5. Jess #2
“Okay, enough of that. No booing please. If that happens again, I will gladly request security to boot you out quicker than Roderick Galfast at a wine tasting party.”
The crowd laughed. My guest gave me a grateful smile as he picked up his own mic. “Thank you, Ms. Richards, but that’s hardly the worst review I’ve had this week.”
He knew how to work the crowd as everyone gave out a little gasp as if he had fired shots at me.
However, he was all smiles. He was teasing.
For an odd reason, this whole thing seemed familiar, which put me at ease.
I chuckled as I sat down. Fine. If he wanted verbal sparring, he would get it.
“Well, I can’t imagine me calling you ‘meh’ was your worst review. ”
“No doubt, but I’ve rarely had one word have such an impact on my career,” he said, his smile not faltering.
“I could come up with a few more disparaging words, if you’d like?” I shot back.
“I’m fairly sure any more words from you would put me out of a job,” he laughed.
His gentle laughter wasn't at all forced. I was beginning to understand what Bray saw in him.
“I’m sure you’ve had some positive reviews. After all, you've held on to one job for ten years. Not to mention you won an Emmy.”
“Daytime Emmy,” he said lightly and gave a little shrug.
I couldn’t decide if he was humble or self-deprecating. Either way I kind of dug it, in spite of myself. I realized my smile wasn’t forced anymore. “You also went to Juilliard.”
“Yes, but I never finished. I left early,” he said with a nod. “An opportunity came up and I had to take it.”
“Is that how you got the role of Tyrst’an?” I asked. “The opportunity just came along?”
“Not quite. When Brandon left the series, my boss told me I should try out for the role. I auditioned like anyone else would have.”
A loud snort of laughter came from off-stage. I glanced over to see the blonde woman having a good laugh at the comment.
“Is your manager a fan of the series?” I asked.
He nodded but the smile on his face made me think this was some kind of joke.
“Huge fan. I honestly wouldn’t have tried for the role if she hadn’t insisted on it.
I know there’s a lot of speculation with the fans right now on whether or not I’m up for the job, but I auditioned against some very good talent and managed to come out on top. ”
He wasn’t lying. There were several other big names that considered the role.
Each one was worse than the last. None of them even close to Brandon Quill, which wasn’t saying much.
I thought about questioning him a bit on his feelings on the books, but there had been too many people over the years who tended to gatekeep the series.
I didn’t want to be that fan and wasn’t about to go there. Instead, I took a different tactic.
“This isn’t your first time dealing with controversy. Weren’t you in the tabloids a couple of years ago? A torrid love affair with a famous pop star?”
The screen came to life behind me and the infamous picture of Daniel and Kismet at her concert appeared.
I wasn’t the only one surprised based on Daniel’s reaction to the picture.
I turned my head to see the blonde woman holding a tablet with a devilish grin on her face. I instantly loved this woman.
“I’m sorry, am I supposed to know her?” Daniel joked as the crowd laughed.
“You mean you don’t recognize Kismet Sizzle?” I asked, arching an eyebrow.
He gave a tight smile. “Yes, I’m very well aware of who Ms. Sizzle is.”
“Is it true she wrote the song Dead to Me about you?” I asked. I tried not to smile too much. As attractive as he was, needling him a little after making me and my audience wait fifteen minutes felt good.
He gave me a good-natured grin and shook his head. “No comment.”
The crowd laughed again. I didn’t.
“Maybe we should focus on current events,” he suggested, attempting to change the subject.
He didn’t realize that was going to be even messier than talking about Kismet Sizzle. Which was fine by me.
“Yes, let’s get back to you taking on the role of Tyrst’an,” I replied. “There are some people out there who think you have some big shoes to fill. I mean, not me. Everyone knows my feelings for Brandon in the role. How does it feel trying to step in and take his place after two seasons?”
“It’s daunting,” he admitted, “but I think I’m up to the task. I think I have a solid grasp on the character and can help propel the series forward.”
I successfully managed not to roll my eyes. Of course, his ego would make him say that. “Well, then what do you say to the fans who don’t see you in the role?”
I don’t know what I expected but he smiled at me. “What about the fans who seem to think I’m ‘meh’?” he teased.
I didn’t smile back. “I’m sure they’re waiting to be impressed.”
