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[makethemlaugh.insanejournal.com]

Who: Thalia & Prometheus
What: Smile, it leads to good things
When: Sunday night
Where: Coffee shop on open mic night


Things had been smoothing out lately for Thalia, and she was glad for that. They weren't super mega awesome, but they were good, and she felt good. She'd decided to go for a walk, to capitalize on that feeling and see where it might take her. You never could tell what might happen.

She'd been walking for about half an hour, when she ran across a coffee house with a chalk sign out front, advertising an open mic type of talent show. It made her curious, so she went inside. The turnout hadn't been very good, a handful of musicians and poets, a dancer, and a mediocre juggler. On an impulse, she added her name to the list of participants. Maybe she could make someone smile by getting up there. She hadn't made her living doing stand up in a while, but for her, it was like riding a bike.

They called her name after a time, and she went up on stage, eyes adjusting to the spotlights. She gave the audience a little wave.

"My sister always told me that I could make anyone smile, just by being in the same room as them," she said, smiling out at the crowd. "You like to laugh, New York?" She heard a few interested responses.

"Well, hopefully I can make at least one of y'all laugh tonight," she went on. "It'll make me feel like I did something productive today."

She launched into a story about a poet she'd met in ancient times, changing the details to better fit in with the modern world. The jokes flowed from her as easily as breathing, she moved straight from one story to the next, into dirty jokes and back again. She even danced a little jig once to demonstrate a point she was making.

The audience was howling by the time she was done, and that warmed her from the inside out. She finished her last anecdote and said, "You guys have been great, good night." She was beaming as she left the stage and headed to the counter to get herself a tea. She really hadn't felt this good in a long time.

Comments

[firestealer.insanejournal.com]

In an effort to be more social and convince himself that, no the giant eagle wasn't around, he'd made his way to the coffee store. It had plenty of people and was inside, and honestly he spend too much time indoors.

He'd half freaked at seeing Thalia on stage, but not all Greeks were bad so he'd calmed himself down. And she'd made him laugh, which was something he desperately needed sometimes.

So knowing she'd feel him eventually he'd gotten up and moved closer to her, offering half a wave. "Hello."

[makethemlaugh.insanejournal.com]

Trying to smile while drinking her tea didn't go very well, so she swallowed and put the cup down, waving back. "Hey," she said in reply. "I wasn't expecting to run into anyone here. But it's cool meeting new people."

[firestealer.insanejournal.com]

"Occasionally, yeah." He offered his hand and looked around before deciding no one was paying attention anyway. "Prometheus. It's a pleasure. Especially if I'm right about what you are."

[makethemlaugh.insanejournal.com]

She shook his hand. "Depends on who you think I am," she said, grinning. "That would be Thalia."

[firestealer.insanejournal.com]

Smiling he shook her hand, then released it. "Then I'm doubly honored. I'm not a comedian, but there is the urge to create a lot of smiling figures. So out of curiousity, is what you did not technically cheating? Considering."

[makethemlaugh.insanejournal.com]

Thalia smiled. "The world needs more smiling figures in it. You could probably make some beautiful ones."

She winked. "Possibly, but I won't tell if you won't. And it was as much for them as it was for me, laughter, it's...it's good for you. Helps you forget your cares. They needed that, and so did I."

[firestealer.insanejournal.com]

He chuckled to that, "well not having any clay right now I'll make sure to make a few when I get home."

"As did I, so thank you. It's appreciated. And I will remain silent. So besides making people smile what else do you do?"

[makethemlaugh.insanejournal.com]

Her smile brightened. "Good plan."

"You're quite welcome," she said. "Hopefully someone out there got something from it. Maybe they'll write the next Hangover movie." She made a face. "OK, maybe not."

"Ah...not much, beyond inspiring people." She shrugged. "My job track record isn't great. I watch a lot of old movies. I go watch Terpsichore dance sometimes. Gets me out of the house. What about you?"

[firestealer.insanejournal.com]

"I'll give you one if you like?" He didn't hold her father against her, and she was pretty. He just hoped he didn't sound odd for offering.

He laughed to that, "please don't. I sat through one once. Never again." He shrugged, "I am an artist. I sculpt. Clay, mostly. Keeps a roof over my head."

[makethemlaugh.insanejournal.com]

She felt oddly touched. "That's really sweet of you," she said. "Only if you want to."

"Yeah, I called them after the third installment came out. I told them that if they wanted to make another one, they were on their own, because you can only do the same bits so many times before they're not funny anymore." She shrugged. "Sometimes they listen, sometimes they don't. We'll see, I guess."

