The Beautiful and the Damned: A Lost Generation AU

lisztomania
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Ôzaaaarme sitwayiiiiin !

Posts: 41

Characters I Roleplay: Russia, Austria, France, Japan, Germany are the ones I feel the most confident playing, but I like trying out new characters and challenge myself. Currently trying to get myself to play Prussia, England, Vietnam and Hungary.

The Beautiful and the Damned: A Lost Generation AU Aug 26, 2014 19:41:58 GMT -6

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Post by lisztomania on Aug 26, 2014 19:41:58 GMT -6

Gilbert's letter is found on his music stand, opened, with a note written in blue ink. Along with it is a few music sheets for the trumpet they are to play the next day.

***

I found this on my morning stroll around Tiergarten, not too far from Potsdamerplatz. I believe it is yours. What serendipity that I am the one to give it back to you, I must say. Please give your brother my regards, along with that charming description of "this piano player who has a stick so far up his rear, it's sprouting out of the top of his head in the form of hair".

- Roderich Edelstein

PS: Could you please try to follow whatever is on the music sheets once? You completely butchered last night's piece, had it any value to begin with.

From: Berlin, Germany
To: Vienna, Austria
June 11th 1925

Dear Herr Schönberg,

I'm afraid it has been a long time since we last spoke to each other, all of this being most of my own doing. I know that we did not agree on many things when we last met in Vienna, but I respect your work as a musician and as a creator, even though I do not always appreciate it. You've given me insightful advice about my own compositions that I foolishly decided to ignore. I now fully understand the errors of my way, even though life has put me in another direction than the one of music.

You see, I've been working as a pianist and encountered a rather peculiar character. One of those jazz players, with strictly no formation upon musical theory and history, but there is something about his sound that is amazing, and I can't pinpoint what it is exactly. The fact that he is talented doesn't keep him from being infuriating, but we're still working together. I feel like I can learn from this, even though it's been mostly a pain so far.

I know you dislike my compositions, as they're drawing upon sources radically different than yours. I disliked some of yours too, but it was to be expected, given our differences. However, I've recently heard your newest pieces, and they're interesting, and novel. I've been trying myself to work on new compositions, trying new things, and I thought that you could help me. I've always had a bit of trouble with the brass section, and I would like your honest opinion. I've attached my work to this letter, which I hope you will take the time to look at.

Please receive the assurance of my highest considerations,

Roderich Edelstein

Mary Weather
Micronation

I don't really know what I'm doing XD

Posts: 26

Characters I Roleplay: Canada, America, France, Prussia, Fem!Prussia, South Korea, China, Monaco, Macau, among various others! I'm very open XD

The Beautiful and the Damned: A Lost Generation AU Aug 29, 2014 9:59:35 GMT -6

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Post by Mary Weather on Aug 29, 2014 9:59:35 GMT -6

June 2, 1925

Tonight was wonderful. I just got home and yes, it's a bit late. Nearly two AM. It's not the latest I've walked through the door, though, and besides how can I possibly beat tonight? I enjoyed every little moment with my Frenchman. He was such a treat. We talked about ourselves and I asked him about that woman he used to live with. I could see how he tensed up at the thought of her. Perhaps he was madly in love with her. Maybe he still is. Nevertheless he quickly told me about her and then we moved on to something else. From the way he spoke it seemed like this woman was his everything. It's difficult for me to tell if he's trying to move on or not... The French are so dramatic. I think he's in love with the idea of being a hopeless romantic who lost the one girl who could make all his dreams come true. I didn't press him anymore about her since well... I'm not too interested in her. If anything I want to try to make Francis forget about her and move on from her. For good.

