your best to look good, there won't be any photoshop for you here"

She entered in it. But soon, Jean-Paul can hear little whining in it. "I can't seem to make it work, my dear... Why don't you just give me a place where I could sent you the ones i have at the hotel ?"

"Here's the thing, I have your number, okay? I will make sure to give you a call when I have a script ready for you... and I will have a camera ready as well, however, if I see you stalking me again, you better give up on your acting career, because I am in touch with some of the best producers in Hollywood"

"How... How could you talk to me like that, Jean-Paul? I... I... I'm your muse, you can't treat me with such violence! You would really be ready to use your influence to destroy me ?" Some tears began to swole up her eyes.

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"No, I really don't want to do it, but if you keep stalking me like a criminal I won't have much of a choice... so, please, try to behave like a normal person and wait until I call you, you will have your chance"

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TW : Abusive manipulation A hard look began to creep on her face. She grabbed him stronger, and leaned more closer to him.

16:40

"And what if I told everyone of your little escapades, your little things you did to me? As soon as you arrived here, they would look down on you. Are you sure you want that ?" She had a crazied look on her face.

Jean-Paul knows that this woman is lying, but he also knows that she's clearly stronger than him at this point. He doesn't even know what her name is. He'll look around to see if his bodyguard has arrived by now, because he's starting to get a bit worried.

"But I would never do that Jean-Paul... Just, dissapointment for a muse could be... Lethal for her. It would be a tragic story, a tragic play. But a play nonetheless."

16:47

The bodyguard was at the end of the corridor of the mall, closing up to them. She looked at him one last time, her eyes still swollen a bit. "You promise me to take care of me ? To not dissapoint me ?"

"I promise that you will be well taken care of..." He will take a deep breath of relief, now that he saw his bodyguard. "What hotel are you staying at again?"

"The Carlson, on [adress]."

"Okay... why don't you go ahead and get some rest, hm? I'll make sure to call you when I'm ready"

"I'll do that... Se.. See you soon, my fantastic artist."

"Mhm" Jean-Paul will wave at her and then practically run towards his bodyguard when she was out of sight. "My God, I may be a vampire but this has got to have been the scariest experience I've ever been through... from now on, you're always going to be with me, I don't care what happens"

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==END SCENE== (edited)

Jean-Paul was heading home but noticed someone was following him. It was a very, very, VERY weird stalker, who he still doesn't know the name of, but she seems to be very much in love with him, or obsessed, so much so that she's willing to lie to get to him. Jean-Paul is worried about that, but he managed to push her away for now.