now i'm in it
Ava’s parents stayed for a week and even if they are not present due to rehearsals, workshops and stunt training, Suzanne hanged out with them still. At first, Ava was nervous because she knows how her parents can get but Beatrice assured her that it will be fine. They even accompanied her on one of her house hunting trips and gave Suzanne some insights which she appreciated very much.
“It makes me think about how much better our future will be,” Beatrice says to Ava after her parents left.
“What do you mean?”
“Our parents,” Beatrice snuggles to her. “I love that they get along so well.”
“Oh, that,” Ava chuckles. “Me too.”
“It’s a bright future.”
“Don’t tell me you are riding in their wagon now,” Ava laughs. “Do you have a ring?”
“I can look for one tomorrow,” Beatrice smirks.
“‘I like shiny things but I’ll marry you with paper rings’,” Ava sings to her.
“Is that a yes?” Beatrice chuckles.
“Shut up,” Ava lightly slaps her.
“Can you sing the whole song though?” Beatrice asks. “You sing it better than me.”
“You’re full of shit,” Ava rolls her eyes.
“You are a good singer,” Beatrice insists. She tickles Ava.
“Stop!”
“Agree that you’re a good singer.”
“Stop, Bea!”
“Agree with me.”
“Okay, okay!”
“Say it!”
“I am a good singer,” Ava says.
“Okay, good,” Beatrice kisses her. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” Ava smiles. “Even though you’re infuriating sometimes.”
The next few days, they took some time off to help Suzanne settle in her new home. It’s just ten minutes from their house and twenty from Areala’s which is perfect. Beatrice also gifted her a car.
“Your phone won’t stop chiming,” Beatrice comments as they put Suzanne’s collection of porcelain ducks on the shelf.
“It’s Shannon,” Ava says as she arranges the ducks. “Now, why does it look unbalanced? Is there more of this kind there in the box?”
“Here,” Beatrice hands her one. “Is everything okay?”
“There’s a lot of producers and casting directors reaching out to her offering me gay roles,” Ava mentions as she continues to arrange the ducks. “There, perfect! On to the next shelf we go.”
“You seem frustrated,” Beatrice comments.
“I’m just overwhelmed, you know,” she turns to Beatrice. “As much as it gives me joy that I get offers left and right, I am scared I’ll take on a project and it’s problematic or something, you know?”
“You don’t want to offend our community.”
“Yes, especially that they embraced us fully and looks up to us,” Ava says. “I want to give them perfect representation because it’s what every person in the community deserves.”
“Then sift through them thoroughly,” Beatrice says. “I’m sure Shannon also wants you to take on quality projects. I’ll even help if you want. We can talk to people in our community and ask for advice.”
“That’s a great idea,” Ava smiles. “It’s better that we seek their opinions.”
“Don’t worry about it too much,” Beatrice kisses her head. “Now, where do you want this ginormous one?”
When Ava went to the rehearsals the next day, she sees Shannon pacing back and forth outside the studio.
“Hey, are you okay?” Ava asks.
“Why aren’t you answering my messages yesterday?”
“Sorry, we helped Suzanne and honestly, I was a bit overwhelmed by the offers you keep forwarding to me.”
“Okay, sorry, I was overwhelmed too so I just sent it to you,” Shannon sighs. “But something else happened.”
“What?” Ava is suddenly anxious.
“By the order of a bunch of the executive producers, the writers changed something in the story,” Shannon tells her.
“What do you mean?”
“Another character was gender-swapped.”
“Who?”
“Jean de Metz,” Suzanne informs her.
“The knight that first believed in Joan, right?” Ava asks. “Isn’t he supposed to be a small role? He’s very devoted to her but Joan can’t reciprocate his feelings for her and then he dies for her cause like midway?”
“I know,” Suzanne sighs. “They decided to bump his or now her character.”
“Why didn’t they tell me before they changed it?”
“We are not producers, Ava,” Shannon says. “They can change it how they like without asking for our opinions.”
“I thought this is Joan’s story,” Ava huffs. “Now it feels like they are turning it into some crazy love triangle shit.”
“I think they are milking the situation,” Shannon says.
“Certainly,” Ava says. “Which I honestly won’t mind as long as the story is as it is. It’s what make me love it and want to be part of it so badly.”
“Do you want to pull out?” Shannon asks. “You certainly could. We’ll just make up an excuse.”
“No, I have done so much for this film. I don’t want to back out,” Ava takes a deep breath. “I’ll just keep my fingers crossed that it will still be a great story.”
“Alright, that’s the spirit,” Shannon pats her shoulder. “I just really want to tell you so you’re prepared today.”
“Did they re-cast the role yet?”
“I think they are still looking for her,” Shannon says. “A stand-in will read her lines for now.”
“Okay, then let’s get to this,” Ava says. “Where’s Mary, by the way?”
“Already inside.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
When they came in, one of the writers and two producers talked to Ava. They explained the changes and Ava listened to them. It seems like Joan’s journey is still the main focus and it gave her reassurance that the story is still what it is.