Aside from the mystery woman, we talked about everything else under the sun. I mentioned that I would like to paint with him sometime and he said "How about I paint you?" I laughed. At first I didn't believe him, but he was completely serious. He really wants to paint me. It's flattering and well... I think I would really like that. I've seen a few of works when I had to clean his room, and he's very talented. I hope we can spend time just... Painting with one another. It made me happy to see that he was so passionate about something. It's one reason I feel so inadequate to him and Arthur. They have something they're striving for and I just... Kind of float through life. On the one hand it's a fantastic way to live, and on the other hand... It's rather embarrassing. I felt like that when Francis asked me what I did in my free time. When I'm not being a maid I... I don't do much. I'll read and walk around Paris and hang out with locals, but that's about it. Francis, to me, is so amazing. He got a proper education, but even with that he's still pursuing his dream of being a famous painter. What can be more admirable than that? I hope I don't look like some hopeless loser to him.

Well, I'm not one to mope about those sort of things. I had a wonderful time with Francis and I can't wait to see him again! I have a plan, though. It's as cliche as it gets, but cliches stick around for a reason, right? I know that Arthur thinks I can do better, and I know that Francis wants nothing to do with Arthur, but they're just gonna have to get over that. I'm not giving up either one of them. They would never meet with me if they knew the other was coming, but who said they have to know? I'll invite Arthur out to our cafe and I'll invite Francis too... They just won't the other will be there. See? Cliche! But oh so brilliant. First I'll get some sleep, then I'll put this sexy little plan into action.

A note left for Arthur on his pillow by Jules on June 2nd

Hello, Artie! I feel like I haven't seen you in three years. Come out of that hole and spend some time with me. I need to tell you about my date with Francis anyway. Don't get excited thinking I had a miserable time. He's amazing and all I'm going to do is tell you how much fun I had and how much I liked him. But you have to sit and listen to it, okay? Do you want to meet me at our cafe tomorrow? Say 3 o' clock? You can tell me if you happen to have anything interesting going on in that thing you call a life. Get back to me, okay? Thanks, babe.
-Jules

A note left for Francis on his pillow by Jules on June 2nd

Hi, Francis. I had a great time last night. It was wonderful learning more about you and your life. You're a very interesting man. I don't think I've ever met someone quite like you. I can't wait to start painting with you and you just let me know when you're ready to paint me, okay? No one's ever asked me such a thing, and I'm really flattered. I know we only just hung out, but I was wondering if you wanted to grab a cup of coffee together? I hate to ask you to go to work when you don't have to, but would you like to meet me at the cafe at 3 o' clock? We can sit and chat and just relax with one another. I'll see you, Francis.
-Jules

Faust
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Posts: 25

Characters I Roleplay: Prussia, Denmark, America, England, Scotland, would like to try Netherlands

The Beautiful and the Damned: A Lost Generation AU Sept 2, 2014 21:05:53 GMT -6

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Post by Faust on Sept 2, 2014 21:05:53 GMT -6

Left on top of a pile of music in a fancy envelope

Danke, Piano Man.

I shall let mein bruderlein know of your regards as well as how much of a prude you are when it comes to music. I shall follow the music sheets when they start making sense and stop feeling like someone is trying to apply scientific theory to something that should be fun. Perhaps you should stop spending so much time with your nose in those sheets and more time making good use of those fingers. Take that as you will. I recommend talking to the girls backstage for a little bit of advice on how to do that. I find them to be very informative.

-Gilbert Beilschmidt
P.S. you will find your scientific theory sheets that you call music in the disposal basket beside the dressing rooms

Gilbert's Journal

June 18th, 1925

  Awesome journal,

    Apparently the piano player has found my letters meant to go to bruder. He tried to get me to learn some sheet music. I don't want to look at this crap from Johann. It's like he's shoving rules on art, which is never fair to anyone. We're working at a cabaret, not the Ritz. Even the Ritz might be so lucky as to have a bit of fun in their lives without just hearing the same classics over and over again. I digress. I suppose I shall learn at least one song so as not to make him too mad.

