Inspiration [closed]

[BlackTeen]

They were close, very close, as he leaned towards her and lifted her chin. She reminded of the photo session, when he was right behind her and what she had felt. She was there, so close, facing him. She began to wonder if he was taking advantage of her. After all, she was not of those easy girls. But he didn't lie, he was really aphotographer, he had made the session, that was true. But was he anyway taking advantage of the situation. Besides, she was feeling herself ready to fall. This older handsome rich and gentle man seemed so caring, so true.
She sat back in the car, retreating from him.

- how and when? how much? You know I have some fees to attend to. My family need some things to be paid for and some of my time is needed at their sides.

 

[greatstuffing]

Tom's heart sunk as Sophia retreated. He had not expected her to fall for him but he had hoped she would be caught up in the excitement, that he would see.more of that burning passion to fulfil her dream.
Talking about money always bored him, and he felt his brow begin to frown, she sounded ao mercenary now. He hoped he was not about to create another catwalk diva, god knew the world had more than enough of those already...

It was a quick thought but he swiftly redirected his irritation towards Beth instead, reminding himself that it was that diva who had made Sophia's learning experience so much harder. Sophia was new to this, and it would take her a long time to adjust. She needed more reassurance, some safety and security, he promised himself he would remember that in future.

Tom crossed his legs and leaned back easily, looking out the front of the cab to watch the road. He handed the black folder to Sophia without looking at her again. Then he ran his fingers through his thick floppy hair, it was too short to bury his fingers in though, a sign that he often kept it longer.
"Good business sense Sophia. I wouldn't ask you do anything crazy on trust, without at least some security. Take a look."

Tom knew that Beth had put another envelope in the folder, along with a hotel key and a few business cards. He expected the letter would explain the client and the contract, but more importantly it would also contain another cheque for at least a thousand.

"I built quite a simple portfolio from our shoot and showed it to a few clients at the beginning of the week. Two jobs we won out of three."
He sounded incredibly pleased with himself and shot a look sideways at her.

"We'll start as soon as you're ready. I've got a suite and a few rooms booked in the London hotel we'll use."

 

[BlackTeen]

Sophia read it all through, her eyes widening and her jaw dropping more and more at each page...
more money on a week than she'd have in two months as a waitress
someone hired by the company at her place to take care of her little brothers and help her mum
trips in London and in a seemingly exotic and sunny location she never had heard about
photo sessions and some appearances in magazines she never heard about either
all her expenses taken into account by the company.

She turned to Tom with a broad and genuine smile, trying to find the words... and jumped to hold him in her arms, hugging him tight and close.

- Thank you Tom, this is incredible, this is... waow... i can't even find the words.

 

[greatstuffing]

Tom held her close and relaxed into the seat, smelling her hair as he gazed.mistily over the top of her head.
After a moment he brushed away her fringe and kissed her on the forehead.

"Enjoy it while you can kiddo, this is going to be hard work. I hope you're ready for this. Faye is going to fuss your hair and skin until you don't think they belong to you, you'll have constant measuring and tailoring, not to mention me complaining about the weather and every cloud. You can do it, if you're ready for it."



Ooc: scene break? Cut to the hotel suite shoot?

 

[BlackTeen]

The explanations to her family had taken hours, but they all seemed rather proud of what was happening to Sophia. She finally felt OK with leaving them, leaving her town, and enter a new world. Tom was always there, gentle, caring and supporting. It took some days, but everything was finally OK, visa, passport, papers, contract, everything.




The London's hotel room was large, well furnished, and with a stunning view. They had justa rrived the day before, and Tom had the room next door. Sophia heard her cell ring. She had to put an alarm rather early, at a time which the jetlag made really bad, but it was the job. Tom had explained that they a lot of things to do today. She took her shower and welcomed the room service for the breakfast.

 

[greatstuffing]

Dressed and clean-shaven, Tom followed in behind the breakfast tray and surveyed the room.
It was early but he wore a full tuxedo and black bow tie, he looked fresh, his hair held in place with gel and he could have been ready for dinner.

