Carrie Cupcake Cookies of Goodness.

[logansrogue]

Hey all!

Below are some backstory cookies of Carrie and the Magnetism!



Before I start, lemme remind you of what the characters look like:

Our lead character...
The other two thirds of their inseparable Trio...

Their fourth Musketeer and irreplacable helping hand and all-round great guy.

Andrea's Dad. *sigh*

I think that's all we'll need for today. Let's go!

~~*~~

Some time in the 80s...

[It is a beautiful spring day. The gardens are green and Andrea has been allowed out to play. Her Nanny is following close by, reading a magazine with Duran Duran on the cover. They settle under a tree near the rose garden. Andrea opens her basket and pulls out some dollies, playing with them happily. She is a bonny child, with large brown eyes, cupid's bow lips and round red cheeks. Dark brown hair tumbles from a pony tail. There is a child's shout and she looks up.

A boy is running past. He has a head full of brown-black curls, cheeky turned up brown eyes and naturally darker skin. He is chasing his soccer ball, which has escaped from his control and is now bouncing towards Andrea. The ball rolls to a stop against her knee, and the Nanny, glancing at Andrea, smiles at her. Andrea picks up the ball and gets to her feet as the boy stops in front of her. He has dirt on his knees.]

Alex: Sorry!

[Andrea smiles]

Andrea: It's okay. [she looks about the garden] Who are you? Why are you in my garden?

Alex: [frowns at her like she's strange] I live here.

Andrea: You live in the garden?

Alex: [chuckle] No, in the house over there. [points to the servant's quarters] My Daddy looks after the plants.

Andrea: Oh. [smile] I live in that house over there. [points to the mansion]

Alex: I know. [nods] I guess I shouldn't talk to you, huh?

Andrea: [tilts head] Why's that?

Alex: Well, you live in that big house. People from the big house don't really talk to people from outside of it unless they've got a big house too, or if not, then they're asking them to do something.

Andrea: [looks down at her things] Well... what if I ask you to play with me? Then you have to, cause I've asked you to.

Alex: [looks doubtfully at the dolls] Hmm. I dunno. I never played with dolls before. [takes the ball from Andrea] You could ask me to play soccer?

Andrea: [sighs] I dunno. I might get dirty. [she looks to her Nanny, who looks up and shrugs]

Nanny: I don't see the harm, as long as you don't play rough. Just kick the ball to each other nicely, okay?

Voice: ALEX!

Alex: Oh, that's my Dad!

[Fit man in his late twenties comes running around the corner. He sighs, approaching Alex and Andrea]

Jonas: Alex! I thought I told you to not bother the young lady of the house?

Andrea: He wasn't bothering me, Sir.

Jonas: Ah, no, little Miss. You call me Jonas, you hear?

Andrea: [nods] All right, Mr. Jonas. It was okay, I asked Alex to play.

Jonas: Well, perhaps if your father approved, but he's away right now and I wouldn't dare let anything happen that might upset him.

Nanny: I'm sure Mr. Leighton wouldn't mind...

Jonas: Maybe not, but there are better things for such a young lady to be doing than playing in the dirt with my boy. [gathers up Alex] Come on, you must clean your room anyway. You left your blocks out all over the floor. [guides him away]

Alex: [looks back at Andrea with a regretful pout]

Andrea: [curious look] Gloria?

Nanny: Yeah, Andie?

Andrea: When I grow up and have my own house, I'll talk to anyone. I won't care how big their houses are.

Nanny: [tender smile] You're a good girl.

~~*~~

[Alex is a gawky teenager of 14. He is rather ungainly, his nose and chin too big for his face, his hair cut a little too short, his shoulders pointed, his limbs too long and his feet and hands too big. He has soft puppy-dog brown eyes that are immediately endearing, however.]

[He is stopped in the driveway, tending to his bicycle which has a slipped chain. He has oil all over his hands. His bicycle is quite old and now a little dirty.]