As much as I tease, he is a rather good piano player. I do wish I'd get to see him open up a bit more rather than to continue to recite old music as though this was some ballroom. I can't say I'll stop teasing him entirely. I like watching him get all ruffled up whenever I make remarks about his playing or his obnoxiously perfect hair. I can't let him know too much, though. I'll be flogged if my intentions with him were made perfectly clear. If I were completely honest, I'd fear for people finding this journal.

I suppose I should stop pouring my heart into these pages, as it's not very becoming of someone as awesome as me to start suddenly becoming girlish in keeping a journal and fawning over those I take an interest in. I must continue to write about my achievements in trumpet playing!

I did learn a song by Strauss recently and can't wait for it to be unveiled at the club for the girls to do their Charleston to. It shall be fun to see the look on Piano Man's face when he sees how amazing I can be at actual musical pieces as well as my genius improvisation skills. (Great, I've done it again.)

That's all the news for now. I need to find a PO to get my letter mailed to bruderlein. Furthermore I need to find his current address in my book!

      Until next time! -Gilbert

Last Edit: Sept 2, 2014 21:06:25 GMT -6 by Faust

fancypants
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Posts: 34

Characters I Roleplay: France, England, Prussia, Canada, sometimes genderbends of those too.

The Beautiful and the Damned: A Lost Generation AU Sept 3, 2014 14:51:40 GMT -6

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Post by fancypants on Sept 3, 2014 14:51:40 GMT -6

Paris, June 2nd 1925

Everything was so beautiful tonight. My not-so-mysterious-anymore maid, goes by the name Julchen Beilschmidt, a very German name. She told me I could call her Jules, which I did. She wore a green dress and did she look marvellous in it! Like it was made especially for her. I never expected green would suit her that well.

I will stop rambling about how gorgeous she was tonight. I really enjoyed her company. We talked about whatever came to our minds. She told me she had come all the way from Berlin. It honestly didn’t sound like a nice city, you can’t blame her for moving out without a concrete plan set out.

She likes to wander the streets of Paris. Maybe I should offer her a real tour around the city? But that is something I can safe for later. I don’t want to go ahead of myself.

Now she also knows about Grâce, I didn’t share too much only what she really wanted to know. I don’t really like talking about her in the past tense and also not about my previous lovers on a first date. But aside the mentioning of her, everything went wonderful.

I told her I wanted to become a famous painted. Of course she had already seen some of my work. I told her I would love to paint her. She seemed a bit wary of the idea but in the end agreed to paint each other sometime. I cannot wait for it.

It’s nearly three am now, and I can’t fall asleep. Even though we didn’t do anything in preticular and just talked about a whole lot of things, I still had a great night. I very much want to see her again.

Yours,

Your hopeless Frenchman

A note left by Julchen’s door

Hey Jules,

I enjoyed last night as well. It’s great to finally know your name and a little more about you. I can’t say I’ve ever met someone like you either. I’m honestly happy to have met you and I’m so glad you don’t think it’s weird that I want to paint you. I know I visit the café already a lot, but I wouldn’t mind having coffee with you at all. I will see you at 3.

- Francis -

Last Edit: Sept 3, 2014 14:52:41 GMT -6 by fancypants

lisztomania
Micronation

Ôzaaaarme sitwayiiiiin !

Posts: 41

Characters I Roleplay: Russia, Austria, France, Japan, Germany are the ones I feel the most confident playing, but I like trying out new characters and challenge myself. Currently trying to get myself to play Prussia, England, Vietnam and Hungary.

The Beautiful and the Damned: A Lost Generation AU Sept 3, 2014 18:04:49 GMT -6

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Post by lisztomania on Sept 3, 2014 18:04:49 GMT -6

A note in an enveloppe, left for Julchen to the landlady with the rent for the month on June 2nd

***

It is not a "hole" but a room, Jules, and it is exactly the kind of solitude, a room of one's own, that I need to concentrate on my work. However, I will leave it to see you tonight. It does indeed feel like it's been decade since we've last had an evening out, you and me; I'm afraid it is because you've been spending too much time with that smelly Frenchman. You do know that he is going to break your heart, one day or another, as they all do? I would be more careful if I was you, but once again, who am I to tell you what to do with your life, I wonder. Either way, I'll be seeing you at the café today and, yes, I'll wear something halfway decent this time.