Everyone laughed, shouting out comments here and there .
He paused for a moment, chuckling a bit more than I thought he would. “It’s funny you should say that because I spent a good deal of time at the convention yesterday dressed as Tyrst’an.”
I heard the crowd start to murmur and an unpleasant prickly sensation crept up my spine.
“In fact, one fan told me she wished I was Tyrst’an instead of, and I quote, ‘that Marlin Sinbad.’”
My throat tightened and all the blood drained from my face as the crowd roared with laughter.
I froze in panic. A memory of my lips on his neck popped into my head.
When my vision cleared, all I saw was Daniel Finnegan in his suit staring at me.
He wasn’t smiling. If anything, he looked apologetic.
Really? Apologetic? How dare he do this!
My gut clenched, and a flash of anger surged up in me.
“You’ve got to be kidding me!” I spat out.
He bit his lip and slowly nodded. “Not at all,” he said, calmly. “I have some pictures if you’d like to see.”
The crowd cheered in encouragement as perspiration beaded on my forehead. My right shoulder burned with an intense itch, and I forced myself not to claw at it. They took pictures of him with fans. Did that mean…?
“Don’t worry.” I snapped out of my fearful thoughts to see Daniel looking at me in a surprisingly reassuring manner. “Unlike the show, these photos are family friendly.”
There was more meaning behind his expression than just his words.
He was trying to tell me something else.
I looked into his eyes. They were no longer crimson, but the smile was there.
A quiet smile like he had a secret he wanted to keep with me.
I don’t know why, but I knew I could trust him.
I heard his voice in my head echoing a line from The Alliance of the Cauldron.
I will not betray you.
I nodded and the first picture of him on his own in his outfit appeared on the screen behind me.
I heard literal gasps from the crowd, including from Bray and Bennet.
Photos began to cycle through, showing pictures of Daniel in dramatic poses with other cosplayers.
In one image with another Fiona, he held hands with her, and an irrational surge of jealousy seeped through.
I heard a shriek from the crowd. “That’s me! ”
The crowd and Daniel laughed. “Hi Sheila!” he called out. “Shouldn’t you be studying for your exam tomorrow?”
The woman shrieked again. “He knows my name!”
The crowd laughed again, and my anxiety subsided but inside I was fuming.
Had he planned this? Done this all to somehow black mail me?
I took a breath, trying not to show my panic on stage.
No. I was the one who made the move. And yet…
I silenced my thoughts, focusing on the little display he had put together.
The next picture was of him and another cosplayer dressed as Tyrst’an.
“Oh, that’s Robbie!” Daniel exclaimed. “Great guy. He said my cosplay was almost as good as his. I’d have to agree.
He actually made that entire cosplay from scratch, while mine mostly came from .
Now, the sword he has there is a prop, but he showed me pictures of Tyrst’an’s sword that he forged himself using iron ore he collected. Very impressive man.”
Each picture seemed to gain more and more momentum with the crowd and Daniel shared a little moment with each fan he took a picture with.
And with each picture I became more annoyed, my jaw and neck starting to hurt from the tension.
When the slideshow finished there wasn’t a single picture of me and the crowd roared with applause.
Daniel smiled at me, obviously feeling victorious.
“Not bad, right?”
There was no way I could argue with him. Which annoyed me even more. My shoulder burned, begging to be scratched, but I ignored it. “Well, it’s one thing to interact with fans. It’s another to portray the character,” I said, forcing a smile.
“Very true,” he agreed. “Would you like me to audition for you?”
His eyes met mine. Damn it. I left myself open to that suggestion, and he went for it.
The crowd went nuts. I bit my lip and gestured for him to go ahead.
He put the microphone down, which surprised me. Instantly, his posture changed. The smile fell away and his expression shifted. Despite the fact he wore a grey suit and a white dress shirt, I could imagine him in that dark red tunic and leather vest. The crowd fell silent.
“In these dark times, we must not let the world fall apart.”
Ugh. That voice. Somehow it reverberated through the hall louder than with a microphone. I closed my eyes, and I could feel his arms around me when I tripped.
“We are divided, and that’s how Oderan wants us. Do you think he fears this alliance? No. He lets us squabble and fight to keep us weak and frail. We fight for crumbs while he lords over us, crushing us under his heel.”