[Andrea and a red-headed friend come zooming down the drive on roller-blades. They're wearing little shorts and cute tops. Andrea is cute as a button, even though her body is changing. Her friend is a little less elegant, but has a sort of cat-like regard in her features. They giggle and skid to a stop as they see Alex]

Andrea: Hey! Need help?

Alex: [looks up, feeling very stupid with a broken bike] Andrea! I mean, Ms. Leighton... Er... no. It's just... [thumbs at bike] Slipped chain, is all.

Andrea: [nods] Okay. [looks at the bike, lifts her brows and giggles a little]

Ci-ki: [looks at Andrea expectantly. She lacks a little bit of the uncertainty most teenagers have around boys] Are you gonna introduce me?

Andrea: Oh! Right... Er... Uh...

Alex: My name is Alex.

Andrea: I knew that! [flustered] This is my friend, Ci-Ki.

[Alex offers his hand, spots the oil and winces apologetically. Ci-Ki waves at him with a warm smile]

Andrea: Alex's Dad works here as the gardener.

Ci-Ki: Cool. He does a good job.

Alex: [nods his head in gratitude] He works hard.

Ci-Ki: [smile] I can tell.

Andrea: We better get going! We've only got an hour before the cook puts dinner on the table! [looks to Alex] You sure you don't need any help?

Alex: Positive. Thanks anyway.

Andrea: [uncertain smile] Okay. Take care of yourself, Alex.

Alex: [sweet smile, watches her skate off with Ci-Ki. Looks down to his bike and sighs] Stupid piece of junk!

~~*~~

[Andrea is 18 years old. She is stepping out of the front of her house, walking towards her little new VW beetle. She's looking into her handbag and not where she's going, and she walks right into a man coming in the other direction. He has scruffy short brown-black hair, curls, his face a little soft with puppy fat. He's grown into his body some, though. He's got a solid figure, attractive features and a distinctive look about him. His nose is gracefully acquiline and his smile curls up at the corners. His warm dark eyes sweep up a little when he smiles.]

[He stops and catches Andrea as she bounces back, making sure she stays on her feet. She glances up, pulling a lock of her hair from her face and gasping]

Andrea: Ohhh, I'm sorry... [drifts off] ... Hey, I know you! Alex, right?
Alex: [nods] Yeah, that's right. You remembered. [very happy about that]
Andrea: I remember you all right, I'm just terrible with names! I'm sorry, I should look where I'm going! [points at where she was walking] I... I haven't seen you in a while!
Alex: [amused, wry, but polite] You wouldn’t...
Andrea: No, I mean... near the house! Usually you're in the gardens...
Alex: [blush] Oh! Right. Well, yeah, I'm here to talk to your Dad about... well, my Dad.
Andrea: Is he okay?
Alex: Yeah, yeah, he's fine! He's on holiday in Cancun! I was just organising the details with the house.
Andrea: Your house? What about it?
Alex: Dad... my Dad's retired.
Andrea: [sad look flitters across her face] Wow, you're - you guys are moving?
Alex: [tilts head] Yeah... my Dad bought a real nice place of his own. He’s really excited about it, actually.
Andrea: Oh. [disappointed look] So, I guess that means I won’t be seeing any more?
Alex: No. Actually, you'll probably see more of me. I'll be working in the kitchens as a cook, and doing bar work when your Dad has parties.
Andrea: [mouth pops open] Wow! Really? Wow!
Alex: [laughs delightedly]
Andrea: [realises she was on her way to somewhere] Oh... shoot! I gotta go! But - hey! I'll see you around, I guess?
Alex: [smile] Sure. All the time.
Andrea: [bright smile] Great. I'll see you! [races to her car, jumping in. Alex watches her, and her window winds down] Say hi to your Dad for me!
Alex: [grin] Will do, Ms. Leighton.
Andrea: Call me Andie!