-AK

The following manuscript has been left unfinished in the evening, still on Arthur Kirkland's desk, after his departure for the Café des Arts.

***

"And here are the contemporary novelists."

Then Anthony saw the joker. Wedged in between Mark Twain and Dreiser were eight strange and inappropriate volumes, the works of Richard Caramel—"The Demon Lover," true enough … but also seven others that were execrably awful, without sincerity or grace.

Unwillingly Anthony glanced at Dick's face and caught a slight uncertainty there.

"I've put my own books in, of course," said Richard Caramel hastily, "though one or two of them are uneven—I'm afraid I wrote a little too fast when I had that magazine contract. But I don't believe in false modesty. Of course some of the critics haven't paid so much attention to me since I've been established—but, after all, it's not the critics that count. They're just sheep."

For the first time in so long that he could scarcely remember, Anthony felt a touch of the old pleasant contempt for his friend. Richard Caramel continued:

"My publishers, you know, have been advertising me as the Thackeray of America—because of my New York novel."

"Yes," Anthony managed to muster, "I suppose there's a good deal in what you say."

He knew that his contempt was unreasonable. He, knew that he would have changed places with Dick unhesitatingly. He himself had tried his best to write with his tongue in his cheek. Ah, well, then—can a man disparage his life-work so readily? …

—And that night while Richard Caramel was hard at toil, with great hittings of the wrong keys and screwings up of his weary, unmatched eyes, laboring over his trash far into those cheerless hours when the fire dies down, and the head is swimming from the effect of prolonged concentration—Anthony, abominably drunk, was sprawled across the back seat of a taxi on his way to the flat on Claremont Avenue.

In the diary of a rather unscrupulous priest of Berlin is recorded the confessions of various parish goers over the long years of his services for the Church. The following excerpt is neatly dated from June 19th 1925.

***

UNKNOWN MAN
"Forgive me Father for I have sinned. It is a month since my last confession. These are my sins. I have entered the company of wicked scoundrels and godless jazz musicians. They drink and the mock and they have no respect whatsoever for the greater values of Truth and Beauty. However, I am guilty of not seeking better acquaintances
, or making any move whatsoever to distance myself from them and their... unsightly ways. In fact, I find myself enjoying them far more than I should, which is wrong. I play music in a cabaret, you see, and I was surprised to learn yesterday that they changed the musical program for, well, something that has a very special emotional value for me. It made me happy, and I shouldn't be happy to play for these lost souls, even if they're letting me play Johann Strauss' Blue Danube instead of those dreadful American composers for once. The trumpet was beautiful, and it shouldn't have... Affected me this way."

PRIEST
"I don't see a sin in having acquaintances of dubious nature, as long as your own behaviour is dictated by God and his Holy Church, not by them, my son. Our Lord Jesus Christ himself preferred the company of the least reputable members of the society of his time, for they needed his help and Christian guidance more than anyone. Perhaps you could see this as an opportunity to reform them, and guide them towards our Church."

UNKNOWN MAN
"Somehow, I doubt the Lord Jesus Christ had to deal with his disciples flirting with him..."

[Coughing]

PRIEST
"A woman tempted you?"

[Pause]

UNKNOWN MAN
"... It's a bit more complicated than that, I fear."

PRIEST
"You can speak, my son."

UNKNOWN MAN [showing signs of impatience]
"Would it not be preferable to simply give me a few Pater Noster and be done with this?"

PRIEST
"There is no shame to be had here. We're in confession. You have to be upfront with God, and with his humble servant."

UNKNOWN MAN
"I am being upfront. Please give me absolution, Father."