"Come on then, chop-chop." he gave her a wry smile. "Faye has been working for an hour already, she's got three outfits for you, and I've never seen her so excited."
Despite the banker he was all business, letting Sophia know they were at a working pace now.
"We'll do some setting shots around the hotel first, then we've got the suite upstairs for the main shots. Get some close ups on the jewellery."

He stood aside to let the waiter leave, then went to the door himself before turning back.
"Hey, you smell good."
He gave a wink, injecting a bit of ease to make sure he wasn't winding her up with urgency.
"Faye is the down the hall, Room 1031. Enjoy breakfast..."

 

[BlackTeen]

Sophia felt embarassed as she was still in bathrobe. She smiled at Tom.

- Well, i'm late yes it seems. I'll do better next days. You know I never had the occasion to jet lag, never travelled that far.

She was feeling so excited about it all. Clothes, outfits, jewelry, hotel suites, everything to make her feel a princess again.

"Hey, you smell good."

- thanks Tom...

She blushed a bit.
He gave her the room number and left. And Sophia finished her breakfast quickly.
She dressed in a skirt and top, not really paynig attention to those clothes as she was going to change very soon. Become someone else again. Just before leaving, she called her mum, but no one answered and Sohpia left a message.


Faye welcomed her with some "late, urgence" muttering. Sophia apologized at her best and sat down, letting the woman work on her hair and make up, letting her do her wonders. She was the real magician in appearance, turning her from the working Cindarella to the princess Cindarella.

 

[greatstuffing]

"All we have for you is black dresses today, all evening wear," Faye indicated the garments hanging in their wraps.
"One cocktail dress, a ballroom gown and another we probably won't use. The jewellery is all white gold, very nice but a bit sheer, we'll get some colour in your make-uo instead to bring out your lovely hair."

Faye brushed away and stuck pins in as she did.
"Oh speaking of sheer, the outfits are all a bit clingy so no underwear today."

The room was much like Sophia's own, rich carpet and thick drapes, all the furnishings had soft but heavy textures in burgundy and cream.

 

[BlackTeen]

Sophia gasped at the gowns and jewelry. never in her life had she thought that she could wear one of those once. She had seen things like that on TV or n movies, but never even approached one. Her hand ran slightly on the fabric, it was soft, so soft.

She let herself be prepared, listening to Faye's advice. No underwear, weel she could handle that. She had done it once or twice, that would not be a problem of course.

- Why won't we be using the third one, Faye?

 

[greatstuffing]

"Oh it's a sheath dress, very alluring! Long and strapless too, but probably too much for our client, today anyway."

She smiled cheekily and then added in a mischievous manner, "Though I am sure Mr. Paris would very much like to see you in it."
Faye put her hand over her mouth and blushed, then hurriedly continued with adding makeup.

 

[BlackTeen]

Sophia giggled softly at faye's last comment and winked at her, then kept calm again to let the woman take care of her. It felt so nice to be attended to that way. After the hairdressing and make-up, SOphia followed Faye to the dresses and jewelry and let the woman choose what she would have to wear first, ready to slide in the costume of the princess again. her heart was beating faster...

 

[greatstuffing]

"Alright then Holly Golightly, let's get you in your cocktail dress and see how you make an.entrance."

Sure enough, the little black dress was a great fit and Sophia chose from two pairs or shoes. A light rain coat and a clutch bag were added for props then Faye sent her off to the hotel foyer. She picked up the phone to tell reception that Sophia was coming down.

The foyer was keep clean and clear, with plenty of carpet space between the two large wooden counters. As Sophia stepped from the elevator she saw Tom on a staircase arranging a large silver light-reflecting disk. Three cameras were mounted around the stairs and entrance. A black taxi can waited out of the doors at the front.

Tom in his tuxedo turned and saw her, he had a screwdriver in his mouth and it fell out as his mouth fell open, to land lightly on the carpet, while Tom stared. He shook himself and gave her a nod of approval.
He bent to pick up the tool and rushed over.