~~*~~

She's always so busy, but I don't mind. There are little moments where we exchange the tiniest snatch of small talk. In those moments she's different. She's not like she is when she's swept up in the pretty clothes and the impressive guests her Dad brings around. I can see her slowly getting carried away with it all. It's those moments I miss the sweet girl in the big house who didn't know my name but also didn't treat me any different.

She always asks me for help. It's become her habit. It's catering for parties she's throwing at her very expensive apartment in the city, or doing bar work at special functions. She says I have the knack, that no one reaches people like I do. "You make a party special, Alex."

It's amazing how quickly after she moved out of her Dad's house she requested me to start doing the odd job for her. It was almost like we were kids again. Almost.

You can't go back in time. We weren't kids anymore, and it mattered to her how rich her company was. Not because it was a conscious requirement, but merely because she had no way of dealing with the differing conditions of lower socio-economic living. She was fragile in that way. If she saw the shithole apartment I lived in after her Dad got rid of the servant's quarters, she'd cry for her Mom (wherever the woman is).

I was under no illusions. I was a friendly face, someone she liked to have around, a piece of talking, walking furniture that she got attached to. I remember once I got excited when she remembered my name. Never again. Now I know what it means when she asks me to make my special eastern dishes for her 'friends'. I'm a little piece of security. I'm like that teddy bear you had as a kid. I'm there on your bed, fulfilling my function, even though you barely pick me up or pay any real attention to me at all.

She wasn't always like this. It wasn't until she started running her own magazine. I don't even know if it's doing particularly well. Her father helped her start it, helped her hire the right people to keep it running. The staff there let her do what she wants, and they synthesise her ideas onto a sellable magazine. I'd have to wonder if there's anything she actually had plans on doing, other than being another dot in the vast halftone pattern that is today's media landscape.

People are people, however. I'm a red-blooded male and she's a gorgeous, bright young woman with a head full of big ideas. God help me if I don't have a soft spot for her.

(AN: Alex is a little down on himself as far as Andrea's esteem for him. Silly boy!)
~~*~~

[Andrea and Ci-Ki are digging through the fridge in the big kitchen, Alex at work at the counter across the room, a tall hat on his head. Ci-Ki looks at him, frowning thoughtfully. She steps over to him.]

Ci-Ki: Hello… I know you, don’t I? You look familiar.
Alex: [looks up, smiles uncertainly] Uhhh...
Andrea: [from the fridge] Oh yeah, it’s Alex. You met him years ago, remember? In the driveway? The geek with the bike?
Alex: [frowns, brows of doom]
Ci-Ki: [smile] Oh, I see.
Alex: [glances at Ci-Ki then continues to frown at Andrea] Whaddaya mean, ‘geek’?
Andrea: [steps from the fridge, unwrapping some chicken pieces] Oh, come on Alex. We were all geeks at that age. Scrawny little things with big hands, big feet and big stupid ideas. [winks at him]
Alex: [is a little mollified, looks back to the vegetables he’s chopping]

[Andrea walks over, unconsciously putting on the charm]

Andrea: And what culinary delight are you preparing for the Leightons tonight, my dear Mr. Jacobs?
Alex: [wry smile] After a starters of freshly baked tiny little dinner buns you’ll be served steam fried vegetables, fluffy white rice and a perfectly cooked Thai chicken curry.
Andrea: [impressed smile] Oooh, sounds wonderful! And desert?
Alex: [looks up in the air, feigning thought] I was tossing up between fried icecream and sticky-date pudding.
Andrea: [thinks] That’s an awfully confused meal, Alex.
Alex: Your Dad wanted me to mix it up a little. He was sick of being fed expensive food he didn’t actually like.
Andrea: [nods and snatches up a piece of capsicum on the board]
Alex: Andie, don’t make me act like my mother and smack you.
Andrea: [grins at him, keeping eye contact as she’s turning away] You’d have to catch me, first. Later!
Ci-Ki: [smiles at Alex and follows Andrea out]

[In the hall on the way to the living area]

