puppets with their strings up , richards

[marie]

The start of filming for Justice League was just around the corner and the time for putting finishing touches on the costumes had just about arrived. It was still a hot day around the end of summer when Lissa walked into the studio, straight into the large room where all the costumes of the characters were placed. It took her a whole day and a half, but she managed to finish the Superman costume she had accidently ripped when she tripped over a cord and pulled the fabric of the costume to save herself. Her main concern was making sure Richard Nolan didn’t find out. Luckily, she finished the job before he found out. Encouragement from Richard’s co-producer Camden Carter—who seemed to be the complete opposite—really helped her. Camden was a nice man and she wished him the best in life. She wasn’t so sure about Richard. Lissa wasn’t a girl with wrath or anything. She would never wish bad on a man like Richard. She prayed for him, actually. For something or someone to help him find guidance…peace…perhaps even love. She hadn’t seen him angry, really, but she didn’t want to do anything to set him off and find out what really did piss him off.

But of course, Lissa wasn’t thinking about that man right now. She was thinking about her man. She was talking to her man. She hadn’t seen him yesterday and she was missing Malo dearly. They hadn’t been in touch as much as she’d like them to be, but she understood it all. They were both busy people, high in command and dedicated with work. ”I love you too, baby.” She grinned, holding the phone to her ear with one hand as the other polished the tiara on top of the Wonder Woman outfit. No problems. Nothing’s out of place anymore. She grinned to herself again and strangely—but not surprisingly—her boyfriend hear the smile in the sound of her voice. ”Oh, nothing. You know how I am. Excited everything’s in place at work.”

She looked over at the couch and then sat down. She wouldn’t dare take a seat if someone else was here, especially not an actor or one of the makers, but no one was here and she highly doubted anyone important would walk in right about now so she put her feet up on the coffee table as well, slouching in her sofa after she picked up a grape from the table, throwing it up in the air. While she listened to her boyfriend speak, she managed to focus on the falling grape at the same time, catching it with ease in her mouth before smiling in victory. ”Definitely…I actually have a surprise for yo—“ Her train of thought, sentence and relaxation was all cut off instantly as she saw a figure at the door that she didn’t expect to see right now. Not right here. Swallowing the grape, she no longer was listening to Malo’s question about whether or not she was still there. ”Lemmecallyouback.”

She muttered in super speed before hanging up and throwing her feet onto the ground. Lissa stood up and stared forward at the man as if he was some platoon leader, ready to check up on her attire and surroundings. She never understood why she was scared shitless of this man, but she was. ”Mister Nolan…Richard.” She didn’t know what on Earth to call him. She lowered her gaze before straightening up her shirt and then turning her gaze towards the Superman costume that was as good as new. Had he gotten word that it had been ruined? Why was he here? Closing her mouth, she swallowed the large lump her throat before slipping her phone into her pocket.

for zoe / richard n. i'll pretty-mize later <3 muah!

[Deleted]

He didn't take any particular joy in terrifying the people around him, it was just how he was. He commanded respect whenever he walked into a room, his posture straight and stride confident, he expected nothing less. No matter that his lesser co-workers stuttered slightly when they were conversing with him, or the nervous glances his way he had earned when strode through the set. He was used to it and preferred it, he was a businessman and had no time for idle chitchat or pleasantries for that matter. In comparison to his co-producer he was more than certain he was more liked than himself. He was the polar opposite in the sense and if there were problems Rick was more than certain they would flee to Camden rather than him for fear of his displeasure. For he didn't get angry over these things, there was an unusual and quite frankly eerily disturbing calmness that took over him. It was worst than the anger because he would always remember the fault and the perpetrator, he was the sort of man to hang onto these things. He had a reputation, one that he didn't mind and one that he often lived up to.