She nodded, sipping at her tea. "That makes sense. Do you enjoy your work?"

[firestealer.insanejournal.com]

Shrugging he motioned to her tea, "would you like another? and you inspired me. Only fair you get the first thing that comes out."

"Nothing against you but I didn't consider them amusing to begin with. Well the first one was alright. Some things just don't need sequels."

Smiling he nodded, "I love it. Helps me deal with things and I get to do what I love. I'm lucky that way."

[makethemlaugh.insanejournal.com]

"Oh! Sure, thank you," she replied. "That's awesome, I haven't inspired any sculpting in...well, a really long time."

She groaned playfully into her hands. "I know, I know. But the first one got really big, really fast, and those goofballs just took the idea and ran with it. I just give them the nudge, they can do whatever they want with it. Saturday Night Live is proof of how hit-and-miss is can be."

"Win-win all around," she agreed. "I think it's when you don't do things that you love, that you tend to not last in a job. I tried to be an assistant to one of the New gods, and that just...didn't go very well. Not cut out for it."

[firestealer.insanejournal.com]

With a nod he went to go get her another tea, returning soon after. "You're free to drop by and come inspire whenever you want."

He blinked to that, "that sounded a lot better in my head. And sometimes that happens. I can't really know. My great ideas tend to revolve around art ever since I learned not to meddle too much."

"Find something you enjoy. Start a comedy club?" He shrugged, "I'm not very good at this, I apologize."

In which I remember Thal DOES actually have a job...*facepalm*

[makethemlaugh.insanejournal.com]

She laughed into her tea. "Sounded just fine to me," she said. "But be forewarned: telling a Muse that is like that book, 'If You Give A Mouse A Cookie'. We turn up and never leave." She grinned.

"I try not to do too much meddling, because it feels like cheating," she agreed. "Sometimes they just need that little whisper in the right direction, that 'Hey, what if you tried...'. And then they're off to the races, because from there on out, it's all them."

"I've thought about it," she said, shrugging. "In the meantime, I just work part-time at the one Merlin runs. Yes, that Merlin. It's a pretty good gig."

[firestealer.insanejournal.com]

"I don't see a problem with this." To that he just winced and sipped at his coffee. "Sorry, sorry. I'm forethought, which as you can tell results in a lot of foot in mouth syndrome. I really meant it to sound less creepy."

"But that sounds wonderful though. Much less dangerous then going 'hey you guys like fire, right'." He figured if he wanted to continue working on his issues, he could laugh about them.

"That sounds...interesting. But as long as you enjoy it."

[makethemlaugh.insanejournal.com]

Thalia just smiled and brushed some of her hair away from her face. "Trust me, I've heard creepier. So much creepier. So far, you're still in 'sweet' territory."

"It usually is," she agreed. "Every so often, you run up against someone with zero sense of humor, thankfully they're few and far between. Or someone who wants to use a shock factor as a joke. But on the whole, I've worked with a great bunch who just want to entertain people and make them laugh. Those are the ones I'm proud of, that I'd hop on a plane for at 4 a.m. if they needed me."

She blinked a few times. She hadn't spoken so passionately about her work in a long time. She'd missed the feeling. "Sorry, I...I guess I got carried away. But yes, it's probably less dangerous. Though I'd venture a guess the humans were really grateful for the fire."

"It's...quirky," she agreed. "But it gives me something to do. And it really is my kind of place."

[firestealer.insanejournal.com]

He was glad for that. He tended to be a cross between weird and having people walk away from him. Without his brother, he wasn't as good as he could be. "I'm glad."

"Don't be sorry it's very interesting to listen to. And it makes you light up. It's very beautiful." He chuckled, "they were and I'd do it again for that reason. Wasn't fair, taking it out on them." He shrugged, "anyway that's just me being a sad sack. Don't mind it. And then that's all that matters."

[makethemlaugh.insanejournal.com]

She couldn't deny that it pleased her to be called beautiful, but she definitely hadn't been expecting it. She did sit up a little straighter, though. "Well, if you ever want stories of what it's like in a room full of writers and actors, I've got plenty. Like I said, they're mostly a good bunch and I'm pretty fond of them."

"No, it wasn't," she agreed. "I think that can be summed up with: ugh, my father sometimes'." She sighed, shoving away thoughts of Zeus. "But he doesn't matter right now. And it's fine, I don't mind. Tragedy is my opposite, I've gotten used to sad."