Ci-Ki: Andrea, do you always talk to him like that?
Andrea: Hmm? Sure.
Ci-Ki: [silent, little smile]
Andrea: What? Oh... God! Ci-Ki, not THAT look!
Ci-Ki: I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Andrea: Yeah you do, you know perfectly well that I’m talking about that funny little look on your face when you think you know something other people don’t!
Ci-Ki: You think I'm that arrogant?
Andrea: I didn’t mean it like that! Just don’t go all weird about Alex, all right? He’s just this guy, you know?
Ci-Ki: I do.
Andrea: Geeez! Let’s just watch some TV and forget about it, all right?

[They sit down at the couch, Andrea turning on the TV and flipping stations]
Ci-Ki: Hey, you know I met this really cool chick on the weekend.
Andrea: Yeah?
Ci-Ki: [nods, tucking into the food Andrea has brought out] Yeah. She came into the boutique for a haircut from Mom. Dunno why I started talking to her, it was weird, really. You know you just meet some people and something happens? There’s a click.
Andrea: [snort] So, when are you going to ask her to marry you?
Ci-Ki: Don’t be stupid, it’s not like that. Though I would hope there wouldn’t be a problem if there was.
Andrea: Duh, of course not.
Ci-Ki: Good. Anyway, she’s a bit older than us, she’s just really cool. She’s just one of those people. You know. Charismatic.
Andrea: [frowns] Aren’t I charismatic?
Ci-Ki: [sighs] Andrea, why do you have to bring everything back to you? Yes, you have charisma, but it’s – it’s different. You’re sort of soft and playful, and this woman...
Andrea: Yeah?
Ci-Ki: I get this sort of... sleeping warrior feeling from her. If that makes sense.
Andrea: Heh. No, but I’ll take your word for it.
Ci-Ki: Thank you. We should go out some time.
Andrea: Huh? We’re hanging out now.
Ci-Ki: No! You and me and Carrie!
Andrea: Oh! Yeah sure! Why the hell not?

~~*~~

[It’s a reasonably busy café, and the girls are all done up to go nightclubbing. They sit at the table, Ci-Ki checking her watch]

Ci-Ki: She should be here soon.
Andrea: Right. Why couldn’t we meet her at the club?
Ci-Ki: Are you kidding? It’s so crowded there, and I wanted you to talk to her, not shout at her in a smelly sweaty club.
Andrea: [sighs and looks away]
Ci-Ki: Oh hey, she’s here! [waves across the room]

[A striking blonde woman stands from a table for two, smiling at Ci-Ki and Andrea broadly. She has bright blue eyes, soft full lips, strong cheek-bones and brows. Her figure is lithe and muscled and she is average height. She sits at the table, Andrea paying her some attention, which is a huge compliment in itself]