The other writer read the lines of Jean de Metz. Ava thinks the changes are okay so she went along with it.
“Any news about who will take on the role?” Ava asks Shannon after the rehearsals.
“Nothing,” Shannon answers. “I guess they want the casting to be perfect. Someone who’ll have great chemistry with you like Mary here.”
“That would be hard,” Mary quips. “Especially that they want the shooting to start in a few weeks.”
“Wait, not in June?” Ava is very confused.
“Oh, you haven’t told her?” Mary asks Shannon.
“Shit, I totally forgot because I was so worried about how you’ll take the changes,” Shannon sighed.
“What is happening?”
“In a few weeks they will start shooting,” Shannon tells her. “It’s mostly the exterior shots and B-rolls stuff like that in the UK. They want to take advantage of the spring.”
“How about us?” Ava asks.
“I think you’ll be starting shooting too in a few weeks, the schedule is still tentative. They had sets built in a studio in Atlanta because they plan on shooting there too to cut back on budget since they are casting another big name besides you two.”
“Well, at least I get to be near Beatrice since she’ll tour that area first,” Ava shrugs.
“That’s a bonus,” Mary winks.
“All right, is there anything else you forgot to tell me?” Ava asks.
“I think that’s all,” Shannon tells her. “At least for now. Thank goodness you only have this going on and the other two is still in pre-production.”
“Yeah,” Ava agrees. “I’ll be going.”
“Drive safely,” Shannon kisses her cheek before getting in their car with Mary.
“Same toy you,” she tells her before walking to her car too.
“And the demand for tickets keeps increasing,” Ava hears Camila when she entered the door.
“I’m home!” she calls out.
“In the kitchen,” Beatrice calls back.
“Hi,” Ava kisses Beatrice on the lips. “You’re home early.”
“I almost twisted my ankle but it’s fine,” Beatrice tells her.
“Oh, god, I told you to be careful,” Ava tells her. She crouches down to look at Beatrice’s ankles. “Where?”
“Get up, it’s fine,” Beatrice says. “I’ll be able to dance tomorrow. I just need to rest it overnight.”
“If you say so,” Ava sighs. “What’s up?” she asks Camilla.
“I was just telling Beatrice here about the increase of ticket demand,” Camila says showing her phone to them. It’s an e-mail from the COO of TicketNet.
“Wow,” Ava comments. “Triple?”
“Do you think we can add more dates?” Beatrice asks Camila.
“We need to coordinate with the venues if they have slots,” Camila shrugs. “What about you? Can you do it?”
“Maybe in very big cities like New York and here in LA, we can add more.”
“Love, are you sure?” Ava asks her. “I don’t want you to get over-fatigued.”
Beatrice thinks. She takes Ava’s hand and plays for it for a few moments. She looks at her and kisses it. “I want to do it. It’s been a few years since I went on tour. I think I owe it to the fans who never failed to support me, you know?”
“Okay,” Ava says. “But make sure you’ll rest in between.”
“I’ll make sure of it,” Camila tells Ava. “I’ll chain her in her bed if I have too,” she chuckles.
“Okay,” Ava laughs.
“How about you? How’s your day?” Beatrice asks her.
“They made changes in the plot,” Ava sits on Bea’s lap and puts her arms around her neck.
“Oh?”
“I’m gonna be in a love triangle with my general and my knight,” Ava tells her.
“They are definitely milking the current situation,” Beatrice says.
“Definitely,” Camila nods.
“I don’t mind,” Ava shrugs. “The story is still focused on Joan so it’s okay.”
“That’s good,” Bea kisses her cheek. “Who’s the guy?”
“Well, they made him a her.”
“Who did they cast?” Camila asks curiously.
“No one yet,” Ava says. “And oh, we are starting shooting in a few weeks and not it June.”
Beatrice just shakes her head.
“I know, they are giving me a whiplash too,” Ava laughs.
“It’s good that you still don’t have other films in production,” Camila comments.
“That’s what Shannon and Mary said too,” Ava says. “I’m afraid that if they make another rollercoaster of a change, I’ll lose my enthusiasm.”
“Let’s hope not,” Beatrice says. “You love this story so much.”
“Yeah.”
“So you’ll go to the UK in a few weeks?” Camila asks.
“Not yet,” Ava says. “They cut down budget and we’ll be shooting some stuff in Atlanta.”
“That’s great!” Beatrice says. “I tour there first.”
“I know,” Ava smiles. “I guess destiny doesn’t want us apart for long.”
“Look at you two,” Camila sighs dreamily. “You’re so cute it’s sickening.”
“Your job is easier now that you don’t have to think about our petty fights like before,” Ava laughs.
“Definitely,” Camila laughs too. “I’m happy that I don’t have to deal with sulky Bea.”
“Hey,” Beatrice comments.
“I love it that you are way better with communication,” Camila says. “I used to dream of this. You two are good. Your relationship with your parents is good. You can overcome anything.”
“Totally,” Ava agrees. “It’s truly a new era.”
“It is,” Beatrice smiles.