"Exquisite." he said simply, raising his eyebrows. "So, sit in the taxi, look out the window. Carry the rain coat, don't wear it, maybe sling it over a shoulder. Take your time. Relaxed, confident, powerful. As though you expect mildly pleasant things inside. Imagine every step in detail, like a freeze frame, but let them flow together. Just breeze over to me and look at the lens as those it's all you ever wanted... Ok?"

 

[BlackTeen]

Sophia felt completely tramsformed... With the perfect black cocktail dress and the jewelry and the heels she was made a woman again, a princess. The heels were thin and high, thinner and higher than what she was used to, and her first steps towards the elevator were a bit awkward. but when stepped out at the lobby, ti was better. She smiled at Tom and listened to his instructions.

She seated in the cab, and began trying different thigns, looking sideways, then turning her face, a bit, and then completely, looking with curiosity, with a little smile, a grin, bitting her lower lip, sometimes leaning back against the seat, sometimes leaning forward towards the window, laughing, pouting, a hand on the window, opening the door, letting her leg out and her heel on the floor, leaning as if to get out. She did her best, trying to look gorgeous and pretty, traxing to be seductive, traying to be a real woman. And she loved the feeling of it all.

 

[greatstuffing]

Sophia saw Tom say something and a man hurried out into the light rain to open the taxi door. He wore an antique red frock coat, braided in gold and with a top hat on. He held the door open for her, an umbrella over her against the drizzle.

Tom held the camera against the open door and steadily backed away towards the back of the foyer and up the stairs.

When he got there he paused and put the camera down. With a genuine beam of a smile he was clearly so pleased with her and he beckoned her forward onto the first step.

With his arms wide for a hug, Sophia could see he held a little plastic remote. He turned her so she could look over his shoulder and see the camera he had set in the hallway, and he held her with one arm under her shoulder as he clicked the remote and the camera flashed.

"You are truly beautiful." he whispered close to her ear. "Make the camera jealous." She could feel his breath on he neck.

Tom had impressive core strength, she was safe with him holding her and in no danger from the stairs or her heels.

 

[BlackTeen]

Sophia was feeling like in a dream. She focused on doing her best to behave the right way. She focused on her moves, on her way to slide out of the car, to walk, to smile, to tease, the swaying of her hips, the direction of her gaze, her attitude, the way she welcomed Tom (a good support for her). She tried to act as sensual as she could because the dress and the global setting pushed her in the role of the "femme fatale" from noir movies. Yes, that wa sit, she was a movie character, the kind of very seductive and attractive women you found there, and she acted the same way.
And she realized how much she liked being so close to Tom...

 

[greatstuffing]

The camera reeled off a series of whirs and Tom watched the pictures arrive on a monitor. He held her tighter with that one arm, pressing their shoulders and hips together. Sophia could feel his breath coming faster.

"You can be irresistible when you want too. I think I'm the first person to see that, now I'm not sure I want to share you with the world." he murmured as he worked.
"I want to unlock the rest of you. That part of you that loses control when you are turned on. That sexual animal I saw in the studio."

With his hand high on her back he stroked the top of Sophia's back and nape of her neck softly with one finger. Then his head moved from looking over her should and impulsively he brushed his dry lips against her bare skin where her neck met her shoulder.

 

[BlackTeen]

Sophia heard the words and froze....

She stopped, slowly turning her face towards Tom... She knew she was breakingdown something but that was too much.

- Turned on? Sexual animal? What are you saying Tom? I don't get it. You really think that... at the studio I... Well... no, not me. I?m not that kind of girl Tom.

She took a step from him as he leaned towards her.

- What are you taking me for? You think I'm sort kind of whore?

 

[greatstuffing]

Tom looked quizzical until her last word when he struggled not to look shocked.
"I will never demand anything from you except to make you the best you can be in print. " he stated firmly.
"Whether you know it or not, what makes you good at this is your passion. Your outward attitudes are a reflection of your inner self, and what you made happen at the studio was a powerful reflection of your sexuality."

He eased his tone feeling that she deserved the explanation.
"I am not here to take advantage of you, I want an equal partner. On of the reasons I like you is your assertiveness, and it gives you a purity that the camera sees. You put me in my place, you tell me what you feel works for you. I need your input. Maybe sometimes I will be the weaker person... I think you can deal with that."
He stood two steps belong her with his hands down, trying not to look dejected.