[Silence]

UNKNOWN MAN
"... Well. Fine. I was tempted. In an odd, very uncharacteristic way, both because of a strange taste springing from pure artistic interest and an inexplicable antagonistic complementarity of character. I might have made a mistake letting myself go a little bit, but I know better than to let myself be dragged further down this... Curious and potentially harmful infatuation of mine. I'll be sure to make amends to God."

PRIEST
"Good. Recite five Ave Maria every day for the next week and reflect upon your past actions as you do. Ego te absolvo in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen."

UNKNOWN MAN
"Thank you Father."

_{NOTE: The unknown man seems somewhat young, well educated, with a typical Viennese accent even though he did seem very skilful at hiding it most of the time. I don't remember ever seeing him at mass before. Most probably some kind of foreigner who had neglected, for a little while, his catholic duties. Let's hope he won't stray from the right path once more.}

Faust
Layouts Assistant

Posts: 25

Characters I Roleplay: Prussia, Denmark, America, England, Scotland, would like to try Netherlands

The Beautiful and the Damned: A Lost Generation AU Sept 14, 2014 18:16:16 GMT -6

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Post by Faust on Sept 14, 2014 18:16:16 GMT -6

Gilbert Beilschmidt's Journal

June 20, 1925

    Dear Awesome Me Memoirs,

        So I'm afraid I may have scared poor Piano Man. He bolted off from the club so fast and didn't even stop me backstage to scold me on playing a completely different song from him during the last number. That usually ruffles him up pretty well. Maybe I should stop trying to make it a point to dance like the girls while I play? The audience always thinks it's funny, especially when they're so drunk they can't tell me from a jazz dancer. This one doesn't seem to find it so amusing though. His face was so red, I feared for a second he might have a medical emergency.

    Perhaps he likes men in the same fashion I do and has it stuck in the back of his mind that that's wrong. I mean, not that anyone around here does anything about the hatred that people like me get. Ah well. I just like to let the good times roll. What they don't know won't hurt them or me. Really, working at a cabaret, he really should learn to lighten up and live a little. I never see him take alcohol or anything before he comes in. It would do him some good to loosen up, but God knows he won't talk to me about it. Maybe I should just invite him out for drinks this weekend at work?

    In other news, Fritz is getting fat, but I can tell that he's happy. My new neighbor came over and shared some of her cake with me as a late welcome. I'm glad for the welcome, even if it is a bit late.
I can't seem to find Ludwig's address and I worry that he may have fallen off the planet. It may have fallen from my case on the way to Berlin and I now worry that he's alright. I have to keep telling myself he's a big boy and can take care of himself, but I still worry for him. He has my new address and will surely come find me when he realizes I've lost his!
    Well, I better sleep now. I have a busy weekend coming up.

-Gilbert

lisztomania
Micronation

Ôzaaaarme sitwayiiiiin !

Posts: 41

Characters I Roleplay: Russia, Austria, France, Japan, Germany are the ones I feel the most confident playing, but I like trying out new characters and challenge myself. Currently trying to get myself to play Prussia, England, Vietnam and Hungary.

The Beautiful and the Damned: A Lost Generation AU Dec 10, 2014 18:01:19 GMT -6

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Post by lisztomania on Dec 10, 2014 18:01:19 GMT -6

***

From: Berlin, Germany

To: Paris, France

June 21st 1925

Dearest Arthur,

No news from you? Are you very cross at me? Oh, but of course you are, you puritanical islander, as always. I dare hope that you've somehow gotten your mind back in working order, and done as I told you to. You definitely need a taste of one of those continental adventures. We live in a fast-paced world, now, my dear, and you will need to get used to that very fact, one day or another, won't you? Still, there is something quite charming about your very victorian self-repression, I must admit. Write, write, my dear, I'm simply dying to read your newest work.

Talking about continental affairs, as I like to call them, I've switched playmates, because I really am a tireless child at heart, new pretty thing to toy with, dark as sin and big as a horse. A delicacy, I must say, and he paints, too! I hope you enjoy his work; he's very peculiar about it, very meticulous, and a delight. I went back to that cabaret I told you about, too, because I really am starting to enjoy watching those two fighting with music notes. I did assist to another of the most entertaining scenes there.

