tempting_the_fates | Nyx / House / Audition

He'd told his manager he wasn't sure the part was for him, that he didn't think he looked much like a doctor- And he didn't. He'd turned out to be a damned fine actor, good enough to leave music behind, but he still looked like a rock star with his long wild hair and those eternally tired eyes.

"Just go, see how it goes," his agent had urged. "This could be a breakout role for you in America."

So now he was here in some room with a dozen other actors he sort of recognized, slouched low in his seat as his eyes skimmed over them all. He was judging in silence, but definitely judging.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

drfeelbad

“What’s harder, a five-minute solo in front of 50,000 people or five lines in front of a camera?” House asked.

From:

tempting_the_fates

"Neither," Nyx said, and it wasn't a brag or a boast, it was said casually. Like it was strange to think either was hard. "That's the best part of either of those jobs."

From:

drfeelbad

"Well that's convenient," said House. "I get the impression you might be a bit of a challenge to direct though." He shrugged. "Not that that's my problem."

From:

tempting_the_fates

"I'm very good at taking direction, actually," Nyx said, again nearly purring as he spoke.

From:

drfeelbad

"Until you're not," House said. "Since you enjoy a scolding, too."

Maybe he should slow down on the margaritas.

From:

tempting_the_fates

Nyx laughed a little, pushing his hair out of his face again and shrugging.

"Well, you're not wrong," he admitted. "I'm an all-around work in progress."

From:

drfeelbad

House shrugged. "A sliver of sexy masochism doesn't make you broken."

From:

tempting_the_fates

"Yeah? I dunno about that," Nyx said, laughing again to avoid getting too serious about it. He didn't want to think on it, didn't want to think about why he was how he was.

From:

drfeelbad

House shrugged. "I'm not judging. Even if I've never understood that sort of thing. I spend too much of my life in pain, the last thing I want is more of it during sex."

From:

tempting_the_fates

"Sometimes you need the pain you want to numb the pain you don't," Nyx replied, finishing another drink, but declining the refill this time. He could feel how tipsy he was, and wasn't looking to get trashed. Not tonight.

From:

drfeelbad

Interesting, thought House. "Maybe so," he said. "Or a rush. To overwhelm the pain." Pause. "That's what Jett would say."

From:

tempting_the_fates

"You talk like you've got a thing for your own character," Nyx teased. "He based on someone?"

From:

drfeelbad

"Yeah, me," House said with a snort, but then shook his head. "Well. Pieces of him anyway. And a lot of me in Grant, too."

Then he drained the rest of his own glass before adding, "Though I suspect that one of my former employees will claim that it's fan fiction. And if it's you... the accent doesn't help. Though he's Australian."

From:

tempting_the_fates

Nyx laughed again, then stretched a little, his shirt riding up just enough that he had to tug it back down. When the server stopped by the table, he asked for the check.

"Hey, I'm doing a show at this little theater on Sunday night. You should come- You know, if you're not busy doing Hollywood things," Nyx suggested. "They're doing a limited vinyl release of our last album and thought it might be good to actually promote it a little."

From:

drfeelbad

House’s eyes flicked to his skin and then away.

“Dinner and a show? This is going better than most of my dates.” Not that he’s been dating. At all.

He shrugged. “Sure. I’d like to see you perform.”

From:

tempting_the_fates

"I'll get you on the list then," Nyx said, looking amused. "I'll text you an address later. Most of the band isn't coming, but they've got some studio artists, and Andy, our guitarist, he'll be there with me."

From:

drfeelbad

"Great," said House.

Then he smirked a little and said, "This is going to be really awkward if we don't cast you."

From:

tempting_the_fates

"Nah," Nyx said. "It's just nice having someone to talk to. Most of the people I've met here so far... I dunno, bad vibes or something... Not you though, if I don't get the part, at least I met someone interesting."

From:

drfeelbad

"Oh," said House, and was about to quip something snarky, but instead just said, "Same, actually. I mean, most of the people here truly suck."

From:

tempting_the_fates

"No kidding," Nyx agreed, taking the check when it came and handing over his card. "I've met so many people, but- I don't know, it's like I can't connect with any of them."

The server came back, and he scribbled down a tip before handing it back over.

"You mind if we go outside? I'm desperate for a smoke."

From:

drfeelbad

"Sure, but I guess as a doctor I'm obligated to tell you that those will kill you or whatever," House said as he stood and picked up his cane from where he'd slid it under the table.

From:

tempting_the_fates

"Death's coming no matter what," Nyx shrugged, lighting up as soon as they were outside. "Besides, might as well die young and leave a pretty corpse."

From:

drfeelbad

"Damn missed my chance," House said. He winced a little then, and put a hand on the railing beside him, steadier than his cane, and fished the Vicodin bottle out of his pocket with his other hand.