[firestealer.insanejournal.com]

He waved his hand, "the night is far too nice and the company far too beautiful to wallow in sad. Please, tell me your tales. It sounds interesting at the very least."

[makethemlaugh.insanejournal.com]

She drummed her fingers on the table, thinking. "There's what I call 'The Firefly Chronicles', but that might take more time than we have. Joss Whedon and Nathan Fillion are pretty hilarious without my help, it's the timing that needed a little sharpening. Joss is boss at timing now, it's great. The dialogue in The Avengers was spot-on. And Nathan's on Castle now, doing his excellent brand of comedy and being fantastic."

She hummed slightly, thinking some more. "Oh! And the goofballs on The Big Bang Theory. So much fun, even if most of the science dialogue goes riiiight over my head. And Kaley's a total sweetheart."

[firestealer.insanejournal.com]

He couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm. He was sure she got that a lot. "At least you meet interesting people. I just get art snobs and people who know better." He gave a shrug, "once I had an art teacher who invited me to speak to the class. He had one of my pieces out and he said how the way it curved and the way it was shaped was telling how I saw the world as doomed and fractured. I had to tell him that I just thought it was neat the way the clay had formed inside the oven. That's all I get."

[makethemlaugh.insanejournal.com]

"They are, and they bust their ass to give it their best," she replied. "Whenever something I peeked in on wins something, I feel a little like a proud mom. I love watching the Emmys."

She could feel her eyebrows raise. "Wow," was really all she could think to say. "That sounds...pretty arrogant of him, trying to interpret your worldview through one piece of your work. So many good things have started with 'Hey, that looks/sounds really cool', no deeper meaning than that behind it."

[firestealer.insanejournal.com]

"Sometimes there is something behind it. You try to express a desire, a smile, a longing. But sometimes it's just as simple as I think it looks neat and I need to get it out of my head." He shrugged, "And that has to be nice. I've never really done anything like that."

[makethemlaugh.insanejournal.com]

"Oh, I realize that," she said. "I'm just saying, sometimes people look for meanings that aren't there. Which I'm sure you already know."

"Sometimes they pit my babies against each other," she said, sighing melodramatically. "Those are usually the years I get dressed up and go to the ceremony, to congratulate whoever won and console the ones who lost. Which rarely seems to be Modern Family, they of the multiple win multiple years in a row." She laughed self-consciously. "I'm doing it again, aren't I? Word vomit."

[firestealer.insanejournal.com]

He chuckled and shook his head, "it's rather sweet to see actually. I honestly don't mind. I don't watch a lot of tv or movies so a bit flies over my head, but it lights you up." He smiled, "how could I ever mind that?"

[makethemlaugh.insanejournal.com]

She ducked her head for a minute, grinning into her tea. "It's just...I've had people tell me, 'Tone it down, Thea, your geek is showing'. But what they don't realize is that I can't. Laughter and joy is bound up in my bones, I just want others to have some of what I have. I want to give them that chance to do what they love." She twisted a lock of hair around her finger. "If I light up when I'm going on about it, that's just a bonus, I guess."

[firestealer.insanejournal.com]

"It is," he offered with a nod, "and anyone who tells you to tone it down is an idiot. Be who you are. What you are. It's a good thing what you do."

[makethemlaugh.insanejournal.com]

"I will always be Muse," she said. "It helps that I love my gig, making people smile. I couldn't stop even if I wanted to." She tilted her head to one side, looking at him. "Although, you did your fair share of making me smile, which was really welcome. So, thank you."

[firestealer.insanejournal.com]

He gave a light shrug, "I'm glad for it. You have a very nice one so it's nice to see it come out."

[makethemlaugh.insanejournal.com]

"My first thought is how nice it would be to have a pocket-sized version of you around when I'm having bad days," she replied. "And now I think it's my turn to sound slightly creepy."

[firestealer.insanejournal.com]

He laughed, "I don't think I can do that, although I'd like to think it'd sell well. Pocket Titans, one for every mood." he smirked, "but I can give you my number, if you like?"

[makethemlaugh.insanejournal.com]

Thalia snorted, amused. "Patent that, someone might steal it out from under you," she joked. "But yeah, I'd like that. Here, I'll write mine down for you, if you want." She grabbed a pen out of her purse, jotting down her cell number.

[firestealer.insanejournal.com]

Smiling he wrote down his number for her and slid it her way. "I just might. You never know if it's a good idea or not. And Thank you."