Carrie: Hey, Ci-Ki! [puts her hand on Ci-Ki’s shoulder and smiles warmly]
Ci-Ki: [puts an arm around Carrie and gives her a brief half-hug] Hey, you! Had a good week?
Carrie: Studying my buns off! [winces as she shifts in her chair]
Ci-Ki: You okay?
Carrie: Sure. I ran too far yesterday. Put in one mile too many. [weary smile, looks to Andrea] So, who’s this?
Andrea: [smiles shyly, which is VERY odd for her]
Ci-Ki: This is Andrea Leighton, one of my closest friends.
Carrie: Wow. She must be special. [holds her hand out to Andrea, who takes it in a brief squeeze] What do you do with yourself, Andrea?
Andrea: [waves a hand] Nothing much at the moment. I’m trying to start up my own magazine, but it’s really hard trying to find a niche. There’s a lot of market research and surveys and stuff and it’s really boring.
Carrie: [lifts her brows with a smile] I’m sure once you get the hard stuff out of the way it’ll get exciting pretty quickly. What’s the focus of the magazine?
Andrea: [wincing at herself] Fashion. A-and women’s issues. Real ones, that is, you know, not- not stupid ones.
Carrie: Heh! Stupid ones like "Is your partner the right sex type for you?"
Andrea: [laughs uneasily] Yeah. Not those.
Ci-Ki: [smiles and shakes her head]
Carrie: So you really like fashion, huh?
Andrea: Yeah.
Carrie: [leans on her hand, lifting a brow] You don’t sound too sure of that.
Andrea: No, it just sounds really... well, trite, I guess. I mean, I’m sure people think it’s a lot of bitching about what other people are wearing and stuff.
Carrie: Is that what you do?
Andrea: I didn’t want to. I really wanted to try to be a little positive about things, you know? Fashion is at such a dead end, and I wanted to try to explore the innovation.
Carrie: Sounds great, Andrea. Don’t think what you’re not doing isn’t important. I mean hey – where would we be if someone didn’t invent the zipper and put it into everything?
Ci-Ki: Still buttoning up our pants, I assume.
Andrea: [smiles] I guess I never thought about it like that. [looks as a coffee is set down in front of her] So you do, er, law?
Carrie: Finished a law degree, now I’m just an intern.
Andrea: Oh. Do you like it?
Carrie: No. If I have to chase down any more files for people, my head will explode.
Andrea: [looks lost] Don’t lawyers, like... stand in court and shout that they object?
Carrie: [affectionate smile] I wish. You have to have your own law firm for that. And you gotta prove yourself. I’m mostly helping take notes for the bigger lawyers, doing research for them. Not what I imagined when I went into law.
Andrea: What did you imagine?
Carrie: Well, I was hoping to make a bit of a difference in the world, to be honest. God. [shakes her head] We think some stupid things when we’re younger, don’t we?
Ci-Ki: Some pretty good things too, you know.
Carrie: [smiles at Ci-Ki] I guess so.

(AN: I'm guessing all that shit with lawyers. I'm not even certain I'm going to keep Carrie as a lawyer. Part of me wants to have her training to be a cop, I don't know, I'm just so confused. All I know is that she has a deep need to help people, that's central to her character and I know she'd be in some sort of career where she'd be a little idealistic about things at first, and then cynical by the time she meets Ci-Ki and Andrea. Oh, and in case you're wondering, Carrie is older than Andrea and Ceek by a few years.)

~~*~~

[The three girls are driving up to the Leighton Estate. Andrea parks her car near the front entrance, and Carrie is in the back, gawking at the mansion]

Carrie: Holy Shamolie… this is your place?!
Andrea: No. It’s my Dad’s place. I’m working on getting my own apartment, actually.
Carrie: Couldn’t your Dad help you out with that?
Andrea: [rolls her eyes as she gets out of the car] Probably, but it’d be like living here, wouldn’t it? I just want a place to call my own.
Carrie: [smiles warmly at Andrea] Don’t we all?
Ci-Ki: [looking at a car] Hey... is your Dad here?
Andrea: [looks at the car] Oh hey, yeah! He must have come home from London! Come on!

[Andrea strides boldly through the house, calling her father. She eventually finds him in the living area, sitting back in a puffy chair and reading a novel, elegant glasses on his face. He grins and stands as he sees Andrea run in. He’s a gently handsome man, dark brown hair, a little waved and short, dimples in his smile and a set of firm brown eyes that could be soft or hard at a moment. One feels them go right through them when he makes eye contact. It is clear that Andrea has inherited her father’s mouth and eyes, and his easy warmth]