Remember the uptight, boorish piano player, I told you about? Well it seemed that the man, even with the antiquated looks, decided to try the rather charming art of longing, mildly angry looks sending, with an untouched glass of beer simply standing on the piano. Obviously something going on, something that I shall observe very attentively if, of course, my darling gives me enough free time for that. Oh, I really do hope that these things will lead somewhere, as I am a bit of a voyeur, when it comes to hopeless liaisons.

Please tell me more about your Jules, and the books you shall sell, one day, by the million. I know you can't stay angry at me very long, dearest Arthur. Please write to me.

-Henry Blanche

A handwritten note is slipped under Julchen's door, as Arthur leaves for the telegraph station with a stack of papers under his arm.

***

Fantastic evening, but only because of you, once again. I fear nothing can alter the course of history and unite Frenchmen and Englishmen under the same banner, not even Herr General Beilschmidt in a flapper dress. Maybe your newest find isn't as dreadful as he looks, although I'm sure that there's something positively rotten under all that charm. I've got a few things to attend to in London, so I'll be leaving next week, only for a short stay, there. I haven't yet exhausted Paris, I feel. Let's see each other one last time before I leave.
-AK

... And another one, angrily scribbled over an old composition sheet that might or might not have been found in Gilbert's dressing room.

Stop it. Whatever it is that you're trying to accomplish. Stop it. Please.

Mary Weather
Micronation

I don't really know what I'm doing XD

Posts: 26

Characters I Roleplay: Canada, America, France, Prussia, Fem!Prussia, South Korea, China, Monaco, Macau, among various others! I'm very open XD

The Beautiful and the Damned: A Lost Generation AU Apr 27, 2015 22:02:00 GMT -6

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Post by Mary Weather on Apr 27, 2015 22:02:00 GMT -6

June 3rd

Oh Arthur, my dearest Arthur. He doesn't think Francis is at all good for me. He thinks I can do so much better, but that's only because Francis is French. I'm sure if Francis were an Englishman Arthur would have nothing bad to say about him. It's funny... I'm surprised Arthur decided to go to France. But then again I'm not. It seems like France is the place to be if you want to make it big. Like New York in America. Maybe it's why I felt compelled to come here. Maybe I thought I would find a direction if I surrounded myself with people who had dreams and goals. And yet I've found nothing.

Well that's not true. I have Arthur, my new best friend, and Francis. So perhaps I'm already doing better. I wonder if my brother would be proud of me. I'm not proud of myself... Not yet anyway. Ugh, I'm so immature. I wrote a letter to Arthur and the more I think about it, the more I feel like I sounded like a little bratty needy sister. One day I'll be strong. One day I'll have dreams and goals and make a career out of those. One day....

A handwritten note is slipped under Arthur's door-

Hey, Arthur. I don't want you to go! Don't leave me here! Sure, I have Francis to spend my time with, but you're my best friend and I'm not able to talk to him about things like I can with you. Hurry back, okay? Or you could even take me with you. I can take some time off and hang out with you in London. I've never been there before.

Well I know you won't take me and that's fine. I know you're busy and have stuff to do. So let's definitely meet and I'll see you off.

-All the loves, Jules~

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The Beautiful and the Damned: A Lost Generation AU

Post by lisztomania on Aug 26, 2014 19:41:58 GMT -6

Post by Mary Weather on Aug 29, 2014 9:59:35 GMT -6

Post by Faust on Sept 2, 2014 21:05:53 GMT -6

Post by fancypants on Sept 3, 2014 14:51:40 GMT -6

Post by lisztomania on Sept 3, 2014 18:04:49 GMT -6

Post by Faust on Sept 14, 2014 18:16:16 GMT -6

Post by lisztomania on Dec 10, 2014 18:01:19 GMT -6

Post by Mary Weather on Apr 27, 2015 22:02:00 GMT -6