 

[BlackTeen]

Sophia felt sorry for him... She took the two steps to join him and took his hands in hers.

- I'm Sorry Tom, it's just... you don't know what a waitress' life is. You don't know what you can hear in such neighborhoods as mine when you're a girl. So as soon as I here some words, I maybe overreact a bit. It's just a defense system you know. I... I just don't want to be taken for someone I'm not. Speaking of sexuality always has a ... very crude and ... rude sense for me, given my history.

She took a gentle smile.

- May we go on?

 

[greatstuffing]

His lips quirked up with the knowledge that he hadn't driven her away and he took her hands softly.
He hesitated to tell her that he was surrounded by people who spoke of sex and.money as though it were common, and to him that made it all worthless. He knew that there were seedier parts of his industry that would make waitressing seem like church too, but again he hesitated which was so unlike him.

Instead he simply answered, "It would be a crime not too."

 

[BlackTeen]

Sophia closed her eyes a second, bretahing deeply, trying to find back her character fo femme fatale and when she opened her eyes she was in it again. VOluptuous pose, attitude with the robe, the gaze and the way she pouted with her red lips, all of it was there. Attractive, sensual yes... Some thoguhts began crossing her mind. Sensaul and attractive, but sexual? Oh please no, not this...
Although...
it was good to feel wanted, to know that someone felt desire for you, was craving for you.
It gave her a feeling of power.
And she gave more soul to her role, taking more alluring poses, letting her leg appear more in the cut of the dress, her pale skin clearly constratsing on the black thin fabric.

 

[greatstuffing]

The hours passed rapidly. At some point Sophia found herself with a stylish glass perfume bottle in her hand for some close-up shots but it continued to be a blur.
Only after a circuit of the hotel ballroom and balcony did she realise the sun had passed midday.

Someone gave her a glass of water while Tom measured the light. He turned to declare, "We'll do a few down the steps and in the garden quickly, for some fresh air really and then we'll get lunch."

He led her down the worn stone steps to a small courtyard garden. Lowering the camera he held on to his concentration despite the flashing legs in the short dress that he was deciding were one of her best features.
Tom gestured to the garden, letting Sophia walk past close by him and let her explore the damp bench set under an arch in a circle of wet flowers.

 

[BlackTeen]

Sophia was feeling thrity and welcomed the glass with pleasure. She also began feeling hungry and the prospect of having lunch soon seemed something so good.
She walked up the stairs, knwoing some pics were taken from under her and that she was pantiless. She focused, trying not to blush, not to show her embarassment, telling herself that her dress was tight and dark and that it should allow no one to see until up there.
She followed the isntructions and found herself in the fresh air of the garden.
It was feeling good.
She seated on a bench, legs crossed, having thus the dress run upwards along her thighs. She tried to take the kind of poses she had seen on magazines, something still seductive.
She walked along the grass and she acted as if she had let something fall then graciously bent forward, her back to the camera, in order to pick it up.
She took her best smile, her hair flashing like fire in the sunlight. She was turning around a bit, getting more and more confident with the heels.

 

[greatstuffing]

Tom admired the curves as Sohia bent over and sauntered along the path.
"The light is hugging you even tighter than that dress" he smiled,
"But we're nearly done down here. We'll grab some lunch then you can go and change with Faye while I set up the suite upstairs."

He checked some shots in the display, then wondered, "How are you feeling now? You seem more relaxed. Are you finding it easier to slip into character? I know some people like to talk while they work, some put on accents or try out other voices. If you want to get more in the mood it's something you could try for inspiration.
I would like to hear what you're thinking too!"
He grinned and sat down on the bench, looking at her for a sincere answer.

 

[BlackTeen]

Sophia was exhausted. She had walked like so many kilometers that day. She loved seating on the bench.

- Well i could try of course. I'll do my bets. if you say it's better, I'll try talking. You want me to lunch befor echaning. I thing I'd better get my clothes back before eating. I would be so sorry to make a single stain on that dress.