Reggie: Poppet! I was wondering when you’d get in!
Andrea: [races to her father and hugs him] Daddy! I thought you were coming home tomorrow?
Reggie: [shrugs a shoulder, patting her shoulder fondly] The deal was settled quicker than I thought. [looks over Andrea’s shoulder] Hello, Ci-Ki, how are you?
Ci-Ki: [warm smile] Good, thanks, Reggie.
Reggie: Are you going to introduce me to your new friend? [glances to Carrie warmly]
Andrea: Oh! Yeah, sorry! [holds hand out to Carrie] This is Carrie Sinclair. I met her while you were away, she’s awesome. She’s gonna be a lawyer!
Carrie: [steps forward, taking Reggie’s offered hand, her lips pursed in an endearing smile] Mr. Leighton.
Reggie: [shakes his head] Please, call me Reggie.
Carrie: [nods] All right. It’s a pleasure to meet you.
Reggie: In-indeed. Did you want something to eat or drink?
Andrea: Oh, no, we were just out for lunch, we’re fine. [plonks herself down on the foot stool, grabbing a magazine and flipping through it] Did you bring me a present?
Reggie: [meets Carrie’s look with a sort of shared humour, as if to say ‘she always asks this’, then looks to Andrea] Hang on a moment, I’ll go get it. [sets down his brandy and leaves the room]
Ci-Ki: [walks over to Andrea, sitting next to her]
Carrie: [mouth hanging open a little, letting out a puff of air] Oh... my God!
Andrea: [looks up, lifting a brow] What?
Carrie: [wide eyes at Andrea] Why didn’t you warn me that your Dad was so hot?!
Ci-Ki: [looks up, claps her hand, points at Carrie] Thank YOU!
Andrea: Oh... oh no WAY! My DAD?
Carrie: Yes! Hell! I just about had a coronary when I walked in the room!
Andrea: Oh my God! You GUYS!
Ci-Ki: She’s right, she’s absolutely right!
Andrea: You think my Dad’s hot and you never told me?!
Ci-Ki: I knew you’d react just like this!
Carrie: [shakes her head, fanning herself off with a hand]
Andrea: Oh man, you guys are so wrong.
Carrie: I know you’re not supposed to see how attractive your own family is, so I’ll forgive you. You could at least acknowledge that he’s a good looking man.
Andrea: Well, yeah, of course he is. How do you think I ended up so cute? But dude... my own DAD!
Ci-Ki: [rolls eyes] Oh geez.

~~*~~

That's all for now. It's unedited, subjected to a lot of changes. If you think you can help me out at all with any information or advice or you want to tell me how you feel about the characters, do comment. I'm in the developmental stage of the first script right now and I'm having a real hard time with the establishment work. My problem is is that when we meet the Trio, they're going through a bit of a rough patch, friendship wise. Andrea's lifestyle is picking up as her magazine is getting successful and it's carrying her away without Ci-Ki. Ci-Ki's stressed and feeling like she can't keep up. Carrie is struggling to keep her friends together and is sick of playing the older sister. In the background, poor Alex is feeling dejected as Andrea constantly hires him for cooking work but barely acknowledges him as a fellow human being, even though they've spent a bit of time together. All these things are going wrong and then BOOM. A bolt of lightning, a complete change in their lifes and new powers. They're thrown out of their lives and all have to hide out in Alex's tiny flat in a stingy part of town. Andrea goes crazy in this atmosphere (Common People anyone?), Carrie is depressed over losing her job and Ci-Ki is going nuts with the voices in her head. I mean - is that even interesting? All that character work and not even one ka-pow!

While all this is going on, the villain, of course, is being established. She's a bitchy fashion designer who makes Edina from AbFab look like a cream-puff air-head. She *hates* groovy/retro clothes and this'll come into play, later, when the Magnetism establish themselves as a hero outfit. (It's going to be a whole bastard deal trying to get THAT scene to work... *whimper*) I mean - a failed bitchy fashion designer as a villain - I'm mad, aren't I? *sigh* I mean, I know there are farcical elements in this but I always get so carried away with characters that I lose touch of the farce and I want there to be some serious stuff in there too. Why must I always want to have my cake and eat it too?!

If you want to help me out with this, like, listen to me talk like this or ask you questions or just generally whack out ideas at you, lemme know. I would appreciate any help. If you help enough, you'll get credit in the comic notes at the end. (Story consultant, etc).