Thread: Transporting Taylor (Dere and skittish_butterfly)

David, I'm sorry, it's too late to change my plans. Taylor was speaking calmly into her cell phone, just loud enough to be heard above the cacophony outside the Mumbai airport, and the outraged voice railing on the other end. Her two bodyguards didn't even raise an eyebrow as Taylor shot them an its-all-cool signal and made a steering wheel gesture that they should lead her to the arranged transportation now that they'd fetched her 2 bags. She chuckled just a little bit at the thought of the paparazzi's reaction if they knew Taylor Swift was traveling internationally with just two bags -- and a big checkbook of course, but still. No David, I wasn't laughing at you. It was something else. She strolled behind Antonio and the guy replacing Brent on the trip, Rex or Rock or something like that he'd said. Nice guys. So big, both of him, making even Taylor feel almost short despite her slender height. It was a pleasure being in a crowd that didn't seem to recognize her for the most part, and if anyone swarmed her it was in pursuit of a handout, just like any other tourist. Obviously she stood out for her clear white skin and straightened blond hair, pulled back in a pony tail to keep it off her shoulders in the heat she expected outside, but she wasn't the only tourist here, and for the moment that's all she seemed to be here a tourist, not a mega star. Taylor's heart really ached for some of the sweet kids that came up to her as they exited into the mid-day heat, so dirty and skinny and poorly dressed, but when she tried to hand out some 100 bills Antonio put a warning hand on her wrist and shook his head that it was a bad idea. Taylor nodded sadly and made a personal vow, the kind she never ever broke, that she would fund something here for the kids, a shelter or an orphanage, something big, but she would come back and do something to make up for it, anonymous of course. But she always listened to her security. They were the experts so to ignore them would just be flat-out stupid. David, you can't be serious. I kept my calendar clear for these six months on purpose. It's not a sign of the backlash or my popularity going down the toilet as you say. It was my choice. And whatever happens when I get back, I can live with that. She listened for a second as she smiled and waved to another tourist who recognized her. Of course I know you have to live with it too, David, but... but... David, don't cry, I'm telling you when I get back there will be just as much money as before and I'll do extra dates and put out a holiday album to help your second quarter financials... please, David, I can't talk to you when you're.... did Jason tell you to cry, he told you how I... Taylor took the phone from her ear for a moment and covered it with her hand as they passed a local fruit vendor insistently offering fresh fruits on the way to the limo service at the end of the terminal. They did look good after a long flight and nothing but shrink wrapped airline food for the last 24 hours. You guys want mango? I'd love a mango. Don't they look juicy? I'm sure he'd appreciate the business. The vendor was almost blocking her path, like he wouldn't take no for an answer, making Antonio nervous while Rock seemed strangely cool with it. Taylor could understand the poor vendor. She'd never have gotten where she was today if she took no for an answer either. Taylor waved for Rock to handle the vendor, plenty of Taylor's cash at the ready in both men's pockets. Then she put the phone back to her ear and thankfully it was quiet on the other end. David, it's irrelevant. I'm already here. I took two days to think about it like I said, but I haven't changed my mind. You know my creative well has been drying out recently. I can't just keep writing breakup songs for the rest of my life. My spirit has to grow, to give me room to write about new parts of life. That's what my fans want isn't it? An honest look at what's in my soul? She felt almost self-absorbed to talk that way about herself, but it was the only kind of talk agents really understood, and she always tried to talk to people at their level. She paused for a moment as she accepted a slice of the mango from Rock, or was it Rod? Antonio also had a slice and Taylor gave him a smile and thumbs up. Rock looked at his with disdain or something like it and tossed it aside when he thought she wasn't looking. Poor guy. He wasn't used to working with her yet. It was perfectly fine not to have a mango just because she was having one. She wasn't a diva. Taylor resolved to have a little chat with Rock once they got in the limo, help him relax around her. It would help him do his job better if he wasn't looking over his shoulder worrying some demanding selfish singer-songwriter was going to criticize his every move. Her attention turned back to the call, the mango now out of sight and out of mind, but her mini-vow to talk to Rock not forgotten at all. Sorry David, just having a little mango. Maybe I'm just hungry after the flight but this is delicious. Little strange after taste, but I'm sure things must taste just a little different here. Antonio nodded, indicating his was delicious but a little different than the usual taste as well. Yeah, Antonio agrees with me... You know Antonio, my... never mind. David, I need time, a spiritual journey. Just keep the press off the boyfriend stories. I'm not seeing anybody, that's all they need to know. Anything else is made up. The limo was up ahead. It was so hot out here she was dying to get inside, craving the car's air conditioning, even though she knew most of the people around her had no air conditioning to escape the heat. She modified her vow, that whatever she funded here would have to have air conditioning, it was only humane. David finally stopped complaining again. I hear you David. I really do, but you know me. Am I good for my word? Do I ever let you down? She waited as Antonio verified the driver's credentials and wiped the sweat from his brow as Rock or Rob or whatever stood watch. Taylor took another bite of the odd but pleasant mango. Antonio had already finished his. Have I ever let you down other than this time I mean. No? Well good, there you go... And in answer to your question, tell them whatever you need to that will keep them away from me. I need time to myself. She listened a second. No, no way. I'm not having my fans believe I'm in rehab, not a chance. Make up something else. Hire a lookalike and let the paparazzi see her flitting around in a limo or something. Say I'm in a writing retreat somewhere, whatever works and doesn't tarnish the brand. The brand. She meant her carefully polished and cherished reputation, but she needed to use words he would understand. David, gotta go, the ride is here. The line went dead and she handed the phone to Rock, or, it must be Rock. Antonio had the door open for her but first she introduced herself to the driver, just Taylor, no big deal. She smiled and he shook her hand. He was nice, but his name was going to be impossible for her to pronounce, it was hard just hearing it. Taylor liked, though, that his eyes weren't trying to secretly devour her like most of the drivers back home. Then again she wasn't dressed in full-Taylor, just a simple skirt not even tight, a denim shirt tied at her midsection over a pink faded t-shirt and her softest most comfortable boots, the ones with the lining. The shirt combo was nice because it let her go without a bra, nice for a relatively flat chested girl on a day-long flight and more hours of intense heat and car rides. Of course she was still pretty, she understood that and not -- she hoped -- in a stuck up way, but it wasn't like her usual outfits that all but screamed for the attention and the flashbulbs, hazards of her profession. Plus, he was a local, no idea who she was, just another rich American's daughter slumming it in the east, he probably thought. Well maybe that was partially true, of course, but she wasn't traveling on her father's dime. Nice to meet you Rahma-Rahmu... nice to meet you. She flashed him the smile that always got her out of embarrassing situations back home, and she'd just touched up her makeup on the plane before debarking, especially her red lipstick so her smile would be at full voltage just in case she needed it. The driver gave that strange Indian head movement she'd been told to expect. Hey, her smile worked here too! She was still smiling as she slipped into the back compartment with her two bodyguards, her luggage already safely stowed. Antonio, did you give the driver the address? The ashram lady on the phone said it was about 2 or 3 hours outside of town, and it takes awhile to make it to that edge of town to begin with, so tell him we may want to stop for some food on the way. This is going to be a long strange trip. Thank you so much for coming with me. And you too, Rock -- it is Rock isn't it? I hope Cal is feeling better soon and thanks so much for coming with me. I wanted to talk to you, reassure you I don't get so upset all the time, not like you might think. He had a strange look as she continued talking. He must not be used to working with stars who were sane. At least she hoped she was sane. It was possible that wanting to be a music star was the first sure sign of insanity, but she hoped not.