Justice League was due to start in the coming days and the final touches were needed to ensure things ran smoothly. The crew was busily tending to their own duties; sound tests, lighting cues and choreography were among the tasks being performed around him. He on the other hand was going through various paperwork, ensuring that everything was ready to be set in motion and there wouldn't be any hitches on the first day. As he often knew that the first day could often depict how the rest of a production would fair, a lot was riding on the success of this show. It had been a while since he had thought about his financial problems for he had other things at the forefront of his mind. Like his daughter and what she was getting up to in Seattle, the blow up with Schuyler. He had been more than preoccupied but now he was more than glad for the distraction of work. Though it did not make up for what he wanted, craved even, it was enough to sedate him and keep himself from breaking the self control he had mastered. He wanted his old life back, the freedom and not having to consider how things would appear. Though he didn't appear to care, his actions were calculated and always thought through to some extent. He could always twist a sordid story in his favour, and that is what he had to do to ensure Andrea remained by his side.

He was walking around the set, checking up on each department and making sure everyone was doing what they were doing. The sound of talking caused him to stop just inside the costume departments door. He studied the young woman lazing on the couch doing anything but the job he was paying her to do. He should have said something the moment he caught her slacking but instead he watched her in anticipation, waiting to see what she would do when she found she had been caught out. It took her while to notice him and he scoffed lightly and shook his head as she hurried of the phone. He strode in the room, stopping next to the rack of costumes. "Don't you have work to be doing Louise?" he spoke, though he wasn't entirely sure on her name, he didn't let on. "Who were you on the phone with?" he asked turning to her, his gaze piercing. Rick knew he was intimidating her or at least scaring her in some way but it amused him to find that his presence alone could cause this.

tagged; louissa / sid!
outfit; coming soon!
notes; i'm sorry if I didn't give you much to work with, it shall be better next time! <3

[marie]

It made sense that someone as big as Richard was demanding respect and from someone like Lissa, he got it. So did Camden Carter. She respected both enough to make sure she didn’t disappoint either of them, but somehow, she’s been doing it nonstop the closer they got to filming. These days, she’s had the tendency to screw up whatever she does, namely ruining one of the most important costumes for one of the most important characters on the production. Richard still didn’t know about that and thanks to Camden, it would stay that way. He actually looked like he would fire her for sitting around, so the last thing she wanted was for him to find out it wasn’t the only thing she’d done wrong this week. There was only one more weekend left before filming would start and things were in the right pace, so even when she screwed up, maybe he wouldn’t mind that they were able to fix it in time.

Around Hollywood, it was never as easy as “it’s okay” or “people make mistakes.” Everything had a deadline and for the people who couldn’t meet it, there was only real fate. If Richard ever got the idea that Lissa was increasing the work instead of making it easier, she would be sure to get fired. This is why she made herself everywhere she could. Even on her resume, she was able to show off the fact that she wasn’t only experienced with costume design, but she could also lend a hand with hair styling, set designing and make-up. It gave her the credibility that allowed her to keep the jobs she had and be able to do them well. With everything wrapping up and work slowing down for her, she didn’t know what else to do, really.

Lissa was given specific orders from Aalina, the head of the costume design department to not touch anything until she got back. At first she thought it was ridiculous, but Lissa agreed that it would be best if she kept her hands to herself while Aalina was away with some other business she needed to attend to. Because if something bad were to happen—which god forbid will happen again—at least there would be someone there like Aalina to handle it. Lissa was now wishing she would just come back and save her. When he stopped next to the costumes, Lissa crossed her arms, and avoided his gaze. ”Don’t you have work to be doing Louise.” She opened her mouth to speak. ”It’s…” This was probably the second time Richard mistook her name. He didn’t let her speak back to him and just continued, ”Who were you on the phone with?” She uncrossed her arms, finally looking up at the death glare from her boss. ”I think it’s all pretty much done…I was just waiting on Aalina to come back with..” Shit, where did she go again? And why wasn’t she back already? Oh right, she’d only been gone two minutes. ”Something.” It was probably best she didn’t mention who was on the phone.

for zoe / richard n. too lazy to prettymize, gahh!